Marvel Legends Shi’ar Empire Set: Deathbird & Gladiator 2-Pack Delivers Cosmic Power and Some Compromises

The Marvel Legends 2 pack Deathbird & Gladiator marks a welcome expansion of the Shi’ar Empire set in the Legends line, delivering two heavyweight comic based figures in one pack, with new sculpts, solid details, and a few small omissions. Whether you want the familiar pair for display or as part of your cosmic lineup, there is plenty to be excited about, though with some blemishes that fans should weigh.

Release Date: Pre orders opened 18 September 2025, shipping expected in December 2025
MSRP / Price Range: US$57.99, UK and EU pricing varies by retailer
Edition Size / Production Run: Standard mass release, no limited run noted
Manufacturer / License: Hasbro, under Marvel Legends Series

Sculpt, Details and What Stands Out

Gladiator is perhaps the stronger side of this pairing in terms of accessory options and functionality. The alternate head with heat vision effect gives him extra display versatility, and the improvements in sculpt including leg articulation and armour detail make him feel more modern. The body proportions look more dynamic and less blocky than some older Imperial Guard entries.

Deathbird delivers in the facial modelling, costume tones, feather crest and general look of menace and royalty combined. On her sculpted torso, costume textures seem nicely detailed. However, the lack of wings which are a signature visual is disappointingly glaring in the promo images. Without wings she is missing a part of what makes her visually distinctive among Shi’ar mutants and avian throwback characters.

Also, no alternate hands or heads for Deathbird in this pack, so display options are limited to what is included.

Thematic and Line Impact

This Deathbird and Gladiator 2 pack is a logical extension of the Marvel Legends Shi’ar Empire set, giving fans much requested characters. Having these two together amplifies the narrative possibilities, Gladiator as loyal Imperial Guard praetor, Deathbird as exiled royalty and recurring challenger.

For display, this pair can pair nicely with prior Legends sets featuring other Shi’ar or X-Men cosmic arcs. It complements better than single character drops in many ways, when characters are related in lore, pairing them provides a more meaningful tableau. Just like the Marvel Legends Series X-Men ’97 Cyclops and Jean Grey or even the Gambit and Rogue Basketball 2 Pack, the best duos bring context and storytelling to a shelf.

What’s Missing and What Might Disappoint

Wings for Deathbird are definitely the biggest miss. Given the character’s history and identity, wings are not optional from a lore point of view, even if they are tricky from engineering.

More accessories for Deathbird would also have gone a long way. No alternate hands, no weapons or effect pieces, no extras. For Gladiator, there are extras. So there is an imbalance.

Durability and poseability remain unknown until hands on review. From photos, sculpt looks good, but whether feather crest pieces are vulnerable, or how stable the articulation is, remains to be seen.

Should You Pre Order?

If you want to flesh out your Shi’ar or Imperial Guard display, are okay with the missing wings and plan to maybe customise or retrofit them, or do not care that much, and like nice sculpts, comic accurate looks and decent value per figure, then yes, this is worth pre ordering for December 2025.

If instead you are more of a perfectionist with character visuals, want full accuracy including wings and more accessories, you might consider waiting for a deluxe version if one comes or aftermarket wings, or see if images closer to release surface that mitigate the missing elements.

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