Category: Toys & Games

SUMMARY:

Released in 1998 by Toy Biz, this nearly 5.75-inch Thunderbird figure is likely the first to represent John Proudstar in his classic X-Men uniform. 

Reflecting his Native American heritage, Thunderbird’s red and-blue costume is painted with remarkable detail.  His red sleeve and boot tassels are tightly-secured plastic attachments.  The same can be said of the pair of white-and-black rubber feathers attached to his headband.  As such, the character’s appearance is faithfully rendered.  The figure’s articulation consists of: 1. His head swivels left and right.  2. Aided by strong elbow joints, his rotating arms have surprisingly good mobility.  3.  The waist swivels a full 360-degrees.  5. Aided by good knee and ankle joints, his legs have only adequate mobility.  6.  When positioned, this Thunderbird figure stands indefinitely for display poses. 

REVIEW:

Even it doesn’t match the production quality of a contemporary Marvel Legend, this competently-built figure is still good (including the likable paint job).  For fans of the original Thunderbird, this figure makes a nice display option.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The bottom of the figure’s boots have display base peg holes, but there isn’t any indication that the figure came with a base.   Also, his right hand is sculpted, as if to potentially hold some unknown weapon accessory. 

PACKAGING:

When purchased via auction, this loose figure came only in a sealed transparent plastic baggie.  Otherwise, whatever packaging Toy Biz may have included is unknown.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  7 Stars

SUMMARY:

Released in 1998 by Toy Biz, this nearly 5.5-inch Sunfire figure is likely the first to represent the character in his classic X-Men uniform.  Reflecting his Japanese heritage, Sunfire’s painted red-white-black-and gold costume (including his mask) is faithfully rendered in precise detail.  The figure’s articulation consists of: 1. His head swivels a full 360-degrees.  2. Aided by slightly flimsy elbow joints and swiveling wrists, his arms have surprisingly good mobility.  3.  The waist swivels a full 360-degrees.  5. Hampered by stiff knee and ankle joints, his legs have only adequate mobility.  6.  When positioned, this Sunfire figure easily stands for display poses. 

REVIEW:

Even though it doesn’t equal the production quality of a contemporary Marvel Legend, this competently-built figure is still pretty good.  Its best asset is an impressively complex paint job.  For fans of Sunfire in his most familiar costume, this figure could be a neat display option for nostalgia.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The bottom of the figure’s boots have display base peg holes, but there isn’t any indication that the figure came with a base. 

PACKAGING:

When purchased via auction, this loose figure came only in a sealed transparent plastic baggie.  Otherwise, whatever packaging Toy Biz may have included is unknown.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:            7½ Stars

SUMMARY:

Released by Toy Biz in approximately 2006, this 6-inch Cyclops is depicted wearing commando gear where his patented red optic blasts evidently can be channeled into a dual-barreled laser weapon.  As such, a button will simultaneously light up his visor and both barrels of his laser weapon.  This Cyclops has these articulation points:  1. His head turns slightly in both directions.  2. His molded right arm will only go up and down.  Below his left shoulder, both his arm and wrist have 360-degree rotation capacity.  His left hand will clinch (in part for the purpose of using his extra pistol).  3. The figure doesn’t bend at the waist, but the upper body and lower body separately swivel the full 360-degrees. 

Note: His rubber utility belt is a removable attachment.  However, his leg belts are painted on, as the left leg holster is securely attached. 

As to the lower body: 4. His fragile knee joints barely bend.  5.  The legs are surprisingly limber, so poses for walking, kicking, and even the splits are easily feasible.  6.  His boots swivel the full 360-degrees.  7.  The ankle and toe joints give the boots extra flexibility.  8. There aren’t any peg holes for display stands.  However, once the boots are positioned well, the figure will indefinitely stand for display poses.   

REVIEW:

Toy Biz does top-caliber work on this Cyclops’ paint job.  The triple light-up feature also makes a really cool feature.  The rubber-covered wiring set-up to the laser gun is also done in such a way not to impede playtime.  As one can guess, the wiring can only be detached by permanently severing the wiring.  The gun itself is screwed into the right elbow and likely glued (or it’s another screw) attaching the gun to his gloved hand.  Yet, how many firearms does this Cyclops really need, if he’s also packing a side holster?    

Please be cognizant, however, that that the knee joints are likely to break (if one actually tries bending them).  Though there is less risk, the same care applies to repeatedly working the left elbow joint.  Overall, this Cyclops is visually an intriguing sight (though this costume is purely a toy idea).  For practicality’s sake, it’s best utilized as a display option.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The attached dual ‘laser gun’ is permanently attached to his right hand.  There are three red lights: the visor; then, a second one simulating a cannon blast being generated and the third (in clear red plastic) represents a laser blast exiting the gun’s lower half.  A rubber-covered electric cable attaches the gun to the figure’s visor, implying that his optic blasts can be channeled through the visor into the gun.  Next to the push button, the battery is accessible through a small silver screwed-in plate in his back.  Though it isn’t included in the photo below, a separate silver plastic firearm is packed in his left leg’s brown rubber holster.  

