2007 Hasbro
Marvel Legends
Wave 2 - Blob Series
Thor
MSRP: $9.99
BAF Piece: Head
Thor saw some changes from his debut at the 2006 SDCC, so did he retain his sheer awesomeness?
Thor fans are very dedicated and if it's Thor, they will buy it, heck, they'll buy two of it. On the other hand, I believe even casual fans or X-Men fans may have a hard time resisting this Thor figure, especially when packed with a BAF piece from the awesome Blob BAF to sweeten the deal.
Packaging
Hasbro still producing the same beautiful package scheme as the first wave of Marvel Legends, The Annihilus Series. It still looks great, it still looks fresh and it still makes me that much more happy to buy the figure. All the color and illustration choices look great here. Nothing stands out as poor design or choices in illustration.
Score: 8
Sculpt / Design
The original prototype shown at the 2006 SDCC showed us that great sculpt and great paint application makes a guaranteed winning figure. Fortunately at least the great sculpt stayed in tact between then and now that Thor is in my hands. Thor's design is flawless and executed nearly so. Head to toe, finger to finger and end to end, this is a top-notch sculpting effort with intricate, accurate and realistic details that really bring this figure to life. The hair drapes over the back of the cape and down the chest nicely. The beard matches in detail and texture. Thor's winged crown is sculpted beautifully, however it is not removable which was for no reason, my original perception and because of this, I'm a little disappointed that it is not.
Thor's torso piece is finely detailed with many little scales throughout front and back. One of my favorite parts of this figure are how bulky the arms and hands are complete with popping veins and knuckles, creases and fingernails clearly defined. The pants consisting of crotch and legs to just below the knee are masterfully crafted to look skin tight with the folds, creases and stretches of the material. Although a lack of paint all these details and more look great, giving this figure great sculpt and would be a 10. However, the eyes are a bit large, sort of anime-looking. Nothing wrong with anime, but this is a comic book character. Just too wide-eyed for a fierce Lord of Asgard. That and the non-removable helmet are the only negatives for this section of the review for Thor.
Score: 9
Paint / Color
Again, the original prototype shown at the 2006 SDCC showed us that great sculpt and great paint application makes a guaranteed winning figure. Unfortunately, Hasbro did not apply the other key ingredient to have made this one of the best if not the best Marvel Legend figure. I understand that it can be tough due to budgets you have to spread the money throughout a wave of figures and give and take here and there. Same way a movie or TV series has to cut scenes out for money and time. But I digress. Thor is sorely lacking a paint job. They gave Thor and his accessories the very minimum paint applications and almost exclusively used the plastic color to dictate the colors of the end product. The one and only attribute on Thor's entire body that was painted with an advanced method of a wash was the beard and hair. Everything else is solid molded plastic color or a solid paint application which is something that we just aren't accustomed to in the Marvel Legends line. To get more of an idea of the advantages of a more advanced paint application and the depth it provides, just compare Annihilus Series' Hercules' airbrushed dual toned arms versus Blob Series' Thor's completely unpainted arms. The overall choice of colors for Thor's costume are decent but not spectacular and lack dynamic due to no washes, airbrushes or drybrushing.
Score: 4
Articulation
The only real limitation in articulation for Thor is the arms. Or is it? All 6" and 12" Thor figures have suffered from single elbow articulation, limiting movement to 90 degrees in the elbows. However this Thor has the double function elbow rather than a single jointed elbow and a cut bicep swivel like the last two Marvel Legend Thor figures (Marvel Legends Series 3 and Marvel Legends Giant Man Series). The advantage, two articulation functions in one point of articulation in the elbow. The disadvantage, still only 90 degrees in bend of the elbow, but hey, that's no different than previous versions of Thor right? No finger articulation, but this time I welcome it so that Thor can keep a firm grip on his hammer Mjolnir and his axe. My Marvel Legends Series 3 Thor can barely even hold Mjolnir without dropping it due to the finger articulation. Thor has all other useful points of articulation double function (rotation and hinge) shoulders and wrists. Ab hinge, waist swivel, ball joint hips, swivel thighs, double jointed knees, double function ankles and double function neck, although until you take the cape off, you're not moving the head much.
Score: 8
Accessories
Such a large figure and comes with a few weapons, gotta love it. Thor comes equipped with the legendary hammer Mjolnir and a large double-bladed axe. Both pieces are beautifully sculpted and feel to be about the right size. Mjolnir could have used the sculpted text like the Giant Man Series version included. Also, Mjolnir does actually feature a slight inkwash but could have used deeper overall tones like previous versions for a more accurate look. The axe lacks any paint applications to give more life to the beautifully sculpted scratches, cuts and knicks throughout. The cape is masterfully sculpted inside and out, very fine and intricate details. Surprisingly, the cape is removable with two little pegs that stick into Thor's shoulder pads.
Score: 9
Value
Huge figure, great accessories, Build-A-Figure piece, means that there is quite a bit more plastic here than say, Yellowjacket and Quicksilver or figures of other competing lines.
Score: 9
Score Totals
Packaging: 8
Sculpt / Design: 9
Paint / Color: 4
Articulation: 8
Accessories: 9
Value: 9
Overall: 47 out of a possible 60
Despite the paint limitations, Thor is a must have, solid figure and a welcome addition and a nice version (Lord of Asgard, Thor).
Check out
Thor in the Database.
