Marvel Legends is an
action figure
An action figure is a poseable character model figure made most commonly of plastic, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, military, video game or television program; fictional or historical. These figures are usually mar ...
line based on the characters of
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Comics'' in ...
, initially produced by
Toy Biz, then by
Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (; a syllabic abbreviation of its original name, Hassenfeld Brothers) is an American multinational conglomerate holding company incorporated and headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Hasbro owns the trademarks and products of K ...
. This line is in the scale, with spin-off lines in the , , and scale.
The line initially began as a spin-off of the
Spider-Man Classics
Spider-Man Classics is term used by collectors most commonly to refer to several lines produced by Toy Biz focusing on Spider-Man and his allies and enemies. The lines have over 17 series, with dozens of Spider-Man incarnations and many of his famo ...
line, which were also produced by Toy Biz. At its inception in 2002, the Marvel Legends line copied the clam-shell packaging and the included comic book that had shipped with the Spider-Man Classics line. The first wave of Marvel Legends included the heroes of Iron Man, Captain America, and the Hulk, with the villain being Toad. Beginning January 1, 2007, Hasbro became the new license holder to the rights to produce toys and games based upon the Marvel Universe. The new Hasbro packaging did not include a comic book and the new molds eliminated finger joints, which were a mainstay during the Toy Biz era, but the company did continue with the theme of Build-A-Figure pieces. During the late 2000s, production on the Marvel Legends line slowed down to the point where it was rumored that it may be cancelled, but Hasbro revealed (at the 2010
San Diego Comic-Con
San Diego Comic-Con International is a comic book convention and nonprofit multi-genre entertainment event held annually in San Diego, California since 1970. The name, as given on its website, is Comic-Con International: San Diego; but it is ...
) that due to fan requests and the 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.
At the 2013 San Diego Comic Con, Hasbro announced that Marvel Legends would be given a new start as the ''Marvel Legends Infinite Series'' starting with the
Mandroid
Iron Man has a large range of villains. They each have specific abilities which they use against Tony Stark. While these enemies include major independent operators such as Mandarin and Doctor Doom, many of the more minor foes, especially those eq ...
series. Initially, the Marvel Legends line has used the "chase" concept to introduce figures based on less popular or recognisable 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 evolved into variants (such as an alternate head or a different colour scheme) of a figure released in that same series. These figures retained being sought-after by collectors. 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).
Toy Biz
Build-A-Figure
In 2005, Toy Biz introduced the "Build-A-Figure" (referred to as a "BAF" in the collector community) starting with series 9. Each figure in the series was packaged with a piece of a larger figure. A consumer who bought each figure in the assortment would then have all the complete components to assemble a character unavailable in individual packaging.
Box Sets
NOTE: The translucent variants of both Human Torch and Invisible Woman were available in a stand-alone variant gift set.
NOTE: All figures were exclusive to this gift pack, and each had a display stand.
Face-Off (2006)
Each set includes a base with a background and flight stands.
Hasbro
After Hasbro gained the rights to produce Marvel toys, the company continued with the theme of Build-A-Figure pieces. Also, Hasbro's new molds mostly eliminated finger joints, a mainstay of the Toy Biz era, and the comic book pack-ins.
*All the figures in the Terrax and Arnim Zola waves were labelled with a "The Return of Marvel Legends" sticker.
*The Hit-Monkey, Rocket Raccoon, and Jubilee waves used the "Mini" Build-A-Figure concept.
Exclusives
Marvel released multiple exclusive toys in the series.
Showdown
Marvel Legends Showdown is a collectible tabletop game in which the primary component is action figures and cards. It was a collaboration between
Upper Deck Entertainment
The Upper Deck Company, LLC (colloquially as Upper Deck and Upper Deck Authenticated, Ltd. in the UK), founded in 1988, is a private company primarily known for producing trading cards. Its headquarters are in Carlsbad, California, United State ...
and Toy Biz. Originally known as Marvel Superhero Showdown.
Unleashed (2008)
Figures are . The figures were produced by Hasbro and feature multiple points of articulation.
Icons
The series is .
Toy Biz
Figures come with an "Evolution of an Icon" comic sized book including a history and statistics of the character as well as artwork.
Hasbro
12-Inch
In 2016, 12-inch Legends returned effectively reviving the concept of the Icons line in all but name. The figures are more expensive and are therefore aimed at a more adult collector market.
Prop Replicas
In 2016, Hasbro announced a line of high end role play accessories. After the release of the first two items, a poll was held to determine future entries in the line.
Box sets
Retro 3.75-Inch
Smaller figures done in the style of the superhero toys made by
Kenner and
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. ( ) is an American multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company founded in January 1945 and headquartered in El Segundo, California. The company has presence in 35 countries and territories and sells products in mor ...
during the 1980s. Each figure features five points of articulation and retro-inspired packaging.
Deluxe Retro 3.75"
Oversized figures and vehicles in the 3.75" scale.
Announced
Non-BAF waves
Single releases
Box sets
The Infinity Saga
A special 2021 series of figures featuring characters from the
Infinity Saga that had not been released in prior movie waves.
Infinity Saga box sets
Deluxe
Retro
Retro single releases
Marvel Legends 20th Anniversary
A special premium line dedicated to updating the characters featured in the very first wave of ToyBiz Marvel Legends from 2002, complete with retro-style packaging.
Beyond Amazing
A special Spider-Man-themed promotion designed to coincide with the character's 60th anniversary in 2022.
Beyond Amazing box sets
X-Men 60th Anniversary
A premium line celebrating the 60th anniversary of the X-Men franchise in 2023.
X-Men 60th Anniversary deluxe figures
X-Men 60th Anniversary box sets
Amazon
Box sets
GameStop
Box sets
Hasbro Pulse
Box sets
Hasbro PulseCon
Box sets
HasLab
Target
Walgreens
Walmart
See also
Toy Biz had several related lines of toys of
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Comics'' in ...
characters, often exhibiting comparable articulation, and similar scale.
*
DC Multiverse
*
DC Universe Classics
DC Universe Classics was an action figure toyline, a sub-line of the DC Universe toy brand manufactured by Mattel. They were 6-inch scale figures based on the fictional characters owned by DC Comics. The entire line was sculpted by the Four Horse ...
* Fantastic Four Classics
*
Hulk Classics
*
Iron Man: The Armored Avenger
*
Spider-Man Classics
Spider-Man Classics is term used by collectors most commonly to refer to several lines produced by Toy Biz focusing on Spider-Man and his allies and enemies. The lines have over 17 series, with dozens of Spider-Man incarnations and many of his famo ...
*
X-Men Classics
References
External links
ToyBiz.comOfficial ToyBiz site
Hasbro.comOfficial Hasbro site
MarvelousNews.comDaily Marvel Legends News, Complete Photo Database and Collector Community
Stashmatic.comMarvel Legends database with images
MarvelLegends.NetMarvel Legends Photo Database, News and Forums
marvellegends.infoThe Complete Guide to Marvel Legends
marvellegends.hyves.nlA Marvel Legends site from the Netherlands
Free Marvel Legends iOS Checklist ApplicationVisual and Price guides for Marvel Legends Action Figures
{{Hasbro
Hasbro products
2000s toys
2010s toys
Marvel Comics action figure lines