The Mafex Gwenpool looks fantastic, but in-hand the Legends figure is actually really nice as well, and you can easily get one for less than retail on ebay right now. I'd say you should make room on your shelf for both of 'em! :)
http://www.toyark.com/members/dolemi...-01-a-3971.jpg

Exactly. I'm man enough to admit that I buy "toys," not "adult collectibles," and I read "comic books," not "graphic novels." I don't need no fancy-nancy names to legitimize my hobby within a grown-up context.

I'm with Snowflakian, this is much more individual than another bodypaint looking spandex bodystocking. It is still visually distinctive, it conveys the spider-theme and it looks badass.

I'm in agreement on the Spider-Woman costume, both in comics and in action figure form.

The old costume, while iconic and classic, also carries a definite 'created in the 70s' aesthetic that kills its appeal to me. I don't know how to explain it beyond that, because there's a lot of costumes from that era that are arguably 'timeless,' but something about Jessica's outfit just hasn't aged as well as the rest. The updated look, while sharing some similar aesthetic choices with other modern costume updates (such as the Batgirl of Burnside costume, which has been pointed out ad nauseam), feels sleek, comfortable, and unencumbered, which is definitely a plus in a superhero design, and is still easy to recognize, with the mask-like sunglasses design and the emblem boldly emblazoned on the front. She looks like she's a hands-on crime fighter, rather than the older costume, which emphasized a more hands-off feel.

And as an action figure, it just feels better than the previous one. I never actually bought the Thanos-wave Jessica Drew, because on top of me not liking the costume, the figure just didn't make itself a standout. Like lordbest said, it was another bodypaint-looking spandex bodystocking. And while I have a love for those, I need more variety for my superheroes, and this design helps set her apart, what with having more individual new pieces and a very nice paint job, with a very impressive face sculpt. And she doesn't come with those wonky oversized hands! (they're my one complaint about the A-Force Lady Loki figure, too)

Also, the new Jessica looks great next to Riders Widow and Onslaught Mockingbird.

But how is generic visually distinctive? And out of all the words to describe this costume, "badass" lol?

So ok, perhaps we could end up with an endless debate on "badass". Needless to say, to my eyes, the costume just conveys typical "cool wannabe" gal next door. But perhaps for you, it speaks a lot more. Thus, lets take a look at what is more objectively quantifiable here:

Wearing a leather jacket with tight fitting pants is a typical costume that any girl wears for an evening. This character is pretty much wearing the same thing. Now how is that distinctive or individualized in any sense of the word than what she wore before? How many typical girls do you know that go out on a cool evening night wearing a red spandex costume lol?

I think what your are missing, along with those who compare this costume to modern Batgirl, is that the only reason why Batgirl still looks 'ok' is because she has a cape and a cowl!

If you were to take that away, give her a pair of shades and a purple jacket, she would look like a cheap cosplayer!

So objectively, even the modern costume of Batgirl is a downgrade from what she had in the Gal Simone run right before her transition to Burnside. Her older costume conveyed what we come to expect when we say "superhero costume".

Perhaps the issue has to do with the modern mindset of always wanting something novel! In that sense, the new Batgirl costume or Spiderwoman costume do get high marks. BUT, objectively as a costume that screams superhero, the modern costumes are bad designs!

Didn't want to get into this particular subject, but why not :)?

So while I think that you are right in observing the sequence of events, I think you are incorrect in the conclusions you have drawn.

There is a difference in the "dolls" marketed to the boys vs. girls (or at least there used to be). The dolls for the girls would usually have pretty dresses and accessories that girls would prefer (a comb, mirror, hair accessories etc.). The "dolls" for guys would usually not have these qualities. They may not even have rooted hair since the focus is not on combing the dolls hair and accessorizing them. Instead, they would usually have weapons and other "boy" stuff. So while girls enacted their feminine ideas with their dolls, boys would enact their masculine ideas with their "dolls". Perhaps to put it another way, the doll was usually seen as something one would be able to play dress-up with. The "dolls" for boys would usually be used in a different context.

With the above definition, the whole 1/6 customizing crowd, in my humble opinion, does fall into the category of doll collecting momentarily in their activity lol. But I guess there is still a valid distinction to be made, although rather weak, that they are just playing dress-up as a means to an end (and the end is the same as before with boys).

Now what about adult collectibles vs. toys? Well, while its murky when it comes to collecting Marvel Legends figures for sure, this murkiness becomes non-existent when you consider high-end collectibles like Hot Toys, XM or sideshow pieces. These things are not meant to be played with and usually do not do well under playing. They require a more mature taste to fully appreciate the sculpt, paintwork and how well a particular piece or figure communicates the character etc. All of this goes far beyond purely "this figure looks like xyz".

Of course, I also think that one can rightly argue that their reason for collecting Marvel Legends is also based on noticing the superiority of the sculpt etc. I think that claim could indeed be legitimate.

Edited- Toyark Staff

Maaaaan. I do like that.
And she's going for some very tempting prices without the BAF packed in, too. Since Mafex Gwenpool isn't due until September and I have zero patience, it looks like my choice is made for me!

Well said, good sir. Bully for you.

Yeah, having to wait until after the freaking summer for the Mafex version can be a powerful deciding factor as well. But if you still had any residual doubts about the ML version, here's a shot of my SECOND Gwenpool figure (yes, I like Gwenpool):
http://www.toyark.com/members/dolemi...l-2-a-3972.jpg
The gun at her feet is from the Walgreen's Punisher, but I figured a white gun would work well with her, especially since I'm going to be painting pink accents on it. :)

Definitely looking forward to this Gwenpool!

