The Blot’s been meaning to talk about this for a while now, but when did DC’s B’wana Beast become a major player in the DC Universe? My guess is that unless you were a hardcore DC Comics fan, you had probably never even heard of the Africa based super hero until his appearances in the animated television shows Justice League Unlimited and Batman: The Brave and The Bold. While the character has been around since 1967, he’s only showed up sporadically in comics such as Crisis on Infinite Earths, Swamp Thing, and Animal Man.B’wana Beast was actually killed off in the early 90’s but his protégé, Freedom Beast, was up until recently fighting crime as a member of the Global Guardians, sporting B’wana Beast’s signature headdress. That was until he too was killed a few months ago in Justice League: Cry for Justice #1. So what does that mean for the B’wana Beast legacy? The Blot has no idea, but for some reason DC and Mattel believe there’s a growing sentiment to bring back this classic D-list superhero. How else can you explain four, yes FOUR, different B’wana Beast action figures being produced in 2009-2010!?!
+B%27Wana+Beast+Action+Figure.jpg)
I know, it’s crazy right? There are popular DC characters that are lucky if they get one JLU or DC Universe Classics figure, but B’wana Beast, off his two cartoon appearances, is getting a figure in each and every toy line Mattel produces. Already out is the impossible to find JLU B’wana Beast action figure (see above) that was included in the JLU: Legends of the League 6-pack. In stores now is the Batman: The Brave and The Bold Action League B’wana Beast figure, which comes packaged with a standard Batman figure (see below).
Coming very soon is the online exclusive DC Universe Classics 6” B’wana Beast action figure that will only be available in the Animal Instincts 2-pack, which also includes an Animal Man figure. I really dig this 2-pack because it actually ties in to a former Animal Man/B’wana Beast storyline that ran in the first couple of issues of the ongoing Animal Man series from the early 90’s. The MattyCollector.com exclusive Animal Instinct 2-pack will go on sale December 15th and retail for $25 per set.
The final B’wana Beast action figure is the one I know the least about. As you can see from the photo below, it is a Batman: The Brave and The Bold B’wana Beast action figure based on his appearance in the cartoon of the same name. I haven’t been able to find out if and when this figure will see its worldwide release, but with B’wana Beast’s resurgence in popularity you know this figure will be released sometime soon…oh who am I kidding!?! A character can’t have a resurgence in popularity when he was never popular to begin with!
Ok, maybe I’m being a little too hard on the guy considering he’s currently dead in DC's comic book continuity, but seriously? Was there really a need for four different B’wana Beast action figures in less than twelve months? I know Mattel and DC Direct have done an amazing job producing a wide variety action figures based on the heroes and villains from the DC Universe, but let’s move past B’wana Beast already and start giving some other characters their due!
While we've already gotten JLU versions of Vibe and Steel, couldn’t we all use a DC Universe Classics version of the greatest break dancer in the history of the DCU? And what about Gypsy, Lady Blackhawk, Mister Bones, Major Diaster and Big Sir, don’t they deserve multiple action figures too? I know I’d kill for a JLU or DCU Classics Doctor Mist action figure! I could go on for days, but I’ll spare you my ramblings. Who would you like to see in an upcoming release from Mattel or DC Direct?
