Friday, November 10, 2023

Action Figure Review: Forge, Storm, & Jubilee from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 


      It's been almost two months since I reviewed the first of the two 3-packs that recreate the X-Men team in their matching uniforms from the cover of X-Men #275 and about a month since I reviewed the Retro Collection Wolverine that goes with the team. As part of a series of mini marathons of figures from the same line which will probably run through the end of the year, I'm excited to check out another Marvel Legends Series release. While the first set was pretty desirable (Banshee was the main draw, Psylocke doesn't have too many different figures out there, and Gambit is just always a favorite), this set seemed a bit less exciting. I have quite a few figures of Storm, Forge isn't all that different from the previous release of the character, and this version of Jubilee seems a bit plain. Still, this is a set of three X-Men heavy hitters on newer pinless bodies, and when I managed to snag them on a GameStop sale they were even more appealing. Let's take a look at the final three members of the X-Men #275 cover depicting the Strike Team. Join me after the break...




The Facts: Forge

Height: 6 1/2 inches

Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, calves swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball-jointed hips, waist swivel, mid-torso hinge, swivel/hinge shoulders w/ lateral "butterfly" pecs, swivel biceps, double-hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, hinged neck, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: 4 swappable hands, collar, shoulder straps, and rifle.









The Facts: Jubilee

Height: 5 3/4ths inches

Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball-jointed hips, balljointed mid-torso, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel-hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, hinged neck, hinged neck, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: 4 swappable hands, collar, 2 portraits, glasses, and 2 energy effects. 










The Facts: Storm

Height: 6 1/8ths inches

Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball-jointed hips, balljointed mid-torso, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel biceps, double-hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, hinged neck, hinged neck, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: 6 swappable hands and collar.

Non-Scalper Price: $78 dollars









The Positives:



* Let's star with Forge. He's not incredibly different from the previous Forge figure from the Caliban BAF series but he's built on a newer body and looks quite nifty. I do like the team dynamic the costume implies and the various straps, the new collar, and the shoulder harness. The belts are cool too. They're not removable but they are separate parts of the sculpt.

* On the cover of X-Men #275 Forge isn't wearing a red headband. In fact, he's not wearing a headband at all. This portrait is reused from the previous figure and looks much better with the face printing. This is definitely the better option for a Forge likeness but it's not accurate to what Hasbro was (presumably) going for with this set. Why didn't Forge not get a new second portrait without a headband? He probably needed it more than Jubilee needed a second portrait. 




* His leg looks pretty cool. It looks more like it has a metal covering on it rather than being a piece of machinery but there are lots of nice details that help it to stand out. It's the little things like this that make the team uniforms cool; they're uniform (hence the name) but they have their own little flourishes, too.




*  There's nothing wrong with the articulation here and there's not a whole lot that needs to be said; it's good. He's got the pinless arms and legs and smooth articulation, so posing him is a real pleasure. He holds his large rifle well and, thanks to those "butterfly" joints, he can take some great firing poses. 



* Forge comes with two pair of hands: A pair of fists, a right hand pistol grip, and a left hand for cradling the rifle. They swap in and out easily, so that's a plus.


* Forge comes with a very sci-fi looking rifle that we've seen before a couple times: I remember it from Nuke, but it also came with the A.I.M. Agent from the Marvel Legends: Infinite Series. It looks appropriate for Forge but it's not the rifle that he's carrying on the cover of X-Men #275 that this set is trying to replicate. Hasbro has made that gun previously, so surely they still have the mold, right? Why not include that one. Or both?




* Next up let's take a look at Jubilee. Jubilee is kind of neat in this set as this costume is pretty different from what she usually wears. It's hard to even think of a time she wasn't sporting a trench coat, isn't it? I had a yellow Dick Tracy coat as a kid and later on I wore it sometimes since Jubilee made yellow trench coats cool. Always wanted a brown one, though. Anyways, Jubilee is looking fantastic in her yellow and blue outfit. Everything is nice and bright and she's sporting the same red X-logo belt as everyone else.


