Marvel Legends Retro Series Silver Samurai

I'm going to jump into some Marvel Legends for the next several posts, because I already had a hefty backlog of them before I picked up this Retro Series Silver Samurai. I'd had my eye on this since he was announced, and with the market flooded with Marvel Legends, I saw his price continue to drop. I eventually got him for under eight bucks shipped, after a hefty discount and some Amazon points redeemed. 

I had a 3 3/4"  Silver Samurai/Wolverine Greatest Battles 2-Pack before selling off most all of my Marvel Universe collection- check out my 2011 post on it! I'm glad to have a quality 6" replacement of this character, though the Marvel Universe Samurai had some nicer silvers and some nice washes that brought out the detail in the armor.  His neck has very limited articulation, effectively a right/left swivel, but there's little else to complain about here. I'm very happy to have finally picked him up, especially at such a great price. Fantastic!

There was a Retro Series Wolverine released in the same wave as Silver Samurai, in all-black deco w/red belt from the '88/Vol. 2 run, but I have SO MANY Wolverines. Hasbro has delivered some good ones recently, of which I have no less than SIX, so...  Below, Silver Samurai with my first Retro Series Wolverine in his original brown and yellow outfit...

I may like pairing Silver Samurai with my X-Factor Wolverine even more...

Silver Samurai would also make a great sparring partner with Marvel Legends 

Shang-Chi from the recent Spider-Man Demogoblin Wave...

And finally, Silver Samurai with the DC Multiverse Batman Ninja...

More Later- Make It FUN!

Rewind: Marvel Universe Silver Samurai & Wolverine

After reading about Silver Samurai in the Wolverine #150 Giant-Sized Special from May of 2000, I was reminded of the Marvel Universe Greatest Battles Comic Pack I sold on my eBay store, which included the only Kenuichio action figure I've ever owned. And if you only had one, this was a good one to have- his detailed sculpt, flashy metallic presentation, and extra size among Hasbro's 3.75" line made him a standout! While I've successfully sold off most of my loose figures in this scale, I'll eventually put my carded samples up for auction- keep an eye on that if you live in the continental U.S. For now I've listed all my 2.25" DC Action League collection, as well as my 4" JLU figures.

The Wolverine included with Silver Samurai in that Greatest Battles pack wasn't that spectacular, but the Astonishing Wolverine I sold with his Marvel Universe Wave 16 counterparts was! I don't know if he's the best Wolverine in my collection, as the are so varied in make and scale, but I kinda hated to see him go   :D  Be sure to follow the Super-DuperToyBox on Instagram to see more of the toys in my collection revisited as I put them up of sale!

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Wolverine Vol.1 #150 GIANT-SIZED Special, May 2000

Finding comics in the dollar bin that are worth the search can be a challenge, but I found myself on the hunt again recently, and felt pretty good about this Wolverine #150 Giant-Sized Special. I probably found the familiarity in the first issues of Wolverine, Vol. 1 by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller- one of my earliest experiences with the character. All the elements are there, including scenic Japan, Silver Samurai, Yukio, betrayal, and an exuberantly outnumbered Wolverine. "Blood Debt" story line is basically four issues, staring with #150, a callback to some of the characters surrounding Logan's beloved Mariko and her clan, the Yashida. Things get tense between Kenuichio (Silver Samurai) and a resentful Logan, who blames Mariko's death and the corruption of her clan on her brother, now corrupt and drunk. The confrontation and resulting hasty exit by Logan are watched by ambitious eyes...

Logan's erstwhile girlfriend Yukio enters the story, hand full watching over Amiko, Wolverine's adopted, but neglected daughter. Logan must reason with the angry child that Yukio can provide for her in ways he cannot, and his constant absence is regrettable, but out of duty.

I loved this page with Silver Samurai bashing in Yukio's door, sword ablaze! Seemingly confrontational, Kenuichio had actually been attacked, and had come to warn Logan of Haan Kaishek's intent to overthrow the clans as part of his criminal empire.

Haan's men find Kenuichio, Logan, Yukio and Amiko, attacking the penthouse and splintering the group.  Haan eventually catches up with Kenuichio, running him through and sending Logan into a berserker rage!

Kia distracts Logan long enough for Gomm, Haan's brother, to pop a cap in his adamantium skull, demanding he dispatch the former so he may claim his birthright at the head of the clans. Video of the captured Yukio and Amiko force our hero's hand into the middle of a clan war!

In the back of this issue were notes on the story and art, including pencil sketches by artist Steve Skroce, and part four of a Spider-Man/Avengers short plopped right in the middle. I enjoyed the art and reunion of characters in Wolverine's modern mythology of this issue- it was a fun return for me years later, found in the dollar comics bin!

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Uncanny X-Men #172

In continuation of my post on Vol.1 of Wolverine and how it influenced the recent motion picture starring Hugh Jackman, I present another comic from my youth, Uncanny X-Men #172 . Published several months after Wolverine, Logan goes on to propose nuptials to Lady Mariko after defeating her father, who forbade their being together and tried to kill the X-Man. His old teammates accept the couple's wedding invitation, including Rogue, whom Logan gives the cold shoulder upon their arrival to Japan, distrusting of the former villain, now a probationary member of the X-Men. Mariko welcomes Rogue, correcting her gruff groom's manners...

