ML Juggernaut BAF: Kitty Pryde(Shadow Cat)

Another figure from the Juggernaut BAF that came out this year. Truthfully, I didn't think I would haver her in my collection but she comes with a particular accessory that is a must if I am to pull through on getting another BAF (more on this later). Regardless, let's review Kitty, shall we?

The new box of the Juggernaut BAF. Something I didn't add in the Iceman review is the logo of the X-Men symbol being on top to match the color scheme.

The rest of the box should be a familiar sight regardless of what 'team' or 'franchise' Marvel is highlighting. More of then than not, the figure is displayed in a rather lackluster position.

Now as the figure itself, it is definiltey hindered by the design of the character. Kitty Pryde has gone through some extravagant changes in her costume; some of these said changes she did on her own (look up Sprite or Shadowcat) and suffice to say, most did not really sink in well. This design is more or less a homage to the original outfit of the X-Men. The better of her costume, I'd say.

Getting right into the paint job, Kitty is a contrast of bright and dark. It's not a bad combo, but it definitley makes it easy for Hasbro to gloss over their paint budget. The mold is pretty good for a young woman. All comic book gals have to be fit, no duh. As for her visage, she's pretty plain jane; not a bad thing. While her ponytail look is not my favorite, I am glad that Hasbro went with this hairstyle just to add some variations in the styling of their Marvel gals in figure form.

Now Kitty only comes with one accessory: Lockheed, which is a staple partner that this X-(wo)Man is typically drawn with. An extraterrestrial dragon who exceeds Kitty's understanding of the worlds outside their own, apparently. I can't really think of what else they could have done with Kitty to make her powers work in the accessory form. Background with a built in 'phase in' limb? A transparent limb? This one has me perplexed so I am not griping about the lack of; I am however excited that she comes with TWO BAF pieces for TWO separate characters. That's right! TWO! I did not purchase the Red Onslaught wave, but I WILL buy that Onlsaught BAF without the characters. I have to have an Onslaught in his first form!

Now to talk about her articulation: this one is a tough one to judge. Sure it's easy to say that she lacks or she is standard. It's easy to complain about the lack of accessories. The thing is, Kitty Pryde's power is difficult to translate into figure form. Sadly, that leaves us with just a standing Kitty Pryde with a few dynamic scenes. Truly, it's hard to tweak the figure as if she is phasing in and out of a wall or the ground. Least she has the standard range of motions, though! Still, wish Hasbro would get into hair articulation!

If anything, she has her pal Lockheed to keep her company!

Or maybe her comic book boyfriend(at the moment), Star Lord, man! By the way, these two are not accurate when we are talking about height. Cinematic Universe seems to be smaller than comic book versions.

And a sexy Kitty Pryde to end it off. All in all, decent. I like having her in my collection, but I'm not thoroughly impressed with this figure. Again, a lot of that is going to be factored in to the character's power and how it is truly not Hasbro's fault. Though I'm sure the company could have found a way to be sneaky and impress... but we all know Hasbro won't go that route. With that said, my X-Men shelf is getting bigger! 

ML Juggernaut BAF: Iceman

I believe this is my first Marvel Legends in a long time; well, long for a collector's point of view. Then again, February(Absorbing Man) is a long time, considering! The BAF series has become so over populated as of late and it's been really hard to keep up with them; and honestly, it's not all about financial hinderance... for the most part, I feel as if the market is overdosed with too many and not enough "quality". What I mean is, some of them are just not that appealing despite. Well, I won't get too heavy in that now. Let's just get right into Iceman.

The Juggernaut BAF is probably the most anticipated wave out of the lot in 2016. That's a pretty big statement and I'm only saying that because it's been a while since we had an X-Men wave (Jubilee BAF being the last one). Avengers and Spider-Man get their fill, but because of Marvel Studios and Fox's heat, it seems that X-Men is getting some heat. But here they are with a brand new wave and with some really desired figures in the line up.

Brand new wave, brand new box design. They seem to go with the gold and yellow theme that can be applied to the X-Men uniform colors(Blue and Yellow are some of them as  well). But the box is obviously not the highlight of this figure.

The highlight is, of course, the figure itself... more specifically, his aesthetics! It's been a long time since we have had a great, much less, a decent Iceman figure and I say this one fits the bill. Hasbro made the skin look like ice and they went with the Iceman that has more definition rather than his 'ice cube head' look from his early days. I think it was when White Queen took over Iceman's body that his 'spiked version' emerged; he learned how to 'adapt' his body and use his ice powers to create armor and such to make him a more valid melee character. Eventually, the spiked hair emerged and gave him a hip and cool look!

His figure form is satisfying in terms of looks alone. Again it has a transparent form to him, which makes him look detailed in paint. Depending on how the light hits him, he does have different shades of blue and the sculpting on him is definitely something I appreciate. But probably the biggest qualm I have with the mold is how 'gummy' he feels. Because they had to make him look like ice, I think they had to go with the rubbery plastic which makes just holding him remind you of the 'articulated' figures of way back when with the rubber body and the bendy wire; as little softer too.

He does have details on his face and body. He isn't flat at all, which again, gave this figure a lot of fun factor. They went with mid 20s Robert Drake, which, I personally like. Though he falls short on some areas that I am about to get into.

Accessories. I could say that it's a domestic Hasbro retail figure so we shouldn't expect much on accessories, but that just isn't the case. Hasbro has turned their game up and delivered with some amazing figures with their own respected effects, weapons, etc. As for Iceman... Hasbro got cold feet in giving him something aside from his spikes on his back and Juggy's BAF arm. To be more specific, Ice effects and his SIGNATURE ICE 'road' are desperately needed!

As far as his range of movements go, he is pretty standard so that's good. He has the usual articulation we would expect from Marvel Legends and he doesn't fail at that in my opinion. Though I believe he has thigh rotations, it's just mine is stuck for some reason. Nothing to really gripe about since his other 'issues' are something that will take away from his fun factor.

This is more along the lines of accessories included gripe, or should I say: 'lack' of accessories. Iceman needs ice powers affect. Not only for his hands to assimilate him shooting down foes with his ice beams, but also for his signature travelling method! While we are used to having figures without beams or firepower coming out of their hands(Hasbro is listening though, they are providing some for characters like Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Dr. Strange, etc) but for someone like Iceman, a character with a unique ways of using his powers... the angles on his 'tradmeark' poses just doesn't come of as cool. He just looks like he is doing spider poses which... isn't Iceman's thing at all. Still, more power for this figure for being as flexible as he is. His 'gummy' plastic does make him a bit too frail and his legs give out here and there, but again, nothing compared to my main complaint.

Oh and for anyone to see what he looks like without those Ice Spikes. Those are for sure a must 'stay on'.

This figure's major downfall is the lack of accessories, other than that, I am really happy I finally have a modern Iceman figure. Definitley one of my favorite X-Men characters and this is my favorite version of him. Maybe Hasbro could have added those saccessories. Or maybe go with what toybiz did way back when and give him 'transformed' hands or such... without those, this figure doesn't quite hit it out of the park. Regardless, I still like him. And he is a fantastic addition to my X-Men collection!
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