11.07
Here we have a pack containing the two “Amazing Friends”, Iceman and Firestar. This set was very kindly sent to me for review by the great peeps at stuckakid.
Packaging
As normal now, this has the Marvel Universe logo on the left side of the package. The figures are packed in a bubble tray, and have no twist-ties holding them in. Instead, a second clear tray piece fits over the top and then locks in, meaning that these figures are held in well and can be seen from each side.
The back of the packaging is the same as wave 10, showing only the figures in waves 10 and 11.
Each set in wave 11 also has a two-sided poster, featuring all of the Marvel Minimates released so far, excluding wave 10 & 11 but including the SDCC Dark Phoenix/Cyclops exclusive. Check one of the wave 10 reviews for pics.
The Figures
Firestar
The first Minimate in this set is Angelica Jones, a mutant with the power to harness and channel microwave energy.
Like the other figures in this wave, and also wave 10, Firestar is basically a reuse. The problem is that the figure Firestar is based on has only just been released, that of Dark Phoenix. Originally Dark Phoenix was supposed to have been released a year or so ago, so the reuse might not have been so prominent. Firestar’s hairpiece is slightly more vivid orange in colour than Dark Phoenix. It’s still a great-looking hairpiece though, however without a peg holding it in place, it can come off quite easily. The detailing on the face is crucially not overdone, the highlight being Firestar’s big green eyes.
The costume is very simple in both design and colouration. The main colour is yellow, with black detailing lines. Generally this works pretty well, but there are times the use of one colour seems that they have skimped a bit on paint apps. The costume has a collar, indicating that there is skin under there, but it’s still yellow. Also the impression of female proportions, usually suggested by shading a la Black Cat, is this time more obvious, with a clear outline of a narrower waist drawn on the block. There are some other colours; red and orange are used on the ankles to show a flame pattern.
Firestar comes with the same “flame attachments” that Dark Phoenix had, which clip onto her wrists. Hers are more solid in colour than the translucent orange-effect ones sported by Dark Phoenix, and to be honest I think the solid look works a lot better.
Overall, despite being an all-too-soon reuse, Firestar suits the reused pieces and comes out as a worthwhile addition to the ranks of the Marvel Minimates.
MMC Score – 7 out of 10
Iceman
The second figure in the set is Bobby Drake, the Iceman. Originally one of the first recruits to Charles Xavier’s mutant school, in the 80s he teamed up with Spider-Man and Firestar for an animated show, making this 2-pack a nice pairing.
Ever since the Minimates line got its first “invisible” figure in Twilight Frodo in summer 2004, customisers have been making Iceman, because of two reasons. First, he’s a cool character (please hold your sides in after that pun, I don’t want any accidents) and second because it’s a simple look to achieve. The official Marvel Minimate is also very simple, being done along the same lines as the aforementioned Twilight Frodo and the Invisible Woman. Essentially, he is a clear Minimate with the detailing painted on. The expression on his face is uncharacteristically hostile, he is clearly snarling at some bad guy. Iceman’s head lacks a hole, but he has no hair to peg into it even if it had.
The body detailing has been done quite well, even if it is hard to see on the translucent block. He has good muscle detailing and also an X logo on his belt. Unlike the translucent Gamma Hulk, he has no detailing on his back.
Iceman comes with a clear powerburst accessory which fits over his hand. I believe it is the same one that came with the Super Skrull.
Overall, this version of Iceman doesn’t really excite me. Maybe the line is too overloaded with see-through figures at this point.
MMC Score – 6 out of 10
Review and pictures by Danny Mills
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