Diamond Select Toys has just released Hawkeye in their 7-inch Marvel Select line. Based on the Marvel series by Matt Fraction and David Aja — a superhero book with indie sensibilities — Marvel Select has taken a hard right turn from the more recent powerhouse releases, such as Thor and Cable, and have given us a character far more grounded in reality. Does Clint have what it takes to hold his own on the Marvel Select toy shelf? Let’s find out!
Packaging
No surprises here. This is your standard Marvel Select packaging. It’s large, has nice artwork, and keeps the figure safe. It seems that the last two Disney Store releases (Thor and Hawkeye) have been without any background text on the back.
Sculpt
I’ll get right to the point here. This is an absolute home run for Marvel Select. Starting with the head sculpts (of which there are two), Hawkeye is filled with sculpted details. Included are both a serious face sculpt with sunglasses, and a more relaxed, post-beatdown sculpt as seen in the comics. The serious expression is very good, albeit a bit generic. It’s perfect for gritty action poses and I love the sunglasses sculpt. As good as it is, however, it’ll never make it to my display. The alternate battle-damaged sculpt is just absolutely perfect. The handsome face, the bandages, the cocky smirk — they just all scream “Hawkeye.”
I could go on and on about the sculpted details, but I’ll let the pictures do the talking. Highlights for me include the sculpted wrinkles in the t-shirt, the sculpted emblem, and the pouches and quivers. If I had to make one tiny complaint, it’s that his biceps are a bit too big. It’s not that noticeable from the front, but he’s pretty jacked from the side view.
Paint
I’ve had very few issues with Marvel Select’s paint applications as of late, and this is no different. The comic has a very distinct minimalistic approach to color, and I’m glad to see this figure has achieved that look without looking cartoony. The colors are muted and the washes are just right — especially on the face and hair.
Articulation
With 21 points of articulation by my count, Hawkeye is one of the better articulated figures in the Marvel Select line. He has a great ball-jointed head, pin-and-disc shoulders, bicep cuts, single-jointed elbows, pin-and-disc wrists, a torso joint, a waist cut, DCUC-style hips, thigh cuts, double-jointed knees, boot cuts, and rocker ankles. Other than the torso joint, which is a bit stiff, all the joints are solid and well-engineered. I love articulation in my figures, but I’m also one of those collectors who doesn’t like extra joints if it means breaking up the sculpt. And it certainly doesn’t here. Hawkeye is pretty close to the perfect marriage of sculpt and articulation in my eyes. One thing that’s missing is double elbows, though. For a guy who uses a bow, it’s almost a necessity.
Accessories
$24.99 still seems like a lot of money for an action figure. Thankfully with Marvel Select, they always try to cram the package with extras to at least give you your money’s worth. While there is no detailed base this time around, Hawkeye does come with a ton of extras — and some pretty awesome ones at that. Included are six arrows, his mini-arrow pistol, a compound bow, an extra right hand, and the alternate head. Everything has a detailed sculpt and great paint apps, and I especially love the bow. Of course, one accessory blows everything else out of the water — and that’s Pizza Dog. I can’t believe they included Pizza Dog.
Pizza Dog, or “Lucky” as he’s also been called, was rescued by Clint and is the star of one of the most fun comics in recent times: Hawkeye #11. If you haven’t checked it out — please do. While there is no articulation, the sculpt and paint are pretty spot on. He’s not entirely comic accurate as he has both eyes, but whatever. It’s Pizza Dog on my shelf.
Overall
A little over a month ago, The Mighty Thor was released as a Disney Store/Marvel.com exclusive, and I honestly didn’t see any way they could top themselves, not in the near future anyway. Well, they have. Hawkeye now takes the top seat in my Marvel Select collection, and it isn’t just because of my fondness for the source material. It’s just an amazing figure. Fun, playable, and full of character — this figure pretty much has it all. Yes, the absence of double-jointed elbows keeps it from being perfect, but the inclusion of Pizza Dog makes everything right in the world.
Great Book. Great Figure.
Thanks for reading!