Friday, October 6, 2023

Action Figure Review: The Blob from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   It's time for another X-Men review from Hasbro's Marvel Legends line and today I'm checking out a figure I was really looking forward to: The Blob! Being a key member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Freedom Force, Factor Three, and the Secret Empire, a regular in the animated series, and a boss in the X-Men arcade game, I always wanted this guy when I was a kid collecting the Toy Biz figures. He was eventually released in 1995 but I don't remember ever seeing him in stores and I think I wasn't actively collecting the Toy Biz X-Men figures anymore at that point. Hasbro did release the Blob as a build-a-figure when they took over the Marvel Legends line in 2007, but I never owned that one either. Since Hasbro has really been going all in and deep with he X-Men this year they've been filling some gaps in the rosters of the X-Men heroes and villains and the Blob definitely fills a large gap for a modern take on the figure. This guy is available on his own as a deluxe release and I picked mine up back in August during a GameStop sale. He's a big guy but is he worth the big price tag Hasbro has saddled him with? Let's find out after the break...






The Facts:

Height: 8 1/4ths inches

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

Accessories: 2 portraits and 4 interchangeable hands.

Non-Scalper Price: $56 dollars







The Positives:

* The Blob is a pretty big fellow. I mean, that's kind of his thing, right? Some sources place him as not being unusually tall but most art and animation makes him a pretty massive character. While Wolverine is on the shorter side, here's a shot of the Blob overshadowing everyone's favorite Canuck. He's a heavy figure, too, and doesn't feel at all hollow. 








* This is a pretty great take on the Blob. He's sporting his traditional singlet befitting a former carnival sideshow performer and here it's a very dark blue with yellow bands. The elastic bands on his outfit have a neat look that really does make them look like stretchy, elastic waistbands and such. It's a neat effect. Since the Blob is an obese guy, he's got a large stomach and large pecs. 



* The Blob comes with two portraits, the first being a pretty normal looking depiction of Fred Dukes. He's got some fairly nicely styled red hair and a very piercing gaze. Hasbro really put a lot of time and attention into even giving him some detail on his skin and it's pretty effective. 



* The second portrait is crazy. This guy is absolutely bonkers! Look at that maniacal grin! He's practically screaming for one of the smaller X-Men to get in belly! The work on his open mouth and teeth is excellent and I'm loving his crazy eyes and eyebrows! You can see the expression in all areas of his face.



* Here's a closer look at the Blob's skin. Hasbro gave him a mottled skin texture and it looks pretty convincing. He's showing so much skin that if he has just been molded in plastic he would have looked kind of bland and rather toyish. This was definitely the right call and it really elevates the figure. 



* Here's a shot of the Blob from the back. You know. For the ladies.



* The Blob has four massive hands you can swap around. There's a pair of fists for punching and a pair of grappling hands for carrying around some KFC Double Downs. 


* You surely don't expect the Blob to be able to assume the poses you'd expect from Spider-Man, right? Good, because you're not getting that. Still, he's very expressive and is a completely new sculpt. His joints are tight to help keep him standing and everything has a pretty decent range of motion. 

   The Blob turned out really well. He's an excellent update for Marvel Legends and probably the best action figure of the Blob ever released. Considering he only comes with one alternate head and two alternate hands, though, his $56 dollar price tag seems kind of extravagant. A third headsculpt, possibly with his signature creepy smile or even one with the mohawk. I also wouldn't mind the food accessories as a tribute to the Toy Biz version, either. The Blob is a Good and a 1/2 figure but it would be nice to Hasbro make a bit more effort to accessorize these figures a bit more. 




This is the first figure of Fred Dukes/ The Blob that I've reviewed. 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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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousOctober 7, 2023 at 2:57 AM

    he kinda looks like an exaggerated john candy to me especially those faces.

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