"I want your weapons, your secrets, it’s all mine now."
Erik Killmonger in the Golden Jaguar suit was first released in the Marvel Legends line in 2018 as part of the first wave of Black Panther movie figures. An unmasked version with some minor variations in decor was released later that same year in a two-pack with Agent Ross. In 2022 Killmonger was released for a third time in the Black Panther Legacy Collection wave. The wave contained rereleased figures only - albeit with some tweaks - and had no Build-a-Figure. It utilised the standard Legends packaging but did use a new Legacy Collection logo on the top left of the hanging tab.
vs 2018 release (right)
Killmonger is the same base figure as the 2018 releases but this 2022 version does feature some improvements in the applied decor as printing technology has moved forward. The body is cast in a dark grey rather than the black of the first release with a subtle but detailed Jaguar spot pattern overlaid in black. The suit features multiple textures and panels with further paintwork added in gold around the necklace, belt, claws, and feet.
The masked head is a big move forward on the older releases with a significantly more pronounced golden Jaguar pattern which is both detailed and crisp and likely printed onto the head. There is also an unmasked Michael B. Jordan head which was first used on the 2-pack release from 2018. The likeness on the original head was always strong and there are minor improvements on the new version thanks to the most recent facial printing technology. The heads swap in and out with ease and both can of course be retrofitted to the older figures if you do want to mix and match - utilising both newer heads from the set by transplanting one onto the older body.
Killonger’s suit features a pair of extended clawed hands for use in hand-to-hand combat. There is also a second set of hands included. These feature a gripping pose and work with the two Wakandan tribal weapons that we see Killmonger wield in the events of Black Panther. The first of these is a broad sword with a silver blade and gold grip. The second is a spear tip in silver with light brown wrappings around both the blade and the shaft. The weapons fit into either hand.
Articulation is impressive, as it was back in 2018, with Killmonger boasting 21 points of articulation. While the knees are pins, the dark suit hides them well enough and they do contribute to a full range of lower leg motion including kneeling and crouching. The arms also have pins at the elbow joints but also have a full range of motion enhanced by the butterfly shoulders which helps if you do want to have either of the two weapons in an advancing two-handed grip as though to attack. All the joints are secure with ratchets evident on most of the main ones. There is a bit of a wobble at the torso joint but otherwise Killmonger feels really robust.
All in all, the 2022 Legacy release of Erik Killmonger in the Golden Jaguar suit is more than a re-release. It updates what was a strong figure with enhanced decor and throws in the unmasked head which had been released in the harder-to-find exclusive 2-Pack in 2018. The additional heads, hands, and weapons provide plenty of options for display and the articulation is wide-ranging allowing for some creativity in display and battle poses alongside Black Panther.
Keep Track of all the Marvel Legends figures from Hasbro at our comprehensive
If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Check out our direct news feed for more action figure news, reviews, and store reports
About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
Comments