Beast has been the hands-down standout most-requested addition to the X-Men 97 Marvel Legends series ever since Wave 3 with Jubilee and Morph was announced over a year ago (time flies!). And so, it was no surprise when Beast was the first new X-Men ‘97 Legends figure that Hasbro announced for mass retail this year. Marvel Legends X-Men 97 Beast went up for order today—but the design of the figure is definitely divisive with many fans! What’s your take, Marvel collectors?

From the literal minute Hasbro revealed their new X-Men 97 Beast Marvel Legends figure, the toy has been mired in controversy and dividing fans.

While Beast was undisputedly the most-wanted character remaining to be done in the X-Men 97 lineup, what a lot of collectors had pictured was something akin to a re-release or re-tooling of the Caliban Series Beast. But instead of merely bringing back or updating that comics-styled Beast, Hasbro decided to go in a… different… direction!

Unlike the extremely textured fur on the 2019 Beast, Hasbro took full inspiration from the cel-shaded X-Men 97 animated series to bring us the smoothest, least-textured Beast figure since his Toybiz days in the actual 90s!

If you’re looking for a comic book accurate Hank McCoy, this one just ain’t it–that was the Beast that I reviewed positively back in 2019 (shown above). But if you want to match Hank’s look from the animated series, Hasbro has nailed that appearance for sure.

The character design is sparing on tufts of fur, and so is Hasbro’s representation of it. Like it or not, there’s no denying the authenticity of this cartoony Beast action figure.

Hasbro had to invest in a whole mess of new tooling for this bulky Beast, so he’s priced a bit higher as a deluxe release than the standard figures. But along with Hank’s chunky size and fresh tooling, we also get some worthwhile accessories to help make up for the extra dollars.

Beast includes both calm and angry portraits, along with a pair of fists, a pair of grasping hands, removable goggles and a cool removable backpack.

Beast actually does use this kind of gear in the cartoon, so it’s nice to have the backpack and glasses for increasing display options and it doesn’t feel like the extras were added just to drive up the MSRP.

With the releases this year of Beast, Professor X (above) and Archangel, I expect the next characters from the show that fans start crying out for to be Polaris, Forge, Sabretooth and Psylocke.

The X-Men 97 Beast Marvel Legends figure is now up for order and arrives in hands this fall. Despite the early loud grumbling from vocal collectors, I think this figure will be as big a hit as all the other X-Men 97 figures once it starts shipping. Beast is certainly a key member of the team for most shelves.
How do you feel about Hasbro’s latest crack at the bouncing blue Beast, Marvel collectors? Is Hasbro doing the cartoon version of Mrs. McCoy’s baby boy justice?