W.A.R. # 30 : Marvel Select, Spider-Woman

"Her genetic code accidentally combined with that of a rare breed of spider, Jessica Drew was duped into serving evil as a Hydra assasin. As Arachne, Jessica attacked S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, who revealed Hydra's true nature and won her to the side of justice. Adopting the codename Spider-Woman, she subsequently embarked on a career as a costumed heroine. Jessica now wields her superhuman strength and bioelectric blasts as a member of the Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes."

Spider-Woman(Jessica Drew) comes with a short hair variant. This was released in 2006 and sculpted by Sam Greenwell.

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W.A.R. Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Pricing

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Packaging

As usual with the Marvel Select line, the blister packaging is huge. Enough to showcase the figure and its accessories. But I must admit the packages do look cool if you can find enough space to display them on the shelves like books.

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Detail/Sculpt

As far as female superheroes goes in the Marvel Universe, Spider-Woman had her own show back in the late 70's. I vaguely remember watching the show on either R.T.B or R.T.M. network. For those of you who can't recall about that show(like yours truly), there's always youtube.

Now lets get on with the show...the sculpt. You will always expect the best sculpt when it comes to Diamond Select Toys. The expression on Jessica's face is of determination(well, it is if you think about it...what else could it be?). The hair is not so much of a nuisance that it constricts movement of the head. The height is in accordance to Marvel Select figures. Which is just slightly above the height of Marvel Legends figures. So still no chance of mixing the two lines on the shelves.

The paint is nicely applied with very minimum smears...VERY. They have also added a sort of metallic look into the red color of her costume. The sculpt of the body is decent from the front and very distracting...from behind. I'm not trying to come off sounding like a perv so you judge it by yourself.

The figure came with two accessories. A detachable 'venom blast' and a base with 3 hydra agents. Make that 3 halves of hydra agents. I reaaalllyyyyyyyy don't know what they were thinking of. I mean, the hydra agents was a great idea...but just making half of their body? I'd rather they made one complete figure.

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Articulation

This is one of the earlier figures that Diamond Select Toys made with decent articulation. Not really in the Marvel Legends category, but hopefully its getting there.

• Ball-jointed neck
• Hinged elbows
• Hinged wrists
• Ball-jointed & swivel hips
• Hinged knees
• Hinged ankles

Swivel waist??? What happened to a basic swivel waist??

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Pricing

I haven't quite seen this figure sold online. It is still available on Amazon for around USD 19. Besides the variation of this figure with short hair, there is another variation of Spider-Woman in the black costume. That figure was a Comic Con exclusive. It had the same useless base and word is they are making another variant. This time around its Arachne with her modern Omega Flight suit. The figure looks nice in the pics but its just a different paint app of the original figure.

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Overall if you're looking to complete to your existing Marvel Legends collection, this figure is a definite no-no. The difference in height will just be off-putting. I'm really not sure what the people at Diamond Select goes through when they are selecting(no pun intended) which figures to produce or how the figures should be articulated. Don't get me wrong, I'll still buy the figures because at the rate they are going I'm sure they will improve in the articulation area. They've already done so with Captain America and Iron Man to name a few. In addition, ever since Hasbro took over producing the Marvel Legends line, its not really that great.

Related Posts:

• A.R.Ms # 29: Marvel Select, Captain America
  
• A.R.Ms # 28: DC Direct, Black Canary
  
• A.R.Ms # 27: Star Wars, Clone Army, Ep. III
  
• A.R.Ms # 26: Iron Man, Mark III, 12" Repulsor Blast

Read more...

A.R.Ms # 29 : Marvel Select, Captain America

Ok, he's not the 'real' Captain America. All the same, he's shiny and has the shield so that's alright by me.

From the back of the box:

"Captain America has always stood for truth, justice and the American way. Picking up where the fallen Steve Rogers left off. James Buchanan Barnes now carries the legacy of Captain America into a new era. Drawing from his experiences as both Bucky and the Soviet's Winter Soldier, this new Captain America won't hesitate to do what needs to be done in order to safeguard American life and liberty - proving his worthiness to carry the shield of a legend."

By the way, I blame the people at Heroes in a Box for indirectly influencing me to get this figure. I'm not pissed. I just want someone to blame. LoL.

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A.R.Ms Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Freestyle
• Pricing

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Packaging

The thing with Marvel Select figures that I don't get is the packaging. It is so bulky. As a collector, when you see this kind of packaging you would expect the box to be full of extra accessories *hint*.

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Detail/Sculpt

I love this figure and I didn't expect anything less from Diamond Select Toys. The figures that they have released in the past have been nothing but spectacular. My favorite so far would still have to be Emma Frost(don't laugh Kal-El).

The base has two foot pegs to hold the figure in place.

The gun is removable and so is the shield. His other accessories include a knife and a water bottle...go figure.

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Articulation

• Ball jointed neck(limited movement)
• Ball jointed shoulders
• Hinged elbows
• Swivel wrists
• Swivel waist
• Ball hinged hips
• Hinged knees
• Hinged ankles

The overall articulation is good. Enough to make decent poses though I prefer to display it in a more statuesque kind of way.

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Freestyle

Comparing this figure to the Marvel Legends figure, he is slightly tall. Not big, just umm...tall. He does fit in with my DC figures though.

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Pricing

This figure is available at:

Entertainment Earth : Marvel Select Captain America (Masked) Action Figure, NM @ USD 16.99





while our local superhero store has, just to name a few in the Marvel Select line:


Marvel Select Incredible Hulk





and


Marvel Select Iron Man(I highly recommend this!!)





at Heroes in a Box starting from BND 44

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Related Posts:

• A.R.Ms # 28: DC Direct, Black Canary
  
• A.R.Ms # 27: Star Wars, Clone Army, Ep. III
  
• A.R.Ms # 26: Iron Man, Mark III, 12" Repulsor Blast
  
• A.R.Ms # 25: My Unopened Star Wars Figures

Read more...

