Beast

Year of release: 1994
Figure Number: 49355
Accessories: Suction cup Trapeeze
Action Feature: Mutant Flipping Power

Comments: Far and away both the best and most popular figure from this series. Even today, while the rest of this series can still be occasionally found at retail outlets, the Beast figure has passed into the collector's market with his trademark dexterity. Don't despair, reports have claimed that the original Beast figure has been sighted in deep discount chains such as Odd Lots or Big Lots even now. And if you are only interested in the figure itself (as opposed to the original release card) the Beast was re-released as part of the X-Men Classics series in 1995 (and may be still available at many retail outlets).

Many people were pleasantly surprised that the Beast figure was sculpted very true to his comic image. It was feared that Toy Biz might try to make Hank McCoy a little more "cuddly." Thankfully, he appears as bestial as his name. The figure came with a suction cup trapeeze that worked as well (or as poorly) as any suction cup toy ever works. The figure easily gripped the trapeeze and was able to hang for extended periods.

However, the action feature left something to be desired. The Mutant Flipping Power was difficult to excute and rarely worked well even when properly executed. I think I have gotten the figure to do a full rotation about twice, and it has never landed on its feet. The knees and ankles are articulated, but with a spring that does not allow for flexed poses. The 10" version of this figure, made from the same sculpture, did not include the action feature (as none of the 10" figures ever did) and allowed for a greater range of posing options.

Even with this minor complaint, this remains one of the best X-Men figures ever done. An excellent overall presentation.