ML Sandman BAF: Black Suit/Symbiote Spider-Man

Definitely one of my favorite Spider-Man costumes! The Black Spider-Man is simple and genius all at the same time. It was both cloth and a living organism and not to mention, it also became Venom, formerly one of my favorite Marvel characters(way back when). So here's his modern age action figure! So does he contend?

Right off the bat I already know that I will not be getting this wave, but with the amount of figures I do want, I might just cave in. We will see. I'm always on the look out for additions to my Spiderverse shelf, but it's getting ridiculous.

I won't talk a lot about the mold since it's a familiar one. It's a mixture between Pizza Spidey and Scarlet Spidey, so enough said about that.

Right off the get go, it's a full on black plastic so there is not much to talk about when it comes to the paint job. The white for the eyes, the symbol, and the top of the hand are clean; something that a lot of Black Spidey figures suffer with how strong the black color is on the plastic. Luckily mine have pretty strong layers of white paint on all areas. They were really going for the symbiote Spidey here more than the cloth Black Spidey.

He gets two pair of hands that do fit the character well. Some people might say he needs a 'thwiping' hand, but considering its suppose to be more a Symbiote Spider-Man, the fists do well. I do wish there was an alternate head that shows the symbiote-like face or arms that are showing the symbiote fading away. Something. Or black webbing coming out of his hand. Oher than that, it's alright. The Sandman accessories for the BAF looks nice.

His articulation should be familiar by now as he retains the mold's range of movements(Pizza Spidey's range is definitely greater than Scarlet Spidey since Ben had the sweater to hinder the shoulder joints). Again, like a broken record, they need to do something about those legs that will allow more Spider-y like poses. Also as a note, his joints get loose a lot more than any other Spider-Man figures I have had in the past. I've seen and heard more than once that there is a lot of QC in this figure. Unfortunately, this is mine.

And without any kind of webbing accessories or anything to change things up, Black Spidey is lacking some fun factor.

But that doesn't mean he is not without his fun factor.

I will tell you right now, he is probably the best 6 inch figure that we got from both Hasbro(Rulk series) and Toybiz.

In conclusion, I had my fun with this figure. I do wish he had more to offer, but I am not at all disappointed. The Black Spider-Man is one of my favorite outfits of Spidey; definitely more than the red and blue. So to have an updated and modern version of this suit is more than welcome. Now I wish Iron Spider gets one! 

ML AoU Ultron: Wasp

One of the five original Avengers comes into Hasbro's Marvel Legends line up! Ms. Janet Van Dyne aka the Wasp! Sporting the outfit that probably stuck more than any of her irrelevant costumes, this Wasp should be recognizable to all comic book fans(Marvel/Avengers fan that is). So, how did Hasbro do this round? A great replacement for the one we got way back in the MODOK series? Let's check her out.

A standard Marvel Legends box. We should all be familiar with this by now with how much we have gotten this year.

As for the figure and her details, well, let's just say there's nothing complicating about Wasp's costume so the figure follows suit. Mostly an all black figure, the gold paint, especially on her front is well done. The minor gold on her feet and hands match the over all scheme. The face is meh, but still way better than Toybiz's female depiction way back when. Now for the wing... well, it's well done! IT's actually her main highlight as a figure. While it's not much on paint detail, the transparent plastic, and the wing details made it worth while. Not to mention, she technically has 4 wing all together! The wings also has decent articulation, which we'll go over here here pretty soon.

Though the wings and Cinematic Ultron's torso is the only accessories that comes with Wasp. I will not be collecting Ultron any time soon for a lot of reasons, but I will say that it's a pretty hollow torso.  Light weight. Again not shocked with the amount of 'accessories' that came with Wasp. It is what it is.

