Red Skull (Captain America : The First Avenger)
I came quite late to the Marvel Select line and decided early on just to go for Movie based figures. Having now ticked off all the main Avenger characters, Falcon and Spiderman I looked back at the range to add some bad guys to the shelf.
There are about 4 to chose from if you go on Movie appearance only, these are Loki, Red Skull, The Lizard and Chitauri Soldier. At this point I am not overly awed by the Lizard and Chitauri and wont lose any sleep not having them just yet - but I really wanted Loki and Red Skull on the shelf. Little had I realised that these had rocketed in price and rarity.
I try not to go mad on rare pieces, I put a price on anything - and although I will go higher for a rare piece - paying say £100 on a £20 figure because it is rare is nonsense to me and I would rather not have it. I have been playing a long game with Loki & Red Skull hoping for a re-release or perhaps a loose one coming up on the market - and that is what has happened with Red Skull who popped up on my ebay search at £19.99 buy it now and free delivery.
He arrived along with the usual Select base section and I am very impressed all round.
Sculpt wise he is the usual Select high standard, and the paint job is superb with a number of Hydra logo's on his shoulders. The buttons, buckles and trim of the coat are well done and well painted. And despite pretty much being an all black outfit, there are shades and finishes that differ (gloves vs sleeves for example) which bring it too life. The head is shaded well and the eyes are even painted up into the recessed eye sockets. He comes with a base that links up to the First Avenger Cpt America figure, and also with a German Pistol (Luger?).
My only downsides are probably a result of this being a 2nd hand piece. Firstly the left leg is very loose - and I think this is a wider issue on Selects as it is identical to the problem I have with the recent Amazing Spiderman 2 figure. Secondly I think one patch on his head is a paint chip rather than paint deco - decision now wether to try and touch up or leave as "battle damage".
If you are a fan of Marvel and Marvel Select then I highly recommend Red Skull to add some menace to a shelf. Here's hoping that I can add Loki at some point and hopefully more movie based figures in the future.
