Marvel Legends Gambit figure review BAF Caliban wave

Normally, I’d build up to my most anticipated figures in a wave, but with this latest X-Men Marvel Legends series I’ve abandoned all pretense of patience. I’m too stoked to have a completed Hasbro version of the X-Men Blue Team, the rest of the wave has to wait for me to wrap the squad with my man Gambit.

Right away there was something about Gambit when he debuted in Uncanny X-Men. He really stood out and was cool in a way unlike any other X-Man. He’s the X-Men swag king and was immortalized by being part of the X-Men Blue Team and a fixture on the 92 cartoon series.

In fairness, Gambit was one of the last members of the team that needed an upgrade as the Toy Biz figure was pretty good. But, I’m happy that Hasbro just decided not to stretch this out for another year or two so we get their take on Gambit right now.

Packaging:  This is the same packaging we’ve had for a bit with some minor aesthetic changes with a splash more color on the side of the drawing to enhance the gold accents.

The bio is solid. I guess Hasbro assumes everyone knows Gambit is with the X-Men.

Likeness:  Gambit is pretty much perfect. The sculpting is great and Hasbro didn’t skimp on any details. The intricate pattern of the chest piece is intact and the odd waist belt wasn’t avoided.  Ditto for the layered boots and patterns on his legs.

Gambit’s trench coat has the right amount of flair and his gloves have the necessary finger-less points. The expression has a perfectly cocky smirk without being too exaggerated.

So what’s wrong? It’s the hair. It’s slanted too dramatically to the right and should be poofier instead of giving that impression Gambit’s in a wind tunnel. I’ve seen some customs with a fuller hairstyle and it’s the one area that could be improved upon with this figure.

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Scale:  Jim Lee kept Gambit slightly shorter than Cyclops, but that’s swapped here. I’d rather Gambit not be the tall guy on the team, but it’s not that huge a deal.

Paint:  Gambit features a mix of colors with the turquoise, black and magenta, the red eyes and brown trench coat. It’s a lot going on, but Hasbro nailed it right down to the black irises in Gambit’s red pupils.

At this scale, Gambit’s stubble looked very sharp as well. All of the linework was very well done. My lone gripe is the painted flesh fingers. I’d think flesh would be a better way to go instead of trying to paint flesh on black plastic.

Articulation:  Like Jubilee, looking at Gambit might make you worried he’s rocking a plastic shell that’s going to ruin any possible chances of fun posing.

Fortunately, Gambit’s coat has the same flexible material Hasbro used for Jubilee.

Gambit has:

• neck
• shoulders
• elbow
• wrist
• wrist hinge
• torso
• waist
• hip
• knee (double-jointed)
• ankle

Accessories:  Hasbro gave Gambit all the necessary accessories we’d need for him. He’s got his bo staff, an alternate hand with energy projectiles and a glowing card that can be positioned in his hand.

I love the translucent look to Gambit’s energy effect as well. The charged cards don’t have any sculpting details, but I think enough artists skimped on them that it’s not a problem. I’m hoping over time the bo won’t start getting loose in Gambit’s hand.

Gambit is the one figure in this wave that doesn’t come with a BAF part. Caliban doesn’t have a lot of other options for additional pieces, but I wouldn’t have minded if Gambit had some other random accessory that could be used for another figure…like a calm head for Beast.

Worth it?  The lack of a BAF part hurts Gambit a little as I’ve gotten accustomed to that added value for non-Walgreens figures. There are enough original sculpting elements here to justify the $20 price point for sure.

Since he’s double packed I wonder if Gambit won’t eventually be a figure you could find cheaper, but I wouldn’t throw all my chips in on that bet.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Where to get it?  You won’t have too much trouble finding this wave as a Target, Wal-Mart, Gamestop, Walgreens and Best Buy have them in stock. Online you can try Hasbro Pulse and Amazon.