Without the funny Cybertronian bits

I’ve opened Springer, I like him so far, but I’m not quite sure whether I like him more than the 30th anniversary figure yet. He’s a good mix of toy and cartoon accurate, and I’m rather fond of the original toy’s altmodes which was my main reason for getting this one. He’s more fiddly certainly, but everything clicks into place nicely to make it seem pretty solid. I’ll keep on messing with him.

Colossus and Juggernaut have arrived. Having a few figures from the Juggernaut wave I was aware of how big his arms and legs are, but wow, this is one chunky figure. I really like the open hands for that extra width.

They both look amazing, a part of me thinks I’m still very happy with the 3.75” scaled figures, but Universe Colossus is rather blue and very angry, not really what comes to mind when I think of the character.

The smashed up face is perfect for when Juggernaut goes up against the Hulk. I’m really starting to appreciate how photogenic (and fun) these new Legends are.

Psylocke arrived again, this is what I said last time: “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!” So all that still applies, with the small edit that now all I only need Jean Grey to complete the teams!

I think this will be the first time I really feel like I’ve completed something, with Marvel Universe and Transformers I did complete teams but they never properly matched aesthetically (or they were teams of size four). A complete 90’s X-Men team, finally!

There are rumours of a leader Optimus with trailer, presumably the Siege figure without the funny Cybertronian bits, but with a trailer. I came extremely close to buying the Siege figure - I saw it in a shop, went back to buy it only for Soundwave to be on the shelf so I bought him instead. So I’m a little tempted, especially as I changed my Classics Megatron for the Siege. Similarly, earth Starscream. I thought a voyager F-15 version was inevitable, surprised how quickly it has happened if this is true. I would buy Skywarp and Thundercracker as well. I’m also quite keen for a voyager Sunstorm, but I think I would keep my (deluxe) Classics coneheads and ghost Starscream even if they were options.

Blue with a tail and a sword

Hasbro is giving us just about every Marvel Legends figure we want, now it doesn’t seem that far fetched to suggest this might be because the license is expiring but they are extracting some serious money from collectors. But what if something else is happening? They must know the age distribution is people collecting, they must know those people are getting older. Those people are buying houses and having children. Their disposable income is dropping, maybe they’re getting these figures out before people drop out. Several of the podcasts I listen to have stopped or had people leave. People are leaving the hobby, maybe this is Hasbro getting as much as they can before that happens. Or maybe this is just wild speculation......

I seem to suddenly have a lot of unopened figures, Legends Loki, Gambit, Jubilee, Storm, Mister Sinister, Nightcrawler, Captain America, Thor, Psylocke and Captain Britain, plus Siege Springer and Reflector. I am going to open Nightcrawler......

He's fantastic! My favourite Marvel character, he's blue with a tail. And a sword. I think I also like him because if I could have any superhero powers it would be teleportation. Think about it, you could live your life in a way where you don't waste any time travelling between places, plus no money wasted on petrol or plane fares. You could see the world for free! Anyway, Nightcrawler is responsible for my inability just to collect the main X-Men from the cartoon. I needed him as well. But then once I made an exception for him I also needed Angel, Iceman, Kitty, Colossus, Psylocke and Bishop. And X-Factor, Cable and Captain Britain. My only small critique is that I think gold paint should have been used for his eyes (they used it on the handle of the sword). The headsculpt is (for me) a fantastic improvement over the old. The smiling head is also great, very fitting for the character and I have a genuine dilemma over which to use. Fantastic!

These Legends figures are really helping me get into X-Men all over again. Since I now have Archangel, Iceman, Forge, Kitty and Nightcrawler I’m going for a Wolverine and the X-Men display until I get round to opening Gambit and Jubilee. I will open Storm next. The vintage packaging is great, but would be even better if the whole team was available in this style! (If it was I would consider keeping them MOSC.) Okay, so this figure is everything I wanted, white costume Storm. Fan-bloody-tastic. She looks great, bring on Jean Grey!

One of the pitfalls I really wanted to avoid when I started collecting Marvel Legends was buying the exact same collection again, but paying twice the price. I made a big list of all the figures I have and I have bought roughly half of my Universe figures as Legends (it gets a bit vague because I still have unfinished customs), it's quite reassuring to know I haven't made my Universe collection completely obsolete.

