Toy Fair and SDCC are always events that leave you nodding your head at what we are getting and shaking your head at what we still haven’t seen. Figuratively, I mean, because I rarely actually shake my head and I hate this newfangled “SMH” thing people do with the fiery passion of a thousand burning Sunfires. Sunfire, much like Chekhov’s rifle, will be making his way back into this conversation soon, so pay attention.
Nowadays there has to be a shifting of expectations, something which many of us old-timers at Marvel Legends-buying are still coming to grips with. As waves of toys now are symbiotically attached to new movie releases, it has become paramount to think in terms of “tangentially related” instead of the freestyle bebopping and scatting that Marvel Legends used to be. With new MCU movies based around Captain America and Dr. Strange coming, it makes sense that the showings this Toy Fair were going to be heavily skewed towards those two properties. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t enough surprises to go around.
One wave of toys not built around the MCU — a subject that has quickly become one of the most boring, long-winded and thread-killing topics in more threads than I care to count — is an X-Men wave. Now, there has been a theory that there would be no X-characters made based on Fox having a stranglehold on mutants and Disney and Marvel trying to erase both mutants and the Fantastic Four from everything. Or something. I don’t know, I only skimmed. But hey, look — muties!
For a seemingly large portion of the collector base, the X-Men characters and their peripherals butter their bread like no other. We saw pictures of Rogue previously, and then Deadpool was shown. A list was leaked some time ago and Toy Fair confirmed that it was mostly correct.
While the Build-A-Figure is unknown as of this writing — with both Juggernaut and Apocalypse heavily rumored — who knows if it’s actually rumors or just wishful thinking (JuggernautJuggernuatJuggernaut) – the roster is fully known, and it is a strong one. Well, strong with a side order of slight disappointment from some, as the wave actually holds no new characters. This means that longstanding Top Ten stalwart Polaris is still warming a bench somewhere in plastic purgatory. In fact, a host of mutants are missing at this point, plus a handful of decidedly needed versions like First Appearance Storm, but it is what it is.
What we do end up with is some great-looking versions of characters who have all had mixed results in previous releases.
Rogue’s had a bit of bad luck. First there was the goblin of an attempt at her previous figure, and then a cancelled prototype, both of which bracketed a very pan-flashing look from X-Treme X-Men. Well, Jim Lee fans can now rejoice as Rogue is finally getting what looks to be a definitive version utilizing Hasbro’s current actual ability to make decent female figures.
Current cinematic star Deadpool is also receiving what appears to be his finest figure yet, and if all those empty holsters and scabbards are any indication, he should come with a ton of accessories.
Iceman is getting another new figure after fizzling in that First Appearance box set. This one goes for more of a spikier, updated look with a craggy hairstyle. Looks like an ice figure. Yeah, I just said that. I don’t really dig the barefoot look for him because he doesn’t usually go into battle naked, and there’s not a frozen carrot to be seen betwixt his thighs. Seems like that’s something that needs to be rethought.
Havok is wearing his Uncanny Avengers look. This is how an update to a classic costume is done right, which isn’t a surprise as I believe it’s a Cassaday thing, who is a master at updates and redesigns.
Jean Grey just doesn’t seem to want to stay dead as she receives an updated Phoenix costume. Does this mean a Dark Phoenix redo on this body is in our future, maybe even in this wave? Who knows.
Kitty Pryde also receives an updated figure in a modern costume. While this isn’t her Excalibur Shadowcat costume (bummer), it’s still nice to get a Kitty that I can feel Pryde in owning. Yeah bitch, I went there as well.
Finishing up what we know of this wave is Cable. Cable has needed a definitive figure for quite a while, but I don’t think this quite hits “definitive” for me. It’s from the X-Sanction era, but X-Cutioner’s song would have been X-quisite to go with the Stryfe that most of us have. It’s a nice figure, don’t get me wrong, but without supersized shoulder pads it just doesn’t feel as interesting as a Cable laden with excess. Restraint might not have been the best option here.
So there’s the X-wave that many believed wouldn’t happen because of embargoes and such. No new characters, but still a lot of good.
Captain America is going to be slinging his mighty shield and standing in Stark contrast this year, so he’s pretty popular in the toy aisles.
I’ve never been overly happy with any Nick Fury figure, but it looks like this one will finally scratch that itch.
Since my favorite color is red, it’s hard to say no to any character that drapes themselves in It. Also, I don’t know why, but I’ve always been fond of the characters that carry shields. Maybe because it was so easy to pick up a trash can lid and be any of these characters as a kid, but the more the merrier, whether it’s Captain America, USAgent, Red Guardian, or Defensor. Combine those two elements and Red Guardian is my favorite of all of these upcoming figures.
Nuke has been shown before, but he’s looking better than ever and appears to be coming with two heads, one battle-damaged and one regular.
