Marvel Legends Retro The Human Torch figure review

The Retro Fantastic Four line is one that’s really hitting a sweet spot for me. When Toy Biz originally released this wave of figures based on the Fantastic Four cartoon, I’d just stumbled onto the excellent second season. I was in college and getting to the “too cool for action figure collecting” phase of life. And then Kay-Bee Toys had a killer Buy 3 for $10 sale for the FF figures and the rest was history. The one chance for me to be done collecting figures was over and way too many dollars later, I’m still at it.

History lesson aside, let’s get into the first figure of the wave — The Human Torch. We got a pretty decent version a while ago with Walgreens exclusive run of the Fantastic Four and assorted allies. This one is my preferred version with the nonsensical heat wave black lines to convey fire? Yeah, it makes no sense, but this is how Torch was drawn back in the 80s so this is the essential one for me. Let’s see if the FF’s hothead can heat it up.

Package:  I love this packaging despite it’s size and arguably massive waste of plastic with the oversized — yet accurate — circle. It features the logo from the original package with the team on the Fantasticar and a dark blue fading into a lighter blue. The yellow and red take on the logo was also nice. We also get a little bonus with a drawing of Torch showing him in action.

I love the bio as it captures Johnny’s personality perfectly.

And unlike some other Retro waves, this one actually has the rest of the Fantastic Four wave on the back in poses that would definitely have me excited about tracking down the others.

Likeness: The original Human Torch figure had an inspired action feature where he sparked when you flicked a tab on his back. It was a clever feature besides the holes it left in the figure when it wasn’t in use.

This version is an upgrade over the Walgreens version as it uses the slimmer Sunfire buck with butterfly shoulders. It’s hard to create a halo flame effect around Johnny in action figure form, but these random flame sculpted pieces are probably the best way to go. The head sculpt is re-used, which is fine as it had a slight smirk.

 

There is some reuse from the Walgreens figure with the wrists and fists with the sculpted flame section. The sculpted flames along the ankles aren’t brought over however.

Paint: Here’s the one area where Hasbro still hasn’t quite gotten the best 80s look. His flames didn’t have much in terms of fiery shading colors. They were just yellow to provide a better contrast for his all red body.

Hasbro opted for more of a darker orange red for the sculpted flame elements, which makes him look a bit too dark. You can swap this one out from the Walgreens Torch if you want lighter.

Of course the big improvement here is the black lines throughout. I appreciate that Hasbro didn’t stop the lines at the knees and carried them down to the shin. The sculpted section on the wrists made that harder so I’ll give them a pass on it. I do have to take a few points off for not doing that on the back.

The yellow eyes look a little dark in normal light, but the yellow shines through just right with a little focused light.

Like the Walgreens version, he has a translucent effect that’s very cool for a dude that ignites himself.

Scale:  Torch is about the same height as Reed, which isn’t ideal. I’d prefer him to be smaller than Reed and right around Sue’s height.  Maybe this would be solved with a taller Mister Fantastic?

Articulation:  The Sunfire mold allows for better articulation so Human Torch can sling back a bit further when shooting off fireballs or flame trails.

There’s also better range with the torso joint so he can hit more convincing flying poses.

Human Torch has:

• neck
• ball-jointed shoulders
• bicep
• butterfly shoulders
• elbow (double-jointed)
• wrist
• wrist hinge
• waist
• hip
• knee (double jointed)
• ankle

Accessories:  Johnny comes with a sparse amount of accessories this time.

No fireballs from Sunfire although they will still work and the lighter hue ones work better with this one. He does have the flame wrist effects, which work nicely and further explain why the lines on the wrists weren’t necessary.

Finally, Johnny comes with swappable fists.

Worth it?  Without a Build-A-Figure part, paying $22.99 is tough. Fortunately, Target had a great spend $100 get $25 off sale so I was able to get Torch and the rest of the gang for a much better price.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

I feel more like I’m nitpicking with this one as it’s so close to being my ideal Torch. Brighter eyes, a bit more yellow in the flames and a tad shorter would make him perfect, but this one is my new default Flamed On version of Johnny.

Where to get it?  You’ll be able to find Human Torch all over. Target has him in stores or you can get him from Amazon or pre-order from Entertainment Earth.

As an Amazon and Target/Entertainment Earth Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.