Marvel Combiner: Spiderman & Ironman Review
Just a quick review/thoughts on the combiner Marvel figures. They are just a little bigger than the standard carded figures. and comes ina pretty big box proudly sporting 6 modes and it combines! Let's see if it lives up to it.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...Comparison.jpg(Comparison with original Spiderman & Ironman. Also with movie Evac and Univerce Starscream.)
Ironman's jet mode bares some similarities to the first mold in terms of looks but thats where it ends. As with the first Ironman, they managed to engineer another jet without any underbelly kibble. There are no wheels to hold the jet up so it just sits on its belly. It has two spring-loaded missile launchers and moveable wings and that's it for play value. The colours and paint apps are fine if a little sparse.
Spiderman's helicopter mode is not too bad. Besides the visible robot thighs on the belly and the hollow, underneath, cockpit it's a decent chopper. It has wheels on the engines and a flip out wheel on the underside of the back rotors. The paint apps is a little more noticeably lacking on Spiderman's alt mode. With just solid red int he majority with some blue's and silver here and there. Could use some more paint apps just to highlight some detail.
Conversions to bot mode is a little more involved that meets the eye especially with Spiderman but its nothing too spectacular. Although the conversion for Ironman's chest plate is pretty nice.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...paratebots.jpg(Note that Ironman has been slightly modified in the conversion. I folded back his wings to hide behind the torso, so it sticks out back quite long. Officially meant to have his wings spread in bot mode.)
In botmode, they both appear to bear a more "classic" look than the modern look of the previous mold in the line. Spiderman has the rounded eyes and Ironman's a lot more chunky and bulky. Also nice to see Ironman have his palm repulsor rays. Spiderman on the otherhand looks out of proportion by having a large torso, chunky legs and a smallish head. Could probably pass for Venom a lot better than Spiderman, so doesn't quite pull off the character as much as Ironman does. Both bot modes have legs that are attached via ratchet joints that lock in very wide angles. This makes posing a little difficult as any ratcheting outwardws will result in the legs splitting at almost 90 degrees and just looks ridiculous. The sculpt detail is not as good as the original Spidey and Ironman but has its own unique quirks over the older ones.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...comparison.jpg(Comparison in bot modes with the older figures.)
The combined alt mode requires just a little conversion, mainly from Spidermans alt mode (blades, engines and cockpit). Ironman's jet just pretty much sits atop and just extra wings fold down for an x-wing like effect. It's nothing special but also not as dissapointing as the Jet twins combined (...ahem... pegged together) combined form. The blades sticking out up front is meant to resemble a laser/gun with the slight swivel for a little play value.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...binedAlt01.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...binedAlt02.jpg
The combined "bot mode" resembled a macross jet in Gerwalk mode. As above Spiderman requires all the conversion as Ironman's jet sits atop. Initially I thought this was going to be a mode with balance issues due to the size of Ironman's jet sitting atop what really is a modified Spiderman botmode. But with some clever engineering to distribute the weight evenly, Spiderman just needs slight alterations to his robot mode witht he majority happening on the feet with a larger panel folding down with some nice "faux" hydrolics revealed. It stands well and easy to pose. Personally, I find it a little forced as a combined botmode and almost feels like a mis-transformation than anything. But I still admire them for trying.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...edBotfront.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...nedBotside.jpg
Interesting use of characters for a combination but I guess they are both red and would blend much easier than two opposing primary colours. Hence the odd combo. The decision to give them a more classic look is appreciated.
Overall as individual alt modes they look great, bot modes a bit iffy with Spidey but Ironman is excellent. The combined modes are really just a novelty and an afterthought than a true combiner. This isn't going to win any naysayers over with it's sparse paintjobs and abundant use of primary colours. But for those that appreciate the line it's a worthy addition especially since Ironman is another winner. some might find the pricepoint a bit much at $70 but considering the carded figures retails at $35-$40 for slightly larger figures, it's not a bad deal.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...tcompariso.jpg
