CLOAK & DAGGER
HISTORY: First appearing in The Spectacular Spider-Man in 1982, Cloak a.k.a. Tyrone "Ty" Johnson and Dagger a.k.a. Tandy Bowen came into the Marvel Comic Universe. As Marvel was exploring the aspects of vigilantism, Cloak & Dagger were exposed to experimental street drugs which gave them their mutant powers then became most known for ending the drug trades in the spectrum of lower level threats. Because let's be honest, Galactus probably doesn't want to devour the earth for its meth quality. Cloak & Dagger have numerous affiliations with many of Marvel's most prominent teams, such as X-Men and the Secret Avengers as well as teaming up with Spider-Man during the Maximum Carnage story line.
FIRST GLANCE: Cloak & Dagger were brought to figure form when Diamond Select was still producing many of the Marvel Knights figures while they had the license. In its packaging, it doesn't catch the eye. Although as a legitimate two-pack, you can not deny the bang for the buck.
Especially considering this as an older figure with its restricted articulation, the additional flight-like stand create the opportunity for many dynamic poses.
PROS: So in all actuality, Cloak merely seems as the base for the articulated Dagger figure. Cloak is a large soft piece of a sculpted rubber/plastic compound that holds up rather well with or without the plastic reinforcement stand. But what articulation were you expecting for Cloak? The added stand also works great and holds up over the long haul for keeping Dagger afloat on the display. Surprisingly for such a small figure, with small feet, Dagger keeps balance very well on the display.
CONS: Giving respect to the era this figure was created, in Diamond Select's early days, the articulation is very stiff. After moving Dagger around a bit, I consistently feel apprehensive whenever I move the joints, as it has never completely felt "broken in". Other than the limited articulation, whatever material Cloak was made of, seems to really catch dust and other particles with ease. It is easily the figure on my display that requires the most upkeep. Also, the paint on Cloak seems very inconsistent on the cape with various black and blue splotches throughout. Better attention to detail is expected considering Dagger seems to have been painted with great touch and a slow hand.
ARTICULATION: Cloak (N/A)
Dagger:
Horizontal movement is only restricted by sculpted hair with good vertical movement
Single direction shoulder with 360° rotation at the socket
Single direction elbows, no wrist movement
360° waist
Single direction thigh with 360° rotation at hip
Single direction knees
Single direction ankles
BUYERS/COLLECTORS RECOMMENDATION: Cloak & Dagger has become quite scarce as more collectors have gotten into the game. Loose, the duo can be grabbed for around $30, give or take $10 for condition. Carded, the two often go for over double their loose value, at $60+. Advice for the completist would be to not miss out on the opportunity if it presents itself. It isn't the rarest, but is certainly not warming pegs at your local comic shop. Not known for being the best seller either, don't hold your breath for a reissue. As far as this being the definitive Cloak & Dagger tandem set, it is without a doubt. It fits in perfectly with other Marvel Select comic figures.
CARNAGE
HISTORY: As if the alien symbiotes weren't bad enough, the combination of one with a serial killing psychopath probably wouldn't make the world a better place. Enter Carnage, Cletus Kasady bonded with Eddie Brock's alien symbiote offspring through his bloodstream after rooming with Brock at Ryker's Island Prison. First appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man #344 in 1991, Carnage has been cultivating chaos since his inception.
FIRST GLANCE: After the long wait that may have seemed to be an eternity for some, Carnage has finally been gifted to the fan base in its proper form, for the soon to be short lived $24.99 SRP. From the get go, it is evident Jean St. Jean and Diamond Select knocked this one out of the park, but is it one for the history books?
PROS: I could probably have subsections for the pros on this figure alone. Starting from the top down, the option of having three interchangeable heads like the Jean St. Jean Brock Venom is fantastic. You get a transforming Kasady head, along with a more modern open-mouth head and a classic Carnage head with the black center around the eyes and mouth with the classic sinister grin. Shoulders move freely and although the torso swivel seems loose, it is an easy compromise with such wide range of motion circularly, as well as a great range forward and back. Accessories galore provide countless display options ranging from straight tendrils, to curly symbiote offshoots, interchangeable tendril weapons and the capability to almost plug any tendril anywhere.
CONS: As much as we hate to admit, with some of the best, we always try to find something wrong. In this case, there are a few flaws. As it is likely no fault to the sculptor, the paint is very inconsistent over many parts of the figures. After sorting through a few boxes in hopes to find the most perfect figure, I came across many that had black spots on the pearlescent eyes, black/red blends instead of defined lines and the eyes on the Kasady head looking in different directions. Probably should chalk up those shortcomings to the factory. Finally, we can't forget the elephant in the room, he's huge. Yes, Carnage is typically depicted to be similar in size to Spider-Man and smaller than big daddy Venom, but that is not the case. Although, one could often fall back on the fact that artists draw characters differently throughout the years, it was most definitely a surprise and it should be marked accordingly. Also, wrist joints become loose after just a few piece swaps. Finally, it was reported throughout many forums and Marvel Select groups that the ball peg often got stuck in one of the three heads and required particular attention to remove the peg from the head, instead of being affixed to the neck joint. It is with following downfalls; neck joints, paint flaws and debatable size, that with great disdain I must admit it can't be the best figure to date for display purposes, but as a standalone figure, it is quite remarkable.
ARTICULATION:
Standard ball with great horizontal and vertical movement with excellent pivoting
Ball shoulders with bicep swivel
Single direction elbows
360° wrists with single direction up/down hinge joints
Torso swivel
360° waist
Legs move laterally and forwards very well
Thigh swivel
Double knees
Roller ankles
BUYERS/COLLECTORS RECOMMENDATION: Undoubtedly a fan favorite, Carnage has sold over SRP before its initial release. Selling out pre-orders should have been an indicator to make this acquisition a priority. Is it still too early to tell whether or not this will become one of the most sought after figures? Probably not. No figure has sold online or in shops as quickly as this and rest assured, if you pick this up, you won't be disappointed. I would even go as far to recommend getting two. Unboxed, having two, the look of two sickles or two straight blades along with additional symbiote offshoot choices makes for an incredible variety of display options. This is the definitive Carnage figure that fans have yearned for since we got the Brock Venom. Trade those peg warmers, save your lunch money or buy the store brand for a while to offset the cost and pick this up!
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