I'm back for another review (it's been a little while), and I can't think of a better figure to start with than the god of thunder. This rendition of Thor is in his modern costume (as opposed to the classic costume Secret Wars version which is also available), and may be the best Marvel Universe figure I've purchased yet. Keep reading to see why!
Name: Thor
Line: Marvel Universe, Series 2, Figure 012
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Released: First Quarter 2010
Price: $7.99-$9.99
Scale: Figure is 4.50 in. tall
Accessories: Hammer, and figure stand
Sponsor Listings: Amazon-$11.99
What makes this figure stand out so much is his unique sculpting. Whereas most of the Marvel Universe figures use one of a few base bodies (which don't look that great to begin with), this figure takes advantage of a brand new sculpt from head-to-toe. And since the character design is so involved, it allowed for Hasbro to go all out and really showcase some sculpting talent, particularly for this scale. For instance, the various textures on his chain-mailed limbs and cloth tunic add a level of detail and realism that doesn't exist in the much flatter classic version. This reflects the comic design wonderfully, much like the classic version captures its respective comic design as well, yet this one benefits more because it's just such an intricate and striking character design. The best part about all this new sculpting is that the proportions finally look just right on Thor. Most figures are either way too skinny or way too stocky, but Thor here shows a perfect balance between big and muscular while managing to look vaguely human (unlike other releases). This is, in general, the best looking Marvel Universe figure to date.
Thor's head may be his only week point (which if I'm not mistaken, is the exact same one as on the classic figure (probably to save costs)). It looks a little soft and cartoony to match some of the finer details present elsewhere. It's good, just not as strong as other elements. The torso it's attached to, on the other hand, is just splendid. All the costume details are present, the cape attaches seamlessly and looks fantastic, and even the muscles in Thor's neck look good. Someone spent a lot of time working on all these details, because each looks great. The strap running across his chest even has a small little buckle on it, which is a totally unnecessary edition that helps to flesh things out well. You don't usually see such attention to detail in this scale, particularly in this line. My favorite part of the entire figure is the amazing texture worked into his fabric, not to mention all the realistic wrinkles and folds. His hanging cape also looks pretty good, though I do question how much it flows out to the sides, as it makes a standing straight up pose look a little awkward (see comic).
The pattern carved into his arms and legs is composed of crisp and straight lines, giving it a great chainmail look that's pretty reminiscent of how it looks in the comics these days. As a matter of fact, after looking at some reference imagery, it seems all his costume elements are exactly as they appear in the comics. I originally thought the flat circles on his skirt should have been three-dimensional, but that's exactly how they appear in the comics, so well done Hasbro. It makes sense that he wouldn't want giant metal balls swinging around near his own... well you get the idea. Thor's hands are a story of opposites; his closed fist is kind of soft and undefined, while his open hand has very tight fingers and sharp details worked in. It also holds the beautifully sculpted and appropriately sized Mjolnir quite effectively.
All in all, this figure is a great move in the general direction of the line. If Hasbro would commit to more amazing and individualized sculpts like this one, they'd be selling me a lot more Marvel Universe figures. Thor probably benefits from the great character design, which actually allowed them to make a detailed figure, but he looks awfully good regardless, and for this scale, you can't ask for much more.
Sculpt Score: 10 / 10
Thor's sculpt isn't the only thing that benefits from a little more attention to detail. This paint job also has a lot more intricacies and smaller detail work than do most Marvel Universe figures. There are lots of small details to paint, like the straps on his chest, the silver balls, his belt buckle, and of course all the goodies on his head. These are actually done rather well and consistently, with crisp edges and good clean separations. The only issue is some odd slop here and there, which doesn't seem to be from misapplied details. For instance, if you look on his chest, you'll spot quite a few spots of brown paint, but it's actually a different color than that of the straps. There are some bad spots on the back of his helmet, and behind his cape on his torso as well. It's nothing major and certainly not a deal breaker, but all the same, a little cleaner Thor would have been nice too.
What I really like with Thor are the various washes and airbrush effects to bring out all his details. The cape has some dark coloring worked in splendidly to bring out all the folds and wrinkles, while his tunic blends black and blue much like a comic colorist might for great results. The same blending might be a little too thick and spotty below the belt, though as a whole, I still like the effect. His boots have the same effect applied, but without the wrinkles or texture, it doesn't look as good. I still like it in principle, it's just that a few spots look unnatural and distract from the overall appearance. His hammer is nice too, using brown and black on the handle to make the straps look aged, while the stone is a great dark gray that catches light much like a real Mjolnir might.
As far as the colors go, this is a great palette. While Thor made his debut with bold and bright colors, this one has a more muted and realistic tone that is again pretty accurate to his look in the comics. The blue is understated and just dark enough to work with the black accents, while the red is a great shade that doesn't overwhelm the rest of the costume. Even the various hues of silver and gray are all a little different and appropriate to the various costume elements, and better yet, unique from the dark gray of the hammer, which should and does stand out.
