DSC_0808
You know, in some other timeline I'd probably be talking about how the Black Widow movie changed my life and the public perception of the MCU version of the character. Instead, I get COVID-19 and the Snyder Cut.. #DarkestTimeline.
I guess at least I can talk about these two Marvel Legends figures... Black Widow.. and Black Widow.
I don't know how it worked out for the rest of world, but here in Canada and the USA, Hasbro released these two Black Widow figures at the same time as the main Black Widow movie line. Me being a Widow fan said.. GREAT.. until I read the fine print. As with everything else I ever want to get, these were made store exclusives.
The good news is that the grey one was a Walmart exclusive, which was relatively easy to source. The white one, on the other hand.. pain in the ass as it was a Target exclusive, a store that no longer existed here in Canada. The result was that I ended up calling in favors and... *shudders* even paid shipping.
Well, I suppose all that matters is that they're both here now, and I was able to see what all the fuss was about.
So first off, these are Marvel Legends figure. Not gonna beat around the bush.. I don't have any real expectations for these other than to generally look decent and not fall apart. Also, being Marvel Legends figures that were special releases, are going to be as many recycled bits and pieces from other releases as they could get away with.
With that, I'm not going to bother with the usual critique style because I think the entire figure collecting world knows what to expect from one of these figures, and focus instead on the actual toy itself.
Both these Widow's I believe have their roots in the comic world, though I wouldn't be able to pinpoint exactly where beyond what is written on the box.
So, lets look a the Target exclusive.
This version of Natasha is from the series "Deadly Origin", with a scan of the original comic art on the side panel. Hasbro stuck to the script and gave was a Widow in white, with gold accents and long flowing red hair. Included in the package is the figure, a pistol, and silenced pistol, a sniper rifle, two muzzle flash effects, and two gunsmoke effects.
The head itself isn't bad. Nice detailing on the hair and the sculptors did give it a bit of pizzazz by allowing it to flow in the air a bit. Face shape and eye shape seem to be off in comparison to the artwork itself, but the actual finish itself is actually nice and sharp.
My overall feeling is that this release is alright. The weapons are a good size, and the gunsmoke effects are honestly pretty cool (whereas the muzzle flash is kind of "meh"), the biggest issue is that the body honestly can't make the most of the included guns, especially the sniper rifle. The lack of an appropriate muzzle flash and gunsmoke effect for the sniper rifle is somewhat of a let down as well.
Conversely, the Walmart set is actually pretty neat. Coming in a similarly styled box, the Walmart set comes with the figure, two open palm posing hands, muzzle flash effect wristbands, gunsmoke effect wristbands, a jetpack, and a pair of thruster effects for said jetpack.
While I have no idea about the origins of this Widow, everything about her screams late 80's/early 90's.. she's just so visually appealing compared to the other one. Grey suit with giant collar, giant ass spider emblems, jacket stolen from the Jim Lee Cyclops now with Avengers emblem, Rock & Roll hair style, and striking green eyes.
And did I mentioned JETPACK????
Before I go on, it's worth mentioning at this juncture that S.H.I.E.L.D. must have been undergoing budget cuts, because that jetpack mould looks like it has reused to the point where the resulting plastic piece is warped.
The head is a notch better than the Target one, with more fine details in the hair itself and to my eyes, more accurate recreation of the comic art.
I feel the fact this Widow shoots people with her wristbands works better with the limitations of these figures, as at the very least posing her blasting fools is as simple as pointing the arm straight in the right direction. As with the other set, the gunsmoke effects are pretty nifty. Combine this simplicity and actual posing hands, and you have a much more dynamic package.
The only thing that would make this figure better is if it came with an flight stand so she could actually make use of the Jetpack.
That, in a nutshell, were the two store exclusive Black Widow Legends figures. If it wasn't obvious, I prefer the grey version by a large margin.. the white one is alright, but just feels very generic to me and makes me want to find a cooler Widow figure to use those guns with. Grey Widow on the other hand, is loud, proud, and full of attitude, and is a relatively refreshing take on a character that is synonymous with covert ops and clandestine actions.
Strangely, there have been no offerings from Widow movie Hot Toys as of yet, and I have to wonder if they were told by Marvel to do nothing as the film has been pushed back to November. The Figuarts are not only ordered, but are about due to be shipped now (it'll be interesting how broke I'll be from all the EMS or Courier shipping I'll be forced to use).
Oh well.. time will tell.
