Mabuhay from the Philippine Islands! My name is Denis, a toy blogger who has been rabidly collecting action figures for the past 25 years. I have quite a drool-worthy collection of Transformers, G.I. Joe, Marvel, DC, Star Wars and McFarlane Toys and it is such an honor to be able to share them with you here.
Marvel Universe Ares – Infinite Series
Presenting the Mighty Avenger Ares from the Marvel Universe Infinite Series.
Introduced into the Marvel Universe by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as an adversary of the Avengers, the Olympian God-of-war Ares eventually became a member of Iron Man’s Mighty Avengers. He was recruited on the recommendation of Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) as a solution to the team’s need for a “Wolverine and a Thor”. Ares stayed on with Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers following the Skrull invasion but he warned Osborn against lying to him. Eventually Ares would turn against Osborn only to be ripped – literally – in half by the Void powered Sentry.
THE PROS
FIRST: This is a very long awaited figure for all those collectors who are trying to complete a Marvel Universe version of Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers: Iron Patriot, Hawkeye (Bullseye), Ms. Marvel (Moonstone), the Sentry, Spider-Man (Venom), Wolverine (Daken) and now Ares. The only one Marvel has not made is Captain Marvel (Noh-Varr), but he was barely a Dark Avenger.
SECOND: The Marvel Universe Ares is wonderfully sculpted. Ares looks as intimidating as he does in the comic books! As he’s a “bruiser” in the Marvel Universe, he stands larger than your regular 3.75” Marvel Universe figure. Ares stands a very proud 5” tall from his armored boots, to his skull and cross-swords adorned barrelled chest, all the way to the top of his crested helmet. Now I’m a bit put off by the glowing white eyes that he has instead of regular eyes. But this is how his eyes were portrayed when he’s bashing skulls for the Mighty Avengers.
He comes loaded to bear with a very, very used broadsword – which looks like it will break soon thanks to the number of notches - and a strangely brand-new, pristine axe.
THIRD: And Marvel Universe Ares can wield them both and looks great thanks to his wonderful articulation!
ARTICULATION BREAKDOWN:
Head is mounted on a ball joint on a neck hinge
Upper torso is also on a ball joint allowing it to swivel and tilt.
Ball jointed shoulders with bicep swivel
Single direction elbows, no forearm swivel
360° wrists with horizontal swivel
Ball jointed legs with upper leg swivel
Double jointed, single-direction knees
Boot/ankle tilt and swivel
The Marvel Universe Infinite Series Ares can actually dual-wield his axe. Unfortunately because his chest is so broad, he can’t do the same with his sword.
THE CONS
Well I already discussed the creepy eye situation. I’m also not particularly fond of the skull and cross-swords logo on his chest. It makes us want to shout: “Hey Ares! Does the Punisher know you took his logo?” Those are just about the only things wrong with the Marvel Universe Infinite Series Ares. : I could complain and say that I wished the Marvel Universe Infinite Series Ares has more weapons, but we can all just easily salvage these from G.I. Joes and other sources. Besides he’s big!
BUYER/COLLECTORS RECOMMENDATION: Even if you are not a Dark Avengers fan this is a great figure to have in one’s collection. Ares is finely sculpted, and has the hands and articulation that will allow him to handle other weapons and to be posed beautifully in various poses worthy of a god-of-war.
This particular Marvel Legends Infinite Series Ares was purchased for $16.66 USD and currently goes for about the same price on-line. I understand he’s quite hard-to-find. I was able to find one for sale as high as $44 USD which ironically is how much Ares made per hour as a construction worker. Get him here.
Looking for a Wolverine and a Thor rolled into one? Look no further.