Thor (Marvel Select)

Marvel Select Thor

The Marvel Select Modern Thor is probably among those poorly articulated and poorly scaled MS action figures out there. Yet despite my ungodly comments on Mighty Thor here, this is the only Thor so far with the best sculpt and paint compared to other Thors from other toylines. It come as no surprise that Marvel Select would choose aesthetics over functionality. Diamond Select is known to be good at what they do best (that is paint application and sculpt) and it is quite annoying that they can only do what they do best!

But I got to give kudos for its amazing paint job. They did an excellent job on Thor's armour with that metallic wash making it look as real as a chain mail. Also, the paint job and sculpt over his chest area is fabulous. Although I wasn't too impressed with Thor's plain red cape; I think they need to put more detail on it, but overall this is my favourite Thor when it comes to detail.

The hammer with an almost unpronounceable name, Mjolnir is actually not bad. It renders the old depiction of the hammer, which looks rough just like a stone. This Thor comes with a unique base that you can hang up unto a wall for that overt display of glory and mightiness.

Now for poseability and articulation; there are probably just enough hinges and joints for this Thor to proudly stand being this god figure that he is. Actually, I probably would be amazed and consider him as one of my favourites if only his arms can be raised straight up high, and kind of have him summon a lightning with his hammer, but no it doesn't. I can't do something out of ordinary or even basic with this guy except having him show off his muscle and turn his head side to side. This is not so electrifying for the god of thunder.

Furthermore, his height is not in scale with other Marvel Select action figures. Although he is a little taller than the Select Captain America but I think he could have been much taller because he suppose to be taller next to the Hulk.

MS Captain America vs. MS Thor (height)

Despite all these nice details on Thor's entire body, the articulation just isn't appealing to me. I really hope Diamond Select could improve a little on this area, and not just sculpt and paint. Thus, I recommend you to pass on this figure if you plan getting it. MS Modern Thor is not worth the praise.

U.S. Agent (Marvel Legends)

I really care less about how the United States government will be running their country for another 3 years of Obama, but I'm glad with the success of the election... and the result! America has once again inspired other nations and countries around the world from this success. And from that, in return I will be showing you this dude here that may probably resemble America's glory. I could have used a more prominent character like Captain America to do this, but unfortunately I've already showed that guy couple months ago. So... yeah, it is gonna be U.S. Agent!














Unlike Cap, one thing you'll notice right away is that U.S. Agent bares the American flag colours except one- the blue. Now this figure may not seem to be "America-like" for baring such colours like the red, white, and black, but I find it pretty neat and sophisticated, and I guess this figure is actually more resembling than Cap because America is supposed to be a nation of diversity! Also, I don't care if an action figure dress odd and silly as long as it's based from the comic book.

U.S. Agent is part of Wave 3 Marvel Legends by Hasbro. He came with Punisher and Doctor Doom and the rest. He has same height as the Punisher; standing 6'4" I believe, and got same body sculpt as Bucky Cap from Wave 2. Just the head sculpt is different- he looked grumpier as he seems!

As for articulation, he's got ball-jointed head, double-jointed elbows and knees, waist swivel, ab-crunch, and that lovely ankle pivot. One thing I don't like though is that you can't rotate the cuff part on his forearm. I think it's more preferable to have both rotation under the cuff part and the wrist.



 This guy comes with a handgun and a Bowie knife. Like the ML Steve Rogers, there are no holsters to hold the weapons, which is kind of a bummer! Although you can just have him hold the gun and the shield, and take the gun away if you want him to switch to a knife, but it just demerits the playability. And just to point out- holsters can actually add art and beauty to any comicbook-based action figures known to carry guns and other weapons. So that's just sort of my philosophy.
















This figure actually looks pretty good on the shelf. I have less complain about it, which is good. I would vote for U.S. Agent over the Steve Rogers (Marvel Legends- Wave 1) if the two clash together between who's got better feature and poseability. Likewise, I highly recommend him over Steve Rogers.

Spartan - Mark V Gold (Play Arts Kai)

Play Arts Kai Spartan-Mark V

Now here's an appetizer for those who are expecting to get the new Halo game on Tuesday! This is the Gold Spartan - Mark V by Play Arts Kai. Now I know some people picked up those ones from McFarlane, and there are quite a lot of them at Wal-Mart actually, but I like this one better. Although it's a bit pricey but it's worth it. Play Arts has been creating some really awesome action figures lately, based on video game characters, so... go Play Arts! Can't wait to see more of your products.

















I'm not sure how accurate this action figure is compared to Master Chief or whoever that guy is in the game but this is how Square Enix envisioned their version of the Spartan. But the way I see this, I think it's true to the games and the amount of detail is phenomenal!

