Marvel Legends Magik Review

You believe yourselves immune to death? I bring you a gospel of oblivion.
I bring you the Soulsword. Taste it and cease to be.

We'd like to thank Marvel for making one of the rarest Marvel Legends figures - Magik - easier to attain. 

Though we're pretty sure that there are those out there who are seething that Magik's price range has dropped. Illayana Rasputin here used to be a 2015 SDCC exclusive that you could only get if you were able to purchase Marvel's Book of the Vishanti collection that includes: the Astral Plane version of Doctor Strange; Brother Voodoo, Hela and the great  Dormammu. Because it was an SDCC exclusive, we've seen Magik being sold alone - sans the Book of the Vishanti - for as high as US$275 (Roughly PhP 15,000). So when this was released? We had to have her - especially since Colossus and Shadowcat came out so beautifully.

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Marvel Legends Multiple Man Action Figure

You never know when you might need X-Factor.

How may Multiple Mans are needed before you have an acceptable army? We don't know but it's a really sad thing that we only have the one. 

Jamie Madrox, Marvel's Multiple Man has always been a surprise to us. When we were introduced to him some time back in the 1980s we kinda scoffed at him. We thought his power was lame in comparison to everyone else who could easily wipe out all of his duplicates with one or two blasts.

Yet through the years through creative writing, the Multiple Man has proven to be a complex and charismatic character; a worthy leader of the X-Men (Factor), and; a resourceful and almost unstoppable one-man army

He's so complex he refuses to die (His death via Terrigen Mist in the absolutely horrible IvX story-line was waaay undeserved, so welcome back).

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Marvel Legends Lorna Dane - Polaris - Action Figure

The last true daughter of Magneto

The Marvel Legends Lorna Dane - Polaris - Action Figure is a marvelous representation of one of the X-Men's traditional 2nd tier characters.

And yes, we mean 2nd tier. The former love team (Wasp really did a number on the now disfigured Alex Summers) of Havok and Polaris has always been a poor copy of the love team of Cyclops and Jean Grey.

Personally, save for stint in X-Factor (The formerly Government run one, not the one formerly run by Serval Industries), we preferred her more as one of the X-Men's staunchest villains back when she was possessed by the Marauder Malice in the 80's.

Let's see how she stands on her own - especially since she's about to go toe-to-toe against her ex Havok in the X-Men Blue comic book.

Marvel Legends X-Men Series Sunfire Action Figure

I am the unquenchable fire!

Mavel Legend's Sunfire Action Figure is an excellent tribute to one of the less renown X-Men characters. 

Sunfire has a thing about teams in the sense that he's NOT a team player. He does however hold the distinction of being one of the only X-Men to also have been an Avenger having served - albeit briefly - in the Avengers Unity Squad alongside Havok, Rogue and Wolverine.

We remember years back when we were heavily into the Marvel RPG that we thought we figured out back then why Marvel kept Sunfire from joining the X-Men - he had the same Plasma Generation powers as Havok, and the same brash arrogance as Wolverine (Which is also probably why they killed off Thunderbird). Of course, today that oversimplification is a falsehood.

Still quite a waste. We think he would have made a great X-Man.

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Marvel Legends Colossus - Warlock Wave

 "Get up and I shall knock you down once more."

The Marvel Legend Colossus - Warlock Wave  - is a wonderfully sculpted modern rendition of the X-Men's strongman.

We're big fans of the Mighty Colossus. We're not really fond of how Marvel writes him, but we love the X-Men's Knight in literal shining armor.

We've been reading comic books since 1986 and we cannot recall Piotr sporting a beard. The closest was the 5 o'clock shadow that he sported when - after a trip through the Siege Perilious - Piotr was snogging a really hot looking Calisto and living as a rather successful artist in New York, and; following the events of AvX, but nothing as robust as this beard.

So our interest was piqued when Humberto Ramos (Impulse, The Amazing Spider-Man) created a bearded literal Russian Bear of a Colossus for the Extraordinary X-Men.

He's since gone back to his clean shaven look.

Marvel Legends Cable

Cable: Just chillin

Presenting Nathan Summers, AKA Cable - son of Scott Summer (Cyclops) and Madelyne Pryor (The Goblin Queen) - from the Marvel Legends X-Men Juggernaut BAF series.

The good news is that this is no longer based on the images of Rob Liefeld who co-created Cable in the 1990 along with Louise Simonson (However Nathan Summers was first created by Chris Claremont waaaay back in 1986). As such, we no longer have to suffer through the enormous shoulder-pads which were all the rave in the 1990s along with useless bits of armor that protect.... nothing.

