The new Marvel Universe 2packs are out. Now these aren't the comic packs we've seen before. Nor are they the Gigantic Battles. They're like the boxed 3-packs... only with two figures instead of three. Available sets are Pre-Extremis Iron Man vs 90's Punisher, Spider-Man vs metallic Green Goblin, classic Iron Man (with blue unibeam & repusors) vs blue highlighted Black Panther, and oversized yellow Wolvie vs black Hand Ninja.
The Iron Man in this set is the same Iron Man we've seen over and over. It's the pre-Extremis (Pentagon/Secretary of Defense) Armor that was released as the very first figure of the very first series way back in December of 2008. And also repainted as the Stealth Armor, and the Arctic Armor (from Marvel Adventures). But this time, this figure is in Extremis colors. Meaning, dark metallic glossy maroon, and a deep gold. And some panel lines are painted in. This makes the figure blend in with the current Iron Man movie and comic figures which share the same darker pallette and panel lines. The eyes, unibeam, and repulsor are now also blue just like the movie figures.
The Punisher in this set is the only really new figure out of all the sets. Somewhat. It's the Nick Fury/SHIELD Agent body with a completely new head. It gives Frank Castle the bandana and chest straps and holsters he had during the early '90's. The look is quite accurate right down to the shapes of the eyes int he skull logo on his chest. The SHIELD body is much better than the original Punisher body used for both the classic and War Zone figures. It's leaner and more accurately proportioned as opposed to the almost fat and stumpy body used previously. The new head is also worlds better. It's now smaller and meaner looking. The retired Marine comes with Duke's M16/M203 and a pistol that fits ratehr tightly in the holster. The figure is still blue with a black wash just like Fury and the SHIELD Agent but this time the chest rig and holster are brown.
I've always wanted a Punisher figure to go with my Joes. I liked the old Showdown version but found the proportions to be too thin and lanky to fit in with Joes. The exact opposite was true of the first two Marvel Universe versions. Those were also too... clean and nice. This one, although not as gritty and sharply detailed as the ToyBiz version, has just enough to give him an "attitude" missing fromt he first two versions.
For those of you thinking to swap this head onto the previous two bodies, it won't work. Those bodies have necks almost as wide as this head. This head will look worse than 25A Wild Bill.
- JM
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