The entire armour is painted in metallic gold; even the visor is painted in gold, which could have been done better but no biggie. The sculpt on the armour just look complex and really well-defined.

Everything you're looking for in an action figure can be found here. Poseability wise, the Spartan can execute whatever pose you could imagine with ease. It's got ankle pivot, double jointed elbows, and it's got some kind of an extendable shoulder blade so you could actually move the entire arm across the chest. One thing that most people complain about the Spartan, and I guess all Play Arts action figures, are these odd knee articulation. It is like the knees are stretching as they're bent. It's not really obvious though but you'll notice it the longer you look at it.

Playability wise, this action figure has interchangeable hands that you can switch between "pistol-gripping" to "rocket launcher-holding" hands. However, I prefer to use the pistol-gripper for any type of weapon because it has a tighter grip and holds much better than the other one. I wish they added an assault rifle into his arsenal; I just find it unacceptable not giving this Spartan his main weapon. I know the Blue and Red Spartan got the rifles (although no rocket launchers) but this one has none.
















You can place all his weapons around him. Rocket launcher goes on the back, and pistol goes on the right leg. One thing you've noticed on the first photo is that the pistol got that shimmering peg that goes into its hole. I think I'm gonna trim that off just a little so it doesn't look ridiculous.

And overall, this is a nice piece of work by Play Arts, and if you just love Halo, then having this action figure is the way to show your love to it. Just my opinion though.

Spawn - The Art of Spawn (McFarlane Toys)

The Art of Spawn - Spawn

Neither an angel nor a demon; made by hell, revered by heaven. The second and final monster that I'm gonna be unleashing this weekend for my "Pre-Halloween Monster Treat" needs no damn long introduction. He is McFarlane's finest creation, one of the iconic figures in comic book history, and the one that made Marvel and DC superheroes a bunch of incompetent bedwetters. He is the darkest superhero of all time! Enter Spawn!

















Like every Spawn figures, this 12-inch tall masterpiece maintained his traditional black and white suit with the enormous cape from hell covering his entire body, and carries this spiked armguard to his right hand. The only difference with this one from other Spawn action figures is the height; he is upscaled to 12 inches (almost as tall as the Marvel Legends Sentinel). This Spawn is from the Art of Spawn Series toyline, still created by McFarlane toys, where every action figure are three or four times bigger than their 6-inch counterparts.


One of the things I like about this one are those chains, which I believe made from sterling silver laced around his right shoulder and hanging unto his belt buckle.

















The artists must have done some crazy job sculpting and painting that red cape of Spawn. It just looks as though Spawn is trying to manipulate that cape and have it dance so gracefully around him. I just don't know how the artists did this but it just looked fantastic!

Despite all these hellishly overwhelming "badassery", Spawn has a very limited movement and articulation. Aside from being neither an angel nor a demon, with this beautiful piece of work, his reputation goes beyond being neither an action figure nor a statue. He has a tinnie winnie rotation and movement to his waistline and ankles, and that's all about it! No head, shoulders, arms, legs, tongue joint articulation or whatsoever! But I kinda see why, ...because for some reason the Art of Spawn is made simply for the sake of art (bet you didn't know that).

And now for a size comparison together with his partner on this Pre-Halloween Monster Treat weekend! ...You know, I think they can be best buds!

Happy Trick o' Treating!

Pitt (Legendary Comic Book Heroes)

Legendary Comic Book Heroes Pitt

Enter Pitt!! Tonight's "Pre-Halloween Monster" that I'm gonna be talking about is not from Marvel Select nor DC Direct but from the Legendary Comic Book Heroes (LCBH) toyline by Toy Biz (yep, the guys that created the original Marvel Legends). And for those people who haven't had any clue what this action figure is, Pitt here is a build-a-figure (BAF), and stands about 9 inches tall! He is part of the Image Comic Universe, the company that brought us some real awesome characters like The Crow and Witchblade, and other cool comic book heroes that can "wow!" even the most undesirably die hard Marvel or DC fan.













To tell you a little bit of background about LCBH, when Toy Biz lost its ownership rights over Marvel Legends, they started this new toyline that is based on non-Marvel and non-DC comicbook characters. It basically follows the same framework with Marvel Legends; stuffs like BAF's, 2 Packs, special editions and so on.

To build Pitt, you need to purchase each of his parts individually together with the action figures that comes with it. I just bought him on eBay already in one piece so I didn't go through the hustle of finding each of them month after month. But if you want to experience the thrill of the hunt, then this will be one challenging task for you. It's actually not hard to find a cheap price for Witchblade, Savage Dragon, Madman & Superpatriot, but Judge Dredd and that elusive Ripclaw... goodluck!