I've now opened Reflector, I was having some second thoughts on whether I should have got three of the regular cartoon figures, I'm happy to say those doubts have gone. Viewfinder in particular is a fantastic update, Spectro is also a fine update, Spyglass less so as he seems a bit plain. Viewfinder and Spyglass could do with some extra stickers, but I'm very happy and don't regret selling my Perfect Effect set. That said, I'm not sure it's worth the money - £10 or £20 cheaper and I would be far happier. £70 for three small almost identical deluxes is pretty outrageous. A random aside from that, I realise that part of what I like about the figures is the size. It's the same reason I like the G1 Datsun mold, and the 80's/90's Turtle figures. It's probably the same reason I took to Marvel Universe figures so much, figures 4-5" are just the perfect size for me.

Re-reading More than Meets the Eye inspired me to re-watch some Red Dwarf X - XII. They actually did a really good job of re-capturing the spirit of the original series. As much as I like Kochanski, series VII and VIII are not quite the same as the series with the main four. Might have to watch some of the older ones at some point.

Juggernaut and Colossus are on their way, yay!

FOMO

I’ve been re-reading Lost Light (volume 2), it’s really nice to get back into it. Bit tempted to seek out a Krok, but the main thing that struck me was that Scorponok, Star Saber, Deszaras and Thunderclash all appear, my main toy wants. It’s like they’re teasing me.

My interest in Transformers has evolved, it started off as nostalgia for the cartoon, that evolved into nostalgia for the toys. I then watched the Japanese cartoons, and read the Marvel and Dreamwave comics. I now read the IDW comics and the toys I want reflect this evolution. Scorponok appears in everything on that list, the middle two Japanese cartoons and IDW, and Thunderclash is all IDW. None of the cast of the cartoons or toyline I remember as a kid are on it, they're done. Had I not embraced new media I would be done apart from Scorponok.

I saved a few pictures of the 90’s X-Men teams a while back and it’s been playing on my mind. Basically I now need Captain Britain and Psylocke. They’re British, I’m in Britain, it all makes sense. Cap B is still available at retail price, more or less, but Psylocke has about doubled. Bollocks! I bought her, sold her at a loss and now want to buy her again. Suffice to say, They’re both on their way (again).

They both appeared in the 90’s cartoon so it’s not all patriotic nonsense. I bought a New Excalibur comic in the 2000’s so I actually have some connection to the team. I like that Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde were both in Excalibur as they are sort of leftovers from the main 90’s teams otherwise (Blue, Gold and X-Factor). For Pyslocke she was also on the cover of one of the few X-Men comics I bought (with Spiral), she also apparently joined the team in the comics set after the cartoon. So, she does have a lot of significance. She also helps competes the 90’s team. I have now paid for Nightcrawler and Storm, just a Jean Grey away from X-Men completion! (And Colossus technically, but he's due any time now.)

I have now got NECA cartoon Leonardo, my initial thoughts are very positive, but will be expensive to complete the team! He's a very good size - the Playmates figures were a bit big compared to Marvel Legends scaled stuff, but also 80's/90's Turtles were slightly smaller than other toylines, so I appreciate the shortness. One thing that is key for me with Turtles figures is the shell colour and design, and this one is perfect. He's not super posable, but I think he has just enough articulation. I like the way this figure looks next to Legends. Also, it photographs amazingly well.

I have spent a bit time thinking about what sort of Turtles I want - comic, cartoon, toy, or movie even. I don't have any connection to the original comics, but generally with my toys I go for ones based on the original source material. I think the Playmates had they been a bit smaller would have been perfect. I really like this cartoon style figure but I am also eyeing up the Super 7 figures which look to be ridiculously expensive. Can’t make my mind up, but will hold off making a decision until we see a bit more of the new stuff.

There are rumours that the next WFC line will be focused on Rebirth. Just about every figure I could want is from 1987 or later (deluxe Insecticons I think are the sole exception), this could be it! Interestingly, the final part could be animal based Transformers. Bigger Sky Lynx and Dinobots please! But, at that point I think it would be more about getting better versions. And maybe some Beast Wars?! (Off the top of my head I need Tarantulas, Scorponok, Terrorsaur, and Airrazor.) I have also managed to squeeze in an order for the Reflector 3-pack. Like I said, generally I like to go toy accurate, but the cartoon colours were tempting.

