REVIEW: DST Marvel Select Iron Man

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First, he was the main antagonist, (or protagonist, depending on your side) of the epic Marvel crossover, Civil War. Then he was the star of his first live-action movie starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Gwenyth Paltrow. That went on to make ridiculous money. He had his own video game. He had his own toyline by Hasbro. Things were looking good for Tony Stark, indeed.

Diamond Select is continuing the tradition with their newest Marvel Select line of figures, with the newest Iron Man armor, which is what's up for review today.

SCULPT:

Well, there's one thing that Marvel Select also gets spot-on and that is the sculpt. There are multiple variations on ol' shellhead's armor, and this is just the newest incarnation from the pages of Invincible Iron Man: The "Extremis" version. And this figure does indeed look like it stepped off of the pages. There are multiple little details that have to be seen with the figure in hand, that cannot be seen in pictures. Little bolts in the armor here and there. The chest piece. The shoulder pads. All the minute things that let you know that this is, in fact, an iron man. While not my favorite version of the armor, it is still nicely done, and as I said, quite literally as if it stepped off the pages.

PAINT:

This is where it takes a bit of a hit for me. Primarily the paints are clean. The typical red and gold IM colors, and what is there is applied cleanly, with very little slop. However, the red is applied with a chrome, metallic-like paint that chips easily around the joints. Mine in particular has the paint chipped clean off from the shoulders. Luckily the shoulder pads are there to hide it. Like I said, minor nitpick, as I've never been a huge fan of the metallic paint, but at least it is easily concealed.

ARTICULATION:

Marvel Select has just enough articulation, as they are not necessarily toys, more like Marvel centerpieces. This Iron Man isn't of Marvel Legends proportions, but he's not a Bowen statue either! He has ball-jointed hips and shoulders and neck, Hasbro-style elbows, cut wrist and ankles, and hinge joints at the elbows and knees. He is sculpted primarily to be put into flying position with the base, so the articulation isn't necessary, but it is definately passable to be posed without the base.

BASE:

Well... not a lot to say here. It's flames and smoke. It's to give the illusion that Iron Man is taking off, and his propulsion is causing a backdraft. What is sculpted is sculpted well, and what is painted is painted well. However, I do foresee an issue with the angle the base is pointed at. Over time it might cause the figure to warp down. For now the figure's holding strong, but there might be a problem with it falling down in the future.

OVERALL:

As a huge Marvel fan, and an Iron Man fan in particular, it's easy for me to look past the paint issue. And again, it is minor, as the sculpt, the base, and getting a new version of the armor make up for it. But for some nit-pickers, it might become a big issue. However, Marvel Select always does a fine job, and this figure is no exception. I'm definately glad to own it.

To purchase DST's Marvel Select Iron Man today, visit BigBadToyStore.com - the figure is in-stock and ready to fly priced at $17.99.

For even more images of Diamond Select's Marvel Select Iron Man, CLICK HERE!

Review Sample Courtesy of BigBadToyStore.com

Review and Photos by Richard Eubanks