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Introduction
Netflix disappointed a lot of us with their decision not to renew their Marvel series'. The third season of Jessica Jones dropped this weekend, and that's it for the foreseeable future. But fear not - Mezco has you covered with at least a couple of the characters.
I just looked at the One:12 Collective 'vigilante' Daredevil last week, and tonight I'm looking at the regular release version. Both of these are based on designs from the show.
This guy will run you around $80, depending on the retailer, and just started shipping in the last couple weeks.
Packaging - ***1/2
Another attractive box, and it clearly states right up front that this is the Netflix version of the character. Remember, Mezco already did a couple
comic based Daredevil's in the series. Everything is collector friendly and well packed, and while their aren't any instructions, none are really
needed this time.
Sculpting - ***
I compared the two portraits - yep, two, as this is a One:12 figure, and at least two is the norm - to many, many screen shots. The lower face is
pretty close, although I think the lack of stubble tends to make it harder to match. The lower cheeks are a little puffy too, slightly more so
than the vigilante release.
Still, the detail is extremely good. Remember, this guy is just 6 1/2" tall, and the realism in the skin texture and the sharp definition of edges on the mask rivals much larger figures and statues. One head sports a calm expression, while the second is more mid-battle, with gritted teeth and tight jaw. This is one of those rare occasions where I like the battle face better, and I think it will be the one I stick with on the shelf. Of course, your mileage will vary.
The hands are sculpted to work with the accessories, and the various hard plastic pieces of the costume - particularly the boots - have a ton of detail and look great.
I'm going to admit it - I'm bummed we didn't get an unmasked portrait with either version of the character.
Paint - ***1/2
One of the hallmarks of the series is the production paint work. Mezco has set the bar tremendously high for figures in this scale, and meeting it
can be difficult.
The skin tone is great, as are the lips. The red eyes are super neat, and the costume details - like the silver rivets - look fantastic.
If I had one nit, it's with the exposed teeth. They aren't quite as clean as some we've seen, but they're still well above average.
Articulation - ***
This is a pretty restrictive costume, thanks to slightly thicker material and a couple layers on the torso.
The neck works great though, and the heads swap cleanly. The shoulders, elbows, and wrists take natural arm poses, but the torso can't crunch and turn quite as much as usual. It's still better than you might expect looking at that 'plate' on the mid-section, but it's not quite as good as I'd hoped.
The hips can do medium stances, but deeper stances are tough due to the tight crotch of the pants. The knees can deep bend, but the ankles lack much rocker movement. That's particularly annoying, because it seems to vary so much from character to character.
Accessories - **1/2
Sadly, as with the vigilante version, this is the one category where he really takes a hit. He does have that second portrait we already discussed,
and it's inclusion boosts this score quite a bit.
But after that? He has four extra hands to go with the fists he comes wearing - a pair of tight grips, and a pair of open grips. The swap easily, and remained in place while I was messing with the poses.
He also has his baton, which comes in two pieces. A very tiny post can be used to attached the two halves to create one weapon, or he can brandish the halves independently. They also fit neatly in the holster on his left hip.
Finally, there's the display stand with the single foot peg or the large support rod. And that's it. Considering the wealth of goodies some of the figures in the line come with, it's hard to justify such a dearth here.
Outfit - ***
Part of the cost was shifted from accessories to outfit with this guy, as he's decked out in one of the more complex uniforms. The layered vest is
over the shirt and pants, and of course he has sculpted boots.
They were able to find materials that kept things pretty well in scale, even with layers. They also attached various plastic bits to the cloth, simulating the armor, and used more than one type of material to create the appropriate look.
In fact, I almost went another half star here, but I don't love the fit of the pants. The rest of the tailoring is spot on, but the pants are a little baggy in the lower legs, and in certain poses it looks a odd. Again, not a deal breaker, but something that pulled him back slightly from a higher score.
Fun Factor - ***
We'll be getting the Punisher soon as well, and when you have the pair facing off on the shelf, I'm sure you'll be able to come up with a new pose
every month. A few more accessories would have done a lot to boost the score in this category, but this won't be a figure you pose once and forget
about.
Value - **
At $80, he's pushing it. The lack of accessories are the issue, although I do have to give them props for the complexity of the costume, which I'm
sure added cost. I'm also betting the license wasn't cheap, as I don't expect Netflix to be cheap about anything these days.
Things to Watch Out For -
Not much. The post that holds the two halves of the baton together is mighty small, so take some care with it. Otherwise you should be good to go.
Overall - ***
Another solid release from Mezco, but it didn't blow my socks off in any of the categories. Considering how good their comic based Punishers have
been, I expect the Netflix Punisher to be the big winner once he hits. Still, having the two together on the shelf is well worth it.
Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***1/2
Sculpting - ***
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - ***
Accessories - **1/2
Outfit - ***
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **
Overall - ***
Where to Buy
Online options include these site sponsors:
- Entertainment Earth is also at $80 with free shipping.
- or you can search ebay for a deal.
Related Links -
I just covered the vigilante version of the character, along with other
comic Daredevil figures, like the classic
version.
If you're a big fan of the Netflix Daredevil, you should also check out the sixth
scale release from Hot Toys.
You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.
Discussion:
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This product was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.