MORE Characters We Want As Hasbro Marvel Legends
It’s been a while since we asked for some Marvel characters to enter into Hasbro’s action figure line of Marvel Legends. Since then, some of what we pleaded for was added (looking at you, The Orb and America Chavez!). So maybe we can manifest even more bizarre additions to the toy line with these entries:
The Mole Man
Considering the fact that he’s the Fantastic Four’s oldest foe, he was even mocked/paid homage to in THE INCREDIBLES and INCREDIBLES 2, and has been a consistent part of the 616 for over 60 years, it’s time to give Harvey Rupert Elder his due in Marvel Legends form.
Admittedly, not the most dynamic of characters in appearance or action, The Mole Man is still a great little figure that would be a nice pop of green alongside his nerdy blue sunglasses.
The Mole Man is rumored to appear in THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS later this year, so that may up his profile and help his chances of getting his own figure. But even if he doesn’t show up there, it’s high time to give this flagship foe his due in action figure format.
Hypno-Hustler
It’s easy to dismiss Antoine Desloin as a gimmick. Sure, he debuted in 1978 to coincide with the disco craze—but Dazzler popped up two years later to cash in on that same craze, and she’s still in use in X-Men comics today (plus has at least 2 Marvel Legends figures). So let’s give Hypno-Hustler his own toy, dammit!
Spider-Man has a deep bench of rogues to fuel the Marvel Legends line, and many of them have been used (multiple times in some cases), but it’s always great to branch out and utilize the unsung villains. Plus Hypno-Hustler has a great design and cool look that simply isn’t replicated amongst his fellow nefarious brethren.
There was talk at one point of a film being made about Hypno-Hustler, starring Donald Glover no less! Though it’s unclear what’s going on with that in the wake of MORBIUS, MADAME WEB, and KRAVEN THE HUNTER all being…just awful. But Morbius has multiple figures, so it’s time for Hypno-Hustler to shuffle on over to everyone’s toy shelf in all his disco glory.
Japanese Spider-Man
Takuya Yamashiro, aka Japanese Spider-Man (or スパイダーマン) has had a resurgence thanks to multiple facets including his use in Ernest Cline’s book Ready Player One, the character showing up in multiple Spider-Verse crossovers in the comics, and Marvel/Disney actually posting some videos of the 1970s TV show. It’s time for him to take the main (toy) stage and get his own figure.
I mean, it would be great if his giant mech, Leopardon, came along—but baby steps! First thing first is to get the action figure with the clunky gauntlets that can also do the killer “X” pose we’ve all come to know and love from the character. Maybe Leopardon could be a Build-A-Figure or else just another giant one like Galactus or a Sentinel.
An emissary from Hell is more than just deserving of his own toy—it’s a moral imperative.
Old Blade (Wesley Snipes)
Nothing wrong with a little salt in the pepper, and nothing makes that look as good as Wesley Snipes did in 2024’s DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE. It was genuinely so surprising to see Snipes reprise his role (especially alongside Reynolds for…many reasons), that I exclaimed in the theater “oh shit!” when he strolled on screen.
Another beloved multiversal character deserving of his own figure, it’s time to let Snipes shine!
X-Terminators (1980s Version)
These X-Factor supporting players got their own limited series and eventually were folded into the New Mutants roster (mostly, anyways), but it’s the totally tubular ‘80s fashion that makes them standout. Except for Whiz-Kid whose costume makes him look like an Alpha Flight alternate in a bad way. But the rest shine with their suspenders, and vests, and all the rest. Spruce up your toyline with these versions of Rictor, Boom-Boom, Rusty, Skids, and yes—even Whiz-Kid.
Ace (II)
If there’s one thing I truly love in comics, it’s attempting to cash in on a fad. Truly, these awkward creations like NFL SuperPRO, Dazzler, Adam X-Treme, US-1, and more are all very near and dear to my heart because it’s usually weird creative types trying to glom onto some zeitgeist they barely understand.
Case in point: Ace Spencer as seen in Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #5 and #6 from 1985 and 1986, respectively. He ended up being used again in 2021’s The Marvels by Kurt Busiek, which is also a great moment when later artists come in to revitalize a cash-grab character into something more significant.
Do most people know who Ace Spencer is?
No.
Do most people need an action figure of a Prince-wannabe superhero?
Emphatically, yes.
Build-A-Figure: Bi-Beast
Marvel writer/editor/legend Mark Gruenwald once told his writers that every character is someone’s favorite character, so keep that in mind when writing them. Is Bi-Beast someone’s favorite? Possibly! I mean, his visage is on the tower in THOR: RAGNAROK so…that’s something.
He’s not my favorite, but I do have a real soft-spot for the weirdo android. The big galoot is outsized enough that it would be an easy inclusion with the other figures to build up his massive stature—including his bizarro duplex skull!