someone should put up comparison pics
Ask and you shall receive!
...in a minute.
As for my 2 orders, I received figures 2533, 2677, 2679 & 2684. Considering that they were split between 2 orders, placed at 2 different times, I'm VERY disappointed that ALL of my figures had serial numbers near the end of the run and split up so randomly. They clearly did NOT ship these in numerical order, in the order in which customer orders were received. :angry:thumbsdown
But as for the ring, I'm pleased with it. Even with its inaccuracies, it's a MUCH better ring than I expected from Mattel. I just wish someone had seen fit to explain and show with pictures how easy it was to remove the ring from the box BEFORE I disassembled a box trying to figure out how to get it out. Just to look at it, with the glossy finish on the band, it looked as though it might have been held in place by a layer of clear plastic. As it turns out, all you have to do is reach in through the oval hole in the box and pull the ring out.
But even though it's better than I expected from Mattel, it still exhibits Mattel's typical LACK of good quality control practices. I inspected all 4 rings. Most had chips/flaking in the "smoke" colored finish that gives the weathered appearance, revealing the bare, silver-tone metal underneath. Some also had uneven spraying of the "smoke gray" color, resulting in dark spots and light spots. Also, on some, some of the recessed detail areas were missing the black paint that's supposed to be in them. Some of the plastic front pieces also had visible "seam" lines from molding, and at least one had a rough end that looks like what you get when a part is broken off of a sprue and isn't sanded/smoothed afterwards. Also, the "ring" around the center gem has been left translucent green, instead of being painted the metallic color it should be.
After carefully inspecting all 4, I chose the best looking of the lot to keep out on display, and will most likely wear it to the movie premiere. I wear a size 10, and based on how loose it is on my finger, I'd say it's at least a size 11. Wearable, but a little loose for me. But definitely more wearable than DC Direct's Kilowog-sized rings will be! :rolleyes
All in all... I'd say that in some ways, the special preview ring that was sent to "the great & the good" was a little better... and by "the great & the good" I mean "the RICH"... the center stone being a lighter color looked better, for instance. But in some ways, Mattel's looks a little nicer. So, it's a toss up as to which is better. I really wish one of "the great & the good" would see fit to list their ring on eBay so I could snatch it up and make a more direct comparison between the 2. :unsure
And now, here's some pics that were taken by various members of the GL Corps Message Board: