“And I'm Just Lucky That The Chaos I Emerged Into Gave Me All This, My Own Glorious Purpose."
Following Loki’s first season on Disney+, the Marvel Legends team gave us a TVA Loki from the series as part of their first Disney+ wave of figures in 2021. The figure would, ironically, go on to have a variant release in 2022 packed with the 1:1 replica Tesseract light-up piece that had previously seen packed alongside a Red Skull figure in a 2018 SDCC Exclusive pack. This new Loki set is a boxed release, without any windows in the packaging, utilising product images to showcase the set. The Tesseract gets the biggest billing on the box, with just a small insert illustration of the new Loki 6-inch figure to one side. Inside the box, we find the two items secured into an inner cardboard tray with a short set of instructions for the Tesseract, and Loki and his accessories are further protected inside a waxy paper bag.
Starting with the Tesseract, which is obviously intended to be the star of the set this arrives inside a clear plastic case, wrapped in the same waxy paper as the figure. The cube is cast in an uneven surface of irregular patterns, as seen on the actual prop, executed in translucent blue plastic that has darker edges to the patterns and lighter inner sections. The cube can be opened by way of a slightly odd split between the two halves, that is instigated through a small lip on one side edge to provide you with adequate grip.
Inside the cube is the inner light-up workings in a circular block into which you will insert three AAA batteries. Once powered the inner section slots back into the cube and the motion of the inner gubbins within the cube then activates the light. The overall effect is OK, but not spectacular and the lack of any stand or display consideration for the item in the set makes it feel a bit lacklustre.
For me, the set was picked up purely for the Loki figure which is based on his look towards the end of the Loki series after losing his TVA jacket and heading off to the Void to face whatever is controlling the TVA. The figure utilises the trousers and torso from the original Disney+ Loki, with these items themselves originating with the Nick Fury figure from Captain Marvel. To update Loki’s look, we have new arm sections from the bicep joint downward creating the rolled-up sleeve look. Loki is wearing a vest harness with a rear holster for his sword, and an updated left hand. Each part is cast in its base colour, with added detailing limited to the belt and buckle and Loki’s tie.
The head is also new depicting Tom Hiddlestone’s look in the show with the added realism of the photo-real decor on the eyes in particular. The hair, which was sculpted blowing to the side on the original figure, is more neutral on this figure coloured in black and slicked back from the head as is Loki’s look.
Articulation is a mix of pinned joints on the legs, and pinless on the arms with 19 points of articulation in total. The usual issue lingers with the suited legs in getting the shoes to a flat balanced position to pose Loki standing upright. This aside, the joints all work well enough but the lack of a shoulder butterfly joint, and limited bend in the elbow is evident when you bring the sword accessory into play as Loki can’t quite move his arm enough to be shown drawing it from its holster, or holding it in two hands. The older format neck also carries that visible pivot joint under the chin which does draw the eye a little.
Loki’s sword is another new item cast in gold plastic with a painted handle, and a dark colour added to the blade to add weathering and to create a panel-beaten look. The sword is straight on arrival and in a robust feeling plastic that slots into the right hand of the figure, or snugly into the holster on Loki’s back. A second accessory creates the flaming look for the sword, utilising the established magic effect design of a soft translucent plastic moulded in the shape of the sword while retaining the flexibility to wrap around it and hold itself in position. The finish is great, and for those that like these effect designs it is as good as any of the others we have had so far like Thor’s lightning and Scarlet Witch’s magic.
This is a very solid Loki figure, but packed away with a roleplay item that won't be to everyone's taste and with an initial RRP which was quite restrictive to those who just wanted the figure. Thankfully (I guess) the item has come down in price considerably to selected clearance prices lower than a standard figure which does indicate how this set has been received within the collector market. The Tesseract will go on my shelf as a curio item, while Loki is the part of the set that I wanted in particular and I am pleased that as expected this is a big improvement on the original release and also a look that will be carried into Season 2 of the show. With the set focusing on Loki’s relationship to the Tesseract, it is perhaps odd that a 6-inch scaled Tesseract accessory is not included, particularly with the way the left hand of the figure is shaped as though posed to hold the cube. I would imagine that this figure - or one very similar - will get a single release as part of the Loki Season 2 figures, but at the moment this set is at bargain prices at a number of retailers if you want to go and grab it now.
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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...