Continuing along in my week of reviews completing the 2018 Marvel Legends X-Men Apocalypse series, we come to the fifth 6” Wolverine figure that Hasbro has released in the last two years. While some people might be burning out on ol’ Logan just a hair at this point, I imagine this latest version is one that very few X-Men fans will be able to pass up: the 2018 Tiger Stripe Wolverine X-Men Legends figure is now available! Is this the definitive version of this costumed Wolverine that fans have been waiting for?

I’m a bit of a weirdo in that Wolverine is a good distance far down my list of favorite X-Men characters. Even so, Wolverine is such a crucial and prominent member of almost every X-Men roster that I own more action figures of him than any other mutant in the whole Marvel universe.

I’ve been buying Tiger Stripe Wolverine figures (I won’t call this the “Jim Lee costume” since I don’t want Rob Liefeld to yell at me again) since I was a pre-teen, and have accumulated quite a few over the years.

But despite already owning a small army of toys of this costumed version of Logan, I’m psyched about this brand-new X-Men Marvel Legends Wolverine Apocalypse Series 6” figure—because it tops every other version ever made.

The singular most important aspect of most action figures is the head sculpt, and Hasbro brought their ‘A’-game for this Tiger Stripe Wolverine Legends figure. He’s got the teeth-bared, battle-ready ferocious expression that’s arguably the most recognizable look for that era, and the proportions of the mask, chin and eyes are all sheer perfection.

What else is sheer perfection is the size and scale of this figure. Logan might be the most popular X-Men member, but he definitely ain’t the tallest, bub. While some companies have flubbed that fact over the years, Hasbro hit the nail on the head by making Wolverine about 5.5” from his feet to the top of his head (not the tips of his mask).

It’s really important that Wolverine be shorter than your usual dude to look properly scaled, whether it’s when posed with the rest of the X-Men or when facing off with Sabertooth. Hasbro accounted for that and the result is a wonderfully scaled Logan. Thanks, Hasbro!

We’ve come to expect outstanding articulation from Marvel Legends figures, but this new X-Men Legends Wolverine is in the upper echelon of all Legends as far as articulation goes.

Every standard point of poseability is present and unhindered, with the crucial addition of the butterfly swivel shoulders also making an appearance. The butterfly swivel joints let Logan cross his arms and be put into more battle poses than any previous six inch version of the character. I can’t wait to see these butterfly swivels expanded to more characters!

QC on the base figure is likewise excellent. Paint apps are all neat and tidy, and the joints are tight with no floppiness. The red belt add-on piece is perfectly tight and stays in place with no difficulties whatsoever.

Really, the only QC issue to speak of is with the claws. Wolverine’s claws have a teeny bit of flexibility, which is good for some posing opportunities—but also bad because the claws can get nudged out of place easily and even fall out and be lost.

I lost the middle claw of my figure’s left hand almost immediately and never found it, which is why it’s absent in almost every photo. You’ll want to take care to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to you—it’s unlikely, but something to watch out for.

Accessories-wise, Apocalypse Series Wolverines come with the coils/tubes of the Apocalypse Build-A-Figure and a pair of interchangeable hands with retracted claws.

I don’t think many folks are going to want to display their Wolverine going all Street Fighter Ryu with his claws retracted, but hey—it’s nice having that option, right? I’d have preferred a pack-in unmasked head for Logan, but maybe Hasbro is saving that for another Tiger Stripe release down the road.

Overall: It’s taken Hasbro over a decade to do so, but they’ve finally produced the definitive Marvel Legends Tiger Stripe Wolverine six inch figure. From the extra set of hands with retracted claws to the spot-on perfect masked portrait to the butterfly swivel elbows, Hasbro has pulled out all the stops here.

I would have liked if the claws were stiffer and less prone to being pushed out of place—and an unmasked Logan head sculpt being packed in—but those are minor nitpicks with a toy that’s otherwise extraordinarily well-done. I simply cannot fathom any 90s X-Men fan passing on what’s easily the best 6” Wolverine figure in this costume ever made.

GRADE: A

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