Deathlok is a technology in the Marvel Universe, used to reanimate the dead. This Marvel Infinite is based on Luther Manning, a time/dimension-traveling cyborg who has fought through his computer programming to use his robotic arm and legs for good.
He was released along with Ares, Ant-Men, Cyclops, Valkyrie, and Omega Red.
Packaging
Deathlok comes in the new Marvel Infinite packaging. Like the Marvel Universe line, it’s a blister card package, but with a smaller black back. It looks significantly cooler (after all, AC/DC’s album wasn’t Back in Blue) and pushes the cinematic universe with symbols for Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, and Hulk across the top. The red of the figure, especially his face, really pops out against the black of the backing.
The back of the package isn’t as good. The rifle in the picture won’t actually fit into his hand. Why is this always an issue? They know it too, adding the disclaimer “Some poses may require additional support” like maybe a penknife to cut the hand or the gun so it can actually fit?
Out of the Box
Generally, I like Deathlok. I was pretty excited from the moment I saw that he’d be part of Wave 3. He’s the type of obscure character that I’m always hoping they’ll make (I’m waiting for you, Arcade) and the figure looks good. The sculpt captures the character, outside of the hair the paint is good, but the figure falls apart, literally when it comes to articulation.
Before we get to that though, I need to warn you about the accessories. The pistol is a repaint of Kang’s pistol from Marvel Universe Wave 19, Series 4. It does fit snugly into his holster, which is the thumbs up in the mediocre accessories. The rifle doesn’t fit into either of his hands. The butt of the rifle comes much too close to the handle for a hand to get in between them. I’ve gotten a few of these useless rifles with different G.I. Joes. I always outfit them with other weapons, and I’ll be doing the same with Deathlok, but it should be the company’s responsibility to pair figures with the functional accessories.
Articulation
The left leg of my figure is so articulated that it popped off as I was pulling it out of the box. This isn’t the first time this has happened with these figures (see my column from this week for more on that) and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
Other than that, it’s a reasonably poseable figure. It’s got:
-ball joint head
-swivel/hinge shoulders
-hinge elbows
-swivel wrists
-ball joint torso
-ball joint hips
-swivel thighs
-double jointed knees
-swivel/hinge feet
Paint
The paint job is perfect outside of the hair. The hair’s dark, colored with the same color as the skin. In the comics, Manning’s either bald or has dark hair. It’s like they couldn’t decide which look to go with and settled for something in the middle.
Everything else is great though. The little flag on his chest is the best detail, and I couldn’t find any other errors.
Sculpt
The sculpt makes this figure. His faceplate is actually elevated from his face and the hair is bumpy. The arms and legs look robotic, and aren’t leftover Colossus parts like I originally thought (Colossus’s limbs are bigger).
Overall
Even with the pop out leg, the gun that won’t fit into the hand, I’d still recommend picking up Deathlok. The figure looks awesome and is priced low. Most importantly, I doubt that they’ll be making another Deathlok anytime soon.
Ordering
Deathlok is available at Big Bad Toy Store for $13.99, Amazon for around $10, and Entertainment Earth for $11.99.
Ebay has been kind to me, and maybe it will be kind to you if you scoot on over to eBay and search for this Marvel Infinite Deathlok action figure.