Did you know that Silver Surfer and the Human Torch are the one and the same? Well, not in comic book continuity anyway, but definitely in Marvel Universe 3.75" scale comic-toy continuity! [TAO's Note: Keep reading for Ewan's double review of these two Fantastic Four fellows!]

Name: The Human Torch/Silver Surfer
Line: Marvel Universe
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Released: 2009
Price: Retail: $8.00-$10.00, Online: $10.00-$15.00
Scale: 3.75 in.
Accessories: Flame/Surf board
Sponsor Listings: Human Torch: Past Generation Toys-$7.95, Amazon-$7.99, Silver Surfer: Big Bad Toy Store-$6.99

 

     Despite the various versions on Human Torch that came before this dark blue Fantastic Four version of Johnny Storm, I never felt like getting a Human Torch figure cos they (specifically the head sculpt) didn't strike the right cord with me--The light blue suit with black boots and gloves version was missing a much needed coat of wash, and the Flamed On! version looked to much like a glob of fiery mucus. And really, the lower torso sculpt with the tight abs and slim waist made him look like he had a HUGE package. Really.
     So when I heard there was a dark blue variant and saw him on the toy shelf, I grabbed him.  Not that the sculpt was any different from the previous light blue version, but because the paint somehow made him look less, well, well-hung.  But I somehow never got around to ripping the packaging open to free him from his plastic and cardboard prison for weeks.  Also, I had earlier grabbed a wave 1 version of the Thing, who has the light blue tights and black boots. Their uniforms didn't match and it made me even more reluctant to pop open the Torch. Bummer.
     It all changed last week when I managed to find myself a long sought after Silver Surfer at the local toy flea market, where toy sellers in Singapore gather every Sunday to provide rare toys for good (sometimes, if they're not trying to scalp you) prices.  It was then that I realized that the sculpts for Human Torch and Silver Surfer were the same, except for their heads.  So huge yoo-hoo be damned, I couldn't wait to crack'em open to compare 'em.  The figures, not their packages [TAO's Note: Uh huh, sure.]. Also, the FF were the first to have encountered Surfy, so I had extra motivation to finally bust 'em free Schofield style.
     And ya know what, the slim yet muscular-type sculpts on these two figures turned out to be perfect fits for their characters.  Both characters are not the bulky superhero-sorts, with Johnny being a young man at most, and Silvy needing to look like he can handle a cosmic surf board.
     The open hands are awesome for the Surfer, as far as the Power Cosmic goes, becuase he always fires blasts of energy open-handed (as far as I can remember).  Same thing for the Human Torch with his fire powers. The down side to this is that they can't hold any accessories but I don't think you wanna see either of these guys with Joe-like weaponry. The other thing is that they can't be posed punching, only slapping.
     Where the Surfer is bald and smooth in the head, the Torch, has a weird combo of blond flame-like hair, which makes him seem confused about his choice of hair products.  His face, however, is actually pretty well done--he's got a sharp chin and features, and almost looks like an elf, in a good way of course. The Surfer's got a deep frown and a chiseled brow and jawlines with prominent cheek bones.

Human Torch Sculpt Score: 8 / 10

Silver Surfer Sculpt Score: 8.5 / 10

 

     I really love the silver they used on the Surfer.  It's not too shiny, definitely not chrome.  That would be sorta ick and remind us all of what the failure that was Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Though I have to admit I enjoyed watching the movie in a brainless, more super heroes on the big screen kinda way.  The silver they used is a sort of matte, if you will.  Yes, shiny silver matte.  Only attainable through the power cosmic.  But this guy isn't just all silver. He's got some sort of sparkly wash (Also only attainable through the power cosmic) that's settled nicely into the detail of his musculature.  It gives his skin a very fitting ethereal look. They could've painted the Silver Surfer even all over, but he's more shiny in some areas than others, like well, his um...you-know-where, which is all bright and sparkly.  The broad flat areas of his skin are smooth and have a silvery blue tinge, which sort of dances across the surface when you move him under light.  I think this is really the best "feature" of the Silver Surfer. He's simply stunning visually.
     As for his face, his eyes have been painted an eerie white, and his frown really gives you the feel that he's carrying the weight of worlds (and Galactus) on his shoulders.  All this really shows that effort was put into the Surfer and he isn't just a cheap one coat repaint with a new head.
     The paint on the Torch is also very commendable. One of the things that made all the difference for me when choosing between the 3 initital versions of this figure was the way they used a black wash for the costume of the dark blue version.  His uniform is really a solid piece of work, picking out the necessary muscles and detail.  And none of that wash spills over to the white of his costume either.
     His hair, depite the weird sculpting, is actually painted and washed well. The face is nice and clean, with a freaky blue-black eye combo that I think is the same on the light blue costume version, only the blue they used matches this dark blue costume better. So it somehow works out.
     The Fantastic Four symbol on the chest is also superbly done, and like most of the super heroes' shields and insignias, they've been clean and bold. (Cap's star and Daredevil's "DD" come to mind, from the figures I own.)  And of course, with a darker color used for the crotch area of his costume, his package doesn't stand out so much as the other 2 versions. Oh, who am I kidding, of course it's still huge.  Still, Hasbro have really hit the right notes with the paint on these guys.  I'm really impressed.

