Fantastic Four series 1: Human Torch

[Junkpile]

Let's just get started... I've already made you wait long enough for new reviews!

Articulation

Foot - toe hinge
Ankle - hinge (up and down)*
Ankle - pivot (side to side)
Calf - cut-joint at top of boot
Knees - double-joint*
Thigh - cut-joint just below the ball
Hip - ball-joint
Waist - cut-joint
Abs - hinge (forward and back like Ultimate Captain America)*
Neck - hinge for forward and back
Neck - side to side
Shoulder - ball-joint
Bicep - swivel
Elbow - double-joint*
Fore-arm - cut-joint
Wrist - hinge
First Finger - hinge
Second Finger - hinge
Ring Finger - hinge
Pinky Finger - hinge
All of the joints with an "*" contain the clicking, "d-tent" things that keep them from becoming loose.

Sculpt

This figure is easily one of my favorite sculpts in recent memory (especially of an average-size guy). Even though it's representative of the movie, and not his "classic" look, it's definately replacing the Torch in my ML display. There's lots of little costume detailing, like the seams on his uniform, and the boots and gloves. It's really nicely done. I even like the flame effect, which they execute very nicely. He's covered is strips of rubbery plastic, molded into "licking" flames. They are done in semi-translucent orange, just like the rest of the figure. It really creates a nice effect, and is so flexible that it doesn't hinder motion in any of the joints.

Paint

There's not a lot to talk about here. Most of the flame effect is achieved with the translucent orange plastic of the body, and the flames that cover it. There is some subtle darker, almost red wash covering the figure. However they achieve it, it looks great. The only really noticeable paint, though is on his eyes. Nothing fancy, just a couple of black pupils. Still nicely done, though.

Accessories

Torch comes with a big, flame-looking stand that plugs into his back. It's meant to look like he's left a trail of yellow and red flame behind him as he descends to your shelf. It's not the most attractive base I've ever seen, but it does suspend him in the air a bit, and the neat part is that it activates (when pushed in the right spot) his light and sound action feature.

Action Feature

It's a movie line... there had to be an action feature, right? I've got news for you, this is really one of the few that I don't mind at all. Not only does it work well, but ToyBiz was smart enough to hide the cumbersome part in the base. Torch has a light-up feature in his upper torso, which can be activated by a button on his back. The really great part is that it doesn't really hinder his articulation. There's no real impediment at all! Then, when you plug him into the base and push the button, he lights up, and the sound feature (hidden away in the base) says "Flame ON!!". Great!! You can keep it, or toss it. Doesn't matter, cause it's totally seperate from the figure. Fantastic. (pun intended...sorry)

Overall

This is an incredible figure... especially for a gimmick-heavy film line. The articulation is really top notch, the flame effects are really nice, and the unintrusive action feature make this a stand-out. It's definately worth a solid 9 out of 10. Skip the Series 2 version. Just grab Series 1 and enjoy!!