The Medicom Mafex #217 Captain America (Comic Version) figure is a stunning representation of Marvel's iconic Super-Soldier, capturing the essence of his classic comic book appearance. As a long-time fan of the Star-Spangled Avenger, I'm thrilled to share my thoughts on this highly anticipated release.
Before diving into the figure's details, it's worth noting that this version of Cap draws inspiration from his timeless comic book look, reminiscent of storylines like the famous "Streets of Poison" arc. This was one of my favorite Cap stories as it brought him back to street level crime, while creating an entirely new concern and line of thought for the Star-Spangled Avenger. "Streets of Poison," which ran in Captain America #372-378 in 1990, was a gritty storyline that tackled the issue of drug abuse head-on. In this arc, Captain America finds himself inadvertently exposed to the dangerous new street drug called "Ice" during a warehouse explosion. As he struggles with the drug's effects on his enhanced physiology, Cap wages a personal war against drug dealers while questioning the nature of his own super-soldier serum. The story explores themes of addiction, heroism, and the fine line between enhancement and substance abuse. It features appearances from characters like Diamondback, Black Widow, and the villainous Bullseye and a guest appearance by Daredevil, adding depth to the narrative as Cap confronts both external threats and his own inner demons.
This comic storyline showcased Captain America's unwavering determination and moral compass, even when faced with personal challenges. The Mafex figure captures this heroic spirit, allowing collectors to recreate iconic poses and scenes from Cap's rich comic book history.
Accessories: 9.5/10
The accessory package for this Captain America figure is truly impressive, offering collectors a wealth of display options:
Head Sculpts: The figure comes with three interchangeable head sculpts.
These include a masked head with a determined expression, an unmasked Steve Rogers head, and a masked head with a neutral expression.
Shields: Two different shield variants are included. One shield is designed for action poses, with different handle attachments for holding and for throwing poses. The other is designed with longer shoulder straps to be worn on his back. The right strap unplugs at the bottom to allow for placement on his back.
Hands: The figure includes eight pairs of interchangeable hands.
These hands offer a variety of options:
Open/relaxed hands
Fists
Fists with holes for holding items
Fingers splayed open
Gripping hands for holding the shield
Open/Action hands
Pointing hand (a common inclusion in Mafex figures)
Specialized hands for shield-throwing poses
Mask Part: An additional mask part is included, to be displayed with the unmasked Steve Rodgers head.
Figure Stand: A movable figure stand is included
The variety and quality of these accessories significantly enhance the figure's value and display potential. The multiple head sculpts, and hand options allow for a wide range of expressions and poses, from intense battle scenes to more relaxed, heroic stances. The inclusion of two shield variants is particularly noteworthy, as it caters to both action-oriented collectors and those who prefer more static, iconic poses. The attention to detail in the accessories, such as the specialized shield-throwing hands demonstrates Medicom's commitment to providing a comprehensive and authentic Captain America experience. This extensive accessory package elevates the figure from simply being a great representation of Cap to a versatile collectible that can capture various moments from the character's rich comic book history.
Appearance: 8/10
The Medicom Mafex #217 Captain America (Comic Version) figure stands at approximately 6.25 inches. This height puts the figure in a perfect scale for displaying alongside other Marvel comic-inspired action figures. The appearance of this Captain America figure is truly impressive, capturing the essence of the classic comic book design. The sculpt, while some might consider it slightly soft, actually works well to evoke the iconic artwork of legendary artists like Jim Steranko. This approach gives the figure a timeless quality that bridges different eras of Captain America's comic book appearances. One of the standout features of this figure is its exceptional paint application and shading. The costume's vibrant red, white, and blue color scheme is enhanced by subtle shading techniques that add depth and dimension to the figure. This is particularly noticeable in the scale-like texture of the upper body, where darker tones are used to accentuate the sculpted details, creating a sense of light and shadow that brings the costume to life. The shading is also effectively employed on the torso stripes, white arms, and stars, where a lighter tone of blue is used to enhance the shading effect. Subtle gradients and highlights give these areas a three-dimensional quality, making them pop. This attention to detail extends to the mask as well, unfortunately the "A" on my neutral expression mask has a bit of a scrape at the top corner. Not sure how that happened or if it was there from the start, but it's noticeable enough to be intrusive and annoying to me. Even the unmasked Steve Rogers head sculpt showcases impressive shading work. The facial features are accentuated with subtle shadows that bring out the character's determined expression and chiseled features, capturing the essence of Captain America's unwavering resolve. The figure's muscular physique, while on the slimmer side compared to some modern interpretations, is well-defined thanks to the strategic use of shading. This approach not only highlights the sculpted musculature but also adds a sense of realism to the figure's overall appearance. In conclusion, the shading throughout the Medicom Mafex #217 Captain America figure significantly enhances its paint scheme, elevating it from a simple plastic representation to a dynamic, comic-inspired work of art. This attention to detail in the paint application is a key factor in making this figure a standout piece for any Marvel collector.
