After years and years of doing things the traditional way — traditional being getting characters in waves, waiting years and years for variations, sometimes not getting those variations at all — I’ve got to admit to a certain fatigue with the way things are going. Now, I’m not the leader of the toy industry (has that guy got a swell job or what?), but there’s an avenue of toy-acquisition that I’d love to enforce if I were.
Multi-character packs.
I’ve offered up an idea like this before, but it’s one that bears repeating and expanding on, even if it will never, ever happen. So I’m really just wasting your time and mine here. But that’s pretty much the point of a toy forum, so if you wanted to be doing something productive right now, you’d be listening to your boss calling your name over and over because you’ve spaced out in the middle of that big meeting. Which is pretty awkward since it’s only you and your boss in his office. Awkward.
What do I mean by multi-character packs, I rhetorically ask? I’ll tell you, but I will preface this with a standard caveat: this requires you to be a fan of a universe. The entire thing. This means you classic guys who poo-poo all the newfangled modern stuff will have to suck it up, and you modern guys wearing tomorrow’s pants who think you’re all cool and stuff will have to do the equivalent sucking. I’m talking about those of us who are universe fans. The ones who will actively seek out reading material for new characters. The ones who don’t discriminate and love the whole damn pie instead of picking through the slices. Personally, I love the whole pie. I am a big fan of the pie.
This theoretical multi-character pack will essentially end the classic versus modern debates that rage on and on like a plague of locust-vomiting frogs and drag every thread into indigestible swill.
I’m thinking packs of three figures. For instance: Wonder Man. You get a first appearance, a safari jacket Wonder Man, and a modern Wonder Man. Three very distinct looks, three very distinct eras, all at once. No waiting around, no holding out hope for your version to make it out, no shaking fist that modern guy got his version before you. Bam. All three versions, all at once.
Let’s take Thor. Put out a set with Classic, Simonson armored version, and whatever modern thing he’s wearing now. Bam. Three Thors thrust upon the unthuthpecting populathe — say that eleventeen times fast.
Many characters could benefit from this. Take Moon Knight. Classic, modern, and that stupid suited thing. Bam.
I’m just going to keep saying “bam” here, folks, so get used to it.
Magneto. Classic, modern, and that one with the big “M” from the ’80s. Oh yeah, Magneto has never been sexier. Or if that’s not to your liking, then go with Age of Apocalypse, or that other one from the ’80s. What do I care? I’m getting the one I want.
Bam.
See? That’s how you solve the world’s issues. By getting exactly what you want. If everybody got what they wanted, would they begrudge others who were also getting their needs met? So what if it costs a little more? People would be happy. Hands across the world. Hugs for everyone.
I’m looking at a box set with classic Drax, Infinity Watch (Hulk-sized) Drax, and a modern take. I’m thinking of a Cyclops with the Cockrum-esque blues, maybe the Morrison era (or sub in whatever else), and some modern version that doesn’t make him look like Racer X. Is he still wearing that? Are mutants still a thing? I don’t know anymore.
Spider-Man could have a set with a regular costume, a black costume, and a Spider-armor, or maybe something less tooling-intensive. I don’t know, just roll with it.
Maybe Loki could have a set with a classic Loki, a Simonson Loki, and Loki when he was a kid. Or a chick. Maybe better when he was a kid, because that’s less confusing. Asgardians really do have a fluidity to their gender, apparently.
Namor could come out with a Speedo version, his modern version, and his ’70s-era look, all in one set. Namors for everyone!
This could really take care of some of the more costume-swappy characters. Storm. Wasp. Especially Wasp. Imagine a box set of Wasp in three different uniforms. Hell, a half dozen box sets with different Wasps still wouldn’t be enough. 
Seriously. That is a lot of Jan.
Hank Pym could benefit from this as well. Dude just can’t make up his mind, can he? Toss in his West Coast Avengers look, his more recent version of the Wasp costume, and a straight-up Ant-Man, and you’re in business.
Wolverine would benefit from this all over the place. Brown. Yellow. Patch era. Astonishing. Modern. First appearance. Old man, even. Wolverine is all about the costume change.
Let’s face it. The debates aren’t going away, and any time a character with multiple versions across multiple eras is announced, there’s going to be hurt feelings and tears when someone somewhere doesn’t get the version that they wanted. But with multi-era, single-figure box sets, we can all be winners. And if there’s anything a toy fan needs, is to feel like he’s winning. And that is why I always wear a tiara and carry a staff wherever I go. Not just because it makes me feel pretty, but because it makes me feel like a winner.
But mostly because it makes me feel pretty.
