White Queen

There's an upcoming 4-inch action doll for Emma Frost from the Marvel Infinite Series line. I can't say I'm excited about it. Most of my X-men are in their vintage costumes and the modern Emma won't fit in. I decided to create my own Emma Frost as the White Queen from the Hellfire Club using Psylocke as the base. I wanted her skin to be fairer so she was painted all over.
 

I have been putting off this project because I couldn't get the parts I want, specifically the heeled feet from the Baroness (G.I. Joe). I also used the Baroness' hair. I just made it shorter. I also had difficulty in repainting the small face. It's hard to keep the small eyes from looking derpy, especially if the face mold is not all that pretty to begin with.





Although the action doll could use some more polishing and detailing, I decided to take pictures right away. I can't be sure when I can go back and work on her again.

12-inch Pattiz Special Forces Figure

It looks good in photos but it really has poor quality. This 12-inch action doll by Pattiz has a nice packaging which can make the uninformed (read: me) think that it is worth at least US$22.



It came with a lot of props but there's nothing interesting for me, except for the two extra pair of hands. No doll stand was included. The first thing that made me think of not buying this is the skin tone. It's grayish.



There are other variants, although I only saw three. There are no other ethnicity available. I picked this one because I thought it came with beige footwear. I later found out that it's black haphazardly painted with beige for a distressed look. The paint left a sticky feel.



This body isn't versatile. There aren't many heads that can be compatible with this body. Making this figure stand is also a challenge. It has loose joints at the knees and ankles. The plastic feels brittle and light. It looks okay from the front.



The back tells another story. The screw holes could use plugs to make it look more pleasing but this toy probably wasn't design for nudity. It seems like it has double-jointed knees making it kneel nicely but no. It has one hinge on the knee but the back of the upper leg has a groove. I thought it was ingenious although the sculpt could be made more smooth.



The doll is good looking. There is enough articulation to make it look like the doll is a model who knows how to work it.

The doll also came with playscale money and I thought of using it for a literal money shot.



I may have enough fun taking pictures of this doll but I don't think I'll be buying anymore.

Mad Titan

Inspired by...



and

Clone Marvel Universe Thanos

Thanks to Hasbro, clone manufacturers realized that toys with poor articulation can sell, especially for the 4-inch line. Clones of the Marvel Universe action dolls are being sold for half the current price of the poorly articulated ones, like the 4-inch Age of Ultron line. I have seen clones of Hawkeye, Nick Fury (both the black and white) and Black Widow. I passed up on them because I already have the Hasbro version (except for the shouting white Nick Fury). I bought this clone Thanos, though.



It has poor articulation. For the price of about US$4.50, it's a good deal, especially for a non-Thanos fan like me. He'll just be used a few times and then stored, anyway. It's impractical to buy from the secondary market with their unreasonable price. Plus, there probably will be a movie version of the character later on. We can just wait for that, right?


It's easy to take apart but it's a little hard to put back together. I won't be taking it apart anytime soon.

Here's a comparison picture with the Juggernaut.



With the Hasbro 4-inch line going away (although Hasbro is denying it), it's good that clone manufacturers are ready to take their place.

Token Blonde Barbie

Since the Fashionista line came out, I have been throwing out blonde playline Barbie heads. I have head molds identified with Barbie (the character) but none are blonde, except for one which I have styled with a big bun limiting its versatility. I know that if I have to pick a mold for a current quintessential Barbie, I'll pick this 2010 closed mouth head mold. I had to repaint it, of course. I have to balance the Barbie-ness with my taste. That means a little less perky, less makeup, but still Stepford material.