Action Figure Review: Nemesis (Genocide) from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   After reviewing all six figures needed to build this figure over the past month or so, I'm finally ready to take a look at the figure Hasbro is calling Nemesis. I've been mistakenly calling him Holocaust in my other reviews, but that's not really correct. Holocaust is a son of Apocalypse from the Age of Apocalypse timeline who Hasbro (and Toy Biz) have called Nemesis before due to considering the name Holocaust to be too specific and offensive for a toy. Hasbro did release a Build-a-Figure of Holocaust called Nemesis in 2007 as part of a Walmart exclusive series (I still have the Camo Punisher from that series), but this figure, who they're also calling Nemesis, seems to be based on Genocide. Genocide is a newer character (first appearance 2011) who is also a son of Apocalypse and Famine (Autumn Rolfson), but from Earth-616. Genocide, AKA William Rolfson, can create energy bursts that are as hot as the son, generate radioactive plasma bursts, and cook every Hot Pocket in the frozen foods aisle with a snap of his fingers. The suit he's wearing keeps his powers in check, though. There's not much cooler than a flaming skeleton in a spacesuit, so this BAF is proving to be a pretty popular commodity. Let's check out Nemesis/ Genocide after the break...

Action Figure Review: Nightcrawler (X-Force) from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

*BAMF*

   Look who has showed up! It's Nightcrawler! Another heavy hitter in this series of figures, Nightcrawler is a beloved mutant and not only a member of Uncanny X-Force here but also another Age of Apocalypse figure, technically. Yes, this is the Age of Apocalypse version of Nightcrawler/ Kurt Darkholme who eventually showed up in the Uncanny X-Force. I'm not 100% familiar with this guy at all as I'm not real up to date on more modern X-books, but I do love mutants so I'm thrilled to assemble an X-Force team of these mutants in their cool black and grey costumes. Ready to check this guy out? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Dr. Jack Griffin (Kemp House) from Universal Monsters/ Classic Monsters by NECA

 

   It's been a bit since I've reviewed a Universal Monsters item, so I'm glad I recently found the newest figure from NECA's Universal Monsters/ Classic Monsters line: Dr. Jack Griffin in his suave pajamas and robe look from when he visits his research partner, Kemp. 1933 The Invisible Man is my second favorite film from the classic Universal horror films and I'm always excited to get another take on the Invisible Man. Despite it not being how he first appears in the film, the pajamas and robe look does seem to be the more iconic of the Invisible Man's robes, doesn't it? I'm really glad that NECA is still putting out Universal Monsters figures, though I'd still love them to go deeper into the Universal catalog. For now, though, let's enjoy this incredible figure of Dr. Jack Griffin. More after the break...

Action Figure Review: Marrow from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   I'm going to go ahead and throw out another Marvel Legends Series review from the most recent X-Men series: Let's check out Marrow! What's Marrow's power? In addition to enhanced healing and constitution, Marrow can grow and enhance her skeletal structure, even creating weapons out of her bones. Crazy! Marrow has been a pretty common part of the mutant side of the Marvel Universe since her first appearance in 1994, though she might be most well known as a playable character in 2000's "Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes." Hasbro looks like they're going to start releasing a lot of the Marvel characters from those games starting this year (and Jada's Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers figures are a perfect fit) and they've made sure that Marrow is absolutely based off of her appearance in that game. Marrow's never had a Marvel Legends figure before; in fact, it's been 30 years since she had an action figure in Toy Biz's X-Men: Generation X line. She's a very welcome addition to the collection! Let's check out Marrow after the break...

Action Figure Review: Gambit (Age of Apocalypse) from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   The most recent series of X-Men Marvel Legends Series figures has been a really interesting mix of characters from different teams and eras. You've got four A-list big guns (Wolverine, Cyclops, Gambit, and Nightcrawler) from different teams and eras (X-Treme X-Men, X-Factor, Age of Apocalypse, and X-Force), and three 90's era creations who haven't had Legends releases before (Marrow, Husk, and Fabian Cortez). It's a real potpourri! Age of Apocalypse Gambit was a really nice surprise for this series as whole the Age of Apocalypse storyline is quite well loved by many, the two series of Marvel Legends figures based on it didn't seem to sell as quickly as most mutant focused series and thus ended up easily found on clearance at GameStop, Target, and Ollie's. They look great together and I'd love to see Hasbro continue to add to them little by little. Gambit is an excellent addition and is always a hit, right? We've also rarely had Gambit figures in any outfit other than his classic trench coat wearing look. Ready to check out the AoA Gambit? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Deadshot (DC Classic) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   Today I'm jumping back in to take a look at another DC Multiverse figure from McFarlane Toys: Deadshot (DC Classic) from the most recent McFarlane Collector Edition series. This is the first set of McFarlane Collector Edition figures where I've picked up all three figures released (Deadshot, Batman: Year Two, and Adam Strange) but Deadshot was the first one I found at a Target. I've actually seen all of these guys in stores multiple times now, though I did get Batman online from BBTS and Adam Strange online from GameStop. This is the first figure of Deadshot/ Floyd Lawton that we've received from McFarlane Toys in the DC Multiverse line, so that's another major Batman villain checked off the list. This isn't the first appearance version of Deadshot from 1950 (where he wore a tuxedo, top hat, and domino mask) but is the version most familiar to comic fans from Detective Comics in 1977 where he escaped from prison and came back with a vengeance. If you're looking for a classic "Super Powers"/ style guide look for Deadshot, this is it. He's much brighter than I expected (at a glance I always think he's Negative Man for some reason) but he does look accurate to most of his comic book appearances from the late 1970s, 1980s, and into the 1990s. Ready to see if Deadshot hits the mark? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Bloody Ash & Cheryl Williams from The Evil Dead by NECA

 

   I've been on a bit of a vacation, but not to a cabin the woods! I'm back now and ready to hit the ground running with some new reviews. NECA has been making action figures from the Evil Dead series since 2006 (the S-Mart Ash from Cult Classics) but it wasn't until 2022 that NECA released a version of Ash from the original 1981 film The Evil Dead. This year we're getting another release and this time it's a two pack! NECA has bundled a somewhat different blood splattered version of Ash with his sister, Cheryl. It's pretty amazing that NECA is still giving us new figures from this property and I'm quite excited to get a new figure of Cheryl. This is a great set with some fantastic new accessories, too. Ready to check out these two siblings doomed to some intense sibling rivalry? Then join me after the break...