While the biggest news this past week was Hasbro’s reveal of the final figure in the Captain Marvel Legends Series and the packaging for the wave, there were a couple other items of interest I want to backtrack and talk about. And one of them is the latest exclusive addition to the Mezco ONE:12 Collective Marvel 6” figure line: The ONE:12 Collective Cable X-Men variant is now up for order! (You didn’t think Mezco Toyz would let the chance for a popular X-Men costume variant get away, did you?)

My relationship with Cable is a bit complicated. I’ve never especially loved the character, but he was prominent enough during the 90s and early 2000s that I was constantly buying comic books that he was featured in.

Eventually Cable did win me over, though—because of both the “Cable & Deadpool” comic book series… and his inclusion in Marvel vs. Capcom 2. And coincidentally enough, this ONE:12 Collective exclusive variant captures Cable in his X-Men costume from Marvel vs. Capcom 2!

Those who’ve bought previous Previews Exclusive (PX) ONE 12 Collective figures know basically what to expect here: the same base figure, but with a totally new soft goods costume and slightly altered accessories. For those who want a more comic book/video game and less “realistic” interpretation of Cable, this is gonna be the one to have.

There was inevitably going to be controversy when Mezco Toyz chose to omit the yellow trunks that are generally part of Cable’s X-Men costume—something they also did with the Jim Lee Cyclops—but I think it’s actually the right choice. The trunks looked like a silly diaper on Wolverine, and I just don’t think at this scale it’s possible to get them to look right on an action figure if they’re made of fabric.

I’m looking past the omission of the trunks because this is my preferred costume for Cable by a considerable margin, but I know the choice will alienate some fans.

While the gloved hands for this figure are all sculpted, they’ve been recolored to align with the costume (as they should). I would have picked blue gloves for Cable, whereas Mezco picked yellow. I can live with it (or paint them blue myself if it comes to it).

While some of the previously-released PX ONE:12 Collective figures—such as X-Force Deadpool—have come with a multitude of new accessories, this X-Men Costume Cable has just one new accessory that the regular version doesn’t come with: a spear (or rather, a “psimitar” for those in the know).

You get the psimitar in place of the brutal-looking knife that the non-exclusive Cable comes with, so it’s actually a net-zero gain, but Cable’s psimitar is such an interesting character-specific weapon that its inclusion with this version could very well make it a deciding factor for Nathan Summers fans who only want one Mezco version of him.

Along with the psimitar spear and repainted hands, all of the accessories from the regular release of this action figure are present and accounted for besides the knife: BFG plasma cannon with removable magnets, grenade launcher, handgun pistol, interchangeable angry head, and figure base with posing pole stand.

Both of Cable’s heads feature a light-up glowing eye. While ordinarily I sort of roll my eyes at these sort of extra expenses for 6” figures, I thought the light-up function of the Model 42 Iron Man I reviewed a few weeks back worked beautifully and really enhanced the figure. I’m hoping I’ll feel similarly about the glowing eye on this Cable once I’ve got him in-hand.

The Exclusive ONE:12 Collective Cable figure is now up for order, and is scheduled to ship out in Q2 2019. That’s the same quarter as the regular version, so it’s a fair bet that the two are being manufactured alongside each other. With this being arguably the more iconic look for Cable, it’ll be interesting to see if it manages to ultimately outsell the normal release. He’s priced at a standardized $100 MSRP across all sites (presumably a higher price than usual because of the glowing eye), although EE is offering the best “deal” as they have free shipping.

Now that the number of Mezco Nathaniel Summers options has doubled, what’s your outlook on this duo, Marvel collectors? How do you think these figures compare to the recent Marvel Legends Cable figures, and are you opting for one version over the other, neither or both for your collection?