Much has been made on this site and elsewhere about the potential of X-Men Legends. Thanks to the generosity of the folks at Hasbro, X-Men Legends are once again a reality. But what would action figure reality be without action figure fantasy? Below you’ll find a list of the X-Men action figures in most desperate need of a redo. You will not find Polaris on this list. While she has had an action figure, it isn’t a Marvel Legends figure, or one that falls under the Legends umbrella (X-Men Legends, Spider-Man Classics, etc.).
This list came to fruition based on several factors, like the age, availability, and quality of the character’s original (or most recent) Marvel Legends figure; their importance and renown within the X-Men; and my perception of the community’s desire for the character. This list is going to be in order of need to make a controversial list (to the Marvel toy collecting community, anyway) even more controversial. Let’s get into it:
Honorable mention: Iceman
Does Bobby Drake make this list if his only Marvel Legends figure doesn’t have an exploding-crotch action feature? I’m not so sure. That’s not to say that his series 8 figure was a masterpiece, or that any of his X-Men Legends figures satiated our (frost)burning desire, but it raises the question: Just how essential is Iceman? If his figure wasn’t known as one of the most fragile Legends ever, I’d bet this spot goes to X-23. X-23’s series 12 figure is one of the worst Marvel Legends made by ToyBiz or Hasbro.
- Gambit
Gambit is perhaps the most polarizing character on this list, and it’s partially for this reason that he’s so low. His series 4 figure is also one of the most polarizing Marvel Legends ever made, as some people relish it and others abhor it. In my opinion, I think it falls somewhere in between, as I think it’s actually a decent figure. It would probably still hold up if not for Hasbro’s recent commitment to well-proportioned bodies and a slight bump in scale since the Return of Marvel Legends. With his (occasional) lover Rogue making an appearance in next year’s X-Men Legends wave, it would make a lot of sense to see Gambit in there as well. He’s also getting a solo movie next year, so I think he’s the second most likely to be made on this list.
- Storm
I know this seems low to a lot of you, but Storm just had a Marvel Legends figure, and although it was notoriously difficult to find, it’s one of the best X-Men figures ever made. I would’ve gladly replaced Storm with another character if that figure was actually available to the general public, but instead I find myself placing her here and removing characters I would buy. I think Hasbro understands the desire for Storm’s first appearance costume, and I’d bet that the look we see when she is eventually made.
- Cyclops
This is another character I’m quite pleased with, and yet the most recent Fwoosh Top Ten Poll tells me I’m in the minority. Scott Summers is the quintessential X-Man, and neither of his two most popular looks (the John Byrne/Dave Cockrum and Jim Lee eras) have been made on the Bucky Cap body. Personally I’m an Astonishing X-Men guy, so I don’t see the need for this, but I will buy another Cyclops to go with my standard X-Men team. I only own one Astonishing Cyclops, and he stands with the Astonishing team (go figure).
- Psylocke
I believe Psylocke is the third most likely to get a figure in the upcoming X-Men series. Olivia Munn’s upcoming portrayal has brought a level of infamy to the character, and I expect Hasbro to capitalize on that. I know that the consensus is for another Jim Lee Psylocke, but I think her Marvel Now costume (pictured above) is worth a figure. I think it’s an elegant redesign for a character who has never had a costume identity (sorry Jim Lee fans, but she’s no more than a purple ninja).
- Professor X
The guy who created the X-Men deserves a look because his series 9 figure is painfully outdated now. Despite the ease and relative cost efficiency of repainting the Agent Coulson figure, I hope Hasbro would invest in the brown jumpsuit look. When you start thinking logistics however, it becomes a real question of whether or not we would see Xavier with his trademarked wheelchair/hoverchair. When you combine the idea of a unique sculpt and a large accessory (the hoverchair), Professor X makes a lot of sense as a Build-A-Figure. It may be a wasted Build-A-Figure spot to some (especially when you consider that characters like Nimrod and Sauron have yet to receive a Legends figure), but Hasbro should give the Professor his due.
- Havok
Havok has had a fairly high profile in Marvel’s recent comics, including Rick Remender’s brilliant Uncanny Avengers. There is no better time than now for Havok, particularly when you consider how bad his first Marvel Legends figure was. This is an easy repaint on the Bucky Cap body, so let’s get it done, Hasbro.
- Nightcrawler
Because of the unique parts required (hands, feet, head, and tail), this becomes more difficult than it was during the ToyBiz era. That said, this is too easy for Hasbro. Throw him on the Pizza Spider-Man body in the same costume as his series 9 figure and you’re all set. I like his series 9 figure, but like most ToyBiz Legends, it’s gangly and poorly proportioned. It’s time for an update.
- Deadpool
You remember how I mentioned Gambit as the second most likely to be made? I think the Merc with a Mouth is the most likely. Deadpool is a marketing machine at this point, and I can only imagine the outrage of your average Hot Topic customer when they can’t find a Deadpool action figure anywhere but eBay. They could put Deadpool in every X-Men wave for the next five years and he still wouldn’t pegwarm. I think this is money in the bank for Hasbro, and I expect we’ll see him with Rogue.
- Beast
People call for a new Perez Beast, a new Jim Lee Beast, and a new Astonishing Cat Beast. The easy solution is to find a costume that’s agreeable to everyone and give him multiple heads. Sure it won’t be entirely accurate, but at least you can still display your favorite Beast(ish). The bigger problem comes in when trying to provide a body for Beast. I’m not convinced Hyperion will work, so it needs to be a unique sculpt. Not so sure that will happen in the near future, but Hasbro needs to have Beast on the radar.
- Kitty Pryde
Kitty placed 9th on the most recent Fwoosh Top Ten Poll, and she’s now the 1st (lady) X-Man (redo) on the list! Okay, so she’s my favorite Marvel character, and let’s be honest, she belongs on the Mockingbird/Beetle body immediately.
Although countless factors came into question here, this list, like all lists, is arbitrary. I desperately wanted to get Colossus, X-23, Wolverine, Cable, Bishop, Banshee, and Sunfire on this list, but it didn’t happen. Let me know what you think in the comments, and discuss all things X-Men on the forums.
