Number 7 in my Top 10 Flash items in my collection: DC Direct JLA Series 1 The Flash from 2003.

This figure is not only the first Flash action figure that I purchased when I started collecting again but it is also my all-time favorite Flash action figure; this piece sports the best sculpt for a Flash figure I’ve seen yet. I’ve never been a fan of a million points of articulation and this figure does a nice job covering the basics while including a little extras like the neck being able to swivel up to make it seem as if he is looking ahead while in running poses. Again the little details like that and the sculpted lightning belt and accents really make this piece pop. They also used a semi-sparkly red paint which can be seen when you turn the figure at different angles. It works great in tandem with the super glossy yellow that was used for the boots and wings. 

A few negatives though but not huge ones. Again the ever prevalent blue-eyed mistake with Wally figures (or Hypertime) rears it’s ugly head. Another issue is the plastic that the figure is made from appears to be rather cheap. You can’t really pose Wally on either leg (to simulate running) for any length of time before the plastic starts to bend, which is a shame, because with the neck swivel you would think this figure was made for those kinds of poses. Still, the proportions are perfect (I’ve always maintained that speedsters like The Flash should be drawn with a sleek, slender but muscular build.), and the face isn’t ambiguously Barry or Wally, it is pure Wally. If there was ever a figure that screamed “repaint me” this is definitely it. Shame that we haven’t seen this sculpt used again.

Alright that is all for today. Look for more Top 10 tomorrow. 

-Devin “Flash” Johnson