Packaging - ***
It is the standard red carded SMC packaging. Used to prefer the original clamshell packaging of the old wave (which became the template for the clamshell for Marvel Legends) but it had grown on me after 13 waves.

However, I gave a rather high score in this area because this is the first red-carded SMC (first for me, maybe there are other examples) that I opened without the need for untwisting wire twist ties.

Sculpting - ***
The sculpt is well done. It lose one point because of the oversized “bowl head”. This is probably due to the action feature which require the “bowl” to be larger than what is accurate in the comics. Also, because of the action feature, there is a button sticking out of Mysterio’s back. This does not bother me a lot but may be a concern to some.

The gloves, torso are very well done. The purple rubber cape is also very nicely done.

Paint - **1/2
Paint application is acceptable with minor paint slips (which is not unusual for Toy Biz merchandise). This is especially so for the gold rim around Mysterio’s “bowl head” and the gold rims at the gloves. Some of those I saw had quite bad paint spillovers. So if you have a chance, do pick the one with the best paint.

Articulation - ***1/2
Being an articulation freak, I love figures with loads of articulation (read: useful articulation). Toy Biz is very good in pumping up articulation numbers to the point where some are useless. For Mysterio, standard articulation like shoulder ball joints, double jointed elbows, wrist swivels, palm swivels, waist twist, ball jointed hips, double jointed knee, ankle swivel (with side twist) and feet bends are included and this is loads of articulation. The only articulation not included in this figure is the head and this is because of the action feature which will be mentioned below.

The joints are acceptable. However, for mine, the right double elbow joint is pretty loose. This points again to the QC of Toy Biz but they have since improved a lot, so I’ll cut them some slack here.

Action Feature - *
The action feature is a light up effect in the “bowl head”. And with each press of the button, the head inside will turn to reveal another face. There are 3 faces – Man face, Alien face, Monster face.

For my piece, the button does not work very well to turn the head. So please check for your piece before buying (you can test it MOC, see the back of card pic).

The light up effect, however, works fine for me.

Accessories - *
The accessories that come with Mysterio are rather useless for collectors in my opinion. They are more for children (for playability’s sake). It is a base (with wheels) what is supposed to simulate the smoke effect that usually accompanies Mysterio. The effect was not pulled off nicely and it looks more like some beard than anything. The base is also supposed to shoot 2 missiles which look neither like a bird nor a parrot. Personally I don’t know what it is supposed to be.

Value - ****
At S$12.90 (approx US$7.8), I really see no point to complain. Mysterio, a long time villain, is a must have for all fellow Spidey fans like me. However, if you find this figure at a higher price, you may want to knock off 2 points from this category.

Overall - ***1/2
Being an ardent Spidey fan, I would snatch this figure anytime! This is packed 4 per case (for Singapore) and yet they are clearing fast. So grab yours while stocks last!

SCORE RECAP:
Packaging - ***
Sculpt - ***
Paint - **1/2
Articulation - ***1/2
Action Feature - *
Accessories - *
Value - ****
Overall - ***1/2