The PoP! Stars give their take on the latest and greatest in Action Figures and Toy Lines in eight (succinct) parts.

The Age of Apocalypse. One of the best loved alternate realities in Marvel’s publishing history. Hell, it may be one of the best loved alternate realities ever. Why, then, has it been so short-sheeted in the action figure department? With such a rich cast of characters to choose from - who’ve had appearances in comics and cartoons beyond the original event itself - AoA figures seem like a no brainer. Yet we’ve only ever received a scant few. Let’s take a look at some of the best and the brightest.

Iceman

While not - to the best of my recollection - officially released as an Age of Apocalypse version of the character, this five inch figure was clearly a representation of Bobby’s AoA self. The pointed Madureira-esque chin, lack of mouth, and pointy ice arm attachments made it clear that this was a darker, more tortured Robert Drake. This, of course, also made him an infinitely better toy than any that had come before.

X-Man

Nate Grey was the Age of Apocalypse’s version of Cable, and one of the four characters to make the leap to the 616 when all was said and done in the merry mutants most massive crossover event ever. It only stood to reason, then, that when fans got to vote for their favorite characters to be made into toy form, Nate would get the nod. Standing a hair taller than the rest of his five inch brethren, the best part about Nate was the use of what I believe to have been the first ever flight stand for a Toy Biz figure. In fact, Nate’s telekinetic energy trail would later be packed in with the Marvel Legends Human Torch figure!

Magneto

Magneto was one of five figures released by Toy Biz in their first and only ever official Age of Apocalypse assortment of toys. Every other iteration of an AoA character would have to squeak its way onto store shelves in some other way, shape, or form. What makes Magneto better than any of the other figures from the same wave? Simply put, he’s perfect. This was possibly the best Magneto ever released at the 5 inch scale - so great, was he, in fact, that the figure would be reused later as a base to make a 616-Magneto. Still this figure’s tightly shut removable helmet and clip on “magnetic debris” hand made him a flawless representation of the AoA Erik and an otherwise great interpretation of the character, all around.

Sunfire

Shiro is not only one of the best Age of Apocalypse figures, he’s one of the best Hasbro Legends. In fact, he may be one of the best Marvel Legends figures of all time. The winner of a ToyFare fans’ choice poll, Sunfire was intended to be an online exclusive at $20 per via the Hasbro website. Demand wasn’t what Hasbro had hoped, however, and as a result, I got my Sunfire from Marshalls for about 6 bucks, courtesy of Lee. The figure is gorgeous translucence given faux-combustible form, and with a little tweaking, can be modded out for a flight stand of your choosing. Or… you could just use Nate Grey’s if you still have it laying around.

Weapon X (variant)

Wolverine was shockingly different in the Age of Apocalypse. For one, he’d never adopted the codename “Wolverine” and, in fact, another character had taken to calling himself that. More shocking? He’d lost a hand in a battle with Cyclops (that cost Summers his left eye and earned him his moniker). The big surprise, though, was towards the end of the AoA when Logan revealed his claws had been retracted when he lost the hand, and he popped them through his metal stump cover. This variant was specifically marketed as “burnt Weapon X” but the real draw here was claws protruding from the stump.

Blink

Oh, Clarice… her first appearance was during the Phalanx Covenant where she sacrificed herself for her teammates. Then she appeared in the AoA as an older, more self-assured character. Next it was Exiles, then Wolverine and the X-Men, and now she’s back in the 616, revived by Selene’s macabre machinations. And yet she has only one figure. Fortunately, it’s a doosy. Stemming from the same line of figures as X-Man, Blink was a fan’s choice figure. She came with her hooded fabric cloak, a quiver full of energy javelins (with a couple of removable ones for weaponized teleportation), and a very unique base, indeed. Going one step beyond a flight base, this was a teleportation base. The portal split open, allowing Blink’s ankles (or an ankle and a wrist) to be locked within. Attach the suction cup base to a window, and you have the effect of Clarice leaning out of her portal. Epic. Fucking. Win.

Holocaust

Fuck BAFs, store exclusives, and unreliable “friends.”

Hasbro announced the release of the Holocaust wave approximately 25 years before it ever saw retail (impressive, because that was at least 20 years prior to them getting the Marvel license), and in that time it went from being a general release, to a store exclusive, to an online exclusive, and back to a store exclusive. Eventually, everyone involved came to the conclusion that you’d only be able to get the figures with the pieces to make Holocaust at your local Wal-Mart. FINE! Except they also decided these figures would look like ass. Fortunately, I had friends who had Holocaust pieces they didn’t want, and the next thing I knew, my Holocaust was complete. Almost. One last piece had eluded me for months now, but I finally tracked it down on e-bay, and for a modest sum, my Holocaust was completed. Totally worth it!

This figure is gorgeous, big enough to be a BAF (though only just barely), and ridiculously detailed. The armor opens to reveal the tiny charred skeleton of Nemesis within, and that’s all win. Is it worth the nearly $100 price tag to collect the wave he came in? No, of course not. But if you can pick some pieces up for free or on the cheap? Go for it. You’ll be glad you added this villainous beast to your menagerie.

What could trump the beauty and majesty of Holocaust?…

Sugar Man

This four-armed freak came with his trusty hammers as accessories and a sculpt that would scare a baby back into the womb. The four arms lacked some key articulation, but as a nice touch, two hands were closed, weapon-holding fists, while the other two were open hands, capable of pawing at your Generation X figures.

Of course, the real draw of Sugarman here was his action feature… the Mutant Monsters line features lever activated sounds and actions. Press the lever on Sug’s back? His lower jaw opens and closes as he laughs the most devilish, demonic laugh known to the toy industry. “Hee hee hee, ha ha ha, ho ho ho” he chants, his dead red eyes peering into your soul. This figure was exactly everything it needed to be, and quite honestly, more than anyone could have expected. Add to this already amazing toy a protruding vinyl-esque tongue, and you’ve spelled win “S-u-g-a-r-m-a-n.” Okay, so you’re not too good at spelling. This figure still kicks ass.

It suddenly occurs to me that my Sugarman is likely in storage at my parents’ house somewhere, and would probably still look pretty damned sweet next to the new Holocaust from Hasbro… I know where I’m stopping after work!