Sharp-eyed readers noticed that earlier today I mentioned Hasbro had unveiled five new Marvel Legends figures today, even though only four new ML debuted at Canada Fan Expo 2018. The fifth one sort of flew under the radar, because it was quietly and unceremoniously announced via the Marvel Unlimited Plus website. That’s right, the MU Exclusive figure for 2019 has now been revealed, and I suspect its one no one on Earth guessed: Marvel Legends Venomized Punisher!

…Plot twist! Every year for the last half decade, we’ve gotten an annual Marvel Unlimited Plus Legends exclusive 6” figure with the purchase of the ~$99 membership. Sometimes the exclusive is something cool like the Rescue Pepper Potts figure, and sometimes it’s unspeakably lame like a minor Rocket Raccoon or Carol Danvers repaint.

But this year…? This year, it’s a pretty wacky and crazy repaint! It’s the very first “Venomized” figure that Hasbro has ever released: Venomized Punisher! For those who didn’t read the Venomized story arc, the basic idea here is (obviously) that symbiotes take over all the major heroes of the Marvel Universe (and the Punisher).

While the concept behind this Marvel Legends Punisher Venom figure is pretty nutty, the action figure itself is pretty dull. It’s a 100% repaint using the tongue head from the 2017 Spider-Man Legends Venom figure, with a couple unpainted guns tossed in for good measure.

The modified Punisher logo on the chest is the coolest thing about this figure, in my opinion. Personally, I’m frankly not at all excited about this year’s Annual Plus Exclusive figure, but I imagine some big Venom collectors might be psyched for it.

Along with the Venom Punisher Legends figure, the Membership Kit this year also includes:

• Skottie Young Thing Pin
• Fantastic Four Logo Patch
• Venomized Venom #1 Variant Cover
• Venomized Black Panther #1 Variant Cover
• One Year Membership to Marvel Unlimited Comics
• Various Discounts on Digital Comics and at the Marvel Shop Online

I guess this assortment makes sense with the Venom movie hitting theaters this fall and the Fantastic Four comic book relaunch getting a major push, but the lineup still feels like a bit of a mishmash.

Seems like we’re getting less cool stuff thanks used in this kits, which is a real bummer. I dig that Skottie Young The Thing Marvel Babies pin, but I may just hunt that down all by its lonesome off of ebay, as I’ve got zero use whatsoever for Marvel Unlimited (I just can’t get behind digital comic books, though I’ve dearly tried by subscribing to MU for several years because of these exclusives).

The Marvel Unlimited Plus 2019 Membership Kit with Marvel Legends Venomized Venom is now up for order, and scheduled to ship out within 10 weeks (yes, 10 weeks) of being ordered. Plenty of time left to order this set before the holidays, at least!

Who out there is still subscribing to MU Plus, and are you excited for this year’s Membership offerings? And those of you who don’t subscribe—will you be actively seeking this Venomized Punisher Marvel Legends figure on the aftermarket, or does this fail to generate any great level of excitement in you?