Superhero Times: a service of Action Online
MARVEL TITANIUM FIGURE GHOST RIDER
Produced by: Hasbro
Retail: $19.99
Released: January 2007
Reviews and Photos by: "Legends Of Batman"
Detail/Sculpt: 7/10
Sometimes I get confused. Maybe I'm confused here. Hasbro is calling this piece “Die-cast Metal” Perhaps I am being a little picky here. But, if an item is considered “Die-cast Metal”, shouldn't it be die-cast metal?
Front of the bike, the fork is metal. Handle bars, tires, rims, headlights, and of course the flames; plastic. Frame, rear fender, exhaust, metal. Seat, feet rests, plastic. Ghost Rider, face, metal. Rest of the body, and chain in hand, plastic. Chain around jacket, metal. Seems more plastic than metal, to me. Therefore, I find it odd they would call this piece “die-cast metal”. Perhaps, as one company called their piece, “Die-cast metal and die-cast plastic”?
As far as the piece itself goes, nit-picking aside, the detailing is fairly decent. The only real problem I have with the detailing is, it seems they got a little lazy as they got into it. At the beginning of certain sections, there's good deep detailing, but, as you move along that section, the details begin to blend in together, and become less detailed.
Ghost Rider itself is good. Some of the paint job, however, diminishes a job otherwise well done. As small as this figure is, and despite the poor facial paint job, there is a lot of character to Ghost Rider's face. You almost hear him scream and the rage within. I'm disappointed in Hasbro's decision to not include a display case, as was done in most, if not all of the Star Wars vehicle assortment, minus the first vehicles. The display base, however, almost makes up for it. The display base is fantasically designed, with extreme detail, including drains, and sewer lid. The Ghost Rider base could stand up to almost any base out there, including those of SideShow. Which says a lot, because SideShow has produced some spectacular bases.
Packaging: 7/10
The packaging was made with enough care to keep in mind those collectors who keep items sealed. There's nothing overly appealing with the packages front, really, other than it is simple, and mostly windowed-- which again works to project the figure; not packaging.
The sides have a decent, albeit somewhat blurry photo of the flaming bike.
On the back is a photo of the figure, a brief bio and history of Ghost Rider. Another nice touch.
Paint: 6/10
Some real nice touches here. And, let's give Hasbro some credit on this. This is not an easy item to paint. But, nevertheless, there are some real shoddy spots here as well.
The bad: Right dab smack in the center of Ghost rider's face is a horrible glob of white paint that all but completely ruins the entire presentation. Fortunately enough, the face is small, and unless one is right on top of it, and inspecting it with a fine tooth comb, as I am, it won't be obvious. What will be noticeable, is that the teeth are flat, rather than individually painted, as on either side of his face. Some minor blending problems, particularly the headlights/eyes of the bike.
Where they did extremely well is in the spikes, zippers, and other metallics on the jacket.
As far as the chain whip is concerned, I do like the metallic blue paint over the cheap plastic grey color used in several other Ghost Rider figures, including the Ultimate Ghost Rider.
Accessories: N/A
Although, mentioning the jacket's chain should be appropriate here. A very nice touch, one I had been wishing had been done on all the other figures. Nice job Hasbro.
Value: 4/10
It's hard enough to give the Star Wars vehicles a decent value. This, being mostly plastic, is even harder. Titanium figures aren't for everyone. Therefore, some will be unimpressed by the $20 price tag. Those who like the larger scale vehicles and figures may still squawk at putting down $20 on it, but, we love these things, and will pay it anyway.
Overall: 7/10
It's definitely far from perfect. But, there is still that “cool” factor. (Yes, I know, that is an odd thing to say about a character who is on fire). This is definitely a cool piece. Even if it is more die-cast plastic than it is die-cast metal.
Recommendation:
I can't recommend this to everyone. But, there are two groups of people I can, and will. For any Ghost Rider fan, this is as much of a “must have” as there is. Also, for those who like the Titanium series. Although i do recognize that not everyone appreciates the larger Titanium series items, I do recommend this. I don't give it a two thumbs up; but, it does get a thumbs up.