Marvel Legends TRU Exclusive XMEN Dark Phoenix and Cyclops

Dark Phoenix (Left), Cyclops (Right)

Hasbro has been surprising us with several release of different waves and exclusives of their Marvel Legend Toylines. Such as characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe , Comics and even from the Netflix Series. And one of the most awesome release they did this year is this 2-pack Dark Phoenix and Cyclops.

Front Packaging

First things first - the packaging, this was packed in the standard Hasbro/Marvel 2-pack packaging.

Back Packaging

And at the back, we can see the usual details about the characters and an image on where this pack was based on - The Dark Phoenix Saga *dum dum dum*.

Dark Phoenix

Here's a first look to our Dark Phoenix standing over the Diamond Select Winter Soldier Base

Front

Up in front, as you can see we still get the generic Marvel Female articulation and still won't have any double jointed elbows. The paint application was awesome specially on the head - the tips of the hair of this default head was translucent red.

Back

Dark Phoenix Good State

 The other alternate head was a copy of the default head but with some changes, eyes are normal and the tips of the hair is not translucent. So I guess its safe to say this is the phoenix good state.

Dark Phoenix Possessed State with Mini Phoenix

 And as I said before, the default head has a much more glaring look. Eyes and the tips of the hair is different and let's say this is the possessed state.

Dark Phoenix Normal Head

And on the other, there is actually a pretty much more normal head. Well as much as we can say we are satisfied with the other 2 heads, this one was pretty dissapointing since its a reuse of the old Ms. Marvel / Warbird head which was already used several times in other characters such as the EE Exclusive Gamora.

Dark Phoenix (Left), Phoenix (Right)

And Lastly, heres a comparison with the Juggernaut Wave Phoenix (Green). 

1. They have the same upper torso, however the legs was changed. The Green Phoenix uses  the same skinny legs the Kate Bishop (3 Pack) uses and was attached to a heeled foot which generally makes it harder to stand. On the other side, the Red Phoenix uses the same sexy legs the 3pack Ms. Marvel uses which is way better and the feet no longer has heels which makes her the ability to stand easily. But due to the changing of heels, its a cm shorter.

2. The Sash are the same except the Red Phoenix has a small logo of the Phoenix on the left.

3. Paint Application and design - well the Red has a better application but we can also see that the Phoenix Logo on the chest was bigger than the green.

Dark Phoenix Accessory

Dark Phoenix Accesory - Well it's better than nothing.

from Left to Right, Normarl Head, Dark Phoenix, Phoenix, Juggernaut Wave Phoenix Celine Dion Look Alike Head, Rocket Raccoon Wave Jean Grey Head

Giant Sized Cyclops

And of course we have the most hated Marvel Character - Cyclops on his Giant Size Costume.

Front

As you can see as simple as it may - this is something that looks pretty awesome.

Back

from Left to Right, Puck Series Astonishing Cyclops, Giant Sized  Cyclops, 90's Jim Lee Cyclops

So to make things easier, I aligned all three Cyclops to compare. Sadly, I don't have the Black Marvel Now Cyclops sinced I missed that wave during the time it was released and can no longer get a piece in a fair price.

1. Compared to the other two, the Paint Application of this 2 pack Cyclops was well applied. The washing and the the gradient was perfectly applied that the shading was highly emphasized compared to the static blue of the 90's Cyclops.

2. As similar as it may seem, the head of the 2pack Cyclops and the Puck Series Astonishing Cyclops is not the same. There are large circles on the side in the ear of the 2pack Cyclops.

And that's it, I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed reviewing them and writing this entry.

As a bonus here's a couple of combination you can do with the Dark Phoenix alternate heads attached in other bodies.

Rocket Raccoon Jean Grey

2pack Black Widow

Juggernaut Wave Phoenix (Green)

Terrax Wave Hope Summers

Hasbro 3-Pack Series Collector's Edition: Ms. Marvel, Captain America, Radioactive Man

Probably the most riskiest thing I have done so far and yes I won't do this again - spending a lot for 3 figures. Unlike in other countries - items like this comes hard and expensive here so I had to save a lot If I wanted to have one. But I was to eager to have Ms. Marvel so bad that I took out some money from my savings. For the upcoming series, I guess the main target would be Scarlet Witch only since yes, I don't think I can afford it any longer and as soon as I got a few I have to cut some figures off - anyway, enough of the private stuff. Our Next post for today is Marvel's 3-Pack Collector's Edition by Hasbro released this year of 2014 and consists of 3 heroes, namely: Ms. Marvel [Warbird - Carol Danvers], Captain America [Ultimate? - Steve Rogers] and Radioactive Man.

