Marvel's Katy, from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is a standalone exclusive release in the Marvel Legends line. She was released in April 2021 in the same window as the other 4 Shang-Chi movie figures who sat as part of the Mr. Hyde Build-a-Figure line. Katy, who comes with no BAF pieces, is exclusive to Target in the United States, and elsewhere is a more general release via specialist stores.
Her box design mirrors that of the other Shang-Chi figures with the red movie logo, gold nameplate, and the light grey patterned backing card. Like the other figures, the illustration of Katy is just that as opposed to a still from the movie. This image covers both side spines and is right across the back section with the briefest of background text that simply reads
"Katy, Shang-Chi's oldest friend, is free-spirited and fiercely loyal"
Katy is presented in a full-length Japanese Yakuta with a wide belt. This is predominantly cast in textured red plastic. Paint apps are applied down the lapels and across the belt and these are very intricate floral designs that appear to be decals rather than hand-painted detailing. The lower part of the dress is slit up the right side to try and aid articulation as we will see later. Under this is a pair of ankle cut-off trousers in the same red colour.
Katy is wearing a pair of brown sandals which are not painted at all well with the brown leather colour not covering the skin tone in places where it should. The ankle rockers above also give the ankles an odd look as though they are swollen at each side.
The head sculpt likeness to actor Awkwafina is OK, but not as strong as the other Shang-Chi figures. While face print tech has been used, the application is minimal and restricted to eyes, eyebrows, and lips, with no shading or definition to the rest of the face. I also have a small mark on Katy's right cheek which I thought might be a mole at first. It seems it is not and is a mark that is being very stubborn in coming off. The hairpiece is well executed with a front strand of hair blowing to one side while the remainder flows down the back of the figure.
Katy does include a good selection of accessories that all centre around her bow and arrow. The bow itself is relatively plain with a brown bow section and a white string which is as thick almost as the bow body itself. The central handle is also painted in white and is the grip for Katy to hold. The bow will fit in either hand, although the box art indicates she would usually hold this with her left hand.
We then get some arrows. A single arrow to be drawn on the bow and a bundle of arrows for use in the quiver. The single arrow is made up of a red arrowhead, brown shaft and red flight. It is again quite chunky, but it would be difficult to make any slimmer without it snapping all too easily. I was expecting the right hand to be designed to hold the arrow, and in a way, it does with a cap between the fingers into which you can slot the flight. The fit though is poor and a wider gap and better shaping on the hand would have allowed for easier posing with the arrow drawn to the bow.
Katy then comes with a shoulder slung quiver. This is cast in the same red plastic as her outfit and is then trimmed in silver. It has a brown flexible strap that is best shaped to go over her left shoulder and around the waist at the right. The quiver has a large slot in which you can place the bow and a smaller slot for the arrows. Rather than be a design where arrows are drawn over the shoulder - like Hawkeye - the quiver is more horizontally strung and therefore the position does make sense for Katy to reach around with her right hand to draw arrows from her left.
Katy is packed with another character/creature from Shang-Chi in the shape of Morris. Morris is a Dijiang from Chinese mythology, a six-legged winged creature with no face. Morris is cast as a single piece with a fur textured body in a cream plastic. The sculpt and texture is good, but there is no paint applied to define the fur further or indeed the sculpted details around the feet.
Morris has two sets of wings, which are very detailed with individual feathers on each. They are cast in a rubbery plastic and left the base brown colour from the top - again this is crying out for a second wash. Morris' best paint feature is the underside of the wings which are predominantly hidden. These are painted with an iridescent purple and blue colour which is not particularly neat to the pattern of the wings but is quite striking in contrast to the dull brown.
Katy is articulated reasonably well with the standard 16 points of articulation we associate with a female Marvel Legends body. The legs are impressive considering they are not of much use behind the skirt piece, coming with double-jointed pinless knees. The ankles are a little weak and despite flat feet, Katy is not the easiest to pose standing - especially if a bow pose is adjusting her centre of gravity.
The arms are where Katy really needed the movement of double joints on the elbows only bend far enough for more relaxed bow positions rather than a fully drawn position with the right arm bent back on itself under the chin.
Katy sits perfectly well alongside the other Shang-Chi figures, with the costume design fitting in well with the likes of Wenwu, Death Dealer and Shang-Chi himself. Its practicality has to be called into question for an archer, but am sure it has some context on screen when the movie is released. She could have done with having the leg articulation reduced and new joints explored for the arms, and that quiver could have been shaped better to fit on the body. Other than that paint and decor is OK for Katy, while Morris is certainly lacking a couple of washes and some care on that wing paintwork.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
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