Review: Eye Blast Cyclops (Wolverine and the X-Men)
That Wolverine and the X-Men is only the third or fourth best animated superhero show currently aired is a testament to the state of the genre. This is a solid show made by people who are clearly fans of the comics. Unfortunately, as has always been case with televised versions of the X-Men, network standards prevent the characters from reaching their potential. Wolverine, in particular, really needs some blood on his claws for him to be believable. But better a restrained Wolverine than no Wolverine at all, I suppose.
Cyclops was actually one of the more interesting characters in season one. In some ways, he filled the role that's traditionally been given to Wolverine; fitting, since Wolverine took over as team leader. It's an unusual take on Scott Summers, but I'd argue it's valid. Cyclops has always had a darker side, one that generally gets repressed. With the loss of Jean, it seems reasonable that he'd crack.
Anyway, while it's not a line I'm trying to collect, I've been curious to see what else Marvel had to offer in the three and three-quarters inch scale, beyond the Marvel Universe line. I found this on sale and figured I'd give him a chance.
Like every Marvel toy you're likely to find at Walmart or Toys R Us, this is made by Hasbro.
Cyclops was actually one of the more interesting characters in season one. In some ways, he filled the role that's traditionally been given to Wolverine; fitting, since Wolverine took over as team leader. It's an unusual take on Scott Summers, but I'd argue it's valid. Cyclops has always had a darker side, one that generally gets repressed. With the loss of Jean, it seems reasonable that he'd crack.
Anyway, while it's not a line I'm trying to collect, I've been curious to see what else Marvel had to offer in the three and three-quarters inch scale, beyond the Marvel Universe line. I found this on sale and figured I'd give him a chance.
Like every Marvel toy you're likely to find at Walmart or Toys R Us, this is made by Hasbro.
Appearance and Construction: 7/10
This is a weird figure. My first observation is never a good one: I liked him better before getting him out of the box.
But that makes it sound like I don't like him, when in fact I do. I just don't like him as much as I thought I would. What works best here is design and overall impression: the dark blue costume, broken up by the gold belt, and covered by the light gray trench coat is a great look, and the sculpt on the trench helps this along. In addition, I've got some nice things to say about the eye blast... but we'll get to that in good time.
The problems, as they all too often are, lie in the execution. The biggest issue, by far, is paint. The face doesn't have nearly enough detail or shading. And, if you're going to cut down on colors, what you do have has to be cleaner. There's not a lot of sloppy paint, but then there's not a lot of paint in general. When you've only got a handful of paint ops and most of them have some errors, then it's hard not to notice.
The construction of the figure is solid, though the plastic feels a bit cheap. It's not a big deal, though, and I'm not going to dock anything here.
Likewise, I'm not going to dock them for the large empty hole where Cyclops's visor should be, because this is where the blast goes. That said, if they'd found away to make this work better, I might have given them some points back.
But that makes it sound like I don't like him, when in fact I do. I just don't like him as much as I thought I would. What works best here is design and overall impression: the dark blue costume, broken up by the gold belt, and covered by the light gray trench coat is a great look, and the sculpt on the trench helps this along. In addition, I've got some nice things to say about the eye blast... but we'll get to that in good time.
The problems, as they all too often are, lie in the execution. The biggest issue, by far, is paint. The face doesn't have nearly enough detail or shading. And, if you're going to cut down on colors, what you do have has to be cleaner. There's not a lot of sloppy paint, but then there's not a lot of paint in general. When you've only got a handful of paint ops and most of them have some errors, then it's hard not to notice.
The construction of the figure is solid, though the plastic feels a bit cheap. It's not a big deal, though, and I'm not going to dock anything here.
Likewise, I'm not going to dock them for the large empty hole where Cyclops's visor should be, because this is where the blast goes. That said, if they'd found away to make this work better, I might have given them some points back.