Articulation: 7.5/10
The Mafex Captain America figure offers an impressive range of articulation, allowing for dynamic and heroic poses that capture the essence of the character. However, there are some notable issues that prevent it from achieving a perfect score. Key articulation points include:
Head: Ball-jointed neck allowing for good range of motion
Shoulders: Double-jointed with butterfly joints for wide arm movement
Elbows: Double-jointed for deep bends
Wrists: Ball-jointed for various hand positions
Torso: Ab crunch and waist swivel for dynamic upper body poses
Hips: Ball-jointed with thigh swivels
Knees: Double-jointed
Ankles: Ball-jointed with ankle rockers
The figure's overall articulation scheme is well-implemented, allowing for a wide range of classic Captain America poses, from shield-throwing actions to more stoic, heroic stances. However, there are some issues with the left leg that impact the overall articulation score:
Hip Joint: The left hip joint has a noticeably limited range of motion compared to the right side. This restriction affects the figure's ability to achieve wide stances or certain dynamic poses. The reduced mobility in this joint can be particularly frustrating when trying to recreate some of Cap's more acrobatic comic book poses. Even with heat, I'm still leery about messing with this joint too much. I'm going to get some shock oil and keep my fingers crossed it helps.
Knee Joint: The left knee joint feels very tight compared to the right knee. This limited the amount of range I could bend the knee, until I warmed the joint up.
These issues with the left leg, while not completely debilitating, do impact the overall posing experience. They require extra care and sometimes compromise when setting up displays or action shots. Despite these problems, the figure still offers a good range of motion in most other areas. The double-jointed elbows and knees allow for deep bends, which is crucial for shield-wielding poses. The ankle rockers provide stability and the ability to achieve wide stances, compensating somewhat for the hip joint limitation. The torso articulation, with its ab crunch and waist swivel, allows for expressive upper body movement. This is particularly useful for creating dynamic twisting poses or more subtle adjustments to the figure's stance. While the left leg issues are disappointing, especially for a figure in this price range, the overall articulation still allows for a wide variety of poses. Collectors may need to be a bit more creative or patient when posing, but the figure can still achieve many classic Captain America stances and action poses. Given these considerations, the articulation score has been adjusted to 7.5/10. The figure offers excellent articulation in most areas, but the issues with the left leg prevent it from achieving a higher score. Despite these flaws, the Mafex Captain America remains a highly poseable figure that can capture the dynamic essence of the character when displayed with care.
Affordability: 7/10
The Medicom Mafex #217 Captain America (Comic Version) figure is priced at $104.99 at BBTS. Currently, the figure is unavailable over there but can likely be found on other platforms. This price point places the figure firmly in the premium collectible category. While it's not the most expensive action figure on the market, it represents a significant investment for many collectors. At this price, the figure is less accessible for casual fans or those on a tight budget. However, for serious collectors and dedicated Captain America enthusiasts, the cost can be justified by the figure's high-quality construction, detailed paint application, and generous accessory package. When compared to other high-end action figures, particularly those from Medicom's Mafex line, this price is relatively consistent. The value proposition of this figure lies in its attention to detail, comic-accurate appearance, and versatility in posing options. For collectors who prioritize quality and screen accuracy in their Marvel figure collection, the price may be seen as reasonable given the overall package. This Mafex version is clearly positioned as a premium offering for discerning collectors. Given these factors, the affordability score remains at 7/10. While the price is justified by the figure's quality and features, it may be a barrier for some potential buyers, preventing it from scoring higher in this category.
Overall, the Medicom Mafex #217 Captain America (Comic Version) figure is a remarkable addition to any Marvel collector's lineup, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. This Captain America easily earns a score of
8.25 out of 10 ToyBoxes
This figure excels in appearance and accessories, offering a vibrant and faithful representation of the iconic hero. While it features impressive articulation, some issues with the left leg joints slightly detract from its overall performance. Priced at $104.99 at Big Bad Toy Store, it may be considered a premium investment, but for serious fans and collectors, the quality and versatility of this figure make it well worth the price. Whether displayed in action poses or as a centerpiece in a collection, this Captain America figure captures the spirit of the character beautifully. As always, I appreciate you! Until next time... GEEK OUT!!!