Some quick pics and a few words will have to suffice for the Marvel Universe Masters of Evil 3-pack – see, I am supposed to be packing for our annual pilgrimage to the Mecca of Geekdom – San Diego Comic-Con, and my wife is asking me why I’m rummaging through ziplocked bags of action figures and setting up camera equipment that should be secured for travel. The reason is that with our (Return of) Marvel Legends Uncanny X-Force 3-pack review in the books, I want to make sure you guys know that this Marvel Universe exclusive ain’t too shabby either.
Series after series, Marvel Universe has astounded me with the character selection – it has seemed like the formula is to get those top picks from the Marvel Legends Top Ten lists that never made it to the 6-inch scale and make them in Universe. This 3-pack is no exception. Sure, we got the elder Zemo in the Toy Biz run, but when Heinrich was released, everyone was clamoring for Helmut. And Radioactive Man and Tiger Shark? These are top Legends wants for many.
I like that Hasbro has simplified the packaging compared to the last MU small-scale exclusive, 2009’s 70th Anniversary Invaders set. I love the MU cards, but I didn’t like the package within a package, and if I’m gonna open this stuff, it’s going in the trash anyways. For carded collectors, you’ve got a nice window to see the figures and some nice card art. It’s nice to see Fury back on the packaging, and there’s a nice plug for the Helicarrier exclusive that will also be on sale. With the Masters of Evil / Avengers tie-in, it’s a lock that anyone buying that Helicarrier is getting this set too.
If you’re a fan of Marvel Universe, you know what to expect with these figures. Zemo and Tiger Shark both use the newer style bodies that incorporate hip swivels and ankle tilts – pretty amazing for figures so small. Radioactive Man uses one of the older bodies that doesn’t have those two points of articulation. With these figures you’ve got a lot of parts molded in the desired color – but where you do get paint it’s done well. I like that they bothered to paint those lips on Tiger Shark, for example. The other paint apps are nice and crisp.
The overlays on Zemo’s torso (what do you call that thing?) and calves are not glued on, so you may find while you’re posing him that you’ll knock them out of place – nothing that a drop of superglue won’t fix if that bothers you. A little more bothersome is that neither of his hands can really grip his sword and gun. He’s held in place in the package by two clear rubber bands – if you don’t cut them like I did, you could use them to hold his weapons in place, or else be prepared to find them when they fall out of his hands.
The overlay on Radioactive Man is a flexible – not so much that it’d be easy to remove if you wanted to. It doesn’t really inhibit his leg movement, although you might get some separation in the tunic seam on the left side of the figure if you’re a little too aggressive with his legs. No nits on Tiger Shark at all – one thing to watch out for is that his fin is inserted into the tray, so take some care when removing his head – I made a little slice in the tray so I could easily remove him, after I realized it was his fin keeping him stuck in there.
I haven’t read a lot of the classic comics that featured the earlier Masters of Evil appearances, but looking at the lists on the interwebs, it looks like the Marvel Universe line continues to add to the roster of villains (and heroes) that have spent their time on Masters of Evil teams, although there’s still a ways to go before any of the MOE lineups are complete. But I think that’s the real promise of Marvel Universe – we’ll have lots of opportunities to add to the team. The Marvel Universe formula is working, and Zemo, Radioactive Man, and Tigershark will be fine additions to your Marvel Universe shelves.
And don’t worry, if you’re not going to SDCC, Hasbro has done a good job in the past making the exclusives available on HasbroToyShop.com.
Great. Here’s hoping we get them in the Legends line.