Marvel Legends What If ...? Wave (Watcher BAF)

Though unfamiliar with the Disney+ show, Marvel What If...?, I knew I'd be getting this Marvel Legends wave upon first solicitation. I've since enjoyed the first season, but my initial enthusiasm for these unfamiliar Marvel character mash-ups was based solely on their fantastic designs. Check out the video:

Aside from some small nitpicks, I was not disappointed with any of these figures. Zombie Captain America may be the standout, but Captain Carter seems to also be a fan favorite among the action figure community. And Doctor Strange Supreme just makes a fine stand-in for Doctor Strange, in spite of the character's alternate reality in the What If ...? animated series. The same goes for Zombie Hunter Spider-Man- without the cloak, he's just a good, albeit grungy, Spider-Man. Below, some of the other Marvel Legends that make an appearance in the video: Far From Home Spider-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy 2 Star-Lord, Doctor Strange, Infinity Gauntlet Thanos, and Ragnarok Thor...

Pictured below, The Watcher BAF with my Marvel Legends Fantastic Four, Obsidian Surfer, and my old ToyBiz Cosmic Power Galactus. You won't get a great deal of extreme poses with this BAF, but that's not typical of the character anyway. I didn't buy the recent HasLab oversized Sentinel or Galactus due to their prohibitive cost, and wish they would just release some simpler, large figures for a lower price to complement the Marvel Legends line.

This was truly a great Marvel Legends wave, largely full of characters I didn't know I wanted a figure of. I did enjoy What if ...?, Loki, and WandaVision recently on Disney+, however, but it helped that I'd watched most of the MCU films off the last ten years. And while this isn't a "classic" Watcher figure, the character has been rendered differently often enough in the comics that it works for me. There has been speculation the Hasbro will release a more vintage styled Watcher like Marvel Select has, but I like this modern update. Recommended! 

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Marvel Legends Avengers Endgame Smart Hulk BAF Series

The main drive to acquire this Marvel Legends wave was to assemble the Endgame "Smart Hulk", but I do like most all the other figures, Rescue being the primary figure of interest. After first being announced, I was more excited about Shuri, but Beta Ray Bill, Union Jack, & Loki interest me more now. Additionally, I can pair the Endgame Power Gauntlet accessory included with the Mark LXXXV Iron Man in my last post. Check out the video:

Above, Professor Hulk gets his Power Gauntlet fit by Iron Man Mark LXXXV, and below standing gauntlet to gauntlet with the Avengers Endgame Thanos BAF I recently picked up loose on the secondary market. What a great looking pair of action figures! See more pairings and comparisons in the video above!

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Hasbro Avengers Thor & Loki

Continuing from my last post on the new Hasbro Avengers Hawkeye & Capt. America, we'll now take a look at Thor & Loki, two that surprised me with their great sculpts and likeness to their movie counterparts. The included figure bases are really working for me with their interlocking edges- very cool!

Just for laughs, let's start with Thor's evil step-brother and God of Lies & Mischief, Loki. There's a lot to like about this action figure, including but not limited to his incredible detail, removable helmet, and stunning likeness to actor Tom Hiddleston, who skillfully portrayed the character in The Avengers.

First off, the layering of Loki's outfit is  masterfully done, the coat and cape both removeable, detailing in the fabric consistently sculpted down to the base layer.

The Celtic pattern sculpted in back of Loki's longcoat is tight, as is the piping in front which has been carefully painted to match his gold arm guards. Just... wow...

Hasbro topped it off with a removeable helmet that even features a paint app of a different shade of gold on the horns. Loki's sceptre (which should be a staff) is my only sore spot here, painfully out of scale with the figure. It's a shame too, as the sculpt is as good as any accessories I've seen with an action figure, and paint apps using two colors.  This figure is brilliant, but Hasbro missed the boat right here at the end. That said, this action figure is a work of art!

The obvious first comparison would be with my Comic Series Loki from the Hasbro 6" Thor line, a figure I liked in spite of the great deal of criticism he garnered from the Marvel Legends community. He's much larger than the Hiddleston Loki in height and girth, but it seemed like the Marvel movie action figures are smaller across the board, including a lot of the 3 3/4" scale figures.

And now for the first round of BIGTOY/littletoy on this post, Hasbro Avengers Loki with 3 3/4" Secret Strike Loki. Both of these really looked like Hiddleston and are exceptional action figures...

