There have been a lot more single deluxe format figures that could have previously been BAFs. Hulkbuster, Lockjaw, maybe even Odin, but he comes with so many extra accessories that releasing him as a single seems like the only way we would have gotten them. I'm just thinking of all the "oversized" boxes I've accumulated recently, like Jean and the Phoenix force, Kang and the Time Chair, and all these aforementioned figures. The BAF model was definitely more cost efficient for the buyer, as it was practically a free large figure with a wave of figures. But then to complete, you had to buy figures you might not want. Deluxe offerings fill that void, but now you're just buying the large figure for a large price.
It's definitely going to vary person to person. The ability to be selective about what to buy and not be "forced" into buying unwanted figures was the most common criticism of the BAF model lo these many years. For someone like myself who only buys comic figures, it's probably to my advantage that they haven't been doing split comic/MCU waves with desirable BAFs - although personally I never really minded it, as I'd usually just sell of the figures I didn't want. I can imagine if Deadpool & Wolverine was released two years ago Colossus would be a BAF and the three movie figures would be packed alongside three comic figs - and plenty of collectors would be irritated at having to buy those unwanted extras at $25/pop to build him.
I'm actually very happy with the three BAF waves we got this year - all comic, good character selection, and some deep cuts (valid criticisms about the Strange Tales lineup notwithstanding). I'd be very happy to see another year with 3 solid waves like that. And, come to think of it, the number isn't that different if we only look at comic waves - there were only 4 comic BAFs in 2023, and 3 in 2022.
I buy everything, so BAF waves equaled a bonus large figure for me. There were definitely instances when I wanted a BAF more than the figures in the wave though. What's off-putting to me is how single carded figures cost as much or more than single figures that include a BAF part. But that decrease in value comes with time and inflation and other overhead costs and blah blah blah. Fortunately, it feels like the quality is increasing, and that there are conscious efforts to improve with many of these releases. Sure, some still feel cheap; some still feel like poor values. Comparing the sparse Rogue/Destiny set to the loaded Strange/Wong set shows that discrepancy.
Don't collect MCU or Dark Thunderbolts or whatever, so thank you Hasbro, for going easy on my wallet these past few days. (Trying to stay optimistic)
“Red brick” = Marvel logo. Generic, non-themed baf wave.
I suspect we're gonna continue to see BAFs because there are still a ton of characters who are larger but probably not well known enough to warrant a standalone deluxe release. The majority of deluxe releases we've gotten still tend to either be well known characters or someone that has a current mass media tie-in of some kind like a movie, TV show or game. I doubt we'd get someone like Ursa Major as a standalone release, for instance.
Stegron and Big Wheel's wheel for the next 2 Spidey BAFs, please. 😀
Let me be more specific. While Odin is great, he has been made in the line before. I want more classic Thor supporting characters that have never been done. Warriors Three, Balder, Skurge, Karnilla, Lorelei, and Heimdall have never had a classic/comic Legends figure. Let's get them done.
I think the BAF model should have died once it became clear that places like Target and likely Amazon and other online retailers wanted to get cases of individual figures and not break apart "cases" of mixed figures to fulfill online orders. BBTS used to sell unopened cases, now they don't even bother (as near as I can tell) to sell full waves in a bundle. Basically, the intended goal to sell even the peg-warmers to complete the BAF has gone out the window as the peg-warmers are likely pre-ordered in lower numbers to start with.
The BAFs were very consumer friendly in the early days of Legends when I suspect the vast majority of the collectors wanted every figure in a wave - as the waves were almost always A-listers, and it was a way to get out oversized figures. Now I am not sure that the really are consumer friendly given the disjointed nature of most BAF waves with many deeper cuts or variants of A-listers. They have moved the truly themed waves, like X-Men or Secret Wars, to the non-BAF model - if not for the retro card back nostalgia, Secret Wars would have been a perfect wave to have someone like Titania be the BAF and add another more mainstream hero to the mix.
