It has been almost 2 months since the start of the newest line of Marvel figures.  The newest line is called Marvel Universe, and the figures are made in the famous 3 3/4 inch scale Hasbro is so famous for. Wave one was not the overwhelming success that everyone thought it would be, but it got the the line started and got the fans interested in the line. Let’s take a look at the first wave.

This wave was full of the big guns from Spidy to Ironman, so there was no doubt that Hasbro wanted to lead off with the big names that are in the public eye right now.  

Spiderman:  This figure is not the winner of the bunch, but he is a great stand in figure until Hasbro gives us the Spidy we all want.  The main problem with the figure is his limited ability to hold on to poses.  He has limited articulation, and does not look proportionate.  His head does not seem to fit on the body, and he is ridged.  The paint on this figure is also lacking.  He comes with a web attachment is a bit awkward on him, a few twist ties make a better web then what he came with.  

Daredevil:  I was very excited for this figure but, like Spiderman, I am waiting for a better version down the line.  His main problem is his body, he is too short and round.  When I think of Daredevil I think mostly of a tall thinner man under that suit; but he is too short standing next to the other figures in the line.  The head sculpt is the best part of the figure, and because he is mostly one color there are not paint issues on the figure.  He also comes with a pair of nun-chucks, which are rather stiff but work for this scale. 

Wolverine(X-Force): This was the first figure I saw in person at SDCC, and I have to say it is one of the best in this wave.  The paint on him is well executed, and the sculpt is dead on accurate.  Where he falters is the scale: where Daredevil is too short, Wolverine is too tall.  Will this version stay in my display? No, but it is still a cool figure to own.  

Punisher:  Once again not a great figure, and the one that Hasbro told us would be in short supply.  The reason being is that he is the worst figure of the bunch.  From a giant head, to loose joints, to a bad body; he is just a mess.  He is over sprayed with blue paint in places, and just looks out of place with the rest of the figures. With a gun and a rocket launcher, it is the start to a Punisher armory, the only thing that makes him worth getting.

Black Panther- This figure uses the Punisher body but is more solid.  Coming with a staff he is just what he needs to be, a solid figure that will look good with the rest of the Avengers.  He is plain with a simple body and head and all one color. If they did more with him at this point in the line I am not sure it would work.  

Human Torch- Both of the versions of Johnny are great additions to the line.  While the translucent one is great, the un-flamed one is equally impressive.  The only issue I have with him is the face on the un-flamed one is very elongated and pinched, which is not typical for the figures, and makes him look more Magna than Marvel. He comes with a hand flame attachment which he can use or others with similar powers in the future can use too.

Silver Surfer- The best of the line is the Surfer, not only is he a shrunk down version of the Icons and Marvel Legends versions from Hasbro, but he comes with his board.  He has a flat color rather than being shiny, and even without the shine he is still impressive.  What really makes him great is how good he looks with the Toy Biz Galactus.  

Bullseye- For me he was the best of the whole wave, and the hardest to find.  All over people are looking for this figure, and at 1 per case he will be the Toad of this line.  He has a great head sculpt and decent articulation.  Coming with a knife that is a little too big for him and a gun, he is ready for action.  One thing that does bother me is the that in his left hand he is holding cards that he can’t put down.  I would rather have him in all black, but the blue shading in the costume still looks good.  

Ironman- see First look Review

The last thing that makes me want more of this line are the secret files.  Each figure comes with a folder containing a trading card, a top secret file on the character, and a Shield code for the Fury Files Website.  These are not generic write ups either, they are very creative and connect the figures to the comics books.  

So how does this line stack up?  I think it was an underwhelming start to the line.  There were a lot of big names for parents to grab for the kids, but the figures themselves are not as strong as they could be.  One issue that comes up is the plastic joints, they are soft compared to the other figures from Hasbro in this scale.  One of my figures, Johnny, did have a broken ankle joint from trying to pose him.  I would not have noticed it if I was not working on pictures, but it was still there and I easily got a replacement.  So will I continue with the line?  Yes, with better sculpts and an expanding universe I can’t pass this line up.  With Firestar and Mary Jane winning on the fan poll, all I have to say is: Hasbro where is my Blink?

Gallery Link