[jwyss234]

I ended up ordering the new Iron Man Mark III figure from Target last week. I was initially going to skip it since I have the original release from a couple of years ago. But I decided to get it after I realized that it wouldn't have the interchangeable piece on the right forearm. I never liked how that turned out, so the new figure became appealing since I could be rid of that. Target also had it on sale for $18.

They're pretty similar (obviously). I like the gold on the new figure. There are a couple of missing paint apps. The most noteable is the gold section in the middle of the back. Other missing paint apps are the repulsors on the open hands, and the little black bolts up near the shoulders on the back. There was also a black section on the thighs, but that paint app was also removed on the most recent Hot Toys figure.

It was harder to fix the shoulders on this figure. On the original, I simply heated the torso with a hair dryer and popped the arms out. On the new one, I had to use hot water. I also need to add shock oil to the thigh and bicep swivel joints.

Overall, I like the new version. But I'm a little frustrated as well. Not only was a glaring QC issue not fixed, but it's taken more effort to make the figure work properly. I also messed up the paint on the left bicep trying to pull the arm out of the torso. I think I'll be able to fix it, but it is frustrating.