Marvel Universe V. Marvel Legends: What do you think?
The Marvel Universe continues to blow me away with newer offerings. So much so, that I actually prefer the MU sculpt over the ML sculpt in some instances.
For example, Commander Steve Rogers and Bucky Cap. While I love both ML versions, they don't seem to have the proper proportions as the head look to be too big for the bodies. Yet, the MU versions seem to be more accurate but have the softer quality plastic issues with some figures. Drax is another one that looks better as an MU than a ML.
MU Thanos, Apocalypse and Sinister are amazing IMHO. A friend scored me a Kraven and I am blown away by the detail in this figure.
I love the 3 3/4" scale because it presents the opportunity to do so much more between dios, vehicles and playsets but wish the quality was consistent. if MU was built like GI Joe, I'd be done with ML.
I still cannot believe I own a comic version 3 3/4" Maverick! I thought I was only one of maybe ten Mav fans in the world and yet we got a figure of him.
While Hasbro is doing a better job with proportions than TB was IMHO, they still need to work on making them a bit better.
ML is holding strong with offerings of SDCC X-Force, Winter Soldier, Fantomex and Punisher while MU is right there with Thanos, Kraven, Kang, Apocalypse and the wide variety of rare characters offered.
Thoughts?
I like the smaller scale of MU. They are easier to display and have amazing detail for their size. They are fragile and sometimes difficult to pose/stand. But I prefer them over ML.
I used to love ML, but I think DCUC has spoiled me in the 6-Inch scale. I know people hate the re-use of parts, but I like the more consistent look of DCUC than my Marvel Legends, whether made by Toy Biz or Hasbro.
That said, I am no fan of MU. I prefer the 6-Inch scale, but I like the idea of the 3-3/4-Inch scale for space and display possibilities. I will stay away from cost and just focus on the figures themselves, but I think the consistency issue and quality may be my two biggest problems with MU. When I tried to set up a display with them, I wasn't happy with the quality of the plastic and how mish-mashed they look together. ML has that problem too and you would think that issue would stand out even more in the 6-Inch scale, but for me, I see the issue more predominantly in the smaller scale. So I packed up my MU and began to sell them off.
It's too bad because I love the depth of characters MU has already covered, the scale is cool and opens up the reality of Helicarriers and QuinJets, and even though I am still buying them, I am not enthralled with the the latest ML offerings from Hasbro.
I think if the quality of MU matched up with what I see with G.I. Joe or Star Wars, I would at least double dip on the Marvel scales.
I'd give a slight edge to MU because scale and paint app issues are a little more forgiveable in the smaller size. I really just wish Hasbro didn't just half arse both lines with so many re-uses of old bucks and parts that just don't work. Just pick a point or wave in the lines and start making toys that make sense. We should never have Mystique towering over Iron Man, or give us a new MU that looks fanastic but has useless hip joints. The laziness is getting old, but I'd give the edge to MU. But minimates still beat both lines IMO.
I am and always will be a ML fan. I like the size and sculpts (in general). There was no way I was going to switch universes again after Toy Biz quit the 5" size. But I will agree as time goes on the MU figures are getting better. Most of the first assortments were cr**. Compare the MU Jean Grey to the upcoming ML Jean Grey. No contest. There are a lot of MU's that I wish they would make in ML, and that may happen or not. But when the ML line finally dies off I will be happy with what I have, but will not make the switch to MU. The only MU's that I own are the Loki and Thor that came with the Gigantic Battles Frost Giant and Goliath. However, being a big fan of the Jim Lee Rogue, I will pick up the 3-piece figure set with Rogue.
I collected the Toy Biz figures, which offered the B and C characters along with clogging up the toy isles with ever version of Spiderman and Wolverine except the Help your self to our McBurgers Spiderman and Wolerine.
So in some wierd way, the MU figures filled in some of the figures gaps that Toy Biz never made or could not get out of the prototype stage, (refering to the Island of Misfit toys like Husk and Trapster which I really wanted and Dark Aegis).
However I did collect the BAF ML figures like Red Hulk and still waiting to find a Armin Zola figure, to add to my collection. However I am enjoying the MU figures, I mean they made King Laufey, Sif, Baron Zemo, Radioactive Man, and Tiger shark...which are pretty great additions to my collection.
So I mostly gravitate to the MU figures
Avian
I'm all about the MU now and Brian said it all but I'll throw in am I the only one that likes to throw a couple figures in my bag for work or in the pocket of my cargo pants for a road trip? So much easier with the smaller scale.
I am all for MU too. I had all the Toybiz and sold them all when my father passed away and I thought it was going to be 6 inch forever....Toybiz was 5 inch and I did not want to start another collection with one more inch. Then Marvel Universe came out and I had NO superhero toys. I saw that they were very compatible with STar Wars, Gi Joe etc. Now I collect them!
I just HOPE DC releases some down the road. I have two Infinite Heroes figures and they are WAY small.
Refused to switch scales. Never regretted it. Still into ML.
-JJJ
I've been doing the 6-inch scale since Spawn, then DCDirect, Xebec Fist of the Northstar, ToyTribe's Vash, EVAs, then ML, Street Fighter, Figuarts, Guyvers, Figma, LCBH, and a ton more. That's what I like and I like to have them all go together. I adore ML, they've made some real gems.
And I remember when Hasbro got the license people said they'll start making little ones, cause what's what they do. What they're good at. And then they'd drop ML. And sure enough . . .
But MU has got some great pieces that I only wish I had in ML. Just for that Thanos alone. . . and sometimes it seems MU does a little better with overall body shape and proportion more often. I have none because I'm a 7-inches through and through, but some of them look great and I wish I had MLs as good.
Kraven, Kang and the White Spiderman make great cases for MU sculpts (although I have not opened them yet to verify soapiness in quality).
I also received the ML 3 Punisher, Deadpool, US Agent and Dr Doom which all look amazing although Deadpool looks a little out of proportion and is a repaint.
Punisher is beautiful. I have always been a fan of the character, loved the LAST movie and have been waiting for this figure.
Sadly, what had been the most prized portion of my collection, the 12" 1/6 scale now gets the least amount of attention.