| 05.25.2014 – There has been several Wolverine action figures out there that were produced by Mattel, Toy Biz, and currently with Hasbro. The most definitive versions presented were at the height of the very first X-Men movies.
Several promotions and merchandise were released and there’s no other popular character in the X-Men is none other than James “Logan” Howlett. Up until now Hugh Jackman has portrayed the character seven times in all X-Men related filmsas of this toy review. |
The action figures of course have grown in numbers that for the casual fan would loose count on which versions you should first start collecting. The best versions came out during the golden age of Marvel Legends action figures produced by Marvel’s then toy division and parent company, Toy Biz.
Unfortunately, Marvel closed out their toy division to focus on their multi-billion Marvel Cinematic Universe and handed the rights to Hasbro to continue producing the MArvel Legends toyline as well as their take on the 1/18 scale figures. You can still find Marvel Legends produced by Toy Biz in the secondary market though it will be a bit pricey due to its significance in the toy industry and the popularity of the character.
The best version of Wolverine would always be the yellow and blue suit in his first appearance on the issue of Incredible Hulk #180 Vol.1 in October 1974. For those who never knew about Wolverine’s creators they are Len Wein, John Romita Sr., and Roy Thomas introduced as Canada’s Greatest Superhero.
Wolverine won’t have a full appearance in the following issue in Incredible Hulk #181 Vol.1 on November 1974 with cover art by Herb Trimpe. After that the next was Giant X-Men #1, and as they say, the rest was history.
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Astonishing Canuckle Head
The modern definitive version of Wolverine would possibly the one who appeared on Astonishing X-Men #1. It’s by far the best version of all Wolverine iterations out there, and the way it appears more grounded to possibly exist in the real world or even could work if Hugh Jackman would wear this suit in the live-action film.
If you’ve seen The Wolverine film last year pretty sure you are aware of the alternate ending to the film prior to Yukio handing him a suitcase that have his classic brown suit based from the comic books. But some is a bit confused which exactly this version of the comic book costume was presented to him.
The Astonishing version has been around since its debut in 2006 with minor changes in the following comic book apperacnes, and has been the default costume he wears ever since then. Well, not until Marvel NOW introduced a new one recently that was never popular with fans, and it appears less of the character itself. The action figures produced based on the ‘Astonishing’ costume first seen in the Wolverine figure released under the Apocalypse Build-A-Figure Series and it had two variations.
The figure has the same body but to alternating heads of Logan wearing the mask while the other having it unmask version seeing his face less with the angry grin. When Hasbro acquired the rights to Marvel Legends license they didn’t produce a new version until the Rocket Raccoon Build-A-Figure in 2013. But prior to the Hasbro releases an unmasked version for the 3.75’ scale under the X-Men Origins: Wolverine film was released in 2009 did not appear to be based based in the latter movie, but the comic book version based on the Joss Whedon and John Cassady art team that brought you the Astonishing X-Men.
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Yellow and Some Blues
Marvel Universe continued its successful release of 3.75” figures separated from other lines of the same scale based on the X-Men movies like “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” Hasbro produced the first Astonishing Wolverine in this scale, but it’s unmasked and won’t release another version until 2012 under the Marvel Universe series.
At first you’ll notice the difference between the Universe version and from the X-Men Origins, but they actually one and the same with slight retool with new paint. The newer version appears to be slightly close to the comic book version that Joss Whedon wrote and with art by John Cassidy.
This is also the same version Hasbro produced for the Marvel Legends scale, and the only difference is the figure size and the engineering that included more poseable joints. The masked version of Astonishing Wolverine shows an angry look almost the same as the unmasked version released for the X-Men Origins toy line.
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Snikt All The Way
Overall the Astonishing Wolverine could easily be the best version that came out under the Marvel Universe toy line. He’s not wearing his trunks a la Superman anymore, and fits well to the growing X-Men roster for this series.
There are notable about this wave which includes the signature stand, but its great that he’s no longer have a grenade launcher or a red katana blade unlike the very first release in his Uncanny X-Force black ops uniform.
Though in comparison with the X-Men Origins version the yellow and blue here is a bit bright unlike the latter release, which is about right but since it’s based from the comic book series it still the best Wolverine by any standards.
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