Action Figure Barbecue: Action Figure Review: Jean Grey and Phoenix Force from Marvel Legends Series: Phoenix by Hasbro

This year most of the Marvel Legends I've purchased have been X-Men related as that's been the focus of my Marvel Legends collecting for a few years now. I have grabbed a few figures here and there whom I really liked but didn't get around to reviewing (Ghost Rider, the S.H.I.E.L.D. 3-pack, the classic Ant-Man and Wasp set), but most of what I picked up was X-Men related. There were some very welcome, long overdue releases this year along (Patch, Destiny, Wolfsbane, X-Cutioner, Lilandra, and Goblin Queen) along with some well deserved redone characters (Sabretooth, Cable, Warbird, Ka-Zar, and Zabu) who hadn't been visited since the Toy Biz or early Hasbro eras. Today I'm looking at Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force, a new take on one of the most well-loved Marvel characters from one of the most well-known X-Men storylines. Interestingly, this take on Jean Grey, who is really the Phoenix Force having taken on the persona of Jean Grey while Jean Grey was safe in a cocoon of sorts underneath Jamaica Bay, is presented as something of a two-pack. The entire set is given the subset label "Phoenix" and the two included figures are listed as Jean Grey and Phoenix Force. I actually preordered this set when it went up immediately from Big Bad Toy Store for $34.99, which seemed right for a deluxe release. It turns out that was an error but BBTS honored that price. I do think I'd feel different about this set at $50 dollars than I do at $35 dollars. Jean Grey is one of my favorites, though, and I usually pick up any Legends of her that get released. How's this one? Let's find out after the break...

The Facts: Jean Grey

The Height: 6 inches

Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed hips, waits hinge, ball jointed torso, swivel/ hinge shoulders w/lateral pec hinges, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head.

Accessories: 4 swappable hands and 2 swappable portraits.

The Facts: Phoenix Force

Height: 7 7/8ths inches, wingspan 8 inches.

Articulation: Swivel head

Accessories: 3 piece flaming fire base

Non-Scalper Price: $50 dollars

Comparison:

* Here's a shot of three previous Hasbro Jeans/ Phoenixes. On the left is the 2016 Phoenix from the Juggernaut BAF series (with an Overwatch stand), the new Phoenix is in the middle, and last year's Dark Phoenix is on the right. These figures do not share bodies: Even last year's Dark Phoenix and this new release have different bodies.

The Positives:

* If this is a reused body, I don't recognize it. Jean Grey (I'm going to call her that even though I know that technically, yes, this is the Phoenix Force) looks great and uses a newer body model. I thought this was the same body as Ms. Marvel; Warbird. Phoenix actually has different proportions from her, though the articulation model is the same. The main part of her costume is a very deep green while the gloves, boots, and sash are a golden yellow with just a bit of metallic sheen. It looks pretty good, the paint doesn't bleed and the lines are neat and clean. The phoenix on her chest is a true gold colored print, not yellow or anything. Something I noticed is that there are folds sculpted to show the material of Jean's costume bunching up a bit around her thighs, under her arms, and across her back. It definitely helps to make this look more like a costume and less just a painted on outfit.

* When you're dealing with a comic book character with no incredibly definitive features and who as been drawn by multiple artists, coming up with a recognizable portrait can be tough. Wolverine and Professor X are almost always recognizable, even if you only see their face, while someone like Jean Grey or Steve Rogers usually need some context. What's that have to do with this portrait? I like it, but it feels like a different take. I've seen folks use some of the Black Widow portraits and they look just as good. the hair is right, though. Hasbro has gone with a more realistic look here and there seems to be a bit of darkness and malevolence, even in this standard "Jean Grey" portrait.

* The second portrait is Phoenix showing off her powers. Her eyes have gone blank, her hair is flowing everywhere, and she looks pretty intense. Actually, she reminds me a lot of Famke Janssen as Jean Grey/ Phoenix from X-Men: The Last Stand. Again, Hasbro really seems to have leaned in to making Phoenix more imposing and intimidating here, so you're getting a pretty creepy headsculpt.

