Monday, December 18, 2023

Action Figure Review: Gemini from Action Force by Valaverse

 

   Time for the Action Force!!! Yes, it's time for another Action Force review and this time I'm looking at Gemini, one of the figures from the most recent drop back in October. I also picked up the newest weapons packs and the accessory packs, but since Gemini is a unique character I definitely wanted to review her. Why's she called Gemini? Because she has two rather extreme personalities. Apparently she goes from being a quiet, bookish individual and an absolute powerhouse when in battle. Ready to add Gemini to your team? Then join me after the break and see how she fits in...



The Facts:

Height: 6 1/8ths inches

Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed drop down hips, ball jointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, hinged neck, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: Vest, 8 swappable hands, rifle, 3 magazines, pistol, holster, knife, and display stand.

Non-Scalper Price: $32 dollars

Fun Fact: She only watches NCIS because of Abby Sciuto.


The Positives:


* If I have an overall criticism of Valaverse's Action Force line, it's that most figures use the same one or two base bodies and gear sets. Now, that's not to say that these aren't good figures; it's just that the portraits and the paint schemes are really what defines them. Here's Gemini without her heavy vest. It's the same body as Pandora and Warpath Eclipse though she's sporting a black tank top. The sculpt is excellent, depicting a toned but not exaggerated build, and the paint work is clean, and if I had the right headscupt you could make a pretty cool figure of Meryl Silverburgh from Metal Gear Solid. That would be a license that Valaverse could do a fantastic job with, couldn't they? 






* Check out the cool tattoo on Gemini's back. I assume this is some take on the Gemini zodiac symbol, right? 




* Gemini is the first female figure I've reviewed with the tactical vest like this and she looks great wearing it. I love the detail on the vest and pouches plus all of the cool little extras like the carabiner, the Action Force patch, and the gemini patch. It's pretty easy to take off and out back on and it stays clasped, too. 

*The two pouches on the front can store additional magazines for her rifle. They stay in nice and tight, though can be a bit tricky to pull out.






* Besides just having a cool design, there are some nice paint applications on Gemini's legs, particularly on her shin guards and kneepads. 


* The Action Force line has an excellent articulation model that wonderfully blends functional articulation with the sculpt. It reminds me a lot of the G.I. Joe: Classified Series. Pandora's articulation is the same as the other ladies in the line and isn't much different than that of her male counterparts except that she doesn't have the butterfly hinges. Since her arms and armor are thinner, though, it's not as necessary as she can still take two handed firing poses just fine




*  Gemini comes with eight hands that you can swap out to change her up a bit. The pegs are really thick and sturdy though I had to use heat when I swapped them the first time or two. There's a pair of pistol grips, a pair of cradling hands for holding the barrel of a rifle, a pair of standard grips, and a pair of fists.




* I believe this is an HK416 that Gemini is equipped with, which some other Action Force members have come with. It's a fantastic sculpt with a nice green body and black highlights. 





* The rifle has a removable magazine and two extras included. 




* The SilencerCo Maxim 9, a pistol with a built in suppressor/ silencer seems to have become the default sidearm for the Action Force team. The grip looks like a pretty standard modern pistol but the front is more futuristic and boxy. 


* The holster is another piece Gemini shares with most of the other Action Force women so far. The pistol fits in securely and it keeps it right within her reach. There are also some additional magazines sculpted onto the plating that the holster is attached too. It's a really well done holster.




* The knife is another accessory many figures have come with and it seems to be the default blade for the Action Force team. It's still a very impressive sculpt, though, and here it has a black blade with a grey handle.




* Gemini also has the standard belt around her waist that is a separate piece, but you'll have to disassemble the figure if you want it off. I don't intend to remove hers, though, especially since the belt has a sheathe for the knife. It slides in perfectly. 




* I'm a huge fan of all action figures coming with display bases and Action Force's bases might be the best out there. The metal look of the display stand is fantastic and there are four pegs on the base, making it extra versatile. See that little slit at the back? If you want to cut out the file card from Gemini's package you can even display it behind her, resting in that slit. 

* So... there's a lot I like about this portrait. I like Gemini's hairstyle and the overall look of the character. It's a very solid portrait and it gives her some welcome character.

The Negatives:

* I do wish we had received a more neutral head, though. Since she's supposed to jump back and forth between being really low key and soft-spoken to being an absolute beast on the battlefield, the more neutral head would have been a great inclusion. Maybe we'll get one in an accessory pack?





* It's pretty common to have to use a bit of heat to swap the hands the first few times in this line. All of the pegs are durable, so I didn't have any fear of breakage, but it did take me using a hairdryer a few times to get the hands to swap out easily and consistently. 


   

   Gemini is a pretty good figure though I do wish she came with an alternate headsculpt or that Valaverse had saved her aggressive headsculpt for one of the upgrade/ accessory sets. Still, I do like her. I would like to see Valaverse find ways to further differentiate the Action Force line figures and give them more personality in the future, though, as right now there aren't that many unique torsos and armor pieces. Hopefully that's something that will occur naturally as they build up their library of parts. Gemini gets a Great and a 1/2 from me. The accessories are top notch, the figure is sturdy and well articulated, and the paintwork is excellent. There really are some nice details and I have the feeling a future upgrade pack will improve her even further. 


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