This is Cable as he appears in the prologue of the AvX series called Avengers X-sanction which was written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Ed McGuinness. 

In Avengers X-sanction, Cable returns to take out the Avengers - having foreseen that the Avengers would kill Hope Summers in the coming AvX series. He successfully incapacitates Falcon, Captain America, Iron Man and the Red Hulk, but is interrupted by the arrival of Cyclops who tries to talk him down. Unfortunately the Avengers Spider-Man and Wolverine arrive and all hell breaks loose. Cable eventually loses but does succeed in planting the distrust between the Avengers and the X-Men. 

5 X-Men we miss

Yes, Amanda Sefton was a member of the Muir Isle X-Men.
Counter Clockwise from left to right: Banshee, Legion, Amanda Sefton, Forge,
Moira MacTaggert, Polaris and Sunder (That's not Strong guy)

Presenting 5 X-Men that we've come to sorely miss in the comic books. 

One of the problems of a major comic-book franchise is that readers tend to gravitate towards the more popular characters: Magneto, Beast, Cyclops, Storm, Rogue, Kitty Pryde and of course Wolverine. By our count there are 173 characters who have worn Xavier's X on their costumes - this includes the non-mutants who have been a part of the team (And Deadpool).

There is simply no way that Marvel can cram all those mutants into one comic book - which is probably why they currently have four X-titles (All New, Extraordinary, Uncanny and the now cancelled '92), two Wolverine comics (All New and Old Man) and three Deadpool comic books. 

Still simply no room for 193 mutants and supporters of the school Xavier built  - and Marvel is not done making more mutant babies. 

So here're are five X-Men that some people might not even remember, who we wish we could still read about today.

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Marvel Legends Phoenix - Jean Grey

Marvel Legends Phoenix - Jean Grey

Presenting Jean Grey, the Phoenix, Fire and Life Incarnate, from the Marvel Legends X-Men series

To the uninitiated, this specific Jean Grey remains dead (Killed by Xorn). She was last seen in 2005 ascending into a higher plane of existence with the Phoenix Force and in 2012 convincing Cyclops to let go of the Pheonix Force.

Marvel has teased plans for her return, but for now seems happy to have the time-displaced Teenage Jean in active service - which must really make things uncomfortable for Old Man Logan - who hopefully will finally find happiness in the hands of Storm (Though even that's a bit of a May-December romance).

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Marvel Legends X-Men Series Wolverine

Fastball Special!!!

Presenting Wolverine from the Marvel Legends X-Men series Juggernaut BAF toyline.

We believe that the last time Logan wore the tan and brown uniform was when the reconstituted X-Men tussled with Magneto all the way back with Jim Lee's run with the X-Men circa 1991.

He's been wearing variants of the Yellow and Blue uniform since then.

For a look at the mode modern Wolverine costume, click here. 

Which is a shame since we thought that the tan and brown outfit was not just kick-ass, it was more tactical. How does Logan hide in the shadows dressed in canary yellow? (Even DC has recognized this and made Robin's cape black on the outside.)

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Marvel Legends X-Men Series Havok

JUST CRY HAVOK!!!!

Presenting the Havok from the Marvel Legends X-Men Juggernaut BAF series.

To the uninitiated, this is Alexander "Alex" Summers AKA Havok, the younger brother of Scott Summers AKA Cyclops. Singer's X-Men movies reversed their ages.

Marvel doesn't really seem to know what to do with Cyclops-lite. Havok and Polaris have actually been described as a 2nd tier Cyclops and Jean Grey

For more about Cyclops, click here.

Waaaay back in the 80s, we remember an Alex Summers who was pretty much useless because he was so afraid that his plasma blasts would maim or kill anyone he used them against - which is true, Havok fires plasma (Ironically Sunfire and hey! The Human Torch - have no such qualms), not concussive force (Which is what his brother Cyclops  fires).  As a cosmic powered entity (Again like his brother Cyclops), suffice to say he's pretty powerful.

So Marvel had to gloss over that period and allow him the ability to keep hitting people with his plasma blasts.

We should probably mention that the heat he generates can fuse the ground into glass, and when Marvel retooled him, they gave him the ability to use his blasts to propel him into the air (Yes, Havok can "fly")

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Marvel Legends Rogue

Marvel Legends X-Men Rogue

Presenting the X-Man Rogue from the Marvel Legends X-Men Juggernaut BAF series.

To the uninitiated, Anna Marie, the mutant also known as Rogue, is currently a member of Captain America's Avengers Unity Squad along with Deadpool.  A power thief, she currently has the powers and psyche of Simon Williams, Wonder-Man, making her nigh invulnerable, strong enough to take on Thor, and pretty much immortal.

