Welcome to another Dan's ToyBox review. This time we're taking our first look at the Hasbro Marvel Legends Iron Man Retro Series with the Model 09 Armor. When this armor design hit the comics, I had mixed feelings about it, but the more I saw it, the more I liked it. So, naturally, when this version was announced, I knew one would be in my future.
The Iron Man Model 09 armor, also known as the Neo-Classic Armor, first appeared in Iron Man #231 in February 1988. Designed by David Michelinie, Bob Layton and Mark Bright, this armor represented a return to a more classic aesthetic after Tony Stark’s dalliance with more futuristic designs. It’s known for its sleek lines, red and gold color scheme, and a return to the circular chest arc reactor. Subsequently, Stark was compelled to wear the armor to halt Firepower following an earlier devastating defeat where his existing armor was annihilated by a missile from Firepower. Stark initially intended to abandon the armor after vanquishing Firepower; however, he chose to persist as Iron Man, motivated by his confrontations with Firepower.
There is a part of me thinking of creating an Iron Man Hall of Armor diorama for my Marvel Legends. Perhaps, one day, I'll get around to it. The biggest issue will be finding space for it in the Geek Tower! In the meantime, we've got a figure to review, so let's discuss the Hasbro Marvel Legends Iron Man Retro Series Model 09 Action Figure.
Accessories: 7/10
The Hasbro Marvel Legends Iron Man Retro Series Model 09 comes with a modest selection of accessories. Included are:
Two pairs of interchangeable hands: fists and open hands for repulsor blasts. Once again, Hasbro stiffs us with fixed peg repulsor hands. I just wish they'd destroy that stupid mold. We have seen that they can put out repulsor blast hands with hinges. I really dislike the fact that Hasbro pulls this crap, knowing people will buy a sought-after figure.
Repulsor blast effects: Two energy blasts that can be attached to the open hands or ported into the boots. There are also two "smoke" effects which can plug into the hands and boots to give the aftereffects of the repulsors firing. Both sets of effects are molded in a translucent blue and I will admit that I like the "smoke" effects.
While the accessories enhance the figure’s display options, the selection feels somewhat limited. Additional pieces like alternate heads or more varied blast effects would have elevated this score.
Appearance: 9/10
The appearance of this figure is where it truly shines. The sculpt captures the sleek, streamlined look of the Neo-Classic Armor with impressive detail. The paint applications are crisp, with vibrant red and metallic gold that evoke the comic book’s aesthetic. The figure’s proportions are well-balanced, and the intricate lines and panel details are faithfully reproduced. I took a close up of the Uni-Beam (now known as the Arc Reactor) because the two small white highlights are a pretty solid touch, however, the robin's egg blue just doesn't look good to me. Of course, the red sections have the marbled effect we see on metallic looking figures, and I don't mind it at all. I do kind of wish the yellow was more of a gold, but then the original design of the armor did look fairly bright yellow anyhow. Either way, I appreciate the effort involved in the sculpting and design of this figure. Hasbro's efforts at going comic accurate are getting better and better and this is no exception.
Articulation: 6/10
Articulation is the weakest point on this figure. The head is on a ball disc/hinge which allows for up and down range, which is great and side to side turning. There is no tilt though, but you can get a decent flying pose. The shoulder pads are attached to the peg, which allows them to rotate with the arms and to lift upward when you move the arms into a T pose. The bicep swivels work fine and the elbows, though double jointed, will only bend about halfway, due to the gauntlet design. The fists hinge and pivot nicely, but as mentioned before... the repulsor blasting hands are fixed in position and can only rotate. BOOOOOO! Iron Man has an upper torso which allows for a decent forward ab crunch and a reasonable back bend. The waist is on a swivel, which looks awful if you turn it too far. The legs can actually do amazing splits and will kick forward very far. As with the bicep swivel, the thigh swivel works fine and is nothing out of the ordinary. The knees have nice range, but the boot design prevents bringing the heel to his back. The boots are designed with a hidden swivel cut and the ankles are hindered because of the shape. They can hinge up and down, though limited, and the pivot is very minimal.
Affordability: 7/10
Priced at $24.99, the Hasbro Marvel Legends Iron Man Retro Series Model 09 offers decent value for its quality. For me, the appearance and nostalgia factor help offset the relative gripes I have with accessories and the limits to the articulation. I have to throw a huge shout-out to my buddy Richie from the GameStop in New Hyde Park NY. I had stopped in there and found the Wolverine/Psylocke two-pack. I had paid and was on my way out of the store when he called out and told me to wait... he had a box that just came in with figures. He cracked them open and once he made sure it was in the system, sold me this Iron Man. Thank you, Richie!!!
Overall, the Hasbro Marvel Legends Iron Man Retro Series Model 09 Action Figure is a solid representation of Tony Stark’s Neo-Classic Armor. It scores high on appearance and articulation, providing both visual appeal and decent poseability. The accessory selection could be more robust, but the effects are cool. In terms of affordability, it offers good value for money. With that in mind, I'm good with giving it:
7 out of 10 ToyBoxes
This figure is a must-have for Iron Man fans and Marvel Legends collectors alike, capturing the essence of one of Tony Stark’s iconic armors with style and substance. If you're building an Iron Armory, this will be a solid fit for you. Thank you, as always. Until next time... GEEK OUT!!!