As with Loki, I hadn't planned on getting Thor, but seeing him on the pegs really changed my mind. He's magnificent! The headsculpt looks a lot like actor Chris Hemsworth, and also reminds me of Brad Pitt a little. I thought Hemsworth played Thor's role perfectly in Thor and The Avengers, and I loved the costume update for the God of Thunder's recent debut into live-action movies. The exqisitely detailed sculpt on this action figure is as great as the 3 3/4" movie figures, which totally surprised me with their artful execution. The hair has a perfect wash in yellow oxide, lying inside the painstakingly sculpted strands, and his eyes may be the most realistic I've seen on a Legends figure, rivaling a DC Direct. While Thor's mystical Mjolnir is missing it's inscription, the impossibly tiny Celtic patterns sculpted in the hammer's ends take on a hyperrealistic appearance under the dark gray wash settled into it's detailing. Really great!

The floor-length cape restricts Thor's poseability to a degree, but looks cool. While it isn't removable like my other Hasbro Thor figures, Thor really needs a cape. I mean, he's Thor. While this figure doesn't have hinged wrists or rocker-joint ankles like some of the new Marvel Legends figures, he does have great articulation the line is known for, including double-jointed elbows & knees, and a pretty expressive hinge/ball combo at the neck.

This is basically the same figure as the 6" Thor movie figure released last year, much to the chagrin of many a Marvel Legends fan who bought that helmeted version, and for good reason- the helmet was inexplicably dull grey, unlike the bright chromed helmet seen in the movie for about  two seconds. Glad I didn't buy that. I prefer my Thor with a helmet, but the headsculpt on this figure is killer!

Hasbro Avengers Thor with my Lord of Asgard Thor- as with Loki, the comic series Thor is much larger than the Hemsworth Thor who sports more realistic physique proportions. I like both of these equally for what their unique features.

And now for the second round of BIGTOY/littletoy, Hasbro Avengers Thor with 3 3/4" Hammer Smash Thor. Both of these are a good likeness of Hemsworth and are great action figures, amazingly consistent in there sculpt from one scale to the next...

Now if you don't think that's fun, I can't help you!  :D

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6" Lord of Asgard Thor & Loki

I guess these aren't labeled as "Marvel Legends" action figures, but they are the herald of the famed line's return. When I checked last week they had the Capt. America, Nick Fury, Movie Thof, & Loki, but not the Lord of Asgard Thor- the one I was really after. JBoy felt they were shortpacked, and I think he was correct, as upon my return I found only one on the peg.  And if they are shortpacked, that they are Wal-Mart exclusives as well makes him even more of a find- that said, I've seen him in Legends packaging online (Blob BAF Series- 2007), but am unsure exactly when that's gonna drop, and the colors didn't look this good. I wasn't going to buy Loki unless I found the Lord of Asgard, but I got lucky!

This figure is modeled after the Thunder God's depiction in the Thor: Lord of Asgard storyline, where in the wake of Odin's heroic self-sacrifice, Thor is called upon to fulfill his father's legacy as lord and master of the Eternal Realm. While I've not yet read this, this supercharged version of Thor would appeal to any fan of the Norse hero! I mean, just look at him....  Damn! The exaggerated sculpt and dark colors look great on this guy. I'm a big fan of the helmet and ribbed boots, and his oversized battle axe and Mjolnir hammer are nicely detailed as well.

Thor is bulky, hence his articulation is pretty limited: his shoulder armor gets in the way of any over-the-head action, and his long hair keep his head in mostly one position. He has an abdominal crunch joint, but it doesn't do anything really acrobatic. Due to the bulge of his biceps, Thor can't do much of a curl, and when the forearm is brought in, a protruding tab of plastic is exposed at the elbow, unattractively separated from the remaining arm sculpt. Not so great there. His waist moves 360 degrees, as do his hands & feet, both of which feature a hinge as well. The double-jointed knees on mine were really cranky, but the swivels at the the top of his thighs were easily rotated. He kinda leans forward & down due to the weight of that huge cape and head placement, the latter of which I mentioned previously having being limited because of his molded, golden locks.

While on the subject, Thor's removeable cape is really something- it has a heavy fabric surface texture, "fur-lined" sculpted collar, and is nicely shaded. If removed, one can see the peg holes where it attaches to his shoulders- not a problem for me as I'll display him robed, though I had perpetual issues getting the thing back on to stay, a problem I had with some of the 3 3/4" movie Thor figures as well. I seem to have it reattached pretty securely now.

Lord of Asgard Thor and my Savage Frost Giant both have a lot in common really: they are both large, have an abdominal crunch joint, include a detailed accessory axe, and have sculpted fur on their outfit...

