Package Description
Hailing from an unknown star system, the enigmatic entity known as the SILVER SURFER has come to our planet on a mysterious intergalactic mission. Armed with the awesome power to manipulate any type of energy at will and the ability to ride a soaring cosmic force, the surfer will be more than a challenge for the combined abilities of the FANTASTIC FOUR. It will take more than just teamwork for the FANTASTIC FOUR to overcome this otherworldly visitor and his hidden agenda.
Appearance
Silver Surfer uses the same Hasbro sculpt used on the Icons and 6” versions. The paint application is generally good, and uses a darker silver than the icons version. The blue is the color the figure is molded in, with the silver and white spots added on top. The blue isn’t really see through unless the light is right behind Surfer, so don’t expect him to be see through on the shelf unless positioned very carefully with lighting. I think the paint job works well, although I’m not sure why it was done. The pattern isn’t designed as if the stars are reflecting off him or shining through him, the pattern is simply made to look good and not obstruct the details. The blue hides fairly well some of the uglier joints and his chrome dome, and softens the appearance of the figure. However, cosmic Surfer looks a little odd next to other Icons, who for the most part have bright colors and sharp, patterned costumes.
The build on this figure is good. Surfer needs a sleek but powerful look, and I think this sculpt delivers. All the muscle lines are mirrored on the left and right sides of the body to give him a more symmetric, aerodynamic look. I think the quality of the body sculpt with the new, stern face sculpt is comic accurate and on the whole a decent interpretation of the character. However, it does give the impression of being modeled more after the movie look than the comic, but the two are close enough.
The only real problem I have with his appearance are the hands. The ball joints still stand our and are too large, although not as noticeably as on the regular surfer. In addition, it can be hard to pose him well with his "slap" hand, which only works well in some poses on the surfboard. The board looks good and is done well. The joint in the middle can be hidden easier than on the regular one. Overall, I think everyone will find a few faults with the figure that don't quite match their expectations of the character. Personally I’m not sure where to put this figure since he stands out in a crowd.
Articulation
Surfer has fairly standard ball and pin joints everywhere Toybiz did except for the wrists and ankles. The swivel joint on the ankles is sorely missed on the surfboard. He also does not get a great range of motion in the legs, which are connected at an angle to the torso. Oddly enough, he can not look up; the farthest his head goes is level. The rest of his joints have a good range of motion, but the problems mentioned will haunt Surfer in poseability.
Poseablility
Surfer's problems begin with the size of his board. If he's sitting on a table, the board is going to take up a lot of space. Without the board, he can look awkward because of the pose of his hands, and how much he stands out from other figures. Surfer’s star patterns are highly irregular, which set him apart from the costumed heroes. His range of motion problems also limit his poses on the board. He is not nearly as versatile as the ML Series 6 Silver Surfer with the magnetic board.
Overall he's going to look best riding his board strung up in the air somehow. I did this to reasonable affect opposite the Icons Spider-man. For on the ground, my suggestion is for Surfer to hold the board, taking up less space and hiding one of his hands.
Final Judgment: 6
This figure looks good, but unfortunately his score has to be lowered for range of motion and ease of display. It’s also not the image when I think of Silver Surfer, but that in itself shouldn’t effect the score for this Silver Surfer. The score for this figure is made by the fact there’s nothing I particularly like or dislike about this figure. For that, he’s an average figure in my book, and so he gets a “good”.
SCALE
10. My favorite possession.
9. My favorite action figure.
8. One of my favorite action figures.
7. An exceptional action figure.
6. A good, but not exceptional action figure.
5. An adequate action figure.
4. Not worth the money I spent.
3. I'll give it to somebody's kid.
2. I'll give it to somebody's dog.
1. It's going to lose a fight with my car.
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