*Dusts off keyboard* It’s been a while since I’ve done a review, after years of reviewing figures I needed a break and resettle. VeeBee thought I should get the dust off by tackling Bandai’s S.H. Figuarts Avengers Infinity War Doctor Strange.
Having missed out, more like skipped, the first version from Dr. Strange due to an action figure coma; I decided to pick this one up. Anyone looking for a compare between this release and the earlier one I can’t help you, but I am certain someone out there has done the side by side comparison.
Personally I love this version (again, the only version I have). The sculpt is amazing, the extras plentiful and the colors pop. Strange is much more blue or brighter/lighter blue than I remember the first release being, the Infinity Wars version really pops and has more of that “classic comic book” coloring to me. Not that comic coloring is important on movie figures but it adds to the overall shelf candy effect.
I love this sculpt. I put it up there with Bandai’s Jack Sparrow in the detail category, Bandai went out of their way to make this figure look good. The folds in the cloth, the details in the boots, arm wraps and belt. The Eye of Agamotto is beautifully sculpted into the chest. It would have been great as a separate piece but it is so well done, I don’t care.
As mentioned there are ton of extras, most of which I did not picture (yes let the hate begin) and they are all fun. The clear magic doohickeys that shoot out of his hands are cool and I like the big ass teleport circle. But most of all I like the extra head, it’s so ominous and serious. Makes me want a Khan version… And now I want S.H. Figuarts Star Trek figures. Damnit.
There is one real downer on this figure. Yes, you guessed it, the cape. The long pieces on the back (I don’t know proper cape anatomy) are stiff, abs-like plastic; they move via hinges. The collar is made from a softer, pvc-like plastic that fits nicely over the shoulders and the cape. But the cape is just too stiff; I think Strange would have benefitted from a cloth cape (waits for the soft good haters to respond). It’s toy sacrilege to say that but I think a cloth cape under the cowl with a wire in it would have been perfect.
Overall I’m really enjoying this figure. Cape aside, he’s fun. He has the usual S.H. Figuarts articulation and pops on the display cabinet. Yes, he is pricey, but when S.H. Figuarts is giving me 6″ Hot Toys caliber of action figures, I can’t complain.
You can pick up the original release at:
