After a rocky movie, Wolverine did do something right in the Marvel Universe this year, he got his own toy line. Though all the various versions of Wolverine may haunt us until the holiday season, there are a few gems in this line. While the line has been mostly versions of Wolverine, it has kept him out of three waves of Marvel Universe giving more room for other characters in the main line. There have also been some important X-men characters in the line as well. So let’s take a look at this line.  

It is hard to talk about each figure, because I would be saying the same thing over and over for many of them. So before I look at each figure lets take a look at the two things they all have in common.  First, the shoulder and bicep joints are one piece on most of the figures, which is different from the Marvel Universe line. For these figures it is not an issue, and not something that is missing from the figures.  The other part that is different on them from the Marvel Universe figures is the hips. The Wolverine Origin figures all have ball jointed hips with a thigh cut which allows you to pose the legs in different positions, unlike the Marvel Universe line. This is the joint that allows you to pose the figure slightly different and gives you better balance for the figures without damaging the hip joints.  

Cyclops- I really wanted to like this figure, but with his faults he is only a mediocre figure. His major issue is his arms, when he is in a static pose they look stumpy and awkward, so I recommend having him in an action pose.  His optic blast feature also was a worry, but they were able to incorporate it without making it the focus of the figure.  There is a hole in his visor, to which you can attach an optic blast, and when you first see it you can’t tell there is a hole in his face unless you look very close.

Deadpool- This is the most impressive figure in all the new Marvel lines.  He comes with guns and swords and is worth every penny I paid for him.  He is well articulated and his paint apps are perfect.  There is not much negative I can say about him.  

Iceman-  Next to Deadpool, this has to be my favorite figure in this line that is not a Wolverine.  While his hands are preposed, they work for him and his ice slide accessory.  He is completely transparent, and it really makes him stand out.  I can’t wait for the other version in the Amazing Friends three pack later this year.  

Maverick- There is a great amount of detail on this figure, and for something so small it is impressive.  There are no paint issues with him and he comes with a rifle.  Where there are problems are the shoulder joints. Because of his armor he can’t move his arms as freely as the other figures.  Maverick is not that important to me as a character, so the arm issue is not something that makes or breaks the figure for me.  The details do make me excited for a Colossus figure some time in the future.  

Gambit- If Deadpool and Iceman are the best of the line, than Gambit is the worst.  While the sculpt and the paint make him look amazing, his articulation makes him only a little more than statue.  He comes with his staff and a pink set of cards.  The cards are all right, though they are large in his hands.  They should cast them in translucent plastic, or made them a little smaller.  They could have even molded them into his hand like with Bullseye (Marvel Universe wave one) and that would have been acceptable.  The end result though is that we got a classic Gambit, and I can’t wait for a Rogue to accompany him.  

The Wolverines- I bought a total of six single pack Wolverines, and while I can’t say they will all be part of my display, I think that all are fairly well done.  The claws are not warped, they are not too tall and the costumes choices make them easy to fit into most displays.  The only one I had an issue with was the soldier version, his left leg was left warped by the package and the joint feels loose so I don't want to try to straighten in fear of breaking the knee.  

I am really happy that this line came out at the same time as Marvel Universe, because it allowed Hasbro to flood us with Wolverine but not take up spots in the main line.  

Marvel Universe Reviews 

Wave One Review

Wave Two Review

Wave Three Review

Wave Four Review

Picture Gallery