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What, again?
The Captain America of the Ultimate Universe has served as the Allies' super-soldier in World War II, the leader of the first Ultimates team.
It has not been as long since Hasbro made an Ultimate Captain America as it had been since they'd made an Extremis Iron Man - yes, there was one in Marvel Legends Series 4 (he was one of the ones you didn't need to buy to get Hit-Monkey), but there was also a variation on that figure taking up space in that Captain Marvel/Radioactive Man set. So that's nearly a decade, and this is undeniably a better toy than a repaint of a mold from 2006(!!!), but does all that necessarily mean this is a worthwhile figure to be released in Series 9? We've had a whole bunch of Captains America of late, so will this one stand out?
The packaging wastes no time skirting around the issue that this is the Captain America of Earth 1610, the one who's a little more violent and a little more racist, because Mark Millar is, at heart, a 14-year-old edgelord. The sculpt, consequently, delivers a bunch of new pieces,
because that's what's required to accurately capture the costume. You know how we've had that highly detailed anniversary sculpt for a few years now? Can't use that chest, because Ultimate Cap has those smooth panels over his ribs. Can't use those shoulders, because Ultimate Cap has raised star emblems there. Can't use those upper arms, because Ultimate Cap's scales only go around the outside. Can't use the forearms, because Ultimate Cap has pouches instead of flares. Can't use any of the legs, because Ultimate Cap has a large, raised seam down the front and back of the pants. Can't used those boots, because Ultimate Cap's have laces and don't fold over. And you want textures? We've got textures! There are lots of small details you could overlook (and others have before), but this toy captures them all.
The ToyBiz Ultimate Captain America had a great Dave Cortes sculpt, but it didn't really try to look like anything in particular; this time,
the figure includes two heads, and they're both distinctly making an effort to adapt (original Ultimates artist) Bryan Hitch's art to three dimensions. We get one head that's calm, and the other snarling in anger - because remember, Ultimate Captain America is closer to being USAgent than he is to Captain America. Both have the blocky letter A on the forehead, but no wings over the ears - another Ultimate Cap concession.
One thing that doesn't feel right is the colors.
The Ultimate universe, being more "real" than the 616 universe, was darker and grittier, pre-emptively tapping into (or perhaps even helping to form) the same cultural influences that would soon turn every videogame into a brown-and-grey mess. This figure, meanwhile, uses a blue that's so saturated it looks like you just snapped open a fresh box of Crayolas for the first time. Compare that to the dusty hues of the ToyBiz figure, or even the midway point of Hasbro's three-pack, and you'll see how off-model this looks. Just vibrant, shocking colors that don't fit with Ultimate Steve Rogers at all.
The articulation is as good as you always expect from Marvel Legends: swivel/hinge ankles, swivel boots, double-hinged knees, swivel thighs, balljointed hips, a swivel waist, balljointed chest,
hinged neck, balljointed head, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel biceps, double-hinged elbows, and swivel/hinge wrists. You may miss the waist, since it's behind the brown utility belt, and also because it's not really necessary anyway.
In addition to the alternate head, the figure includes alternate hands: a pair of fists, a gripping right hand, or a splayed left hand, all with raised seams on the back of his gloves. You know what he doesn't come with, though? A pointing hand. To point at the letter on his forehead and say something anarchronistic that makes more sense as a 2002 internet joke than as something a character would actually say. His shield is perfectly smooth, with the pattern on the front simply painted. It's a much darker red than his costume, however, so you'd probably never guess it was his if you pulled it out of a box of loose accessories.
Whether you like this Captain America or not, you'll still have to get him if you want to build the Puff Adder Build-A-Figure: he's got the head.
The sculpt is a big improvement over Hasbro's other attempts at Ultimate Captain America, but these colors really undermine what they were going for. I can't even figure out what Cap these would look good on. Customizers may love this one for its potential, but everyone else might be better off waiting for whatever inevitable repaint shows up in some future movie line or two-pack.
-- 06/12/23
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