When Hasbro announced the return of Marvel Legends 6” figures back in 2011, it was the Odinson himself leading the charge as a SDCC exclusive: the modern Thor design from the legendary J. Michael Straczynski run! That figure also appeared in the Terrax wave and is one I’ve still had on a nearby shelf to this day. But a decade and a half later, Hasbro has decided it’s time to upgrade that figure to the max: Marvel Legends Maximum Thor (with Throg!) is now up for order!

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Before Thor became a universally known character after his 2011 MCU movie debut, the character needed a bit of a revitalization in the Marvel comic books, which the great J. Michael Straczynski (JMS) provided in his epic 2007-2009 Thor run. With a slow pace and an emphasis on character development, this remains one of my favorite Thor eras as we approach its two decade anniversary.

For that reason, I’m not bothered at all that instead of the most classic version of Thor, we’re getting JMS Thor for the character’s premiere in the Marvel Legends Maximum series!

Thor will be the 4th release in the line, following the Spider-Man I didn’t review (he’s just sort of ‘mid’ to me), the Maximum Hulk figure I liked more than many collectors, and the Deadpool/Doop combo that I loved and think is highly underrated.

Like the rest of the line, Maximum Marvel Legends Thor comes in the same style of square-ish box that’s familiar from fancy import lines like MAFEX and Eevoltech. I don’t have a lot to say about the packaging; it’s a box. It shows off the figure and accessories well and I like the blue used this time.

While the 2011 iteration of this figure (pictured above) is still nice today, what really makes this new edition “Maximum” is the updated modern articulation and the awesome spread of accessories. As I said, I still like the old RoML Thor figure, but it’s not especially poseable. This one is. He can be set up to crouch, fly, run, sit, etc. in ways his predecessor simply couldn’t. He’s even got the fan-favorite toe articulation!

What really lets this Thor take advantage of the improved articulation is that he comes with Hasbro’s first soft goods wired cape in the Marvel Legends line! The old plastic cape really encumbered posing, but the bendy wire in this cloth cape will just add to the display potential. Wired capes are long overdue in this line, and I for one am glad to see them arrive.

Following in the vein of Deadpool’s Doop, my favorite accessory here by a huge margin is the pack-in Throg figurine. 2026 is the 40th anniversary of the Frog of Thunder’s first appearance, and I love celebrating it with Throg’s inaugural Marvel Legends entry. This is the sort of fun extra that really adds a lot to a display.

The Maximum Thor Legends figure also comes with a fun little variety of swappable heads that can all be mixed and matched with his hair and/or helmet. We get yelling, stoic and smirking expressions to pick from. I rather like the smirk expression best, as we don’t see that side of Thor often on merch.

But wait, there’s more. Along with an assortment of alternate hands, there’s two versions of Mjolnir (one standard and one permanently attached to a hand for throwing/flying poses), a Mjolnir handle that can be affixed to the cape to create the appearance of Mjolnir being tucked into the cape on Thor’s back, a Frost Giant horn and a couple attachable lightning energy effects pieces.

This is a very nice selection of add-ons that really covers the bases of what most collectors would want to enhance their Thor figure.

I know every fan has their own idea of what a “Maximum” Marvel Legends action figure should be, but I’m really happy to see a landmark figure like 2011 Thor revisited and given a dramatic upgrade. I think this will really appeal to other longtime collectors as well.

Marvel Legends Maximum Thor is now up for order and expected to ship out in the summer. It’s a Fan Channel exclusive, so he’ll be mostly available online and never via Target/Walmart. MSRP is $55.99, which I don’t tnink is terrible since he offers a bit more than Spidey and Deadpool did.

What do you think of the 4th Marvel Legends Maximum figure, Marvel collectors? Who would you like to see as #5 in the lineup? Would you like to see the bendy wire cape style used for Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange in the near future?