Nightcrawler

Year of release: 1991
Figure Number: 4904
Accessories: Swashbuckling Sword
Action Feature: Super Suction

Comments: As with all the first series X-Men, the original releases came with white-bordered Series I trading cards. In most cases the character on the trading card matched the figure in the package. Some exceptions to this rule exist. First series cards were also characterized by the full "peg hole" at the top of the card. All subsequent series had "hanger hooks" that allow one to remove the figure from the rack without having to remove all the figures in front of it.

It has been reported that this wasoriginally planned to be the only fully articulated figure of the first series (elbows and knees). The original design for the figure had suction cups on the hands and feet. The final version had one suction cup on the left hand and one on the right thigh (suction cups rarely work for any extended period of time, even on glass). The tail was also poseable.

This figure was re-released in 1993 with a later series trading card and a hanger hook card. It has been reported that there are color differences between the two releases in regard to the teeth. However, a more reliable method for verifying which version you have is to examine the tail. Both versions have wire tails. However, the first release is wrapped in a lighter blue rubber. The re-release tail is wrapped in a darker blue, almost plastic (yet flexible) material. The original tail is also noticeably thicker than the re-release.

Of course the easiest way to tell is to examine the card. If it doesn't have a white-bordered trading card and a full hole for the peg, then its a re-release.