W.A.R. # 35 : Gears of War 2, Marcus Fenix

This is a bit off from my normal list of action figures but damn it...this figure has been taunting me ever since I first saw it a couple of months ago on the shelves at Target. So, I decided to get it simply out of curiosity plus this figure is along the same height as my other M.L. and DC figures.

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W.A.R. Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Pricing
  

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Packaging

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Detail/Sculpt

Honestly I've only played this game once...so for me to really assess the sculpt is very subjective. Though I have been a fan of Neca for quite some time and this figure does not disappoint. Their sculpt has always been superb(I've said this more than once) and at the same time have always sacrificed articulation over it. But I've noticed that this figure has very decent articulation and allows for a number of reasonable poses.

Put an eye patch and you can pass him off as a pirate.

The figure comes with two accessories. His snub pistol and his fully automatic assault rifle a.k.a. The Lancer(no, this is not the car).

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Articulation

Even with the ball hinged shoulders, movement is a bit restricted due to the bulky figure and its accessories. But the joints are well hidden due to the color of his suit.
-Ball jointed neck(limited movement)
-Ball hinged shoulders
-Swivel biceps
-Hinged swivel elbows
-Ball jointed wrists
-Swivel waist
-Swivel hips
-Hinged knees
-Hinged ankles

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Pricing

I bought this for almost AUD 30. Pricey if you think about it but nonetheless almost similar to DC Direct figures and the quality is on par if not more superior.

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I find myself really drawn to this figure the more I see it. Its true I'm not a big fan of Gears of War. But I'll be the first to admit a good action figure when I see one. Yes, its not exactly one of my proudest purchases. It was more of a "stop staring at me! ok, ok...I'll buy you" moment. Now I feel compelled to get 2 or 3 more figures from the series...ARGGHH. That or I could sell this off.

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• W.A.R. # 34: Star Wars, Republic Gunship
  
• W.A.R. # 33: Kill Bill, Series 1
  
• W.A.R. # 32: DC Superheroes, Mongul
  
• W.A.R. # 31: Star Wars, Legacy Collection, Millennium Falcon

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W.A.R. # 34 : Star Wars, Republic Gunship

If memory serves me correctly, this has got to be the 5th version of the Republic Gunship or as its formal designation, the Low Altitude Assault Transport(L.A.A.T). This particular version is based on the Star Wars, Clone Wars animated movie(the reference is the Twi'lek female painted on the side). To be honest, it's just another gunship with a different paint job. But I'll save the criticism for later. Now on with the show.

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W.A.R. Contents:
-Packaging
-Detail/Sculpt
-Features
-Pricing
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Packaging

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Detail/Sculpt

The gunship has always appealed to the regular Star Wars fan. It's one of those vehicles that looks bulky and clumsy and yet is very versatile and packs quite a punch. Even though this vehicle is not up to the right scale(I'll point out why), its the best for now.

The wingspan is impressive, the two mass-driver missile launchers on top is sure to keep separatist air force at bay. The wings aren't for display either. They carry 4 air-to-air missiles underneath each wing and to top it off, 4 composite beam pinpoint laser turrets. And don't forget the 3 Anti-personnel turrets (2 at the front, one at the rear of the craft).

If that still doesn't deter the separatist ground force, then the 30 or so armed clone troopers on board would have a word or two with them.

Issues(Well...mine at least)

First, is the size of the ship itself. It's suppose to be able to carry 30...at most you can fit 15. I could barely squeeze in 9 without it looking like a bunch of people standing in a crowded pub.

Second, the blast shield doors does not close the entire way(Star Wars die hard fans would argue that there are different models especially towards the end of the clone wars). The reason I point this out is because this is based on the animated movie and it clearly shows the blast shield doors close all the way to protect the troopers on board from ground fire and shrapnel.

Third, the gunship also acts as a dropship and is able to carry other transports like the AT-TE walker into the battlefield. This in theory would not be able to do that.

Fourth, when are they going to make a decent gun turret pod that you can fit in a clone trooper like in episode 3? They are some S.W. enthusiasts that have made custom turret pods. But if Hasbro made those the other faults wouldn't be as bad. Oh wait...they are making one(August 2009). So cancel the fourth...the Gunship is PERFECT! LoL.

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Features
-Rotating turrets(front) with firing projectiles
-Opening cockpit(for 2 clone pilots)
-Auto-opening blast shield doors
-Rotating turrets(wings)
-Missile lauchers(atop vehicle)
-Drop platform

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Pricing
When this version first came out it was AUD 127. Then after a few months it was down to AUD89. Plus it was only available at K-Mart(Wal-Mart in the States). I've looked for this online and its available at Brian's Toys, Amazon and Ebay. Though I haven't seen anything below USD 100.

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Btw, the turret pods that I mentioned are available for pre-order from Entertainment Earth's website. Click on the pic to go to the product page.

Last but not least, keep it real and keep collecting.