The Secret Wars Cap seems to be flummoxing pretty much everyone. To me he’s a pack-in to that nifty shield-slinging effect he’s got going on. If you don’t like him, then grab some red paint and some black paint and make a size-appropriate USAgent out of him.
As a movie is coming, there’s obviously going to be some movie figures. I’m not really big on movie figures and only get them if I need the BAF piece, but these all look very well done. Scarlet Witch looks particularly good. The Black Panther costume is garnering plenty of acclaim even if it will never replace the regular version for me. And Cap and Iron Man are good looking also, and they round out the movie side of these waves.
Not much of the Dr. Strange wave was shown, meaning no actual Dr. Strange figure. But we did get a look at Nico Minoru. Runaways is one of the best books of new millennium, so before you poopoo this character choice track that book down and read it. While it’s impossible to tell, I hope this isn’t just a one and done for Runaways characters. At least get a Molly Hayes out. I have a feeling I’ll be disappointed, though. Oh well.
Iron Fist’s Immortal Iron Fist-era costume also comes on a different body than the previous white-suited look. With translucent hands along with wrapped hands, we’ve got some options. I’m looking forward to this one. I’d like a classic one to update the bad-shouldered version of dickety years ago, but this one will scratch enough of the itch.
The BAF for this wave is . . . well, good for those who missed out on the SDCC set, but for me it’s a double bummer. I already have the Dormammu from the box set, and this is yet another Dormammu release that isn’t the classic version. So as I said, good for those who missed out, but kind of blah.
There’s some odds and ends later, but the some Spider-Man figures were shown that are looking great. We’ve got a brand new Spider-Man along with a new Miles Morales Spider-Man. Silk also makes an appearance, a newer character from Slott’s run. I like her costume and I dig all things Slott, so I’m down for that without question.
Most surprising and exciting is a brand new Hobgoblin figure; however, it’s not exciting for expected reasons. I do love the character of Hobgoblin, and though we got a great version many years ago in the Spider-Man Classics line, a less gangly version is very welcome. And as this one seems to be a Macendale version that comes with a traditional Hobgoblin face and a more demonic version (I really loved the storyline where Macendale made a deal with the N’astirh for demonic powers) that could be sideways turned into Demogoblin, who I’d love to see as a repaint down the line. While it’s a cool figure on its own, it is even more exciting because it features newly sculpted arms and legs with scales. Among the many characters that could utilize these newly sculpted arms and legs is a classic Sunfire — told you he’d be making an appearance again. While I would have accepted a Spider-Man repainted as Sunfire without the scales, this would add a whole other level of authenticity to what is one of my favorite hero designs and a much needed part of the Giant Size X-Men team and recent Avengers work. So yeah, this Hobgoblin is nice on many levels.
That takes care of the main waves, but we’ve also got some box sets and singles. An upcoming Toys R Us exclusive includes Kate Bishop, Sam Wilson Cap, and Vision pack. Kate is fine, and I actually really like Sam as Cap. His costume has been on the receiving end of some hate, but I really like it, so it will be nice to have that. The Vision . . . well, it’s just another “not classic” version. This is the third vision in a very short time that isn’t a much needed redo of a classic Vision. I loved the all-white Vision, and this one is fine, as was the previous one, but come on, Hasbro, make a stellar version of the classic. And yeah, I guess you can toss the MCU one out somewhere. It would be like making a bunch of Ultrons but not making THE Ultron. And that would be just silly.
Cough.
Walgreen’s has been getting some odd exclusives lately, and they’re getting yet another one. This one is a near perfect Jim-Lee styled Punisher, with the headband. This one is super-exciting for me. I’ve wanted a nice plain Punisher on a decent body for what seems like a long long time, and this seems to deliver. I might want to grab a handful of these.
There’s been some deserved flak on the lack of trigger hands. I want to believe that he’ll have some trigger hands by the time he comes out. It seems like we’ve seen some details change between Toy Fair and release before, so hopefully this is rectified before he hits stores, because a Punisher without trigger fingers is like a Piledriver without fists.
Double cough.
Walmart will be getting an MCU Falcon and Winter Soldier. Again, good for movie figure fans. They do look great, and I might want to pick up one or both despite my comic-skewing interest based on how cool the characters have been.
Not shown but mentioned is a Target War Machine and Disco Armor Iron man. Some blue and orange thing. I have no idea.
So yeah, this was a decent Toy Fair. I wasn’t hit with that great classic villain that’s shown up previously like Grim Reaper or Whirlwind, but overall it’s about like one would expect. And there’s always SDCC. While some noteworthy characters are missing, I have to think they’ll make some kind of appearance in upcoming Avengers or X-Men waves. I’m still waiting for a great Wonder Man, a First Appearance Storm, a newly sculpted size-appropriate brown costume Wolverine, and . . . well, just so much more.
I’m tired of myself and I’m sure you are too, so that’s all for now. Thanks for reading and I hope Toy Fair was good for you as well!