People were complaining because they'd have to buy duplicates of four characters in order to just get one new one, but that's not quite accurate - there are actually three new figures in this box set.
The cosmic radiation that gave Reed and Susan Richards their superhuman powers also affected the genetic structure of their son: Franklin Benjamin Richards was born a mutant. Unlike most superhuman mutants, whose unusual powers do not emerge until the mutant reaches puberty, Franklin began manifesting his superhuman powers at a very early age. In the normal course of events, Franklin's psionic powers would presumably increasingly emerge as he grew older until they reach their full, vast potential when he achieves maturity.
Potentially the most powerful being in the entire Marvel Universe, Franklin Richards is also potentially the least well-defined. His powers have, over time, included just about everything, up to and including time travel and the ability to fundamentally rewrite reality. I don't think anyone's sure exactly what his mutant ability is supposed to be, so they just let him do anything.
Franklin gets an entirely new sculpt because, face it, there haven't been any 4-year-olds in the line before him. He stands just over 3" tall and moves at the neck, shoulders, waist and hips. The proportions are very good, and make him look like a child rather than a short adult.
Franklin definitely gets his looks from Mom's side of the family - he's got the same sandy blonde hair and the big blue eyes. Of course, the size of the eyes may have more to do with the artist responsible for the designs than any sort of genetics.
Franklin and, in fact, all the figures in this set are based on the artwork of Mike Wieringo. One of the first guys to introduce cartoony elements into comics of the '90s, Wieringo's worked on some pretty major books from both Marvel and DC, as well as his own creator-owned Tellos. He's currently working with scribe Mark Waid on the regular Fantastic Four book, and doing a damn fine job of it.
The other new figure in this set is H.E.R.B.I.E., the Homo-Erotic Receptacle Built for Internal Emissions, apparently some sort of pleasure droid that-- oh, wait, no, I've been informed that's it's actually "Humanoid Experimental Robot, B-Type, Integrated Electronics," which is much more innocuous.
H.E.R.B.I.E. was invented for the old FF cartoon, when censors decided that putting the Human Torch on TV was probably just going to inspire the stupid late-'70s kids to immolate themselves, because back then science hadn't yet discovered that fire = hot. So back then the Fantastic Four were Reed, Sue, Ben and H.E.R.B.I.E. TRULY FANTASTIC!
(Actually, that's just the urban legend - the real story is that Marvel was trying to secure a solo Human Torch project through Universal Studios, so he wasn't included in DePatie-Freleng's cartoon rights.)
This dorky little squirt has never had an action figure ever before, but you don't hear anyone complaining about how they have to buy a whole box set just to get H.E.R.B.I.E. Probably because nobody likes H.E.R.B.I.E. And because I don't like typing all those periods, he's now HERBIE.
HERB's about 2 1/4" tall and moves at the neck. He's detailed very nicely, with a look somewhere between the blank, pared-down cartoon design and what an actual technological thingie like him would look like - seams between the panels that make his body, big bright red buttons and... and... Sigh. And a big red smiley face. Because HERBIE is friendly.
HERBIE was designed by Jack Kirby, because Dave Cockrum, the artist who was supposed to be doing it, thought the notion was lame and kept turning in purposefully stupid ideas, like a trash can on wheels with a big "4" on it. Stupid idea? Take that, R2D2!
The set includes the same translucent display base that came with Deadpool, so you can make HERBIE hover. Too bad it doesn't also fit in the hole on Sue's back.
Once a skilled fighter-pilot, Ben Grimm is now the Thing, a member of the world-famous Fantastic Four. Bathed in cosmic radiation during a fateful trip into space with his three friends, Ben was transformed into a hideous creature of craggy, orange stone with superhuman strength. Many find him unsightly, but Ben has maintained his sense of humor and honor - because under that rocky exterior lies an ever-lovin' heart of gold! The Thing possesses superhuman strength, endurance and durability.
Finally, we get the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing. Biggest, strongest team member, the Thing is easily the most visually distinct, as well. Stretchy dude? Plenty of those around. Fire guy? Total rip-off of a WWII Marvel hero. Invisibility? can't even see that one, but it's been done. A giant guy made of living orange stone? Now that's something new!
Actually, when the Thing debuted, he didn't look anything like he does today. He was more like a big lump of mud than individual, craggy rocks. Maybe he's dried out over time? Whatever the case, this is today's Thing. He stands 7 1/4" tall and moves at the toes, ankles, knees, hips, waist, torso, shoulders, elbows, wrists and neck, which is light by current Marvel Legends standards, but is still quite good.
Of course, the original Thing had all this movement, but this one has a bit more. Each of his fingers is independently articulated, for more poseable possibilities. Since he doesn't have to worry about holding any accessories, it works well for him.
Thing's painted a much darker shade than the previous release, and he's got a whole new head sculpt. While the original was stern yet reserved, now it really is clobberin' time. Ben's angry and it shows: furrowed brow, wide eyes and bared teeth make this one daunting Thing.
Instead of a reprint comic, these Marvel Legends box sets always come with a poster book. In this case, we get 20 pages of the Four and Doom taken from covers and splash pages in recent years. Really, would it have been too much to ask to get a story about them instead of just pictures? It's probably a choice to keep them from having to reprint/repackage for international releases, but still.
Instead of unique bases, the set includes generic DC Direct-style logo bases. The Fantastic Four get their big circular 4 logo in blue and white, while Doom gets a gold and stone piece. All things considered, they could have done worse.
What's your favorite Fantastic Four story? Tell us on our message board, the Loafing Lounge.