Hot Toys Invisible Woman Review

I want Sue in a Fantastic Four display, but I don’t understand how Hot Toys let her head sit this low on the body. There’s barely any neck showing above the collar, which makes the head sculpt look too big for her shoulders. That’s frustrating because I can see Vanessa Kirby’s likeness, and there’s a lot here that I actually like.

The blue-and-white suit looks great, the force field gives her something to do beside the rest of the team, and H.E.R.B.I.E. is freaking awesome. I just wish Hot Toys had spent as much time getting Sue’s proportions right as they did on that little robot.

Sue’s Head Sits Too Low

The head sculpt is better than the way it sits on the body makes it look. I can see Vanessa Kirby in the eyes, nose and that slight smirk, and the paint app brings out the skin detail without making her look heavily painted. The silver earrings are a nice detail, too.

My problem is the short-looking neck. With the head down against the collar, her shoulders sit too close to her jaw and the whole head looks oversized. I shouldn’t have to talk myself into ignoring that on a figure that’s going to stand beside Reed and Ben in my display case.

The moving eyes help give her some expression, and I’d have her looking slightly toward the rest of the team. I like having that choice instead of a fixed stare, but moving the eyes doesn’t change the way the head fits the body.

The sculpted hair has some nice individual strands, but it’s thick around the shoulders. That gets in the way when you turn or tilt her head, so you don’t have as much freedom as you might expect. I’d have loved a rooted-hair option for Sue, especially if it meant being able to move her head more naturally.

I Love the Suit, but Those Boots Are Too Stiff

The colors are one of my favorite things about this figure. That lighter blue with the white collar and chest detail looks fantastic, and I like the little silver parts around the suit. There are different details on each side, including the communicator on one wrist, so it isn’t just the same pattern repeated everywhere.

The outfit is stretchy fabric, with printed detail for the logo, some of the seams and the smaller panels. The raised ribbing adds a lot to the look, especially across the torso. I’d still be careful with the printing and make sure the fabric isn’t getting caught in a joint when I pose her.

The belt can move around, so I’d check that it’s sitting where I want it before putting Sue in the display case. I also don’t love the shape around the upper thighs, where the body’s covering shows through the outfit. It draws my attention to the body underneath when I’d rather be looking at the suit.

Then there are the boots. Reed has softer boots that let you get more ankle movement, but Sue’s are hard plastic and really limit how far you can pivot the feet. The little heels look good with the outfit, but I’d much rather have some more movement so both feet can sit properly in a wider stance.

The Force Field Is the Accessory I’d Use

I love that Hot Toys gave Sue a force field instead of leaving her standing there with no way to show her powers. It’s a big translucent piece with ripples through it and a pearly finish that catches the light. That looks really cool against the blue suit.

The attachment is more thoughtful than simply having her grip the edge. A little panel comes out of the palm, and the connector fits into the hand and the back of the effect. There’s some movement once it’s fitted, so you can adjust the angle rather than having the force field stuck in one position.

I wish there were a smaller effect as well. The included one takes up a fair amount of room, which is something to think about if your Fantastic Four are sharing one display shelf. I’d use it with Sue turned slightly toward the threat instead of putting it straight across her face and hiding the head sculpt.

The hand selection could have been better. There are more bare hands than gloved ones, and I would have liked gloved fists or a gripping hand for the carrier. The gloves also look a little too shiny and clean to me; a more matte finish and some stronger leather texture would have helped.

Franklin Isn’t the Part That Sells Me on This Set

Franklin has a little bit of articulation in his head, arms and legs, and the sculpted onesie has some nice wrinkles around the feet. I’m not a fan of the face, though. The expression doesn’t look convincing to me, and I don’t think this little guy would get much time on my display shelf outside the carrier.

The carrier itself looks much better. I like the blue-and-white finish, the silver details and the cushions inside, and the handle moves independently of the sides. You can remove the canopy to put Franklin inside, then close it back up for a family display with Sue or Reed.

I’d leave its stand attached, as the instructions tell you to do. It isn’t a part to yank off just because it looks like it might separate. If the carrier is going into your display, take your time with the canopy and the small connections.

H.E.R.B.I.E. Deserves His Own Spot

H.E.R.B.I.E. is easily my favorite extra in this set. Calling him an accessory almost feels unfair because he has his own stand, interchangeable cassette faces and a surprising amount of articulation. The little fingers move individually, and you can bring his arms out or tuck them against the body.

The screws, vents, tiny warnings and darker paint in the mechanical detail all look fantastic. There’s even some purple shading around the thrusters, which is exactly the sort of little paint-app detail I love finding on a robot. The blue and white match the rest of the set beautifully.

The two cassette faces are very similar, with slightly different tape detail, and the little spools rotate. I’d put H.E.R.B.I.E. where you can actually see him beside the team instead of hiding him behind Sue. If you’re deciding which other figures belong in that display, I’ve covered more of them in Hot Toys Reviews.

This Special Edition also includes the metal card, but I don’t get much out of that bonus. It isn’t a Sue-specific card, and there’s no little stand to display it beside her. I’d have been happier with another pair of gloved hands.

Sue Needs Some Room to Use Her Powers

The fabric suit gives her more freedom through the arms and torso than a stiff armored outfit would, and the elbows and knees bend past 90 degrees. The hair and boots are the bigger problems. You have to work around the hair when moving her head and shoulders, and the feet don’t have much pivot for balancing a pose.

I’d start with her feet fairly close together, one arm raised and the force field angled beside her. That lets me show her powers without forcing the legs into a stance the boots won’t support. I’d also be careful with the spring-loaded waist clamp against the fabric suit and avoid leaving it pressing into the same spot for a long time.

For a simpler team display, I’d keep H.E.R.B.I.E. beside her and leave the carrier toward the front where it can be seen. I don’t need every accessory in Sue’s hands at once, especially when the missing gripping options already limit what she can hold naturally.

I Want Sue on the Team, but Hot Toys Needed to Do Better

I like the likeness, the suit and the force field, and H.E.R.B.I.E. makes me happy every time I look at him. The head sitting so low, restricted boots and limited gloved hands are much harder to excuse on Sue herself.

She belongs beside the rest of the Fantastic Four, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to ignore the problems just to complete the team. I give the Invisible Woman Deluxe Special Edition a 6.7 out of 10.