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REVIEW: Hot Toys X-Men: Days of Future Past - WOLVERINE (MMS264)
Pricey, But The Best Looking Wolverine Figure Ever Released...
Hot Toys follows up on their last 1:6th scale Wolverine release (read our review HERE) with an action figure of Logan as he appeared in X-Men: Days of Future Past. While lacking on accessories, this version of the clawed mutant is hands down the best looking, nay, definitive Wolverine figure released to date. Awesome future tech suit aside, it's Hot Toys phenomenal Hugh Jackman head sculpt that really sells this figure. While Hot Toys' past two Wolverine figures had a passing resemblance to the actor, this Wolverine figure nails it.
This figure is in-stock and available for order now through Sideshow Collectibles priced at $249.99.
Wolverine ships in a brilliant new shoebox-style packaging. Where past Hot Toys releases required you to remove the figure tray from the top by lifting a flap (that often times got damaged as a result), this new design allows you to lift the entire front of the box off - just like a shoebox. It's an entirely easier approach to reaching the figure inside and it's certainly better constructed, the cardboard used sturdy and strong. Artwork is the same minimalist approach Hot Toys has been using on many of their figures these days. It's sleek and modern, using just a few graphics and colors. In this case Logan's head is shown in stark black and white, the front showing a brilliant blue "X" across his stern face, while the back depicts him in a rage against a blue background. Simple, yet effective.
As mentioned, this figure of Wolverine is mainly all about that fantastic portrait. Hot Toys has had a run lately where their character head sculpts look ultra-realistic, but miss the mark oh-so-slightly with actor accuracy. Not so with Days of Future Past Wolverine. This is Hugh Jackman as Marvel's favorite Canadian berserker, stern faced and ready to claw into action. About my only criticism is that I wish Hot Toys included an enraged head sculpt (like the image on the back of the box). We missed out on one with the second Hot Toys Wolverine figure as well, but with this new version being so light on accessories, the omission is so much more noticeable.
And by light on accessories, I mean bare bones. You get a themed display stand and three pairs of interchangeable hands: open, fisted, and fisted with real-metal claws extended. In the immortal words of Porky Pig, "Th-th-th-that's all folks!" For a $250 figure, the lack of gear stings a bit (okay, it stings a lot). The only thing that eases the cost of this Wolverine figure is that dead-ringer head sculpt and amazingly future-tech outfit. It all perfectly combines together to make one very cool looking Wolverine action figure.
Wolverine's future suit not only looks great in design, but also in construction. Hot Toys really put some effort in recreating this multi-layered costume, using an overlapping variety of plastics and tightly woven spandex-y materials. The more rigid plastic pieces resemble strong armor plating, while the blue and yellow cloth sections give the illusion of a stretchy ballistic Kevlar (not that Wolverine needs it with his super healing powers). What I found particularly neat was how the suit's design incorporates yellow stripes on the rib cage. It's a subtle nod to some of Wolverine's more classic comic book costumes where the torso stripes are black. From the knees down, Wolverine wears some nicely sculpted armor. What's excellent here is that armor is split into sections at the knees and boots, the cuts allowing for a greater range of articulation with the figure.
About the only thing to dislike about Hot Toys' new X-Men: Days of Future Past Wolverine is the price. $250 is a tough number to swallow given that this figure comes with practically nothing. I wish we received a second head sculpt, or even a detailed display base, perhaps with a destroyed future Sentinel on it (ah, how I miss those sculpted Hot Toys display bases!) However, what you do get is the best looking Wolverine figure produced. The head sculpt is 100% Hugh Jackman and the outfit is exceptionally done and cool looking. With real-metal claws unleashed, this Wolverine figure makes for a must-have collectible. Snikt!
Photos by Jeff Saylor
Review Sample Courtesy of Hot Toys
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