Written By Dan Hickman • Toy Editor
Dan’s ToyBox Top 15 Favorite Action Figures of 2021. It’s that time of year as we bid a not so fond farewell to 2021. This year, I decided to alter my annual Top Figure list, add five more figures to it, and go with my personal favorites from my collection.
Many of these I’ve reviewed, some I haven’t yet, but rest assured those reviews will be coming soon.
Without any further ado, let’s get on with the list!
15. Robin (Mafex TDKR Batman/Robin Two-Pack)
I was very pleasantly surprised with this figure. The two pack was going to be part of this list, regardless, but I didn’t feel Robin would be much higher than this position.
Anyhow, when I first saw the figure, I was concerned about her sturdiness, given my experience with the Into the Spider-Verse Miles Morales.
Thankfully my fears were groundless as this figure is nowhere near as delicate as that one.
The colors are brilliant and the articulation is solid for such a small figure.
14. Endgame Final Battle Thor (Hasbro Marvel Legends Infinity Saga)
Wow, this figure was much better than I originally anticipated.
For a “chunky” figure, his articulation is really solid and works well with the character’s design.
The amount of detail in paint applications is tight and really gives him a great look.
I like the “powered up” look of his weapons, but was disappointed in how flimsy and gummy the handles on both were.
Better weapons would have pushed him higher on the list.
13. Wandavision Scarlet Witch (Hasbro Marvel Legends Disney+ Wave)
Up until this figure, I actually did NOT have an MCU Scarlet Witch.
The costume design and photo realism face make this a beautiful figure for any Marvel fan’s collection.
As Hasbro continues to work on their MCU line, the figures just get better and better.
This is an example of how accurate Hasbro can be when they try. More of this, please!
12) Shang Chi (Hasbro Marvel Legends: Shang Chi: Legend of the Ten Rings Wave)
As mentioned in my review, I hadn’t intended to collect this wave. Saw the movie and realized I needed to at least add Shang Chi to my collection.
As with the Scarlet Witch, the design, facial accuracy, and overall look of this figure is just tremendous.
The articulation, especially, works fantastic when putting him in Martial Arts poses.
I just really dig this iteration of the Master of Kung Fu.
11. A.I. Armor Iron Man (Hasbro Marvel Legends)
This figure IS the Iron Man of my childhood. Based on the 80th Anniversary Iron Man mold and painted in bright yellow and red, this is the figure I’ve always wanted.
The difference, of course, is that the chest beam is blue, as are the eyes to indicate the hologram Tony Stark artificial intelligence inside.
Of course, I display this with the unmasked Tony head from the 80th anniversary figure. To be honest this figure was almost higher on my list, but those ahead of him were just a bit better.
10) Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Bucky (Hasbro Legends Disney+ Wave)
Photo realism and attention to paint detail make this figure a fantastic addition to my collection.
It was a given that I’d be buying this wave and I expected there would be some I liked better than others. What I didn’t expect was how much I would like this figure.
It really conveys the look and feel of Bucky in the television show.
I am most impressed by the detail on his cybernetic arm.
He looks great in photos and poses very, very well.
Definitely my top figure from this wave.
9. Web-Man (Hasbro Marvel Legends Retro Spider-Man Wave)
What most impresses me with Hasbro is their ability to introduce the most esoteric characters in toy form… and it works!
Web-Man made one appearance in Spidey Super Stories and is now immortalized in plastic.
He looks great! I wish he was on the retro Spidey body with more articulation, but man, he’s still a very fun figure to have.
Posing him with Spider-Man is a blast and seeing him on my shelf just makes me smile.
8. Zombie Hunter Spider-Man (Hasbro Marvel Legends What If? Wave)
The first “What If?” figure I bought just impressed the heck out of me. The look and design is so accurate to the program that I can’t help but…marvel… at it.
The updated take on the Stark Suit from Spider-Man Homecoming, the sculpting on the Cloak of Levitation, and both masked and unmasked head sculpts are exceptionally well done.
Making this an amazing Spider-Man!
7. The Human Torch (Hasbro Marvel Legends Fantastic Four Retro Wave)
This is the Human Torch figure I, personally, was waiting for.
