New Marvel Universe box set may not have the X-FactorWhat? Did somebody ask for another Marvel Universe box set? No? Well, tough, because Hasbro is releasing one anyway. This set (which I learned about through Shin Densetsu on ToyArk, who apparently found the story on Fwoosh) looks to be comprised of six straight-up repaints, including one for the still upcoming Angel. You know, because the number of repaints in Hasbro's 3.75-inch main Marvel line wasn't maddening enough as is. Honestly, though, it's not as bad as I make it out to be and it is nice to see some of these repaints show up in a set rather than single-carded form. This X-Factor themed set features Cyclops, Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), Angel, Iceman, Apocalypse, and Mr. Sinister. The team outfits seem to represent the original X-Factor incarnation from back when it was a "mutant-hunting" detective agency which reunited the five original X-Men including ret-conning Jean Grey back to life (just go with it). Just to clarify, these technically weren't the X-Factor costumes at the time, they donned these outfits to pretend to be another team while helping mutants to hide X-Factor's real agenda (if memory serves, basically they'd get requests to handle mutants as X-Factor then covertly save or relocate the mutants instead under the guise of this other group). And yes, of the five member X-Factor team they've chosen to include four members in this set. Go figure. Click the jump to X-pose more.
Cyclops reuses the same mold seen in the Secret Wars 2-packs (as well as the X-Men: First Class two-pack). It's an earlier design with less articulation than later Marvel Universe figures and, frankly, borders on awful. For starters, good luck trying to pose the figure with his fingers on the side of his visor. Hasbro couldn't even do it right on the box art! Otherwise, the color use looks decent enough. Hopefully, they bothered to paint his feet this time around instead of using yellow plastic (can't remember if they fixed that in the First Class pack). Personally, I always preferred the white/blue look, but this is the original outfit. Marvel Girl (Jean) seems to be using the original female mold. Actually, it's probably the same headsculpt from the X-Men: First Class two-pack (she was sold with Cyclops). It likely goes without saying that Angel shares the same mold as his other upcoming release (that one uses the blue scheme; worth noting he's also available in both colors in the old Toy Biz Marvel Legends line). Iceman makes use of a somewhat generic body, although it at least it has thigh rotation. The paint looks decent, reminds me somewhat of what they used for the Spidey's Amazing Friends three-pack (that version used an earlier body, though). Mr. Sinister seems to have caught a lot of flack on some forums for not being Beast. To clarify, I earlier mentioned that X-Factor was a reunion of the original five X-Men and Beast is the only one of the group to be left out. It's also worth noting that Mr. Sinister is currently available at retail in a two-pack with Gambit. Personally, I dislike the existing deco which uses a dark (either a really deep blue or black) costume and stark white face. This one is more in-line with what I wanted to pick up. And finally we have Apocalypse. Good ol' En Sabah Nur reuses the Messiah Wars look for the character but paints him in more traditional Apocalypse colors. The result? Disappointment for me. I really would have preferred the traditional shoulder pads. The "A" on his belt also looks really messed up.
The point of origin for this story, a poster by the name of Chubbyman on TheFwoosh, mentioned finding the pack in a Hong Kong Toys 'R' Us, so it's anybody's guess when we'll actually see it state-side or up for preorder. However, when it does, I'll likely give it a pass. The molds Hasbro chose to reuse for Cyclops and Marvel Girl are outdated, not to mention we aren't even getting the full X-Factor roster. I will admit to finding the Mr. Sinister tempting, but I can wait until they release him single-card and hopefully also a new Apocalypse that uses more suitable parts. Did you know? You can now get daily or weekly email notifications when humans reply to your comments.
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