Category: Marvel Comics

SUMMARY:

Released in Hasbro’s 2017 “Build-A-Warlock (New Mutants)” Marvel Legends series, this 6-inch Lorna “Polaris” Dane of the X-Men appears in her classic green costume. 

Aside from a detachable green rubber cloak, her costume is completely painted on, including the gauntlets and tiara.  The articulation points include: 1. The head nods and comfortably swivels in both directions.  Yet, the head rotation is encumbered by her hair.  2. Bending at the elbows, her arms can rotate a full 360-degrees.  3. The wrists have minimal flexibility.  4. Her upper body doesn’t swivel but can slightly bend into a bowing pose.  5.  The knee joints allow slight bending.  6. The legs sport decent flexibility.  7.  When properly positioned, the figure can stand indefinitely in display poses. 

In her back is a peg hole for the dark green cloak.  Her ‘magnetic powers’ are represented by two light green energy rubber props that her hands can grip.  The bottom of her feet include peg holes for display stands she will fit on, though none are included.    

Note: Other figures in this particular series are: Colossus; Shatterstar; Dazzler (classic ‘70s look); Cyclops (90’s uniform); Sunfire; and Old Man Logan (Wolverine).

REVIEW:

The look of this Polaris figure is superb, including a flawless paint job.  Sporting a wonderfully sculpted face, her green eyes, eyebrows, and lipstick are top-caliber.  In terms of her articulation points (or more its lack thereof), this figure should really be construed more as a display choice than an actual toy.  The well-constructed ‘magnetic powers’ certainly help for various posing angles.  However, the detachable cloak is problematic — trying to re-attach and keep it firmly in place by maneuvering around her hair is harder than it should be.  Still, as an addition to any action figure collection, this Marvel Legends’ Polaris is a stellar homage to this long-time X-Men member.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The ‘magnetic powers’ are a cool prop that easily attach to her hands.  The Build-A-Warlock piece included is his left leg.

PACKAGING:

Hasbro does an excellent job promoting the figure in its nicely-manufactured box.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                8½ Stars

SUMMARY:

Released in Toy Biz’s 2006 “Legendary Riders” Marvel Legends series, this 6-inch Wanda “Scarlet Witch” Maximoff might be the character’s first incarnation as an action figure (at least, in a six-inch incarnation). 

Scarlet Witch’s red-and-pink costume is completely painted on except for her red cloak, which is a tightly-secured rubber attachment.  The articulation points include: 1. The head easily nods, but it can’t turn sideways in either direction. 2. Bending at the elbows, the arms potentially can rotate a full 360-degrees, but such action might damage the elbow joint.  4. The wrists and four fingers (the thumbs don’t move) have good flexibility.  5. Her torso bends and slightly turns in both directions.  6.  The legs have knee and ankle joints, but only the ankles smoothly bend.  7.  The knees and ankles bend.  8.  When positioned, the figure can stand indefinitely in display poses.  Her sky-cycle accessory accommodates the peg holes at the bottom of her wedge-heeled boots. 

Note: This figure is considered rare, as it was short-packed for that particular Marvel Legends run.

REVIEW:

The good news is that the figure comes with some fun extras, as mentioned below.  The bad news is that those same extras come with this dismal Scarlet Witch figure.  Not only is this ultra-flimsy excuse for a Marvel Legend hampered by insufficient elbow and knee joints, it’s too cheaply constructed to muster minimal articulation.  Worse still, like several female Marvel Legends of that era (i.e. Psylocke and Invisible Woman), her amateurish facial features are deplorable.  While the Scarlet Witch’s costume and her sculpted brunette mane are good enough, Toy Biz punted on devising a remotely good face.  The bottom line is that 2015’s redesigned Marvel Legends Scarlet Witch is a major upgrade.  It’s a far, far better purchase than this disappointing predecessor. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Per the “Legendary Riders” theme, an Avengers sky-cycle (with foot pegs) is included, as is a trading card.  A full-length (32 pages) reprint of Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes # 8 (it’s a mini-series finale) is enclosed in a sealed plastic bag.   

PACKAGING:

Toy Biz does an excellent job promoting the figure in its nicely-manufactured box.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              2½ Stars

SUMMARY:

Released in 2004 by Toy Biz as part of its Spider-Man action figure series, it’s a 7-inch Mac Gargan figure as the original Scorpion in all his villainous green glory. 

With a rubber stinger tail permanently attached like a backpack, the figure sports several interesting articulation points.  Specifically:  1. His head turns a complete 360-degrees. 2.  Despite other limited mobility, the arms can rotate 360-degrees and bend at both the elbows and wrists.  3. The fingers (but not the thumbs) bend remarkably well.  4. The waist rotates his upper body a full 360-degrees.  5. The relatively spry legs bend at the knees, ankles, and upper feet.  6.  With some effort, the Scorpion can be posed in a long-term standing pose, but propping him against a hard surface may prove necessary.       

REVIEW:

The superb manufacturing and paint quality of this durable figure is easily equal to, if not superior, to the ongoing Marvel Legends action figure series.  His attached rubber tail is also well-produced, though it requires more space to set up a display pose.  For fans of Mac Gargan’s classic Scorpion, this figure is definitely worth pursuing.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.

PACKAGING:

Marketed as one of Spider-Man’s greatest foes, his packaging box makes it easy to identify this character.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   9 Stars

SUMMARY:

Released in either 1996 or 1998 by Toy Biz, this 5-inch Wonder Man figure is likely the first toy to represent this perennial Avenger/West Coast Avenger from Marvel Comics.  The figure was evidently an exclusive prize in a write-in contest held through the now-defunct Wizard Magazine.  Matching the character’s late 80’s to early ‘90s look (i.e. the black-and-red tank-top costume), the figure has the character’s distinct red eyes and a wavy black mullet perm.  The articulation consists of 360-degree rotation of the arms, and the ability to move the arms and legs back and forth.  With a little effort, his head turns 180-degrees left and right.  Small silver screws seen on its elbow and knee joints add some extra flexibility.  When positioned straight, the figure will stand for display poses.       

REVIEW:

This sturdy figure is a decent precursor to his subsequent appearances in the Marvel Legends 6-inch action figure series.  Let it be noted that this Toy Biz figure’s unique size stands between the small 3.75-inch Marvel figures and the standard 6-inch Marvel Legends.  His paint job is reasonably well-done, though his bodybuilder-style tank-top’s shoulder straps look too skinny.  Otherwise, this first Wonder Man figure retains some nostalgic charm.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Unknown.  In this figure’s back ‘W,’ there are two slots (with two holes between them), which suggests some accessory (maybe a jet pack) can be attached.  The bottom of the figure’s feet have standard peg holes, but there isn’t any indication that the figure came with a display stand.

PACKAGING:

When purchased via auction, the figure came only in a sealed transparent plastic baggie.  Otherwise, whatever packaging Toy Biz may have included is unknown.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  6 Stars