McFarlane launched their Warhammer 40k action figure line in 2020 with the Ultramarine Primaris Intercessor Marine. With that basic figure template in place, it was inevitable, and welcomed, that McFarlane would begin to release variants of the Space Marines from across the various Chapters. The first of these variants came in 2021 and moved the focus to that of the Blood Angels and brought us a Hellblaster Marine complete with an Incinerator gun.
It comes packed in the standard McFarlane window box with a top hanging tab and extensive window that wraps the top and the right-hand side. The only border is on the base of the box front with a cutout shape of the Warhammer 40k logo. The character is not named until the left-hand spine where it is confirmed as a Blood Angel Hellblaster at the base of an atmospheric shot of the figure itself.
The rest of the box carries some gothic illustrations that Warhammer 40k is renowned for and this extends round to the back of the box. Here it might have been good to include some background info on the Blood Angels or the Marine Type, but instead, we have a simple image of the figure and a checklist of the other releases in the wave - including the Space Marine Artists Proof, an unpainted blank that collectors can paint themselves.
The Hellblaster is a direct re-use of the original Ultramarine figure with McFarlane designing the line so parts could be swapped in and out or updated for different troop types or Chapters. The Hellblaster stands 7.5 inches tall and proportionally the figure is well designed and executed.
The height is perhaps somewhat off for what is described as 7 inch in scale. A Space Marine will stand at 7 feet tall as a minimum with the Intercessors reaching 8-feet. In the 7 inch, 1/10 scale that would mean our Marine would need to stand between 8.5 and 9.5 inches tall. What we get is nearer to a 6-inch scale
The Hellblaster is cast in red plastic with the paintwork being sufficient to identify the various elements of the Marine without the extensive detail we might see on a miniature. It includes a rear backpack that is packed separately in the box and that slots into place by way of a socket and plug connection on the rear of the figure.
While we have to consider factory limitations, there is an element of washes and dry brushing missing to stop these figures from looking too shiny and new considering the world they inhabit and fight to defend.
There are specific details around the figure to align it to the Blood Angels chapter. These include the front winged blood drop symbol and the repeat of this on the left shoulder armour section. There is also a blood drop pendent hanging from the waist with a gold frame and deep red insert. These are all sculpted detail in full relief and painted neatly and in line with the Chapter colours.
There are other painted or decal applied designs including a further blood drop on the right shoulder in yellow and a lightning bolt design in yellow on the black of the right knee pad.
The Hellblaster weapon of choice is the Plasma Incinerators and this is a new weapon for the fledgling line. It is cast in black with silver details on the barrel and rear sections. The plasma chamber is picked out in a turquoise colour. This final colour application doesn't quite cover the black too well and looks murky at either end and across the top.
The significant issue with the figure is found here as McFarlane has not changed the hands from the first Marine to a pair that are engineered to hold the Plasma Incinerator. The right hand has to be teased into position and particularly getting the trigger finger into the trigger itself which is positioned further away than the bolter that came with the first figure. The left-hand remains a flat supporting pose which does sit under the Incinerator but would be better shaped to cup the underside of the weapon.
Articulation is quite extensive considering the bulk of the figure and we have a total of 18 points of articulation. The engineering of each joint is also really well executed so there are no immediately visible joints on the figure - and very few show even once the figure is posed. The shoulder armour is designed to move with the arms, while the legs extend out for wider poses or even walking/running stances. The heft of the figure and wide feed keep it standing perfectly solid in a lot of poses.
McFarlane is no stranger to repaints and re-released variants and this Warhammer line will be no different. While they are now hitting the likes of the Orks and Genestealers, it is this Space Marine base that we will continue to see as they explore the myriad of Chapters in the WH40k universe. McFarlane are also keeping these around the £20 price point which means a lot of figure for your money and they certainly add presence to a shelf display. The question for collectors will be the shelf real estate the figure takes up and if multiple Marines will be feasible in the long run - or will we wait for our favourite chapters? I for one am waiting eagerly for the Dark Angels!
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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...