A.R.Ms # 28 : DC Direct, Black Canary

The Black Canary. The Blonde Bombshell. What more can we say? DC comics made one helluva lady. Clad in a leather jacket and fishnet stockings she is one of the undisputed powerhouse of the DC universe. She possesses a power called "Canary Cry" which is a high-pitched sonic scream. Yet her reputation does not come from that. Instead its her martial arts skills which some say even surpasses the Batman.

As a member of the J.L.A she proved that, not only is she "easy on the eyes" but also she is one of their best leader. This figure is part of the DC Direct, Justice League of America Series 1.

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A.R.Ms Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Freestyle
• Pricing

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Packaging

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Detail/Sculpt

Ain't she gorgeous? Though she does have that Japanese Anime look.

C'mon now...what were you looking at??

Somehow she kinds of remind me of Pam in that crap movie Barbwire

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Articulation

• Ball jointed neck
• Swivel shoulders
• Hinged elbows
• Swivel wrists
• Swivel legs
• Hinged knees

A bit disappointing in the articulation section. I would have liked to see this figure to have more articulation especially in the shoulders and waist. Though I can understand why the makers decided not put them in. A swivel waist would ruin the 'sexy' look of her suit. But a ball jointed shoulder could've made a huge improvement in posing options.

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Freestyle

The Black Canary in action in the hit 2001 series, The Justice League.

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Pricing

This figure is very hard to find nowadays. It would definitely be sold out in the normal stores or comic shops. Your best bet is online. Amazon is listing this starting from USD 45. Series 1 contains a set of 5 individual figures. They were Superman, Red Arrow, Black Lightning and Vixen.

Currently Series 2 and 3 is still available from these sellers:

Heroes in a box

Justice League of America Series 2 Action Figure Set

Entertainment Earth
Justice League America Series 3 Action Figure Set

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I must admit that I'm not into all the figures from each series. I'm also guessing Series 3 is the most popular because 3 out the 4 figures is highly sought after. I've gotten Wonder Woman and G.L. from Series 3. Hopefully, I can get the Flash and do the review soon. So till next time, don't forget that A.R.Ms is moving to a new blog. Cheers.


Related Posts:

• A.R.Ms # 27: Star Wars, Clone Army, Ep. III
  
• A.R.Ms # 26: Iron Man, Mark III, 12" Repulsor Blast
  
• A.R.Ms # 25: My Unopened Star Wars Figures
  
• A.R.Ms # 24: Star Wars, Clone Wars, Part 1

Read more...

A.R.Ms # 27: Star Wars, Clone Army, Pt. 3

The 91st Reconnaissance Corps was a corps of recon troopers in the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars. Comprising divisions of clone troopers and BARC troopers, the 91st Reconnaissance Corps was led by Clone Marshal Commander Neyo. Aside from BARC speeders, the corps utilized AT-AP walkers and AT-RT walkers.

The identifying marks of the 91st were small red circles with a white sword pointing upside down running across them. To protect their commander, 91st's lieutenants wore, like Neyo, a specialized helmet very similar to those of clone assassins that gave them a more sinister look.

Commander Neyo's troops were part of the multi-division task force led by High Jedi General Oppo Rancisis on Saleucami during the Outer Rim Sieges. Elements of the 91st Reconnaissance Corps fought in the ensuing battle, and remained planetside in the aftermath to scout out remaining pockets of Separatist or Morgukai resistance.

During Order 66, Commander Neyo and his Recon Corps were led by Jedi Master Stass Allie during their patrols of the Saleucami plains. Neyo and his men turned on their Jedi General. Neyo and his wingman, CT-3423, opened fire on Allie's speeder bike, killing her in the resulting explosion.

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A.R.Ms Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Freestyle
  
• Pricing

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Packaging

This collection was from several series. The clone trooper on Barc speeders came from the T.A.C Treachery on Saleucami. Jedi Master Stass Allie and the Saleucami Trooper came from the 2008 T.L.C.

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Detail/Sculpt

When I first saw the Saleucami troopers and their red markings, it all seemed too familiar. It took me quite a while to figure it out until I saw the Australian Post logo. It is almost identical!!

The clone troopers of the 91st Reconnaissance Corp(above) and Commander Neyo(below). Notice how the Commander and his troops have similar armour?

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Articulation

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Freestyle

My interpretation of Order 66. This scene would've been much better for Jedi Master Stass Allie instead of just being shot down on her speeder.

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Pricing

The battlepack is still available from Entertainment Earth for USD 23.99. The other TLC figures are still available at the stores though its becoming scarce.

Click on the link below to go to E.E's website to purchase:

Star Wars Treachery on Saleucami Action Figure Battle Pack

Star Wars Legacy Collection Action Figures Wave 4 Revision 1

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I've been busy these past few days trying to put together a new blog for my reviews. So, I hope the bloggers that have bookmarked my page to update the new blog site. It'll be complete on issue # 31. Stay cool guys & gals.


Related Posts:

• A.R.Ms # 26: Iron Man, Mark III, 12" Repulsor Blast
  
• A.R.Ms # 25: My Unopened Star Wars Figures
  
• A.R.Ms # 24: Star Wars, Clone Wars, Part 1
  
• A.R.Ms # 23: 501st Stormtrooper, Vader's Fist

Read more...