Toy Fair 2012: Hasbro's Marvel Legends
This spring has been Ghost Rider's time to shine with a frivolous lawsuit, a film full of Nicolas Cage-fueled insanity, and now a new figure in the first wave of Hasbro's re-launch of Marvel Legends! While the regular figure in this line is the blue-flamed Danny Ketch, we're taking a look at the variant version. Much like or review of Steve Rogers, this figure has a different paintjob than the regular Ghost Rider. He's got orange flames, a skull that looks like a Cheeto after the powder is licked off, and is orange-hued to be our own favorite Spirit of Vengeance: Johnny Blaze!
The packaging on Ghost Rider is the same style we've already talked about in our previous Marvel legends reviews. As such, it's character specific and has some great artwork from Ed McGuinness so we're showing it anyway!
Ghost Rider features a predominantly new sculpt, besides the torso and upper arms and leg re-use from the Ronin figure that was released a few years ago in a TRU-exclusive two-pack. The head, forearms, hands, knees, lower legs, and feet are all new additions along with the chest armor and belt. The sculpt itself is only second to Thor for its intricacy as all of the "metal" pieces show tons of scrapes and wear. The translucent flames also turned out better than expected and match up as well to the skull as possible. speaking of the skull: it's very menacing-- even more so without the paint used. even while sporting a costume that he's not known for, this figure is easily recognizable as Ghost Rider and looks very cool on our Marvel Legends shelf.
This version of Ghost Rider has the same piantjob as the regular version, with the glaring exception of the colors used for the flames and their "reflections". Most of Ghost Rider has been molded in black and then detailed with paint. Silver has been used on the chains and spikes while a muted gunmetal shade has been drybrushed over the gauntlets, pads, and leg coverings. Finally, orange has been airbrushed lightly over the tops of everything to appear as if the flames from his head and shoulders are reflecting upon the rest of the figure. It's a bold move that was pulled off here, but definitely looks better on the blue-hued regular version. His skull, while having a great sculpt, suffers here from the paint. The eye sockets have been painted red, but due to the overwhelming orange stuck around his nasal cavity, they blend in. as stated above, he looks like a delicious Cheeto, that has had all of the orange sucked off by some kind of weirdo who refuses to just eat the damn chips the right way! A little less orange here along with some darker eyes would have really made all the difference.
Articulation for Ghost Rider is the basic setup fro when one thinks of an average Legends figure. Blaze stands ready to deal out punishment with a ball-joint neck, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel biceps, dual-hinge elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, hinged torso, swivel waist, swivel/hinge hips, swivel thighs, dual-hinged knees, and swivel/hinge ankles. The joints on our figure weren't stuck and hold their positions well. While that is good, the nad comes in the form of hindered joints. Due to Blaze's shoulderpad-heavy fashion sense, his arms can only be raised a little above a horizontal position before the pads get in the way. Also, with the shin covers falling so low on his ankle, Ghost Rider could have definitely benefited from the new rocker ankle seen in wave 2's Bucky Cap and Spider-Man in order to sport wider stances without toppling over.
When it comes to accessories, Ghost Rider has no flame-covered motorcycle, but instead comes with only the arms to cpmplete this wave's Build-A-Figure: Terrax! Each arm looks pretty decent, but we'll go into that when we give Terrax his own review, very soon.
While this figure isn't our favorite from wave 1 of the new Legends, he is a solid entry into the line. The nice paintwork on the armor and faded highlights to the flames help redeem the paint use don the face. Although Ghost Rider won't be putting his heads above his head anytime soon, it's okay. Not like Johnny Blaze is known for surrendering anyway-- well, except for surrendering his soul that is.
For more on Marvel Legends and Hasbro's other offerings, be sure to check out their official website!
Stay tuned to MTV Geek for all your Hasbro and Marvel Legends coverage!
Related Posts:
Review: Pistol Packin' Steve Rogers Marvel Legends Variant
Marvel Legends Make a Stealthy Return With This Iron Man Variant
--
Discuss this story in our Toys forums! Follow @MTVGeek on Twitter and be sure to "like" us on Facebook for the best geek news about comics, toys, gaming and more!
