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Monday, May 21, 2012

Marvel Select's Green Goblin Glides In!

Marvel Select is becoming the little action figure line that could in my book. Their latest release, the Marvel Select Green Goblin Action Figure, is one of the most exciting figures to come out of the MS line in recent times.

I usually start with sculpt and work my way down to accessories, but I’m going to start this review with the “extras”, because they are so great!





One of the features of the Marvel Select line is some form of highly detailed pack-in base or prop, which usually end up in a storage bin in my house as I don't have the space to display them. The pack-in in this instance is the best form - a great little replica of the Goblin Glider. This is the kind of extra I'm happy to pay for, as it doesn't take up much extra space in the display and adds a great deal to the visual appeal of the figure.

Taking this particular accessory over the top is the fantastic cloud of energy and smoke it rests on and which forms a supportive base for the figure. It’s an exciting burst of colour with some translucent elements, and it’s a unusual shape that looks like it shouldn’t balance the glider, yet it does that perfectly. This is the sort of pack-in that will keep me coming back for more!

There are other accessories for this action figure - a satchel and an extra hand with a pumpkin bomb attached, which are nicely done and add a great deal to the overall package.





As for Mr Goblin himself: the articulation of this figure is outstanding. I am on record at not being the best at posing figures, but even with my limited skills there are a number of great poses that can be easily achieved with this figure. There would be nothing worse than having a great pack-in like the Goblin Glider but not being able to pose the figure properly on it - that's definitely not the case here. The ankle, knee and hip articulation of this figure makes it possible to get some great poses with the Green Goblin astride his flying machine.

The sculpting job is excellent - there is a fantastic amount of detail throughout this piece. His headsculpt, including freaky teeth, is brilliant, and the scales on his arms and legs are very nicely done. His gloves and boots are also nicely detailed.

There are two things that I have to criticise about this figure. One is an artistic choice, and one I think is a QC issue. Something that I find a bit peculiar about this figure is the lack of pupils in Green Goblin’s eyes. When think about Green Goblin’s look, his tiny pupils in the middle of his large eyes is part of what creates his unhinged, crazed look, and I think this figure ends up feeling just a tad “off” because these are missing.





The other issue is about colour choices. The green of Green Goblin’s skin on his face doesn’t match the green on his arms and legs. I’m not sure if it’s just because the limbs have a metallic edge to them, or because the greens are just different, but they are not the same. I have to say this didn’t really strike me until I was processing the photos of this figure, so it’s not jarring at first sight, but it does seem odd.



There is so much “right” about this figure that neither of these are fatal flaws in my book. I love the articulation, the ease of posing this figure and the excellent, excellent Goblin Glider With Included Energy And Smoke Cloud. This is a must buy in my book!

You can see more pics at Facebook, discuss this at the AFB Forum, and comment on this post to enter the May AFB Comment of the Month Contest!

Until next time!



3 comments:

chrismandesign said...

yeah, is a great figure although the sculpt and articulation don’t match that of the Marvel Legends by Toy Biz, at least head down, but the head itself is better here... it reminds me pretty much the Joker’s face...

Unknown said...

Outside the color issues this looks awesome and creepy at the same time. Would need a Marvel Select Spider-Man to go along with this one if i had it. : )

TotalToyz said...

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