Marvel Legends Hawkeye with Sky-Cycle review
With each release since the Return of Marvel Legends BAF Odinfather version, Hasbro has come a little closer to hitting the bullseye on the perfect Hawkeye figure. The current best in class was the Retro Hawkeye. Now with the Beyond Earth’s Mightiest Hawkeye with Sky-Cycle, we might have a new Number 1.
If any character was in need of a definitive comic book version at this stage it was Hawkeye. With ultimate (for now) versions of Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Ant-Man and Black Widow released, it was time for Hawkeye to get in on the love. And why not include his Sky-Cycle while Hasbro’s at it?
Let’s see if this satisfies my quest for the end-all, be-all Hawkeye figure or if he’s still slightly off target.
Packaging: I’m a big fan of this bolder and more colorful Beyond Earth’s Mightiest color scheme. The predominantly white with light blue background colors and red accents makes for a striking combination.
It’s weird that the background art features a Hawkeye drawing that’s off model from the figure. That’s repeated on the side panel where Hasbro went with a long sleeve West Coast Avengers attire for him.
At least the right-side panel and rear package feature Hawkeye in figure form. The rear, as always in the windowless era, features another picture of Hawkeye, his accessories and the Sky-Cycle. I still miss the bio especially with this subset showcasing the 60th anniversary of the Avengers.
Likeness: I liked the Retro Hawkeye a lot even though it was using the already dated at that point Bucky Cap mold. This figure basically makes the two previous Hawkeye figures dead to me. This is how Hawkeye should look.
His expression isn’t a full-on smirk, but it suggests Clint just said something he knows is gonna tick off some of his teammates ad he’s bracing for their blow up.
Hawkeye seems to have a new torso while using the arms and legs (up to the boot cuffs) of the Renew Your Vows Spider-Man. That’s been a favorite for a lot of folks so that’s a good choice for him.
I’ve seen some figures have some QC issues with the calf region peg not resting flush into the boot socket. Mine didn’t have that problem or any other issue. In terms of slightly annoying issues is the bicep straps and quiver strap needing a touch of super glue to stay locked in place.
The most controversial issue is the skirt piece, which is done fully instead of cloth. While Hasbro has done some soft plastic pieces for costumes before there was likely going to be some bunching up when he’s on the Sky-Cycle. That’s not a problem with this route and it really doesn’t look bad to me save the mismatched blues and purples. They’re darker on the cloth.
My favorite Hasbro Hawkeye has been the Marvel Universe one, which captured his comic book look best to me. Now it’s finally been dethroned.
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Paint: With each subsequent Hawkeye release, Hasbro has gotten better about hitting that comic book accurate color scheme. This is much brighter all around with more of a lighter yet vibrant shade of purple. The blue is much lighter allowing for a better and smoother contrast with the purple.
There were no issues with my paint save for some dried-up paint clumping around the mask lining around his right jaw. This seems to be a common issue with a lot of figures apparently. Hasbro even added some subtle shading for a more lifelike appearance to his face. Like Captain America, Hawkeye’s forehead tends to be shadowed right up to the top of the H.
Scale: Hawkeye is about the same height as Black Knight or Hank Pym. He’s appropriately just a little shorter than Captain America and Iron Man. And his slender build also matches him up better with Black Panther, who stands just a tad shorter yet thicker.
Articulation: Hawkeye’s articulation is terrific. Naturally striking solid archer poses is key for him and that was no problem. Thanks to the standalone arrow, you can even hit some notching the arrow on the bowstring poses.
He’s got butterfly shoulders though they could use a touch more range for really drawn-out aiming poses. They don’t move forward as much as I’d like. In terms of other standard ML articulation, Hawkeye moves very well.
His joints are nice and tight so I don’t have to worry about any late-night tumbling thankfully.
I’d also like for him to have the more articulated neck joint as being able to tilt the head more dramatically would definitely help sell Clint’s personality.
Hawkeye has:
- neck
- ball-jointed shoulders
- butterfly shoulders
- bicep
- elbow (double-jointed)
- wrist
- wrist hinge (back and forth)
- torso
- waist
- hip
- thigh
- knee (double-jointed)
- ankle
Accessories: Hawkeye isn’t a deluxe figure unlike some of his peers in the BEM lineup. He’s basically coming with the same kind of accessory rollout as a standard Marvel Legends figure.
He borrows heavily from the Guardians of the Galaxy classic Yondu figure. Hawkeye reuses the bow and arrow from Yondu. The quiver is from the Odin father Hawkeye with a lighter paint scheme. His arrows have silver painted stems as well.
Finally, Hawkeye gets matching hands for the default set with a right-hand fist and a left grasping hand.
I do wish Hasbro included alternate portraits for him. One would be head sculpt with the shorter pointed tips aiming more around his ears than the top of his head. That would reflect his early days with the Avengers. Hasbro wouldn’t even have to design a new sculpt just repainted the Retro Hawkeye head.
Another could be one with whited eye slots and a cockier expression. What he has isn’t bad, but I wouldn’t mind having some more expressive display options.
Clearly there’s a huge accessory with this set and it’s Hawkeye’s Sky-Cycle. He first started using this when he broke his leg and needed a means to get around while still Avenging and it became his default vehicle. That makes sense when you’re hanging around androids, insect style partners with wings, gods and guys who can make their own flying suits of armor.
The Sky-Cycle has just the right amount of size. It’s narrow and thing enough to not be a shelf hog. Its design largely depends on who was drawing it. Hasbro seems to go with the third or fourth most popular version of costumes too often, but with the Sky-Cycle, they went with the iconic version one right away.
That was a smart move since the Marvel Legends brand needs all the goodwill it can get now. It took no time to piece it together, which I also appreciated.
I appreciated all the detailed aspects like the front vent cylinder, the transparent protective shield and the raised “seat cushion” section. Most of it is molded in a pearlized metallic grey. When it hits the light just right it really captures a metal vehicle. There are a few traces of color with the black exhaust caps and the brown cushion.
Since a Sky-Cycle resting on the ground wouldn’t be that fun, Hasbro also included a flight stand to give it a little air. The stand seems sturdy enough with plenty of range to allow for the Sky-Cycle to be posed with some dynamic motion.
Worth it? Like the other Beyond Earth’s Mightiest wave, I got Hawkeye for an insane clearance price. I was able to get him for $25. No matter how you break it down with Hawkeye and a free sky-cycle or $12.50 for each, that’s a great deal.
Rating: 9.7 out of 10
Getting the best Hawkeye so far for the price of a standard Marvel Legend is just about good enough, but throwing in his vintage vehicle too? This is another grand slam for the Beyond Earth’s Mightiest wave.
Where to get it? With the occasional sale you might not have to pay the original base price of $50. Amazon had it now $32 while Entertainment Earth has it for restocking.
As an Amazon and Entertainment Earth affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.