Hawkeye (Marvel Select)

Marvel Select Hawkeye (Classic)

While we wait for Hasbro to get their own version of the Classic Hawkeye, which they have already confirmed to be released next year, I would like to do this review on the Marvel Select Classic Hawkeye that I had couple of years ago. This Hawkeye action figure is probably the one that Hasbro should compete with because, personally, I think this is how we should envision when we talk about a Classic Hawkeye and Diamond Select Toys brings that to the table. This Hawkeye surely hits the bullseye!















The figure delivers Hawkeye in his classic blue and purple outfit accurately. And when I say accurate, it means that as if he almost came out from the pages of the 1960's or 70's comic books. He just looked clean with no obvious paint defects. It's pretty interesting that while we see most Marvel Select have some good eye-catching paint jobs, the Select Hawkeye didn't get the same treatment but the simplicity still worked effectively. There's a little paint wash and shading going on but you can't really see it. The exposed fleshy parts are solidly painted with one colour that's consistent all through out.

From a distance, a Classic Hawkeye can be easily recognized by his three basic features- the ala-Wolverine type of cowl with the "H" at the front, his chain mail chest armour (reminiscent of Classic Cap's), and his loin cloth along with the utility belt. The attire and body are sculpted authentically to the source material. By the looks of his overall physique, there is no doubt that he got relocated to a gym. The musculature is not too lean nor too bulky; it fits the athletic-type superhero.

For accessories, we begin by looking at Hawkeye's weapons as these are his "superpowers" so to speak. Note that the quiver straps are glued across his torso and so it's irremovable; also making the quiver at his back locked in place, albeit rather you can use the quiver to store all his arrows into its cavity except for the arrow with the explosive tip and a Janet Van Dyne (a.k.a. Wasp) sitting on it. While this quiver may gave that illusion of a dozen purple arrows, Hawkeye only use and carry four (4) of them- a regular arrow, two (2) "headless" arrows (which I will get into later), and the "Wasplosive" arrow that just got mentioned.

Hawkeye's bow is the only accessory he has which I hate unfortunately. Everytime you pull its rubbery string, the bow bends in this awkwardly twisting sideway movement instead of naturally curving back. Furthermore, the string doesn't go far enough across his chest leaving you no choice but to have him neutrally hold it. But the base stand is what I am astonished about!- it gives me a preview of what the ending of the Avengers: Age of Ultron would look like. So this is where we use the headless arrows- put each of them into these bullet holes of a slain Ultron minion.

Marvel Select figures are considerably not very poseable. They are action figures with a blend of being statues and so as this Hawkeye. The head is on a ball-joint but interestingly it cannot do an up-down movement. The arms have ball-hinged shoulders, single-jointed elbows, and wrists that can only rotate without the flexion. He got waist swivel and ball-hinged hips that allow his legs to move forward and back without the loin cloth getting in the way (because it's a pliable plastic). The legs got swivel at the upper-thighs, single-jointed knees and hinged ankles. Sadly, no rotation at the boot area!

I'd say this is a must-have Marvel Select Hawkeye since this is the only Hawkeye we got from this toyline that renders that original comic book version of the character. I am a huge fan of this classic outfit and I like how Diamond Select Toys had done with his paint and sculpt. However, I wish they could have executed the functionality of his bow properly, and wish that they are not too stingy with the articulation. But overall, it is a great figure with a price that's affordable.