No. 2
War Machine [Invincible Iron Man 029b]
WHY I WANTED HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE: I actually DIDN’T. At ALL.
Let me explain.
I was highly annoyed that War Machine’s prime variant was just the same character as the main version. Typically, primes have been more divergent or, at a minimum, named differently.
- Catwoman — Selina Kyle. Same character, different names
- Sasha Bordeaux — Black Queen. Same character, different names, different stage of career
- Hush — Bruce Wayne. Same character, different names, different stage of career
- Batman — Caped Crusader. Same character, different names
- Frank Drake — Hannibal King. Different characters
- Dr. Voodoo — Brother Voodoo. Same character, different names, different stage of career
- Hobgoblin — Hobgoblin. Different characters
- Kraven the Hunter — Alyosha Kraven. Different characters
- Gordanian — Beast Boy. Different characters
- Lil’ Lobo — Slobo. Different characters
- Deathstroke — Ravager. Different characters
- Starfire — Blackfire. Different characters
- Deathlok — Deathlok. Same character, different stage of career
- Deathbird — Cerise. Different characters
- Magneto — Magneto. Same character, VASTLY different stage of career
- Jubilee — Jubilee. Same character, VASTLY different stage of career
- Iron Man — Silver Centurion. Same character, different names
- Sasquatch — Sasquatch. Different characters
- King Hyperion — Hyperion. Different characters
But War Machine? Same character, same name, and pretty much the same stage of his career. Disappointing and needless waste of a prime slot, I thought — I’d have liked it better if this had been Tony Stark in the original War Machine armor. But he’s a candidate for the Black Box, so I resolved to get one anyway.
I WANT TO RUN HIM EVERY WEEK BECAUSE: Then I played him. And oh, my goodness, what a great piece. For the first time, my eight-year goal to run a competitive all-black team in HeroClix is within reach thanks to this superb fighting figure.
Also, winning is really cool. One tends to do that with this figure.
I DON’T PLAY HIM EACH WEEK BECAUSE: I don’t really want to be That Guy. Remember, Heroclixin’ should be F.U.N., and big War Machine can be hell on the other team at times. But…
I’LL FIELD HIM NEXT: On any number of F.U.N. teams including Black Steel (black folks in armor), a Stark armory, and Secret Avengers, just off the top of my head.
Next: the number one. Or ones. Because I couldn’t pick just one. Literally. I think.