In 2007, Hasbro proved the old adage “two heads are better than one” with its release of the Toys R Us-exclusive S.H.I.E.L.D. Leaders two-pack. Although the classic version of Iron Man was considered the set’s selling point at retail, it was the other figure that hardcore Marvel fans were most interested in.
Packed alternately as Maria Hill or Sharon Carter, depending on which set you bought, the female S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent was a boon to army builders looking to provide some variety in their displays. Both Hill and Carter were enjoying supporting roles in Marvel’s ongoing Civil War event, so their inclusion was timely and helped make our S.H.I.E.L.D. displays look more like a team of super-spies and less like a frat house.
Providing the additional head gave fans with a preference their choice of character to display, not to mention created incentive for collectors to buy the second run of the set to have both agents. In addition to the extra head, the figure came with two handguns and an assault rifle.
Sharon Carter made her debut in 1966’s Tales of Suspense #75. Carter, aka Agent 13, was introduced as a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative and later became Captain America’s first post-thaw squeeze. The two enjoyed a stormy relationship over the ensuing years, culminating in Carter publicly assassinating Cap at the climax of the Civil War storyline. Talk about your psycho girlfriends…
Sharon was later redeemed fighting alongside the Secret Avengers, ultimately sacrificing herself saving the Earth from Arnim Zola. And while it’s probably just a matter of time since she returns to life, this figure stands as a fitting tribute. It’s not an artist-specific likeness, but it works. In a world full of scary monsters and super-freaks, Sharon Carter has always been an icy-hot blonde in a catsuit, and that’s exactly what we get here.
Maria Hill is a far more recent addition to the Marvel Universe. First appearing in 2005’s New Avengers #4, she quickly rose through the ranks of S.H.I.E.L.D., briefly leading the elite organization before Norman Osborn’s takeover. In spite of being a newer character, Hill has an impressive media resume, appearing in video games, cartoons, and, most notably, Marvel’s string of hit television and movie properties.
Maria received the livelier of the two head sculpts. In fact, she’s remarkably expressive, with a confident, almost impish charm. While I’m not thrilled with the comm-piece being glued to the side of her head, its presence gives her the character-specific distinctiveness Sharon Carter lacks.
In the first run of this set, the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent heads were unpainted, relying on the plastic they were molded in to provide the flesh tone. It looked cheap, so Hasbro opted for full paint the second time around. For some odd reason, the updated Maria Hill head arrived sporting red hair instead of the original’s comic-accurate black. Was it a mistake at the factory, or just a little creative license on Hasbro’s part? The world may never know.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. agent is built on the body Hasbro first used for its Elektra redux. It has a nice presence here, tall and athletic without being overly buff. The agent stands between 6 inches and 6 1/4 inches, depending on which head is being displayed. The figure’s upper chest was retooled to provide the spy-specific zipper and straps. The belt is an overlay, while everything else is painted detail. The glove and bootlines are hazy in spots, but the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo is nice and crisp for its size.
While Popeye the Sailor Man may like t’ go swimmin’ with bow-legged women, the modern day action figure collector is a bit more discerning. Unfortunately, what was hidden on Elektra is front and center on the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. The mushroom-cap hips are aesthetically unappealing and prove to be a screaming bitch to work with. Their poor engineering and the soft plastic of the pegs means considerable fiddling is required to get them to move, but they can be coaxed with patience.
The hands were new additions, and while the pin-hinge wrists allow for an impressive range of motion, the joints are odd and ungainly. Hasbro used these hinged joints throughout the entire figure, meaning the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent has 24 points of this unnatural-looking articulation. The figure can be teased into certain poses, but looks best in neutral stances. She moves at the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, torso, hips, knees, and ankles.
The figure is also burdened by some wonky mid-rib articulation. Its limited range of motion means it doesn’t do much. Well, unless you’re having her arch her back seductively. She can do that rather nicely.
Being a Toys R Us-exclusive box set meant many collectors never saw these at retail. While they were abundant in some stores, others may have received as little as a single case, leaving nothing but a sticker and empty shelf space to show they’d ever even been there. As it stands, both Sharon and Maria go for a sizable chunk on the aftermarket. Hasbro could make some easy coin reissuing them in the lead-up to The Avengers 2. Hell, stick ’em in two-packs with Black Widow and watch the feeding frenzy.
Discuss on the Fwoosh forums!
Jason R Mink is the Man in the Anthill!
