One thing for certain, if you wait long enough in the action figure game, you will eventually get to purchase what you want. You missed something earlier? Don’t worry, it will come back later (and even better than before) within the next ten years.
Case in point, the original X-Men movie was released about 19 years ago in 2000. After years of waiting, fans were finally getting a decent superhero movie based on a fan-favorite franchise (of course not dismissing Blade from 1998). Wolverine, Cyclops, Professor X, and of course, Storm played by Halle Berry. Collectibles were to follow, but of course back in 2000, 1/6 scale was not as popular. Fast forward to today, and now we are getting quality 1/6 scale figures from Asian companies other than Hot Toys bringing us figures from recent and past movies alike.
I missed Storm from previous offerings and have been waiting years from other announced offerings (I’m looking at you Five Star Toys). When FigureMasters put out this Storm figure for pre-order, I thought to myself, “another Storm figure I’ll be waiting years to get.” Fortunately that was not the case, and within 2-3 weeks of it being announced, the figure was in hand ready to join my growing team of movie-based X-Men. So is the figure worth the wait? Check out below for the review…
I remember a time when companies not named “Hot Toys” used to put their figures in whatever box was convenient for them. It was not uncommon to just get either a plain box or a box with just the figure’s name on it.
Not the case nowadays…these boxes almost rival Hot Toys packaging in terms of design and even functionality.
Case in point, this figure comes in a box that looks like the entrance to the danger room. A nice silver, semi-gloss finish to the outside layer gives it a more upper scale look almost better than what this figure deserves.
If that wasn’t enough, when you remove the front cover (which is held on by magnets by the way, another nice touch), you are presented with a “storm” display that can be used with the figure.
Another nice cover of a blue-tinted DNA strand protects the figure inside. When removed, you are finally presented with the Storm figure nestled semi-snugly into the foam. I used the word “semi” because one of the extra hands flew out as soon as I opened it, meaning it wasn’t as secure as I thought, but that is very minor. The part we care about is securely packaged inside.
The body of the figure and the extra head are also protected with a layer of plastic wrap, another near-premium feature usually not found with unlicensed figures. Or maybe this is becoming more common as the market grows. Again, another feature of the packaging I appreciate.
All in all, I have to say great packaging and I look forward to see what they do for other figures…
Packaging Score: 9 out of 10 
I’m actually pretty okay with the accessories that came with this figure. We get two separate heads, two extra pairs of hands (spread palm, and closed fist), and an extra cape, all in black; the cape that the figure is packaged with has a silver/grey back. As mentioned before, we also get a dynamic background of a thunderstorm. Notably missing is any type of figure stand, which is a little disappointing since everything else is pretty great.
Both heads are nice and (of course) feature the same facial likeness. But in kind of a surprise move, we get one head with rooted hair representing Halle’s likeness in X-Men 1 & 2, and a second head with sculpted hair representing Halle’s likeness in X-Men 3. More of the head situation in the next section.
The hands come on and off easily enough, maybe a little too easy. After I replaced the left hand, it kept slipping out of its base. It will stay on well enough for a pose, but any extra handling will cause the hand to slip off. Hopefully, that is just an issue with mine, and not a common complaint.
I’m okay with the cape the figure has on, so instead of wasting time trying to switch out the cape, I’ll just leave the new one in plastic and in the box (I keep all of my 1/6 boxes).
Also noticeably missing is any indication of the character’s powers. Yes we get the display, but I would like maybe a lightning bolt coming out of the figure’s hand or something along those lines. It’s bad enough we don’t have a figure stand…
Accessories Score: 8 out of 10
The figure is packaged with the rooted hair and as I mentioned before this is how Storm was portrayed in the first two X-Men films. First, let me say that it is accurate to how Halle looked in the movie.
Now let me talk about my personal problem with it. I couldn’t stand Halle as Storm because she always looked like she was wearing a really bad wig. The bangs on the “wig” alone made me despise every scene she was in. I’m pretty positive the makeup and hair department could have thrown down some serious loot for a great weave. Shit, even a better wig job would have been preferable. My wife showed me a Youtube of some girl who made wigs look exactly like real hair…so it can be done.
Getting off my soapbox, I preferred the second head with the sculpted hair. Because it looks more natural to me, this is the Halle Berry Storm I would like to remember (even though it was in the God-awful “X-Men: The Last Stand” movie).
The costume is pretty movie accurate. The attached cape flows well. The “leather” fits the figure well and also allows for decent articulation…not complete, but decent. The overall figure itself fits in great with the other X-Men figures I have which all happen to be made by Toys Era.
If I was bothered by anything, it was the near-expressionless look in the figures face. There is almost a glimmer of a smile, but it doesn’t really translate well. I also wish there were eye covers to make them white like they become when she uses her powers. Yes I’m picky, but sometimes you don’t try and make premium figures and only go halfway.
Sculpt/Likeness Score: 9 out of10
As with most of my 1/6 figure reviews, I usually don’t include an articulation guide since most of the articulation is hindered and hidden by their soft goods clothing. Keep in mind, most 1/6 scale figures nine times out of ten have 30+ points of articulation.
As mentioned in the “Sculpt/Likeness” section, the leather-like outfit does hinder some of the articulation. For example, the waist is unable to twist. The arms are also somewhat limited in their range of motion.
The double-hinged elbows and knees are of course a nice touch and articulate well. One of my pet peeves of course is the articulation of the head. It is a personal requirement for me that if a character is known to be able to fly, the head should be articulated to allow the figure to look upwards. As it is, this figure cannot, although it does have impressive range to look downwards.
Articulation Score: 8 out of10
I am happy I have this one, although I just learned today that Toys Era is also making one. I’ll pray on that one because I just may have to pick that one up too! (the head sculpt shown below):
It looks like that one may be the one to get, with the hairstyle I like as rooted hair…but I may just be getting it on GP.
At any rate, 2019 is going to be interesting. More and more companies are pushing out 1/6 scale figures which fill in the holes in our collections left by companies like Hot Toys. In some cases, the quality either comes close to or match their Hot Toys cousins. Looking forward to what 2019 and beyond brings to us. Keep up with my Instagram (@blackactionfigure) to see more posed photos…hope to bring you an updated X-Men photo soon!