Refreshment and relaxation is soon abandoned when Wolverine's keen senses detect the sounds of battle on the next rooftop, and fellow X-Man Nightcrawler teleports Logan to the scene. In fierce battle with the Silver Samurai, Logan's would-be-lover, Yukio, detected the spying assassin while stalking her former flame. The illegitimate son of Shingen, whom Wolverine defeated, Harada was dissatisfied with Lady Mariko's inheritance and sought to remove her from the equation. Storm saves her from a spill while leaping to her escape, but her brush with death is casually dismissed as Yukio cartwheels out of sight, perplexing the wind-rider. 

Relaxing at the Yashida residence later, The X-Men are left with Mariko's lady-in-waiting, who is ambushed by Viper upon her mistress' departure for "business meeting". The Hungarian mercenary poisons the X-Men's tea, leaving them to die while she attends the business of Mariko's meeting with half-brother, Harada, who's dissatisfied with the Lady's inheritance as head of the Yashida Clan.

Unbeknownst to Viper and the Silver Samurai ,Yukio had picked Mariko up and disguised herself as the Lady of the clan- exposed by Nabatone, the Yazuka intermediary. But the reckless Yukio strikes the surprised Samurai, in spite of her outmatched odds, Storm giving the assist in taking out Viper. Storm is forced to use her power over lightning to bring Harada down and again save Yukio. But when Yukio ends up pulling Ororo from the fire, the X-Man begins to warm to her new friend's thrill seeking ways!

Meanwhile, the X-Men are pulling through their ordeal with the poisoned tea that Viper served in intensive care- thanks to Logan's rich fiancee, the team has an entire ward to themselves. Wolverine's healing factor kept him on his feet, as did Rogue's partially alien physiology, having absorbed Carol Danver's psyche awhile back. (Interestingly, this story of Carol and Rogue was written for the cancelled Ms. Marvel title back in '79. but did not see publication until the fall of '92 in Marvel Super-Heroes Vol.2 #11.) Despite Mariko's pleas, Wolverine reluctantly takes Rogue as back-up to find Silver Samurai, "But you follow my lead, Youngster, my orders-- ev'ry flamin' step of the way!" Yes Sir! The X-Men became hugely popular in the 80's, and this issue has a lot going on, crossing Logan and Mariko's romance over into another title while continuing with several small character & plot developments occurring then. Read a trivia-packed post on this issue at Gentlemen of Leisure!

More Later- Keep Reading COMICS!

Marvel Universe Greatest Battles Comic Packs: Wolverine Vs. Silver Samurai

Last Monday I ran out after work to check out the scene just for fun, and came upon this lone Wolverine Vs. Silver Samurai 2-pack at a Wal-Mart on the south edge of the county, a place I've had really good luck this summer, particularly in the Marvel Universe department. I had seen this there some time ago, but already had an obscenely large stack of Marvel Universe in my arms, so I left in a rare show of restraint  :D   I'd been crawling all over Slangard's old blog Hippopotomi on the Lam recently, as I love his pics & reviews, and had seen this again! Knowing this was my last chance, I picked it up this time.

I like the idea of including a comic with action figures- it only makes sense if you want to promote your title/book, especially to kids.  Included in this 2-pack was what appeared to be a reprint of Wolverine #2:  On the soot-stained rooftops above Madripoor’s Low Town, WOLVERINE and the SILVER SAMURAI are locked in battle over the legendary black blade – an evil sword with the power to corrupt the spirit of even the purest warrior. Both men are near-perfect fighters, their bodies honed by a lifetime of combat, but only one will walk away from this battle. Oddly, Wolverine is is his yellow/blue X-Men outfit within the pages of this comic, unlike the cover, copyright 1988. The story inside is part 2 of Wolverine Origins: 7 the Hard Way, part of the 'Wolverine vs. Romulus' arc.  Yeah, Wolverine has tangle with Samurai in it, but... I was a little disappointed in that I didn't get some classic battle. Meh...

On the other hand, I liked the artwork by Doug Braithwaite, and Skaar & Cloak were also in the story- might have to hunt the rest of that down...

 

On with the action figures...
This set had some all-around eye appeal, but it was the Silver Samurai that I was really after. The glossy red tampographed sun emblem bursting off his silvery metallic chest plate, this figure is striking in his highly detailed armor- if not for the bulk of which, Samurai would be the height of Hasbro 3 3/4" articulation. Still, he can do quite a bit. Additionally, his katana & shorter tanto fit into the loops on his left hip, which was greatly appreciated. While I knew little of the character, this is one of the most unique & best looking Marvel Universe figures I've seen! Greatness, I say!

The Wolverine isn't too shabby, though a lot is left to be desired in the face, Let's face it: Hugh Jackman is a pretty boy compared to the Wolverine of Marvel Comics, but this figure has one DAMNED ugly mug! The red paint job surrounding his teeth just comes off wrong/too strongly. That said, I appreciate the simplicity of his uniform & pronounced claws (each separately sculpted). He is of appropriately proportioned build and has great articulation.

Keniuchio Harada is son to Japanese crimelord Shingen Harada, and head of Clan Yashida, and half-bother to Wolverine's late fiancee, Mariko Yashida. Born a mutant, Harada is able to generate a tachyon field around his katana, or any other weapon within his grasp, imbuing the sword with enough power to cut through nearly anything. Harada's familial ties are the nexus to a long conflicted relationship with Wolverine, both enemies & allies.

I've reluctantly passed on most all the Marvel Universe Comic 2-packs due to there not being a price break for buying two figures at once, or disinterest in one of the included characters, but this was a good one. There is a Marvel Universe Greatest Battles: Deadpool vs. Taskmaster that I'd like too, but he might be too sought after to find at a reasonable price. The Wolverine Vs. Silver Samurai is a great set- pick one up if you find it!

More Later- Have a GREAT Weekend!