This article is about the action figure line of Marvel characters. For the video game formerly titled "Marvel Legends", see Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. For the comic book, see Marvel Legends (comics).
Marvel Legends is an action figure line based on the characters of Marvel Comics, initially produced by Toy Biz, then by Hasbro. This line is in the 6-inch (150 mm) scale, with spin-off lines in the 4-inch (100 mm), 8-inch (200 mm), and 12-inch (300 mm) scale.
History
The Marvel Legends line is a spin-off of the Spider-Man Classics line also produced by Toy Biz. At its inception in 2002, the Marvel Legends line took over the clamshell packaging and the included comic book that had shipped with the Spider-Man Classics line. The first Marvel Legends series included representations of the Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, and Toad.
Beginning January 1, 2007, Hasbro was the new license holder of the rights to produce toys and games based upon the Marvel Universe, while Toy Biz was renamed Marvel Toys. The new Hasbro packaging did not include a comic. In recent years, production on the Marvel Legends line slowed down to the point that it was rumored it would be cancelled, but Hasbro employees revealed at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con that due to fan requests and upcoming movies based on Marvel characters, the line would be making a comeback in 2012, and in January 2012, Marvel Legends returned to store shelves.[1] At the 2013 San Diego Comic Con, Hasbro announced Marvel Legends would be re-branded into lines specifically for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Chase figures
From the beginning, the Marvel Legends line has used the "chase" concept to introduce figures based on less popular or recognizable characters. These got their nickname by being shipped in fewer quantities than the rest of the figures, thus causing collectors to chase after them. Eventually, rather than entirely new figures, the chase concept was limited to variations (such as an alternate head or a different color scheme) of a figure released in that same series. These figures became high in demand by collectors.
Build-A-Figure
In 2005, Toy Biz introduced the "Build-A-Figure" (referred to as a "BAF" in the collector community) to the Marvel Legends line, starting with series 9. Each figure in the series was packaged with a piece of a larger figure—in the initial case, a 16-inch (410 mm) tall figure of Galactus. A consumer who bought each figure in the assortment would then have all the complete components to assemble a character unavailable in individual packaging.
With the release of the Giant-Man BAF, Toy Biz packaged smaller parts with each character, requiring 10 figures to be purchased to create the BAF (including one of the variant figures).
Starting with the Onslaught BAF and continuing with the Mojo and MODOK BAFs, Toy Biz returned to the six-piece formula. Hasbro continued the six-piece formula with the Annihilus BAF in its first series, and temporarily moved to an eight-piece formula with the Blob BAF in its second series, but switched back to the six figure format in series 4.
NOTE: There are three versions of Iron Man in this series.[2] Each of the figures also contains either a comic or a poster foil. Some are English and some are Canadian packaging.
NOTE: Neither version of the Human Torch is a variant. Human Torch was originally distributed with the 4 on his chest, but some collectors asked for the 4 to be removed, since it would be more comic accurate. So as a running change, later shipments had the 4 removed. At the beginning, the figure with the 4 was plentiful, but as time went on, it became more common to see him without it, and eventually it became rare to see him with the 4.
NOTE: There were several running changes to the Daredevil figure(with or without beard), but no true variants.[citation needed] Some Wolverine figures came with a small poster of Wolverine, rather than the comic.[citation needed]
NOTE: The early shipments of ML8 had a paint error on the Captain America figures. The Ultimate Captain America was supposed to have grey paint on his pants, while the Classic Captain America was not. When the toys were first released, these paint apps were reversed. A running change later corrected the error.
Series 9 - Galactus Series (February 2005)
This line introduced what would become a long-standing feature of the Legends line until plastic was deemed too expensive: Buying the full line would result in a Build-A-Figure that towers over the rest, marking the inauguration with Fantastic Four character Galactus.
NOTE: In some cases the Canadian release of the figures were packaged with a gold-foil enhanced mini-poster (with art by Jae Lee), instead of a comic.[citation needed]
Series 10 - Sentinel Series (September 2005)
Continuing the tradition, this line introduces a Sentinel figure, and from hereafter, nearly every Build-A-Figure would be lifted from the X-Men villains roster. To complete the robot, only Mystique or Omega Red needed to be purchased, as both have the same piece.