Now the articulation isn't something we should be shocked and awed about since it's the same one we have seen so many times this year with this voluptuous female body mold. My favorite Legends of this Year, Ms. Jessica Drew came with this mold so I won't go in depth with the articulation. However, Janette's wings adds a bit more flare to her that I'll go a little more in depth with that side of this figure. As some of the pictures have depicted, the wings can either be 'made' to look as if she only has a pair, quad... the swivel of the wings really allows for that kind of 'display' option. Wasp also has 'flapping' motion, which again, allows for more flying posture. But once again, the fact that she is in the same mold, we have the same hinderance. While Wasp has never been the agile character, she is a bit limited on how she can pose flight wise, and the lack of choices for her hands doesn't allow for more options. And luckily I have an extra figma stand to really capture some of Wasp's flight poses!

And here's Wasp next to the original Avengers line up. Iron Man, Wasp, and Thor may be a bit out of their original outfits, but hey, close enough!

I just felt like I had to get her to update my Wasp figure in my Avengers shelf. She's an alright figure; definitely a peg warmer for sure in my local store! For a female figure, that's pretty insane. Her and Hellcat, actually. But with the addition of the wings, she's a little step up from the casual molds of the Marvel Women Legends. If you're a big time Wasp fan and like this costume, this is a must. For those who want to build Cinematic Ultron, she's a must. Other than that, another mediocre Legends in my collection!

Marvel Select: Hulkbuster Iron Man

Well, here's a sight for sore eyes! Iron Man's Hulkbuster Armor had always been a fan favorite as well as my own! Based off one of the most iconic armor he wore in the 90s, the Modular Armor, this bad boy is named to do exactly what it sounds to do: go toe to toe with the Hulk. There are plenty of things to say about this figure, but suffice to say, it's my first Marvel Select review; not my first Marvel Select since I have a few (check out my last The Red review to check them out; they're wall mount displays), but this is the first one I decided to open and let me tell you, it was a good decision!

Marvel Select packaging reminds me of the way back when Toybiz in their 'pre-Marvel Legends' days. Unfortunately, this kind of packaging almost always guarantees that once it's out, it's no longer going back in(there are ways to open it so it can be put back in the case as if it was never taken out. Too much meticulous moments for me though). Though I have kept Marvel Select as wall mount displays because they look good in the case; this one just screamed to be opened though for a few simple reasons; one being more prominent than the others:

I have the Hulkbuster from the rider series still 'mint' in the box. I doubt I will ever open that guy because the price for a MIB Hulkbuster from the rider series is a bit too much nowadays. Had to get one open because of that reason. So moving on to Hulkbuster Marvel Select...

First and foremost before I go in depth I just want to point out that this is a beautiful figure. Again, I'll do some comparison in height, but just by built, it's a pretty steady thing. Solid. Sculpt is amazing and some of the details put on the armor is just breathe taking. So many things sculpted for fine details and not a lot of shortcuts(if any are noticeable). One thing I will say as a gripe is that Marvel Select is known for its details, and details include paint job--I have some minor paint distortions here and there especially on the chest area. Not noticeable, but up close it is. Though for the price of this figure, it's still well made and I can't really complain.

Now it's time to talk about his articulation to which, I'm really really impressed. There was a time when Marvel Select is just a detailed statue with some minor articulation. Well, from what I have seen with some of their recent figures, that isn't the case anymore. Just looking at this figure inside his box, it seems it's going to be limited but again, I'm impressed. He actually has some of the basic articulation that a Marvel Legends has; of course with the way this one is sculpted, certain things are hindered, though not by much.

One of the main things that will probably annoy most people is the fact that his head is so hard to move; it can swivel, but since the joint is so taut, it's hard to move his head. Some of these shots I took, it was hard to get his head to really move so it's not a perfect picture, but it's enough at most times.

And since we are talking about the negative, I do have to say that lack of alternate hands hinders a few of his pose. The open palm on the left makes a lot of sense for the repulsers, but two fists would make a lot of sense too since he is a melee armor to fight a being that is all punching and smashing. At least they gave us a right fist. Well, since this is a Hulkbuster figure, I can't not show him without fending off against the Hulk, right?

Was a really fun time doing all that. As you can see, he is a good size for Marvel Legends Hulk! AoU Hulk fit the spot just right! But what's a Hulkbuster without fighting more Hulks?!

vs AoU Hulk, Rulk, and Grey Hulk

It's probably a bit unrealistic that Iron Man beats ALL these Hulks, but it's all for fan depiction. Again, fun posing him and all. So here's a comparison of this Select with other loose Hulkbusters I own.

