When DC's Justice Society of America makes its live-action movie debut in Black Adam, one member of comics' first superhero team may undergo a power upgrade.That is, if the film's official action figures from Spin Master are any indication.
Unveiled by Screen Rant, the tie-in merchandise includes 4-inch figures for the Warner Bros. movie's central characters, each with individualized accessories. For instance, Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam has a lightning crackle, Quintessa Swindle's Cyclone has whirlwind effects for each arm, and Aldis Hodge's Hawkman has a mace and battle-ax. All of those check out, based on the comics.
However, when we get to the figure based on Atom Smasher, played by Noah Centineo, things get a little more interesting. In DC comic books, the hero originally known as Nuklon, possesses the superhuman ability to control his molecular structure, enabling him to manipulate his size, and commensurate strength, at will. For a time, as Nuklon, he could also become intangible, but that power appears to have been forgotten in recent years.
Will Black Adam Grant Atom Smasher New Powers?
But back to the 4-inch Atom Smasher action figure, which comes with two oversized fists. Think Gamma Grip Hulk Fists, only ice-blue, and ... nothing to do with Marvel or the Incredible Hulk. The color may be significant, as it's the same as Cyclone's whirlwind accessories; that is, it could very well represent a power.
If so, the toy may suggest that Black Adam's Atom Smasher lives up to the latter part of his name: Centineo's Albert Rothstein may be able to manifest energy fists that enable him to smash through objects. Hey, it's conceivable. Plus, it's arguably more visually interesting than watching him grow from his normal height of 7-foot-6 (in comics, at least) to 28 feet, and then shrink back down.
But we can't ignore the possibility that the oversize fists are intended to be merely representative of Atom Smasher's primary superhuman ability. After all, size changes are virtually impossible to represent in a standard plastic toy, unless the figure is sold as a two-pack (say, like some Ant-Man merchandise).
There's a third, easier option, though -- and it's one that's bedeviled fans of superhero movies from time immemorial: the toy tie-in that has virtually nothing to do with the movie's plot. Think back to Suicide Squad's Joker Batman Imposter figure, or, perhaps more accurately, the countless vehicles and variant costumes that lined toy shelves but never graced the screen.
We simply can't discount that the Atom Smasher figure was given oversized blue fists simply because the other heroes in the toyline have accessories. If Black Adam gets lightning crackle and Doctor Fate gets mystic sigils, then what do you give the guy who grows big and punches things? Oversized ... ice-blue ... fists.
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Black Adam opens Oct. 21.
Source: Screen Rant