Paint Score: 8 / 10
Thor's articulation is pretty similar to past Marvel Universe releases, with one major change that I love: a thigh swivel. I'm all about thigh swivels, and it really opens up Thor's stance options. Given all the different joints on his legs, this is an absurdly articulated figure from the waist down. All of the various points are detailed in the image above, and you'll notice there are quite a few. The upper body isn't too shabby either, so ideally, Thor can do quite a lot of moving. Reality unfortunately, is a little different. You see, many of these joints are just a little too soft and sticky, and keeping Thor balanced isn't very easy. The stand certainly helps, but on his own, don't expect a lot of deep stances or dynamic poses to last long. Of course, if you're just playing with him, that's a non-issue, because they all have good ranges and play won't be interrupted.
There are a few other small issues that require taking note. First off, his right hip was ridiculously loose when I first opened him up. No matter what I did, his hip would always just pop off at the ball. Finally, I just really worked the socket around the ball, applied a lot of pressure, and now it's lodged on there nicely, while still retaining its movement. The plastic balls used for these hips are often pretty finicky, so you may have a similar problem. Similarly, his neck is much too easy to pop off. One little spin or turn of the ball, and you've decapitated the god of thunder (way to go!). It's easy to reattach, and with some patience you'll still get the pose you want, but again, it's just a minor annoyance. Finally, be careful with the thigh and bicep swivels, as it's pretty easy to pull off his limbs or weaken the peg holding them on.
The best part about this articulation, and probably the key reason Thor looks so much better than other Marvel Universe figures, is that much of the ugly points are covered by his sculpt. Whereas most MU figures have hideous hip joints, Thor's are covered by his skirt. His double hinged knees are hidden by his boots, and his shoulders are partially covered by his cape. It's a very natural looking articulation model, just another one of the positives of this costume design in action figure form.
Articulation Score: 8 / 10
Thor is definitely one of Marvel's major characters, and getting him in a modern rendition with loads of detail and comic accuracy is a great things for many a Marvel fan I'm sure. This figure is quite a bit of fun just from a visual standpoint, and I've pretty thoroughly enjoyed just posing and reposing him, as well as seeing how great he looks in photos. On top of that, you've got a great articulation model that's perfect for playing, and pretty good for displaying. The display stand in a nice addition to new figures in the line (although I do wish all of my Marvel Universe figures had one in the same style, because now they're inconsistent), and it certainly opens up posing options for him. Of course Thor also includes his hammer, which will add to the fun in every respect. The inclusion of some lightning effects would have been amazing, and added to the hammer's utility even more, but I can do without them.
For those interested, Thor also includes some other fun stuff. I'm not too big on the only "Fury Files" aspect of this line, but I do see how it can add a lot of entertainment value to the figures. You see, Thor includes some "secret documents" in a fun little envelope, which basically give you some interesting backstory on Thor in the Marvel universe, and offer some more information online via a secret code. There's also a nifty little trading card with biographical stats and such with a nicely drawn image of Thor. For kids, or even some collectors who are into the Marvel continuity, this may be a really enjoyable part of the purchase. With all of that, and the inherent qualities of the figure, this is a rather fun toy, especially since there aren't any major issues holding him back (just some minor frustrations).
Fun Score: 8 / 10
If you manage to find this figure in the store, you'll see him at prices ranging from roughly $8 to $9. That's not cheap for a 4 inch line like Marvel Universe, but given all the extras included, it's not absurd either. Deals that lower him to about $6 or even less is when Thor really starts to shine, but at online prices or at the higher end of the retail range, Thor isn't a bargain. I'm a little more forgiving thanks to all the unique tooling used for Thor, making him stand out from other purchases, and the addition of a figure stand helps a lot compared to past releases as well. Top that off with his hammer, and all the "Fury Files" stuff that's included, and Thor may be the most reasonable purchase in the Marvel Universe line yet. Not to mention that's he a bigger figure with some decent heft to him too. If nothing else, this figure seems to have a certain charm hanging on a peg, and I had a hard time resisting him at his regular retail price.
Value Score: 7 / 10
10 / 10 - A Marvel Universe figure has never looked better.
8 / 10 - A few sloppy spots hold back an otherwise beautifully handled paint job.
8 / 10 - He has lots of joints that look good, but some are a little too weak.
8 / 10 - Comes with accessories, extras, and a lot of articulation to make him enjoyable.
7 / 10 - Just a little too expensive, but a better deal than other figures in the line.
83 / 100 - This is a Great Toy
I don't regret buying Thor, which is unusual for me in the Marvel Universe line. He's got a certain charm and visual appeal that makes him stand out from other figures. With just a few improvements, he'd be one of the top figures in this scale this year. Marvel fans and MU collectors won't want to miss Thor, and even those who aren't into the line might want to consider checking him out.
-The Articulated One
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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