Marvel Legends Crystar isn’t a figure I would have expected to ever exist at all a year ago; much less as the first toy I review in 2024. But here we are, and here the prince of Crystalium is. He’s of the more bizarre and unlikely inclusions ever in the Hasbro Marvel Legends series, but is this Crystal Warrior worth starting off your new year with?

Originally appearing as a comic book character tie-in to an upcoming toy line (that ultimately was a dud) way back in 1982, you might think that Crystar would be a long forgotten character by now. And to mainstream audiences he certainly is. But a lot of comic book fans still fondly remember The Saga of Crystar, Crystal Warrior four decades plus later.

Whereas He-Man and the Masters of the Universe toy line launched in 1981 and was a spectacular success, the Crystar action figure line by Remco would launch one year later and be a failure on the other end of the spectrum. But even so, the world of Crystar has (very) occasionally been revisited in Marvel comic books nonetheless. With a unique origin like that, I think Crystar is very well-suited for a toy series entitled Marvel “Legends”.

Crystar comes in the returning window box packaging, which is fortunate for him since this is a toy that will be selling to most buyers based on how cool he looks rather than name appeal.

There’s at least a little bio on the box back to give those unfamiliar with Crystar some context, along with character artwork and images of the remaining figures in the Void Build-A-Figure series. As far as the backs of action figure boxes go, I think this is pretty much perfect.

Along with some legs for that wild and crazy Marvel Legends Void BAF, Crystar comes with two extra hands and updated versions of the translucent sword and shield his 1982 vintage predecessor came with. How nostalgic!

I’ve got a weakness for clear action figures (I bought way too many Jedi Holograms back in the day that are now populating an overflow bin somewhere), so I was always destined to like this 6” Crystar. Most of his body is molded in a beautiful clear blue plastic (with the rest in regular red plastic).

Not every figure needs to have tons of masterful paint deco to look gorgeous, and ML Crystar is a clear (no pun intended) example of this. I think Crystar looks especially slick wielding his He-Man-like sword and shield. If any Marvel Legend ever felt like an 80s throwback, it’s this one.

Not only is his crystalline body angular everywhere, but even the Crystar Legends figure’s boots, belt, and helmet have sharp decorations like diamonds and wings on them. The clear diamond complements the painted belt especially well.

The open hand, fist, and grasping hands to hold the crystal sword and shield with open up a wide variety of poses for display. It’s hard to go wrong with any pose, as Crystal looks cool basically no matter what. Quality-wise, all of ML Crystar’s joints feel nice and tight and the accessories attach snugly and stay in place perfectly.

Marvel Legends Crystar has nearly flawless articulation as well, featuring pin-less knees and elbows, a well-camouflaged ab crunch, ankle pivots and a ball-hinge head with a huge range of motion. I’m torn on the omission of butterfly shoulders, as those joints would be swell for more dynamic sword-and-shield poses but would likely compromise the toy’s aesthetic.

Overall: As unlikely as Hasbro making a mass market toy of this character was, there’s no denying the Crystar Marvel Legends has a huge amount of charm to it. Even though he was born (sort of) the same year as I was, I don’t have much attachment to this fantasy character. Even so, Marvel Legends Crystar is an excellent figure all-around and a good kickoff to the new year.