As for the Spider-Woman Marvel Legends, I honestly wanted to love this figure more. I am a big time Jessica Drew fan and I was one of the handful that greeted her new aesthetics with some warmth. Unfortunately, she hasn't had good track records with figures; she's had a few good ones, but this one is just lacking accessories, which hurts it. BUT, at least the sculpting and color is awesome.

Woah there, I actually didn't mean to make a moral claim on this matter at all. My apologies if it came across that way :)! If someone wanted to collect dolls (which some guys do like with the Dollfie line), I think that is really upto them.

That being said, I think we could all have strict definitions of what constitutes toy collecting, doll collecting, figure collecting etc., and these definitions need not rest merely on taste.

I would also like to put forth the idea that while none of us on this thread may have a correct definition of what falls under each category (or unable to articulate the difference), it does appear to be the case that most of us do agree that there is clearly a difference between the categories. So it is something interesting to discuss to converge at a definition :)!

Once again, apologies if it came down as me saying one is wrong than the other. Only time I did say that on this thread was in regards to the new Spider-woman costume... and that I do stand behind :D

Yes you do.

As someone mentioned Hot Toys, I'd like a Hot Toys Gwenpool.
With respect, I feel you are looking at the costumes in very simplistic terms. The new Spider-woman has both a distinctive silhouette, patterning and details all of which differ markedly from Batgirl. Far more significant differences than just a different pattern of bodystocking the old costume was. I've certainly never seen a woman down the street wearing anything approaching the new outfit either.

Edited- Toyark Staff

I was trying to convince myself more than I was anyone else.
I'd love to find one on eBay out of the box, but there are so many glorious extra bits that I'd hate to miss out on. Marvel Legends are such superb figures that my imports are rare. The only exception I'd considered this year was Infinity War casual Friday Thanos, and I'm even wavering on that one because a version in more impressive attire feels inevitable.

Cleaned up some of the very off topic nonsense in this thread. Edited a few posts as well.

Oh, MAN. I only own one Hot Toys figure right now - John Matrix/Commando - but I would totally make Gwenpool #2 if they made one.

Actually, I was talking about the Spider-Woman costume, since you were tackling two posts about the matter up there. Honestly, I could give less of a crap about who collects what, and for what reasons, which is why I've made my signature the statement it is. Anyone can collect dolls, or action figures, or both, or neither, and anyone can have their own criteria of what constitutes what (which doesn't change the initial statement of how actions figures exist in part, if not entirely, because of dolls, but that's neither here nor there). Only insecure people make a big issue about criticizing others about their toy choices.

What I meant was that your post was coming off as saying why those of us who like that costume of Spider-Woman over the older one were objectively wrong, when it's an entirely subjective issue of personal opinion and aesthetic. I get why you don't like it, as is your right, and I'm not trying to change your mind on that matter. I think it's great, and superior to the older design, which is my right (and, particularly, I think it makes for a better action figure - Hasbro obviously put a bit more effort into the new Spider-Woman over the old one, what with the more detailed sculpt and larger amount of unique pieces). So that's that.

And finally Lizard!

Marvel Legends Lizard Photo Shoot - The Toyark - News

Nice stuff! That's the style of Lizard I want for the films eventually.

I want to like the Lizard BAF so bad, but two things really hurt my opinion of it - the head and the tail.

The head is just... not Lizard-y enough for my tastes. I'm much more fond of his head looking more crocodilian or alligator lizard-like, rather than looking so much like a dinosaur.

The tail just looks weird with the articulation it has. Like a low-poly render of a tail.

Everything else about the figure, I really like. Especially the sculpted details and the stronger joints than some BAFs, in my experience. I'm glad that he'll be filling a hole in a lot of collections, and I hope this leads to eventually getting a Stegron BAF (that head would be easy to retool)

My main complaint with the Lizard BAF is the head. I wanted a more McFarlane Torment style head. And the tail I would almost rather have pre-posed than the odd joints that are in it. I really wish the tongue was removable. It is what I like the least. I could probably cut it out or just pull it out, but I might just get another head and do that.

I think Destro took the recent complaints about his reviews to heart...the dude has really turned it up the past few photo shoots. This shot is amazing:
http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/up...Legends-09.jpg

Those really are some exceptional shots. Between these photos and the recent revelation that Spider-Punk is in the upcoming PS4 game, I've added yet another figure I was on the fence about to my list. This wave keeps pulling me back in.
Yeah, the "bone structure" of Lizard's head isn't quite what I would have expected either, but the concept is executed well nonetheless.

Oh ok! So yes, in that case, we do have a disagreement! But let me try and explain why I hold this seemingly absurd position.

I hold to the school of thought that beauty is objective, rather than subjective. In this line of thought, beauty of a piece of art/clothing/statues for an example, is measured in terms of how well it communicates the truths about what it represents. This is actually how (good) character designers construct their creations as well. When a character is designed or redesigned, the artist does not simply draw different costumes till they find one that is pleasing to their eye. Rather, they start with what they want to communicate, and then try to integrate it into their design. So when you see a character redesign, you can also see what exactly the author was thinking in regards to what this character is supposed to represent.

So lets come to this particular spider-woman costume. When you look at it, there is almost minimal information conveyed in the costume to identify this individual as a superhero. If one did not mention anything about her, one could mistake her for a black haired Mary Jane by just looking at the figure. Or perhaps even mistake her for a figure of a Spiderman fan.

Now I am not saying that the old Spider-woman costume was the best in the world. It can certainly be improved. However, what I would definitively say is that the costume displayed here is most certainly not an improvement. If anything, it seems like a design borne out of an overly eager mindset to convey the idea that anyone can be a superhero (which for reasons I am not going to get into here, I think is a pretty absurd motivation that has gone unchecked in recent years).

Okay, again, you're saying I'm wrong for having an opinion and a personal preference different from yours. Stop. Just stop right there.

Moving on now.