I have suggested that I might take a break from collecting next year, I came across a term recently which I very much identify with - FOMO - fear of missing out. That's it in a nutshell. Perhaps taking a break is a bit drastic (given my extreme FOMO), but after Toy Fair next year, once I know what's coming I might work out what I really want, and limit myself to only opening that stuff. See what I have stacked up that perhaps I don't want.

Off for a cuppa

So how am I doing? Re-reading some of my posts from earlier in the year, I have bought a lot less stuff from eBay - for the few things I have bought it has just been the best option. I don't have a 'want to get' list full of figures from previous years where eBay is the only option so that is good. There has been a heck of a lot of new stuff coming out that I've wanted though so I have sold a lot of stuff to buy it. So far, pretty responsible, but no difficult decisions either. That is where I am now - I want too much stuff which I don't have the money for. I could put off buying it, but the situation isn't looking any better for 2020 (potentially Scorponok, Seacons, a commander class figure, BAF Strong Guy, Thundercats). Something has to give then.

I think in terms of distraction, I have made some progress, though I think as much as anything the distraction relates to tiredness. The more tired you are, the more easily distracted. Makes sense really. So what to do? A quick Google search suggests to avoid distractions (genius!), drink lots of water, have a shower, work on well defined and easy things, and move around a lot. I'm off to have a cuppa, as I can't stop thinking how much I need the Iron Man/Iron Spider set! Most people seem to have had enough of movie Iron Man armours, but to me this is the perfect set which I've been eagerly awaiting.

I had a slightly strange realisation, I regularly find myself craving news - I check the front pages of websites to see if anything new has been announced, I look forward to Toy Fair and SDCC. I almost never find myself craving a new toy to open. I don’t buy things because I need something to open. If anything I find I have too much to open, and so often have a backlog. I think knowing that something is being made and knowing that I own the thing is what I crave most.

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I’ve got Beast, Gambit, Jubilee and Forge in hand. I’ve already expressed my excitement repeatedly, but what a wave! I don’t think there will ever be such a good wave. I have an irrational like of Forge, he’s never been in a film, but he had several cameos in TAS and Evolution, and was on the team in Wolverine and the X-Men, although rarely in action. He’s one of my favourite X-Men for some reason, really happy to have a figure of him.

Beast is amazing! I wasn’t expecting much, but I think he’s great. He can do some really good poses. Yes it would be good if he had a more neutral facial expression, and some wash on his biceps to match the shoulders and forearms, but I’m really taken with him. I had a really great geeky day, opened Beast, re-read volume 1 of Transformers Lost Light and found out that Hasbro has the Ghostbusters license (3.75” or 6” Real Ghostbusters please!). All is good!

Having spotted a bit of the second wave of Endgame Legends figures at the Disney store last week, I went back today and found Loki. It’s great to find things in person, it was a really hot day and there was a parade going on, very memorable! Marvel Legends Alpha Flight have been announced for Marvel Legends, I am a little tempted but think am happy to enjoy from a distance. (I like the idea of getting Sasquatch but after checking the price on eBay, I'm good.)

There are rumours that Namor will be the villain for the next Black Panther film, please be true!!! Another round of Disney plus Marvel shows were announced at D23: Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight and She-Hulk! Fantastic. I’ve added those characters to my Legends want list. The new She-Hulk looks great, just need a green one. And I want a classic Moon Knight. With all these series announced by Marvel, but with the same actors (and budget?), I wonder whether it is more profitable for them? (Less middle men than traditional cinema?) If so and Disney plus is successful then maybe that’s where the future lies for them.

It sounds like the deal between Marvel and Sony has broken down, I think Marvel will wait it out - the MCU really doesn’t need Spider-Man and I can’t imagine Sony only films will do as well - I’m not sure I will bother - I never saw any of the Andrew Garfield films at the cinema. Sony will be forced back to the negotiating table.

