Day 335 December 1st
Review of SDCC/Disneystore Exclusive FF box set
This is the second year we have gotten a SDCC timedexclusive from the Disney store. Thisone launched at the Disney store closest to the convention centre at the timeof the show and then became more widely available at the Disney store late,both brick and mortar shops as well as online. It is a neat concept and really not too difficult to get a hold of onceit hit wider distribution.
Packaging – This exclusive uses the standard4-pack style of packaging which has the individual window for each minimate. The artwork on the front is of SPidey in hisFF white/black costume and there is the Disney Store logo right there with him,printed as part of the packaging not added as a sticker afterwards. On the side flaps is the individual art shotsof the minimates inside the package, which is pretty standard for the box setsbut looks great none the less. The backshowcases the entire set along with a small bio/write up box for all characters. The colour used on this package is tones ofwhite and grey to fit in with the look of the costumes of the team, and theyhave also used the faint comic book art in the background, a concept they haveused before but I do rather enjoy on these packages where there is a bit morepackage space to use it. This set also used the dual tray system with the minimates packed on one tray and the accessories packed on a separate one.
Thing – DST hasbeen going through big steps in the designs of bulkier minimates to help gettheir large size across in the limited scale. Thing has been one of those characters that they have been tinkeringwith for that reason and this release is another example of it. The bigger arm, hands upper legs and bootsall add to the overall size and only minimally restrict the movement. He even has the additional piece for on topof his head as opposed to the sculpted head look. The slip over chest piece also adds to thebulkier look while having nice clean colours of the new FF costumes. I do think DST did a good job with thisminimate on a whole there is just one little area that bothers me. With the large chest cap piece it forms a bitof a lip at the top and it makes it look like it comes part way up Things face,slightly obscuring it. At first Ithought maybe it was just the photos posted of it but once I had it in hand Icould see it did come up that high. Themore I play with it the more I find poses in which it does not really get inthe way but if he is looking down the head tilt is enough that it creeps upthere.
Mr. Fantastic – Anothergreat looking minimate here, I do have to say the DST did an amazing job withthese designs and the paint/tampos look perfect! This is very well done Reed Richards minimatein the black and white Future Foundations costume. The lines are clean and the colours are spoton. As with the last couple Mr. Fantasticminimates this one comes with the interchangeable lower half that is stretchedout to wrap around another minimate. This is a really neat touch especially for the character that stretchesand it is cool that it can fit around the basic minimate to make it look likehe is wrapping them up. I do hope thatDST will continue to expand the ideas of what to include with Mr. Fantastic andwould not even mind a return to the bendy arms of days gone by!
Spider Man – Herewe have the newest member to join the FF ranks, a replacement for the HumanTorch, Spider Man. From being the hero who could not get a gig on a team in my youth ol’webhead seems to have gotten over that by being a member of the FF and 2Avengers teams now too! I have to saywhen it was announced he joined this team and pictures of his new costume werereleased I was not that keen on the design. That has changed since getting the minimate however. The simple black and white colour combo andthe design itself really grab my attention and as I have a pile of minimatessitting at my work table here this one seems to grab my attention for playingwith more then others. Again there is nocolour bleeding and the lines are sharp. I have heard some rumblings of slight discolourations in the white partsof the body but see none of that in this minimate. As per usual Spidey comes with a web line, anow classic accessory for him to have and I will not complain!
Invisible Woman – Thisis now our second completely “invisible” or clear minimate for InvisibleWoman. This time instead of the fullyclear plasic DST has opted for a more blue tinted plastic. I for one like this choice as it really allowsthe details to be seen more clearly. Ireally enjoy this minimate, I love clear versions of characters when they aredone accurately and this one sure looks great! Sue comes with the standard “invisible” clear shield done in the sameblue as she is. She also has a flightstand and a large circle base, both again in the same blue that she is. I like these as they lend themselves to allsorts of play and posability options…for me the more you can maximize the funfactor the better!
This set surprised me in the fact that I was not really sureI was going to e that into it as I am not a fan of the FF comic or thecharacters really. I do find this set tobe quite enjoyable and have had fun playing with it while doing photos, orsupposed to be working on school work….bit of a brain break lol! I do like the Spidey most of all and can seemyself finding ways to include him in this costume in photo projects and quitepossibly my larger comic project too. Iwill give this set a solid 4.5 out of 5 due to some slight issues with thebulky pieces on the Thing minimate giving me some grief when I first opened theset up. Still pretty good for a set Iwas pretty sure I was not going to enjoy!