Human Torch Paint Score: 9 / 10

Silver Surfer Paint Score: 9.5 / 10

 

     Now we can't talk articuataion without talking about how their packages get in the way of their forward leg movement. Of the four legs between 'em, only the Surfer's right leg bends just far enough forward so he can kneel without looking like he's about to fall over. Try as I might, I can't get him to kneel with his left leg forward. Now I initially thought it would be the same for the Human Torch, but Johnny ends up being worse—he can't do it right with both legs.
     Also, the Torch's head is slightly less poseable as the Surfer's. Norrin can look up and down just enough to make him look like, well, he's looking up and down (sternly). The Torch, though, can point his chin or look straight ahead. The differences between the two are really subtle, but they somehow make all the difference, especially when you try to turn the heads to the side and tilt them—the Torch can't really do it.
     Aside from this, they both don't have boot top articulation, which I can understand in the Surfer, but I was kinda thinking would be a given for the Torch since he does wear high boots like Captain America (who's prob the best figure ariculation-wise in the line).
     Oh yes, one other thing: These guys have awesome chest joints, except that if you bend 'em back too far in a heroic chest puff, you'll be able to see hole in the lower torso where the socket goes. This means that they can't stand with their chests out too far, though if you do that and turn the upper body to the side the hole gets covered up by one of their sides.

Human Torch Articulation Score: 7 / 10

Silver Surfer Articulation Score: 7.5 / 10

 

      One thing I've recently realized with the acquiring of GI Joes if that the more accessories a figure has, the more fun it is to play/pose/take snap shots of. Also, the number of ways you can use an accessory gives the figure a freshness when utilized differently.
     With the board the Surfer has, you can use it in the standard “surfing the spaceways” pose and it doubles as a figure stand. You can also use it as stage for fights between the Surfer and any foes, or if a figure is large enough, I'm guessing you can even try to use it as a weapon. In essence, It's a figure stand, vehicle, and baseball bat all in one. And the Surfer can kneel, stand, lie down, or sit on it. Loads of fun.
     Johnny Storm comes with a half fireball attachment thingy that can only be used when he's trying to show off. It's no use in a fight scene cuz it doesn't, um, shoot forth. It doesn't even give the illusion of doing so (a la Iron Man's repulsor ray or Spidey's web). The thing doesn't even attach at the correct angle.
     Two open hands also mean he can't really fight. And he ain't no martial artist, so kung fu poses just make him look weird.
     But he does look really good next to the Thing, and when two get together in the comics, they sure have their fun. So somehow having them stand next to each other seems to boost the Torch's value in this category.

Human Torch Fun Score: 7 / 10

Silver Surfer Fun Score: 8 / 10

 

     These guys are priced the same as GI Joes roundabout here in Singapore. But since they have way less accessories, they're beginning to look way less worth it. I mean all Marvel Universe figure come with a Fury File letter/note, but I'm sure we'd all rather have more plastic than paper. (Save them trees! :P) Would it have been so tough to give the Torch a couple of flame constructs like a fireball or something? And maybe instead of throwing out so many versions of him, why not have interchangeable hands/head/torsos? Accessories, Hasbro, accessories!!!
     So in that sense, the Surfer is better value because of his large surf board. It's about as tall as he is and is molded from the same silver plastic he is, without the washes and paints, but with three molded lines on the top. And with slightly better articulation and a better sculpt for a head, Norrin surely wins out in this category.

Human Torch Value Score: 6 / 10

Silver Surfer Value Score: 7 / 10

  Human Torch

8 / 10 - Fits character well, but the hair is sorta neither here nor there.

9 / 10 - Great wash, maybe one white paint slight spillover, but excellent on the whole.

7 / 10 - Same as Surfer. Needs some boot tops.

7 / 10 - Human Torch + measly piece of flame = Matchstick (Men) = Nicholas Cage = Not good for Marvel at all.

6 / 10 - The half a flame makes him lame? Oh God, now I'm lame.

  Silver Surfer

8.5 / 10 - Great sculpt, fits the character. The head makes the design here, not the package.

9.5 / 10 - Shimmery, magical silver paint makes him look all sparkly.

7.5 / 10 - Good but not great. Could've used better leg joints.

8 / 10 - Norrin Radd + Surf board = Beach Boy = Fun, fun, fun (till her Daddy took the Bluebird away)

7 / 10 - The surf board saves the day. But just barely.

Human Torch - 74 / 100 - This is a Good Toy

Better of the two Fan 4 versions. Somehow just a little bit lacking but will look great with the rest of the dark blue suited Fan 4 gang.

Silver Surfer - 81 / 100 - This is a Great Toy

Silver goes well with most anything. Like other colourful Marvel Universe figures. Better yet with Galactus. ;)

-Ewan

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