Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro - SPIDER-WOMAN!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro Series - Wave 8 - Spider-Woman - Hasbro 2023

I've been delaying making a post about this figure because I find it so depressing that this was the final release in the amazing Marvel Legends Retro line.  It was a short-lived line from 2021-2023 but managed to give up nine awesome female figures, all in a nostalgic "Secret-Wars-esque" style with costume and character choices specific to the late-70s-to-early-80s era. In my mind, Dazzler, She-Hulk, and Mystique would have been among the obvious next releases. But even if we would be destined to only get repaints, Julia Carpenter, White Elektra, and Mary Jane Watson (from Black Widow?) would have been welcome additions. I just saw so much potential in this line and was so sad to see it unceremoniously come to an early end (or "pause"). But luckily the final two figures, Firestar and this Jessica Drew Spider-Woman, were my most wanted figures, and they are pretty perfect. Few characters embody the Marvel gender revolution of this era like Spider-Woman. Let's check out Jessica below!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro - FIRESTAR!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro Series - Wave 7 - FireStar - Hasbro 2022

So today is my birthday and and I think the fates aligned to give me this perfect gift. Firestar was the first superhero I ever became obsessed with. The Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends cartoon was a regular viewing staple in my home in the early eighties, and Angelica Jones commanded my full attention. Her monochromatic costume, her cool mask, and her flame powers were a perfect recipe for awesome. (I realize her powers are technically microwave, not fire, but at that age I was constantly being told that flames were dangerous and bad, so I just saw Firestar as the living embodiment of something forbidden and fascinating). This Marvel Legends Retro series is making up for the gender gap in all the toy lines of my youth. I'm always excited to see what's next and I'm thrilled that they are sticking to late 70s and early 80s design aesthetics. This Firestar wasn't supposed to be released until September, but I'm thrilled she showed up just in time for the perfect birthday post. Let's check her out below!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro - BLACK WIDOW!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro Series Wave 6 - Black Widow - Hasbro 2022

I've grown a great appreciation for Black Widow over the years. When I was a kid, an espionage-themed character character wearing an off-the-rack jumpsuit couldn't hold my attention in a world of bright spandex and otherworldly powers. In my first real job after college, my boss was a Marvel fan and was obsessed with Black Widow. He was even buying expensive Bowen statues of her. He was a smart and insightful guy so his fascination with the character made me start to rethink my stance. About seven years later when she became an Avenger in the MCU, I was initially steamed that they replaced Wasp with someone so boring. But Scarlett Johansson's excellent cinematic portrayal slowly start to wear down my resistance and I started to see the appeal. I've gone back and read a lot of her classic comics and I'm now a fan. I still think her costumes tend to be boring, but there is something iconic about her third outfit - this 1970's look with a black catsuit, big red hair, and gold belt and cuffs.

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro - PHOENIX!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro Series - Phoenix & Dark Phoenix - Hasbro 2021-22

I always have trouble deciding which version of Phoenix I like better: the green regular outfit, or the red fiery Dark Phoenix transformation. They are both super appealing to me. Luckily these two Marvel Legends Retro figures came out in quick succession so I could have them both. The green version was in a Hasbro Pulse exclusive 2-pack in late 2021 (packaged on in a double-mailer with a tiger-striped Wolverine on individual cards). They came with unique holo-foil cardbacks (that don't photograph well at all, but look cool in person). The Dark Phoenix version came in the Wave 5 standard store assortment in Spring of 2022. They look awesome and really continue that aesthetic of late-70s / early-80s comics. Since I took these photos, I picked up the Black Widow figure and pre-ordered Firestar. The line thrills me and I can't wait to see who is next. Spider-Woman, She-Hulk, Dazzler, and Medusa are all great contenders. Let's check out Phoenix and Dark Phoenix below!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro - STORM!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro Series 04 - Storm - Hasbro 2021

Storm is easily one of the most iconic Marvel heroines ever. Her regal demeanor, her stark white hair, her amazing elemental powers, and her simple descriptive name that ties it all together make her the perfect character. Elemental powers are an easy concept to grasp (and fantasize about) and I'm always drawn to them. Plus Storm is one of the earliest black female comic characters out there. Nubia pre-dated her by a couple years, but Storm is infinitely more popular. Ororo has gone through a lot of transformations, but this classic first appearance look will always be my favorite. When the 3.75" Marvel Legends Retro line debuted last year, I instantly created a wishlist of my favorite characters to be included, and Storm was very very high on that list. I'm not surprised that we got her so soon though. Here's hoping that Firestar, Spider-Woman, and Dazzler come soon! This line has a ton of potential and I adore the early-80s aesthetic.  Let's check out the Marvel Legends Retro Storm below!

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!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro - ELEKTRA!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro Series 02 - Elektra Natchios - Hasbro 2021

Elektra has never been one of my favorite characters. For the majority of my youth I was forced to participate in martial arts. I say forced because my older brother was both passionate about it, yet afraid to do it alone. And as a middle child I had no say, so they just signed me up for six years of sparring and kata. No boy scouts or wrestling for this guy. And now, predictably so, martial arts in comic characters isn't a skillset that particularly thrills me. But flash forward to 2003 when I read my first Elektra comic (Elektra #23) and I was really intrigued. The story was from the eyes of a man who knew Elektra was coming to assassinate him. She was viewed as a myth, but as his lines of defense failed one by one in a flash of red ribbon, his fear and resignation grew.  I believe that story was used for the intro scene for the 2005 Elektra movie (although the comic writer is not given credit). Ever since that comic, and against all odds, I can say I finally genuinely like a martial arts character. Let's check out Elektra below!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro - CAROL DANVERS!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro Series 01 - Carol Danver (as Warbird) - Hasbro 2021

I never would have guessed that a 3.75" retro Marvel line would thrill me so much in the year 2021. I bought every single female figure in the Marvel Universe line from 2009-17, which ended up being well over 30 figures, but I was always a little unimpressed with the basic proportions and body structure. Then in 2014 Super7 kicked the retro toy trend into high gear with the first ReAction offering (Aliens) in classic Kenner style. I swear almost every property in the world has been given this treatment since, but a glaring absence was Marvel Superheroes. The union of these two action figure genres finally came into existence with this new Marvel Legends Retro series. The style is a bit like vintage Kenner (the logo is on the cardback) and a bit like Mattel Secret Wars. But the solid body construction, colorful illustrative packaging, and classic character selection combine to make a truly spectacular toyline. Carol Danvers in her 1978 "Warbird" costume is the perfect choice for the first female in the line. Let's check her out!