X-Factor #102: Polaris and Random

 

Comicsfan commented on my comparisons among Marvel's X-Teams of the 90's in my last post on X-Factor #100, comparing then newcomer Random to Wolverine. Like Wolvie regards Cyclops' leadership, Random defies Havok's principled approach, standing just outside the group dynamic. I was thinking about Lobo's similar dress, but Comicsfan is right. To further illustrate, Random has a painfully obvious attraction to Havok's girl Polaris, not unlike Wolverine has to the X-Men's Jean Grey.

 

X-Factor #102, "The Polaris Plot", 1994

 

 Initially hired by the government to test Lorna's abilities, the mercenary is refused payment for failing to kill her. Disenchanted with his ex-employer, Random is bribed by Forge to expose their dark machinations and join forces against them. after X-Factor exposes Colonel Malone's secret plans to brainwash Polaris to use her like a weapon against Magneto any other threat. Lorna felt Random held back in his initial attack on her, and her female instincts weren't wrong- he was definitely sweet on Lorna  :D  He tries to be cool dropping her off at the airport, claiming he did it all for the money and the car, but Lorna knows there is more to his tough guy front than Random will reveal....

 

 

I enjoyed Jan Duursema's drawing in this issue, particularly in the splash page at the top of this post where Polaris & Random take on Col. Malone's goons, Avalanche & The Commando! Jan (wife to fellow comic book artist Tom Mandrake) is an artist I was unaware of, now two years into my rediscovery of comics as an adult, ironically having read way more comics now than during my entire youth. There is of course more to issue #102, which you will have to seek out yourself- the purpose of this post was merely to share the dynamic between these characters I found interesting, come to terms with my own fascination with green-haired comic book vixens, and scan that killer battle scene for you little weirdos  ;D

 

*See my posts on ToyBiz's 10" Deluxe Polaris action figure from 1997, and Diamond Select's MiniMate Polaris!

 

More Later-Make It FUN!

Havok & Polaris Minimate 2-Pack

Deeply in MiniMate madness, I happened upon this fun Havok/Polaris 2-Pack at Slackers on Tuesday night for the irresistible price on $2.99. I'd seen this set before I got into MiniMates, and had hoped more recently I'd see it again! The only other set from this wave I'd like would be the Hawkeye/Vision 2-pack, but this set is almost just as good. Yes, my knowledge of these characters are limited, but they are X-Men related which interests me more in the last year, and Polaris' hairdo & outfit are disco  :D 

Havoc and Polaris were both lovers and members of the 1990s-era government sponsored mutant team X-Factor.  As Alex Summers, he is younger brother to fellow X-Man Cyclops/Scott Summers, and possesses the ability to generate powerful plasma blasts, often hard for him to administer precisely. Perhaps more interesting is the psychological aspect of the Summers boy's loss of their parent and separation at an orphanage, Alex adopted by a couple trying to replace a dead son while Scott remained.

 

While Havok is somewhat of a plain MiniMate standing next to one like Beta Ray Bill, who might be the coolest I own. His limbs are more free to pose without boots, a cape or shoulder pads, however.

Polaris was the real reason I bought this set, in her Club 54-worthy outfit with a huge mane of green hair. Nice! Her cape makes her kinda heavy in the back, but her mix of flat & pearlescent coloring, great detail, and big hair scuplt make her unique and fun.

Estranged daughter of Magneto, Lorna Dane controls magnetism like her father, generating magnetic energy pulses, creating force fields, and manipulate the Earth's magnetic field which gives her the ability to fly. Her relationship with her father varies throughout her continuity, depending on which storyline you are reading- like her relationship with Havok, it's complicated. Again, it's the psychological aspect of Marvel's conflicted characters and their intertwined relationships that make them interesting.

 

More Later- Make It FUN!

ToyBiz Marvel Universe Polaris, 1997

I got this ToyBiz Marvel Universe Deluxe 10" Polaris in November of 2010 with some other ToyBiz figures for a really low price. I've been bidding on these again on eBay, and wanted to open Polaris here because I've been reading the X-Force "X-Cutioner's Song" crossover event that spills over into some of the 90's X-Factor issues, of which Polaris is a member.

