Kang is one of my favorite Marvel villains even before Kurt Busiek delivered two character defining arcs in Avengers Forever and The Kang Dynasty. If you need any other reason why I’m excited about Kang showing up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, just check those trades out.
Hasbro previously released a Kang Marvel Legends figure during those wacky transition times that most of us try and forget. That figure featured some nice sculpting but got shrunk in the wash and looked puny next to pretty much everything else in the line. It’s taken longer than I expected, but Kang finally gets redemption with this 2020 update and much like Dr. Doom he seems to be well worth the wait.
Packaging: There’s nothing new here from the norm. Since this is an Avengers theme wave we’ve got the red accent on the black packaging. The deluxe War Machine had the artist’s name in the cropped side panel and I wish that were something that was the norm. It’s a good look of the conqueror of time in the Marvel Universe.
Kang’s bio is fine and as usual, my common complaint is it doesn’t mention any of his enemies like the Avengers or Fantastic Four.
Likeness: Kang has one of the more unique designs and it’s so…timeless (sorry) that it has escaped the needless makeover — until the MCU version of course.
Arguably the signature element of the look is the mask with the “crying” eyes. Hasbro didn’t shortchange the head sculpt and sculpted all the lines in the helmet piece. The calm expression works just fine although I’ve gotten spoiled with the alternate head sculpts for various characters and wouldn’t have turned down an angry teeth showing second one as well.
Kang’s outfit can’t be considered from a reuse standpoint as it’s a design that only works for him. It’s basically one overflowing tunic stemming from the round collar and tucked in with the belt and gloves.
I love the flow of the sleeves as they’re bunched up like they would if gloves were over them. Like Dr. Doom there’s some impressive texturing in the tunic as well. When Hasbro commits to unique pieces they really deliver on it.
Next up are the thigh high boots, which also have all the necessary sculpted lines. I’ve always dogged the old sculpt, but it really did pack all that detail as well that was largely overlooked due to the size.
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Paint: There are some very minor paint oversprays and missed linework along the face, but you’d really have to look closely to spot them. I really like the shade of magenta Hasbro used for the outfit and the green of the tunic pops nicely. All in all, this is a very well done paint job.
Scale: Kang might be the ultimate futurist, but he’s not a giant clocking in just a bit shorter than Captain America and Iron Man while taller than Hawkeye.
The figure looks fine next to them and it’s more that he has the appropriate width now compared to the first figure.
Articulation: I was thrown off a bit by Kang’s articulation. He lacks a bicep swivel and double jointed elbows.
The range in the elbow just about accomplishes the same range of motion of double jointed elbows due to the sleeve sculpt.
They also swivel so the motion is just as good. His tunic is made of a flexible material that doesn’t restrict the arms and legs.
Kang has:
- neck
- ball-jointed shoulders
- elbow
- wrist
- wrist hinge
- torso
- waist
- hip
- thigh
- knee (double-jointed)
- ankle
Accessories: Kang comes with a good amount of accessories even without the alternate head.
He’s got a medium sized blaster that works for the kind of hardware he would use in battle. The inner grip gives it a futuristic look that’s fitting for Kang.
Additionally, Kang has a set of gripping hands and a blaster holding left hand with trigger finger. The trigger finger hand features an up and down hinge instead of the traditional left to right.
Finally, he’s got the right leg for the Build-A-Figure Joe Fixit. At this point I’m just going to be the arms away from completing him…
Worth it? Kang was the regular $20 price tag. Given the unique sculpting that’s a good deal for one of the Avengers main adversaries. I wouldn’t think he’d be the figure in this wave to get discounted.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Kang finally gets his due with this figure, which features an incredibly detailed sculpt and some useful accessories. The articulation changes hold him back just a little though.
Where to get it? I’ve seen the remnants on shelves at Target, but you can still get him online from Amazon and GameStop as well. You can also get him on pre-order from Entertainment Earth.
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