Retro Action vs Famous Covers

[DavidCoppola]

I personally like FCs better. They just seem to have more character and are much more sunstantially built.
I like the Retro Action, but seem to be more on the "cutesy" side compared to the FCs.

Thoughts?

[boynightwing]

I only own a few FC's. I didn't like their faces. They have that constipated look about them. If you're talking bodies, they are very well built though and the costumes look nice. They tried to do the oven mitt thing which I didn't understand. I have Daredevil and the first thing I did was toss away the gloves and paint his hands red. The hands were way too big and had silly gestures. I like a more neutral hand gesture that can hold weapons etc.

I think what I like better then both lines is the Spiderman Origins(?) line from a few years ago. They were very well built, had nice heads/faces, and could stand nicely.

[Teemu]

I think the famous covers line is highly under-rated

[ScottA]

RA's. I hated the screaming FC's.

[rche]

some of the FC were OK, some had pin heads,
I was not interested in the screaming sculpts. On Hulk, or Conan OK. On Captain America, um... no thanks.
The bodies were well built for play, but oddly proportioned and when the giant hands were coupled with the rubber gloves they became even more odd. They are great for play value with the kids tho.
The cloth spidey masks didn't quite do it for me either. I would have liked a captain action style top instead. They did OK with Iron Man that way, altho I think the first version of shell head would have worked better with the FC design.

The origins figures are pretty cool, tho the shoulders are sort of odd. They pose well until you get to the upper arms and then there is some seriously limited movement. Again, tho, they are very resilient and the kid play value is pretty high. I would have liked to see a Thor done by Hasbro rather than four spiderman variants. The DC silver age figures were pretty well done also.

The Retro Action figures styling is great and very close to a Mego type idea, and I really enjoy that as an extension to the original line. The first generation bodies have been noted as troubled and I have had some break in the line of duty. However, I anticipate a decent fix and hope to see a redesigned second generation pelvis and possibly some more upper arm mobility that will address the issues with the Matty body.

[Teemu]

its time for Hasbro to do their own Marvel Retro-action superheroes! (they should make theirs boxed instead of carded)

[Brown Bear]

No comparison. RA to FC is like comparing the Beatles to the Fat Boys.

[MIB41]

Famous Covers had some good ideas and some very cool figures. But the execution was not always consistent. My favorite was probably Ironman because you could remove his helmet. My least favorite probably Hulk, because his hands, feet and waist were all out of proportion. And he had a head sculpt that look like a preschool doll. My biggest complaint with FC was the air killing manufacturing smell that welcomed you each time you opened one of these figures. The paint and glue smell was very strong. I'm surprised Toybiz never got in trouble for that.

Retro Action has been good. But it got off to a bumpy start with some manufacturing problems (sweaty figures), and design flubs which gave them the 'morning after' look. That has been addressed and now their on track with a great 3rd Wave of popular characters that most everyone seems to be liking. The line has found a new store to distribute their goods (Meijers) so that should really help as well.

But if I had to compare just FC and Retro, I would definitely give it to Retro. First and foremost, when FC had a design flaw with the factory making nine inch bodies for eight inch body-scale heads, they didn't fix it. They said screw it and that's why you have little heads on big bodies. With Retro, they communicated the problems identified and got it fixed quickly. The Retro body molds in general are also better proportioned and the character selections have fulfilled childhood dreams of mine. Plus I think the Retro line has better communication with the consumer. A lot of it right here. That gives Retro a big edge, because I believe they listen. And Mattel seems to be catching on. Trophy goes to Paul and Joe.

[Trappy Trek Freak]

I like FC cause you can take a lot stuff off for custom fodder. I just bought a Hawk Eye I'm about to take apart.

[LOU]

I vote Retro Action. The FC set, to me, have horrible head sculpts. I also didn't care for the body style. The head sculpts however, are really what I always disliked most. I had the complete set of FCs and sold them because I was never really that gung-ho for them but they were the closest thing to Megos that were available at the time they came out.

[Wyld Knights]

FCs were a great idea at the time but missed the boat. RAs know what collectors are looking for because they are one of us! No question, RA.

[kingdom warrior]

I love some the FC figures Thor is without a doubt my Fav. followed closely by the Vision,Ironman,The Falcon and Hawkeye. They're sweet to play with and hold poses well.

Some of the others are bad and complete misses, but make good fodder for customs.

The RA have their problems but I'm not complaining......I finally got to have my Green lantern that I've always wanted as a kid.....

[TrueDave]

I though the hulk was the best Hulk toy figure I have ever had. Yes the face could have been better.

For me The Dc Silver age , later Marvel signature has the best durable action figure body period. Gotta love teh Gung Ho grip.
I even like these guys better than Any version of GI Joe.

My only complaint is the neck post should have been Barbie Like so Superman, Lantern, Manhunter etc could look forward while flying.
I didnt like the HARD heads on the Signature figures. And Comparing Captain Americas: Constipated or a depressed looking Jimmy Stewart?

Wish Marvel would have kept going , I really wanted to see a Iron Man and was surprised to just find out a Reed Richards was made.

Famous Covers Iron Man should have had the smaller Peter Parker body and no slanted eyes on the mask.
Generally I didnt like the over muscle because of problems posing.

I respect them for what they tried to do with Dr Doom.
Falcons wings were cool.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I have some FCs, but I didn't care for the styling. Huge glove and boots and tiny screaming pea-heads killed it for me. And that Peter Parker face. I mean, that had to be some sculptor trying to get one past Toy Biz, and they did.

I really liked the DC 9". Overall I think they were great. I wish they had managed to get a Flash out. Their choice of characters for the main line was nuts though. It killed their chances for survival.

Retro-Action captures the Mego charm. I wish they'd went with a straight Mego-like body, but it's close, especially since they fixed the floppy issues with series 3.

Chris

[jwyblejr]

Famous Covers seemed to be bigger peg warmers.