"Witness the might of the Jabari! First-hand!"
The impressive figure of M’Baku was originally a build-a-figure and part of the second full Marvel Legends wave from Black Panther in 2019. He would finally be released as a single figure in 2022 as part of the Black Panther Legacy Collection, although he was an exclusive release sold via Target in the US and through the Fan Channel retailers here in the UK. The Legacy Collection figures include a selection of Black Panther characters repacked and ‘updated’ from their original releases. The wave came in the same Legends packaging but without a Build-a-Figure and with a new Legacy Collection logo on the top left of the hanging tab.
M’Baku is identical in sculpt to the original 2019 BAF release, with a complex outfit that starts with some glossy black and brown chest armour down to a two-layer softer plastic skirt piece. These skirt pieces feature some extensive paint apps to create the multi-strand look of the outer skirt, and the white snowy weathering of the inner piece. The arms are exposed skin-toned but with carved wood effect shoulder pauldrons, grey bicep wraps, and fur gauntlets. The legs incorporate large skin guards in a carved wood effect finish and fur-topped shoes. Fur is also used on a cape that sits on M’Baku’s shoulders and down over his back.
All the fur pieces use a similar paint technique with a bone white colour over which a darker wash is added to create depth and texture. This is significantly improved compared to the initial figure as is the skirt decor. The chest armour is also glossier and the browns of the carved armour are brighter.
vs 2019 BAF (right)
The head sculpt on the 2019 release was already a good likeness to Winston Duke, and the 2022 version re-uses this in full. The older head had a matt skin tone, while the new version has a glossier finish. I will come down to personal preference as to which is most accurate as there is little else to separate them.
M’Baku has a solitary accessory, his knobkerrie staff/club. which is a smooth cast piece with a large circular end and a tapered shaft down to a point at the far end. It lacks any sculpted detail and decor but is pretty much as we see it on screen as it only gains additional fur and trophies on screen in Wakanda Forever. The knobkerrie fits into either hand, with sufficient articulation for two-handed posing.
The articulation itself is 18 points in total, with pegged knees and arms the latter of which is visible when the arms are posed in any form of raised position. The arm movement is also held back by the bulk of his armour and his cloak - although the cloak can be removed if needed. There are sufficient posing options, just nothing dynamic. And the same applies to the legs which are almost entirely enclosed by the duel skirt with a little bit of lateral movement to create some wider stances.
M’Baku as a figure relies heavily on his bulk and the intricacy of his costume rather than his articulation. With knobkerrie in hand, he creates an impressive figure leading the Wakandans into battle recreating the events of either Black Panther or Infinity War. The 2022 release does improve upon the costume decor if not that of the head, and also puts a BAF into more general circulation for anyone that missed out originally.
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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...
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