Read on for our full review of the Marvel Legends 2017 Gamora figure from Guardians of the Galaxy 2. Original released in the Mantis BAF wave, Gamora would get a welcome repack in the Best of MCU European wave in early 2018 alongside selected Thor Ragnarok figures.
Pros : Spectacular, flawless head sculpt and digital face print. Overall figure is well thought out with neat screen accurate touches
Cons : The only drawback is the lack of double jointed elbows
Gamora's 2nd Marvel Legend MCU figure arrived in the 2nd wave of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 figures, following figures of Star-Lord, Drax and Yondu in wave 1. The 2nd wave rounded out the team with Gamora accompanied by Nebula, Rocket with Baby Groot, another Star-Lord and a build-a-figure of Mantis. In order to build Mantis you would also need the comic book figures of Adam Warlock and Ex Nihilo.
The packaging for the Mantis BAF wave shifted to a purple theme, with Gamora sharing the same box as Nebula with the box labelled as Daughters of Thanos. Gamora appeared on the right side art-work with Nebula on the left.
Round the back we got images of the two figures side by side with a short bio text that talks about each sisters finding their path in the wake of their fathers rise to power. Under this sits the BAF checklist of 8 figures, the 8th - Deaths Head - was included without a BAF part.
Gamora would get a 2018 re-release in a European best of MCU wave that combined the Guardians 2 releases with those from Thor Ragnarok. In this release the packaging uses the light blue design of the Ragnarok releases and Gamora is specifically names on the package. The BAF here changes to Gladiator Hulk, and Gamora is packed with Hulk's arm and hammer weapon.
As usual the figure slides out in its inner tray. The cardboard backing tray continues the purple theme of the packaging with the Guardians Logo printed into this. Gamora sits in the plastic tray surrounded by a multitude of accessories and the leg of Mantis.
Guardians Vol. 2 were the first MCU figures to make use of the digital face print technology. And what a way to launch this new technique and showcase what it can do for a figure. The likeness to Zoe Saldana (as Gamora) is sensational, it for me is bordering on Hot Toys level detail with those facial markings and those intensely realistic eyes.
Tumbling around the face is Gamora's hair which is full of sculptural depth and detail and is then painted in a variating shade of dark red through to a bright red finish.
The rest of the body is equally as good as the head with plenty of layers and details. This starts with an deep blue under suit. On this we have silver button detailing and you can also see the white shirt piece sticking out from under a tied belt piece. Over the top we have Gamora's long coat which is cast in a rubber brown plastic. The outside of the coat has black panel detail painted onto textured panelling on the coat and this continues down the arms. The inner lining of the coat around the flared tails is painted blue. If you follow the arm detail down to the elbows, then the jacket is rolled up and the arm moves to arm wraps and then the green skinned hands of Gamora, complete with individual rings and jewelry.
Gamora is also wearing a belt which is part sculpted onto the waist and part separate piece. The secondary piece is again in a rubberised plastic and is low slung from the waist with a strap around Gamora's left thigh.
The figure ends with black knee pads and black knee high boots, these are plain black in colour. The team at Hasbro have even replicated those shaped heels that Gamora wears in the film, while still retaining the figures stability.
Articulation count is 16 points of articulation. As mentioned, Gamora stands perfectly well on those heeled boots with a robust ratcheted ankle rocker. Above this is a double jointed knee, thigh swivel and a ball jointed hip. Thanks to the rubberised coat and belt, movement is not restricted as the legs move - with these pieces flexing with the legs.
The arms are ball jointed shoulders, but sadly only a single joint rotating elbow. This seems common in female figures and the reason for this could be cost saving, or it could be a physical issue with the slim arms on the female figures. The arms end with pivot rotating wrists.
The final two joints are a torso joint just under the bust. This rotates to a degree either side, and the wider range of motion is more in the forward lean. We then have a ball joint and pivot head. Despite the hair piece the head still rotates pretty well and looks up and down with the hair flexing with this movement.
Gamora comes with three accessories, starting with the retracted version of her sword. This is quite a soft sculpt in a plain grey plastic. Details can be made out but only really as textured around the hilt - a dark wash would have brought these out more. The hilt sits into either hand well enough. When not in use it is designed to sit into the holster on her belt. The holster is shaped specifically for the sword and based on the screen version which has no obvious clips or straps. This is cleverly realised by the team at Hasbro and in the main the hilt sits in really well - prone only to dropping out if you move the leg or handle the figure roughly.
Of course of more use to Gamora as a weapon is the fully extended version of her sword. Like the hilt this is cast in grey plain plastic with the textured design around the hilt and various markings in the blade. Unlike the hilt there is some attempt to wash this and some silver dry brushing to enhance the sculpt.
Once again this fits in either hand.
Sadly with only single jointed elbows there is no opportunity for a double handed pose - or that iconic scene from the opening battle where she launches herself at the Obelisk with her sword above her head in both hands.
"I guess we're both doing guns now". Gamora's third and final accessory is the hefty looking gun she starts with when facing down the Obelisk. This is a very intricate design and is crisply cast in a harder plastic. The gun is cast in grey with both a dark wash to bring out the lines and paneling, and a dry brush to give it a metallic finish.
Like the sword this can be fit into either of Gamora's hands, but like the sword the elbows restrict the ability to cradle this in both hands.
Gamora is a good a looking figure as you can find right now at this mid-range 6" scale. She looks spectacular, from the face print technology to the really well sculpted and shaped clothing down to the screen accurate details like those curved heels and the way the sword hilt hangs in the holster.
There is one downside on the figure, those elbow joints. It is a shame that these aren't double jointed like most other Marvel Legend figures. This would have opened up her articulation to wield the sword and that gun to another level. That all being said, the arm articulation shouldn't detract from the figure and it is going to take some topping in future releases. I score Gamora a 5 out of 5.