NOTE: Some Maestro figures were packaged without the hose for connecting the left arm to the Apocalypse torso piece.
Giant Man Series (Wal-Mart exclusive) (May 2006)
This Wal-Mart exclusive built the largest Build-A-Figure for the entire line, Avengers founding member Giant-Man. This series was found internationally in the UK and other stores, such as Woolworths[citation needed] and Canada's Toys R Us.[citation needed] Sentry would ship in a tan-and-blue uniform that was later corrected to a brighter yellow-and-blue color. Both hues have been used in the comics.[4]
Series 13 - Onslaught Series ("The Villains Wave") (May 2006)
This time, the figure is yet another X-Men villain, Onslaught. This figure's size was reduced to be nearly the same height as basic Legends figures due to rising plastics costs.
Kristoff Vernard, as depicted in the comic book series, Fantastic Four: House of M
Hasbro
Wave 1 - Annihilus Series (January 2007)
After Hasbro gained the rights to produce Marvel toys, the company continued with the theme of smaller figures as the bonus one, in this case, Annihilus, a Fantastic Four nemesis. Also, Hasbro's new molds eliminated finger joints, a mainstay of the Toy Biz era, and the comic book pack-ins. Annihilus pieces came in a pastel color for his armor, and later, a more comic-accurate version.
Fantastic Four - Ronan the Accuser Series (October 2007)
A Marvel Legends series that focused on Fantastic Four characters only. This Fantastic Four-focused line included Ronan the Accuser as the Build-A-Figure but was perhaps most noticeable for splitting weapons and cape as Build-A-Figure pieces, another casualty of plastics cost.
Powered-up variant; there were also 500 package variants which has the figure facing inside the package and her back facing outside showing the phoenix tattoo on her back
X-Men: The Last Stand Colossus
Regular
Front leg
Chrome paint variant
Spider-Man Trilogy - Sandman Series (October 2007)
Sandman is the build-a-figure for this movie-based line.
Figure
Accessories
Description
Build-A-Figure Piece
Dr. Octopus
Right arm
Green Goblin
Glider
Leg
Mary Jane Watson
Board, display stand
Torso
New Goblin
Glider
Head
Sandman
Left foot
Spider-Man (Black)
Leg
Spider-Man (Red & Blue)
Right foot
Venom
Left arm
Hulk - Fin Fang Foom Series (July 2008)
The two lines, which shipped simultaneously, formed the first towering Build-A-Figure in many lines, that of Marvel villain Fin Fang Foom.
Figures from the Epic Heroes series were shown at the 2012 Toyfair.[6] This is the second series that does not include BAF pieces since figures began to form Build-A-Figures. Instead, each figure came with a display base, just like in the early series of Marvel Legends, though these bases included much less detail and all were the same. The variant versions of Dr. Doom and Deadpool as well as Danielle Moonstar and Blade have not been released, but Hasbro have confirmed the figures are ready and that they're considering release options, possibly as a Toys "R" Us exclusive.
Released to coincide with the third Iron Man film, this series includes only Iron Man-related characters. It was split into two waves, each including three figures and three pieces of a comic-style Iron Monger Build-A-Figure. The second three figures were released in May 2013.
Figures from Series Four were shown at the San Diego Comic Con 2012 and were available in Spring 2013. This series introduced the Mini Build-A-Figure concept, starting with Hit-Monkey.[citation needed] As a change from previous series, only three of the six figures contained a Build-A-Figure piece. Oddly, it is the three in this series which were planned to have variants.
This wave includes Guardians of the Galaxy's Rocket Raccoon as a Mini BAF, shown at Toy Fair 2013. This series was shown to have several variants including White Phoenix Jean Grey, AOA Jean Grey, classic Hawkeye and Bulldozer. These figures have not been shipped and no information has been given on their releases. Some cases were shipped with an Ultimate Captain America from the Hit-Monkey series and also a Punisher variant (red chest Thunderbolts version) with Epic Heroes packaging.
