Illuminating Avengers

I'm still feeling rather reflective about (almost) getting all of the Legends I want. I have been going through all of the possible things I might want to collect next, Star Wars 6", Lego, but nothing is quite clicking. One thing that does quite appeal would be to collect some Watchmen and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen figures. Maybe a V for Vendetta figure (spot the pattern?!). However, they either don’t exist or it’s not quite right (or complete).

Previously I never thought I would collect Marvel Legends or Transformers Masterpiece, so it’s likely a matter of the right figure of a character being released and suddenly I’m addicted to something again. Collecting takes up money, time and space. I think that is true of any hobby, but it needs to be balanced against the enjoyment gained. If I was getting really philosophical, I’d go as far as to say collecting toys doesn’t help me achieve any of the things I really want to achieve in life, really, it hinders it. I don’t think I’ll ever recount my grandchildren with the story of how I found Cyclops at the local comic shop! Though I do really want the X-Men cartoon lineup in Marvel Legends.......

Perhaps, being a bit more sensible, I think should catch up on the various TPB comics and DVDs I’ve been after. Perhaps a bit of cold turkey for the time being then.

Moving swiftly on, Hawkeye and Ant-Man have arrived. That’s almost my Avengers lineup finished, just need a Thor! Toy fair is next month so that’s something to look forward to.

Hawkeye has ratchet arms which is a little strange, but otherwise a fine addition. Ant-Man is perfect, though I think he looks a little cheap in the retro style packaging. The figure is fine of course, but something about it reminds me of an un-stretched Stretch Armstrong. I think the retro packaging is really cool - I've actually kept it for all of the retro style figure I have, but I think it does subconsciously make me think I'm getting a cheaper product. A boxed figure seems worth more than figure in a bubble on a card.

Black Bolt and Widow have also arrived (Widow in the retro style packaging). Black Bolt also has the ratchet shoulders which makes me wonder whether some of the figures I already have have them as well and I just haven't noticed. Black Widow is pretty good, but unfortunately her lipstick looks like she might have applied it whilst riding a motorbike, the paint application has been applied somewhat higher up on her face than it should have been. A lipstick moustache perhaps.

As has Namor! He’s in his modern costume, which was a custom I was considering doing. I don’t know much about the character, but he’s one that appeals to me. He’s a very good looking figure though, the metallic blue green looks especially nice. When I put him next to Reed Richards, he looks huge. Can't blame Sue for being tempted!

Siege Leader Optimus has been shown off, looks good! I’m excited about it, though I don’t think I’d get one. I like the idea of a matching Optimus and Magnus (assuming it’s built off of the Magnus toy) so will keep an eye on it. Something that does interest me is a Nova Prime repaint, the mock up I’ve seen looks fantastic.

Looking through the upcoming Siege figure, Hasbro will have more or less redone all of  the Classics and Universe characters. I think Hot Rod and Ramjet will be my only remaining Classics figures, Hot Rod hasn't had a solid new version, and with the coneheads, I'm happy to have them as deluxe and the original seekers as voyagers. Assuming I go for the new Starscream that is.

The X-Men wave for the year has also been shown off, Beast, Gambit, Forge and Jubilee. Wow! That’s over half my X-Men wants in one go. Along with Professor X and a rumour of Colossus it’s looking really good for the X-Men.

50 Marvel Legends

‘Twas the night before the night before Christmas Eve and everyone was desperately trying to buy more stuff. Luckily, I was able to find the Siege Voyagers in time for Christmas. I had a choice between Prime and Megs, and went for Megs because there was only one left. First impressions very good, it looks great. He's a good size, weight and suitably chunky. There is the battle damage, which on the black looks pretty good, the stuff on the chest less so. The altmode is a Cybertronian tank so a bit vague, but the transformation is solid. Overall, very excited for the line! I'm going to hold off on Prime, because I want to see what they do with the rumoured leader Optimus. I am rather attached to the idea of Prime and Magnus sharing a core mode if that's possible.

