The Top 10 DC Heroclix That Need an Update

There are a lot of Heroclix representing the DC Comics universe that should be updated, especially if the last piece to be made pre-dated character cards. Now everyone has characters they would love remade, but I am focusing on the biggest, major characters that are sorely under-represented in the game. This is my Top 10 DC Heroclix That Need an Update:

#10: Parallax

Last Appearance: 2006 Convention Exclusive

Why: Parallax was one of the biggest villains of the 90’s, responsible for trying to recreate the universe and later using his immense power to restart the sun in a measure of redemption.

The reason Parallax is only an honorable mention is that his relevance has waned in recent years. Hal Jordan has long since returned to his spot as a Green Lantern. Plus, the character has evolved past the Zero Hour green caped armored appearance into a yellow space bug… thing. (We will ignore the mustard colored gas monster from the movie.) But Parallax wasn’t as powerful as he chould have been; a low point Robin with Outwit shouldn’t be able to take down universal menace like Parallax. If Laxative Log had been given the Quintessence team ability (like his cohort Extant did in Brave and the Bold), it would have gone a long way toward making Parallax a threat rather than a high point target. I will say that I would love a Kyle Rayner Parallax with the Sinestro Corps keyword to round out the final herald of the Sinestro Corps War! (Come on, we have Sinestro, Superboy Prime and Manhunter Grandmaster, not to mention the SC Anti-Monitor!)

#9: Catman

Last Appearance: Origins

Why: Catman is the leader of the Secret Six, a cult favorite comic about group of villains taking on black ops missions for a mysterious benefactor.

I will admit that Catman wasn’t the biggest name, but he was one of the stars of the Secret Six book and one of the only steady members of the group. My real gripe is that over the course of three or so sets, a lot of attention was given to other members such as Ragdoll, Parademon, Deadshot, Scandal Savage and Bane! But playing the old Catman with them reveals him as the obvious weak link.

#8: Mr. Terrific

Last Appearance: Legacy

Why: He was at one time the leader of the Justice Society of America. In the New 52 reboot, he starred in his own short-lived title and now seems to be a major player in the Earth 2 book.

One of few African-American heroes on the DCU, Mr. Terrific has a very old piece that not only features low stats, but has a power set that really doesn’t do justice to Michael Holt’s intelligence, his athleticism, and the powers of his T-Spheres. It would be nice to have a new version of him to join the JSA.

#7: Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl

Last Appearance: Legion of Superheroes mini-set

Why: They are the original three members of the Legion of Superheroes. They are among the most recognized of the extensive roster and act as their senior members.

Okay, this one is kind of cheating as I am picking 3 characters for one slot, but Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl are kind of a package deal. (It was those three who first visited young Clark Kent in the Silver Age.) Their last Heroclix appearance happened to feature character cards for the first time. Their stats aren’t terrible, but are kind of low by the current standards of the game. Plus, their powers aren’t as represented as they could be. (Some sort of Special Power bonus for all three being adjacent would be nice too.) With the Superman set giving us updates of many LOS members, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl seem overdue themselves.

#6: Captain Cold

Last Appearance: Collateral Damage

Why: Captain Cold is the leader of The Rogues of Central City. He is a recurring arch-nemesis of The Flash and one of his three most well known villains (along with Gorilla Grodd and Professor Zoom).

While I would argue that a lot of The Rogues need updates, I place Captain Cold at the top of the list. The stats of his piece are far too low and he lacks Leadership, a power he should really have. Plus his recent “super powered” New 52 version could be represented later in his dial, making him an even more effective foe for Flash.

#5: Cheetah

Last Appearance: Icons

Why: Cheetah is arguably Wonder Woman’s most well known villain.

With all the recent Wonder Woman pieces, it’s surprising to me that Cheetah hasn’t seen a new Heroclix piece in many years. We need a version of her that can go toe to toe with Diana, maybe even the New 52 version with the “infection” curse given to those she wounds. Oh, and she needs the Legion of Doom keyword. (So does Captain Cold for that matter!)

#4: Wildcat

Last Appearance: Origins

Why: Very popular member of the Justice Society.

With the other two members of the “JSA Trinity” made (Jay Garrick Flash and Alan Scott Green Lantern), where the hell is our Wildcat? We seriously expected him to logically follow the DC 75^th set, but we never got him. His Origins version is definitely outdated. Wildcat’s attack and damage values are good. (As they should be! He was a heavyweight champ boxer!) But his defense numbers are just sad. Plus with new powers like Sidestep, Precision Strike and Empower, Wizkids could really capture the boxing skills of Ted Grant with maybe some Indomitable to show how tough he is to defeat (with a broken leg he still took down the Injustice Society!). We want our Wildcat, damn it!

#3: Orion

Last Appearance: Collateral Damage

Why: Orion is the main character of the New Gods books and a member of the (pre-reboot) Justice League.

A lot of the New Gods could stand to be remade, but none more than the hot-headed Orion. His old Heroclix piece is woefully under powered and his movement and defense stats are craptacular. This is a guy who can go toe-to-toe with Superman and regularly fights Darkseid! He needs Indomitable, some punishing stats and probably some sort of Special Power to represent his legendary rage!

#2: Captain Atom

Last Appearance: Legacy (not counting the Crisis Monarch)

Why: Captain Atom is another long standing Justice League member (International included) and has starred in his own book a few times.

Captain Atom was the inspiration for this topic. I saw his piece and wondered with all the recent Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern Heroclix, how Captain Nathaniel Adams could have been overlooked for so long. His is a piece that could really benefit from some Special Powers as well as an array of energy attacks like Pulse Wave and Energy Explosion. And this time, make sure he has all of his keywords like Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, Super Buddies, Extreme Justice, L.A.W. and of course, soldier.

#1: Shazam! (Captain Marvel)

Last Appearance: Origins (technically Brave & the Bold on a duoclix with Black Adam)

Why: Once the flagship character of Fawcett Comics, Captain Marvel would evolve into the magical Shazam! (due to legal issues) under DC Comics, starring in several of his own titles as well as a member of the Justice League and a recurring “sparring partner” for Superman.

We have wanted a new version of Shazam for years. The best version of Captain Marvel comes from Unleashed as the Kingdom Come version… but that’s a bloated 256 points that, while a beast in its day, is very dated. Not to mention, that’s an Elseworlds version. The best representative of the regular Earth 1 Shazam comes from Origins… but the stats on that one are also pretty lackluster compared to newer powerhouse pieces. Now there was a decent version of Shazam to come out in Brave and the Bold… if you don’t mind having Black Adam connected to him like some benign tumor. It’s weird. But Jonny Prophet is quick (and loud) to point out that no “Marvel Family” Heroclix piece has had Indomitable, yet he has “The Stamina of Atlas” and “The Courage of Achilles” which should easily amount to Willpower, should it not? Not even Black Adam in his two (technically three) pieces in the character card era have had the slash through the shield. I argue that if Shazam doesn’t have Indomitable, then he should at least have some Special Power that represents his ability to revert to Billy Batson and then transform back to Shazam at full strength. Alas, we will continue to be stuck with a subpar Shaptain Marzam until such a time when we get the bratty New 52 version. And he probably won’t have Indomitable. (sigh)