This week has been as slow as Krakoa (the Island That Walks Like A Man) for Marvel toy news, so let’s dig in with another review from the SDCC 2017 Exclusive Marvel Legends Battle for Asgard set that’s going up for order next week on Hasbro Toy Shop! While the Thor-based set is filled almost entirely with new characters, it does contain one major variant of the titular character: currently selling for $40 and up online, it’s the modern Unworthy Thor himself, Marvel Legends Odinson!

The Right:

Thor has had his fair share of Marvel Legends action figures over the years, but he’s certainly never had one in a costume quite like this before…!

For those not reading the modern comics, Thor’s confidence (and worthiness to wield Mjolnir) wavered when Nick Fury (the original) whispered a secret into his ear. Consequently, Jane Foster became (Lady) Thor and Thor himself became… a hobo.

(Okay, maybe not a hobo, but there’s no denying that the Odinson is looking a bit bedraggled these days, am I right? )

When we saw the SDCC Battle for Asgard set leaked months ago, I was expecting this figure to be repacked as part of the Ragnarok Legends series, so it was definitely surprising when Odinson turned out to be exclusive to the set, with Young Thor getting a mass release.

As the Odinson look is more prominent in the comics, I might have swapped the two availabilities, but I give props to Hasbro regardless for getting two new and very cool Thor figures into circulation at all.

As this is a world-worn Thor who’s not exactly having the best year of his life, Hasbro has done a great job giving us a stern-faced, bearded head sculpt that illustrates that Odinson hasn’t exactly been maintaining his usual grooming habits lately. The wild hair and scraggly beard both look fantastic.

The Odinson Marvel Legends figure’s costume is, well… it’s an accurate portrayal of Thor’s “homeless dude” look during this period. Thor has got a piece of rope to hold his pants up, a tattered cape that’s falling apart, and he’s literally lost the shirt off his back (and his left arm). Poor guy!

Hasbro did a bang-up job bringing this look to life. The texture on the rope belt really brings it to life, as do the irregular holes and dark wash on the cape. At a glance, it’s very clear that the Odinson has had a bad time.

Unlike every other 6″ Marvel Legends Thor figure ever released, ML Odinson does not come with a Mjolnir hammer (as he shouldn’t). Instead, he’s got his enchanted axe–Jarnbjorn. The sculpted wood and wrapping on the handle are nicely executed, and I love the ornate design on the axe head. Good stuff.

On the articulation front, the modern super-articulated standards are all present: working ankle rockers; swivel biceps and thighs; ab crunch and swivel waist; double-hinge knees and elbows; ball-jointed head, shoulders, wrists and hips. The only noticeable missing articulation is any kind of swivel calves/boots, and the hair/cape restrict the head from looking upwards much. Otherwise, the posing potential is golden.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t comment upon Odinson’s hairy chest (I can’t believe I just said that). Hasbro doesn’t ordinarily release a lot of action figures with male fuzz, but the Unworthy Thor’s manly chest hair is one of the most critical components of the character design. Omitting this would have been really weird, so I’m pleased that Hasbro not only painted it on, but did such a well job doing so. [/Paragraph about Thor’s Chest Hair]

The Wrong:

I’ve only got one issue with this figure, and it’s a minor QC quibble. The flesh-colored plastic used for the elbow joint and hand on the right arm is just too soft. This ordinarily wouldn’t be a huge deal, but Odinson’s right hand is his Janbjorn-wielding hand, and the soft plastic of the hand quickly loosens up and warps so that the axe won’t hold stable. Additionally, the elbow joint is loose in certain positions when trying to pose with the axe.

I actually boiled the hand and pushed the grip tighter while cooling it to try to fix the problem, but as soon as the axe is back into his hand the soft plastic loosens up the grip within a few minutes. Alas, if the handle on Jarnbjorn was slightly thicker and the arm plastic was just a mite stronger, this figure would be perfect–as it is, the posing can be ever so slightly difficult.

Overall: Hasbro is striking while the iron is hot with a significant, current version of Thor that’s been executed virtually perfectly. Some of the plastic on this figure is a bit rubbery and can make posing with Jarnbjorn difficult, but otherwise I’ve got no complaints. The world-worn head sculpt, hairy chest and well-sculpted axe are all terrific. For  big fans of this look, the Marvel Legends Odinson is a must-have.

GRADE: A-