I think at this point, the money spent on the BAF would be better spent on more unique tooling. better paint apps, and more accessories for the focal figure in the package. Or to simply keep the cost to $25 a figure.
I think the BAF model should have died once it became clear that places like Target and likely Amazon and other online retailers wanted to get cases of individual figures and not break apart "cases" of mixed figures to fulfill online orders. BBTS used to sell unopened cases, now they don't even bother (as near as I can tell) to sell full waves in a bundle. Basically, the intended goal to sell even the peg-warmers to complete the BAF has gone out the window as the peg-warmers are likely pre-ordered in lower numbers to start with.
The BAFs were very consumer friendly in the early days of Legends when I suspect the vast majority of the collectors wanted every figure in a wave - as the waves were almost always A-listers, and it was a way to get out oversized figures. Now I am not sure that the really are consumer friendly given the disjointed nature of most BAF waves with many deeper cuts or variants of A-listers. They have moved the truly themed waves, like X-Men or Secret Wars, to the non-BAF model - if not for the retro card back nostalgia, Secret Wars would have been a perfect wave to have someone like Titania be the BAF and add another more mainstream hero to the mix.
I think at this point, the money spent on the BAF would be better spent on more unique tooling. better paint apps, and more accessories for the focal figure in the package. Or to simply keep the cost to $25 a figure.
I've always assumed BAFs help get more obscure figures made, so in that sense I definitely don't want to see them done away with. To hbhfback's point above, it definitely seems like the deluxe model still favors relatively well-known characters, and your Ursas Major or Voids don't stand much chance of a solo release. Same with the individual wave figures too - including an incentive in the form of a desirable BAF might open doors to get more obscure figures who otherwise wouldn't see the light of day. If we can still get our wider cast of Marvel characters without the BAF model I can live without it, but I'd still be sad to see it go.
Long live the BAF! I wouldn't have many of my favorite figures in my collection without it! I totally understand why the BAF waves are not at mass retail anymore and I'm fine with that as I basically only buy online anyway, except for maybe deep clearance stuff (70% off or more). If it's something I want then I always pre-order it. I never depend on finding anything at retail, haven't in years. I also have found that the "random" waves have given us some of our most interesting figures over the past few years so I'm all for that also.
Let me be more specific. While Odin is great, he has been made in the line before. I want more classic Thor supporting characters that have never been done. Warriors Three, Balder, Skurge, Karnilla, Lorelei, and Heimdall have never had a classic/comic Legends figure. Let's get them done.
This. So very, very much this.
After purging a bunch of my legends, I think I have four BAFs still, and three of those were released as deluxes later, so I just gave the Endgame Hulk as my only BAF I couldn't get any other way. The MCU stuff seems to be totally done with BAFs so I'm totally happy, However, full comic waves with a BAF that's in theme still makes sense to me, even if I'll never buy any.
The MCU stuff seems to be totally done with BAFs
I've been assuming that's only because this is a light MCU year coupled with the volatility in the MCU release schedule that keeps screwing Hasbro over when they release MCU waves. We got several MCU BAFs in 2023--Hydra Stomper II, Cosmo, and Cassie Lang. What would they have done this year with Deadpool and Wolverine as the only MCU film and Echo, X-Men '97, and Agatha All Along as the only Disney Plus shows?
In today's Pulse stream Dwight, Ryan, and Jesse addressed this exact subject with the Brave New World film. They said they considered a BAF wave, but there weren't enough regular-sized characters and there were several deluxe-format characters, so they decided to go with multiple deluxe releases instead.
I just don't think an MCU BAF has made much sense this year. I would bet the Thunderbolts wave will probably have one.
I just don't think an MCU BAF has made much sense this year. I would bet the Thunderbolts wave will probably have one.
Releasing the team with Red Hulk as the BAF would be the no-brainer. It's also possible that Sentry becomes the Void in the film, and if that happens then an MCU version of the Void is a possibility as a BAF.
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