In the main, with just a few exceptions, the usual release of MCU figures in the Marvel Legends line is as part of a wider wave alongside comic book counterparts. Hasbro have then established a format each year of a repeat wave called 'The Best of MCU' where MCU figures and an MCU build-a-figure are bundled together and distributed usually to the European and/or Far East markets. Notable examples being the Hulkbuster BAF wave from Age of Ultron, or the Gladiator Hulk BAF wave that included figures from Ragnarok and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol2.
In 2020 the 'Best of the MCU' wave was put together with figures from Avengers Endgame released in 2019 and repacked the BAF of Armoured Thanos. The wave only hit the Far East and has only been available to collectors elsewhere via import either through a global shipping option on sites like Amazon Japan, or by taking a punt on Aliexpress.
The wave uses the usual packaging with the Endgame logo and a backdrop of the figure which includes the Avengers 'A' against a blurry starred backdrop. The side and rear box art is illustrated and shows Black Widow against the same backdrop.
The back of the card also gives us a few details by way of a short piece of background text that is more of a character overview and not related at all to the Endgame plot. It reads;
"An agent of espionage and expert in hand-to-hand combat, Black Widow is trained to take out any enemy of justice"
Beneath this is the BAF checklist which shows the other figures in the wave, These are all repacked figures, and include Mk85 Iron-Man, Captain America (Power & Glory), Thor (Infinity War), Black Panther, Rescue and Iron-Spider. The Thanos BAF is the same as released in 2019.
The packaging overall is designed for the western market as usual with all text in English. An oversticker exists for the Far East Market which is not the easiest to remove.
While the rest of the wave are repacks, albeit with potential minor paint variances, Black Widow is essentially a new figure. She is essentially a kitbash taking the original Infinity War Black Widow and removing the head and combat vest. The head is then taken from the Quantum Suit set is applied and voila, we now have Black Widow as she appeared in the middle of Endgame just prior to her demise on Vormir
The likeness to Scarlet Johannson is very impressive and the hair colour down to the dyed end of her ponytail is more natural than the original Quantum Suit version. While the combat vest has been removed the body does not look out of proportion and everything is sculpted to a good standard including the straps and tailoring on the suit to the stingers on her wrists and the logo belt buckle. Paint apps are minium as the base is black, but where colouring is needed on the straps it is applied neatly in a dark grey finish.
Black Widow comes with the same accessories as the original Infinity War release. The weapon is a pair of batons that are cast in black and then have alternating segments painted in silver. Like the original, these arrive warp and are not easy to straighten. The silver paint on this 2020 version is a little brighter than the original. The batons themselves are a little big and chunky but they do combine nicely into the staff which is more fitting for the figure. Sadly there is no option to stow the batons on the back of the figure as we see on screen.
The other accessories are meant to be a pair of tasers, and these are also cast in black with very limited detailing. They fit into the holsters on Widow's waist, where the fit is quite loose and you will find these falling out far too often. The fit in the hands, but unlike a gun they offer no value or visuals when held? They are certainly an odd choice and a pair of sidearms would have been more preferable - or it might have been nice to add some colour to the taser ends, either silver or an electric blue?
Widow is also provided with an alternative pair of hands, clenched fists, which allow for a number of hand to hand combat posing options. The posing is supported by an articulation count of 16 points of articulation including single joint elbows and a torso ball joint which allow for these fighting stances or to use the batons in either hand or in a staff mode.
The legs include double joint knees which facilitate kneeling poses and a number of dynamic poses, with a wider range then available if a stand is brought into play. All the joints work well, are not loose nor too stiff and all move fully with little on the figure to cause obstructions.
While this may be a combination of two existing figures, the execution and finished article is impressive and considering the scarcity of the Quantum Suit set, the inclusion in a 'Best of MCU' wave is a nice nod to fans to allow them to add Black Widow to an Endgame line up. All we need now is an updated Hawkeye to go with her and a spectral Red Skull to oversee their quest for the Soul Stone.
If this review has identified this as a figure you want in your collection, then check out the Amazon Japan link. They will ship globally and very fast - I received mine in under 5-days.
About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, marvel, legends, avengers, endgame, best of, MCU, thanos, BAF, black widow