Retro Review: Mademoiselle Marie Figure and Recon at the Moulin Rouge Accessory Pack
Posted by Lindsay
Don't leave! Marie is a DC Comics Character, and the toy is branded GI Joe. That makes her an action figure. Deal.
I love being a bargain hunter. Marie is one of those figures I wouldn't have sought out, but picked up cheap on a whim, and I kinda love her. A few years back, before The Clearance Bin existed, I saw this figure in the clearance racks and grabbed one. A few weeks ago, I purchased an additional outfit/accessory pack, so I thought now would be a good time to tell you all about Mlle Marie. If you're unaware, Mademoiselle Marie is a DC Comics character, the love interest of Sgt. Rock of Easy Company. Think you've never heard of these characters? Ever seen the Justice League episode The Savage Time? The American soldiers who GL hangs out with in World War II? Those guys. They, and the Black Hawks from the same episode, are from DC's WWII theme comics titles. Marie is a French Resistance fighter and spy who assists Easy Company, and Pre-Crisis, had a daughter by one British agent Alfred Pennyworth. |
So a few years back, Hasbro, along with Dreams and Visions, released a set of Easy Company 12” figures and accessory packs, under the GI Joe mark. I thought at first that these were recreations of an earlier line, like a lot of the other 12” Joes being pushed at the time, but that isn't the case.
Appearance and Construction:
Basic Marie Figure: 7/10
Recon Pack: 8/10 Here is the doll I originally purchased. I wasn't sure of her when I bought her, but I warmed up to her really quickly. I love the detail in her costume, the sheer fact that it's a super practical sweater and jeans, and her nice articulation. I'm less fond of the somewhat dazed expression, and the seafoam eyeshadow, but it's clear and a strong choice, not the end of the world. Her black rooted hair is full, although prone to messiness. Unfortunately, when I pulled her off the shelf for this photo shoot, I noticed that the side of her neck is separating, and she almost lost a pin in her left knee. Again, not insurmountable, and I noticed the knee problem before losing the pin, and fixed it pretty simply, but still that'll cost her a point or two. |
The Recon at the Moulin Rouge Accessory Pack is... all accessories. But they look really nice. The poncho could work better, and the ties on both that and the boots are way too long.
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Packaging and Accessories:
Basic Marie: +2
Recon Pack: +2
I don't have any pictures of Marie in the package, but you can see a small promotional version on the back of the other pack. The packaging is mostly cardboard, the pieces are gently held to the backboard with black thread.
Recon Pack: +2
I don't have any pictures of Marie in the package, but you can see a small promotional version on the back of the other pack. The packaging is mostly cardboard, the pieces are gently held to the backboard with black thread.
Marie came with her outfit, entirely removable, consisting of beret, scarf, sweater, jeans, boots, and holster, and her pistol.
The boots... how awesome are these boots? And look at this gun. The magazine comes out and the slide comes off, or actually slides back so you can see the ready bullet.
The only problem with her accessories is the holster. The picture on the left is the way it came on her, but it looks a little awkward to draw from. I tried it the other way, but it doesn't hang as well. It still looks pretty great either way, though.
Her gun hand holds both this gun and the gun that came in the second pack quite well.
The accessory pack has a dress, hat, knickers, heeled boots, poncho, a map, a knife, and a gun which is described as a derringer. The outfit fits well, looks good, and isn't too hard to get on, and the other pieces are pretty awesome again. The boots are slightly less awesome this time, but still really nice. The dress is lined in the bodice, and the hat stays on surprisingly well.
FYI: this is a collector set and a secondary outfit, so I won't slam her for this they way I did Bert, but I did have to steam the corners of the skirt to get them to hang correctly.
The accessory pack has a dress, hat, knickers, heeled boots, poncho, a map, a knife, and a gun which is described as a derringer. The outfit fits well, looks good, and isn't too hard to get on, and the other pieces are pretty awesome again. The boots are slightly less awesome this time, but still really nice. The dress is lined in the bodice, and the hat stays on surprisingly well.
FYI: this is a collector set and a secondary outfit, so I won't slam her for this they way I did Bert, but I did have to steam the corners of the skirt to get them to hang correctly.
The gun also opens, and the (flare?) projectile is removable. The map is of troop movements in northern Italy, and there's a secret pouch under the skirt of the dress to hide it in.
Play and Display:
Basic Marie: +1
Recon Pack: ---
Marie has a great amount of articulation, although it doesn't all work as well as it might. Turns out, she says BBI on her back, she's made off a Blue Box Perfect Body. This explains the chest/neck problem she's having, since the Perfect Body has a changeable chest plate. Her lower legs are different than the standard PB, in that she has actual feet, but her hands are removable, if you wanted to switch them out.
Recon Pack: ---
Marie has a great amount of articulation, although it doesn't all work as well as it might. Turns out, she says BBI on her back, she's made off a Blue Box Perfect Body. This explains the chest/neck problem she's having, since the Perfect Body has a changeable chest plate. Her lower legs are different than the standard PB, in that she has actual feet, but her hands are removable, if you wanted to switch them out.
She can stand in certain positions, although sometimes I used a stand to help her out. She can hold all of her accessories, and hold all sorts of nice positions. Getting her there can sometimes be a hassle, though, especially in her original costume. In the sweater, her arm joints can get all turned around where you can't see, and it can be mildly annoying not realizing why she won't move the way you want.
The second outfit and accessories open up all sorts of options, but perhaps most importantly for this get up, yes, she can Can-Can.
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Price Tag and Final Analysis:
Basic Marie: 10/10
Recon Pack: 10/10 The Marie figure I got stupidly cheap, I think under 5 dollars, at FAO Schwartz years ago. With the articulation and the great accessories, I would go 15 easily for this girl, maybe 20, which is a lot for me. Just be aware the body isn't actually perfect, much to BBI's chagrin. The second outfit I picked up for 13 dollars at a comic shop. I might have been more likely to pay 10 personally, but the quality of the costume and accessories is worth another 15-20, I'm just a cheapskate. Besides, the smoky eyeshadow is growing on me... |
For more of my rambling, try The Blue Fairy's Bookshelf.
Or check out Erin's novel, which contains scenes set in World War Two (although Easy Company does not appear).
Or check out Erin's novel, which contains scenes set in World War Two (although Easy Company does not appear).