I've said for years that Toy Biz made far superior Marvel figures than Hasbro. I collected many Marvel Legends figures from way back in the day. My first one was Series 1 Captain America. The articulation, the detail...hell, even the base included was sweet tits. From that first figure, I was in love.
My next two figures were The Punisher and Gambit. The detail alone was enough to reel me in, hook, line, and sinker. The articulation had been something never seen before. Each figure had over 20 points of movement (with the exception of Toad from series 1). Once I started seeing other figures I hadn't seen, such as more X-Men characters, I had to buy them all. I even bought the first Fantastic Four movie figures, merely because they were made by Toy Biz.
Toy Biz's Marvel Legends
Their attention to detail, even something as small as Gambit's playing cards, was absolutely awe-inspiring. Finally, we had action figures that didn't cost a fortune, with a high amount of detail and mobility for each figure. Until Toy Biz lost their Marvel license.
Enter Hasbro: the maker of such toys as Mr. Potato Head, Transformers, and G.I. Joe.
I thought maybe the quality would remain the same. I was sorely mistaken.
I purchased the first wave of Hasbro's Marvel Legends, mainly for Banshee and Emma Frost...needed them for my X-Men collection. Upon opening the packaging, I found, well, to sum it up nicely...cheap pieces of plastic.
Granted, Toy Biz's figures had mobility problems once removed...you push an arm or leg too far and it breaks. Or the joints were too loose and the figures would have to sit down. And the girl figures couldn't stand up to save their little manufactured lives. But it seemed like Hasbro didn't even try.
Especially once I started seeing my beloved Legends as "Wal-Mart" exclusives. And after a few weeks, every figure would go on clearance. So Hasbro got an even better idea...make the figures smaller, everyone seems to enjoy that.
Wave 1 of Hasbro's Marvel Legends
The 6 inch figures were, simply put, awesome. Now they introduce these 3.75 inch figures that nobody wants to buy, just for the mere fact that BIGGER is BETTER. The only Marvel licenses Hasbro has made decent were the Iron Man 1 & 2 6" movie figures.
Toy Biz needs to get the license again and go back to the way things were. The figures were packaged better, looked better, and were handled with care. Hasbro seems like their attention was focused elsewhere, namely with the upcoming Transformers movie.
Hasbro, if by some longshot you're reading this, take note of what Toy Biz did and change everything you do immediately.
CBMTrolls
Focker=Out!