Marvel Legends Maximum Series

[Ditko]

I mean, you can like it. Not sure why you're so put out by other people not liking it, though. It's not like everyone is just 'boo 50 dollars.' There's other legitimate concerns like the options chosen, costume chosen, etc. It's perfectly valid to be critical of a figure Hasbro wants 50 dollars for. Personally, yeah, I don't think it's worth it. If it was a different costume? Maybe. I'd need to see it to make a decision, but I have to think I probably wouldn't buy a 50 dollar Deadpool that doesn't, minimally, include more head options. At the least I want half-masked, serious, and crazy-eye heads. But also, I don't give a fuck about Doop, which is clearly supposed to be a selling point here. So this one just isn't for me.

I probably could have gone for the OG 90s look more and get those critiques or wanting more heads. I have no authority to tell people what's good or not, just reacting to a common negative vibe (across all media platforms). I saw a YouTube video about how the Hydra Bob set is a way better value...and some of the comments. It's not everyone, but for fuck's sake people are happy with 2 figures on generic bodies (from a decade ago) because there's accessories?? While totally ignoring the dedicated and vastly superior figure...that still has accessories. It's maddening.

Anyway it's been discussed before, I know where I stand and just fear backlash will eliminate the option to have something better. I can completely understand someone not wanting to throw $50 at a figure, but I don't see this as abusing consumers the way many do. This line has been my sweet spot so far.

100% want Coipel Thor. I think many people could say 80th Thor is a great classic version, but how many think the 2012 Thor still works for that era?? It's an amazing figure, but was always oversized and so many improvements have been made since. Mr. Fantastic would be an excellent choice. At that price he should have swappable arms and torso.

 

[Chooch555]

I think we looked at the Maximum Line as Hasbro's attempt at import-level premium to sell to us folks that already have multiple versions, but maybe the intent was actually to lure in folks that aren't into the line at all? Admittedly being online exclusive goes against that notion, but when they initially came up with the idea maybe they thought Target and Walmart would be along for the ride.

 

[hmmberto]

I think we looked at the Maximum Line as Hasbro's attempt at import-level premium to sell to us folks that already have multiple versions, but maybe the intent was actually to lure in folks that aren't into the line at all? Admittedly being online exclusive goes against that notion, but when they initially came up with the idea maybe they thought Target and Walmart would be along for the ride.

I definitely think it's more the latter, though of course they'd like regular collectors to be excited too. As a regular ML buyer it's going to be harder to sell me a "definitive" Spidey/Hulk/Deadpool, because I already have / had at some point 100 different versions of those characters. So my idea of "Maximum" might encompass an impossible number of things to put into a single package.

Still holding out hope that Coipel Thor is next. Dedicated sculpt with proper torso articulation + a wired cape is my #1 want for him. An "in-flight" second head with straight back hair is next on that list, along with the normal extra hands, lightning effects, etc.

 

[vicious]

I saw a YouTube video about how the Hydra Bob set is a way better value...and some of the comments. It's not everyone, but for fuck's sake people are happy with 2 figures on generic bodies (from a decade ago) because there's accessories??

Deadpool was on RYV Spidey's buck which is far from a decade ago.

 

[Ashtalon]

I can see Maximum Thor being the Copiel design. Essentially a do over from Hasbro's first attempt at that look but with modern updates.

I can also seem them making classic Thor by taking the 80th figure and adding butterfly joints and a cloth cape.

I still want an armored Simonson Thor figure, but I doubt they put that out as a Maximum. But maybe some day it'll get a figure.

 

[Ditko]

I think we looked at the Maximum Line as Hasbro's attempt at import-level premium to sell to us folks that already have multiple versions, but maybe the intent was actually to lure in folks that aren't into the line at all? Admittedly being online exclusive goes against that notion, but when they initially came up with the idea maybe they thought Target and Walmart would be along for the ride.