But that's the current comic book Rogue.

This Rogue is based upon the 90s incarnation of Rogue as she was redesigned by Jim Lee when she rejoined the X-Men after being among the X-Men lost to the Siege Perilous (Though technically that may have been Carol Danver's - whose psyche resided in Rogue - doing, not Rogue's.)

In this guise, Rogue had the powers of the pre-Binary Carol Danvers, so: flight, invulnerability, super-strength and a "7th sense" which allowed her to predict the movements of her enemies (Allowing her to actually predict where a teleporter like Nightcrawler would next appear).

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Marvel Legends BAF Juggernaut

Marvel Legends BAF Juggernaut

Presenting the Build an Action Figure (BAF) Juggernaut from the 2016 Marvel Legends X-Men line.

To the uninitiated, Cain Marko is NOT a mutant, though he has been both one of the most formidable opponents of the X-Men and a one time member of Xavier's merry band of mutants.

The Juggernaut is powered by the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak - an other-dimensional being of immense power - a power which can be drawn upon by magic-users on Earth.

The Crimson Gem of Cyttorak comes with an instruction manual of sorts: "Whosoever touches this gem shall be granted the power of the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak! Henceforth, you who read these words, shall become ... forevermore ... a human juggernaut!"

The bearer becomes the avatar of Cyttorak who gets his high on destruction. As the Juggernaut, Cain Marko is a near immortal with the strength to shatter mountains, regeneration, and a mystical force-field that grants him invulnerability, particularly when he's in motion. He doesn't tire, and can survive without food, water, or oxygen.

You might also want to check out the Juggerlossus. Click here if you do.

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Marvel Legends Deadpool

Marvel Legends Deadpool

Presenting the "Merc with a Mouth", Wade Wilson, AKA Deadpool from the Marvel Legends X-Men Juggernaut BAF series.

To the uninitiated, Deadpool is not a fan of International Women's Day, but was genetically altered by the Weapon X program so that he possesses a healing factor that is so strong he can survive a bullet up "Main Street" - and live to talk about it.

Deadpool's healing factor is stronger than Wolverine's. Wade has shown the ability to survive full-on decapitations without the benefit of any external empowering force (Wolverine once regenerated completely - Adamantium and all - from a single drop of blood, but he was powered by a cosmic, reality manipulating crystal).

For more about the Marvel Legends Wolverine, chick here.

Which of course doesn't mean that Wade doesn't feel pain - so it really helps that Deadpool's mind is so messed up, he probably can't distinguish pain from pleasure.

So yeah, he probably thinks he can take down the Juggernaut.

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Marvel Legends Kitty Pryde

Marvel Legends Kitty Pryde

Presenting the X-Man Katherine "Kitty" Pryde AKA Shadowcat from the Marvel Legends X-Men line.

Or Ariana Grande if she was a super-hero.

To the uninitiated, and as of this writing, Kitty Pryde, formerly of the X-Men and currently a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy as the new Star-Lord.

Also as of this writing we're not sure if she and Peter Quill will be getting back together and if she will be relinquishing the title of Star-Lord now that Peter is back with the Guardians.

Anyway, this is Kitty Pryde as she last appeared as the leader/mentor of the time-displaced original-five X-Men and prior to her phasing powers being elevated to cosmic levels - allowing her to phase through anything and phase anything, phase through the multiverse and walk through space. But since the Black Vortex supposedly granted her god-like powers, this is probably just a taste of what she can do.

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Marvel Universe Kitty Pryde - Shadowcat

Marvel Universe Kitty Pryde - Shadowcat

Presenting a Marvel Universe Kitty Pryde - Shadowcat - Action figure.

To the uninitiated, this is Katherine "Kitty" Pryde, one time master of the Soulsword, apprentice to the one called Wolverine, Agent of SHIELD, mother of Brood (Aborted, Wolverine and the X-Men #5 was fracked up), the original mother of a dragon, and the X-Men's resident technical genius who walks through walls. AKA Ariel, Sprite, Cat, Professor K.

Check out our Marvel Legends Wolverine review by clicking here. 

Kitty Pryde is the third X-Man we know of to have her powers escalated to cosmic levels - following the Phoenix and Wolverine (We could be wrong), and is currently off-planet serving as the new Star Lord while her ex-fiance of the same name is busy being king of the universe.

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Marvel Universe Colossus Action Figure

Marvel Universe Colossus Action Figure

Presenting the Marvel Universe Action figure of the X-Men's Mighty Colossus.