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One of the few things Hasbro is good at is, one they are good at giving out High Quality Teasers which makes the figures look good that it makes you wanna lock your wallet until it arrives. Next, the new Hasbro Infinite Series are packed in pretty neat boxes like this one - looks special huh? And althogh a little off, details are now changed and a lot more better in terms of proportionality. Hasro managed to create a female heroes with a decent detail unlike toybiz who created the anorexic Scarlet Witch and Petite Emma Frost - don't get me wrong, I like Toybiz Male Heroes.

Radioactive Man - Dr. Chen Lu was a nuclear physicist and communist agentin the People's Republic of China - was ordered to find a way to defeat Thor - Dr. Lu exposed himself to a small dose of radiation until he is able to endure a massive barrage, and becomes a living radiation and calls himself "Radioactive Man". This radiation gave him the ability to manipulate radiation all through out. Also a known member of the People's Defense Force, Thunderbolts, Masters of Evil and Titanic Three. So by Far, the details for Radioactive Man was pretty accurate since their are not much of a detail to emphasize. Although, from what I remember the logo on his chest should have yellow. And it has this cool green translucent effect. But by far, the whole mold was a recycle of other molds from previous Marvel Legends that Hasbro has released. This is actually a combination of SDCC's Luke Cage Body and I think Drax head. Then recoloured and changed to clear phasing like plastic. So more or less Hasbro did it again, re-using other molds. Well it did fit so the only problem here is movements and articulation was not that good specially on the legs because the skirt like thing around his waist blocks it's movements.

The next figure was the good ol' Captain America, Steve Rogers - yes, another Captain America. It really sucks that they had to create "Another" Captain America wherein there are so many more heroes and villains that hasn't got the reboot or doesn't even have a figure yet. And the original plan was I buying the set, Get Ms. Marvel and sell Radioactive Man and Captain America but I thought I needed Radioactive Man since this is the first Radioactve Man figure and found out that these Captain America has an awesome lower body articulation in which feels like the old figures from toybiz. And if ever you are wondering I think this is a new version of the Ultimate Captain America that has been released and has a smaller holster thingy like vest and the Swap head that looks like Commander Steve Rogers . The shield is similar to the Marvel Now! Movie Captain America but the back is coloured grey instead of Red. The problem I encountered was the shield was broken when I took it off the box and I had to do some fixing using putty since it won't stick usng the glue I use. And it won't fit just like any other shield, I find it hard to fit on the arms of Captain America. Probably the only thing I like in the figure was the similar boint joint articulation in his legs which gives highly poseable poses.

So there you go, 2-figures that are basically good but not worth having since they robably not the ones you are looking for.

The Hype - the reason I did get this after all was it's all because of Carol Danvers aka Warbird also known as Ms. Marvel. Prior to that, there was already an existing Warbird from Toybiz Giant Man Series which actually was pretty rare now a days and cost a lot more than usual. The Toybiz Version already has a great articulation but to much to your dismay the face detail was a little off. Before that who is Ms. Marvel anyway? Ms. Marvel also known as Binary or Warbird was a human fused of the alien Kree Captain Marvel after being caught in an explosion. Although Captain Marvel saved hher life, Danvers sustain serious injuries but was able to gain superhuman strength, speed, stamina and durablity. She also learned the ability to project energues and absorb - and of course flight. Known member of the Avengers but also a member of the US air Force, NASA, SHIELD, X-Men, Defenders for a Day, Starjammers, Operation: Lightnng Storm and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Let's begin, apparently this is another obviously recycled figure from Hasbro. You might be saying, or maybe not - what figure? Remember SDCC Thunderbolts, the one with Moonstone and of course Luke Cage which has a similar body with Radioactive Man that I stated a while ago - yes, this is the same Moonstone that has been recoloured to create Ms. Marvel. Well, for the body part since from all the female mold that hasbro did - the Moonstone body was by far the best in terms of movements and proportioanality. What's bad was Moonstone and this Ms. Marvel's head are the same - yes, the same. Search for Moonstone and you'll see that from the Hair colour down down to her face it was the same. I don't disagree by any of it by the chance I did like it since It fits the figure itself - and it was by far awesome! The problem is if Hasbro keeps creating figures using other characters mold then why don't they just release everything? They are using the same mold anyway and the uniqueness is somehow gone. Imagine putting Moonstone and Ms. Marvel together and non-comic book fans will say "Is this her?" or "Are they twins?". Moving On, the usual Hasbro release where only good at teasers it took me awhile to pick the one with the bestest paint and this is the bestest one I could get. Overall, it nice to finally have a new Ms. Marvel since the Toybiz one aside from being expensive and rare it doesn't have the sexy mold and awesome face such as this.

