At the time of writing, we have only seen a short teaser trailer for Thor: Love & Thunder and in this, we see Thor in a variety of different looks and costumes. The more casual Ravager Thor was one of two Thor's released in the debut Love & Thunder Marvel Legends wave, while this figure was the other - the gold & blue armoured Thor.
This review is written ahead of the movie release and is done so only with the information to hand via the packaging of each figure and the teaser trailer from late April 2022. I will update these reviews once the film has been released. This review may contain minor spoilers but only in the context of any information provided on the package or visually on the figure.
The Love & Thunder Thor the standard Legends box with no specific accent colour and rather a strong use of the blue through red scheme we see in the movie logo from the box front. The two side panels carry a mirror image of a helmeted Thor and this is repeated again on the reverse. Beneath this is the checklist for the Korg BAF and to the side of the image is the standard background text that gives us very little in terms of the movie's plot.
"Thor unleashes the power of Stormbreaker to overcome any foe"
This armoured version of Thor from Love & Thunder appears to be an enhanced version of the armour he has worn throughout the MCU but with a gold and blue colour scheme that perhaps draws inspiration from the Battle Armour we saw debut in the comic series in the 1980's complete with a half-face gold 'birds beak' helmet. He stands close to 7-inch tall which is half a head taller than Ravager Thor in the same wave.
The majority of the figure is new as far as I can tell with the armour configuration different from the Dark World or Age of Ultron Thor figures, and of course, the body shape is much different to Endgame Thor. The arms I think are from the Dark World Thor, the pins at the elbow joints are a giveaway when the rest of the figure is pinless.
The paintwork is exquisite and they have certainly gone to town on Thor with the decoration. Over the base black body we have a blue fish scale armour and panelled lines, then silver and finally gold sections and arms. The lining between each panel and colour is crisp and clean and I cant see any immediate errors or issues.
There is a question of accuracy with this armour at this time as all the images and trailer footage show Thor without the helmet and without any fish scale armour on his arms? This look is further substantiated by the S.H. Figuarts version which also doesn't include the helmet or armoured arms. Of course, the armour is part of the 'Power of Thor' and we've seen in previous guises he can armour up and down at will so this may just be the full armoured ready for battle Thor. Only time will tell if the figure is accurate or another concept design slip?
The costume is finished by Thor's iconic red cape that is a direct contrast to all of the blue, gold and black armoured pieces. It connects at the shoulders and flows as a solid but partially flexible plastic piece down to the floor. As seen on other recent caped figures, the sculptors have included some natural flow into the material so it does kick out to one side as though curled by a breath of wind.
The head is sculpted under the golden helmet, but the helmet is fixed into place and is not removable. Like the armour the helmet is bright gold with blue highlights. The mouth and beard are open and are executed as well as any unmasked Thor. The same can be said of the eyes, but the position of the helmet eye-slots in relation to the eyes does give a cross-eyed look that is unfortunate. The helmet is also quite wide and sits quite low and when you factor in the high shoulder panels and the cape it does give the impression that Thor doesn't have a neck.
The hair is sculpted flowing out from beneath the helmet in a dynamic wind-blown fashion, this makes the head more mobile on the joint but perhaps won't be everyone's cup of tea?
Thor arrives with a gripping hand and an open hand similar to what we've had previously for summoning Lightning. There is a third hand included to swap out with the right hand only to make a closed fist. I feel like a pair of alternative clenched fists would have been better as it's the gesturing hand I struggle with when posing - particularly as there are no lightning effect parts included.
Thor is armed with Stormbreaker, and this is the same accessory as the Ravager Thor with a sculpted wooden handle and painted gun-metal silver hammerhead. It fits only into the gripping right hand and with no second left-hand grip, two-handed poses are also difficult - though not impossible if you can balance the open left hand in the right place.
When you consider the unhelmeted look seen in the teaser, it is a shame that only one head is included with this set. Hasbro do sort of have us covered as the neck joint is the same as Ravager Thor as well as many other Thor figures so you can head swap around as needed.
Even if we do see this fully armoured Thor in the movie, I suspect Hasbro will bring us a variant of this figure using this unmasked head and perhaps unarmoured arms? This would fit into a 2-pack format for later in 2022 once the movie has been released?
*this image shows the armoured Thor with the Ravager Thor head - an alternative head is not included
Thor has 18 points of articulation and is a breeze to pose and play with. There are some restrictions around the arms as the cape sits quite wide over the shoulders. The legs also are hemmed in a little by the skirt and of course, can't do much more than upright standing positions due to the cape which stretches all the way to the floor.
I do find the shoulder ratchet very stiff once again - the same issue as seen on Valkyrie and Jane Foster Thor - so be mindful when raising the arm as it can put stress on the bicep swivel. All the other joints are tight, secure and without any concerns. Thor is simple to stand and holds his pose well.
The 'Battle Armour' Thor will split opinion I think considering it is much brighter and bolder than we've ever seen Thor and uses a face-covering helmet. How accurate it is to the film will have to be seen but this armour is certainly something we do see in Love & Thunder as elements of it are clearly visible in the teaser trailer.
Out of all the Love & Thunder figures, this is probably the best in terms of decor and paint application. And he does get a spare hand - something others are missing - although it really should have been a pair of clenched fists or at least the spare should have been the left hand. Articulation is spot on and the Stormbreaker accessory fits really well with the figure.
This is probably a look we will see again sooner rather than later considering the unmasked options already open to Hasbro thanks to the Ravager Thor head. For now, this is certainly a figure I'd recommend taking a look at in person if you can as it certainly is another one better in hand vs the promotional images.
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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...