* Jubilee's portrait is the same as the previous Jubilee figure from the Caliban series (which I think was reused in the Animated Series VHS line, too). With the face printing, though, she looks much improve over the older figure. It's amazing how much better the face printing makes a figure look. Her eyes are excellent, her hair is cool, and she does have yellow earrings. A touch of red on them would have been nice, but they're perfectly acceptable. 






* The second portrait is also reused from the Caliban BAF series and gives Jubilee a bubble gum blowing option for when she's on display. I really do like this feature. yeah, a new portrait with a more angry fighting face would have been welcome, but this one is just really fun on display. 





* Jubilee's glasses are a separate piece and fit on her face really nicely. They fit on either portrait, so feel free to mix and match. 




* Jubilee also has pinless limbs, though I think her torso is an older sculpt as the mid-torso balljoint is stiffer than on most newer figures. Overall she moves quite nicely, though. That definitely is one of the benefits of having these characters in sleek costumes rather than in their coats and capes and such: The articulation is completely uninhibited. 









* Jubilee comes with the standard pairs of hands: Some open, gesturing hands and a pair of fists.



* She also comes with the swirly energy effects that wrap around the wrists and forearms. I do wish she had more color in them to better replicate her mutant powers in action, but she does look cool with these on her.





* Last up is Storm and, like Jubilee, the team uniform is pretty different from what other action figures of her have worn. Like the rest of the X-Men in this set, Storm is sporting matching blue and gold Strike Team outfit with the red and black "X" logo belt. It look great with bright, bold colors and is just a really different look for her. The gloves, thigh cuffs, and boot cuffs all look really cool. The collar of the suit is a separate piece, too, and it is removable, though why would you want to?



* I'm pretty certain this is a new portrait for Storm and it's quite nice. She has a shorter haircut that's really trendy. The white color of her hair is really eye catching, too. her all white eyes definitely make her look incredibly striking!



* Like with most of the other figures in the Strike Team outfits, the articulation is solid and smooth. She also has the new pinless limbs and everything moves just fine. She's fun to pose, especially with the lightning bolts!




* Storm comes with three sets of hands. First up are the two standard pair: Some open palms with splayed fingers and a pair of fists. 


* The second pair have electricity shooting out of her hands. Storm doesn't really do that (she controls weather rather than just zapping people herself) but I'm not sure what the alternative would be? I like the look of these, though. They're still cool, even if they're inaccurate. A set of these from a previous Storm (I think the one that came with Thunderbird) so they are reused.

The Negatives:


* Jubilee's shoulders are kind of weird. The blue and yellow mix too much here, making her shoulders look a bit green in person.


* Again with the lightning hands? yes, but this time it's pointing out that the electrical beams go down around the fingers but Hasbro didn't paint them. They look kind of sloppy, like Storm has weird growths on her hands that are even visible with her gloves on. 

  I'm going to very much echo my final thoughts on the Strike Team set with Banshee, Psylocke, and Gambit: I do like these figures and the thrill of assembling the whole team from the X-Men #275 cover in this style is definitely very appealing. I like the uniform look of the X-Men here and you're getting three top tier X-Men characters on new bodies with excellent portraits in one package. On the other hand, there's a lot of reuse here, a lot of inaccuracies to the comic art this set is based on, and a lack of some unqiue extras or accessories. A new head for Forge and the correct rifle? Some new fireworks effects for Jubilee? Maybe a hover stand for Storm?  Hasbro has this set retailing at $78 which means that if you buy this at the retail price you're paying an extra dollar per figure over a standard Marvel Legends figure and you're not even getting Build-a-Figure piece. Why's that? It's a weird habit Hasbro has gotten into. Multipacks used to net you a bit of a discount as you were buying more product, so you usually got more for less. Now you're paying more to get the figures bundled together? I honestly have shopped around for deals and clearance for most of my Marvel Legends this year (and scaled back my purchases to mostly just X-Men) due to the bizarre pricing. Ultimately, I'm giving this set a Good, which is an average rating(I gave the other set a Good as well). I do like the figures and I don't think anyone could really argue that these are bad action figures. Again, however, there is just a lot of reuse of portraits and accessories which shows a real lack of imagination plus that bizarre price point. The team looks excellent on the shelf but it's a set that you'll definitely want to wait and be patient in assembling. Shop them deals!