Red repainted chest (Thunderbolts) version, shipped out in cases for this series with Epic Heroes packaging
N/A
Moonstone was also shown at San Diego Comic Con 2012 as an upcoming figure, but the wave number was not specified. She was released in the SDCC 2013 Exclusive Thunderbolts Boxset, and is also set to be released single-carded in the upcoming Jubilee Series.
Puck Series (October 2013)
Released to coincide with the second Wolverine film, this series includes only X-Men-related characters. The wave will include Alpha Flight's Puck as a Mini BAF, shown at Toy Fair 2013. Phoenix Five Cyclops has been canceled. Rogue will not be in this series either, but Hasbro have said she may appear in the X-Men: Days of Future Past line in 2014.
Released to coincide with the Captain America: The Winter Soldier film, the series includes WWII Captain America with no BAF piece, Captain America Now, Red Skull, Hydra Soldier, AIM Soldier and Modern Baron Zemo. Released in Spring of 2014, three additional figures were also in this series, which included a movie version Captain America, a movie version Black Widow and a movie version Winter Soldier. This series began the Marvel Legends Infinite Series and also new packaging.
Released for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 film, this series has nine figures with running changes on three of them. It has a mixture of movie & comic versions of figures and is also part of the Marvel Legends Infinite Series. Added for an August release, Agent Venom is a Walgreens exclusive and has Green Goblin series packaging but contains no Build-A-Figure piece.
They were released as Toys R' Us & Previews exclusives in June for stores and August for Previews. Several figures came with a piece for the Jubilee Build-A-Figure which was originally shown the year before at SDCC 2013.
Marvel Avengers Infinite Series Wave 1. This series was revealed at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2014. Each figure includes a piece for the Odin Build-a-Figure. The Machine Man and Captain Marvel Figures have different Build-A-Figure pieces to turn Odin into King Thor.
The Hobgoblin Marvel Legends Series was shown at SDCC 2014 and is a Spider-Man Comics Series. Spider-Girl and Spider-Woman are a swap but with different BAF pieces.
Marvel Avengers Infinite Series Wave 2. This series was partially revealed at SDCC 2014. The series includes three Avengers: Age of Ultron movie figures and three comic figures.
Marvel's Ant-Man series. This series was revealed at Toy Fair 2015. The series includes one Ant-Man movie figure and five comic figures. June 20, 2015 was the release date of the Ant-Man Walgreens exclusive. It Is a comic inspired suit from Secret Avengers where a Life-Model Decoy was created to act like Eric O'Grady, called Black Ant. It was in the same "Ant-Man" packaging as the rest of the wave, without the "Ultron" label at the top.
The Rhino Marvel Legends Series was shown at Toy Fair 2015 and is a Spider-Man Comics Series. Rhino comes with classic and modern heads. The next Walgreens Exclusive was the 1st appearance Daredevil.
Complete set of eight figures from the Hulk - Fin Fang Foom Series in a unique box
Target
Figure
Accessories
Description
Limited Edition Hulk
"The Incredible Hulk" movie version
Exclusives (2011)
San Diego Comic Con
Figure
Accessories
Description
Modern Thor
"Rebirth" Thor. First figure from Hasbro's fully restarted Marvel Legends line after a few years hiatus for single packed figures. Revealed at New York Toy Fair 2011. Came in an exclusive Thor hammer package and was later released in the Return of Marvel Legends Terrax series.
Exclusives (2012)
San Diego Comic Con
Figure
Accessories
Description
Uncanny X-Force Box Set
Psychic Katana (for Psylocke)
Includes Psylocke, Archangel, and Wolverine in Uncanny X-Force Uniforms.
Exclusives (2013)
San Diego Comic Con
Figure
Accessories
Description
Thunderbolts Box Set
Extra Head (for Ghost), Gatling Gun (for Crossbones)
Includes Luke Cage, Moonstone, Ghost (translucent), Satanna, and Crossbones.
Age Of Ultron
Exclusive gold Age of Ultron figure was free with the purchase of a new Marvel Annual Unlimited Plus digital comics subscription at Marvel.com. It is the same figure as seen in the Iron Monger series but with a repaint from silver to gold. The subscription came with the figure, variant edition #10 Age Of Ultron comic with cover art by Salvador Larroca, a personalized Plus Member card, welcome letter and custom collectible comic box.
