REVIEW: Hasbro's Marvel Legends Series 3 - PART 1

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The 4th quarter of 2007 is most certainly the quarter for Marvel Legends fans as there are quite literally three assortments to hunt down! You can currently find the Spider-Man film Legends, Fantastic Four Legends, and now at last is Series 3 of Hasbro’s standard Legends line which features the Brood Queen build-a-figure.

There are eight figures that build up the Brood Queen:

1. Marvel Girl

2. Cyclops

3. Danger

4. X3 Colossus

5. Black Knight

6. Hydra Soldier

7. Captain America

8. Bucky

We'll look at the last three today and cover the rest in reviews next week.

After my lackluster experience with the Spider-Man Legends, I was expecting the worst, however I am pleased to say that Series 3 is a step up from Hasbro’s previous attempts. I hope that it continues to get better, but I still have my concerns...

This is Hasbro’s first attempt at Captain America, a character that has been done four times by Toy Biz with great success. However, this is the first time we’ve seen the 1st Appearance Captain America. Hydra Soldier and Bucky are also making their first appearance as a Marvel Legend.

PACKAGING: The card and bubble is how the Legends are packaged and it works really well for this line. The card features graphics front and back of the character along with a short bio and stats.

The card also shows the build-a-figure along with each of the other figures you’ll need to complete the collection. Each figure is displayed well within the bubble and there are also four stills from their respective comic.

SCULPT: Sculpting for these Legends isn't as strong as Toy Biz (now Marvel Toys), but I wouldn’t say they’re bad either. They are just different. I’m more of a fan of the realistic look of the Toy Biz Legends and Hasbro’s direction is more of a stylistic and comic in nature.

1st Appearance Captain America is actually very well sculpted and certainly captures a look that is 1941 based. The face sculpt is something I’m on the fence about. It’s very two-dimensional and I really can’t tell if he’s smiling or gritting his teeth.

Bucky is somewhat awkward by being a really tall and skinny figure. While there’s nothing wrong with being tall (he’s supposed to be 6’1”), it’s his extra long upper torso that looks extremely goofy. His headsculpt is only so-so and looks a whole lot like Robin – another sidekick.

The Hydra Soldier is the biggest disappointment for me in all categories. One of the more notable offense is of the sculpt. He’s just a big goofy looking army guy with characterized expressions and overly large accessories. It’s definitely fine if you like the comic look as these are comic book characters after all!

PAINT: I’m starting to sound like a broken record. The paint on Hasbro’s Marvel Legends, or rather lack of, is quite possibly the worst thing ever. Even a light wash would do wonders. There’s so much detail sculpted in these figures that it’s an injustice to the sculptors for them not to be painted properly. Marvel Toys is still looking good with their Legendary Comic Heroes. Mattel is doing even better with their DC Superheroes line. Hasbro really needs to step it up now or they’ll lose the war.

I also have to say something about the red paint on Captain America and Bucky. I’m not sure what they’re trying to pull off here but it looks awful. The red looks more like a hot pink! I just don’t understand how a basic color such as red can look this bad.

Hydra Soldier just needs more paint, period. 4 or 5 colors just isn’t enough.

ARTICULATION: With the Hasbro takeover, there have been new articulated joints on the Marvel Legends, while others have been taken away. Some joints actually do help, while many need to be retired permanently.

Captain America is actually one solid Marvel Legend figure with 34 points of articulation. The improvements are in the wrists and heels with the addition of a ball type joint that allows for a wider variety of poses. What’s lacking here is a joint in the hand, fingers or toes.

Bucky is equally impressive with a whopping 36 points. But the joints aren’t necessarily the same as Captain America. Bucky has joints in his hands and toes but lacks the ability to rotate his wrists in any direction.

Hydra Soldier in comparison is a total joke. With only 28 points of articulation, this soldier will have trouble getting into any type of military position. This level of articulation is great for say, a Star Wars figure but it doesn’t work for a Marvel Legend. The elbows and knees are extremely limited and cannot even make a 90 degree angle.

It’s a real give and take here and I’m waiting for the day that Hasbro gives each Marvel Legend the best of the best as far as articulation goes. There really is no excuse for the Hydra Soldier to have such limitations.

ACCESSORIES: The old days of Legends would include a base and a comic book. Fast Forward to now and you’ll get a piece of the build-a-figure and MAYBE something else.

Captain America comes with his shield and the left legs of the Brood Queen. The shield snaps onto Captain’s wrist but since the actual glove isn’t a separate piece, you’ll find posing the shield where you want it a bit tricky.

Bucky comes with Brood Queen’s tail.

Hydra Solider comes with Brood Queen front left leg and two weapons: a pistol and rifle. Even with a giant holster sculpted onto the side of the Hydra, it isn’t made to hold any of his weapons.

COST: These figures will cost you $10 at retail.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: Three series later and I’m still on the fence. I just loved the way Toy Biz handled their Marvel figures so much better and though Hasbro does have better and sturdier joints, everything else is nowhere near as good.

The worst is the paint and it’s something I can’t point out enough. Yes, the lines are clean, but I would really prefer to have some slop if it meant the majority of the figure would look amazing.

Hydra Solider should have been the funnest figure to have and to build an army with, but the lacking points of articulation really limit what you can do with this army.

Bucky is a good pairing with the 1st Appearance Captain America and are actually pretty strong figures, even for Hasbro.

I would still say to get these figures if you’re still into the line because how else will you make a cool Brood Queen?

CLICK HERE for a Marvel Legends Series 3 image gallery tour!

COMING UP NEXT WEEK: Cyclops, Danger, Black Knight, Marvel Girl, Colossus and the Brood Queen!

Review and Photos by David Yeh