I want to like the new Starscream, but can’t quite convince myself based on what I’ve seen so far. Conversely, I really want to not like the new Omega Supreme because I don't want to replace my Year of the Snake figure, but I have a feeling it's going to be absolutely amazing.

I've opened Bishop and Psylocke (purple hair). Fantastic figures, Bishop's one of my favourites from the 90's cartoon, so it's great to have a figure that does him justice. Psylocke is also very well done. Need to put together the rest of the teams!

Looking back over the last year it’s amazing how Marvel Legends have taken over my collecting, what seems stranger is that it’s at the expense of Masterpiece - I had to save money somewhere, and so I no longer have Masterpiece Megatron or Starscream, and never bought Shockwave or Dinobot. I have gone back and forth over what characters to collect so many times and I’m not done yet.

I've hit a bit of a milestone - 50 Marvel Legends figures. Technically the 50th is a preorder for Professor X, and it's only 33 different characters because several are Iron Man armours or MCU versions of characters, but it feels significant. I've also now ordered Black Widow, Black Bolt, Namor, Ant-Man and Hawkeye. That means I've got 7/8 Avengers from Avengers: EMH, 5/6 of the Illuminati (I love the idea of that group), 3/4 Fantastic 4, 4/9 of the 90's cartoon X-Men and 8/14 of the comic X-Men blue/gold teams. I have 5/7 of the first comic lineup (2008) Guardians, but Gamora is almost unavailable and Quasar/Phyla-Vell seems unlikely (though Genis Vell is coming). The one figure that is available that I need is Thing. Hoping he gets a bit cheaper, but I might have to just bite the bullet.

Now I've pretty much caught up, I'm sure my brain will be working out what to collect next. It hasn't given me any hints what yet, but it's bound to be something which I've quietly admired, but held back on. For the time being at least, it's time to concentrate on getting a Titans Return Fortress Maximus as well as keeping up with Siege.

It occurs to me that these Legends have come at the expense of Masterpiece Decepticons, which I have to admit I would likely have never transformed. Though I’ve spent a lot, I think I have and am getting more enjoyment from the choice I’ve made.

I’ve tried to stay away from ‘want’ lists recently, though I find it hard not to comment when I want a particular figure to complete a particular set. That said, part of the reason is being so close to completion on many lines. There are several figures I want for Classics/Generations Transformers, but I think Scorponok is the essential one. For Masterpiece similarly, Jazz is badly needed. There are others of course. Marvel Universe there are a few, but I have customs lined up so it doesn’t seem quite so necessary. Legends is where I have most of my wants. Most of the X-Men are coming, but I need Jean Grey, Storm and Colossus, plus I need a classic Thor and Doctor Strange. I'd also really like a Nightcrawler since he's my favourite X-Man. If I can get all of those then great!

Sometimes it is fun to put together a 'top ten', as you have to make some compromises. Of lines that aren't running anymore, I'd also love a Classics Tygra and Cheetarah, as well as a Mega Bloks TMNT blimp and (classic) lair. I think of those original figures I mentioned, Jazz and Colossus would have to make way for the latter four. I miss TMNT Mega Bloks, was really hoping for some more sets.

Speaking of TMNT, I’ve picked up Donatello to go with Mikey and Raph, I prefer his skin colour to the other two I have. I’ve realised (like with many toys), the sculpt is great, but the colours and paint are not quite there. I will try and track down Leo (sadly not available in discount stores), then perhaps consider doing a bit of painting.

I’m very happy to have caught up with Legends (bar Thing). I’ve been in the habit of checking eBay and Amazon every day, so there’s a bit of a routine change now. Not sure what I’m going to focus on next - there’s always something that sends me scuttling back to eBay. It occurs to me that so far only Transformers, Marvel and Star Wars really have had the range of characters necessary to really pull me in - for almost any other franchise I’m only interested in the core, generally heroic, characters. Also, I tend to stay from really expensive stuff. There will be something though I’m sure. Happy New Year!