Epic Hero Series - INVISIBLE WOMAN!

Marvel Epic Hero Series - Fantastic 4 First Steps - First Family - Hasbro 2025

I'm not surprised that Fantastic Four: First Steps was such a hit. From the very first teasers and trailers I knew they finally got Marvel's First Family right. The retro vibe, the shiny space age aesthetic, and the strong family dynamic in the forefront was the perfect recipe. What was surprising was how off-the-mark the previous three movies were. I saw each of them once and just felt they were each lacking the heart that makes this team so great. It's a little odd that there is a belated rush of merchandising months after the movie left theatres, but suddenly we have Titan Hero Series and Epic Hero Series. I quite enjoy these 1:18 scale Epic Hero Series figures (now called Epic World of Action). Their production planning is pretty bizarre with only a few select movies and properties getting figures. But I'm glad First Steps made the cut. Now of course I would love a few more figures, namely a powered-down Sue and a Silver Surfer (but my hopes aren't very high). Let's check out Sue Storm and the First Family Collection below!

Marvel Legends Vintage - INVISIBLE WOMAN!

Fantastic Four: Vintage (Toy Biz Homage) - Invisible Woman - Hasbro 2021

Poor Susan Storm. For some reason she can never get a toy that looks quite right. She is a rare example of a maternal super hero, and although a mother can embody an demeanor she wants, when toys look too sexy or too angry it doesn't seem to suit the character. I expect an aura of strong, protective, kind, beautiful, and confident to be exuding from Sue. And believe it or not, that's a real tricky combination. This most recent Invisible Woman toy has been getting a lot of bad critiques for her perplexing face sculpt. I think it looks better in person than in photos, but she has a certain expression that mixes concern, confusion, and exasperation. Perhaps like she is panting in exhaustion after a battle. The overall design seems to be based off the Adam Hughes art from her solo comic title, but the glaring difference is in that art she has wide eyes with heavy lashes. This interpretation has her eyes looking a little on the beady side. But despite me dissecting the public criticism, I genuinely appreciate this figure (as-is).

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro - INVISIBLE WOMAN!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro Series 03 - Invisible Woman - Hasbro 2021

Susan Storm has an iconic role in the Marvel Universe. She was the very first Marvel Heroine introduced by Marvel Comics. Back in 1961, Marvel Comics (as we know it today) was brand new. Previous incarnations of the company, Timely and Atlas Comics, had their fair share of heroines, but most are now relics of the Golden Age. Susan Storm first appeared on the pages of Fantastic Four #1 in November of 1961 and was a unique character right from the start. Even today she is one of the few characters who ooze maternal instinct, a trait that is universal and widely relatable, but somehow rarely portrayed in superhero comics. It's also notable that she and her team have always had simple recognizable costumes. Sure, there have been variations, but they always stay close to the classic look. In 2019, Sue broke new ground by finally getting a solo comic of her own. Her inclusion in the Marvel Universe Retro line was a given from the start. And the figure is perfect in its simplicity. Let's check her out below!

Toy Biz - FRANKIE RAYE NOVA!

Marvel Comics - Silver Surfer 30th Anniversary Series - Nova - Toy Boz 1997

Frankie Raye is a step-daughter of Phineas Horton, the scientist creator of the original Human Torch (the android Jim Hammond version from 1939, not Johnny Storm from 1961). Frankie was accidentally exposed to the same chemicals that created the Human Torch's flame powers. Her father decided to give her a skin-tight body suit to contain the fire and then hypnotized her into forgetting about the powers and the containment suit itself. She lived a normal life until she was a young woman dating Johnny Storm. Frisky Johnny discovered the bodysuit and eventually she broke through her mental block. She became an unofficial member of the Fantastic Four before fate intervened and she became a Herald of Galactus named Nova, complete with a Silver-Surfer-esque metallic makeover. Recently I've been thinking how she would make for a great Marvel Legends figure. There are enough flame-based characters out there to justify the hair sculpt and the body is essentially a featureless buck.

Marvel Busts - FRANKIE RAYE NOVA!

