So let’s get to it…
Number 10: Howard the Duck
Hasbro’s Marvel Legends has been on fire lately. Some of my favorite figures have been released in the past year. In my number ten spot is Howard the Duck.
This is one of those surprises I truly wasn’t expecting. It’s one of those characters that have such a niche fan base that there really was no reason for Hasbro to put any effort to push this one out. With a couple of small appearances in the MCU. The demand just isn’t there. I suspect he will have a larger part to play in a future Guardians special. With that said, I want this figure. It brings me back to that 1986 film by George Lucas. It was pretty awful. But as a kid, I enjoyed it. More so for the animatronic Howard than the movie itself.Number 9: Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider
With the unfortunate miscalculation by Hasbro Haslab and their Engine of Vengeance, Ghost Rider has had a bad outing as of late. Don’t get me wrong, the fanbase is there, but being forced to pay almost 400 USD for a 200 USD vehicle and figure was just ridiculous. But fear not true believers, a proper Ghost Rider figure was released this year.
The Marvel Legends Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider. Not to be confused with the more recent Robbie Reyes Ghost Rider we saw with the Haslab. The figure looks pretty solid. Flame effects look fantastic, and that skull head feels like it’s coming straight out of the comic. Again, a must-have for any Ghost Rider fan.
Number 8: Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends 3 pack
This one is a little different as it comes with 3 figures. You get Spider-Man, Ice-Man, and Firestar. Along with Ms. Lion, Angelica’s little dog. Another throwback to the 80s.
The inspiration for this pack was the 80s cartoon of the same name. It was one of the highlights of the Saturday morning cartoon block on NBC. Saturday mornings, were my favorite time of the week. We would catch Bugs Bunny, Superfriends, Scooby Doo, Dungeons and Dragons, and of course, your favorite web-slinger Spidey.
As I look at this pack, the theme song plays in my head. Oh, the memories. You can’t go wrong with this 3 pack. Especially if Spider-man is involved.
Number 7: Hawkeye & Kate Bishop
Ok, this one’s a tie. You really can’t get one without the other. Marvel Legends Hawkeye and Kate Bishop figures are a testament to how far 6-inch figures have come in the past few years. The sculpture on these is outstanding. The face scan technology is looking better than ever. They are based on the Disney+ Hawkeye TV series released earlier this year. If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching it yet, do yourself the favor and binge-watch the season. It is exceptional.
As well, If you’re interested in the Infinity Ultron, these figures are also a part of the build-a-figure line, supplying some Infinity Ultron parts as a bonus.
Number 6: Moon Knight
Another figure taking part in the Infinity Ultron build-a-figure is the Marvel Legends Moon Knight. Again, based on the Disney+ series of the same name. Another popcorn series worth bingeing.
Like the prior figures in the 7th spot, the sculpture here is fantastic! The eyes appear to glow! The detail in the wraps, the decals, and the gold paint apps is absolutely perfect. For those who enjoyed the Disney+ series, of which I count myself as one, getting this figure under the tree this holiday season would be a special treat!
Number 5: Apocalypse
The X-men line of figures is going to take a lot of the top spots this year. Starting off with one of the biggest baddies of all, Apocalypse. Being a fan of the X-men comics back in the late 80s and early 90s, knowing Apocalypse was part of a story arch made anticipating the next comic a painful few weeks. Anything involving Apocalypse was always an epic storyline. You knew that one of your favorite characters would be changed by the end.
So seeing this figure being offered by the Marvel Legends line, there is no question that this one must come home. I’ve already made space in my display!
Number 4: Mojo
If you got the chance to get the Hasbro exclusive, you know how totally cool this figure is. If not, Hasbro has brought this figure to the main line.
Mojo is another Xmen baddie that has given the group a mess load of trouble. He is a trans-dimensional ruler of the Mojoverse. A universe where entertainment is power and Mojo is its programming director. I know how it sounds, but the comics were an excellent read. And Mojo became one of my favorite supervillains of all time.
The figure itself is beyond compare. The articulation is well done, but the paint apps and sculpture is where this figure shines. Long gone are the days when the figure didn’t quite match up to the reference material. Mojo is spot on.
Number 3: Spiral
Another X-men related figure in the top 5. Spiral is just cool looking. I mean 6 arms, and it looks this good? Damn, I need this one. Spiral is another character that was impacted by Mojo and the Mojoverse. She was enhanced and enslaved by Mojo to serve as a caretaker to the X-Babies (Nightcrawler, Storm, Wolverine, Rogue, Colossus, Shadowcat, Magneto, Longshot, and Psylocke) de-aged by Mojo and later saved by the New Mutants.
Spiral is neither good nor bad, just someone being shaped by circumstance.
Hasbro has outdone itself with this one. It isn’t the first 6 armed figure in the line but by far the best looking. Able to hold multiple weapons and look so badass doing so, makes her an easy 3rd spot.
Number 2: Spider-Man No way home 3 pack
This is the second 3 pack to hit the list. But this one was a no-brainer. Growing up with 3 different iterations of Spider-Man since the early 2000s, seeing all 3 on screen at once was been a real highlight for many fans of the Spider-Man franchise. You knew at some point these were coming to action figure form. And true to form, Hasbro did a great job differentiating all 3 iterations.
Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire look great as their Spider-men counterparts. All wearing the same suit from their respective franchise makes this set a true collector’s dream.
Honorable mentions
A few figures that didn’t make the top 10 but do deserve to be mentioned are:
- Marvel Legends Beast
- Marvel Legends Spider-man & Carnage
- Marvel Legends Dark Pheonix
- Marvel Legends Deluxe Retro Ironman
- Marel Legends Zombie Scarlet Witch & Zombie Ironman
Number 1: The Animated Series Wolverine
Ok, so I am a little biased when it comes to the X-men line of toys. And one of the greatest is the new X-men The Animated Series line Hasbro released this year. I would put the whole line in the first place if I could. But because I can’t, I chose the stand-out figure. The crazy canuck himself, Wolverine.
X-men The Animated Series ran on Fox Kids from 1992 up until 1997. For 5 seasons. It wasn’t the first time a comic franchise was given an animated tv show, but it was the first that ran as an ongoing storyline. Something animated shows just did not dare back then.
To bring this line into action figure form was a long time coming. But the wait was totally worth it. I have a few Wolverine figures on my shelf, including more expensive Mafex figures. And I would have to say the aesthetic of TAS Wolverine by Hasbro is my all-time favorite. Articulation, paint apps, sculpt, all get high scores from me. The included VHS-style box is a bonus.
So there you have it, folks, my top ten Marvel Legends wants for Christmas this year. Check Hasbro Pulse, Big Bad Toy Store, Dork Side Toys, or your nearest, Target, Walmart, or Toys R Us.
Let me know if you agree or disagree with my picks in the comments below. Come back soon for other Top Ten lists for this holiday season, but until then Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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