DSC_0808
You know, in some other timeline I'd probably be talking about how the Black Widow movie changed my life and the public perception of the MCU version of the character. Instead, I get COVID-19 and the Snyder Cut.. #DarkestTimeline.
I guess at least I can talk about these two Marvel Legends figures... Black Widow.. and Black Widow.
I don't know how it worked out for the rest of world, but here in Canada and the USA, Hasbro released these two Black Widow figures at the same time as the main Black Widow movie line. Me being a Widow fan said.. GREAT.. until I read the fine print. As with everything else I ever want to get, these were made store exclusives.
The good news is that the grey one was a Walmart exclusive, which was relatively easy to source. The white one, on the other hand.. pain in the ass as it was a Target exclusive, a store that no longer existed here in Canada. The result was that I ended up calling in favors and... *shudders* even paid shipping.
Well, I suppose all that matters is that they're both here now, and I was able to see what all the fuss was about.
So first off, these are Marvel Legends figure. Not gonna beat around the bush.. I don't have any real expectations for these other than to generally look decent and not fall apart. Also, being Marvel Legends figures that were special releases, are going to be as many recycled bits and pieces from other releases as they could get away with.
With that, I'm not going to bother with the usual critique style because I think the entire figure collecting world knows what to expect from one of these figures, and focus instead on the actual toy itself.
Both these Widow's I believe have their roots in the comic world, though I wouldn't be able to pinpoint exactly where beyond what is written on the box.
So, lets look a the Target exclusive.
This version of Natasha is from the series "Deadly Origin", with a scan of the original comic art on the side panel. Hasbro stuck to the script and gave was a Widow in white, with gold accents and long flowing red hair. Included in the package is the figure, a pistol, and silenced pistol, a sniper rifle, two muzzle flash effects, and two gunsmoke effects.
The head itself isn't bad. Nice detailing on the hair and the sculptors did give it a bit of pizzazz by allowing it to flow in the air a bit. Face shape and eye shape seem to be off in comparison to the artwork itself, but the actual finish itself is actually nice and sharp.
My overall feeling is that this release is alright. The weapons are a good size, and the gunsmoke effects are honestly pretty cool (whereas the muzzle flash is kind of "meh"), the biggest issue is that the body honestly can't make the most of the included guns, especially the sniper rifle. The lack of an appropriate muzzle flash and gunsmoke effect for the sniper rifle is somewhat of a let down as well.
Conversely, the Walmart set is actually pretty neat. Coming in a similarly styled box, the Walmart set comes with the figure, two open palm posing hands, muzzle flash effect wristbands, gunsmoke effect wristbands, a jetpack, and a pair of thruster effects for said jetpack.
While I have no idea about the origins of this Widow, everything about her screams late 80's/early 90's.. she's just so visually appealing compared to the other one. Grey suit with giant collar, giant ass spider emblems, jacket stolen from the Jim Lee Cyclops now with Avengers emblem, Rock & Roll hair style, and striking green eyes.
And did I mentioned JETPACK????
Before I go on, it's worth mentioning at this juncture that S.H.I.E.L.D. must have been undergoing budget cuts, because that jetpack mould looks like it has reused to the point where the resulting plastic piece is warped.
The head is a notch better than the Target one, with more fine details in the hair itself and to my eyes, more accurate recreation of the comic art.
I feel the fact this Widow shoots people with her wristbands works better with the limitations of these figures, as at the very least posing her blasting fools is as simple as pointing the arm straight in the right direction. As with the other set, the gunsmoke effects are pretty nifty. Combine this simplicity and actual posing hands, and you have a much more dynamic package.
The only thing that would make this figure better is if it came with an flight stand so she could actually make use of the Jetpack.
That, in a nutshell, were the two store exclusive Black Widow Legends figures. If it wasn't obvious, I prefer the grey version by a large margin.. the white one is alright, but just feels very generic to me and makes me want to find a cooler Widow figure to use those guns with. Grey Widow on the other hand, is loud, proud, and full of attitude, and is a relatively refreshing take on a character that is synonymous with covert ops and clandestine actions.
Strangely, there have been no offerings from Widow movie Hot Toys as of yet, and I have to wonder if they were told by Marvel to do nothing as the film has been pushed back to November. The Figuarts are not only ordered, but are about due to be shipped now (it'll be interesting how broke I'll be from all the EMS or Courier shipping I'll be forced to use).
Oh well.. time will tell.