PACKAGING:

To the best of this reviewer’s recollection, Toy Biz emphasizes this ‘stealth’ figure’s implied connection to the X-Men movie franchise.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 6½ Stars

SUMMARY:

Released in 1995 by Toy Biz, this approximately 5-inch Iceman figure is among the first to represent the character as a toy. 

Noticeably, this Iceman doesn’t quite resemble his comic book counterpart.  For instance, instead of his normal icy white look, Iceman is built with translucent icy light blue plastic.  Only his eyes are white.  Also, unlike his comic book version, this figure shows his frozen hair.  Perhaps most distinctive is that this Iceman boasts a pro wrestler’s ripped physique vs. the character’s average-guy slimness.  The jagged ‘ice’ texture to the arms, legs, shoulders, and back implies that his body is crystallized.       

The articulation consists of: 1. His head easily turns both directions.  1. Both arms have full 360-degree rotation capacity.  2.  The figure bends at the waist.  3. Small silver screws seen on its elbow and knee joints add some extra flexibility.  4.  If positioned straight, the figure easily stands for display poses.          

REVIEW:

Its look is certainly unique, as this Iceman looks like a frozen water elemental.  Even though the figure isn’t too faithful to Iceman’s appearance, its sturdy production quality is admirable.  As mentioned below, his mutant ‘power’ is seen as a rising ice wall behind his head.  Presumably, Toy Biz couldn’t manage a lever simulating an ice projectile or an ice stream coming from his hand, so the manufacturer opted for a pointless wall.  As compared to Iceman’s eventual appearances in the superior Marvel Legends and the X-Men action figure lines, this Toy Biz figure holds up, if only for its novelty value.  Accordingly, it makes an okay choice to put on display.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

A lever in his lower back pops up a readily-visible ice wall behind his head.  Whatever practical value this feature has for playtime is anyone’s guess.  The bottom of the figure’s feet have display base peg holes, but there isn’t any indication that the figure actually came with a base.

PACKAGING:

When purchased, this figure came loose without a product box.  Otherwise, whatever packaging Toy Biz may have included is unknown.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    6 Stars

SUMMARY:

Released in 1998 by Toy Biz, this approximately 5-inch Banshee figure is likely the first to represent the character in his classic X-Men uniform. 

Shown mid-sonic wail, the figure’s black-and-yellow striped, two-piece fabric cloak is firmly attached in three places on both sides: above his side waist, his back forearms, and behind his knees.  As such, the character’s appearance and Irish heritage are faithfully rendered.  The figure’s articulation consists of: 1. His head swivels a full 360-degrees.  2. Restricted by his cloak, his arms have limited mobility.  3. His clenched fists bend at the wrists.  4.  The figure bends and slightly swivels at the waist.  5. Benefited by solid knee and ankle joints, his legs are remarkably spry.  6.  If positioned straight, the figure stands for display poses.  Yet, his right foot is oddly bent for some reason, with its peg hole up front instead in the heel.

REVIEW:

Though it doesn’t resemble the production quality of a contemporary Marvel Legend, this sturdy figure is still pretty good (including a spot-on paint job).  For fans of Banshee wearing his familiar costume, this figure makes a nice display.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The bottom of the figure’s boots have peg holes, but there isn’t any indication that the figure came with a display stand. 

PACKAGING:

When purchased via auction, this loose figure came only in a sealed transparent plastic baggie.  Otherwise, whatever packaging Toy Biz may have included is unknown.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 6½ Stars

SUMMARY:

Released in 1991 by Toy Biz, this simplistic 4.75-inch Cyclops (aka Scott Summers) figure is possibly the first to represent the character in his classic X-Men uniform. 

The figure’s visor is transparent for its added feature: a red light (activated by a push lever in his back) that simulates his trademark ‘optic blasts.’  The character’s appearance is faithfully represented in this figure.  Though his head doesn’t move, the articulation consists of:  1. A 360-degree rotation of both arms.  2.  The figure bends at the waist.  3. Small silver screws seen on its elbow and knee joints add lots of extra flexibility.  4.  Lastly, if positioned straight, the figure stands for display poses.

REVIEW:

Though it can’t match the production quality of a contemporary Marvel Legend, this rudimentary figure sports an enduring paint job).  The inspired touch is his transparent visor to catch the red light-up effect.  For fans of Cyclops in his iconic costume, this figure is an okay display choice.  Its big drawback is how short the figure really is. Yet, its thirty years-and-counting durability makes up some of the difference (yes, his light-up feature still works!).

Note: As seen below, his wife, Jean Grey (Phoenix), is available separately.  Her red light-up feature simulates her telekinetic powers.  The approximately 5-inch Phoenix figure from 1995 is noticeably taller than this Cyclops, who is supposedly 6’3″ in the comics to her 5’6.”

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Accessible by a screwed-in plate in his back, a battery powers a red light in his transparent visor to simulate his ruby-colored optic blasts.  Amazingly, the battery still works.  The bottom of the figure’s small feet have display base peg holes, but there isn’t any indication that the figure came with a base.  Also, his right hand is sculpted, as if to potentially hold some unknown weapon accessory.

PACKAGING:

When purchased via auction, this loose figure came only in a sealed transparent plastic baggie.  Otherwise, whatever packaging Toy Biz may have included is unknown.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              5 Stars