Jubilee has traditionally been among the last of the Jim Lee/X-Men 92 core characters to get representation in most collectibles lines ever, so I’m very glad to get a new 6” figure of her in Hasbro’s X-Men 97 lineup just one year into the line (and even before Beast). Even so, this is not the look for Jubes I would have expected at all! Marvel Legends X-Men 97 Jubilee is now shipping—should she be shipping into your collection? Here’s my review…

I imagine that when word broke via leaks that Hasbro was granting us an X-Men animated Jubilee figure, the majority did not envision her in the outfit she wore at the end of X-Men 97 Season 1.
I’m not exactly pumped about this Hasbro design choice, but it’s probably a smart pick with Jubilee presumably wearing it in X-Men Season 2 next year as well. That said, it’s all a moot point if the Jubilee figure turns out to not be very good. Let’s take a look…

At this point, Hasbro has previous released several nice Jubilee figures, including the excellent Caliban wave comics-styled one that I loved and reviewed in 2019 (shown above). I would have honestly been satisfied with a pin-less animated update to that Jubilation Lee, but Hasbro is giving us something different instead.

The costume choice for this figure is based on Jubes’ new costume at the end of X-Men 97 S1, which is a black jumpsuit with jacket reminiscent of the 2014 Jubilee Build-A-Figure. I didn’t love that “vampire era Jubilee” look a decade-plus ago, but at least the newer costume is from the ongoing cartoon. I’m still not a fan of the boring black jumpsuit for such a loud and flashy character, but the purple collar at least adds a dollop of color.

Of course, black jumpsuit or not, no Jubilation Lee action figure would feel complete without her trademark yellow jacket. The jacket is molded in the perfect yellow, with a nice and shiny gloss to simulate a vinyl look. Jubilee’s arms are permanently sculpted with the jacket sleeves, which is fine since I would never consider removing her jacket anyway.

Jubilee’s ball-jointed upper torso articulation is limited quite a bit (not fully) by the jacket, but Hasbro made the plastic of the jacket flexible enough that there’s still a bit of play. With the jacket being so crucial to the character’s appearance, I’m not sure Hasbro could have really done much better than they did with both making it perfect and still facilitating upper torso articulation.

Of course, the head sculpt is just as if not more important to the toy, and Hasbro has absolutely nailed the X-Men 97 Jubilee look. The face and hair are totally spot-on to how they look in the animation, with the cel-shaded look of the glasses leaving no doubt this is a cartoon-inspired Jubilee. The sculpted earrings on Jubilee look terrific as well.It’s not all sunshine and lollipops, however, as Jubilee has a rather vacant expression etched onto her face. For a character with so much spunk, it’s both very disappointing that we get no alternate head (like we did with the 2019 figure), and also that the portrait we do get is just so bland and not fun. She is at least properly scaled to be shorter than the adult characters, though.

We do get 5 accessories with this Jubilee figure, including some really great ones. There’s a soda cup with straw (for that teenager flavor), a grasping hand to hold out, an open hand and a pair of radical fireworks effects hands.

The fireworks effects are permanently attached to the hands (thank god), and are a monumental improvement over any effects that have ever come with a Jubilee collectible before. The fireworks have a lovely translucent purple to blue gradient on them, and are shaped as little exploding stars with trails behind them. These are super cool, and the kind of effects I’ve always wanted for a Jubilee action figure.

This is also the first pin-less Jubilee figure ever made, which helps immensely with the aesthetic.
She can’t have butterfly shoulders because of the jacket, but her full articulation scheme is solid, including:
—Ball-jointed head, hips and upper torso
—Double-hinged knees and elbows
—Ball-Hinge Shoulders
—Swivel-Hinge Wrists
—Swivel Biceps, Thighs and Calves
—Hinged Feet with Swivels

There’s nothing revolutionary with the articulation, but there’s plenty of it and it all works smoothly and without weak or rubbery plastic. The jacket is mostly unobtrusive for posing purposes.
Ultimately, Jubilee is a very expressive character, and giving her just one portrait with a “zombie stare” look to it just doesn’t cut it for me.Overall: As a total Jubilee stan, this figure would probably squeak into low ‘A’ territory for me if the face had a bit of life to it. But it doesn’t! Even so, the likeness and especially the fireworks effects are purely awesome and the toy is solid overall. The articulation is very well-done despite having to work around the jacket. I’d love a more expressive Jubilee in her more iconic costume down the road, but this action figure is a good-plus representation of her end of X-Men 97 Season 1 look. Certainly among the best of the limited number of Jubilee figures made over the years.

GRADE: B+