It’s Fantastic Friday! It is also the 4th! The Fantastic Four-ish are back in Marvel Legends! Johnny is on some kind of a break, you will never believe who is getting another ML figure. That’s right it’s SPIDER-MAN. I know it is hard to believe, friends, but he is joining Sue, Ben, and Reed for some fun new figures.
Of course, I kid (a little), and since the FF is my favorite Marvel team, I am always thrilled to see them back in this line. The Future Foundation allows us to get some figures of (most of) the core team in a look that we have not seen in ML yet, and is vastly different from their historical get-ups. That is my diplomatic was of saying I am not particularly in love the Foundation looks, but being able to add it to the wider F4 collection, is a great thing. Plus, for Reed and Sue at least, this is the best they have been from a figure standpoint in the line yet.
The Future Foundation costumes have a lot going on for just being black and white. The line work here is crisp and clean, and for the three F4 members, the abstract logos correctly depict their corresponding pattern designations. The uniforms are not “uniform” especially for Spider-Man, but they all fit in well together, while still being somewhat individual. I am going to get my requisite assertion out the way and say I am never a big fan of The Thing in boots, shirts, and long pants (the latter is the least egregious), but since these outfits are such a strong departure from their typical fare, it bothers me less here.
Spider-Man is the most “stripped down” in terms accessories and effects, but the figure build is nice and this is one of the most modern of the ML bodies, so it is afforded all of the up-to-date articulation and pinless build. Ben has some new, at least to him, pieces to achieve the tank top, pants, and boots. I am not sure if these parts are completely new (including the lower torso), but there is likely a lot of potential for reuse for other larger characters down the line. The upper body, heads, and hands are all holdovers from what has come before, and while they are nice, I am ready for a fully-new Ben for ML at this point.
For Reed and Sue, I don’t *think* there are nice ML pieces below the neck on either of the base bodies (limbs in a second), but since it has been a minute since they have had figures in the line, these bases are significant upgrades to what we have gotten before. I like this build for a “static” Reed, and while I have no issue with him being gangly, this newer body is just more clear and natural than previous releases. The same is true for Sue, and almost more so. Hasbro has finally gotten the point where their female bases are both strong and feminine. The overly-thin limbs and torsos from yesteryear can be shot into the sun because these new bases are so much better. Much like Ben, this makes me want to see some classic blue and black F4 figures on modern bases.
Sue includes one reused portrait, but it is made much better from the face printing paint, but she also has a new portrait that is hands down one of the best ML female portraits ever. This is right up there with that Gamerverse Psylocke head and I love it. It is feminine and strong, but the smile really works for Sue, so this will be the new default portrait on the shelf. She also gets some of the those standard female open hands, fists, and some pearlescent effect pieces that are cool.
Reed has that some old Richards head but it is MILES better than it ever has been due to the printing. Like, I had to double-check just to make sure it was the same sculpt, and it is, but way better. He also gets some open hands, the previously-used Ultimate Nullifier, a reused stretchy arm, the creep long finger hands and a brand new left arm and hand. The new one is cool and is really nice to pose and help support for some action shots. So, between new and old, Reed really comes out the winner here in terms of accessories.
More Fantastic Four! Yay! These are nicely executed and clean sets, so I am very happy to add them to the F4 collection. I am ready for more F4 now, especially with their prominence in the MCU, so let’s get it all. These are available now from the usual spots, so don’t sleep on them.
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