Hulk vs. Leader Two-Pack

By Toybiz
I was very lucky to pick this nice two-pack up on a Friday night last week. When I returned to the store a couple of days later the pegs were empty and I was relieved I had snapped it up when I saw it. I HIGHLY recommend you do as well because these two-packs are an excellent value and product.

Let's examine the packaging...Normal Marvel Legends clamshell. What's exciting this time around is how the clamshell is truly filled with stuff. Toybiz utilized all the space inside to include some very nice accessories. For $14.87 I got: A trading card, comic book, diorama background, base, two clear stand pieces that clip into the figures back and the two amazing sculpted figures. Yowza! Not to mention the nice cardboard, individualized explanation of the characters' origins and powers that is included in all Marvel Legends figures. The comic book is a pretty good story FYI. The diorama is a thick cardboard background that fits nicely into the base piece included. The clear plastic stand pieces are what you've seen before in preview ML series and also clip into the base. All in all, a nice set up. The diorama does look a bit puny once you put the enormous Hulk figure in front of it.

The figures themselves are more of the four star quality that I've been spoiled with lately from Toybiz. The joints are tight, not broken, and the paint application is stellar. My figures stood well on their own without the base, although I doubt they would stand the test of time.

The Incredible Hulk does have a new head sculpt that reminds me a bit of the Lou Ferrigno TV Hulk version. The Leader comes in two variations - the other headsculpt is the long-head. I prefer the brainy look honestly. Please note that is the only difference between the two packs - a different head. So yeah, that sucks because I know that having variant heads that you can interchange is very possible in today's market. But with the value you get from the two-pack with all the other goodies I can accept the companies' marketing decision. Plus, all variations are evenly packed. When I originally saw all the two-packs (which include Captain America/Red Skull & Daredevil/Kingpin) I saw an equal number of each version of each pack. I know some collectors will have them all though and will end up shelling out $90+ for them. But if you're not that anal, spending $15 for two amazing figures with accessories is a great value. I highly recommend if you're a fan of any of these characters to choose your favorite and pick up a set.

My score: 10/10 (again!)

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