Figure
Accessories
Description
Ultron
Stand
Gold version
Exclusives (2014)
Toys R Us
This set has the time displaced original five X-Men in their updated classic costumes.
Figure
Accessories
Description
All New X-Men
Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel, Ice Man
San Diego Comic Con
Based on the Marvel Comics story THE THANOS IMPERATIVE, this special edition collection features five exclusive Marvel Legends figures - Black Bolt, Medusa, Star-Lord, Gladiator and Blastaar. The set comes in a special-edition package designed to look like the GALACTUS ENGINE, the ultimate weapon from THE THANOS IMPERATIVE.
Figure
Accessories
Description
The Thanos Imperative Box Set
2 Blasters (for Star-Lord)
Black Bolt, Medusa, Star-Lord, Gladiator and Blastaar
Target
This 3 pack was shown at SDCC 2014 and includes a new Ms.Marvel sculpt, Ultimate Captain America with alternate Steve Rogers head and Radioactive Man. It will be a Target Exclusive.
Figure
Accessories
Description
Collectors Edition
Shield & alternate head for Captain America
Ms. Marvel, Ultimate Captain America and Radioactive Man
Rocket Raccoon
Exclusive Rocket Raccoon figure was free with the purchase of a new Marvel Annual Unlimited Plus digital comics subscription at Marvel.com. It is the same BAF from the Rocket Raccoon series only repainted from red gloves and red trim to white gloves and trim. The subscription came with the figure, limited edition Rocket Raccoon #1 variant comic book with cover art by Sara Pichelli, a personalized member plus card and savings at Marvel.com.
This set was shown at SDCC 2014 and includes Maria Hill, Nick Fury and Agent Phil Coulson. Fury is a repack from an earlier Wal-Mart exclusive for Captain America - The First Avenger movie, Maria Hill is a new head sculpt and Agent Coulson is completely new, all are movie versions. It will be a Toys R Us exclusive.
Figure
Accessories
Description
S.H.I.E.L.D. 3 Pack
Revenge blaster & alternate head for Agent Coulson with sunglasses, 2 pistols for Nick Fury
Maria Hill, Nick Fury, Agent Phil Coulson
Amazon
This set was shown at Toy Fair and includes Age of Ultron versions of Thor, Doctor Banner, Hawkeye and Black Widow.
Figure
Accessories
Description
Avengers
Mjolnir, Hawkeye's bow and quiver, Black Widow stun batons
Thor, Doctor Banner, Hawkeye, Black Widow
Target
This 3 pack was shown at Toy Fair and includes Doc Green (Thanos series Hulk remold), Ultron (remold of Green Goblin series Beetle) and Vision (white repaint of Hulkbuster series Vison). It will be a Target exclusive.
Figure
Accessories
Description
Collectors Edition
Doc Green, Ultron, Vision
San Diego Comic Con
Figure
Accessories
Description
The Book of Vishanti
2 Hex Blasts, 2 Flame Accessories, Staff, 3 Swords (for Hela and Magik)
Dr. Strange (Astral Form), Doctor Voodoo, Magik, Hela, Dormammu
Entertainment Earth
Figure
Accessories
Description
Guardians of the Galaxy
Baby Groot in Pot, Cosmic Cube, 4 Daggers and interchangeable hands (for Drax), 2 Blasters (for Star-Lord), Removable head, cloak and sword (for Gamora), 3 Blasters (for Rocket Raccoon).
Groot, Drax, Gamora, Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon
Other
A Marvel Legends Flatman "figure" was included as a joke cut-out in the GLX-Mas Special (2005). It featured "infinite" points of articulation and three action phrases (to be said with one's own voice).
