Marvel Legends Icons - Spider-man and Captain America

Marvel Legends Icons

Spider-man and Captain America

Hasbro - 12-inch figures

It's been over 10 years since Toy Biz introduced their 12-inch line of Marvel Legends Icons, and just this last year, Hasbro brought them back!  The sculpting and quality have improved, as have the accessories...but is it enough to ease the jump in price from $20 to $50 a figure?  Nah.  I have some of the older figures, so these were a "pass" until I saw them on clearance for $20-25 at Wal-Mart and Amazon.  For that price, make mine Marvel!

It's your friendly neighborhood Spider-man!  Just a little bit bigger!  This is an up-size on the 6-inch "pizza" Spidey that Hasbro released last year, so the sculpt and articulation are comparable. You get the half-masked head and interchangeable hands, but instead of a slice of pepperoni, you get a fully unmasked Peter Parker head.  The only other change would be that the shade of blue on the 12-inch figure is much darker, almost navy.

(What the hell?  I didn't know Zack Snyder was doing Marvel now?!  ...Oh no?  Thank goodness. If there is one character that shouldn't have the joy sucked out of him, it's Spider-man).  Anyway, at least the smaller figure is the appropriate true-blue. 

Captain America's blue is a little dark, too.  That might be appropriate with this more modern costume choice for all I know.  The detail on the lines and scales is great, as is the metal scuffing paint job on the kneepads. Accessories: extra hands, unmasked head, and separate headpiece to hold.  The shield has straps to hold it on his arm.  It can also be plugged into his back.  To do so, you press the star on his chest to pop out the star on his back, revealing the hole to plug the shield...yeah, it's almost a weird action feature. Careful: I almost threw away the star from his back, as I apparently pressed the star on his front while I was unboxing him. I didn't notice the back-star drop out, but, luckily, found it on the floor later.

The biggest complaint I have with Cap, aside from the blue, is that both heads are kind of dead-eyed.  Not even a hint on the mouth that he could be capable of smiling and...oh no!  Damn you, Zack Snyder!  

Must...combat...grim...superhero....syndrome.....

Whew!  That's better!  Thanks, big-noggin Spidey!