Marvel Legends Storm & Thunderbird Video Review

by Joshua H. Stulman

It’s been a loooooooonnnng time coming for these two characters but they are finally here!

Storm and Thunderbird are the two last remaining members of the “All New” X-Men team to be immortalized in plastic form. Over the past 18 years of Marvel Legends, we’ve never gotten a “classic” Storm figure or the ill-fated Thunderbird to complete our 70’s X-Men team.

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THUNDERBIRD

ABOUT: Thunderbird debuted along with many of the “All New” X-Men in Giant Size X-Men # 1 from 1975. Among this new group of international heroes, Thunderbird represented America. His character was fearless but with a chip on his shoulder. His improptu actions got himself killed only after 3 comic appearances in Uncanny X-Men # 95. His death brought the rest of the young team together. Later, his younger brother would fill his shoes as the X-Force member, Warpath.

Review: Thunderbird features a standard adult sculpt with great paint details, Although the switch between the blue and red plastic pieces makes the red paint shade inconsistent from part to part. Thunderbird lacks any accessories or alternate hands/head. The re-used torso sculpt is ok, but I would have preferred a stockier build. A major defect is his boot tassels which keep sliding down to his ankles (Hasbro should have glued them in place).

Face Detail: 5/5

Sculpt: 4/5

Articulation: 5/5

Paint: 4/5

Extras: 0/5

OVERAL SCORE: 18/25

“CLASSIC” STORM

ABOUT: Storm debuted along with many of the “All New” X-Men in Giant Size X-Men # 1 from 1975. Among this new group of international heroes, Storm represented Africa. In her native land, she was worshipped as a goddess. In America, she struggled with the culture shock and “prude-ness” of American culture. She emerged a team leader and has proven herself time and again as a formidable and valued member.

Review: Storm features a mix of new and previous sculpts as well as an alternate head, alternate cape, lightening effect hands, and a set of open and fist formed hands. The sculpt and color tones are great but the hinged elbow joints are large and detract from the overall look when the arm is posed straight. The scale of the figure is also on the short side for a character that his supposed to be taller than average. The figure lacks a swivel at the ankle or mid calf swivel. I think a swivel at the ankle would have been appropriate and not interfered with the sculpt.

Storm comes with alot of extra accessories. Most are not really necessary. I don’t like the action posed face sculpt. The hair looks too “clumpy” like Medusa snakes. Similarly, the extra set of lightning hands are interesting but I’d prefer the previous released lightning accessories that can snap onto the regular hands provided. Also the second “action” cape is not different enough to matter to me. I would have preferred a “soft goods” cape that attached to her bracelets. I think that’s a big missed opportunity!

Face Detail: 5/5

Sculpt: 4/5

Articulation: 3/5

Paint: 5/5

Extras: 3/5

OVERAL SCORE: 20/25