There's a space between I think people are struggling with. Mafex figures are $100-130 which collectors accept, but $50 Legends are a bridge too far for folks? It's basically saying Legends should be limited to cheap reuse. Not saying anyone here feels that, but I think the Legends team is dealing with it when marketing it. I never liked being restricted to Target or Walmart, as a comic geek I am all for having a different supply chain making better figures. People need to consider the huge Disney tax and likely smaller production runs as well.

It's kind of a silly thing to get fired up for since it's 2-3 figures a year (hopefully). I will relate more to folks if they do Wolverine or Iron Man Maximums - those 2 characters are so well done already that even I might be hard pressed to be excited. So far they've struck the right chords for me.

 

[Ashtalon]

I think you may be reaching a bit. If you think $50 is too much for a normal-sized figure with some accessories, you must only like "cheap reuse." That's nonsense. And I honestly don't see anyone "fired up" over the Maximum line. Some people are just not all aboard since they don't see any real extra value (ie double the cost of a regular figure) in the offerings. Guess that means people are hysterical over the subject.

 

[Misfit]

There's a space between I think people are struggling with. Mafex figures are $100-130 which collectors accept, but $50 Legends are a bridge too far for folks? It's basically saying Legends should be limited to cheap reuse. Not saying anyone here feels that, but I think the Legends team is dealing with it when marketing it. I will go radio silent until Thor is revealed...or I get this guy.

It's kind of a silly thing to get fired up for since it's 2-3 figures a year (hopefully). I will relate more to folks if they do Wolverine or Iron Man Maximums - those 2 characters are so well done already and even I might be hard pressed to be excited. So far they've struck the right chords for me.

I think you're overestimating the amount of overlap that exists between MAFEX and Legends collectors. And you're also beginning with the assumption that collectors like paying that amount for MAFEX.

At any rate, I think it does illustrate just the confusion over what the Maximum line is. I assumed it was Hasbro's take on the term ultimate, which gets overused in the toy space, and their aim was to give collectors something akin to the ultimate version of a character. Maybe not everyone needs a dozen Spider-Men, but they'll be happy to pay more for this one, special, release. Spider-Man felt like a release going for that, but then came Hulk which seemed only interested in clapping, and now Deadpool which is...I don't really know what they're going for. If people dig it then so be it, they're going to keep doing them. It seemed like an interesting concept at the beginning, if a bit rich in price, but now I find myself rapidly losing interest.

 

[hmmberto]

I can see Maximum Thor being the Copiel design. Essentially a do over from Hasbro's first attempt at that look but with modern updates.

I can also seem them making classic Thor by taking the 80th figure and adding butterfly joints and a cloth cape.

I still want an armored Simonson Thor figure, but I doubt they put that out as a Maximum. But maybe some day it'll get a figure.

I really love the classic Thor sculpt. Improving it with butterflies and a cloth cape would be a win in my book, even if Coipel is my #1 want. Armored Thor is right up there too.

There's a space between I think people are struggling with. Mafex figures are $100-130 which collectors accept, but $50 Legends are a bridge too far for folks? It's basically saying Legends should be limited to cheap reuse. Not saying anyone here feels that, but I think the Legends team is dealing with it when marketing it. I never liked being restricted to Target or Walmart, as a comic geek I am all for having a different supply chain making better figures. People need to consider the huge Disney tax and likely smaller production runs as well.

It's kind of a silly thing to get fired up for since it's 2-3 figures a year (hopefully). I will relate more to folks if they do Wolverine or Iron Man Maximums - those 2 characters are so well done already that even I might be hard pressed to be excited. So far they've struck the right chords for me.

I agree with the general sentiment - I like that ML is experimenting with a higher price point with the Maximum line, Made to Order model, etc, and it does sometimes feel like *some* people (a vocal minority, probably) think everything always should cost no more than standard MSRP. Some of the criticism is not totally unwarranted though. Their second Max figure (Hulk) was lackluster in ways that undermine what I thought the intention of the premium line was. Specifically, reusing the pinned legs - I don't have a problem with the reuse per se, but reusing something that undermines the core sculpt was disappointing. Doesn't mean the whole concept is shot by any means, but they really should have come out swinging to make a great impression.