Hasbro Transformers Universe Deluxe Special Edition Boxed Optimus Prime SE-01

This will be the first time I'll be posting a Transformer Figure - well basically I am not a TF Collector nor am a fan of TF's but I don't dislike them. Whenever someone asks me I always say "I collect Gunpla's and my brother collects TF's" and yes since we live in different places now, I am eager to someday see his collection personally. To be honest I bought this Prime thinking he haven't got it yet but unfortunately he already have one so I might as well keep it in the shelves. To be honest, it will be harder to give a feedback since I haven't hold a TF figure for like forever, the last TF figure I held was the Gigantic Optimus Prime with the Sonic Convoy from the Movie. Still-

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The Box

The figure is kept inside a neat looking black box, covered in white threshold like images. It say Optimus Prime.

The box can be opened up front to view the insides of the pacakge, here we see the autbot leader himself in his robot mode. Pretty neat huh, can be displayed in such a pretty manner - but I has to open it! I must! Optimus is calling me "OPEN ME! WE MUST SAVE CYBERTRON!"

Robot Mode

Here we see the typical Optimus Prime, I really don't know how to differentiate since I have a little knowledge in the TF Universe. He has a rifle included but too bad he doesn't have any axe. Moving on... but I still think he should have an axe - seriously... or does he? and my package was incomplete?

There's a button at the back, this button gives this unknown swinging like action. That seriously doesn't make sense. In terms of articulation though - it aint have bad as far as I remember TF figures have limited movements depending on it's class and since this is Deluxe class, articulation won't be much.

Truck Mode

And yes it still have his Truck Mode, Vehicle Mode or whatever you want to call it - I call it Yeah Mode. Well seriously transforming this thing is such a pain, I was never good at it ever since thats why I never touch my brothers toys back then - i touch them but I never intend to form then since I am afraid to broke a part.

The cannon has a placement at the back but yeah It would be cool if it has a trailer though - but.. hmm.. anyway cool truck.

The final verdict, the figure was cool in some ways but since I feel there is somethings missing - It feels dull.

Marvel Legends - Groot Series - Guardians of the Galaxy - Gamora the Most Dangerous Woman in the Universe

Another GOTG movie figure, Gamora played by Zoe Saldana - the adopted daughter of Thanos and the last of the Zen Whoberi Species. Also known as the "The Most Dangerous Woman in the Universe" - a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Infinity Watch, Phalanx and United Front. Moving on, if you are familiar with comics Gamora - this is not what she looks like and far from it.

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So, aside from it being too far from the original design of Gamora - this green thing has an awful articulation. Can't kick, can't do a decent pose, no nothing. Probably the most awful figure in the Groot Series.

I 'm no longer criticize this figure - cause probably the only reason I took this was for Groot's BAF part. Well probably the best thing about this is she has a sword, the bad thing - she can't even hold it. This figure is not even worthy to be called "The most dangerous figure in the universe."

The Return of Marvel Legends - Arnim Zola Series - Madame Hydra [Viper]

Our next figure is Ophelia Sarkissian also known as Madame Hydra and Viper. One of the elite of Hydra an enemy of both Avengers and the X-Men. If ever your wondering, yes she was the on The Wolverine movie. I no longer have to do a history check since I'm sure most of you guys have seen her on some of Marvel's Animated Series or Films - well she was the only green female general their. By the way, this figure has a Madame Masque Variant - sharing the same mold and weapon.

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Content check, we will have Viper with a big machine gun and a green pistol and Arnim Zola's Torso with Red Skull print (Madame Masque has Arnim Zola print). So, In details it was somehow accurate although I don't like her face since it looks like she was intended to look bad. I also found some stocks where the head is actually deformed. Lucky for me I had a good one. The machine gun was good although the pistol looks ridiculous colored in green.

Look at that ass - one of the best female ML sculpt I had seen from the shape of it's breast to it's butt and legs it was proportion. Articulation was good although unlike the male one's the problem are waist articulation. The rotation over the ab and breast is stupid since it deforms the figure. But this was indeed one of the best sculpt and articulation there is in terms of the ml female category. You'll know why on my preceding posts.

Viper: Hey! That's mine!

Viper: What the hell, I surrender.