He is almost a bigger doppleganger of the 3.75 movie figure Hulkbuster. Almost identical, just obviously bigger. Th other "Hulkbusters" are a far cry; of course I don't have the Toybiz Marvel Legends loose for comparison. But how does he look next to 'regular' Iron Man armor?

I've always loved the Extremis Armor; it being part of the Terrax wave was a bit underwhelming since it was the first wave of Hasbro's 'new' Marvel Legends. So what I'm trying to say is that it's out dated now... but still a wonderful pose next to the Hulkbuster to try and replicate this cover:

One of my favorite comic book covers to date. The Marvel Select Hulkbsuter actually looks a lot like the one in this cover, actually.

Minor paint scuffs, tight joint on the head, and lack of accessories... sounds like Marvel Legends complaint right? Well, it doesn't hurt this figure that much since for the price, it's a damn good figure. It's a damn good figure period. For my first Marvel Select out of the box, it did its magic. Of course adding it to the red and gold hall of armors is a great thing! Love this figure! In conclusion, anyone who is an Iron Man fan(and is a fan of the Hulkbuster armor), this is a freaking must! I think it's a good substitute for the Rider Series Toybiz one. Least you don't have to pay an arm and a leg to get a Hulkbuster now!

ML Thanos BAF: Hulk (AoU)

The green Goliath! Hulk has always been a stapled member of the Avengers despite his overall lack of control of his personality. Over the years that has changed and he has become more of a team member, and of course, with the movie Avengers, he seems to be more suitable for the job than the earlier comic book counter part of his. Being the first cinematic Hulk figure I own, how does this fare to the rest of my Hulk collection?

It's almost insulting to have Hulk smashed(pun) inside a small Hasbro box such as this one. If we were judging on size alone, I think Hulk would've made a good BAF, but let's be honest, if there are a five other Hulks that came before that weren't BAFs, why on Earth would it make sense that he would be one here? Well at any given rate, let's just jump on the figure and check him out.

I'm not a huge Hulk fan and I think I have made that known more than once. There is something awfully boring about Hulk and it may just be his aesthetics. Big brawny characters were never my type in any genre I am into. Slow, powerful, and just down right muscle is what Hulk is about; though he is the epitome of rage. Though for a Hulk figure, I say this one can pull it off both in cinematic point of view and comic book. This figure has the size, the mean look(does retain the Mark Ruffalo look, but Hulk has been drawn so many ways that this one can pass as comic book), the details on the muscle, and the right amount of green. Though one thing is that his pants does have an "Avenger" logo on it. It implies that Banner gets special pants that likely concurs with his 'condition' of always being angry. Oh, and this is 5th most used body mold Hasbro has; usually leans on the REALLY big male figures. Hulk is a proper candidate.

He lacks in accessory department. The right arm BAF piece of Thanos is the only thing he has to really offer. Wish he had the 'shock wave' clap alternate hands!

Articulation wise, well, he is surprisingly nimble for someone who just smashes, jumps really high, and yells for popularity. It's even more ironic that he has more agility to offer than some of the smaller figures that are suppose to be the fast, agile characters. It mostly has a lot to do with his leg articulation. This guy can do the splits if one really wants him to be in the pose. The one thing about this figure though is that he is too heavy for any of the figure stands that I own so no high jump poses for him. Also, no alternate hands leads him to limited dynamic poses.

House of M, King Hulk, Rulk, Grey Hulk, Planet Hulk, Maestro, and Spider-Hulk

So for someone who isn't a big fan of Hulk, I sure how a good amount, don't I? Honestly, it's hard not to have Hulk since he is a pretty popular character. I would imagine that I have a couple of other characters that fall in that category.

So all in all, I am glad that a movie Hulk is now in my possession. It's honestly a good figure and probably one of the most articulated ones I own. Would I want to own another Cinematic Hulk? Well if they do something to change his look, then possibly. All in all, I think I'm good with this Hulk. He does come in one of my most anticipated BAF set so why not?