Magneto by Toy Biz

Again I review a Toy Biz product. Honestly this is because there isn't much on the shelves right now that interests me.

The packaging is pretty cheap - no clamshell here, just the usual card. I can't imagine that kids are going to want this figure, which may explain why he's very short packaged. However, the image in the background is very nice and features the new Astonishing X-Men, a comic written by Joss Whedon (and one which I highly recommend).

Why did I pick this figure up off the shelf? Number one reason: the amazing head sculpt. This is the contemporary Magneto. The paint is so well done on his face! His hair sculpt is also detailed and neat - nice touch Toy Biz! Another plus is that his joints are tight and very easy to pose, with all the normal high articulation you can expect from this company. In fact, Magneto has been standing solo on my shelf for over a week now without toppling. He does come with a soft plastic helmet that does fit over his head rather nicely but I decided I preferred the distinguished no-hat look instead. I do appreciate though they made it out of soft plastic, so it will not scratch the paint on his head. He also has a little articulated side piece on the side of his suit, which I found particularly cool. Things like this will disappear once Hasbro starts making figures because, let's face it, that little piece breaking off makes the toy pretty unsafe for kids. And it will break off with any sort of play.

Also to note is Magneto's very fine cape. It sits nicely on his shoulders and isn't so heavy it pulls the figure backwards like I have seen previously in many Marvel Legends figures. Mine had a bit of white paint on it but it was easily wiped away after I took the pictures for this review.

So why will Magneto not be getting a 10/10 from me? The accessory included has to be the dumbest thing I've ever seen. It's a shoulder pack that will require 3 AAA batteries to function properly. 3 batteries!!!! Who's bright idea was that? What will this amazing back pack do with three full size batteries you ask? For one, topple your figure over. Two, it will "attract" small metal objects to the extended gun at a push of the button. Guess what? Doesn't work that well. After unscrewing a tiny screw, placing in the batteries, then re-screwing the back plate back on, I was rewarded with a weak magnet effect. Toy Biz could have saved the money and just put a REGULAR magnet at the end of the backpack or put some magnets in his hands. Personally, I think that would have made a lot more sense. The accessory is a piece of trash and a waste of space and money - I have no clue what I'm going to do with it.

Still, I can't fault the figure which is ultimately a nice collector's piece. For some reason people are drawn to it on the shelf too, which I find rather odd. It must be because he's so handsome.

My score: 9/10