Huge and green

Have finally bought Multiple Man, I’ve been fairly restrained, but his price seems to be creeping up so thought was time to grab him. Guess other people are also looking to complete X-Factor. He’s the first member of the team I’ve got. Unfortunately I've also got what will hopefully be my last sizeable eBay invoice for a while, damn those blood sucking bastards..... I was probably a bit premature buying Multiple Man but hopefully I can find the money for everything I've preordered.

So the Mark IV turned up, he’s a knock off but some mold flash aside, he’s fine. I guess they might well do the Mark V soon. I was expecting the hips to be god awful, but man, the hips are god awful! He really can’t stand in anyway that doesn't look like he's got a stick up his arse or sticking his butt out. Luckily he came with a display stand!

I fancy putting down a top 10. I want many Legends but a classic Doctor Strange tops the list. Followed by classic Ms. Marvel, Falcon and Red Skull. That would complete a few teams as well as giving me all of the 'main' villains. Falcon seems quite likely given the release of Vulture and the upcoming Disney plus series. Transformers wise, Scorponok tops the list, followed by Victory Saber and Deszaras (complete the G1 leaders) and Thunderclash (because IDW). Surely it is Scorponok's time?! Finally (finally), I want Tygra and Cheetara to complete my Thundercats. I want a Snarf as well but since that would be 11, he can be an accessory for Cheetara. Come on Super 7!

This 10 wants feels a bit different to previous lists, if I had these then what feel like the major gaps would be filled. I previously said that I would have a break from collecting Legends. I am thinking about a break from collecting generally. With Legends, really I just want Dr. Strange, I will make do with the black costume one. With Transformers, it’s about Scorponok. So a really key thing is whether he’s the Titan for next year. The other key thing is what’s happening with Thundercats. I think the end of February (Toy Fair really), will be my cut off for any news. If they announce anything before then then it’s fair game. If not, I won’t hear about it. I realise I'm checking online retailers just in case I miss a preorder, things like Ratchet and Reflector go so quickly. I don't need the stress.

I will continue to listen to podcasts and I'll continue to blog, but I want to stop going to websites and clicking refresh constantly in the hopes of some news. I want to stop making lists of all the things I want to get or wish for. Most importantly I want to stop wishing my life away - I just need this one thing to be happy and complete. I will check back in again at some point but hopefully with my priorities in life a bit clearer.

I've got 80th anniversary Hulk. He is huge, he really towers over the Thing. The headsculpt is amazing. I'm not sure whether the old KO movie Hulk I had was fading, but wow, this thing is bright bright green, it really pops. He has a bit of scuffed paint on his chest, but the quality on the figures is just astounding. He makes a nice centre piece to my A:EMH collection since none of the others are green and are all colours that go well with it. I wonder if such high quality figures had been available in 2009 I might have made a different decision about collecting 3.75". The figures now are statue quality. Very happy to have the figure.

The X-Men wave has finally come in! Beast, Gambit, Jubilee and Forge. That’s three new X-Men and another member of X-Factor. I always liked the 3.75” Beast so despite being the most important, he’s possibly the least exciting. Getting a decent Gambit is great, and getting a properly 90’s Jubilee is really cool, despite her being the annoying one in the cartoon. Getting a Forge seems like a big deal since he never got a 3.75” figure, but if I could only have nine Legends figures, the other three would be in it. Getting a complete set of 90’s cartoon X-Men is one of my collecting goals, and I’m a third of the way closer now!

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More Thundercats! Well, more of the same Thundercats. Actually it suits me as I'm not ready to put down multiples of $45 plus shipping before September. It's all I wanted - a bit of hope that Tygra and Cheetara might be on their way!

I feel that my collecting goals have focused somewhat - I want a set of Thundercats, Turtles, Power Rangers and X-Men in the same scale. Unfortunate they’re all happening at the same time.

Time for a break?

After SDCC it feels like it's going to be an expensive end to the year - four X-Men Legends sets, one Iron Man set, various singles, some Transformers and probably some Turtles. I've been trying to convince myself that I don't need to collect the (90's cartoon) Sinister Six. I have Doc Ock, but need/want Rhino, Shocker, Chameleon, Mysterio and Scorpion. I like the figures of all of those characters except Chameleon (I want a cartoon version!). Mysterio and Scorpion both have little details that I'm not so keen on, that could easily be rectified with a little paint but really don't want to have to do that. Add to that they're mostly all really expensive now and I have very nice 3.75" versions of them which is perfect considering they are mostly minor villains. I accept the same argument for the Masters of Evil (though to be fair Skurge and Crimson Dynamo don't even have modern 6" figures), so need to extend it to the Six. (If I did decide I want them it would be a long time before I could find the money.)

