Fans of both X-Men and the Marvel Legends line of figures have reason to be excited. Some of the fan-favorite characters from one of the best issues of Uncanny X-Men will soon be released in an upcoming wave of the popular action figure line. Being released in two three-in-one sets, Hasbro will produce these classic characters in the iconic blue and yellow outfits that defined the X-Men of the early 1990s. As part of the 60th Anniversary of the X-Men, these figures will be released in early 2023. There are many exciting possibilities including the production of even more characters from that era.
Banshee, Psylocke & Gambit
The first of these two box-sets will include a few of the most recognizable and celebrated faces in X-Men lore, those being Psylocke Banshee, and Gambit. Each of these characters will sport an outfit atypical of their usual garb, instead wearing the matching outfits the team wore in their attempt to rescue Professor Xavier from the Shi’ar in Uncanny X-Men #275 (by Chris Claremont, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Tom Orzechowski, and Oliver Rosas). Each character will also come equipped with their most recognizable gear, including a purple blade for Psylocke (reminiscent of her psionic blades), a bo-staff for Gambit, and the iconic glider wings for Banshee.
Storm, Jubilee & Forge
Similar to the previous set of three, the characters within this pack will also be wearing the classic blue and gold. Storm, Jubilee and Forge as they appear in Uncanny X-Men #275 comprise this second pack, and as with many X-Men characters, the devoted fans of each of these familiar faces will likely look on this release favorably. Like the previous pack, this one will also include accessories for its characters, with the most obvious accessory being Forge’s gun. Outside these three-in-one sets, fans of this era’s X-Men roster would expect a certain short, snarling, and beclawed iconic mutant.
Wolverine
With much fanfare and hype, the Marvel Legends line will also be releasing a matching Wolverine to coincide with the release of the others. The character rarely wore such an outfit in the comics (even making a comment about it being a “monkey suit” a few issues prior), thus such a rare appearance might mean the demand for this figure could be high. The figure will, of course, come with two sets of hands. One with the claws popped (as Wolverine does) and one with the claws retracted.
Because Hasbro has included a standalone Wolverine to release alongside these three-in-ones, there remains a possibility that more figures could be announced exist that more could be announced — perhaps even one including another iconic characer representation from the 1990s.
Will Xavier Get a Figure?
Much of Uncanny X-Men #275 revolves around the team (plus the iconic Starjammers) attempting a rescue of Charles Xavier, while simultaneously helping to overthrow the twisted empress at the head of the Shi’ar empire, Deathbird. Within this issue, Charles Xavier (or who appeared to be Charles Xavier), wore two distinctive outfits, with one being the Shi’ar warlord outfit, and the other being celebratory garb from the X-Men’s victory over Deathbird. While each of these may seem unremarkable to some, such a landmark issue might leave other X-Men fans eager at the prospect. Like Wolverine’s depiction, Xavier has rarely appeared in these outfits — collectors would no doubt be intrigued to acquire such a figure.
The pre-order for these available figures is active as of December 8th. The best way to reserve a set is to add your name to the queue on Hasbro Pulse’s website. With 60 years of countless storylines across various forms of media, many fans of the iconic mutants are looking back through memory and finding the stories they’ll always remember. Uncanny X-Men #275 became a landmark issue for many when it released in 1991, and Hasbro recognizes that love. Perhaps more figures, like Charles Xavier, will be announced in the days or months to come. But for now, we can rejoice in our collective pre-orders for these figures that will drop in early 2023.
