One of the rare treasures that Jacinta brought me back from her recent jaunt to STGCC (Singapore Toy Game and Comic Convention) was this exclusive set of Marvel Minimates, previously available at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Entitled Deadpools Assemble it’s a collection of fourth-wall-breaking, fan-favourite, mercenary Deadpool pretending to be some of Marvel’s heavy hitters. (And Cable).
As Marvel’s wackiest, most irreverent character, Deadpool is easy to write terribly and difficult to execute well. But even when I’m repelled by the material itself, there’s been some pretty solid premises - and I can’t help but but endeared by at least the concept of the character (plus it’s Rob Liefeld’s one great design!). (Okay, he may have been trying to draw Spider-Man at the time). Regardless, everybody loves Deadpool to some degree so why not celebrate him in this bizarre way...
Now I might not get all the references but I can provide you with a comprehensive visual guide and tell you what I enjoyed about this set... after the jump!'
An exclusive means a limited release, which provides the opportunity to create a more niche product. I think that Diamond Select have certainly assumed that this set will mostly be bought by hardcore Minimates collectors, so elements of it may prove confusing to a relative newcomer like myself. I was initially baffled by the artwork at the top of the packaging. It shows Deadpool as Thor and Captain America, but also as Wolverine, Spider-Man and a more standard version of Iron Man - and none of those latter three are included in this set...
Was it an error? Am I missing something? Are there two different sets? Nope! Turns out it's actually an image that appeared on prior packaging but its been given a Deadpool twist to gel with the theme. Cool concept but not entirely clear in this context. (And I would have enjoyed that Deadpool Wolverine too!).
So who do we get?
So who do we get?
It’s the spuriously named Captain Ameri-Pool, Thor-Pool, Cable-Pool, and Phonics-Killer Iron Deadpool. What does that even mean? We’ll get there.
Now these figures are only about two inches high, but don't think that this big box contains wasted space. Inside are two tightly packed trays that contain another accessories and alternate pieces to put Hot Toys to shame! Very impressed by this...
First up is Captain Ameri-Pool, Deadpool’s own take on the straight-laced patriotic Avenger. I’ve decked him out with a machine gun because what says “America” more than recklessly firing an assault weapon! PEWPEWPEWPEWPEWPEW! TAKE THAT, FOREIGN DEVILS!!
No stars and stripes for this guy though. Check out the Deadpool logo on the shield. Do you have a logo? I think we all need logos...
And if that's too Mom's American pie for you, then you can peel back his mask and reveal his disgusting, decaying, disease-stricken face. Thank you Diamond Select. You sure thought of everything!
And that's probably the simplest one! Let's switch gears to Rob Liefeld's other notorious creation, Cable - the son of Cyclops and Jean Grey who was sent to the future and came back a gnarly old man completely covered in pouches!
What does he keep in all those things anyway? Secret herbs and spices?
His trademark giant future-guns peg conveniently onto his back...
In fact he's the most armed out of all of them. He has two pistols that slide into his hip holsters, an additional holster on his back for a ray-gun, and a sheath for a knife in case things get real bad. FUTURE PEWPEWPEWPEWPEW!
Look at the size of that thing!
And fear not - if the white hair is a little too Golden Girls for you then you can replace it with the regular head that was also included...
In fact, all this crazy armour is removable, so you can get rid of it all if you like and end up with a pretty basic bonus Deadpool...
Perhaps a little TOO basic. So let's add a golfbag filled with swords...
Better! You could probably even switch in the belt from Captain Ameri-Pool for added authenticity but I didn't think of that while taking the photos. What do you want me to do? Take MORE photos? You're out of your mind.
Our third character in this unlikely team of one guy is Thor-Pool, which even the dullest of you should have guessed is a take on Norse thunder God, Thor...
Now he does have a regular, clear, circular base too, but I thought he was probably the best candidate for the flying base. Of course his main weapon is the hammer Mjolnir but I added a shotgun just for kicks.
This isn't really a version of Thor that I'm particularly familiar with but hey, I like the cape. And, much like Cap, he too has wings on his head. When faced with an impossible enemy the Avengers will often detach their heads which then attack like a flock of seagulls.
And look, Mjolnir has tiny, tiny type on the side...
But it gets even better. Also included is this action version of the hammer, spinning so goddamn fast you can barely see it with your naked eye...
Thor-Pool is pretty great!
So this is the Phonics-Killer Iron Deadpool, which I believe is an obscure joke on the Phoenix-Killer Iron Man armour that Tony used to blast the shit out of Phoenix in some comic I haven't read. It's pretty huge and intimidating and admittedly weird. There's a face right up on the top there staring into the sky. What is he looking for? Halley's Comet? I like those green transparent lightsaber swords though. Don't know if this guy is supposed to have them but it looks pretty great.
Check out those shoulder cannons too if you can see them. They are black on a black background so good luck to you!
And here's the mighty jets on the back of this thing. Clearly it is space capable...
Impressive as it is, where is the Deadpool in it? Oh right, just flip up the top and the lil' bugger is hiding inside...
That is a very awesome old skool X-Men T-shirt he's wearing too. You know what, let's completely free him off that heavy top part...
NOW HOW BADASS IS THAT??
You can remove the armour from the arms and legs and an additional belt, gloves and boots have been provided to make him look like his early X-Men appearance. Good in theory but one of my gloves would just not fit in the arm hole so I abandoned photographing that version. And to be honest, why bother, because he looks far more awesome with those robot arms and legs. This is my favourite figure by far!
And there you have it! That's the set. It's far too much fun for me not to love. Kudos to Diamond Select for managing to pack so many surprises into it. I will admit that they had me scouring Minimates on eBay soon afterwards. I think I need a Jubilee. YOU SHUT UP!
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