Mole Man was released as part of the Hasbro Marvel Legends Ronan the Accuser Series, which was a Fantastic Four-centric series.
This was an interesting wave as it featured a huge amount of figures; it was like it was a statement wave for Hasbro. With Thing, Human Torch, Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, First Appearance Namor, Silver Surfer, Mole Man, Dr. Doom, and Ronan the Accuser, this wave had the potential to be the beginning, end, and middle of all Fantastic Four waves ever. And it fizzled. Hasbro chose to use the ’90s look of a darker blue (not navy) and white costumes, putting Sue Storm in a conservative version of her hated ’90s look. Ronan came in his popular Annihilation Wave look rather than his classic look, and the Sub-Mariner gave us the classic green-scaled speedo on, well, a horrible sculpt. The wave had so much potential but never materialized as any thing great.
That isn’t to say there weren’t some gems. Mole Man and Dr. Doom were excellent figures, not perfect but very good. And as you’ll read below, Mole Man is one of my favorite figures. And he’s a great character. Appearing in the very first Fantastic Four comic, Harvey Rupert Elder, AKA the Mole Man, became a great and ridiculous villain. He’s a mad scientist living in the ground as leader of a cadre of monsters that are ready to do his bidding at any point in time. He’s blind, insane, of genius intellect, and has an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction at his finger tips.
The figure is really well done; the sculpt perfectly captures his small, squat stature. Mole Man’s always been drawn as “dorky-looking,” and the sculpt captures it well. There are some alterations on the classic take, but here Mole Man is sculpted to look like he’s got a serious skin condition. It might turn some folks off, but I like it as it makes Mole Man look like a dude who is somewhat unhealthy living under the ground. Additionally, his clothes are tattered and torn, making him look like a homeless person, which he is to some degree, having shunned the upper world.
The articulation is somewhat limited, but then with this sculpt it would be difficult to do much more. The biggest areas of improvement are the hips and the ankles. The hip movement is hindered by the waist, and I’m not certain there would be a better way to make this work. As it is, the sculpt is maintained and changing the articulation scheme might result in a more doll-like look. There are no ankle joints and this makes posing him difficult, so either ball ankles or rocker ankles could do the job. Otherwise it’s a great figure to play with and pose.
The paint is lacking. It’s the one area of the figure that really kills. There’s a sad attempt at a wash, but it stinks. With all the details that went into the flesh-rot and the torn clothes, this figure really needed a monster paint app, like a RoboKillah one. It really deserves class treatment.
As this is the only Marvel Legends Mole Man, he is a must have. But he’s a must have for your villain shelf as he is one of the oldest villains in the Marvel Universe and deserves to be represented. You can still get him today at:
Really loving my Fantastic Four figures! Especially since the movie property dispute embargo has the Four toys indefinitely in limbo.(even though Hasbro could make comic FF toys anytime they wanted)
Hmmm…indeed,friend. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if the minions were based on Marvel’s mole men! LoL.?
When Francis Ford Copella’s son admitted that his stage name he used to avoid nepotism was homage to Marvel comic’s Powerman,it was obvious that the literature of pop culture has influence in other storytelling mediums.
?Shalom.
Nice review, Pabs. I totally agree. I’ve always really liked this Mole Man figure. He’s a great classic villain, and Moley doesn’t need to be super articulated to be effective, as he is more of a mastermind type who mostly just points and orders his little yellow minions (hmmm) to do most of his evil bidding. He would definitely benefit from a paint wash or two, but that’s all pretty much academic. Bottom line is, if you want a Marvel Legends Mole Man, this is all you’re probably ever going to get.
I also really liked the Mr. Fantastic figure from this wave. A very unique action figure that I find very useful when making comics. I wish I had one just like it in the classic blue and black colors as well. Much like they did when they reissued the Thing figure from this wave. (Which I like as well).
I agree with you, the wave was a bit of a disappointment. That Namor in green trunks was a real disappointment. It would be great if Hasbro took another go at Namor (in his green trunks), Mole Man, and the F.F.
I haven’t been able to buy any of these guys because the figures were such a ‘letdown’. I would welcome a second chance. Especially with a Great Sub-Mariner in just his trunks. (His classic look) … not the one we are soon to get. And another try with the oldest villain in the Marvel Universe: Mole Man… would certainly be welcome. And a Classic Kirby Fantastic Four is WAY OVER DUE.!!
always wondered if the mold for the original toad ml figure would get resused and mole man proved it might have. though doom in the wave was not too bad. for after all we do have mole man in plastic and that says something about ml. when other toy companies proably would never make him.
I have and like this figure. I definitely plan on giving him a custom paint job.
It will improve the figure 100X.
Okay,PABS,no thanks on the oversized fat Roy Orbison-Dr.Octavious Mole Man figure☺?
He’s gone. Outta here.
This wave is actually where I came in,so it has a special place in my collector heart. Ronan is THE first BAF I liked enough to build. This wave educated me on how serious the “hunt”is. Silly me thinking one could just casually walk in store and find the figures one wants to buy. ? hmmm,yeah,oh-kay. I learned my lesson. Namor and Sue were hard to find. I passed up a Sue with a damaged card around the holidays at Wal-Mart and that was a mistake. It wasn’t until years later I found one at my comic shop to finish Ronan.(I’d just found Namor weeks before that)
Anyhow,long before I could finish Ronan,I sold Mole Man and Dr.Doom to said comic shop along with IronMan and some other figures(see photos)
Poetically this same Doom and a different IronMan were released soon After I made the transaction. (The Epic Heroes wave)Too bad they could not do for the MoleMan what they did for Dr.Doom. A reissue with a improved paint apps.
They would have to just make another figure at the proper scale. Although my mantra is the Arcane,Esoteric, Idiosyncratic,Obscure, Unique toys,MARVEL LEGENDS MM isn’t one of mine. He does have representation in my collection in the MARVEL figurines!
Paired with BAF FingFangFoom he’s really at proper scale then! Lol
?Shalom!
DOH!? Thanks for reading.(Apparently I didn’t.) Lol..now,I need a doughnut)
I’ve got to agree. This wave had potential to be one of the best ever. It’s one of my personal faves.
Mole Man here would definitely benefit from better paint apps and articulation. Maybe a ball or double ball torso would benefit him? Still a solid figure.
This one is by pablolobo, not me!
Good article. Fantastic writing,Jason.
I say that objectively because I disagree with your opinion on the wave of figures.
I will say why in detail shortly.(my batt is ruining low at the moment.)
I really enjoy your flair for creating interesting topics with your “limited” resources and unlimited imagination.
Say,what’s with this fascination you have with the subterranean denizens of the marvel u,MANTHILL??hahaha…
The figure isn’t that bad sculpt wise and with a good paint Wash it would be much better