X-Factor has (will have) a strange status in my Legends collection, in that it’s only there because I don’t have those characters (Quicksilver is the sole exception, probably because he's the most important) and costumes in 3.75”. The Masters and Six are not either of those and I have them in 3.75”, need to try and remember that. The Brotherhood would be the same, if they decide to release them.

I am thinking about putting a limit on my Legends collecting, a break really. End of February next year then that’s it, anything that hasn’t gone up for preorder before that date I won’t be getting. The end of February would be 18 months. I’ve realised that Legends collecting is somewhat stressful - the prices increase quickly, figures are released all at the same time. Transformers isn’t like that (though that might be because I've focused so much on Legends), my collecting Transformers is much calmer and controlled because I already have the vast majority of what I want and so it’s just (mostly), the odd figure here and there. With Legends (with any luck) I will have a complete X-Men and Avengers team (TAS and A:EMH), that’s all I need. I will see what happens at Toy Fair but I think putting a line under it would be good. If they haven’t released a classic Doctor Strange by then I will get the black costume version. I think I will also work out how much I’ve spent, always a sobering exercise!

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I’ve gone almost a month since getting anything new, I’m getting withdrawal symptoms. That might motivate me to get on with some customs. I have however paid for Legends Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America and Thor, so it shouldn’t be too much longer. Except Iron Man they are the 80th anniversary versions so look absolutely incredible. Iron Man is the Mark IV from Iron Man 2. He looks good (I like it more than the Mark VI), and it’s the design used for Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. The only issue really is articulation and size (similarly to the Mark I War Machine), but for display, if I use a stand its lack of height should not be so obvious. When they all arrive it will be my A: EMH lineup finished, a milestone worth celebrating! I wouldn’t mind getting a classic Ms. Marvel, but I'm not so concerned about the Season 2 lineup, there are also some costume changes (particularly Ant-Man/Yellowjacket), so it would be more than that if I wanted to go all out.

I’ve also popped in a preorder for Colossus and Juggernaut - I’ve sold a couple of bits so have got a bit more money to play with and I reckon it’s not a set I want to try and pick up in a few months time - I’m guessing it’s quite a weighty set!  I saw a photo online of someone who had replaced the 6” figures with the 3.75” ones. They were really good figures! Anyway, I’m committed now, it will also mean I will have all of the X-Men I want by the end of the year. Whoop.

I have now run out of things to sell, which means I have to be a bit more careful with my spending (I was already being pretty careful) - most of my Legends spending has been funded by selling, but it feels good to have cleared all of that stuff out. In a few cases I was fairly ruthless - the moment a new figure was announced or even hinted at, selling the old version. I've simplified how I think about my collection, I've stopped collecting Masterpiece (just keeping an eye on it at the moment). I've decided not to sell any of my Transformers reissues, and I've got rid of a couple of bits of G1 where the modern version is much better (the Terrorcons for instance), I’m keeping most of them though, they’re what started me off in the first place.

I see preorders are up for Bossfight studios ‘steeds’, would be great to get a ride for Valkyrie and Black Knight, but with shipping and customs it’s going to be almost £70 for each. Definitely haven’t got that sort of spare money sitting round, but they’re one of those weird things that really appeals to me. One day!

Updated versions of all three Powerdashers have been revealed, not quite sure whether I care! I do like the diaclone looking heads, and I haven't got of the weaponisers. I am also keen to get the Omnibots, it would be nice to really complete the 1984/85 lineup (rather than just the cartoon lineup). So many good things being released, I’ve not even mentioned Unicron... Will see how I’m going getting those Legends/Turtles sets.

Jean Grey!!!

I am a convert to 6”, a few years ago I was all about the 3.75”. I would have liked all of my favourite teams in that scale - X-Men, Avengers, Fantastic 4, Power Rangers, Ghostbusters, Thundercats, Turtles.