What made this action figure really an eye-catcher is this sort of intimidating look he carries over his face and physical features; he is massive and the hands are almost the size of your 2-year old kid. Pitt got this large talons or claws that could probably deal some damage with its ripping power! The details on his arms, legs and feet are lifelike, and this is the reason why I respect Toy Biz even more than other toy companies, cause these guys are just serious at doing their job.

Like I said, he is 9 inches tall. He stands an inch taller than the Marvel Select Hulk. What I thought was the biggest action figure, the MS Hulk stands a little shorter than Pitt. Click this link to see a size comparison.

You know, I honestly thought this action figure was a Marvel Select action figure but then I realized that his fingers are articulated individually. I thought maybe he is Marvel Legends but found no Pitt action figure listed when I dig through some of the websites. After awhile, I knew this was a Toy Biz figure before I purchased him on eBay. With all these amazing detail and articulation, I knew there is only one company who can put these all together.



Toy Biz Pitt vs. MS Colossus

Hope (Marvel Legends)

Marvel Legends Hope

Hope Summers a.k.a. "The Mutant Messiah" is one of the main characters, and the center of the story of the comicbook series, Avengers vs. X-men. She is the adopted daughter of the mutant-cyborg, Cable. Hope is believed to be the first mutant born after the Scarlet Witch decimated the mutant population on the face of the earth (with only 198 mutants left) using her probability-altering powers. So there's our brief background on Hope, and I honestly have limited knowledge about her since I hadn't followed the House of M series, but thanks to Wikipedia I know basically who she is.
















But the whole story of the Avengers vs. X-men, that I know! I have read this 12-issue comic book since April this year and I wasn't too impressed with the storyline.

This action figure comes with a big futuristic gun, something like the one she's holding in this cut out here. Now, I lost that gun somewhere in my room but I don't like the design of that gun anyways, and that I'd rather have Hope wield Mystique's assault rifle cause it's more kick-ass.















The articulation and, especially, the body mold is the same as the Marvel Legends Madame Hydra and Mystique. No articulation to the hips, and just limited movement to the head because of that hair and that thing around her neck and back.

Hope, being a tall figure is a little odd the fact that she's a teenager and suppose to be standing a little shorter than the Marvel Legends Mystique. When compared to the Toy Biz Cyclops, they are almost of the same height, and as what I've observed, she isn't really compatible with other Toy Biz Marvel Legends, or even that from Hasbro.

"Take that you sick bastard!"

If you're collecting the Terrax BAF pieces to build "Terrax," then I think you gotta get Hope cause she have his head and axe weapon. This figure is not the best though but it's pretty looking. You'll love it!

Sentinel (Marvel Legends)

If you happen to know guys who collect Marvel Legends, ask them if they own the Sentinel, and mostly, they gonna say "are you kidding me? Got an army of them!" Some guys will tell you they just got one of these 15-inch toys towering over the rest of their collection. There has been hundreds of reviews on blogsites and YouTube about this Sentinel because this action figure is just so cool! This is one of ToyBiz's masterpiece, and one of the reasons why Hasbro was still standing on its shadow for quite a long time.

Marvel Legends Sentinel

I started collecting action figures for already 10 months now, and this Sentinel here came out around 2005, so... I can understand why you'll probably just look at all the photos and skip reading all the features and description about this toy, especially when you already had one a long time ago.

Anyways, this action figure is a build-a-figure (BAF), and the first BAF I completed. Parts like the legs, arms, torso and head comes with the action figure that has been designated to them. So like the Right Arm comes with the Black Panther and the Upper Torso comes with Spider-Man; and there is actually a list you can find online that can guide you in assembling Sentinel.

The paint detail and the sculpt on this guy is amazing. It's got a realistic feature that is unique and distinguishable to that of the Marvel Universe Sentinel. In other words, this is way better looking than the MU version. It's got a fine metallic wash on its armour, and you can see the wires and cables exposed around its sides.

The poseability on this Sentinel is neither impressive nor something of a letdown. I think some of the areas needs a bit of articulation to be added. Starting from the top, Sentinel's head can rotate 360 but cannot look up and down at full range. Underneath this pliable shoulder guards are ball-hinged shoulders and bicep swivels. He got double-jointed elbows, wrist rotations and the fingers are articulated individually, and you can stick these robotic tentacles to its palm- truly, I love this part here. At the torso area, Sentinel has diaphragm swivel, waist swivel and ball-jointed hips. Now the problem with Sentinel are its legs. Although it got double-jointed knees and swivel to the upper thighs, but the movement around his ankles are limited.

  

Marvel Legends Sentinel (Series 10) just towers over any Marvel Select action figures out there that ever existed. Truly, a masterpiece by Toybiz and, for me, building this figure is one of my greatest accomplishments.