Marvel Legends TRU Exclusive XMEN Dark Phoenix and Cyclops

Dark Phoenix (Left), Cyclops (Right)

Hasbro has been surprising us with several release of different waves and exclusives of their Marvel Legend Toylines. Such as characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe , Comics and even from the Netflix Series. And one of the most awesome release they did this year is this 2-pack Dark Phoenix and Cyclops.

Front Packaging

First things first - the packaging, this was packed in the standard Hasbro/Marvel 2-pack packaging.

Back Packaging

And at the back, we can see the usual details about the characters and an image on where this pack was based on - The Dark Phoenix Saga *dum dum dum*.

Dark Phoenix

Here's a first look to our Dark Phoenix standing over the Diamond Select Winter Soldier Base

Front

Up in front, as you can see we still get the generic Marvel Female articulation and still won't have any double jointed elbows. The paint application was awesome specially on the head - the tips of the hair of this default head was translucent red.

Back

Dark Phoenix Good State

 The other alternate head was a copy of the default head but with some changes, eyes are normal and the tips of the hair is not translucent. So I guess its safe to say this is the phoenix good state.

Dark Phoenix Possessed State with Mini Phoenix

 And as I said before, the default head has a much more glaring look. Eyes and the tips of the hair is different and let's say this is the possessed state.

Dark Phoenix Normal Head

And on the other, there is actually a pretty much more normal head. Well as much as we can say we are satisfied with the other 2 heads, this one was pretty dissapointing since its a reuse of the old Ms. Marvel / Warbird head which was already used several times in other characters such as the EE Exclusive Gamora.

Dark Phoenix (Left), Phoenix (Right)

And Lastly, heres a comparison with the Juggernaut Wave Phoenix (Green). 

1. They have the same upper torso, however the legs was changed. The Green Phoenix uses  the same skinny legs the Kate Bishop (3 Pack) uses and was attached to a heeled foot which generally makes it harder to stand. On the other side, the Red Phoenix uses the same sexy legs the 3pack Ms. Marvel uses which is way better and the feet no longer has heels which makes her the ability to stand easily. But due to the changing of heels, its a cm shorter.

2. The Sash are the same except the Red Phoenix has a small logo of the Phoenix on the left.

3. Paint Application and design - well the Red has a better application but we can also see that the Phoenix Logo on the chest was bigger than the green.

Dark Phoenix Accessory

Dark Phoenix Accesory - Well it's better than nothing.

from Left to Right, Normarl Head, Dark Phoenix, Phoenix, Juggernaut Wave Phoenix Celine Dion Look Alike Head, Rocket Raccoon Wave Jean Grey Head

Giant Sized Cyclops

And of course we have the most hated Marvel Character - Cyclops on his Giant Size Costume.

Front

As you can see as simple as it may - this is something that looks pretty awesome.

Back

from Left to Right, Puck Series Astonishing Cyclops, Giant Sized  Cyclops, 90's Jim Lee Cyclops

So to make things easier, I aligned all three Cyclops to compare. Sadly, I don't have the Black Marvel Now Cyclops sinced I missed that wave during the time it was released and can no longer get a piece in a fair price.

1. Compared to the other two, the Paint Application of this 2 pack Cyclops was well applied. The washing and the the gradient was perfectly applied that the shading was highly emphasized compared to the static blue of the 90's Cyclops.

2. As similar as it may seem, the head of the 2pack Cyclops and the Puck Series Astonishing Cyclops is not the same. There are large circles on the side in the ear of the 2pack Cyclops.

And that's it, I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed reviewing them and writing this entry.

As a bonus here's a couple of combination you can do with the Dark Phoenix alternate heads attached in other bodies.

Rocket Raccoon Jean Grey

2pack Black Widow

Juggernaut Wave Phoenix (Green)

Terrax Wave Hope Summers

Stars Toys Studio - 1:12 Nine Tailed Fox Action Figure - League of Legends - LOL - Ahri

The other day while I was doing my regular Facebook browsing - I bump into this chinese page wherein a Figma-like promotional pictures of LOL Ahri was posted. Since the design was similar to Figma and I remembered a few years back Figma released Yasuo - I thought this was a Figma. And a few days later, I saw a friend posted orders for this Ahri - well honestly, I am not a LOL player at all - I am a DOTA2 player though. But I always liked how Ahri was designed (as well as Jynx and Katarina) so I had to ask my friend if I could still get one. And just my luck, he was able to get me one for the last minute! Thanks man!

