“You have two choices: you can come to Wakanda conscious or unconscious.”
Ahead of the cinematic release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Hasbro released a mixed wave of Marvel Legends figures including those from the movie alongside comic book adjacent characters. From Wakanda Forever we got new figures of Nakia, Namor, and Okoye along with an updated Everett Ross who was badged as from the original Black Panther movie. The wave was rounded out by comic book releases of Black Panther, and Hatut Zeraze and the build-a-figure returned to the Wakanda Forever theme with Attuma, as seen in the movie. The wave was part of the short-lived plastic free packaging series, coming without any window and using artwork and photography to depict the contents.
Okoye is released in her Dora Milaje armour as seen during her early scenes in Wakanda Forever. Despite the similarities with the 2018 Build-a-Figure, the only direct re-use evident is that of the upper torso piece. The costume is complex as is the onscreen version starting with the upper clothing which is red as a base, although the upper torso is cast in orange with the red and associated grey trim painted over the top. The orange section leads into an ornate sculpted sash with a mixture of brown, green and yellow decor. This then meets the belt and skirt piece with the sash extending downward into the shirt as a softer plastic piece. The rest of the shirt features a light tan brown colour and straps with a darker brown upper segment around the back. Okokye is wearing dark brown leggings, again sculpted in with the geometric pattern, and knee-high boots using the same base brown plastic colour. The armour is finalised with golden bracers, golden shoulder armour, a gold ‘Panther’ belt buckle and gold neck collar with an added flourish of a splayed necklace sitting as an extra piece around the neck.
The headsculpt looks similar, if not the same as the 2018 version, and is a good likeness to Danai Gurira. I do probably still prefer the original figure in terms of the facial printing with more natural looking eyes and a crisper series of head tattoos. The newer figure features more prominent eyes, and these almost look like a return to the painted versions, while the head tattoos feature both red and grey colouring, which doesn’t quite allow them to stand out as much.
Okoye comes with the same spear and spear-tip sword as included with the 2018 BAF. For the Wakanda Forever release we’ve lost decor with both seapons cast in a plasticly looking silver. The older version had a painted shaft for the spear, and a painted grip for the sword. These fit into either of Okoye’s gripping hands, with sufficient articulation for two handed posing with the spear. No other hands are included in the set.
On paper Okoye comes in with 18 points of articulation, and while the legs have been upgraded with pinless joints, the skirt piece restricts them to very limited movement outside of neutral two-footed stances. The arms lack a butterfly joint, but otherwise move well enough with the weaponry in particular. There is a lot of movement in the torso, which helps battle stances. While the neck joint allows for a full range of head movement, although this comes with a very visible neck peg joint.
Considering her 2018 version is similar in design, it was an odd choice to release Okoye again in her Dora Milaje armour for the Wakanda Forever release, particularly in view of the Midnight Angel armour used later in the movie - although this design was probably held back from Hasbro before the movie was released. The new figure offers a backward step on decor for Okoye on the costume and in the accessories, and while articulation looks OK there is a lot of lower leg restrictions due to the long skirt piece. Okoye suffered, as did the others in the wave, from the windowless packaging which has seen her sit at discount pricing under her RRP for some time after release. This being said, visually she is impressive and will certainly brighten up a Wakanda Forever display alongside Namor and Nakia in particular.
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