Inspired by Just J Hernandez and his amazing Top 10 list he posted on YouTube, here's my 10 favorite Legends of the year so far.
10. Stan Lee - Worth the wait, the sculpt captures everything about Stanley Martin Lieber AKA Stan The Man, from the hucksterism to the good humor to his self-chosen role as The Keeper of the Marvel Flame. I do love this figure unreservedly, even as I acknowledge Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and maybe a dozen other key Marvel creators should also be honored in the form of little plastic people. Best thing about him is the head sculpt, worst thing was the cheap chessboard, which would have been a winner with a hinge and a little paint. And maybe some chess pieces. Or was it checkers? Hmm.
9. Rage - I confess I skipped most the '90s when it comes to comics, busy as I was building a career and raising two kids with my wife Lora. So while I was aware of The New Warriors, I couldn't have named one of them other than Scarlet Spider (Team Reilly all the way over here) before Night Thrasher made his ML debut. But Rage had such an imposing presence even in the package that I had to have one. This figure looks spectacular on the shelf and is maybe the best use of the much-hated Hyperion body mold. Best thing about him is his design and how they brought it to life in Legends form. The worst thing is maybe he could have used a little more paint detail, but that's a small complaint. He's wonderful.
7. Winter Soldier - Confession time: I am a total mark for characters with cybernetic body parts, especially arms. Deathlok, Cable and your boy Bucky are among my favorite characters and my favorite Legends for that reason. I waited years for a good comic Winter Soldier (BTW Ed Brubaker's Cap run that introduced him remains fantastic, as was the movie it inspired), and here he is. He's not perfect, but he's head and shoulders above previous releases of both comic and movie incarnations. Best thing about him is his size and imposing presence, the worst thing is the lack of paint or wash on his cybernetic arm. I'm hoping we get a reissue in his Soviet look, as customizer Jeremy Wilson showed us one that I am still salivating over.
6. Stepford Cuckoos - It's not cheating if they're the Three-In-ONE, now is it? For a character (or characters) that is basically a teenage girl in her school uniform, Hasbro knocked it out of the park bringing one (three? Five?) of Grant Morrison's greatest contributions to X-Men lore to life in action figure form. Best thing about them is how much personality they get across. Worst thing about them is I had two more but stupidly traded them and now I want two more. This hobby!
4. Blue Deadpool - Blue is my favorite color. I have no other explanation. I love this costume for ol' Wade more than any other. Best thing about him is that he's on the Sunfire body mold and has butterfly joints for days. Worst thing is NOTHING because he's Blue Deadpool.
3. Shang Chi - Hi, I came up in comics reading in the 1970s. Paul Gulacy, Mike Zeck and Gene Day's runs on Master of Kung Fu are some of the most entertaining and beautifully illustrated Marvel comics of all time. I was so happy when I laid hands on this figure. I still am. Best thing about him is the faithfulness to his essence as a character, Noble, stoic and supremely confident in his mastery of...Kung Fu. Worst thing about him is I should have bought two.
2. Gray Black Widow - Frank Miller and Klaus Janson's Daredevil was far and aw
ay my favorite comic book when they redesigned Natasha with short hair and a gray catsuit. I guess Jim Lee or somebody gave her the requisite '90s bomber jacket? I don't mind it but I'd like a reissue in first appearance form, too. It wouldn't take much. Best thing about her is how well the sculpt captures this precise era of the Widow. Worst thing? What worst thing?
Collecting and photographing Marvel Legends this year has in a very real way kept me sane and maybe even saved my life. Continuing to build my collection is my way of expressing a belief that my country will get it together and defeat the disease that threatens it and the very bad people working overtime to continue its spread.
Stay safe, and here's to better days and better action figures.
Excelsior!
-- Alan David Doane