Super Poser Knuckles!
If you remember, Toy Island was originally planning a SP Knuckles, but it turned out hideous, and was never released. This is Jazwares' first ORIGINAL Poser, in that he is the first they're not simply re-using the mould of, or re-painting to re-release. They've done their expected great job here, he doesn't suffer from any of the common Knuckles maladies, and has plenty of articulation. The box boasts 25 points of articulation, and appears to be quite similar in style to the other SP boxes, only with a smaller cardboard top. He is well packed inside, with an inner sheild & backing. He'll look good in & out of the package. He should also be safe as well, they've done a good job with his box.
Jazwares' first original poser is a very good start. One can only wish they'd of made Sonic & Shadow as their own originals as well, instead of re-using the somewhat inferior TI molds. Knuckles has most of the same points of articulation as all the others, with the addition of his tail (it can rotate)
As you can see here, his shoes ARE jointed, just not in the middle like the other posers. They're swivel-able at the ankle, but then the lower-ankle area also has a limited slide to it, so you CAN pose his feet, to a degree. (This was due to saving his shoe asthetic) Like the other posers, his hands are also jointed once, at all the 'knuckle' area. This works especially well for him, making him the only poser to actually be able to grip things well, and this flexibility doesn't wreck the look of his knuckle spikes, which is even better! (Commendable sculpting)
His head has limited move-ability due to the spikes, but ALL of him always have this. Again, the waist swivel works very well here because he lacks a 'belly color dot' to disrupt. The bottom of his shoes are textured like they are in the game, which adds a nice touch. His plastic is actually red, so overspray/etc shouldn't be an issue. This figure is pretty much perfectly painted, you should expect the same. He's made of hard & semi-hard plastic (hard only appearing for his fists and feet) and he feels quality, good and solid when you lift him. This is a heavy figure!
However, the figure is not without it's problems:
His head is solid, his feet are hollow
WHY did they do this? All 'Sonic' characters have enormous heads with ZERO articulation needed on the head. What's the need to make it solid so that the figure is extremely easy to tip over? There's no need for an incredibly tough/durable head when it has no need to articulate or carry tiny parts to snap off. Solid feet would at least help him stay vertical.
His joints are loose-
This is a huge problem with his heavy fists (the very hard plastic, even though they're hollow) and his heavy head.
His elbows are poorly made-
Notice the inset in the 'back' photo above. The elbow is actually WORSE than the ToyIsland version, in that he can't even hold his arm at 90 degrees. The front sticks downward/out and prevents normal movement. This, coupled with his heavy fists makes the arms wilt and flop rather than being able to pose.
Fat Wrist/Ankle
Why are the ankles and the wrists fatter? If the toy needed that for durability, why not just size up the whole limb?
It would look more natural, and no one would complain.
The Bottom Line:
BUY this figure! It is very Knuckles-like, the face is excellent, the fists are great, he's very pose-able/play-able. Once again, they've got the sculpt VERY well. His gripping action only adds to the fun! Also, he feels much more solidly built than the Toy Island ones, which were known for falling apart a bit. He lacks the annoying knobby-ness of the joints too, he looks smooth and cool. The price ($13.99, at most stores, including but not limited to Toys R Us in the USA) is also reasonable for this large of a figure with the level of articulation. With this great new addition, everyone will likely be looking foreward to more Jazwares Posers.
Photos by Sonic Gear & Tailsdude12
Super Poser Knuckles can actually hold items (seen here with Sonic Black Knight sword)
Super Poser Joint Fix Technique
As you know, if you own these figures, they suffer from loose joints. That, matched with large/heavy hands and feet, means that the figures can't keep raised poses well. This at-home joint fix can enable your figures to be better posed, and is pretty safe and easy to do as well. This photo (they ARE free standing) is proof that the method works. Method tested by & photographed by SupeSonicBoom
Place 1 drop of super glue onto/into the joint that needs tightened. Then, rotate/move the joint in every possible direction that it can move for about 2 minutes, while the glue dries. The joint will be much tougher to move now. But, it has to be done for every loose joint you find. Essentially, what happens is the glue coats the inside of the joint but can't freeze it because of all the wiggling. It instead becomes like an extra layer of plastic to rub against the joint and tighten it.
Photo by SupeSonicBoom