   Surprisingly, these are the first figures of Forge, Jubilee, and Storm that I've reviewed on the site. For more Marvel Legends Series reviews check out the following:
Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro (2016)

Marvel Legends Series: Avengers by Hasbro
Taskmaster
Yelena Belova

Marvel Legends Series: Black Panther by Hasbro (2017)
Black Panther 

Marvel Legends Series: Black Widow by Hasbro (2020)
Black Widow: Deadly Origin
 
Marvel Legends Series: Captain America by Hasbro (2016)
Black Panther
Demolition Man (Mercenaries of Mayhem)
Nick Fury 
Nuke 

Marvel Legends Series: Captain Marvel by Hasbro (2019)
Captain Marvel

Marvel Legends Series: Deadpool by Hasbro (2018)
Cable
Deadpool (Boxers)
Deadpool (X-Force)
Deathlok
Domino
Lady Deadpool 
X-23 (X-Force)
 
Marvel Legends Series: Doctor Strange

Marvel Legends Series: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) 
 
Marvel Legends Series: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
Baron Zemo

Marvel Legends Series: Fantastic Four (2017)
Mr. Fantastic
Thing  
 
Marvel Legends Series: Gamerverse
Civil Warrior

Marvel Legends Series: Guardians of the Galaxy by Hasbro (2017)
Angela
Groot Evolution
Yondu

Marvel Legends Series: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 by Hasbro (2017)
Drax
Gamora (Daughters of Thanos)
Nebula (Daughters of Thanos)
Rocket Raccoon & Groot
Star-Lord 
Yondu 

Marvel Legends Series: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 by Hasbro (2023)
Mantis
 
Marvel Legends Series: The Infinity Gauntlet by Hasbro (2021)
 
Marvel Legends Series: The Infninity Saga by Hasbro
Captain Marvel & Rescue Armor

Marvel Legends Series: Inhumans by Hasbro (2017)
 
Marvel Legends Series: Ironheart by Hasbro (2021)
 
Marvel Legends Series: Iron Man by Hasbro  
Vault Guardsman

Marvel Legends Series: The Punisher by Hasbro (2019)
The Punisher (Walgreens Exclusive)
 
Marvel Legends Series: She-Hulk by Hasbro
She-Hulk 

Marvel Legends Series: Silk by Hasbro
Silk and Doc Ock

Marvel Legends Series: Silver Surfer by Hasbro (2018)
Silver Surfer

Marvel Legends Series: Spider-Man by Hasbro
King in Black: Knull and Venom

Marvel Legends Series: Super Villains by Hasbro (2021)
Xemnu

Marvel Legends Series: The Unbelievable Gwenpool by Hasbro (2018)
Gwenpool

Marvel Legends Series: Thor by Hasbro
Gorr
Ragnarok

Marvel Legends Series: Thor: Love and Thunder by Hasbro (2022)
Mighty Thor

Marvel Legends Series: Typhoid Mary by Hasbro (2018)
Typhoid Mary

Marvel Legends Series: Venom by Hasbro (2018)
Carnage  
 
Marvel Legends Series: WandaVision by Hasbro (2021)
 
Marvel Legends Series: What If? by Hasbro (2021)




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2 comments:

  1. GIJigsawNovember 10, 2023 at 3:43 PM

    Thanks for listing X-Men 275. I was wondering where this uniform set came from. This is a nice set, but you are correct in the price point and lack of differentiation. I managed to get mine on deep discount on Amazon during Prime Days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbecue17November 15, 2023 at 8:52 AM

      That's the way to do it! These sales are a must on most of the Legends stuff these days. Black Series, too, though my purchases from that line are far and few between these days.

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