Tonner’s Customer Review of SDCC Exclusive, Dark Phoenix: By Jason Wright

Tonner's Dark Phoenix Poster from SDCC

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Good afternoon, amigos!  Today we’re bringing to you something very special indeed:  Our very first customer review!  Many of you know Jason White from the Tonner FB page.  He’s a avid comic book fan, as well as a doll collector, so I’m sure your paths have crossed at least once with this marvelous fellow!

Jason wrote a spectacular review of our 2011 SDCC Exclusive Dark Phoenix, and we are delighted to share it with you!  As you all know, the very limited quantities of Dark Phoenix that are left over from SDCC will be published for sale on TONNERDirect tomorrow, July 29th, at 2pm EDT, and Jason’s review is very timely indeed!

Before we debut Jason’s amazing review, we’d first just like to thank you, Jason White, for taking the time to do this!  Your enthusiasm for doll collecting and comic books are truly inspired, and we are so lucky to have such a resourceful, well-read/written, impassioned collector among us.  Tonner is also very fortunate to have such a loyal, dedicated Collect-O, and for that, dear Jason, we THANK YOU!!

Of his review, Jason says this:

“…it was a pleasure to be given the opportunity to share my thoughts on her. It sounds like an advertisement for Tonner, but it’s honest. I really do believe in the product you guys put out, and it’s my favorite thing to collect.”

We hope that Jason’s review inspires YOU to write your own doll reviews, and if it does, please submit to jcanapini@tonnerdoll.com!  Looking forward to it, friends!

So, without further ado, here is Mr. Jason Wright’s Review

*applause*

Review of Tonner’s 2011 SDCC Exclusive, Dark Phoenix

by Jason Wright

Hot on the heels of the sold out Scarlet Witch and Captain America, Dark Phoenix is the third offering under Tonner’s new license with Marvel Comics. Dark Phoenix has me so excited not only as a comic book fan, but as a doll collector as well.

Dark Phoenix - SDCC Exlusive

As a child of the late 70s and early 80s, I began collecting comics 32 years ago right around the time Dark Phoenix made her first appearance. I still collect today, but I’ve become very picky with what I choose to spend my money on. I’ve recently started collecting Tonner’s line of superheroes and they’ve quickly become my favorite thing to collect because of their attention to detail and accuracy to their comic book counterparts. There are plenty of action figures and dolls out there based on Marvel Comics characters, but none of them are what I refer to as “getting it right”. It’s a big deal for me to see the superheroes that I love rendered as close to the comic book as possible. That’s why I was so excited to hear that Tonner would be doing their interpretation of the character. For me, it’s the best of both worlds.

Dark Phoenix

If you already know who Dark Phoenix is, she needs no introduction, but for those of you who don’t know her here’s a bit of background for you before we get to the good stuff. Jean Grey (a.k.a Dark Phoenix) was a member of the X-Men, who had the power to move objects with just a thought and to read minds. During the mid ’70s Marvel upgraded her powers and she became the all-powerful Phoenix. Later on she would become drunk with her own power causing her to turn to the dark side as the Dark Phoenix. Her story is about life, death and absolute power corrupting absolutely. Long considered one of Marvel Comic’s signature stories, “The Dark Phoenix Saga” is a classic among comic book fans the world over and not only has it remained in print all these years, it also served as the inspiration for the third X-Men movie, X-Men: The Last Stand.

Dark Phoenix and her powerful, mirrored eyes

Tonner has captured the power and beauty of the Dark Phoenix with this latest release. The very first thing to hit me when I first opened her box are those eyes…oh my. Just like in the comic, they’re both haunting and crackling with power. I’m so happy that they decided to not give her pupils. This makes her stand apart from other dolls as well as adding a bit of oomph that couldn’t have been attained any other way. The second thing that jumped out: her gloves are attached to her bodysuit! Yes!!! People like me who struggle with sliding gloves onto a doll get a break with this one. It’s a stroke of genius! They are the mitten type gloves, which I’m not really a fan of, but for this character they work. Painted hands and sleeves would have taken away from the aesthetic of the outfit and wouldn’t have matched to comic.

Dark Phoenix hip sash detail

Moving on to the rest of the outfit we have the hip scarf buttoned neatly on her side and adorned with a miniature gold-tone phoenix charm. Very, very nice, and again accurate to the comic. The boots are my favorite part of the outfit. Thigh-high, cut to the shape of the leg and a zipper up the back. These are a sight to behold, and they are now my favorite pair of Tonner boots. Not only are they easier to put on and zip-up than the shorter knee high boots, but they make the outfit. Dark Phoenix just isn’t Dark Phoenix without those awesome boots!

Dark Phoenix boots

She has the Duchess sculpt, with blended red hair and her body is the new Tyler body with enhanced bust and articulation at the upper torso. She can arch her back up for flying poses, as well as having the ability to bend forward to look down on her enemies. This new body is so much fun to pose, and the versatility is a welcome addition.

Dark Phoenix harnesses her power!

As much as I love the Tonner Character Figures I can always find a few things I think could be improved on, but with Dark Phoenix I can’t. It’s safe to say that they exceeded my expectations with her and I’m so happy to have her in my collection!

Dark Phoenix