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Packaging - ****
As an exclusive I was
expecting some relatively simple
packaging, and while it’s not as impressive as the regular MK 3 box, in
the respect of the unwinding magnetic panels and the full colour
palette, it still actually manages to better it in others. So here we
have a black box, somewhere between a matte and silk finish, it has a
raised relief interpretation of the chest armour of the MK 3 on its
front, which is stuck on as a sticker that wraps around the sides. The
top of the box lifts off to reveal a sheet of black foam. This can in
turn be lifted to expose the fully assembled figure held gently in a
die cut foam surround, alongside his stand, extra hands and the
alternate un-helmeted Tony Stark head. The simple unfussy black design
certainly looks classy, and I love the use of foam, especially on
potentially delicate figures like this.
Sculpting - ****
Articulation
- *** 3/4
Accessories
- ***
Light Up Feature - ****
There
are some areas here where I just don’t need to write anything, lazy… I
think not, this limited edition is identical in its construction to the
MK3, so most aspects of its score can be gleaned by reading our old
reviews. Both Michael and I have already given the MK’s 1, 2 and 3 our
careful considered attention, so as far as sculpting, accessories and
articulation go, please refer to our low-downs on the Mk3’s -
Jeff’s
Mk 3
Mike’s
Mk 3
But here’s the MK 1+2’s for good measure-
Jeff’s
Mk 1
Mike’s
Mk 1
Jeff’s
Mk 2 Exclusive
Mike’s
Mk 2
Paint - ****
This version of the
suit
exists nowhere but in this figure, so whilst using the same basic
moulds and construction as the MK 3, it’s actually more of a MK 2.5 in
it’s final look.
I suppose it’s getting close to
a stealth
version, but that usually has more of a glossy midnight blue
tone, where as this is a much greyer, greener blue in it’s finish.
However
it has a nice dense paint coverage, is matte in appearance and to the
touch, however, even though it’s matte it has a depth of colour that
seems to show a slight iridescence when it catches the light, kind of
in the same way a Teflon coated cooking pan does, it’s a very cool
effect that becomes more apparent under differing light sources. It
also has subtle, secondary, rust coloured accents airbrushed along some
of the sculpted detail lines and on the front edge of the hand covers,
this again helps break up what might have otherwise been quite a flat
looking paint app.
For the finishing touch it has a few steel
coloured scratches applied to some edges of the armour, the final
finished look is very ‘real world’ making the suit look like a ‘modern
military’ combat power suit more that a glossy super hero outfit. It’ll
certainly adds another interesting aspect to your Iron Man display
shelf… now we just need that battle
damaged version to round it off… well, at least till Iron Man
2 comes out!
Fun
Factor - ****
Well,
it’s another cool Iron Man figure, with an engineered and articulated
body, that just a few years ago would have seemed impossible to mass
produce to this level of quality. He poses really well, and has a
beautifully applied and finished paint app, so the addition of this
third variation (soon to a fourth with the BD version) of this suit
means you can pose another one to show off their kick ass articulation,
and that ever so slightly iridescent matte finish gives him a pretty
unique aesthetic!
What’s not to like?
Value - ***1/2
This
is a tough a one, it’s a very small edition size, I’ve heard numbers as
small as 300 and 500 bandied about! So for a character as popular as
Iron Man that seems to spell out that this will become ever more
desirable with each passing eBay auction!
When Sideshow
were selling theirs, they had a price of $189.99 and lasted about as
long as the proverbial snowflake in hell. However, if you try to pick
one up now you’ve probably got about the same chance as that snowflake.
They already demand a hefty
price on the secondary market, with many on eBay going for between $350
to $600.
So
I based my score on the retail price, and taking all things into
consideration at nearly $190 he just can’t earn the full score when
compared to the MK 1 + 2 which came in at $160, but when you see those
prices crawling ever higher, it gives you a small sense of smug
satisfaction!
Overall
- ****
So
this figure might be mainly for the completists, be all about the
window dressing, and those of us who felt the ‘need’ to own it might be
suckers… but hey, it is a very sweet looking bit of kit!
And I
have the feeling that all those Shell-heads who dismissed this version
for not being ‘canon’ might regret their actions, as the price of this
Marvel licensed ‘officially produced’ Iron Man rarity continues to
skyrocket on those repulsor lift boots!
Scoring
Recap:
Packaging - ****
Sculpting - ****
Paint - ****
Articulation - ***3/4
Accessories - ***
Fun Factor - ****
Value - ***1/2
Overall - ****
Where
to Buy -
Right now the only place I know is eBay
or you might find a trader at a convention or trade fair with one … if
you’re lucky! But if anyone offers you one for under $200,
and
you’re comfortable with the price I’d say bite their arm off!




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