INTRODUCTION:
The Punisher (Francis "Frank" Castle) is a fictional character published by Marvel Comics, and was created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru, with publisher Stan Lee green-lighting the name.
The Punisher made his first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (cover-dated Feb. 1974).
The Punisher is often portrayed as a vigilante, an anti-hero who employs murder, kidnapping, extortion, coercion, threats of violence, and torture in his war on crime.
Unlike other heroes in Marvel comics like Captain America or Spider-Man, the Punisher has no qualms in killing his targets in cold blood in order to exact his idea of justice.
Driven by the deaths of his wife and two children, who were killed by the mob for witnessing a killing in New York City's Central Park, the Punisher wages a one-man war on the mob and all criminals in general by using all manner of conventional war weaponry.
He is an expert marksmen, and a master of martial arts and has been known to be survive multiple gunshots, stabbings and attacks by his enemies.
A cult fan favourite, the Punisher has been featured in three movies, one bootleg fan video by Adi Shankar as well as the ongoing Netfliz series Daredevil. The Punisher is slated for his own series on the same network some time next year.
I pre-ordered this baby sometime last year, and had waited MONTHS for him to arrive. I was contemplating ordering the Mezco regular version (I refrained from doing so, but I did order the limited edition classic version) but in the end I'm glad I waited patiently for him because the price for this figure has skyrocketed since it was released.
PACKAGING- 9.5/10
This is the first time I've ever given any figure a 9 point rating for the packaging. There is a good reason for doing so, because Punisher comes "fully loaded" in the most beautiful tin-like box, which is different from the other Mezco figures.
It comes in a deluxe, fifth panel window box with translucent acetate slipcover for both maximum protection as well as ease of removal for display.
ACCESSORIES- 10/10
Again, there is a reason why I'm giving this figure top marks for accessories-- simply because he comes with so many extra goodies I don't know what to do with them! :)
This is quite literally, the most accurate embodiment of the Punisher's character by any figure company. EVER. The Punisher is never short of weapons, and Mezco has outdone themselves in this department.
This figure comes with:
-3 head portraits
-Super articulated body with over 32 points of articulation - Hand painted authentic detailing - Eight (8) interchangeable hands - One pistol
- One revolver
- Two shotguns
- One rifle
- One grenade launcher
- One sniper rifle
- One skull vest
- One thigh holster
- One shoulder holster
- Two belt buckles
- One tactical knife
- One trench coat
- One display base with posing post
- One night-vision goggle
- One rocket launcher
- One bomb
- One bomb remote
- One bullet effect
- One duffel bag
FIGURE- 9/10
Boys and girls, if there is ever a need to loosen your purse strings to get hold of a Punisher figure of any scale, The Mezco Toyz Fully Loaded version is a must. It is, in my humble opinion by far the most definitive and comic-book accurate version of the Marvel character I have ever seen. They've done a wonderful job with the head portraits, having really captured the essence of Frank Castle- beaten up, worn down living life moment by moment, measured by the number of villains he takes out each day.
And I love how Mezco Toyz got the body sculpt just right- he's bulkier and taller than Mezco Batfleck and Captain America, but almost the same build as Superman.
But one of the best features that comes with this PX exclusive version is the ability to dress him up in varying gears and outfits- from the trench coat and skull t-shirt to the more modern red skull chest-plated "Thunderbolts" theme.
In short, this figure packs a mighty punch...and is quite possibly Mezco Toyz's greatest offering to date.
ARTICULATION- 8.5/10
I've got not major complaints about this figure's articulation- his head, upper torso, arm, hands move very well without any hindrance. However there isn't much of an ab crunch or waist swivel, and his knee joints are pretty limited in their articulation, much like Mezco's Commander Rogers figure.
BUT, having said that, he can pretty much do a lot of poses despite minor limitations of his lower torso. The figure is sturdy and stands pretty well on its own without toppling over.
POSEABILITY- 9/10
The vast array of accessories that come with the Punisher makes posing for pictures very fun and enjoyable! So many options, so little time...so I just took random pictures instead.
VALUE- 10/10
Anyone who didn't pre-order the PX exclusive version last year and wants to get it now will have quite a tough time. As it is, Mezco rarely re-releases their figures, and that particular version is IN DEMAND, so much so that the selling price on Ebay right now is AT LEAST US$300 (RM1,300).
I got him for US$129.40 (RM560).
Big Bad Toy Store had him for US$199.99 (RM865.46) but they're out of stock. You can try searching Facebook groups for a good deal, although most of them are already selling him for at least US$250 (RM1081.88).
OVERALL SCORE- 9.3/10
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