Saturday, August 22, 2015

Review 1: Hot Toys Avengers: Age of Ultron 1/6 Scarlett Johansson Black Widow 12-inch Figure

You can buy this from Sideshow Collectibles

Black Widow (Natalia Alianovna "Natasha" Romanova, also known as Natasha Romanoff) is a fictional superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was first introduced as a Russian spy, an antagonist of the superhero Iron Man. Black Widow trained as a spy, martial artist, and sniper, and was outfitted with an arsenal of high-tech weaponry, including a pair of wrist-mounted energy weapons dubbed her "Widow's Bite". She later defected to the United States, becoming an agent of the fictional spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D., and a member of the superhero team the Avengers.

In March 2009, Scarlett Johansson signed on to play Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in multiple films, beginning with 2010's Iron Man 2. Since then, Scarlett Johansson has portrayed the character in the films Marvel's The Avengers (2012), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and is set to reprise the role in Captain America: Civil War (2016) as a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Hot Toys has released every Black Widow action figure from the films, starting with Scarlett Johansson's appearance as Black Widow in Iron Man 2 (2010) to the most recent Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). Altogether four 1:6 scale Black Widow figures have been released.


This is the recently released Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS288 "Avengers: Age of Ultron" 1/6th scale Scarlett Johansson Black Widow 12-inch Collectible Figure which was part of my August 2015 haul (posted on my toy blog HERE). This is the fourth Black Widow figure Hot Toys has released and I will be covering this femme fatale as part of my action figure review.

You can buy this from Sideshow Collectibles

Scroll down to see all the pictures.
Click on them for bigger and better views.


Box packaging is pretty straightforward. Cover is a slipcase design which slides open to reveal a window display box with the Black Widow figure and contents inside. Gone are the days of the fanciful boxes with unique and interesting designs - some examples are Hot Toys MMS-82 Movie Masterpiece Series 1/6th scale Johnny Depp as Edward Scissorhands fully poseable action figure (posted HERE), Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS75 1/6th scale Iron Man Mark III 12-inch figure (reviewed HERE) and Hot Toys MMS80 (Movie Masterpiece Series) 1/6th scale Iron Man Mark I Collector's Edition posted HERE.


Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS288 "Avengers: Age of Ultron" 1/6th scale Scarlett Johansson Black Widow 12-inch Collectible Figure specially features: Authentic and detailed likeness of Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in Avengers: Age of Ultron with Newly painted head sculpt with movie-accurate facial expression and make-up (Each piece of head sculpt is specially hand-painted), Short curly brownish-red real fabric hair implantation. Approximately 28 cm tall Body with over 28 points of articulations, Eight (8) pieces of interchangeable gloved palms including: One (1) pair of fists, One (1) pair of relaxed palms, One (1) pair of palms for holding pistols, One (1) pair of fists for holding batons.


There's also the all important Instruction Sheet although this one doesn't really cover much; just the accessories assembly and cautions such as not rubbing the body with thinner, benzene, alcohol or any corrosive materials which could damage the material of the body and not letting the rubber body be near any fire or heat. The outfit may be damaged if taken off inappropriately with excessive force. The elbows or knees should not be bent excessively to prevent damage to the elbow and knee pads.


Hot Toys "Avengers: Age of Ultron" 1/6th scale Scarlett Johansson Black Widow 12-inch figure's costume consists of a one-piece black color jumpsuit with leather-like trims and blue highlights, one pair of red-colored wrist guards with Widow’s Bite bracelets, one black belt with Black Widow’s emblem, gun holster on thigh, and a pair of black color platform boots with buckles. Of all the Black Widow costumes designed for the films, this latest version has the most colors. Check out the turnaround views.


Scroll down to see the close-up pictures of Hot Toys "Avengers: Age of Ultron" 1/6th scale Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow head sculpt with short curly brownish-red real fabric hair. Every Hot Toys Black Widow figure has a different head sculpt and I'll be doing a comparison post later on my toy blog. The Instruction Sheet mentions that hair styling gel has already been applied on the product but you can still apply for hair styling products yourself to achieve better effects if needed. When I first started collecting action figures, I never imagined that I'll be collecting figures that has hair styling products used on them LOL I thought that used to be only reserved for the DOLL collecting fraternity. What's the difference between dolls and action figures? See my toy blog post titled "I collect Action Figures! And here are some of them" HERE for the answer :p


Below are some close-up views of Hot Toys "Avengers: Age of Ultron" 1/6th scale Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow's costume which consists of a one-piece black color jumpsuit with leather-like trims and blue highlights. It's very interesting to see the mix of materials for the costume. The fabric portions allow the uniform / costume to stretch while the leather gives it the sophisticated look. The blue lines that run the length of the costume as well as appear on the elbow and knee pads give it a TRON look and feel.


The pair of red-colored wrist guards with Widow’s Bite bracelets are the most defined here as compared to the past costumes. I think Tony Stark had a hand in this latest design. When Maria Hill called Tony Stark "boss", he points to Captain America and says "Actually he's the boss. I just pay for everything and design everything, make everyone look cooler." Black Widow's costume does look pretty cool!


Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS288 "Avengers: Age of Ultron" 1/6th scale Scarlett Johansson Black Widow 12-inch Collectible Figure comes with the following weapons: two (2) blasters, two (2) batons with real-like electric effect, one (1) pistol, and one (1) dagger

Accessories include: a pair of real-like electric shock effect accessories, one pair of baton handles, and specially designed figure stand with Black Widow nameplate and the movie logo


You can buy this from Sideshow Collectibles

NEXT: More pictures of Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS288 "Avengers: Age of Ultron" 1/6th scale Scarlett Johansson Black Widow 12-inch Collectible Figure armed with her weapons and all ready to take the fight to Ultron.

Related posts:
June 28, 2015 – Review of Hot Toys "Avengers: Age of Ultron" 1/6th scale Captain America 12-inch Collectible Figure posted HERE, HERE and HERE

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