Marvel Universe 3.75" Commander Steve Rogers

I knew I wanted to get this figure the moment I saw the photos from the SDCC 20011 Sneak Preview.  And it was simply because it would be the first version of Steve Rogers that had him unmasked.

Boy, was that a mistake.

Because this guy is awesome for so many more reasons than that!  And to think when the Rangerlord spotted him on one of his now famous rangings, I was kinda ok on getting him.


I mean, I wanted the guy, but not "ok-you-gotta-get-him-for-me-no-matter-what" kind of wanted the guy.  It was just: "Ok, I'll take him.  That is, if you don't want him, though."


And so it was that Steve Rogers became mine--no prizes for guessing how this figure turned out! ;)

Like: That this figure looks great!  He looks so great in hand that you begin to think he's photoshopped.  But he ain't!  Steve Rogers has got a great sculpt--his head and face are perfect, from the hair to the jawline, nose and the determined set of his mouth.  He's what you'd call "classic" handsome.

Steve's body proportions are also spot on, like one of those Greek sculptures--again, classic!

Like: The near perfect articulation.  And I'm not just talking PoAs, I talking the quality of them.  The Marvel Universe hinge-head is very much a fan favourite, as are the swivel thighs and the hinge-ball/rocker ankles.  One thing I've always liked in my figures is a good chest pivot and Steve here has one that not only moves great but fits very well on top of those washboard abs.   Add to that his hidden waist and boot-top swivels, and ankles that are also hidden but not overly hindered, and we've got the right ingredients for one of the best MU figures ever!

Dislike: The plastic t-ball joints they've used for MU figures since they were first released.  It's the one weak point of almost all MU figures.  They pop off too easily and make me uneasy.   And you really don't want to pop them off too much because it wears the joint down and the legs end up being loose.  We need something more sturdy!

Like: The fancy leather webbing, belt and greaves they've added to a super base body to make the figure spectacular.  These really don't do anything to improve the function of the uniform or add any accessories per se, but they do hide the PoAs really well and add texture to the figure by breaking up the base body, making him one helluva figure to look at and feel.  Yes, feel. :P

Like: The dry brushed pistol. It's rare that weapons get this treatment in this scale, whether they belong to GI Joes or to Marvel movie franchise figures.  I can't imagine the process actually being that expensive, certainly no more expensive than painting the entire weapon, so they should do this more often.  It's amazing how a simple touch like some semi-dry paint on a brush can produce such a great effect.

Dislike: No holster for pistol!  It's a minor issue, though one I can imagine would kinda spoilt the shape of this slim, sexy Cap Commander Rogers.  Usually, I love gun storage on figures and am kinda turned off by ones that could and should have one but don;t have it.  But I'm gonna let this one slide (sorta) because it's really an awesome looking Steve Rogers--I mean, we don't want anything to distract from those awesome abs all of us want, do we? ;P


Like: Two gripping hands.  At first I kinda wished he had a closed fist for some old school fisticuffs.  But as I was posing him more, I realised his hands were better this way because he could brandish his guns/hold his old shield and do some grappling and throwing.  And I just love the fingerless, open-knuckled gloves. ;)


Dislike: The blue plastic of his hinge neck-joint.  It shows when you have his head turned sideways but I wonder why it seems like such a hard issue to solve, because all MU figures have neck hinges that are different color from the faces/heads.  Some of these joint pieces are painted but slough off when you bend the neck forward and back.  If they mold the figure in the same flesh tone as the face it would solve the problem for sure...

RATINGS

Aesthetics: 9.5/10 - Face, hair, great proportions, greaves, fingerless gloves--this figure looks like the perfect human specimen Steve Rogers is supposed to be.

I'm not a big fan of the uniform he wears as director of S.H.I.E.L.D. because it doesn't pop at first sight.  But somehow, it grows on you.

All of Steve's details are taken care of really well--lines on his pats and cheat are crisp, his eyes are painted very well, while his blond hair is sculpted perfectly and highlighted so very well too.  The silver-painted buckles on his greaves, webbing, and gloves, as well as the drybrushed pistol provide the perfect finish.

Poseability: 9.5/10 - Commander Steve Rogers is right up there with the best--perhaps even the best.  The only thing he's missing is hinges on his wrists, and only a couple of figures have all the PoAs Steve Rogers has in addition to those super flexible wrists: Doctor Strange and SDCC 2010 WWII Captain America.

But make no mistake about it--he's got some of the best articulation seen in MU figures.  And if he's used as the base body for future MU releases, then it'll herald a new era for fans of the line.  It's a nice touch too because it mirrors how Steve Rogers paved the way for later metahumans in the comic book world.

Fun: 9/10 - I'll admit, he'd be more fun with shield instead of just two guns, which makes him feel like a GI Joe after a while.  Then again, which figure isn't more fun with more/varied accessories?  Stevie R's articulation is enough to keep you occupied for quite a while though--every PoA offers a subtle movement that can affect Steve's poses.  He can lean on one leg and look cool, kneel deep and low, kick high, kick low.  I really had a lot of fun posing him like he's in a John Woo movie.  Dual firearm-wielding FTW!

Value: 9/10 - Rogers comes with his pistol, assault rifle, and stand.

He's got some quality articulation, great paint, an excellent sculpt and base body that's well worth paying retail for--I paid S$18 and I'd gladly pay more.  (but not much more--what would the purpose of hunting be then?  :P)

Although they aren't accessories per se, his shoulder harness, belt, and greaves are all separately sculpted parts and can be considered "extras" because they no doubt add great value to the figure.

Overall: 9.3/10 - I'd take an arm and a leg for this figure! - He's Commander Rogers!  And whatever his super hero identity might be while he's in this costume, he's still the first and best Captain America.  (Sorry Bucky!)  This guy beats out all the versions that came out of the movie line and all of his Marvel Universe predecessors bar World War II Cap.

He's also the first "Cap" who's unmasked and a darn good one at that.  Hasbro will be hard pressed to come up with a better face sculpt for suture unmasked Caps.  It's a good thing that Steve Rogers is so great, especially if it means we'll get a new MU Cap in full costume (and perhaps other future figures) with this base body! :)

He caught me as I was aiming my guns at him...and didn't buy it when I said I was just kidding around.

Piece of advice to my AIM brethren: Don't put your hands up against Steve Rogers. He won't buy that either.

Definitely do NOT stand around with your legs open...

Or show him your back.

Or your front...

And never, ever, lie down. Ever.

And remember to always wear your parachute. You'll be clocking some frequent-flyer miles in no time.