I also agree with the statement, but given that the Book is not equipment (and even uses the word "equip"), we need a ruling so that when the rules lawyers go crying to their rules mommies that they were cheated by someone using Jocasta and a Hulkbuster part on the same character, we have an official answer from WK.

It has nothing to do with the "Effect". Read its "Equip" wording. Its inconsistent with the standardized wording. We kind of need to know if the newer, standardized definition supercedes it, is in addition to it, or doesn't apply at all. The answer can significantly change what figures can Equip the Pym Particles, and also how it can be destroyed.

Pym Particles-

Pym Particles would need further errata - right now, it doesn't require a "standard character", which all of the "equip/effect" game bits do require the character to be.

Note that this door swings both ways.

As it stands, today Tiamat can't use the Pym Particles. But Tiamat meets the definition of a "standard character" and CAN use Jocasta, etc - any of the Equip/Effect game bits.

So we don't know if "Game Design" (those mythical virgin vampire unicorns) would want Tiamat to be able to use the Pym Particles or not.

Ouch. Hope that stings less today.

This is a fitting exception, though. What are supposed to do when your damage symbol is replaced? Drop it? Destroy it? Without the unnecessary wording you retain it and can choose again beginning of your next turn.

the damage symbol is replaced, but the printed damage symbol is still "burst", which means that even if it's replaced, the actual figure is still a "standard character".

Yes, we need clarification on this.

Printed symbols don't matter for being a standard character. Hence the ruling that if you become a non-standard character while being equipped with something, the item remains equipped, you just lose access to the effects.

The Pym Particles, assuming they want them to use the standardized Equip wording, just needs a clarification that its own Effect won't make it stop working (which would cause a loop). We already have similar rulings in place to deal with stuff like that.

I am currently having a discussion on this with a friend.
I have just received A V X Dark Phoenix Cyclops and when we play I was going to assign him either something from the green lantern power battery or something from the book of skulls.
He is telling me that cannot assign anything to him as he is not a standard character.
Would he be correct?

Nope. Those are resources. Barring any specific traits or rules on the resource, nothing stops a resource from being assigned to a character.

Equipment is its own thing.

Feel free to do so and no longer have a friend.