Thursday, April 3, 2025

Action Figure Review: Cyclops (X-Factor) from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   I'm really glad that this year's X-Men build-a-figure series is all X-Men themed releases, unlike last year's Zabu series that was a hodgepodge with a few mutant and mutant adjacent figures and a few other characters I had to sell off (or am still trying to sell; anyone want a Black Winter?). Today I'm checking out the X-Factor version of Cyclops in his blue and yellow outfit. A few years ago Hasbro did release the blue and white X-Factor version of Cyclops in the Retro Collection (it was the same outfit the original Toy Biz Cyclops was wearing) but this one seems to be more in-line with the original X-Factor team. X-Factor Jean Grey is coming, so maybe this will be the next subset that Hasbro tries to fill out. Ready to check out the X-Factor version of Scott Summers? Then join me after the break...






The Facts:

Height: 6 1/2th inches

Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball-jointed hips, swivel waist, hinged torso, swivel/hinge shoulders w/ pectoral hinges, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, hinged neck, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: 4 swappable hands, 2 swappable portraits, 2 piece optic beam, and right arm and hose for Nemesis/ Holocaust build-a-figure.

Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars




The Positives:

* Like most of the team (those who wear outfits, anyway), Cyclops' X-Force outfit is pretty simple and clean looking: A colored jumpsuit with a big X design across the chest. Scott and Jean both have yellow Xs with corresponding yellow boots and gloves, so they've got a bit of a coordinating outfit (well, in the comics; Hasbro missed Jean's boots). This is a pretty basic sculpt though I will give Hasbro some credit for the paint; Overall it looks fairly good from the front, as yellow and blue can be tough colors to get right. The gloves, forearms, and boots are also molded in yellow plastic. Actually, the torso might be as well, with the blue being the paint work. 






* I'm pretty sure we've seen this portrait before, but it's still a good look for Cyclops and suits this outfit well. This is a fairly classic looking hood and visor, though the ear covers are not painted yellow. Honestly, you can see plenty of images in costume where the ear pieces aren't colored yellow, and some where they are. I didn't notice it until I saw other folks complaining about it, so I'm willing to let it pass. The expression for Scott is excellent; during this era I don't think of him as outright cocky. In fact, he's still a bit more reserved and almost still shy at times, despite being incredible capable. 





* I'm quite sure this second portrait is new and it's pretty good. Here's Scott using his optic blast and shouting in the middle of battle. Ignore the empty eye lens for a moment (though a piece that could fit in there would have been incredibly cool) and just appreciate how intense Cyke looks. 











* This isn't the first Cyclops with an optic blast that attaches to his eyes, but I'm pretty sure it's the largest optic blast we've seen from Hasbro. The optic blast beam does have a notch or two in it, so it doesn't fit on some of the previous Cyclops heads that had optic blast accessories. It's quite wide and it only fits one way (the texture details on the sculpt give it a wavy appearance). The end is designed to hold the larger "explosion" piece, but I think it looks OK on its own, too. 












* The second part of the optic beam makes for a wider blast, looking almost like the beam is hitting something. It's an impressive looking energy effect and makes Cyclops really fun to pose. 








*  Cyke's a newer Marvel Legends figures, so there's nothing wrong with the articulation here. Scott's got the pinless arms and legs and smooth articulation, so posing him is a real pleasure, especially when using the expressive head and the optic blast. He's a sturdy figure and has a great range of motion in most joints. I was even able to get him to stand and balance with the optic blast.









* Cyclops comes with four swappable hands: An open right hand, a left hand for activating his visor, and two fists. Everything swaps easily, so no worries here. 






* The Nemesis/ Holocaust build-a-figure is definitely going to make a few collectors opt for this entire series rather than cherry-picking, as he is an incredibly cool figure. Cyclops comes with the right arm/ cannon and a flexible hose that connects from the arm to the back of the torso. 








The Negatives: 


* My only real negative with the figure is that there are definitely places where the yellow paint looks tacky and there's blue shining through. It's a little noticeable on the shoulders from the front, but very noticeable on the shoulders from the back and on the upper thighs/ hips. Near the edges of the yellow X there are also odd flecks of blue here and there. 





   How's the X-Factor take on Cyclops? I really like him quite a bit. He's not the most impressive figure (the blue and yellow looks good on the front but loses it's appeal on the side and back with some questionable paintwork). The optic blast is excellent though. It's a shame that it can't be used with most other Cyclops figures. I'd also really like an insert for the visor to use the screaming head without the blast. Still, the optic blast is incredibly cool. I wouldn't mind have an X-Factor on my shelf and Hasbro is part of the way to getting us there. This is a Good and a 1/2 figure. Not a must have, definitive Cyclops or anything, but a solid version of Scott "Slim" Summers.


Looking for more of Cyclops/ Scott "Slim" Summers? I've also reviewed the Marvel Legends Series: X-Men Cyclops from the Warlock series and the X-Men '97 Cyclops.

For more Marvel Legends Series reviews check out the following:
Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro (2016)

Marvel Legends Series: 85th Anniversary by Hasbro (2024)

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: Dark Avengers by Hasbro (2025)
 
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: Marvel Knights (2023)
Blade

Marvel Legends Series: Phoenix by Hasbro (2024)
Jean Grey and Phoenix Force

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
Hallow's Eve
King in Black: Knull and Venom

Marvel Legends Series: Strange Tales (2024)

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

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: The Unbelievable Gwenpool by Hasbro (2018)
Gwenpool

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

Marvel Legends Series: Wolverine by Hasbro
Wolverine & Lilandra Neramani
Wolverine & Psylocke

Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro (2016)
Angel


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4 comments:

  1. 555April 5, 2025 at 3:59 AM

    There's a gag from 'War of the Realms' where Cyclops uses a telescope to deliver a precision sniper blast a mile away without leaving the comfort of his armchair. Always a greatly underrated character, they have done an okay job with the figure and I agree, the optic blast is a really good one here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbecue17April 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM

      Oh, that's funny. I haven't read that one but that sounds like a pretty impressive idea to try.

      Delete
  2. GIJigsawApril 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM

    Wow. Didn't even know this guy was coming. I kind of stopped with the Marvel Legends unless it is something that has never been done or a favorite character. Anyway, I liked the X-Factor beginnings, and the optic blast is fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbecue17April 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM

      It is a nice accessory and one of the few looks for the character that it seems Hasbro hasn't really done yet.

      Delete

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