Prototypes
Henchmen
In October 2005, pre-production promotional material for Series 13, "Bring on the Bad Guys," was leaked to the Internet.[10] These materials depicted a seventh figure, Crimson Dynamo, and also advertised that each figure in the series would come with a supplementary "henchman" generic figure. However, neither the Crimson Dynamo figure nor the "henchman" pack-ins reached production for Series 13, though the HYDRA Soldier was released in Hasbro's third wave and Crimson Dynamo in Hasbro's second wave of Iron Man: The Armored Avengers series. Furthermore, the Brood alien and Skrull sculpts were later released in a two pack set under the Marvel Select toyline.
Similar pre-production rumors surfaced regarding the possibility of a "Build-a-Vehicle" Quinjet, which was ultimately scrapped, likely due to rising oil costs.[11]
X-Babies
Non-articulated, one-inch X-Babies pack-ins, a Thunder Frog (Thor turned into a frog by Loki), and Forbush Man (Marvel's unofficial mascot, a character from the Not Brand Echh! humor book) were displayed alongside the henchmen prototypes at the Comic-Con International in July 2006.[11] The X-Babies were originally planned for release in Wave 14, alongside the Mojo BAF.[11]
Colossusus (Colossus)
Creepy Crawler (Nightcrawler)
Shadowkitty (Shadowcat)
Shower (Storm)
Shugah (Rogue)
Wolvie (Wolverine)
Mitey 'Vengers
Captain Amerikid (Captain America)
Hawkey (Hawkeye)
Iron Ace (Iron Man)
Thunderson (Thor)
ToyFare Fan Poll
Hasbro, along with ToyFare magazine, held a poll for which figure would be released as an exclusive on HasbroToyShop.com. Although Age of Apocalypse Sunfire won, it was stated that the other unreleased prototypes would find their way into future wave assortments (either as single carded figures or in two packs).[12] The other prototypes included:
On SDCC 2009 Preview Night, Hasbro exhibited prototypes for upcoming characters in the toy line.[13] Based on the results of a fan poll, the top three choices (Black Widow, Deadpool, and Valkyrie) were scheduled for release. In addition, three other figures (The Hulk, Winter Soldier, and Warpath) were eventually released as well. The other prototypes included:
Constrictor (later launched in 2012 Marvel Legends first wave)
Fantomex (later launched in 2012 Marvel Legends second wave)
X-Force Wolverine (later launched in 2012 SDCC Exclusive X-Force 3-Pack)
Related Lines
Toy Biz had several lines of toys which are related to Marvel Legends in that the toys are Marvel characters, often exhibit comparable articulation, and are similar in scale. With the exception of Spider-Man Classics, which actually pre-date Marvel Legends, these lines do not include comic books and do not ship in the same clamshell packaging. The figures in these related lines also usually include some sort of "action feature," sometimes limiting their articulation and ostensibly intended to make the toys more appealing to children.
Several popular characters (usually villains) that have not appeared under the Marvel Legends brand have made appearances in these lines, and thus are usually the most desired among collectors. These include most of Spider-Man's rogues gallery, as well as some of the Hulk's, Fantastic Four's and X-Men's.
X-Men Classics (three series, cancelled, several new sculpts of both completely original costumes and previously unproduced costumes with repaints of existing figures scattered throughout.)
Marvel Legends Showdown is a collectible tabletop game in which the primary component is 4-inch (100 mm) action figures and cards. It was a collaboration between Upper Deck Entertainment and Toy Biz. Originally known as Marvel Superhero Showdown, it was renamed Marvel Legends Showdown to tie it in to the Marvel Legends line. The line did not continue when figure production switched from Toy Biz to Hasbro.
Unleashed
Marvel Legends Unleashed is an 8-inch (200 mm) spin-off line from Marvel Legends. The figures were produced by Hasbro and feature multiple points of articulation.
Wave 1 (2008)
Figure
Accessories
Description
Spider-Man
Green Goblin
Marvel Knights costume
Wave 2 (2008)
Figure
Accessories
Description
Black Costume Spider-Man
Doctor Octopus
Wave 3 (2008)
Figure
Accessories
Description
Iron Man
Anti-radiation armor
Icons
The "Icons" series includes 12-inch (300 mm) articulated figures of various characters from Marvel. The Toy Biz Icons each came with an "Evolution of an Icon" comic sized book including a history and stats of the character as well as artwork. These books are not included in the Hasbro Icons.
