Let’s see how these little guys take over the legends…Hasbro will be focusing on this new line of 3 3/4-inch action figures, dubbed Marvel Universe. The first series has already been released, comprised of Daredevil, Silver Surfer, Iron Man, Spiderman, Punisher, Human Torch, Black Panther, Wolverine (X-Force), and Bullseye.
Series 2 releases are hinted in the photos below: Green and Gray Hulk, Iron Fist, Ronin, Green Goblin, and Captain America (Stever Rogers).
Now, I didn’t purchase one of these figures just to review them or even try them out. I borrowed it from a friend and tried comparing, specifically, Iron Man with the rest of my collection. And with quite the collection I easily amassed of Marvel Legends (easily I mean because they were pretty cheap back when Toybiz handled them…), I couldn’t help comparing the quality and price of this new line with the current Marvel Legends. Oh, and yes, I’ve also put DCUC into my benchmarks.
These little guys cost about US$ 7.99 at SRP. Not bad, considering that the series is already quickly populated even at the onset (series 1). Sculpts are often like Marvel Legends, only scaled-down. The weight is just right – not too light, and nothing to increase its weight as well. Heck, with Hasbro’s sculpts, it seems like both scales share the same number of articulation! Speaking of which, articulation is set at an average of about 20 – 22 points. Swivel neck, ball-joint shoulders with swivel biceps, hinge elbows, swivel wrists, ball-torsos, swivel waist, ball-thighs, hinge knees (others have double-joints), swivel shins, and ball-ankles (in some, just hinges). For Iron Man, paint is good, with metallic red and gold for his armor. At this point, this line does seem alright, especially for Marvel collectors with a budget.
It’s quite clear that Hasbro is following the road they took with their Star Wars and G.I. Joe toylines – a smaller scale to accrue for more characters to fill-in the lines. They’re currently holding-off the next line of Marvel Legends (after the Holocaust/Nemesis series) for several months to focus on this new line.
But for me, I’ve stopped with the G.I. Joe line long ago when I was kid. Earning on my own now, my preference is more plastic, more articulation, more detail. Bigger, for better appreciation. Note that I’m also into scale models and would know the differences in scale and that not everything is built big. But coming from 6-inchers…I’m still not convinced why Hasbro had to scale down, given that the bigger line had more of everything for the money. Oh, and given that the quality of what they churned for Marvel Legends was real crap.
So what did my Marvel Legends do to the new (short) guy?
Even Timmy thinks the line is too small :p
My Revoltech Transformers had a fun time dissing their newly found playmate…
With that…I conclude that this new line from Hasbro/Marvel – just won’t fit into my collection. Nor is it welcome. I’m sticking to the 6-inchers even if I have to customize the rest of the line. Hasbro hasn’t convinced me with their Marvel Legends run, more so with their new line…