To the uninitiated, this is Piotr "Peter" Nikolaievitch Rasputin, AKA Colossus. Colossus has the mutant ability to transform his entire body - not just his skin  - into an Osmium-like organic steel. In the process he gains significant mass, growing from 6'6" in height to around 7'5" in height, and weighs t least double his normal weight.

With the armor comes an extremely high resistance to injury and superhuman strength and stamina - supposedly Colossus is in the Class 100 strength level following the realignment of his cells by Magneto due to an injury sustained during the Mutant Massacre. While armored, Colossus requires no food, water or oxygen and is naturally resistant to other forms of energy attacks including temperature extremes, electricity and even magic.

At one time, while in armored form, he was able to kiss Rogue.

Which Marvel constantly forgets.

X-Men Apocalypse Review (Spoilers) - justifying global mass murder

X-Men Apocalypse Review

My thoughts on X-Men Apocalypse.

A bit late, but we wrote it on our sister blog so here it is.

X-Men Apocalypse was directed by Bryan Singer (Superman Returns), using a screenplay by Simon Kinberg (Hahahaha.... Fantastic 4) that was based upon a story by Bryan Singer, Michael Dougherty (Superman Returns), Dan Harris (Superman Returns) & Simon Kinberg

X-Men Apocalypse reunites most of the cast from the previous X-Men movies including:
James McAvoy (Atonement, Wanted) as Professor X;
Michael Fassbender (Assasin's Creed, Atonement) as Magneto;
Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games) as Mystique; Oscar Isaac (An unknown indie film called Star Wars VII) as Apocalypse; Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road, About a Boy) as Beast; Rose Byrne (Star Wars Episode II, Dallas Doll) as Moira MacTaggert; Tye Sheridan  (Mud, The Tree of life) as Cyclops
Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones) as Jean Grey; Olivia Munn (Newsroom, Magic Mike) as Psylocke;
Lucas Till (Hannah Montana the Movie) as Havok; Kodi Smit-McPhee (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) as Nightcrawler; Ben Hardy (East Enders) as Angel; Alexandra Shipp (House of Anubis) as Storm, and; Hugh Jackman (Eddie the Eagle, Real Steel) as Wolverine.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REVIEW

Marvel Universe X-Force Deadpool

Marvel Universe X-Force Deadpool

Presenting the Merc with a Mouth Deadpool from the Marvel Universe Super Hero Team X-Force three pack.

While Wade Winston Wilson AKA Deadpool is only a self-proclaimed X-Man, When X-Men's leaders - specifically Cyclops and Wolverine - deemed the need for covert-assassin squad - X-Force - Deadpool was not considered for the team

Check out our X-Force Wolverine review here.

The squad that was meant to end - literally - all threats to mutant-kind consisted of team members who were designed to kill, but really weren't killers at heart. So eventually the team was disbanded. Wolverine however saw the need for X-Force and formed a new team without Cyclops' knowledge. That team led by Wolverine included Psylocke, Archangel, Dr. Nemesis, Fantomex and finally, Deadpool - all members who had no problem with killing and have killed in the past.

Marvel Legends Spiral Gold Variant

Marvel Legends Spiral Gold Variant

Presenting the Spiral Gold variant from the Marvel Legends Red Hulk BAF series.

We first met the woman known as Spiral waaaay back in the mid-80s during the Fall of the Mutants story-line of the X-Men. Back then she was one of the scariest members of Freedom Force, a literal powerhouse who could take the X-Men on all by her lonesome.

Spiral was a master swords-woman who had six arms - one bionic arm - enhanced strength; the ability to use offensive and defensive magic; and could teleport across dimensions, and; a severely psychotic attitude.

Her one vulnerability seemed to be her irrational hatred for the X-Man Longshot. It would later be revealed that it's because she's the future Mojo manipulated version of Rita "Richochet Rita" Wayward, Longshot's girlfriend.

Decades later Spiral would become a member of the all female - not counting Puck - X-Force team.

LEGO Marvel X-Men vs The Sentinel KO

Presenting a Knock-off (KO) version of Marvel's X-Men vs The Sentinel LEGO Playset.



In a nutshell, this LEGO Playset features the X-Men: Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm and Magneto flying a Blackbird up against a medium-sized Sentinel. Here's the thing though: We're not sure when this particular scenario would have happened. Magneto - and the way he's dressed - was back when he Headmaster of Xaver's School for Gifted Youngsters (Circa: Fall of the Mutants). The X-Men's Blackbird didn't become a forward-swept-wing aircraft til the X-Men returned to from the Shi-Ar empire along with Charles Xavier and Xavier had Forge redesign the Blackbird.

So this could never have happened.