Dominating the Shelf: Marvel Legends Series X-Men ’97 Apocalypse Figure Preview

When Hasbro revealed its Marvel Legends Series X-Men ’97 Apocalypse figure, collectors everywhere sat up and took notice. This isn’t your standard 6-inch Legends drop, it’s a towering 12-inch premium piece packed with extras, made to order, and clearly meant to be a centrepiece of Marvel’s blockbuster X-Men action figure line-up. In this post, I’ll walk through what the leaks and announcements tell us, riff a little on scale, sculpt, and value, and speculate whether this is a winner or something that’ll underwhelm when it finally lands.

Release Date: Shipping expected Fall 2026 (pre-order now via Hasbro Pulse)
MSRP / Price Range: $119.99 (US)
Edition Size / Production Run: Made-to-Order (exclusive via Pulse)
Manufacturer / License: Hasbro (Marvel Legends line)

Who (or What) is Apocalypse in X-Men ’97?

Apocalypse, also known as En Sabah Nur, is one of Marvel’s oldest mutants and recurring heavyweights. In X-Men lore he’s often portrayed as a survival-of-the-fittest fanatic, manipulating genetics, time, and often posing as a godlike figure over mutantdom. In the X-Men ’97 animated series, Apocalypse is teased more in the latter parts of Season 1, and his reveal is ominous. His appearance, influence, and ideology suggest the X-Men’s biggest challenge is still ahead.

So, from a narrative standpoint, giving him a deluxe, oversized figure makes sense. He’s stepping from tease to threat, and a regular 6-inch figure probably wouldn’t deliver the “boss vibe” collectors expect.

Scale, Sculpt & Detail: What We Can Read from the Images

From the Hasbro Pulse and press galleries, the Marvel Legends Series X-Men 97 Apocalypse figure measures a commanding 12 inches tall, making it one of the largest entries in the modern Legends line-up. Though technically part of the 6-inch scale, it absolutely dwarfs standard figures.

The sculpt looks faithful to the animation, from the segmented armour to the signature “A” belt emblem. The figure boasts over 25 points of articulation, which should allow impressive posing even with its bulk. Alternate heads, hands, and blast FX pieces round out a healthy accessory pack, giving multiple display options.

Visually, the figure appears robust. The sculpt lines are sharp, and the armour detailing is crisp. But there’s always the question of scale consistency, especially at 12 inches, where too soft a plastic can make the detailing look toyish rather than premium. I’m hoping Hasbro uses the sturdier materials we’ve seen in some of their better deluxe releases, because with a price tag like this, the quality needs to match the ambition.

Pros & Potential Concerns with the X-Men 97 Apocalypse Collectible Action Figure

What’s promising:

1. Shelf dominance – at 12 inches, this figure will tower over your other X-Men action figures, commanding attention.
2. Made-to-Order exclusivity – less chance of mass overstock, but more incentive to commit early.
3. Accessory richness – eleven extras is generous, good value if none of them are filler.
4. Narrative alignment – with Apocalypse looming large in X-Men ’97 Season 2, this release feels perfectly timed.
5. Posing potential – with over 25 points of articulation and FX pieces, the figure is built for dynamic display.

What worries me (or what to watch):

• Weight and articulation stress – large limbs and armour can strain joints if not engineered carefully.
• Paint consistency – large surfaces magnify any errors.
• Balance and stand – a 12-inch figure will likely need a stand or base for stability.
• Value proposition – $119.99 is steep, so paint, scale, and extras need to justify it.
• Production timeline – Made-to-Order figures can face long waits, and delays into 2027 aren’t out of the question.

How It Compares to Other Marvel Legends Figures

If you’ve been collecting the Marvel Legends X-Men line, this Apocalypse figure immediately sets itself apart in both scale and spectacle. Compared to smaller releases like the Marvel Legends Secret Wars Iceman figure or the Starfox & Champion of the Universe 2-Pack, this one leans heavily into “statement piece” territory.

Apocalypse isn’t just a big mutant, he’s a narrative pillar, and Hasbro seems to be treating him as such. The sculpt detail, the scale, and the armour all say “centre of attention.” Collectors who build dioramas or dynamic team displays will appreciate how dramatically this figure contrasts with the standard roster.

Expectation vs Caution

I’m cautiously optimistic. The concept is strong, a bold, oversized, premium Marvel Legends Series X-Men 97 Apocalypse figure makes sense both from a storytelling and a collector’s perspective. It’s the kind of piece that instantly draws the eye, bridging nostalgia from the 90s cartoon with modern display quality.

However, with high price and long wait times, expectations will be sky-high. Hasbro can’t afford a soft sculpt, weak articulation, or cheap plastic. If they nail the execution, it could stand alongside some of the best Marvel collectibles of the decade. If not, it risks being a reminder that “bigger” doesn’t always mean “better.”

For now, I’m intrigued. I’ll be following production updates closely, and when the first in-hand photos drop, we’ll see if Hasbro’s promise of ultra-deluxe really holds weight.

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