Translucent red, black lines, yellow/gold eyes and amazing flame detail and paint apps make this an incredible figure.
He is very well articulated and looks great in flight and action poses.
He looks great with the rest of the Retro Wave F.F. and stands out nicely on the display, especially next to The Thing.
I would have liked a few more accessories, but standalone, this is just a really nice figure.
6) Miles Morales (Sentinel Into the Spider-Verse Gamestop Exclusive)
If I’m being honest, this figure could easily be interchangeable with my number five choice.
He’s that good. The number of accessories and display options for this figure is outstanding.
Granted, he doesn’t come with any soft goods, but still the “clothing” options make this such a neat display figure.
My biggest gripe is that I cannot get the unmasked head onto the ball peg, which is very disappointing because that sculpt is marvelous and really matches the movie look of Miles to a “T.”
Were it not for that one big issue, he’d be higher on my list.
5. Batman (Mafex TDKR Batman/Robin Two-Pack)
Ok, we’ve seen this sculpt three times now and each time it gets better.
The two biggest factors in putting this figure into my top five are the emblem with the yellow oval and the unmasked Bruce Wayne head sculpt.
This is my favorite look for Batman, especially in the Dark Knight Returns comic books, and Mafex pulls it off very, very well.
I do wish that the leg pouches were removable, but that’s not a deal breaker at all.
He’s a chunky, solid figure, with exceptional articulation and a design that fits it’s inspiration perfectly.
4. Zombie Captain America (Hasbro Marvel Legends What If? Wave)
This is one of those figures that I have a review pending on.
This is also the Marvel Legend figure that has convinced me that Hasbro can compete with the Import Companies, if they really wanted to.
The articulation, sculpt/design, and paint applications on this figure are nothing short of incredible.
I could review him right here, but we don’t have the time or space.
Trust me when I say, this is a figure you WANT on your display shelf.
3. Miles Morales (Hasbro Marvel Legends Gamerverse)
If you haven’t played Spider-Man: Miles Morales on Playstation, I highly suggest doing so.
This figure is based on that appearance and just… WOW!
He’s highly articulated, comes with some great accessories (especially the yellow “venom power” hands) and is a bunch of fun to play with.
I think, though, what I really like most is the paint applications.
The glossy, metallic red over the satin black gives this figure an incredible look.
I can’t say enough good about this figure, hence his spot in the top three on this list.
2. Modular Armor Iron Man (Hasbro Marvel Legends Ursa Major BAF Wave)
I’ll admit that the design of the A.I. Armor is my all-time favorite Iron Man look, however, this armor comes in second.
The Iron Man Modular Armor figure is my favorite of all my Iron Man figures (even edging out the 80th Anniversary).
The paint applications on this figure are nothing short of fantastic.
This figure doesn’t look like a plastic toy.
The metallic paints give it a very realistic look and the deep blue repulsor blast accessories look so good when ported into his hands or feet.
He can pose with the best of them and is my favorite Marvel Legend of 2021.
1. Ben Reilly Spider-Man (Medicom Mafex #143)
If you read my top Christmas Gift list, you know this was number one on that list, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that he’s number one on my favorite figure list for 2021.
I really enjoy everything about this figure.
Yes, the accessories are the same as we see with other Mafex Spider-Man figures but they work. The extra hands, different masked and unmasked heads, webbing, and magnetic hands/feet are all easy to interchange. The new method of porting the mask into the mask holding hands makes posing easier and helps with creative photography.
This figure looks great posed with the Mafex Venom, Mafex Comic Spidey, and Mafex Comic (cel painted) Spidey figures. I’ve also had a lot of fun posing him with my Marvel Legend Spider-Man villain figures. He scales well with that line and looks great mixing and matching with other figures.
I was very excited when I saw this figure was being offered and that excitement was justified when I cracked the package open for the first time. The Medicom Mafex Ben Reilly Spider-Man is easily my personal favorite figure of 2021!
There you have it folks, my Top 15 Favorite Figures of 2021. Happy New Year to all of our faithful readers! Thanks for checking out the toybox and, until next time… Geek Out!
Related: Top-10 Best Spider-Man, Marvel Action Figures To Buy Your Kids This Christmas
