Square Enix Man of Steel General Zod Action Figure

Due to all the bad reviews on the playart square enix figures, I wanted to buy one to open. This figure was cheap enough and little popularity to catch the eye of bootleggers. But, that is not a guarantee it would be genuine.After opening the figure, I looked for several things that should warn of items being a fake. Again, no guarantees, but, definitely some good guidelines to follow.The first sign that you MIGHT be looking at a fake is price. Obviously, there are bargains out there, and getting a $100 item for $50 or less does not mean it is a fake. It is a good indicator.The second indicator is quality. Having never seen an open package of a playdate figure, I wanted to see and feel one.Several complaints are about the quality control. Heads and appendages falling off. This is a very good indicator of a bootleg.Buying from reputable sellers is another thing. Buying a Rolex from the trunk of a car in a back alley is not the best place to buy a watch. Going to a jeweler, with a reputation is a better way to go. If course not a guarantee, but your chances greatly improve when buying from a more reputable dealer.Paint quality and accessories are next issues to watch for. Now here's the problem i have: if I have never seen one before then how do I compare? Further, I have seen genuine items that had paint jobs that I could have done better. Generally these were DC Collectibles and the WB Studio Store statues. Usually the high end retailers tend to ensure perfection. Again, I have seen horrible quality items from high priced companies (eg. The Spider-Man chess set, circa 2005-2007). Retail was $500. But, the set was worse than bootleg quality.A few head smacking "why didn't I think of that" idea. From the From Japan website, they demonstrate Japan/anime figures having imprints, usually in the foot, and official deals or serial numbers on the box.I'm convinced this genuine, so now for the figure and it's review.I have seen this figure previously, in hand. Quite heavy. This figure has the same or similar weight to the one I held previously. The box itself is a piece of art with square enix. The window panel is painted with "kneel", making it an awesome means of displaying the figure.The plastic/material used is definitely a high quality material. The joints are not stiff, and move quite nicely. They are tight so as to be able to pose the figure but not so tight as to break off. This is what we want them to be. So, if the appendages fall off, easily, time to get some intervention, I would think. IThe paint job is about as perfect as I have ever seen. Consider i have purchased from sideshow, gentle giant, hot toys, kotobukiya and several others over the past 20 years, and have reviewed for several websites, that is saying something.Overall, I find these figures some of the best i have come across.Likeness. I have to say as far as I can can tell (mostly from memory) and a picture from IMDB.com, it's pretty close. But the face and the nose is thinner than Michael Shannon's. The clothing is tighter as well. These are nit picky flaws, but worthy of mentioning.There is a downside to these figures, in my opinion. That is price. Unfortunately, retailers shrink items and raise the prices. Considering they pay the Chinese toddlers pennies a day to make a zillion of these, the price tag seems high to me. If course, collector demand forces the prices even higher. Collector value does not seem to be there as of now. But, perhaps as Square Enix becomes more popular, who knows?Bottom line: a very excellent figure. One worthy of being set in any Superman or DC comic display. Grade: 95/100.

Empressive figure as a whole--- few quirky things, size--- a bit tall compared to superman almost a whole head--- they look odd standing next to one another, face--- a bit off from the movie, but for the price tag not that bad, and finally the color drives me a little crazy why is he a strange black and gold color--- Faora colors were spot on---anyways overall I would recommend it, but just be aware of those few things and you will be greatly satisfied

Now this is an action figure! I want to make clear how great this figure is before I go into some nit pick details. I liked this piece so much it caused me to search up other figures made by Arts Kai.That being said, a few nitpicks. While I looked a lot of pictures, one thing I noticed in the figure that I didn't pick up from the pictures was the plate armor is tinted slightly bronze instead of dark steel. Second, I fell in love with the arm crossed pose, however having a hard time recreating it here (I feel that the camera angle has some affect here); in the end I went with an open hand and close hand and made him pound his fist into his open hand which looks just as cool.100% recommended!

Joints are brittle plastic meant to be broken by improper handling. I am careful in posing Zod, as shoulder joints are particularly flimsy...rickety. Knees look silly and proportions are off (arms too short for long legs). I had ordered his hot female sub commander, but cancelled once I received Zod. A nice statue but not an action figure....more of an inaction figure.

I own all three figures and for some reason the right arm of all them snaps off with minimal movement. So be careful it is fragile I pose them and shelve them and still they broke. Past that they are great sculpts the helmet is not the same from the film but it is a square enix and it is not suppose to be dead on.

This is the 2nd Plays Arts Kai figure I have purchased, the other being Superman from the Man of Steel line. I thought Superman could not be topped, but I have to say that General Zod is equally, if not more, impressive than ole' Kal-El. Fantastic paint job, neat accessories and tremendous articulation are just a few of the great things about the figure. A bit taller than Supes, which makes sense considering he is in this husky armor, as compared to tights. I love this figure and look forward top more MoS figures in the line!

This is the second play arts kai product that I purchased/received that is defective. The first one was the Robocop 1987 figure which was missing its "hydraulic" part on its left leg. The General Zod figure came with its flap almost ripped and a snapped right arm. Maybe I just got unlucky and got the defective ones. I don't know but I think their QC is terrible. Anyway, Play Arts Kai figures are known for their articulation, sculpt and overall presentation which this General Zod (and the Robocop 1987 figure) figure definitely have. But despite all that, if a product comes in broken even before unboxing it, it will never deserve a place on the shelf. Very disappointing.

This dude is solid! I purchased The man of steel first and was delighted, naturally I wanted to collect the rest. When I saw the package said "kneel" on the inside flap I was stoked. He's ultra detailed, heavy and solid as a motherflower! The head sculpt is far better than their Superman so that was a plus, also he comes with an extra head with his respirator/armored helmet. I didn't measure him but I'd say he's a foot tall so he's quite impressive. Get one! Kneel before Zod!!