I'm not sure how these were regarded by fans in the 90's, or if these big, dumb action figures were targeted at children, meant to impress with size & color- I suspect the latter, as in all fairness they aren't that great even by 90's standards. Some of them have a rather slapdash paint, comical sculptural sameness, and extremely limited articulation, evoking an almost bootleg appearance in their cheapness. I find this very appealing however, so they're perfect to me   :D

Polaris has the same head, body, and everything that the Jean Grey, Rogue, and Mystique have! It's comically bad, I swear!  Polaris was given a big gun merely to fill the need for an accessory- her powers of magnetism frees her of the need for weapons, but I'm glad they included it! Made of translucent green to match her hair, it's cheesy & hilarious  :D

One odd design choice was the belt on this girl, which hangs in a somewhat hipshot position, a peg securing it to the figure. Very odd...  perhaps a stylistic choice reflective of the comic art at the time, female figures often rendered with hips thrust, head thrown back, and in somewhat explicit positions. Her jacket is the same cut as the Mystique from this series, but made with a bright blue fabric, opposed to white faux leather. Like Polaris' hair, her clothes reflect the extremity of style prevalent in the 90's.

Polaris with ToyBiz Storm & Ninja Rogue- though Storm's belt is different from Polaris', she still has a hole in her left hip...

The trio of X-Ladies take on Dragoness, showing X-Force member Cannonball what kinda force is need when taking on an MLF (Mutant Liberation Front) member! From X-Factor # 85, Part 6 of "X-Cutioner's Song" crossover event, Dec. '92:

Polaris with ToyBiz 10" Deluxe Cable...

And now something fun from my old comics: Polaris' page from the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe series I had from childhood. Click on the image to read all about Polaris circa 1983! Daughter of Magneto, Lorna Dane controls magnetism like her father, generating magnetic energy pulses, creating force fields, and manipulate the Earth's magnetic field which gives her the ability to fly. She was once engaged to X-Man Havok during their ongoing & complex relationship. In the past she has dyed her bright green hair brown, but now proudly sports this unique result of her mutation.

More Later- Make It FUN!

Hey, Mr. Postman!

I know I just did a segment (or double-surprise segment, rather) of Hey, Mr. Postman, but I swear that FOUR boxes of toys arrived the very next day- Hooray!! Things just get more entertaining by the day here, Friends- what can I say? Let's take a quick peek:

It was a pretty good haul, Kids...

*14" Cosmic Power Galactus by ToyBiz (1997) - he lights up and bellows "I HUNGER!"  I am entertained! Two AA batteries were already inserted for me... more pics of him later! (...also received two free issues of Fantastic Four with this guy, that's nice) $32.90, priced included shipping.

*Another Marvel Famous Covers 9" figure for my ever-growing collection, The Scarlet Witch will keep Storm company and safe from all the boy dollies... ok, now I feel like a sissy (laughs)! BubbaShelby is really gonna razz me...  Got her for a song ($16.99, price included shipping- but you can usually find her for not much more, so be careful), and I really enjoy her retro-looking outfit- FUN!

*10" Marvel Universe Black Panther by ToyBiz... I could not believe how little they wanted for him ($14.00, price included shipping). He is quite the rarity, and could only find one of him on E-Bay. I saw him for $60.00 on Amazon, but never for less than that. He's in such good shape that I'm afraid to open him... MIB, Folks...   ...sorry about the crappy picture...

*10" Marvel Universe Polaris- I recall very little about this X-Men Heroine, donning her 90's X-Factor outfit in this version. Honestly, I bought her because she is one of the  more obscure X-Men, the price was so great, and I have been in a rock band named Polaris for 24 years... she has green hair, People...

Could it get better than this, friends?? As it turns out, yes it can...

SURPRISE! Double Dose of "Hey, Mr. Postman!"

That's right- this very morning, the postman plopped another box in front of my door! My PRIZE FROM THE COMMENT CONTEST on Action Figure Blues...  D.C. Universe Classics Starman!! Very retro-cool!

A very special thanks to Action Figure Blues and Mike's Comics 'N Stuff in Anaheim, CA for the extremely cool action figure- I LOVE IT! You guys are Awesome!

Join Mike and myself at the Action Figure Blues Forum- some really fun people congregate there to talk about what you love most: comics and action figures!

Before we go I just want to tell you something important, something that has been on my mind:  It's healthy to enjoy toys, most especially if you are an adult- this tough old world has failed to strip you of your joy, your playfulness, and your imagination. And with your imagination you can do anything- don't ever let anyone tell you any different! Now look at this overflowing cornucopia of toys in the corner... gonna (laughs) need another case!