Doll Review: Mera

Hi folks,

I’ve got another doll review for you today. 

This doll is inspired by “Mera” from the upcoming, live-action version of Aquaman – I would love to see an Aquaman doll with the same body used for Superman, just with a different head sculpt - or even the same head sculpt, but sporting a synthetic beard, can you imagine?!  Anywho, the movie will be releasing here in December and I’ll be going, but I’m not sure whether or not to be hopeful. 

As much as I can appreciate Khal Drogo-err, I mean, Jason Momoa’s physique, it likely won’t be enough to carry an entire film.  Unfortunately, after “Justice League”, I was not left craving more.  Don’t get me wrong, it had its moments, just not enough of them.  The highlight of that film, for me, was The Flash meeting Superman. 

Anyway, on with the Mera doll – this is a doll review, not a movie review ;)

The metal crown appears similar to Hippolyta’s, my guess is that the plastic would be soft and lacking in luster. I didn’t get a doll that had the crown or the boots (both of which I’m fine with), and I don’'t feel like I’m missing out too much. I may get the shoes at sometime in the future, we’ll see.

The photo above is promotional and not my own, but from this point, all photos are my own for the purposes of accuracy (and sadly, all taken with my smartphone).

Upon close inspection, the armor this doll is wearing is a combination of soft plastics, hard plastic, and fabric with small stitches holding everything in place. 

At first, I was relieved as I thought that it meant that removing the armor would be much, much easier.  Turns out, however, that both the cuisse (thigh guards) and the bodice on this doll are also hard plastic.  I was really hoping to avoid needing a dremel for the process, but it looks like the bodice leaves me few other options.

I love the detail that has gone into these intricate pieces.  If I decide to attempt to give them more of a metallic appearance, it may damage the paint job they currently sport, and I’m not sure it would be worth it.  I’ll think about it.  We have an airbrush that I haven’t used in ages. 

I have to say, though, while this is a beautiful costume, it’s not likely to do much in combat with that exposed neckline.  Thankfully, my girl will not be picking any fights to the death.

The green bodice beneath is undoubtedly meant to appear as green scale mail armor, with an oceanic twist.  I think they did a wonderful job with it, personally, it’s quite fetching.  I especially like the little straps beneath her feet that stop the leggings from sliding upward (a problem Eve has rolled her eyes at many, many times).

Posing is slightly limited by the bodice, the doll is unable to sit with her legs together as the bodice dips similarly to a bathing suit; though it lacks the backside.  I thought Hippolyta was suffering with her leather undergarments, good gravy, this takes it to an entirely new level. 

In addition, the upper cuisse bumps into/scrapes against the bodice as it skims her hips.  While it doesn’t limit posing to put her in a seated position, it does look odd, because the knee-guards are apparently attached to the cuisse and it lifts off.  I’m not even sure what kind of armor this would be called, knees need to be able to bend, even in armor, so this is generally not done.

(Yes, she is posed sitting on top of my bluetooth speaker - it’s what was in reach, haha)

The spaulder (shoulder pieces) are stiff plastic, held fast with stitching through the fabric bodice.  They’re easy to remove.  Because they’re held with stitches, they’ll need to either be re-stitched or held in place by other means like double-sided tape.  They do not “click” into place.

The bracers were fairly straightforward to remove – I didn’t even have to remove the hands of the doll (phew, bullet dodged!).  Unlike the spaulders, these will stay in place when simply sliding them back onto the doll, because they fit snuggly.  If you’re not removing the doll’s hands (which I wouldn’t advise) just be careful when you put them back on.

Yes, her hands have painted-on-green pieces.  I’m not a fan.  I would like to replace her hands if I used her in a story line, but looking at the wrist joint, I fear she may be a fashionista barbie – whose hands are not something I’ve ever removed without breaking them – be careful!  If I use this doll, it appears I may have to simply paint over her hands, or see if I can remove the factory paint from them the same way one de-faces the doll. 

Lastly, to the doll herself.  I don’t feel she looks, at all, like Amber Heard.  I don’t mean to disparage this doll, but her face does not impress.  I’m not sure what it is, or whether it’s a series of small things adding up, but she’s just not my personal aesthetic.  Beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder and I have no doubt that others will disagree with me.  Her face, however, is not the reason I purchased her.

Her hair, on the other hand, oh my.  I’m a sucker for red-headed dolls, especially with a coppery tone, and the curls?  Yes, please, and thank you.  I absolutely adore her hair.  As such, I think she’ll make a lovely, repainted figure (at some point in the far, distant future).

Her body is fairly articulated, she appears to be a fashionista barbie, similar to Willow & Heather, complete with the lacked ankle joint that’s going to force her into heels for the rest of her days.  Poor dear.  I would have liked to have seen this doll sport the same, heroic build as Hippolyta, but then again she’s not an “amazon”.  Still, with made-to-move bodies available, why not make use of them for additional posing? I guess it doesn’t matter for the folks intending to leave their dolls in the box. 

Overall, while I’m not as impressed as I was with Hippolyta, I still think Mattel did a good job and I would love to see more dolls – both male and female – from superhero films.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed this review.  If you’ve got additional questions about the doll, or there’s something I’ve missed, leave a comment below.