[Prowl 2009]

Ever since Warner Home Video released Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths back in February 2009, DC Fans have been waiting for Mattel to release the members of the Crime Syndicate of Amerika into their DC Universe Classics line. It was at this year's Toy Fair that the waiting finally paid off when Mattel unvailed it's Crime Syndicate of Amerika 5-pack, containing the 5 main members of the alternate earth criminal organization!

Today, thanks to our friends over at The Fwoosh, we have our first in-depth look at this hotly anticipated set, the last of the Wal-Mart exclusive DCUC offerings, which should be hitting shelves some time later this summer!

The first figure contained within the set is Ultra Man (El-Kal), the leader of the Crime Syndicate. He is a vast improvement over the original version released in a 2-pack back in 2007. He sports a great head sculpt with lots of detail and although his costume is basic in nature, the colors look great and his chest logo is crisp and clean. He sports silver ovals on his belt, but they don't hinder articulation one bit. Basically, this version of Ultra Man puts the older one to shame. He's a great, modern take on the character that looks great alongside the other members of the Crime Syndicate. Articulation is basic and he has no accessories.

Second within the set is Superwoman (Lois Lane), who makes use of the standard Wonder Woman body and is a figure who turned out better than I thought she would. Her head sculpt looks great, allowing her to appear both tough and feminine at the same time. She has newly sculpted boots and a nice, soft cape that match her comic counterpart very well. The sculpt on the cape is very intricate with a lot of fold lines and cinching; it is also the perfect length as it only reaches down to about her belt line. Again, articulation is standard for a DCUC figure and she comes with no accessories. Still, she looks amazing!

Next, we have Power Ring. A figure who's costume matches his comic counterpart well, even though some fans have been complaining his boots should be white. To be honest, I've seen him wear the green boots in the comics and, I agree with The Fwoosh when they say the green boots simply look better than white ones would have. Again, head sculpt is awesome, making Power Ring appear very ticked off about something. I have only really started to warm up to these angery faces of late, and Power Rings has to be the best thus far (sorry Sinestro Corps Batman). His look is great, paint is flawless and crisp. No accessories. Standard DCUC articulation.

Up next we have Johnny Quick (Johnny Chambers), the anti-hero version of Mr. Barry Allen. Done in his classic style, this figure is simply awesome! His coloration is superb, all of the lines on his costume are crisp. He has some subtle wash on the red, the yellow really pops and he has actual boots, not just painted lines. The head sculpt is great and features a real smug look and a slightly off centre glance, as if he isn't paying attention. He is a perfect baddie for the Flash and man, does he ever look awesome! Same standard articulation and no accessories.

Finally, we have my favorite of the bunch, Owlman (Tomas Wayne Jr.). This figure is perfect in every way with nothing in the way of flaws. Done in his modern appearance, his head/helmet sculpt is right on and finished in two different tones of silver. His facial expression is very cold and calculating and does some serious justice to James Wood's character in Crisis on Two Eaths. The cape is made of a very soft plastic so it does not restrict the articulation too much; all of the different layers are sculpted and the separation at the bottom does not restrict the leg movement at all. The owl clasp is also a very nice touch. He has the ribbed cuff on his wrists and boot tops with an all new belt. The dark, dark blue color of his costume is superb and it has some nice, subtle washing and dry brush that brings some dimension to the muscle tone. Articulation is standard and Owlman got the only accessory within the set - an Owlarang.

So, there you have it! This is perhaps the most anticipated and best 5-pack Mattel has given DC fans since the lines launch in 2007. It features some of the best head sculpts I have ever seen and I must say, Owlman easily belongs in the Top 10 best DCUC figures to date! As with the Legion of Superheroes 12-pack, it appears this set may be due for release some time around August or September, so keep your eyes peeled. This will be the last of the DCUC Wal-Mart exclusives and seriously, you don't want to pass this set up!

While we await the release of this set, enjoy the attached photos supplied by our good friends over at The Fwoosh and I defy you to look at the Owlman shots and not hear James Wood's voice in your head discussing the possibility of alernate earths!