I did have some 3.75” Power Rangers once, but they weren’t so good. We never quite got any of those Marvel teams completed where all of the team had matching costumes, it would have been great to have got 3.75” Thundercats, Turtles or Ghostbusters, but none of those things happened. We obviously have a great wealth of 3.75” Star Wars figures, but they don’t really constitute a team in the same way.

I am very close to having those Marvel teams exactly the way I want in a 6” scale. I have a nice set of Thundercats in that scale (sadly lacking Cheetara and Tygra). This is my motivation for getting the NECA cartoon style Turtles - they look perfect, the Playmates ones were a bit too big. It’s the reason why the Diamond Real Ghostbusters don’t quite work - they’re 7” scale.

More than that I have a nice White Ranger in 6”, with Tommy headsculpt, which makes me think I should perhaps collect the whole team. I will keep an eye out for Ghostbusters, but otherwise it’s looking good.

When I started collecting Legends I was going to be very strict with multiple versions of characters, but I have to admit if they did un-powered versions of Iceman and Human Torch I’d be very tempted. And pre-Archangel Angel as well. Have just about convinced myself just to get a single Multiple Man.

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August is looking crazy for Marvel Legends, there is so much stuff coming out that I am having to prioritise. Though I really want the Colossus Juggernaut and Iron Man Iron Spider sets (and the Magneto family set), the 80th Hulk, Cap and Thor are my priorities, along with Storm and Nightcrawler. Would it have killed them to release some of it a few months later?! I'm also holding off on Multiple Man and Loki. I can't see myself being in this position again so need to ride the storm, but it's hard not just buying stuff. Apparently we as humans prioritise the here and now over a long term gain, so it's really not easy.

I’m also planning to just get the cartoon NECA Leonardo initially - I can sell off Shredder, but also decide whether they’re for me. I’m a bit tempted by the movie figures as well. Really thought I was done with Turtles!

I have for the longest time, anticipated getting all of the figures I want. I know that will never happen, but I do think I am extremely close all of the ones I really want. With both Transformers and Marvel, there are just a couple of characters. Scorponok for Transformers, and Jean Grey and Doctor Strange for Marvel. It is possible that they could all get announced at SDCC. (I’m setting myself for disappointment!) Then I would have no choice but change my outlook from what I don’t have to appreciating what I do. There’s always something you can tell yourself that you need.

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Well, the first couple of days of SDCC was a bit disappointing, the toy accurate Reflector was as expected, Rung is quite cool (though a bit small), the only other thing that was of interest is the Japanese exclusive dino cassette reissue which I sort of feel I should get because I have the KO, but it’s not very exciting.

The preview breakfast view breakfast brought news of a Mark 85 Iron Man, I had rather thought that because of the delay in announcing it that it might be a special 80th anniversary release with a gauntlet and RDJ head, it had a gauntlet, but one that fits the Hulk BAF. Still, happy to see the figure to complete the armoury and Endgame armoured team (Iron Man, Spider, War Machine and Rescue).

Then, the X-Men announcements happened. Jean Grey!!! I don’t need the Cyclops or Wolverine but I’ll happily take a Logan head. But still, Jean Grey!!! The team will be compete in glorious style. I will have completed one of my major collecting goals. Then, to top it off, Havok, Polaris and Strong Guy, followed by an alternate Wolfsbane head for Moonstar. X-Factor will be compete as well. I only just decided I wanted to collect them but still very happy! In the space of a year they’ve released every single X-Men heroic character I want. Could maybe take a few Brotherhood characters, but I have all of the villains I want as well. Wow.

There’s a new Doom coming as well but otherwise it’s all about the X-Men. Doctor Strange is my sole major want left. Wow again. There’s another rumour we might get some new Thundercat figures, I’d love to get that team finished but I won’t hold my breath. Pink Ranger was confirmed for Power Rangers and there’s a two-pack with Green Ranger with a silver stripe on his head that I don’t quite understand because I’m not that big a fan. But still, good to see.

I wasn’t feeling too excited about phase 4 of the MCU, but Fantastic 4 and Blade are something to look forward to, plus will be good to see Mandarin done properly. Hope we get a comic Legends figure of him. Overall, a great SDCC. Jean Grey!!!