Packaging - ***
I like the look of the packaging, particularly the excellent work with the side
graphic. But they are definitely huge bubbles, and although they are
designed to sit on a shelf like a book, you won't get many on the average
shelf. If your a MOCer, expect to use up a lot of storage space.
Sculpting - ***1/2
This set sports one of the better sculpting jobs on the series so far, although
that might just be the testosterone talking.
We might as well get it out in the open, since
Black Cat clearly has - she has some huge breasts. Not only that, but they
are made of a slightly softer plastic (only slightly however), which gives them
a more realistic appearance. And by realistic I mean they look like real
fake breasts, rather than real real breasts.
She's been sculpted into a rather come hither
style pose, with one foot arched up and a tilt to her hips. I'm not in the
least surprised that Spidey is sneaking a peek through the window. The
sculpting work on the figure overall is extremely nice, although comic based
figures don't really afford much opportunity for much facial detail.
The only real negatives here are the hair, whose
design and style I don't particularly like, particularly around the bangs, and
the pose itself. While she does stand alright on her own, she can be
knocked over pretty easily. I hate having to pick up figures every time
someone shuts a door in the room. A foot peg for the base would have
solved that problem.
Paint - ***1/2
I had no serious issues with any of the paint applications on this figure and
her accessories. Colors were fairly consistent, although some of the
'shading' on her black costume looks out of place. There's no bleed
between colors, and that's especially tough to pull off with blacks and whites
like this. While the face doesn't have a ton of detail, what's there is
all neatly done.
Articulation - **1/2
This line is intended to be mostly statue, a little posing, and this figure
is no different. While she had more articulation than many of the
figures in the line, her sculpt really doesn't allow for it to be used
particularly well.
Black Cat has neck, ball jointed shoulders, cut
biceps, wrists, waist and a v-style crotch. The legs have to be in *just*
the right spot though for her to stand, and the range of movement for the neck
is greatly restricted by the hair.
In case you were wondering, Spider-Man has no
articulation.
Accessories - ****
Every Marvel Select figure comes with some sort of base/diorama. This
one is easily my favorite so far.
The base includes a section of floor and a
wall, with a window. The exterior of the wall is very detailed, with
nice sculpting work on the brick. The Spider-Man figure attaches to
the wall with some pegs, and looks great peeking into the window.
Included for the interior is a floor safe that
opens. There is a diamond necklace, pile of money, papers labeled with
Kevin Smith's name (The comic this is based on - Spider-man and the Black Cat,
The Evil That Men Do - was written by Kevin Smith, hence the Kevin Smith papers
as an accessory), and a pearl necklace. I'm going to take the high road
and leave all the obvious pearl necklace jokes to your fertile imagination.
The accessories all sport solid sculpts and
great paint ops. This is really the first of the Marvel Select figures
that I feel gives you enough bang for the buck. Ahem.
Value - ***
I'm not going to go so far as to say this is a great value, but the price is
about right for the product. You're getting good sculpting, great
accessories, and a neat looking display item for under $20. $15 would be
ideal, but I can live with $17 or so.
Overall - ***
Out of the Marvel Select figures I've seen and reviewed so far, this is
easily my favorite. You might have some trouble convincing your wife or
girlfriend that you bought this merely for your love of the comic, and I don't
think displaying it at work would be such a bright idea. But if you're a
fan of the character you'll be happy with this version.
My only major complaint with the figure goes
back to the hair. There's something about the style and look of the sculpt
that reminds me of the old Toybiz figures of 5-7 years ago, when the quality of
work wasn't as good as it is today.
Where to Buy -
I haven't seen them at bricks and mortar stores yet though, although I
suspect places like Suncoast, Media Play will be getting them
in. On-line:
- Boise
River Collectibles has them for $19 plus shipping, and they are in stock.
- Action
Figure Express has them at $21 plus shipping, and listed in stock.
- Entertainment
Earth has it listed for $20 on pre-order, but are currently sold out.
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