UnBoxing | WOLVERINE Hasbro’s MARVEL LEGENDS: SECRET WARS Series

A Collectible Figure Unboxing

Marvel Comics most favorite mutant is one of the most collectible characters in the popular line, and the latest iteration pays homage to Secret Wars, revisiting one of the hero’s most iconic looks in a long legacy.

He has always been described as “being the best at what he does, but what he does isn’t very nice.” When writer Len Wein and artist Herb Trimpe introduced Wolverine in the pages of The Incredible Hulk #181, 1974, the creative pair couldn’t have imagined what they had unleashed in the Marvel Comics Universe. Editor in Chief Roy Thomas wanted to capitalize on the popularity of Marvel’s heroes with our neighbors on the northern border, and thought it would be a great idea to introduce Marvel’s own Canadian superhero. The legendary artist John Romita Sr. based the look of the feisty and ferocious fighter on the real-life animal the hero would be named after, and then threw all 5 ft 3 inches of him at the gamma-radiated behemoth known as The Hulk!

The pint-sized “scrapper” went toe to claws against the Green Goliath on Wolverine’s own home turf when the pair confronted the monstrosity known as the Wendigo, who hunted victims in the Canadian wilds. Although defeated by the sheer muscle mass of his opponent, Wolverine left an indelible mark and was poised to make an even greater impact when the hero resurfaced in the line-up of Giant-Size X-Men #1, 1975. Joining Professor Charles Xavier’s latest team of mutants in a rescue mission to save his original students from a dangerous new threat.

The landmark issue reignited interest in Marvel’s mighty mutants and introduced a diverse and international roster that broke best-selling records under the creative arm of writer Chris Claremont. Over the course of several decades, Claremont elevated Wolverine’s profile heralding the arrival of the anti-hero, who would inevitably move into the spotlight of his own. Whisk away to the ends of the cosmos by the all-powerful being known as the Beyonder, Wolverine is among the X-Men, and assembled heroes chosen to face off against a cadre of foes on the patchwork Battleworld.

The latest iteration of WOLVERINE from the Hasbro "SECRET WARS" line.

Hey Bub!

At the time of the publication of the Secret Wars 12-issue limited series, The Uncanny X-Men was at its height of its own popularity as one of Marvel Comics’ best-selling series. The mutants would feature prominently during the course of the series, as they are forced to strike out on their own when tensions emerge between the heroes and Magneto. A line is divided when the mutants side to defend their own, but eventually reunite with the rest of the gathered heroes to thwart Doctor Doom and his mad power grab. When the heroes all return to earth, the Beyonder follows them back, and continues his assessment of the heroes, including Wolverine and his teammates among the X-Men.

With the anti-hero movement taking center stage across medias, Wolverine begins to emerge as the lead player is several storylines involving The X-Men, as well as crossing over into other titles, including having headlined in his own limited series in 1982, paving the way for his own monthly title in 1988. Wolverine remains one of Marvel’s most iconic characters, and transcends onto the big screen when Hugh Jackman assumes the role of Logan in the blockbuster X-Men. Jackman would continue to embody the hero in features for more than two decades later.

Wolverine has remained at the top of his game now for more than six decades, with no signs of slowing down. Whether you jumped onto the bandwagon when the hero made the scene in his original yellow spandex, followed him into his gritty brown and tan combat suit, all black and badass for special ops, or back to a yellow and blue variant, the Canadian cad has carved his place in comics legacy, and in whatever media he is characterized in, Wolverine continues to prove that he is indeed the best at what he does.

UnBoxing

A part of Hasbro’s 40th Anniversary commemorative tribute to Marvel’s Secret Wars, the historic 12-issue limited series inspired a toy line that spotlighted heroes and villains from across the mighty Marvel Comics universe. Wolverine featured prominently among the first series of figures released by Mattel in 1984 and is reproduced here as part of Hasbro’s Marvel Legends Secret Wars release. The release reproduces the look of the character as Wolverine appeared in the comic series; the hero is sporting his classic brown-and-tan suit and is packaged with a decoder shield featuring a lenticular graphic that reveals his secret identity.

The original figures were limited in their articulation, as was common for toys of the era (save perhaps Hasbro’s G.I. Joes). The contemporary interpretation has a suitable minimum of 20 points of movement, in the 6-inch range, and includes an additional pair of fists with his adamantium claws unsheathed. The package also includes a swappable head sculpt of Logan unmasked. Some collectors have criticized the tan coloring of Wolverine’s uniform, citing that it doesn’t appear “comic accurate” and more orange than tan, but personally, it is reflective of the shade used in the 80s throughout the uniform’s comic appearance in both the Secret Wars limited series and subsequent issues of The Uncanny X-Men. Still others have criticised the figure’s smirk, which is characteristic of the hero himself.

Among the current run of action figures, Wolverine has been reproduced in several of his comic book looks, including his original yellow-and-blue classic look, which has been modified over the years, and his brown-and-tan combat suit, introduced during artist John Byrne’s run on The Uncanny X-Men. The new suit would become synonymous with the hero for several decades and feature in many of the hero’s most epic adventures. While participating in the Secret Wars, he wears a brown-and-tan suit. Wolverine reverts back to yellow and blue in 1991 for the launch of X-Men #1, as designed by then X-Men artist Jim Lee.

Hasbro’s MARVEL LEGENDS Series SECRET WARS | WOLVERINE Action Figures are available on Amazon and through Hasbro Pulse.

Product Description

Inspired by Marvel Comics: This officially licensed Marvel figure is inspired by the “Wolverine” figure from the epic 1980s “Secret Wars” toy line.

Character-Inspired Accessories: This Wolverine action figure includes an alternate head piece revealing Logan’s secret identity, alternate hands with claws unsheathed — plus a “secret” shield based on the accessory included with the original toy line.

BUILD A MULTIVERSE OF MARVEL COLLECTIBLES: Look for more Marvel Legends figures to build your own Marvel Comics Multiverse (Each sold separately. Subject to availability)

Ages 4 and up

⚠️ WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not for children under three years.

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