Astonishing Cyclops (Marvel Legends)
I was not really planning to get this version of Cyclops for a couple of reasons, chief among them that it was a Diamond exclusive figure and generally speaking, those rarely hit stores locally. The other reason was that I was pretty satisfied with the Cyclops released back in the Marvel Legends’ Brood Queen wave of figures.
However, for some reason this wave of figures did make an appearance at a local department store, which allowed me to see first-hand how dated the sculpting on my BQ Cyke looked.
The more recent Astonishing Cyclops uses the same basic body mold developed for Archangel and a variety of characters with similar physiques. There are only a couple of new pieces molded specifically for this figure, like the head and the left hand, while the right hand is a closed fist that I’m sure could and will be used for other characters down the road.
I find that Cyclops looks really good in this body mold, even though the distinctive costume elements are mostly painted on. That does not mean that there is a lack of sculpted detail on the figure, as you can see muscle groups and veins sculpted at the proper places.
Of course, the other advantage of using the new body mold is that we get a very good articulation array expertly hidden into the figure’s design, consisting of:
• Hinged peg neck.
• Pegged hinge shoulders.
• Upper biceps swivel.
• Double hinged elbows.
• Pegged hinge wrists.
• Hinged torso.
• Swivel waist.
• Pegged hinge hips.
• Upper thigh swivels.
• Double hinged knees.
• Pegged hinge ankles.
• Rocker feet.
Articulation works like a charm. Cyclops can touch the side of his head with the tips of his left hand, can adopt wide dynamic stances and crouch like a Zen master. I tell you; only Spider-Man figures are more limber than the ones that share this body mold.
The one aspect where I did find some issues was the paintjob. Most of the figure was made using very dark blue plastic. The only pieces that are molded in other color of plastic are the lower calves, which are made with a pearly golden material.
All of the lines running on the uniform are painted in golden yellow, which is the same paint used for the bracers. The problem is that the hue does not match the color of the lower calves and I find that to be almost as distracting as the thin, irregular black lines running around these sections.
The paintjob to the head is generally decent. Paint coverage on the exposed skin area is good and the bluish metallic color on the visor looks nice and smooth. The ruby-quartz lens is recessed quite deep, but you can just make out the red coloring in there.
Cyclops doesn’t come with any proper accessory, but the arms to complete the Puck Build-A-Figure were included into the package. These chubby arms look rather muscular and have some color airbrushed on the outside to simulate arm-hair.
Even though the paint applications on Astonishing Cyclops where not quite as good as I expected once I got the figure out of the package, the overall balance is still pretty positive on account of the great articulation and the nicely updated sculpture.
Errex Score: 86/100
Category: Featured, Marvel, Toy Reviews
About the Author (Author Profile)
I've been collecting action figures since the original Kenner Star Wars days. Nowadays, I still collect pretty much anything that catches my eye.Subscribe
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I look at this Cyclops and all I see is Frozone from The Incredibles