* Jean's hair looks really nice from the back, too. The sculpt is impressive and Hasbro did use a dark wash to bring out the detail and keep it from looking like just a solid chunk, giving more definition to the details.

* Jean is sporting a body that seems to be brand new. It's not the Ms. Marvel/ Warbird body that I thought it was a at first. The articulation is excellent. It's pinless, as mobile as you'd expect, ad has all the newer joints like the pectoral/ butterfly hinges, a hinged waist (mostly hidden by her sash), and a balljointed mid-torso. She's really fun to place in dramatic poses showing off her Phoenix Force powers and her telekinetic powers.

* Four swappable hands are included: A pair of open, gesturing hands and a pair of fists. Nothing too new or unique here, but it does at least help to add a bit more to her poses.

* Included in the set is a swirling, flaming effects piece that can serve as a display base. It's made of three separate pieces and connects together via a piece inserted in the bottom of the two fire bits. The sculpt is quite nice here and the colors are excellent. The translucent orange and red definitely make this really look impressive and definitely like a swirl of cosmic fire.

* There is a spot on the base where Jean's foot can be tucked in, allowing her to pose on it as if she's hovering in the midst of the flames. The flame base is heavy enough that it definitely holds her in place, too, without worries of it falling over.

* The second figure in this two-pack is the Phoenix Force itself. It's quite large and molded in the same mixture of translucent orange and red plastic as the fiery display base. It's not a traditional Marvel Legends figure and could possibly be called a glorified accessory or backdrop piece, but the Phoenix Force is listed on the box like a character would be. It's quite large (8 inch wingspan) and dos have a swivel head.

* The wings look really cool. I love that fiery looking plastic and the detail on the feathers.

* Here's a close-up of the head of the Phoenix Force looking, indeed, like a Phoenix. The eyes get a red paint hit and the head does rotate.

* It's a bit difficult but the Phoenix does fit into the back of the fiery base as well. Once it's in there, it's very secure and definitely shouldn't fall out or tip over. It definitely reminds me a lot of the Diamond Marvel Select Phoenix figure's Phoenix Force backdrop (I have the backdrop but not the figure).

* Even with the Phoenix Force attached, the Jean Grey can fit on here. She looks really cool attached to the Phoenix Force, rising up out of the flames.

At the price I paid for this set ($35), it's tough to beat. At Hasbro's MSRP of $50 bucks? This is still a excellent figure of Phoenix but it not being a true two-pack is definitely felt. It's a Good and a 1/2 set unless you find it for less. This is an incredible upgrade of Phoenix but I'd still have liked another portrait and maybe a few more extra hands. The Phoenix Force display is really cool but it's way too static to truly be considered a second figure. Still, it's probably the coolest version of the Phoenix Force we've seen in toy form and makes a great centerpiece for a shelf of X-Men figures.

If you're a fan of Jean Grey/ Marvel Girl and/or the Phoenix (and who isn't?), make sure to also check out my reviews of the Hasbro Marvel Legends Jean Grey as the Black Queen, the Hasbro Marvel Legends Series Jean Grey as Phoenix and Marvel Girl, the X-Men '97 Jean Grey, and the Marvel Legends Retro Collection Dark Phoenix.

For more Marvel Legends Series reviews check out the following:

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Binary

Crossbones

Darkstar

D'Spayre
Enchantress (Mystic Rivals)

M.O.D.O.K.
Mojo
Nico Minoru (Mystic Rivals)
Quake
Sleepwalker
Ultron

Ursa Major
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Zabu

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Nuke

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Deadpool (Boxers)
Deadpool (X-Force)
Deathlok
Domino
Lady Deadpool
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Wong

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Gamora (Daughters of Thanos)
Nebula (Daughters of Thanos)
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Yondu

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Medusa

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Ironheart

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Hologram Iron Man

Stealth Iron Man

Tony Stark (A.I.)

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A.I.M. Scientist Supreme

Xemnu

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