Packaging and Extras: -1
The packaging is pretty standard. It looks pretty cool, and the color's interesting. Yup, this here is adequate trash:
Besides Cyclops, you get an "eye blast", which fits in the hole in his visor. I've actually been waffling as to whether or not this is enough to save him from a deduction. I think I'm leaning towards "No."
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That isn't to say it's not cool: it is. The effect works, and, while it's a little silly up close, it's good at a few feet away. In fact, had this been an inch or two longer, I think I'd have given it a pass. As it is, though, it's a bit short. And, at this scale and price point, I feel like we're owed a little more. Throw in a base at the very least, and, while you're at it, put in an alternate head with a full visor. I know that sounds like a lot, but look at what these are going for. Can you really tell me two of these are worth a DC Universe Classic or Marvel Legends figure, which generally come with an accessory and part of a larger figure? Right. So I'm hitting him with a one point deduction. Maybe I'm being harsh, but I think there needs to be a high bar here. |
Play and Display: ----
In this category, the figure really shines in terms of balance. I know most of the pictures above show him leaning back on his cape, but that's just because I wasn't paying enough attention: he can stand up straight fine. In fact, thanks to the coat counterbalancing him, he can lean forward quite a ways.
This figure is intended to look good in certain poses, which he does. In fact, you get quite a few such poses. Which is good in some ways. It does, however, transition us into the less impressive aspect of the figure: articulation.
You get a cut neck, waist, and ankles, 'T' style hips, and ball joints at the shoulders and elbows. That's all fine and dandy, but where are the knee joints? Where are the cut wrists? And why isn't the head ball-jointed (actually, it MIGHT technically be, but it works like a cut).
If they'd just given us the wrists, I could have justified the bonus. But that omission, while not devastating, is so absurd I just can't reward them.
This figure is intended to look good in certain poses, which he does. In fact, you get quite a few such poses. Which is good in some ways. It does, however, transition us into the less impressive aspect of the figure: articulation.
You get a cut neck, waist, and ankles, 'T' style hips, and ball joints at the shoulders and elbows. That's all fine and dandy, but where are the knee joints? Where are the cut wrists? And why isn't the head ball-jointed (actually, it MIGHT technically be, but it works like a cut).
If they'd just given us the wrists, I could have justified the bonus. But that omission, while not devastating, is so absurd I just can't reward them.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 6/10
I sort of feel like this should be a little higher, but the lack of paint takes a toll. Overall, I was a little disappointed in this guy, despite the fact I love the effect they achieved with the trench and blast.
I found this guy at a Walmart in Maine, where he was technically clearanced for five bucks, marked down from an original price of nine. Nine dollars is absolutely ridiculous. Aren't six inch figures supposed to be going for ten or eleven, at least in theory? That's WAY too much for a toy this small.
Even five feels a little optimistic. This is a cool toy, but it's not very large. The lack of detailing really brings this into question. Personally, I have some serious reservations about this scale in general: I feel like collectors are getting fleeced. And, while he's better than the DC figures I've bought in this scale, he's no where near as good as the comic-influenced Marvel Universe figures.
If you can find this for a little less, say three or four dollars, you're getting a solid deal. And, if this is a scale you're interested in, five isn't completely unreasonable... but I don't feel like I got a bargain.
I found this guy at a Walmart in Maine, where he was technically clearanced for five bucks, marked down from an original price of nine. Nine dollars is absolutely ridiculous. Aren't six inch figures supposed to be going for ten or eleven, at least in theory? That's WAY too much for a toy this small.
Even five feels a little optimistic. This is a cool toy, but it's not very large. The lack of detailing really brings this into question. Personally, I have some serious reservations about this scale in general: I feel like collectors are getting fleeced. And, while he's better than the DC figures I've bought in this scale, he's no where near as good as the comic-influenced Marvel Universe figures.
If you can find this for a little less, say three or four dollars, you're getting a solid deal. And, if this is a scale you're interested in, five isn't completely unreasonable... but I don't feel like I got a bargain.
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