Toy
name: Overkill Assortment: Valor vs. Venom
Wave 4 Price: MSRP $7.99 Availability: September/October
2004
It's
pretty interesting how what was originally pretty much a cast off character
that never got any development all of a sudden becomes such a major focus in
a toyline. With the birth of the internet, wireless technology and advanced
cybernetics, Overkill becomes much more relevant than he might have been back
in the 90's, and this current version looks a lot more modern than previous
versions have. Taking a sleeker look into the 21st century, Overkill now has
a more metallic paint job and a more useful arm appendage with which to cause
havoc and build his android army.
Figure Mold
Overkill's overall
design and sculpting is based directly off of the Wave 5/Wave 6 design from
Spy Troops, only recolored to a more gray/silver robotic look to him. The figure
is slim and well-proportioned, with that very cool ridged plastic up and down
his legs and arms. Hasbro has successfully taken a very obscure character from
the 90's, and really souped him up to fit in with the new millenium. The overall
design and look of the figure is great, and this version, for some reason, just
seems to be worlds better than the original. I can't really put my finger on
it, but the original versions of this figure were cool, they just seemed..."loose".
The joints seemed to move of their own free will, he was kind of tough to stand
up and his arms just didn't work as well as I would have liked. Maybe it was
just my figure (although both previous versions seemed to suffer from it) but
it just didn't feel...right. This figure does.
His joints are
tight, his accessory arms fit snug and nice, as does his helmet and shoulder
armor. He moves better, and his head sculpt looks terrific. I can't tell if
it's the open eyes or the tighter fitting helmet, but something about OVerkill
looks much cooler this time around than it did the times before. This looks
like someone who could lead an android revolt against COBRA...much more so than
the originals.
Paint Applications/Color Choices
I think this
helps the cause for Overkill as well...upon first glance this figure really
looked like the Wave 6 version, which didn't excite me a whole lot, but now
that I have it in my hands, it works a lot better. More of a silver/gray color
than the previous versions' tan, it looks very robotic and mixes with the design
element nicely. The bright red scarf contrasts, but in a good way, and the black
helmet and trim only bring everything together. It's a much different paint
scheme than we got with the original blue/green, and I actually think this color
is more effective, even though it less dramatic.
The face paint
works wonders, too, adding open eyes to the figure and giving him blonde hair.
While I'm upset that my red-haired OVerkill from my Dio-stories won't mix in
quite as well, I do like the way this figure looks. Very, very nice.
Accessories
Another area
where Overkill seems to shine. He has his standard gun that he came with back
last year, but instead of the large knife, he know comes with a fierce looking
claw which actually moves. This claw looks to be a whole lot more useful than
the knife was (although less deadly) and makes for a great "default"
arm...something the original Overkill really lacked. His removable helmet also
works well and fits perfectly, and his included "Brain Scanner" looks
awesome! Hawk fits in the scanner great (as do most of the Joe figures) and
it looks very effective for what it is. I love the fold-down COBRA headcap and
the overall look of the scanner is just nasty. Just plain great accessory compliment
here.
Final Comments
I can't really
explain it...Hasbro only made a few changes here and there, but they took an
already cool figure and made it better. Normally figures with spotty changes
and then rereleased kind of bugs me...perhaps it's still residual effects from
seeing these characters come to life on the small screen...or perhaps these
changes are enough to make these figures new and exciting. Regardless, even
a figure like this with relatively few differences really appeals to me and
looks great. Since this figure comes packaged with quite possibly the best Hawk
figure yet released, I'd say jump on in and pick up this pack for sure. It's
a great one.
It's
pretty interesting how what was originally pretty much a cast off character
that never got any development all of a sudden becomes such a major focus in
a toyline. With the birth of the internet, wireless technology and advanced
cybernetics, Overkill becomes much more relevant than he might have been back
in the 90's, and this current version looks a lot more modern than previous
versions have. Taking a sleeker look into the 21st century, Overkill now has
a more metallic paint job and a more useful arm appendage with which to cause
havoc and build his android army.
