X Review: Zartan

The sculpt itself is not that bad. Articulation aside, it’s a pretty nifty nod to the Renegades animation model of Zartan prior to the show’s cancellation. He’s lanky and vulture-like with this bodysuit that only serves to accentuate the lankiness. The armored boots are knee high and are a good solid break to the coloration of the bodysuit. The face is gaunt, almost sickly and it hides inside the hood pretty neatly. There’s light piping in three of the four heads, usable by the slit atop the hood. It’s a gimmick. It sorta works, but it doesn’t impress.

Once more, however, this is where Hasbro seems to have its failings. At least in Wave 1 and certain aspects of Wave 2. Head, shoulders, elbows, wrists, torso, single-knee. No double-knee, no ankle joint. Zartan’s another one, like Kryptonite Firefly, who really should have more articulation than he’s given. Especially if the guy is supposed to mimic both Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes, as indicated by the included disguise heads. Certainly there were ways to make this better. Hell, the 25th Viper knees/shins/feet are close enough in looks to Retaliation Zartan’s. They could have just used those. But, no. They’d rather give it piss-poor articulation and blame it on the economy, retailers, or us collectors. Just blame it on your lack of forward thinking, Hasbro. “Stands bad, articulation bad, stupid cheap gimmicks good!”