In spite of my critical eye, I proclaim this action figure BITCHIN': the colors, paint and sculpt are really cool. I love the helmet! I also like dig the details in his strapped boots, which are mimicked in raised, gold rectangles up the sides of his thighs. The belt has some nice detail, as does the chest armor, which has a subtle metallic paint application on the chain mail. He has his problems, which include distribution, somewhat plastic-y skin tone on his arms, and stiff neck, but at fifteen bucks he's a good value.

Lord of Asgard Thor with 3 3/4" Marvel Universe Avengers Thor and 9" ToyBiz Famous Covers Thor:

As tough as the competition was with his half-brother, this comic series Loki holds his own with a great sculpt and color. Like Thor, his shoulder joints are restricted by sculpted fur, though Loki has double-jointed elbows and his hinged wrists aren't hindered by wristbands, making his hands more expressive. His body, legs, & feet appear to be reused from an earlier Legends Doc Sampson I have, the scuplt of his t-shirt collar remaining. His abdominal joint is superior to Thor's, being a ball-hinge/swivel combo as opposed to one big hinge. While Thor enjoys a cut waist joint, Loki doesn't need one with the more expressive abdominal joint.

Loki lacks the detail that Thor's torso is decorated with, but the gold brads in his gauntlets & loincloth offset his plain body, which has a dark wash that's subtle. His left leg strap around the thigh would have been appreciated more thoroughly if Hasbro would've included a sheathed sword or dagger!

Great oppurtunity for BIG TOY/little toy! 6" Loki with 3 3/4" Marvel Universe Loki:

These two make a fun pair! I don't have a ton of Marvel Legends figures, like I do Mattel DCUCs, which I generally consider superior. I've read people more experienced claiming the earlier ToyBiz Legends were better than when Hasbro took over the line. I have some unopened ToyBiz Legends, but only a couple I've opened- one being my First Appearance Hulk. If I had to judge only by him, I'd say that is true- his articulation is incredible, as are his looks. That said, Thor & Loki are cool, and that Hulk is just an amazing action figure & tough competition for any who stand beside him. Below: Daredevil, First Appearance Spider-Man, First Appearance Hulk, Doc Sampson, Black Bolt, Lord of Asgard Thor, & comic series Loki (all are Hasbro, save Hulk & Spidey).

*See MarvelLegends.Net for the Legends visual checklist!

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Thor Movie Figures: Thor, Odin, & Loki

As I showed you a few days ago, I kinda went nuts for the Thor Movie 3 3/4"  line of  figures.  While I've yet to see the movie, I saw Slangards review of the figures over at Hippopotomi on the Lam, and that sealed the deal. I've been seeing less of them around, so I figured I'd grab far too many while I could  :D  Let's take a look at Hammer Smash Thor, Sheild Bash Odin, & Secret Strike Loki...

I felt lucky to find a Hammer Smash Thor- he's the one with the helmet, and is somewhat hard to come by lately. I understand that Chris Hemsworth didn't wear the helmet much in the movie, but he's Thor... I wanted one with the helmet. This figure does look like Hemsworth, and the other Thor figures from this series without the helmet REALLY look like him. I might have to pick one of those up, too.

Along with his trusty hammer, Mjölnir, Thor comes with a HUGE sword that splits open via a button on the hilt to reveal... a lightsaber? I don't get it... it's clunky, ugly thing. With such a nice figure, I would have appreciated a nice sword or shield. Movie Thor is a lot smaller than my Marvel Universe Thor, hammer & all, but he is refined to look like the actor in his costume, so his proportions are really good. He enjoys some decent articulation, including ball & hinge neck & double-jointed knees. His sculpt is outstanding- great detail!

Thor's father Odin is played by the great thespian Sir Anthony Hopkins, whom was was expertly immortalized by Hasbro for this line of toys. Like Thor, Odin included an oversized sword and also a shield that releases spikes around it's circumference when a button on the front is pressed, both of which are so heavy I could barely get him to hold them. Fail!

And the last of these three, but certainly not the least, is Thor's evil brother Loki! He's an excellent figure! I love the way they styled this with the flared, green longcoat- really cool! This guy may not look like much on the pegs- you might even miss him, but he's hella fun! While very different in styling from the Marvel Universe Loki, he looks alarmingly similar to him... they did a good job updating the characters in this line.

Loki comes with another gimmicky. oversized accessory/sword, which when released provides what I believe are intended to be arm guards for battle...

Better suited accessories are Loki's tiny daggers... he just seems like the kinda character that might pull a knife on you or mug you...

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