[TAO's Note: I keep spotting the new Iron Man 2 figures at my local stores, and it's awfully hard to ignore them. They look great for their scale, and I may eventually cave in and start assembling myself a little hall or armors. Ewan seems to have already started a nice collection himself, and he's here to take a look at one of the first releases in the line, so keep reading to see how he likes it.] 

Name: Iron Man Mark I
Line: Iron Man 2: Movie Series
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Released: March 2010
Price: Online: $9.99-$12.99, Retail: $7.99-$8.99
Scale: 3.75 in. 
Accessories: Clip-on Flamethrower (missile launcher), 3 x Armor Cards, Base (1 peg) with Armor Card stand

Iron Man 2 Movie Series Mark I looks like a hunk of junk—and that's why you'll notice it right off the shelf if you see him, simply because he's got so much detail despite his 3.75 inch scale. Looking at him is like looking at the Millenium Falcon, you're not sure what does what unless you're Han Solo or in this case, Tony Stark.  And just like the Falcon, Mark I here is asymmetrical. But before I get to some of the highlights of the armor, I didn't know how pretty damn movie accurate he was when I bought the guy. Go ahead, search up some pictures and compare 'em to the pics here and you'll see. I was really, really amazed as well.

Ok, so Mark I's asymmetrical: his right and left arms are completely different, as are his right and left legs. Even his feet are different, similar but different (and there's even detail at the bottom of those, too).  But I think my favorite difference is in the lower legs, where one shin is rounded and the other is flat plate, one calf is a sheet of sturdy metal, while the other is made up of some circuitry and smaller plates. What plays into Hasbro's hands here is that the finish doesn't have to be too great. In fact, some joining flaws where the two halves of the thighs/calves/feet meet are welcome because hey, Tony Stark did put this baby together in like, McGyver time, so for once Hasbro's mess actually gives us a better product.

What's also great about this sculpt is that the areas of major articulation—the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and ankles (which are also the armor's exposed areas) have heavy wadded cloth molded to look like padding. It's really an ingenius way to fill in the gaps where they really couldn't put in super fine detail like skin, so hats off to them.

Another plus point is the hands, which are molded open enough to grasp weapons.  I'm thinking he'd look great with one of the Rise of Cobra BFGs that most times really don't go with the Joes.

Sculpt Score: 9 / 10

There's very little actual broad areas of paint. The whole suit of armor is washed with black to give it a worn, scrap-iron look which works very nicely.  But not all the figures have been washed consistently, though. My Mark I isn't a dark as the The Rangerlord's (he lurks and posts once in a while). In fact we were comparing the figures they had on hand the day of the release and realized that his had a more weathered look, especially on the chest plate.  So watch out for that—you'll wanna pick one with a wash you like depending on how beat up you want Mark I to look.

The arc reactor in his chest is very nicely done with a bright white center and I especially love the serial number on the right of his breastplate. It's crisp and clear.  You'll also wanna keep a look out for his mouth—it's got two grill pieces from top to bottom which can be easily painted over because  it seems like they washed the area heavily with black instead of painting it. 

Paint Score: 7 / 10

Not the greatest , but he doesn't need to bcause everyone knows Mark I is the stiffest version of the Iron Man arsenal. Mark I's got swivel/hinges in the shoulders, elbows, ankles, and knees, and ball joints at the hips and head. Pretty good for a clunky, figure, yes? For sure, except the sculpted detail gets in the way. His head can go up just enough and side to side, but is limited by the shoulder straps. His elbows can maybe bend to about 110 degrees, while his hips can't go out to the side completely (though it does a great front kick, almost 90 degree bend). His knees are good to bend almost 90 degrees and his ankles can actually point and flex pretty well. It's also worth mentioning that all his joints are really tight, especially when it comes to the hinge motions. And also significant is the lack of wrist swivels.

I did have a major problem with my figure though. If you look at the pictures, Mark I definitely looks like he has a waist swivel. The cut in the mold is there connecting the torso and the pelvis. But he had some clear stuff in there that looked like glue on my fig. Try as I might to remove the stuff, it seems the problem is more than waist deep (har), and that I have a bum figure. However (partly as a way of consoling myself), I don't think he needs this joint because he didn't really seem to have it in the movie. Besides, Mark I's are supposed to be stiff, but if this guy had it (and I hope for all of you that find him that he does), Mark I's score in for articualtion would go up by a point to a point and a half at least.

Articulation Score: 7 / 10

Come on, who didn't cheer when Tony Stark busted out of his cell in this suit in the first movie? Well even if it wasn't out loud, I'm sure you did a little dance of joy in your hearts. No? Then what about when he flamethowered them terrorist wannabes? Yeah, I thought so. Well now you can re-enact that scene in one of your displays! (Ya just need some twenty or so middle-eastern looking 3.75 inch figures. Perhaps 20 peg-warming Cairo Swordsmen from the Indy Jones line? Heh.)

At the very least, Mark I is a fun piece to have because it's the most distinct piece of armor from any of the modern suits Tony Stark now wears. Having him is like having Iron Man's oririgins, not to mention he'll look great as part of your Hall of Armor. He'll also go right along fighting against any German or Russian soldiers—as long as it looks like it's from an older era, Mark I will fit in nicely.

Fun Score: 8 / 10

I'd say he's worth it because he's available for the first time in 3.75 inch scale. As for the flamthrower/missile lancher, it's not really that cool since it's kinda like a BFG, except in clips on to his left arm. It's so out of the character for the armor that I definitely wouldn't display him with that.

The stand is neat, with an attached section where you can stand the 3 armor cards, creating a small display just out of one figure. The cards themselves are cool and take a page from the movie—one of them's an opaque white base, while the other two are transparent plastic shoots that are lain over the top. Each has a parts of the armor in question, so standing them on the stand, you get a minor 3D effect that hovers behind you Mark I.

I got this guy for $12, and while I know this is expensive to many of you in the States, it's actually a new, lower price point compared to Wolverine Origins figures, which came out costing $13.50 initially. It's good to see the price of figures go down and the quality go up. So for that, I can't knock the value of this figure, especially since there were only 3 of this guy on 4 rows of 4 pegs. Even if Mark I came with no accessories, based on his heft and detailed sculpt, I'd still get him over say, a Mark IV, which may well turn out to be a transitional suit of armor in the movie.

Value Score: 6 / 10

9 / 10 - Lots of detail, asymmetrical body and movie accurate!

7 / 10 - Inconsistent, varying from figure to figure. Eyes and mouth can be tighter but Arc Reactor is well done.

7 / 10 - Good PoAs but hindered by sculpt. A working waist swivel would be wonderful. 

8 / 10 - Everyone loves a good-looking Mark I, and this version is great-looking. Reliving Tony's first time frying baddies in armor will cheer you right up.

7 / 10 - Definitely worth getting at the new price point-Mark I's just so full of detail! The stand is wonderful because Marvel Universe figures don't usually come with them. Getting the cards is an especial bonus.

 

  78 / 100 - This is a Good Toy

This is good toy, almost great but not quite. Of the five figures I got (Marks I, II, III, VI, and War Mrchine, yes War Machine!), I was looking forward to him the most. And out of the package, I thought he was fantastic, until I cracked open Mark II...

-Ewan

This could be the figure given away in this month's Review Commentator Contest. Join the discussion by leaving a comment on this review for a chance to win!

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