Marvel Legends Retro 3.75in. Iceman & Hulk

 As I said in my last post, I'm just enjoying these Marvel Legends Retro Series 3.75" figures in their colorful packaging in the moment, and was glad to find the last couple of figures from that first wave at a local Walmart tonight, Iceman and Hulk. I had passed on Iceman once, but had been waiting for the Hulk, a childhood favorite. Big Tone pointed out that if by chance we got a Firestar in the future, I'd need Iceman to fill out my cast of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.

I neglected to show how nice the backs of the cards are on these, the colorful character art and description in five languages. Kids everywhere should have these, no matter what age... 

This classic Hulk evokes all the great memories from my childhood regarding the character, from the 1978 TV series, to the comics I read from that era, and of course my Mego action figures. Yes, I sold off most of my 3.75" Marvel Universe figures, but I can't resist the simple charm of these Retro Series figures- I'm interested to see how far Hasbro takes the line!

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X-Factor MiniMates 4-pack

I've been reading a bunch of X-Factor I found in the dollar comics bin lately, so it's a good time to bust out this killer X-Factor MiniMates 4-pack! Having read a lot of X-Force and Uncanny X-Men from this era, it's only natural for me to have wandered over to this title starring the original X-Men. This unusual spinoff from the X-Men titles finds the original X-Men estranged from the current team due to their old nemesis Magneto taking Professor X's place as its leader. The five set up a business in New York posing as as mutant-hunters for hire, capturing and secretly training mutants to control their powers and blend into society. Realizing the error of this ruse and it's resulting escalation of mutant discrimination, the group came out to the public with it's true intentions. Wierd idea, but it ends up turning into another X-Men book ultimately, eventually introducing new characters/mutants, and pushing previously "B" characters to the front.

Not everyone's favorite costumes, I kinda like the crossed chest emblem stretching over the member's torsos in different colors, Cyclops done appropriately in blue and yellow for the beginning of this title back in 1986. I'd be willing to bet this is the least favorite and lesser known Cyclops outfit and the 90's outfit is the most popular. I'd also bet most people don't notice as much because the basic elements remain: yellow & blue/or black, some bandolier/chest emblem, and optic blast visor.

Original field commander of the X-Men, Scott Summers was the first young mutant recruited by Professor Xavier for tutelage of his special powers, away from growing persecution of the general public. The unknown "X-Gene" that caused Scott's mutant evolution is extremely dangerous, revealing itself in the form of powerful concussive beams that shoot from his eyes. This "optic blast" can only be controlled by ruby quartz, fused into either his special visor or sunglasses, revealed when removing this MiniMate's visor/mask. He also come with a hairpiece pictured below, Cyclops sporting the extra set of flesh tone hands included in this set.

Jean Grey, the original Marvel Girl, was killed during the seminal Dark Phoenix Saga in the late 70's, yet retconned in a sort of wishy-washy fashion (just sayin'!). It was decided that Jean Grey had never actually been the Phoenix, kept in a cocoon on the ocean floor while the Phoenix entity performed it's evil machinations under her guise. Marvel had to do away with Cyclops' wife in the process so the pair could fall in love again! All is fair in love & comics  :D

Jean kinda goes well with fellow mutants Polaris and Boomer, sharing the same yellow as Boomer, and green with Polaris... all color coordinated n' stuff. Girl Power!

I think a lot of fans were bummed about Beast returning to his more human features in the early X-Factor books, but I love this! Don't get me wrong: I'm a huge fan of the furry, blue version of Hank McCoy, but I loved those early Jack Kirby issues of X-Men. Beast's costume changes color later in the series, but it's not long before Marvel brought back Hank's blue fur. Marvel more recently started an X-Men reboot in the First Class title, Hank as a "more human" Beast like this, as Jack Kirby created him in 1963. I like this  :)

Like most all toy collectors, I am mysteriously drawn to translucent plastic. It just looks cool, and what better material to render Iceman from? The original version of the character looked like a snowman, shortly thereafter revamped as the icy, angular hero we know today. It seems odd he wears that metal inhibitor belt while the rest of his outfit takes on his icy form, but that's how Bobby Drake looked in in X-Factor, a result of Loki's trickery in attempt to overpower the Frost Giants. Iceman came with an ice structure arm accessory that looks good, but does not fit well over his arm with the hand removed or not. He looks perfect on the flight stand I got with mu Magneto/Zero MiniMate 2-pack!

I love this set! It would have been nice to have Archangel in the set, or the coveted X-Force Angel that has a large white on red X pattern on his chest matching the rest of the X-Factor costumes (included in a 2-pack with Warpath).  These may seem somewhat plain individually, but make a nice grouping of a somewhat odd, but ambitious period in X-Men history. I've enjoyed reading some of the earlier issues of X-Factor, and look forward to reading some more, including the 90's Version with Polaris, Havok, and Multiple Man.

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Marvel Universe Wave 16

I found these Wave 16/Series 3 Marvel Universe figures about a week ago at Target on sale for $6.99 each- wasn't dying to get these, but at that price I went for it. They are all good characters I've read about in the last year, and I've been on a X-Men kick lately.  They turned out more interesting freed from their packaging.

Ultimate Magneto:

I like the color scheme on this Magneto, styled after his look in the Marvel "Ultimate" universe. I've heard some criticism of the paint apps on his face, and yeah it looks a little dirty, but not all that bad. I like the details in his outfit, defined in dark paint. His helmet is sculpted well and the "blowing cape" sculpt is unique, it's shoulder harness painted in a contrasting glossy black. I really like him- he looks like a baddie  :D

Absorbing Man:
I looked pretty hard for the black/metallic variant, but to no avail. Hasbro should've made them all like that- it looks so much more impressive. Still, this is a fun figure with the jail pants & wrecking ball. The paint apps on the flesh is nice as well, adding definition to his muscles and overall color to his pallor. What really stuck out on this guy was his individually sculpted fingers, which have tiny fingernail indentations- really detailed!

 

Iceman:

I was the least enthralled by Bobby here, and while somewhat plain he's more interesting up close. His color is a nice icy shade, and they painted his eyes the same silver as his boots/gloves. Again, any more X-Men are welcome to my Marvel Universe collection. 

I found these two Iceman figures while shopping the dollar comic bin at BAM! on Tuesday- pretty cool as I'd just bought an Iceman, but I didn't buy them...

Another Wolverine?? This makes six I have, and Slangards recently claimed Hasbro produced  35 Hasbro Wolverines in this scale to date, painstakingly listing them on Joint Junkie!  I still wanted this Astonishing Wolverine- the snarling expression on his face is great, and there's some nice detail in the outfit, particularly in the sculpted seams, gauntlets & boots. The paint apps on the flesh is nice as well, adding definition to Logan's bulging biceps.

Marvel Universe Wave 6 Wolverine, Wave 16 Wolverine, Sentinel Wolverine...

Astonishing Wolverines: 9" Hasbro Wolverine, 3 3/4" Marvel Universe Wolverine, 2 3/4" Marvel Heroes & Villains Wolverine mini-figure:

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*See the Marvel Universe visual checklist at ItsAllTrue.Net