Sunday, August 7, 2011

Marvel Universe action figure wish lists

I’ve mentioned that I’m a huge 3 ¾  action figure fan. Specifically I’m a big Marvel Universe fan. A friend and I were debating which figures should come out. Some were practical (the standard and John Byrne version of Susan Storm and the John Byrne version of Reed Richards) and some are never ever going to see the light of day (the western version of Ghost Rider complete with horse).

I sat down and wrote down a lot of my favorite characters and figures I’d like to add to my collection. Recently, entertainmentearth.com (WEBSITE LINK) added wave 15 & 16 (no pictures but I can’t wait to see what they look like). Wave 15 has Darkhawk – a character I who I thought would never get a figure.


TOP 10 ALTERNATE VERSIONS I WANT

Of the figures that have already been released, here are 10 alternate versions of figures I’d like to see in no particular order.

Angel (with wings, from early X-Factor) – Angel’s worn various costumes with the real wings so I suggest the red and white costume from X-Factor #15, his last appearance before becoming Archangel.

Kitty Pryde (as Shadowcat) – The blue outfit was Kitty’s main costume in the 80s and some of the 90s.

Cosmic Spider-Man – From Amazing Spider-Man #326-329, Spectacular Spider-Man #158-159, and Web of Spider-Man #59 (1989): Acts of Vengeance was an event in many Marvel titles where villains trade heroes and try to take them out. Spidey found himself imbued with Captain Universe’s powers in time to take on Gravitron, The Hulk, Magneto, and a Tri-Sentinel. Although he didn’t wear the Captain Universe costume much, Spidey in full cosmic garb is a playable character in “Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions.”

Ghost Rider (Danny Ketch) – In 1990, Marvel introduced Danny Ketch, a new Ghost Rider who wore a leather jacket, spiked gloves and gauntlets.

Ultimate X-Men – There has already been a lot of X-Men characters released but none have been given the “Ultimate” treatment yet.

Joe Fixit (Grey Hulk in a suit) – In the 90’s, Peter David gave the Hulk a few different personalities but, as Joe Fixit, Hulk wore a nice suit and worked as a casino enforcer.
 Joe Fixit and the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider would make my New Fantastic Four collection complete

Punisher (in Captain America costume) – From Punisher: War Journal #6-11 (2007): When someone is disgracing the memory of the recently killed Captain America, Frank dons a version of Cap’s costume and goes after them. 


Storm & Black Panther as Queen and King of Wakanda – They married in 2006, Black Panther #18 and while I don’t have a specific costume in mind, they have both made appearances in more ceremonial type outfits. This would make a great comic pack.

Nightcrawler (in Pirate outfit) – From Nightcrawler #1 (1985): While the costume is in the Nightcrawler mini-series, it isn’t the first time he appears in a pirate outfit. Plus, Kurt Wagner is a HUGE fan of Errol Flynn and dreams of being a swashbuckling hero.

Daredevil (in armor) – From Daredevil starting in 1993: Scott McDaniel was a hot artist who drew a lot of people to Daredevil with his stunning artwork and Daredevil’s new armored look.


TOP 10 FIGURES I WANT

Here is a list of 10 heroes I want them to come out with in no particular order.

Scorpion (Carmilla Black): This ex-SHEILD agent isn’t just a cool character but may also be the biological daughter of Bruce Banner. And she has a cool costume.


Scarlet Witch: C’mon…there’s already a Vision figure and she was responsible for several major events in the Marvel Universe.

American Dream: A female Captain America in the M2 universe. Would be cool to see the Spider-Girl from that universe too.

Rachel Grey: She’s descended from two of the most experienced and battle-hardened X-Men and possesses the Phoenix Force? Only thing better might be a Hope figure since it looks like she’s carrying it now.

Black Cat: What started out as a Spidey villain and supporting character has become a Marvel Universe staple and has appeared in many other titles.

Dazzler: I’ve always liked the character and her blue costume and New Excalibur costume are both cool.

Longshot: His mini-series was drawn by my favorite artist, Art Adams and he’s always been one of my favorites.

Cloak and Dagger: They are popular Marvel staples that found a way to make a big contribution during Civil War. This would be great as a two pack.

Ares: I know he’s dead but he was a serious bad-ass and he’d make a really cool looking figure.

Deathlok: He’s never been popular enough for a regular series but if I know he’s in an issue, I usually pick it up. Deathlok is one of the most interesting looking characters in the Marvel Universe.


TOP 10 VILLAINS

Here is a list of 10 villains I want them to come out with in no particular order.

Mysterio: Visually there is no cooler looking character on the list and I don’t think this character has even gotten a decent action figure.

Lady Bullseye: Kingpin’s main assassin these days.

Kingpin: He’s the reason Daredevil has a mental breakdown every few years.

Flag-Smasher: This Captain America villain once used his organization, ULTIMATUM, to take a group of Americans hostage. In order to save them, Cap has to do the unthinkable. Wondering what the ‘unthinkable’ is - check out the cover of Captain America #321. If you have no idea who Flag-Smasher is, check out Captain America #348.

The Hood: The Hood has a kick-ass origin story and has been a huge villain lately, especially during the Dark Reign.

Dr. Octopus: There is a 3 ¾ figure in the Spider-Man series but I want Doc Ock to look like the comic book version.

The Marauders: These villains kicked off the Mutant Massacre and Arclight, Blockbuster, Harpoon, Riptide, Scalphunter, and Vertigo would make a great six pack (like the Giant-Sized X-Men set).

Omega Red: Another great X-villain.

Jack O’Lantern: While there’s been a few to wear the pumpkin, the one in the new Venom mini-series isn’t just cool looking but deadly too.