Marvel Mini-Bust Series - Frankie Raye Nova - Bowen Designs 2006

The Infinity Saga comic storyline really scarred me as a young comic reader. It was the first time I got sucked into a big "Event" storyline. I eagerly bought all three series (Gauntlet, War, and Crusade), as well three years of "Crossover" books that Marvel touted as essential reading: Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Quasar, Sleepwalker, Cloak & Dagger, etc, etc. And newsflash, they were not essential. The story got convoluted and boring and I felt like a total sucker for taking the bait and wasting so much of my hard-earned lawnmowing money. However, in retrospect, I love that these comics are what first exposed me to Frankie Raye as Nova. The MCU movies have clouded my memories about the comics, but I know that Silver Surfer and the heralds of Galactus played a significant role. When I first saw Nova, I thought she looked like a futuristic Firestar, but I quickly embraced her as a unique and awesome character. This 2006 Bowen bust is a rare and amazing representation of her. Let's check her out!

Marvel Legends - INVISIBLE WOMAN!

Fantastic Four Legends - (Super Skrull BaF) - Invisible Woman - Hasbro 2020

I'm always surprised when modern toylines give us character re-dos in quick succession. We just got an excellent Sue Storm Invisible Woman Marvel Legends figure two years ago as part of the Walgreens-exclusive Fantastic Four line. It was a great figure, although I personally didn't love her shorter hairstyle and the odd greenish-blue hue of her costume. But in spite of all that, I was completely satisfied with her. Then we were surprised with a full Fantastic Four wave for early 2020. I liked her new headsculpt a lot more, but the whole team was donning odd black costumes that I had never seen before. But after a quick search, it appears that the team has been wearing these suits for several years across multiple titles, so I was just behind the times. And after a little mild resistance on my part, I genuinely dig this look and am glad for the drastic variation. But if you prefer one hairstyle or costume combination over another, the heads are easily swappable. Let's check out Sue Storm the Invisible Woman below!

Marvel Legends - INVISIBLE WOMAN!

Marvel Legends: Fantastic Four - Invisible Woman - Walgreens Exc - Hasbro 2017

I feel like no Women of Marvel collection can be complete without a great Invisible Woman. Luckily this new Walgreens exclusive Legends figure finally fills that role. As one of the top three most merchandised Marvel Heroines (after Storm and Jean Grey), it's really shocking that there hasn't been a good Invisible Woman figure before now. It's understandable that the Fantastic Four Legends are being set up as Walgreens exclusives. Historically, these characters don't perform nearly as well as the rest of the Marvel roster, so if this rigmarole is what it takes to get us these figures, I fully support it. Luckily the Walgreens website usually has accurate stock listings for stores, and there is free shipping over $35 if you decided to order it online. I did both. I ordered one the first time I saw her pop up on the website, but then the same day I randomly stopped by a store for something unrelated and found her. My impatience got the best of me and now I have multiple Sues. Let's check her out below!

Marvel Legends - INVISIBLE WOMAN!

Marvel Legends 2-Packs: Wave 2 - Invisible Woman & Human Torch - Hasbro 2008

I swear it's pure coincidence that I'm reviewing all these Sue Storm figures on the same week that the long-awaited Fantastic Four reboot film was released. I've been a huge fan of the Fantastic Four for a long long time, but I've also decided long ago that my love of Marvel's First Family is best rooted in the comic world. Whenever there would be a new cartoon or movie featuring the Fantastic Four, I would always be hopped up on expectations, only to plummet down every time. By the time the 2005 film rolled around I was already a Doubting Thomas. But conversely, all the disappointing media made my appreciation for the comics and the characters really expand. This figure of Sue Storm was released in 2008, shortly after the Rise of the Silver Surfer movie came out (I still haven't seen it). The Invisible Woman is one of the most merchandised females in the Marvel Universe (Storm is the other top contender), but unfortunately she has very few decent action figures. This figure is one of the better ones, but even it has some serious flaws. Someday she'll get a good one like she deserves. Let's check her out below!

Fantastic Four Classics - INVISIBLE WOMAN!

Fantastic Four Classics - Series 02 - Invisible Woman - ToyBiz 2006

For a long time this rare little beauty was the best looking female action figure in Marvel Legends style. Back in 2006, we were so happy to be getting female characters in the line at all that were gladly accepting the awkward overly-jointed spider-like bodies that plagued the Marvel heroines.  Then came this random series of comic-style Fantastic Four figures (riding the wave of popularity from the 2005 film) with an Invisible Woman figure that absolutely blew all the previous Marvel ladies out of the water. The dynamic sculpt and thoughtful articulation are what set her apart from the crowd.  She looked feminine, strong, and awesome.  It was a shame that she wasn't easier to come across on the shelves.  I only remember seeing this line in stores like FAO Schwarz and small Mom & Pop toy shops.  If they got wider distribution, I never saw proof of it.  That definitely explains the extremely high eBay prices for these beauties though.  Let's check out Sue Storm in detail below!