Packaging:

As you can see, the packaging looks like a combination of a package of a 1/12 PVC Statue and a Standard Figma. Content of the package are already visible. If you can notice, Stars Toys didn't include any copyrighted name such as League of Legends, Ahri or LOL - has something to do about copyright infringement I guess - but whats the point? We all know it was Ahri anyway.

Right side shows a picture of Ahri...

...and thus the left side as well.

The back of the package shows different poses that you can do with the figure. The thing though it doesnt come with any manual of any sort.

And you can also notice that it bears a similar sticker on packages of Figma. The round sticker that serves as a mark that the item is sealed and it has a logo of Stars Toys too. Moving on...

CONTENT:

So, If you're planning to get one yourself here's a quick checklist for whats inside your package:

1. Ahri Figure - complete with ears hehe

2. 1 Big Orb

3. 1 Small Orb

4. 3 alternate hands (2 Open Hands, 2 Clenched Fists and 1 Open Right Hand to Hold either of the two orbs)

4. Alternate Smirking Face 

5. 2x Similar 3 Tails

6. 1 Big Middle 3 Tails

7. 1 Small Small 3 tails

ARTICULATION:

All joints are similarly same with any SHFiguarts or Figma you see, the concept is the same - both piece connected by a single jointd peg to allow movement. Ahri here by the way has neck swivel, can move her head sideways by 360 rotation, up and down. Shoulder swivel and rotation, elbow swivel and movement, wrist rotation and swivel. Ab Rotation, thigh rotation, leg movement, knee swivel and rotation and ankle movement. the tails though can only move on the point where it is connected.

VERDICT:

Apparently, for a 1/12 figure created by a third party studio this one was quite done well. Apart from the well made design and accuracy it's not as fragile as it would be. I had my fair share of Figma, SHFiguarts knock offs that uses the similar yet cheaper version of PVC materials that breaks easily and sometimes get stuck because of the incompatibility of the paint application.

This one, well slightly wobbly joints but not loose at all making the figure easier to pose.

I recommend getting the figure if you are a LOL, especially an  Ahri Fan or have a huge like on Nine Tailed Fox Characters (No, not Naruto) - hoping to see more from Stars Toys Studio!

Marvel Legends 2-Pack Series Elektra

Elektra

Hi Everyone, next to out list is our female assasin Ms. Elektra Natchios.

Again, we will no longer review anything about the box and stuff -

Name: Elektra Natchios [Earth-616]
Alias: Elektra
Affiliation: Thunderbolts, Code Red, Hand, SHIELD, HYDRA, The Chaste, Heroes for Hire

Elektra was highly trained assassin and was the love interest of our boy Daredevil.

from left to right, Elektra 2-pack, Skrull Elektra 2-pack, farther right toybiz Elektra

Now mainly, this Elektra is a part of Hasbro's 2-Pack series. She was set aside with Ronin [Clint Barton, Yellow variant], if what I remember is correct it's because they teamed up before. This 2-pack has a variant that includes the Skurll Elektra and the Ronin [Gold Variant]. Both Elektra and Skurll Elektra shares the same body mold and weapons except the color of their skin and the mold of their heads. And Elektra includes an alternate head without the bandana.

Well, I got Elektra from a friend in which he took the weapons as a part of the agreement to give it cheap to me - but in my luck I managed to find a 2pack Skrull Elektra with Ronin in a near mint condition.

Now, in comparison with the Toybiz Elektra there is a huge difference. The Toybiz Elektra is still an awesome figure and can still serve as a placeholder if you don't have this 2-pack. But why I would still recommend the 2-pack is because despite the lack of articulation in terms of design this looks better.The weapons are  bigger than the old one and having the two alternate hands to hold it sideways made it better. One thing that isn't good is although in terms of body proportion this was much better than the unproportion toybiz female body - it lacks poseability. But I still suggest it, although i feel that in the near future hasbro may remake this figure with an updated body mold that they use today.