 

[hmmberto]

At any rate, I think it does illustrate just the confusion over what the Maximum line is. I assumed it was Hasbro's take on the term ultimate, which gets overused in the toy space, and their aim was to give collectors something akin to the ultimate version of a character. Maybe not everyone needs a dozen Spider-Men, but they'll be happy to pay more for this one, special, release. Spider-Man felt like a release going for that, but then came Hulk which seemed only interested in clapping, and now Deadpool which is...I don't really know what they're going for. If people dig it then so be it, they're going to keep doing them. It seemed like an interesting concept at the beginning, if a bit rich in price, but now I find myself rapidly losing interest.

Agree with this. I'm slightly warmer towards Deadpool as its closer to what I imagined the Max line being for: an iconic look executed at a high level, with a dedicated sculpt, no skimping on paint, good bunch of accessories, etc. It's maybe still too expensive for me given that I only care about Deadpool so much, but it's in the right direction. The overall rollout of the Max line has been inconsistent though.

 

[Xavion2025]

There's a space between I think people are struggling with. Mafex figures are $100-130 which collectors accept, but $50 Legends are a bridge too far for folks?

This is probably the most compelling argument in the Maximum line’s favor, and I feel like it’s a legitimate point.

Our hobby had been so straightforward for so long: This is a line. This is a wave. There are this many figures in the wave. This is what each figure in the wave comes with. This is what each figure in the wave costs.

I think we’re really struggling outside of that framework in terms of what’s a fair price for all of these different offerings.

One of the funniest things though about both our hobby and how our perceptions change is that two years from now, getting this Deadpool for $100 on the secondary market will probably be considered a steal.

 

[Misfit]

Agree with this. I'm slightly warmer towards Deadpool as its closer to what I imagined the Max line being for: an iconic look executed at a high level, with a dedicated sculpt, no skimping on paint, good bunch of accessories, etc. It's maybe still too expensive for me given that I only care about Deadpool so much, but it's in the right direction. The overall rollout of the Max line has been inconsistent though.

I think Deadpool looks okay, I just expected more of a throwback look and more stuff. Something also more artist specific, like they did with Spider-Man. I feel bad for Deadpool fans who don't care about Doop because it seems like too much of the budget went towards him at the expense of more unique and useful accessories for Deadpool.

 

[The Scream Man]

I mean other than an unmasked head, I'm not sure what else I'd want with Deadpool really. Plus throwing it in with Doop is a flashback to his first TB figure, which is kind of cool.

Im not a big Deadpool guy really, but a cool toy is a cool toy. And I got Max Hulk even when i said i wouldn;t so I'll probably end up with this one too.

I'm pretty dumb.

 

[puckace]

I still want an armored Simonson Thor figure

Same here. He's the #1 look I want from the next Thor. But I'm holding out hope that he'll come out down the road in a better format than Maximum.

As someone said earlier (Da Thing on Fwoosh I think) the Maximum series has mostly been maximum disappointment for me. And I think that has more to do with my expectations for the line. I was under the impression that the Maximum releases would be Marvel Legends definitive version of their most iconic characters. In my mind, they would be great representations of classic looks for Spider-man, Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Wolverine, and Thor. In addition, each release would have all the bells and whistles unique for each character along with multiple head sculpts and hands. I wouldn't have a problem paying $50 for that. But this isn't what has happened at all. So I'm not really interested.

Getting back to Thor. If they do a Maximum Thor, I'd be happy with an amazing classic or Copiel version. But I'm not holding my breath on the execution. So far it's been a let down.

 

[AceofKnaves]

I’m not personally disappointed in Maximum, but yes it’s quite obvious that they are doing with Maximum what they do with the “regular” line: doing not-quite-iconic looks out of the gate so that you will buy McFarlane Spidey AND Romita Spidey AND symbiote Spidey AND Ditko Spidey AND AND AND . . .