Mattel DC Multiverse Rebirth Batman & Superman

I hadn't been keeping up much with Mattel's DC Multiverse, the aesthetic of a lot of what I've seen eclipsed by Hasbro's recent, extended run of one excellent Marvel Legends figure after another. Still, my love of the 6" scale was really excited by DC Universe Classics several years ago, these DC Multiverse being the very descendants of. Check out the video:

Below, DC Multiverse Rebirth Batman with my and Batman Unlimited New 52 Batman and Beware the Batman figures, and Rebirth Superman with my DC Universe Classics Superman and Man of Steel Superman:

While hiding the pins at the elbow and knee joints is a visual improvement, these Multiverse figures haven't really evolved past what we were getting with the DCUC Series years ago. That said, DC Universe Classics was a great line of action figures with a unified style and enormous cast of characters that I truly loved. I appreciated the extra hands with Superman, but am left empty handed with Batman, Mattel again refusing to give us even one batarang. Unfamiliar with the recent DC Rebirth story arc, I bought these loose on eBay, merely for my love of the characters and admiration for the outfits. Mattel isn't revolutionizing the future of the modern action figure here, but it was fun to have a couple "new" DCUC-styled heroes.

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Marvel Legends All-New, All-Different Daredevil

I was always a fan of the highly coveted 2015 Hobgoblin Wave Daredevil in red, but was glad to get this updated version from the 2018 SP//dr Wave. Modeled after the All-New, All-Different. the wrapped forearms and laced boots make for a more interesting figure, in my opinion, and despite complaints from the collector community, I actually like the zig-zag pattern of the rope accessory. Like the other recent Daredevil figures, this one was built on the oft used Bucky Cap body, which Hasbro has got some serious mileage out of- it works fine, though some butterfly joints at the shoulders would have added to an acrobatic character like Daredevil. I found this sample for under half the retail priced shipped, without the box or SP//dr BAF part, which didn't interest me that much anyway.

Below, All-New, All-Different Daredevil with my 12" SDCC Daredevil...

Below, Daredevil spars with the recent 1st Appearance Deadpool...

I'd certainly recommend this Daredevil figure, now the only 6" version of the character in my collection after having recently sold off my 2009 Nemesis Series Daredevil. Matt Murdock only wore this black outfit briefly, but it captures the spirit of the character, and the sculpt upgrades sure add visual interest. I'm currently catching up on some of this Daredevil Vol. 5 from 2016, and enjoying it. The character has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity due to the popular Netflix series after 50+ years in publication, first appearing in 1964, a creation of writer Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett. Daredevil is one of Marvel's most unique characters, evoking a deep psychological aspect due to his disability as well as his profession as a lawyer. Because of this layered complexity, so many stories of the blind Devil of Hell's Kitchen have been told.

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Marvel Legends Edge of Spider-Verse Spider-Gwen (2015)

On the heels of my last post on the Marvel Legends Edge of Spider-Verse Series Ben Reilly Spider-Man, I though I'd crack this Spider-Gwen I'd been holding onto the last three years. Packed with far less accessories than Ben Reilly, extra hands would have made this better, but I'm okay with the unmasked portrait. And as stated on ItsAllTrue.Net, the character was barely a year old when Hasbro pushed out an action figure due to her sudden upshot in popularity. Pretty impressive.

I won't go on about the action figure community's bemoaning of Marvel Legends female's underperformance in the articulation department, but a better abdominal joint could have made a world of difference for Spider-Gwen. That said, the design looks great, and the paint apps are pretty decent for a mass produced figure like this- the webbing on the inside of the hood and undersides of the arms are admirably executed.

Below, Spider-Gwen with Ben Reilly Spider-Man from the Edge of Spider-Verse Series:

Spider-Gwen spars with Shuri from the recent Black Panther Klaw/Shuri 2-pack...

And finally, Spider-Gwen with Ashley Barton Spider-Woman...

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Marvel Legends Edge of Spider-Verse Ben Reilly Spider-Man (2015)

I'd been sitting on this 2015 Marvel Legends Ben Reilly Spider-Man since February, bought from an eBay seller long after his retail debut. He shares the same buck as the All New Amazing Spider-Man, which I loved The arms for the Absorbing Man BAF are included, but more interesting are the Carnage hands and head accessories included that make this figure too much fun. The vibrant red against the dark blue, big eyes, and modern Hasbro sculpt make this a dynamic figure I've been looking forward to opening.

All the appropriate modern articulation is present here, including butterfly joints at the shoulders. Collectors have bemoaned the limited hip spread, considering the acrobatic character, but they are functional enough for me. Ben Reilly also comes with no less than three sets of regular hands in addition to the Carnage hands, making this an unusually loaded Marvel Legends release. I appreciated this outfit in it's time, and love it on this lanky buck- what a fun action figure!

As I said, the Carnage head and hands accessories are extra cool, a nod to fans referring to the Web of Carnage story, when Ben Reilly traps the Carnage symbiote inside himself ...becoming Spider-Carnage (1996). I never read the Clone Saga from 1994 to 1996, detailing the long and somewhat convoluted story of Peter Parker's passing of the Spider-Man mantle to clone Ben Reilly after realizing he was actually the clone of Ben  … then later discovering he was in fact the original? Ugh. Still, I love the idea of Spider-Carnage, and the accessories make this figure special.

Below, Ben Reilly with Hasbro's 2008 version from the Marvel Legends Ares Series. This older figure gets a lot of criticism, but I always liked the sculpt.  Ben Reilly certainly is an upgrade, but Hasbro was still struggling to find their own style for the line, only haven recently taking the line over from ToyBiz in 2006.

Below, some Marvel Legends Spider-Men in my collection: ToyBiz 1st Appearance Spider-Man, Hasbro Homecoming Spider-Man, Avengers Infinity War Spider-Man, All New Amazing Spider-Man, Ben Reilly Spider-Man, Superior Spider-Man, Spider-UK, and Amazing Spider-Man.

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