Ghost: Before he was a Thunderbolt, Ghost was an Iron Man villain in the 80’s. I want the version in the white armor (not the weird Thunderbolts version).


TOP 5 TEAMS

While I was making this list, there were a lot of characters that appeared that are considered groups. So here are the top five teams that I hope will get the Marvel Universe treatment.

The New Mutants (original and modern): Cannonball, Mirage, Karma, Wolfsbane, Sunspot, Magma, Cypher, and Warlock
One of my all-time favorites and not one character has been given a figure. Kitty Pryde did get a figure but she’s not a founding member or a long-standing member. I don’t know how you would pull of a Sunspot (maybe a variant where he’s all black?) or a Wolfsbane (would it be human and wolf in the package or the werewolf state she sometimes takes on).

Lady Liberators: She-Hulk, Valkyrie, Thundra, Hellcat, and Tigra
The Lady Liberators were a concept that isn’t new to the Marvel Universe, they first appeared in Avengers #83 in 1970. A few years ago, She-Hulk brought together her own team to fight the Red Hulk. I left characters off the roster above that have already gotten figures (Spider-Woman, Invisible Woman, Black Widow, and Storm). Plus, Hulk #9 had a great cover shot of them courtesy of the always amazing Arthur Adams.


I should mention that Mirage has a Pegasus named Brightwind and Valkyrie has a Pegasus named Aragorn. It would be awesome for Hasbro to release ‘Mirage with Brightwind’ and ‘Valkyrie with Aragorn’ packs – they could use the same mold for both mounts. They would even make great convention exclusives.

Exiles: Blink, Mimic, Morph, Nocturne, Sunfire, Sasquatch, and Magik
Exiles was one of the best books on the stands and introduced us to a lot of alternate worlds and versions of the characters we know and love. Other members of the team included Magnus, Thunderbird, Namora, Sabertooth, Longshot, Spider-Man 2099, Shadowcat, and more. There are a lot of possible characters from this series that can be created.

New Warriors: Night Thrasher, Nova (not Kid Nova), Justice (not Marvel Boy), and Namorita
Firestar has already been released as a Toys ‘R Us exclusive figure (the Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends three pack) and there’s an upcoming two-pack with Speedball in it. I can’t believe Nova isn’t already a figure in the Marvel Universe line but the rest of the characters are obscure. Justice and Firestar dated for a long time and did a brief stint on The Avengers together. Namorita is the Sub-Mariner’s cousin.

Young Allies: Nomad, Gravity, Spider-Girl, and Toro
Again, Firestar has already been released. The Spider-Girl on this team is the former Arana and has a costume that hasn’t been released. Nomad is from the Heroes Reborn universe. Gravity is a newer character who has already helped the Fantastic Four save the universe and come back from the grave.


TOP 5 LINES HASBRO SHOULD MAKE 3 ¾

Since Hasbro makes such kick ass figures, here is my list of other lines that should get the Marvel Universe/GI Joe treatment.

DC Universe:  How great would it be to have the Avengers and Justice League stand in a display side by side? Think of all the great characters you wish would have adventures in the comics together can stage your own crossovers. You can own the Justice League, Teen Titan, or even The Wildcats. It would be great to also have Smallville versions of Clark, Superman, Black Canary, Impulse, Green Arrow, etc.
Wouldn't it be great to make this crossover?

Every Joss Whedon show: Okay, technically we’re getting an Avengers action figure line next year but how great would it be to have the Scooby Gang mixing with the crew of Serenity? You could have a Faith figure standing next to your Echo figure or a Wash figure standing next to an Alpha figure (I can go on and on with that kind of example). Imagine a 9 pack of Firefly figures with a variant edition of them in Serenity uniforms. There would certainly be a Buffy the Vampire Slayer “Amends” 2 pack with Buffy and Angel in packaging that makes it look like it’s snowing. How about a Dollhouse action play-set with the imprinting chair and Topher? Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my all-time favorite show and I have the MAC figures but I would have a hard time not spending every last dime on quality 3 ¾ figures.


Image Comics: Think of all the great properties that Image has or has had. It’s where Invincible and Cassie Hack live. It’s where Savage Dragon, Spawn, and Witchblade have enjoyed 10+ years of success. And don’t forget The Walking Dead and all of the success it’s enjoying on TV right now. Image is also home to J. Scott Campbell’s Danger Girl which have already gotten the McFarlane toys treatment but would be a great addition to any 3 ¾ GI Joe mission.

M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand): When Matt Tracker, the leader of MASK was released as a figure in the GI Joe 25th Anniversary line – I was excited. Three years later he’s the only figure that’s been released and there’s no sign of any other characters. Of course the original figures each came with vehicles which would be great. This would be a fantastic addition to the GI Joe line but it’s strong enough to stand on its own. And at the 3 ¾ scale, the GI Joe’s can also use the vehicles – hell, even Marvel Universe figures can too. Now that the Shout Factory is releasing the original animated series, maybe a new generation of fans will find this forgotten gem.

The A-Team: I know that no one but me is aching for these figures, but it’s one of my favorite shows and my list…so there. The movie had 3 ¾ figures but there was only one wave (No Jessica Biel figure? Are you nuts?). I would like multiple versions of Hannibal, BA, Face, and Murdock from the movie and TV show. I would also like the television versions of Frankie Santana, Amy Allen, Tawnia Baker, Colonel Lynch, Colonel Decker, General Fullbright, General Stockwell and Hulk Hogan (he guest starred in one episode but how cool would a 3 ¾ Hulkster be?).

Those are my lists, I’d love to hear from you guys what figures you’d like to see in the Marvel Universe line.

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