Much like the Chronicle Megatron 2-pack, Legacy Dragonzord, or PRID Soundwave, there's been a time where I missed out on an older release whether because of price or unavailability. This is one of them. A three-pack featuring thr most iconic trio of X-Men characters, amd the fact that they serve as a love triangle is even more interesting given how Logan and Scott have beef with each other while Jean Grey becomes the center of the story as the Dark Phoenix. So while most fans would have stuck with the cel-shaded colors, I decided to go back and get the 3-pack instead. It may have cost more but I'm sure it'll be worth it.
Here is Wolverine in-hand, depicted in his signature Tiger Stripe costume popularized by Jim Lee's artwork on 90s X-Men, the Animated Series, and the various crossover games with Capcom. This version has a lighter shade of yellow and non-metallic blue compared to the 2018 Apocalypse-wave version, which might win over fabs of brighter colors in general. Honestly, either version is good but this is the one I am sticking with as it was already with two other figures. Using the same base mold that was first introduced back in 2016 for the Juggernaut wave, this guy adds his suit-specific belt and shoulder pads in addition to the color scheme he is normally associated with. Wolverine's deco is nicely applied onto him apart from a few paint nicks here and there, but I do wish his claws were painted to help them pop more. If anything, Wolverine could probably use a little bit of paint to show his arm hair, but that's just me.
Head sculpt is very iconic when it comes to depicting the iconic black points and the yellow cranium area separating them, making it look a bit like the side profile of two Batmen kissing each other. It's still a cool design, and I love the snarling expression that pops better than on the Target-exclusive Wolverine Hasbro made back then. His articulation is standard Marvel Legends affair, with a ball joint and a neck hinge, stiff butterfly joints, shoulders that move front and back as well as in and out, bicep swivels, double-jointed elbows, wrist swivels and hinges, ab crunch and waist swivel, hips that move front and back, in and out, thigh swivels, double jointed knees, boot swivels, ankle hinges, and pivots to rock side to side.
His alternate display options are the most plentiful, as he comes with a battle damaged face with the cowl banged up and his hair exposed with an expression that screams "BERSERKER BARRAGE!!!!"; in addition, he has alternate bone claw hands that he once had in the comics where his adamantium was removed, and his third head option is an unmasked Logan face, which does look more smug compared to his bloodthirsty masked heads. Honestly, apart from Hugh Jackman, it feels weird to see Wolverine without the mask.more than it does any other hero. On the plus side, he has a neck piece that depicts the cowl folded away.
Up next, it's Jean Grey. The last time she had a figure was back in 2013 as part of the Rocket Racoon wave, which was 10 years ago! That version may have a more vibrant shade of yellow and a more metallic shade of blue, which is opposite for this figure, but I think this one is a massive step-up. Firstly, we use a base mold with better-engineered legs and nicer head sculpt as we'll get to...two, in fact! I also love the macaroni shade of yellow we have here; it fits her design nicely while the lighter shades fit the guys as well as the darker shade she has. Her belt does move freely, though, and her shoulder pads may hinder articulation somewhat. The paint nick on her golden thigh plate is annoying.
Head sculpt is a step-up from the previous version with an expression that looks more alive while the eyes don't look derpy. Even the lipstick looks organic on her rather than painted on in a plastic look. Her articulation is mostly the same as a base male mold, only she has a diaphragm joint that works like both the waist swivel and ab crunch of the past, the elbow swivel/hinge joint combining bicep and double-elbow articulation, and no boot swivels. Her alternate head has less hair visible and captures her appearance from the 90s animated series better than the cel-shaded one IMO.
And finally, it's Cyclops! Seen here in with his leather jacket that kind of helps make this use of the Bucky Cap mold stand out more than other versions of Scott. It's funny how despite first being associated with Bucky Barnes' role as Captain America, the base mold has seen its uses with Cyclops as its second-most commonly associated character, only being behind by Deadpool's 7 uses rather than Cyclops's 6. Otherwise, the yellow is more saturated on this figure, and he now has a darker shade of blue rather than the lighter shade of the Warlock wave version back in 2017. While the figure looks good, I will admit thag the loose-fitting chest strap/belt combo on him can be annoying, but not as much as thr pieces pieces on the legs and boots. Seriously, Hasbro should have at least glued them in place if they weren't going to mold them on.
Head sculpt does thr same darker blue/brighter yellow schtick that was on the original release, only the visor was originally gold. The yellow is still good here. Is it me or should the visor be a little higher than it currently is? While the VHS release may have the better base mold, this figure does have a better head sculpt, even if its visor is a little lower than it should be but that's negligible. His articulation is largely the same as Wolvie's, but he lacks butterfly joints, and even though he has single-jointed elbows that can swivel, he has bicep swivels like the Hulk does. At least he can perform an optic blast properly (with a swappable left hand!) compared to the First Class 2014 5-pack version that was notorious for its terrible decisions and QC as Glenn Webb and other reviews pointed out.
He has two alternate heads, giving him either civilian shades that look reminiscent of Matt Murdock (with a Charlie Cox-esque smirkike in the promo poster with his bloody knuckles) or a midway visor that is set between his civilian sunglasses and the visor of his suit. I wish the red paint was a little more centered onto the molding.
Honestly, the minor paint mistakes are what they are, but I feel like my one grip with the set is the unbalanced accessory count shared between characters. Wolverine has two alternate heads (one of which has an unfolded cowl) and bone claws while Cyclops has the same amount of alternate heads but with a single alternate hand, and poor Jean has just the alternate head. I wish Jean had effect pieces and a pair of swappable fists while Cyclops had another head with a decently-lengthed optic blast and gritted teeth as well as an open right hand. Maybe give Wolverine retracted claw hands. Other than that, this is a set that I highly recommend fans to get, especially if they never had a version that is based on the 90s. This set will cost you a pretty penny on the aftermarket, so it's either this or getting the VHS releases.
Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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