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• W.A.R. # 33: Kill Bill, Series 1
  
• W.A.R. # 32: DC Superheroes, Mongul
  
• W.A.R. # 31: Star Wars, Legacy Collection, Millennium Falcon
  
• W.A.R. # 30: Marvel Select, Spider-Woman

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W.A.R. # 33 : Kill Bill, Series 1

Tarantino, Uma Thurman, Sonny Chiba, Samurai swords, Hong Kong style action scenes, a spankin' soundtrack...what more can you want?It is still one of the best action movies I have seen since Pendekar Bujang Lapok...haha.

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W.A.R. Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Pricing

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Packaging

The packaging from Neca is pretty standard with all its series. Just big enough for the figure and its accessories.

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Detail/Sculpt

The Series 1 is based on the sword fight at The House of Blue Leaves. Also available in this series is a Quentin Tarantino figure as one of the Crazy 88 fighters. Whilst the Bride and Go Go comes with weapons, the Crazy 88 fighters also comes with a bottle of liquid to simulate the blood gushing out of their removable limbs(nice...)

The Bride

Amazing sculpt from the face down to the yellow Asics shoes.

Go Go Yubari

Cute...sexy...and very scary.

Johnny Mo & The Crazy 88

Even though on the packaging it says Crazy 88 fighter for the bald guy, it's actually Johnny Mo. One of O-Ren's personal bodyguards.

One for the Books

Doesn't seem fair does it?

Now that's more like it...

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Articulation

Not much to talk about here. The whole concept is the sword fight and the stance. So don't expect the bride or Go Go to do splits. Unless that is, you count the fact that the Crazy 88 fighters have removable limbs(just like in the movie when the bride cuts them up).

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Pricing

Roughly between AUD 15 - 20 each but if you can find it for less(new in box) then that would be a great deal. I prefer Series 1 than the 2nd because this set it taken from my favourite battle scene from Volume 1.

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I typed the above review two weeks ago. It turns out that David Carradine was found dead on 3rd June in Bangkok. No witty remarks...so we'll just leave it at that.

Till next time. Keep on collecting guys.

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• W.A.R. # 31: Star Wars, Legacy Collection, Millennium Falcon
  
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W.A.R. # 32 : DC Superheroes, Mongul

If you went "Mongul...who?" I don't blame you. Not a lot of people know this character. Could it be because he bears resemblance to Darkseid(this is where you raise your hand and go "ooh, ooh I know Darkseid!!") thus people get a bit confused like being hit by a confundus charm. Sorry, that was my Hogwarts turrets acting up. In fact, a lot of comic fans think of Mongul as a cheap rip-off to Darkseid's character...whatever that means.

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W.A.R. Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Pricing

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Packaging

The packaging is simple, a blister card with clear bubble in the front to show the figure. Included with the figure is a diorama stand that also has the name of the character. The diorama is quite good actually, compared to the Marvel Legends diorama stand. One thing is missing at the back of the box though. Normally action figures has a brief explanation or description of the figure like their origins/power/fav. food(sorry). This simply lists out the figures available in the series.

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Detail/Sculpt

I've never had much complaint when it comes to DC figures. Their sculpt is usually spot-on. This figure is of no exception. Not really tall, but bulky and with a mean disposition just like a tyrant should be. Mongul looks like he is in the middle of a growl. That or he had to much oysters for lunch.

Figure with Stand

Figure Details

One for the Books

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Articulation

Mattel produces very decent articulation with DC figures. It was apparent back then with this, their S3 Select Sculpt and they have keep their tradition with the current DC Classics Universe line. I'd like to see they venture into making articulated fingers so that the figures have more posing options. Mongul has 19 points of articulation.

-Ball jointed neck
-Swivel hinged shoulders
-Swivel upper arms
-Hinged elbows
-Swivel wrists
-Hinged abdomen
-Swivel Waist
-Swivel hinged hips
-Swivel upper legs
-Hinged knees
-Hinged ankles

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Pricing

I picked this up a week ago at Coles Supermarket(think Supasave) of all places. Not that Coles has the largest toys section, mind you(it's more like one rack...and that's if you're lucky enough). Anyway, I've seen this figure displayed there since last year and never gave it much thought 'cos it was priced for about $17.50. So when they decided to put it on clearance for $4..."what is?" right? Its a shame they only this, Darkseid & Supergirl left.

Where to get this figure? Don't buy this figure from the internet that's for sure. In Brunei you could ask around, chances are the people at House of El or Toyzstation or C.H. Toynation will know.

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I think the writers of Mongul never gave him a chance. The made him up, somehow in the process he looked like Darkseid and even ruled over a planet called Warworld as opposed to Darkseid's Apokolips. They gave him powers that was almost as powerful as Superman's. Killed him off and getting reborn as Mongul (son of the original, yet the same name).

He never was a major threat to the Man of Steel with the exception of the story "The Man Who Has Everything", originally from the comics and later adapted for the Justice League animation series. In that story the potential of 'super-villain status' was there. He managed to hurt Superman emotionally rather than physical. Which in my mind is the biggest threat to Superman. Only time will tell...or the fans, whichever comes first, if Mongul deserves to be a major player as a villain in the DCU.

As far as being a bad ass goes, Mongul has been ranked by IGN at #41 as one of the Greatest Comic Book Villain of all time. I think he could have even been in the top 10 if it wasn't for his pink/purple-ish boots. Then again that's just me.

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