“I would make a great queen because I am so stubborn.”
Nakia in her ‘borrowed’ Dora Milaje outfit from the finale of Black Panther was one of the original figures from the Marvel Legends Black Panther Wave of 2018. She would then be revisited in 2022 as part of the new Black Panther Legacy Collection wave. The wave featured a selection of older Black Panther movie figures with some tweaks applied to each of them - mainly in decor - but as we will see for Nakia the updates went a little further. The wave did not include a Build-a-Figure, but did use the standard Legends packaging adding a new Legacy Collection logo on the top left of the hanging tab.
The bulk of our 2022 Nakia is the same figure as released in 2018. The main suit is a red/orange tone with brown trims and patterning over the sculpted texture. Further gold paint is used within some of the patterns, while silver is used on the shoulder & wrist armour, the neck piece, and on the Panther belt buckle. These colours are enhanced from the original which leant more into an orange finish and the newer releases is crisper in the overall pattern detail - although the new figure does neglect to add any decor to the rear of the skirt piece.
vs 2018 release (right)
The original 2018 release utilised a generic Dora Milaje body which would go to be an army builder release in 2019 for Avengers: Infinity War. That wasn’t strictly accurate to the movie as Nakia only wore the Dora Milaje armour over her existing clothes and boots. This new release corrects that oversight, replacing the lower legs with a more accurate pair of boots which also then shorten her by a few mm’s. The legs themselves are repainted to a darker brown with burgundy trim which is also more screen-accurate. The boots themselves are plain brown with silver trim at the top and across the bridge of the foot.
The head sculpt is the same as in 2018 and has a strong likeness to actor Lupita Nyong'o. Sadly, this newer release doesn’t provide an improvement vs he original release - in fact, it detracts from the overall likeness. While the original figure used subtle skin tones, facial printing and lip colouring - this new version seems to go against Nakia’s appearance on screen, applying some gaudy lip-stick and adding what we assume is mascara around her eyes to the point they begin to look painted rather than face printed technology. Of course, there is a hybrid option here for the best version of Nakia by using the newer body with the older head.
Nakia is armed with her ring blades. On the original release, they were deactivated, and cast in a silver finish with a green grip. This Legacy release changes the grip from green to brown and casts the blade itself in translucent blue to reflect the powered-up blades. This is very much a personal choice of which you prefer, while I like the powered versions I tend to stay away from using effects in my display. The blue plastic still holds the patterning of the blade and this reflects under light to add depth to the weapon. They fit snugly in Nakia’s gripping hands.
Nakia features 16 points of articulation which is sadly well under what the comparative figures of Black Panther and Killmonger were given in 2018 and therefore carried forward into this wave. The legs include pegged knees and options are limited by the soft plastic skirt of the Dora Milaje armour. The arms are similarly restricted, this time by the shoulder armour on the right arm in particular and by the configuration itself with a single jointed elbow, no bicep movement and no butterfly shoulders. While Nakia is easy enough to stand her options for posing are limited and a little bit awkward when trying to get her into a more dynamic stance using one or both of her blades.
It is fair to say that this Legacy Collection release of Nakia is one Hasbro could have simply repacked. The changes to the boots & legs are a considered choice to make her more screen-accurate which is appreciated. The head sculpt remains a great likeness, but the decor choice detracts and unlike the rest of the wave the older release remains preferable - the combination of the new body and old head making what is probably the best version of the character.
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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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