Marvel Legends is a popular line of action figures produced by Hasbro, based on characters from Marvel Comics. The history of Marvel Legends action figures can be traced back to the late 1990s and early 2000s when the toy company Toy Biz held the license to produce Marvel Comics action figures.

Origin With Toy Biz Manufacture

1. Origins with Toy Biz (1998-2007):Toy Biz introduced the Marvel Legends line in 2002 as a collector-oriented series featuring highly articulated, detailed figures. The first wave included iconic characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, and Hulk. These figures stood about 6 inches tall and came with a variety of accessories. Marvel Legends quickly gained a dedicated fan base due to their superior sculpting, comic book accuracy, and the inclusion of Build-A-Figure (BAF) components. BAF allowed collectors to assemble larger figures by collecting pieces included with individual figures in each wave.

Toy Biz continued producing Marvel Legends figures until 2007, releasing numerous waves based on different comic book storylines and characters from Marvel’s vast library. Some notable releases during this period included the X-Men, Avengers, and Fantastic Four waves, featuring fan-favorite heroes and villains.

Hasbro Manufacture

2. Transition to Hasbro (2007-present): In 2007, Hasbro acquired the license to produce Marvel action figures, including Marvel Legends, from Toy Biz. The transition led to a brief hiatus in production, but Hasbro relaunched the Marvel Legends line in 2012.

Under Hasbro’s stewardship, Marvel Legends action figures gained further popularity and expanded to include a wider range of characters from the Marvel universe. Hasbro introduced new articulation technology, improved sculpting, and enhanced paint applications to enhance the quality of the figures. The line also began incorporating characters from Marvel’s film and television adaptations, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Hasbro continued releasing waves of Marvel Legends figures on an ongoing basis, often tying into major comic book events, movie releases, or anniversary celebrations. Each wave typically includes several core characters alongside more obscure or lesser-known heroes and villains. Build-A-Figure components have remained a staple of the line, allowing collectors to assemble larger characters like the Hulk, Thanos, or Sentinel by collecting figures from a specific wave.

Over the years, Marvel Legends expanded beyond the 6-inch scale to include other formats like 12-inch figures and vehicles/playsets. The line has also released themed series like Spider-Man Classics, X-Men Classics, and Avengers: Endgame waves, catering to specific fan interests.

Marvel Legends action figures have become highly sought after by collectors due to their attention to detail, extensive character roster, and the ability to create dynamic displays and dioramas. The line continues to evolve and release new waves regularly, capturing the imagination of Marvel fans and toy enthusiasts worldwide.