REVIEW: Marvel Legends Strong Guy Build-A-Figure (X-Force/Deadpool 2020 Series)

Peter David’s X-Factor 90s run might be the first X-Men spin-off comic book series that I ever truly loved, so to say Hasbro got my attention when they started building this roster in super-articulated form would be an understatement. I was skeptical the team would come to fruition, but with Guido’s arrival this summer, 90s X-Factor is (more ore less) complete! You’ll have to buy every figure in this year’s Marvel Legends X-Force/Deadpool wave to build the Strong Guy Build-A-Figure: is he worth it?

X-Force Deadpool Marvel Legends 2020 Strong Guy Build-A-Figure Review

When Hasbro released the first-ever Marvel Legends Multiple Man in 2018, I thought that there was little chance that they’d actually go forward and release the other five members of the classic Peter David X-Factor squad in six inch figure form.

But proving that Hasbro should never be underestimated, they ended up releasing four of the five remaining members of the team (Havok, Polaris, Wolfsbane and Quicksilver) in 2019. Heck, they even included Forge! And now, one year later, the team is complete (although not necessarily in the ideal matching outfits for the ere) with the 2020 Deadpool/X-Force Legends Strong Guy Build-A-Figure!

Toybiz X-Men Strong Guy Figure Carded

I have pretty fond memories of the Toybiz X-Men 5” series Strong Guy figure I had as a kid, which was a bit undersized, but a fun action figure nonetheless. This Hasbro Guido feels a lot like basically a vastly improved version of that vintage Toybiz toy.

Unassembled Pieces of Strong Guy BAF Marvel Legends

Strong Guy’s character design is a bit weird, as his body has awkward proportions due to being disfigured by all the kinetic energy that he’s permanently absorbed. That means he’s got a humongous torso and itty bitty legs—which Hasbro has replicated nicely for this action figure. The proportions on this figure are wonderfully on-model. Nice work, Hasbro.

Review Strong Guy Hasbro Marvel Legends X-Factor Figure

Hasbro also did a killer job on the head sculpt for this figure, which includes Guido’s trademark teethy smile, rift of hair and red-tinted glasses. If this figure had to come with just one portrait, this is the ideal one I’d want.

Review Marvel Legends Strong Guy Six Inch Figure BAF X-Factor

The mold includes an add-on belt and two add-on ankle cuffs, but these all fit so perfectly and tightly that you sort of forget they’re not part of the main mold. Good stuff. The shoulder pads and upper torso jacket are also stand-out parts of the costume.

2020 Marvel Legends Movie Wolverine Logan vs Strong Guy Figure

Of course, few figures are perfect in this world—and the Build-A-Figure Strong Guy isn’t one of them. I’m not too troubled by the unpainted zipper on the jacket—it’s oftentimes yellow in the comics anyway—but the main thing that really bugs me about this figure is the total lack of any kind of paint wash anywhere on the toy.

Back of Marvel Legends 2020 Strong Guy BAF

Without a paint wash anywhere on the bulky yellow upper body, the figure really does have a bit of an unfinished look to it, with the bright yellow feeling more “toy-ish” than I would prefer.

Marvel Legends Strong Guy vs Nimrod Figure

I’m also a mite bummed by the lack of any kind of interchangeable parts. As a super-strong brawler, it would have been nice to get some open hands for Strong Guy to be able to hold up and manhandle other figures with.

Marvel Legends Strong Guy Review

Additionally, as much as I like the smiling head, a vintage-inspired “angry” head—or even an open-mouthed yelling head—would have gone a long way in creating more display options and possibilities.

Deadpool X-Force Marvel Legends Strong Guy Action Figure Hasbro

As far as articulation goes, it’s solid given the limitations of the character design, but not quite at the usual level of Marvel Legends greatness. Ball-jointed elbows are never as good as double-hinged ones, there’s no biceps swivels or swivel waist, and the head articulation is restricted by the collar. The lower body articulation is also limited in practicality by what can be accomplished while still holding up the bulky upper body stably.

Strong Guy Marvel Legends Figure Articulation

The complete articulation scheme includes:

  • Ball-Hinge Head, Shoulders and Elbows
  • Ball-Jointed Hips and Upper Torso
  • Swivel-Hinge Wrists
  • Swivel Thighs
  • Double-Jointed Knees
  • Hinged Feet with Ankle Rockers

Hasbro Strong Guy Legends Figure Review 2020 X-Men X-Force X-Factor

Overall: While I’d be exuberant if I could say that the Strong Guy BAF is the best Build-A-Figure ever, that’s not quite true—but he is still damn good. On the plus side, the portrait and proportions are bang-on, and this figure has the size and bulk to really create a nice constraint on the shelf with his X-Factor teammates.

But on the downside, the lack of any kind of paint wash at all leaves the bright yellow plastic looking a bit cheap and toy-like, and I think an alternate (angry) head and some open hands would have given this figure a lot more options.

Overall, I’m thrilled to finally have a proper 6” Guide Carosella action figure for my shelf—and is Hasbro decides to reissue an upgrade of this figure in a couple years with more paint deco and a new head, I’ll have no qualms about buying it again.

GRADE: B

Comments

REVIEW: Marvel Legends Strong Guy Build-A-Figure (X-Force/Deadpool 2020 Series) — 3 Comments

  1. I wasn’t a big fan of Strong Guy when I was reading comics. I just thought he looked absurd. However, I did enjoy the X-Factor team, and wanted to have the complete team. I think we do need a Wolfsbane in her X-Factor costume, instead of the Dani Moonstar Walgreens body, and I’d like to see a redone Quicksilver with a better headsculpt and a smaller head.

    Having Strong Guy as the BAF tricked me into getting 3 figures that I probably wouldn’t have bought in this wave…..Blue Deadpool, Pirate Deadpool, and Shiklah. I kept Shiklah, but gave the other 2 to my kid to play with, because I only need 1 Deadpool, and that’s the classic red one from the Sasquatch BAF wave.

    Strong Guy looks pretty good, and is good overall. I think mine has the arm socket problem that some have reported, I believe it’s the right arm that comes with Shiklah. Some of the arms don’t fit in the torso socket correctly, and kind of sit lower than it should, leaving a gap. It doesn’t really hinder the articulation, and isn’t noticeable unless you know about it, so it really isn’t a big deal to me.

    • Absurd is a great word to describe this character. Add him to the list of reasons why I quit collecting comics in the 90’s. Looks like a good figure for anyone that likes him though.

    • LOL same. I bought what I thought were the most sought after figures first and will wait a few months for the 3 figures you mentioned + Black Tom to price drop to complete my Strong Guy.