Marvel Legends - SQUIRREL GIRL!

Marvel Legends: Legendary Riders - The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl - Hasbro 2020

My growing excitement leading up to NYTF led me to look back at my biggest Marvel Legends predictions from 2019. And I realized I had a very impressive year for wish fulfillment. My list included such broad suggestions as Alpha Flight and New Mutants. Preposterous, right? While the completist in me isn't 100% satisfied until we get a couple more characters, I don't think I could have ever predicted that kind of turnout from Hasbro. But an even less-likely hope was for a Squirrel Girl figure. Although there was a weird slip/false reveal several years ago when some guys at Hasbro said she was going to be in the A-Force box set, it was still surprising to see this odd little character in all her quirky glory as a deluxe "Ultimate" release. The reality of this figure is hard to grasp. Now we desperately need Chipmunk Hunk and Koi Boi...as soon as they get cooler costumes (like Luciano Vecchio's amazing Koi Boi redesign on his instagram). I want the whole Squirrel Girl crew on my shelves. Let's check out Doreen below!

Marvel Gallery - SQUIRREL GIRL!

Marvel Gallery PVC Diorama - Squirrel Girl - Diamond Select Toys 2019

I love it when a wacky character becomes legitimately popular. A character whose name, power, and team affiliation (The Great Lakes Avengers) are all clearly intended to be tongue-in-cheek typically wouldn't have much staying power, but when they do, they tend to be pretty great all-around. Harley Quinn and Gwenpool were both similarly meant to be one-and-done pun-based characters who have persevered and established themselves as standalone characters. And now the quirky Doreen Green is joining those ranks. Squirrel Girl may have been introduced more than 28 years ago, but only in the last 10 has her popularity skyrocketed. She has had two solo comic series (the current one is up to issue #46), appearances in numerous animated shows (and a movie), many videogames, and her merchandise is starting to trickle out. We have yet to see a true action figure, but stuff like this gorgeous Marvel Gallery PVC Statue is more than enough to tide me over while I wait for the inevitable Legends figure.

Marvel Mini-Mates - SQUIRREL GIRL!

Marvel Minimates - Walgreen's Exc 2-Packs Wave 3 - Squirrel Girl - DST 2016

I've noticed something really interesting in the past few years. That is that female mini-mates come out in huge bursts. Last January we got a Spider-Gwen, Siryn, Domino, Copycat, Thor, Captain Marvel, and Dazzler within a few weeks of each other. And right now we're on the cusp of another Minimate avalanche. In a few days I should have a new Enchantress, Tigra, Deadpool 2099, Wolverine (Laura), Silk, and unmasked Spider-Gwen. Not to mention this awesome Squirrel Girl. This figure was announced in a simple slide at the end of the DST panel at NYCC (and SDCC maybe?). I didn't expect to find her so soon but I was hunting down the Walgreen's Ms. Marvel POP a few weeks ago and I discovered her. Hopefully they get inspired to complete the Great Lakes Avengers roster like they have been with Squadron Supreme. I would love a Dinah Soar more than anything. She's both ridiculous and awesome, just like Squirrel Girl. Let's check out this sciuromorphic beauty below!

Marvel POP! Vinyl - SQUIRREL GIRL!

Marvel POP! #144 - Marvel Collector Corps Exc - Squirrel Girl - Funko 2016

There's something I love about silly characters garnering unexpected fan attention until they become true cult favorites. Squirrel Girl is a prime example.  She was first introduced in the anthology series Marvel Super-Heroes #8 back in 1991. I have this issue from when I was a kid but have no memory of her story. She took an extremely long hiatus and next appeared as a Great Lake Avengers recruit in 2005's GLA #1. Since that re-introduction, she has been a constant player in the Marvel Universe. And in 2015 she succeeded in getting her own solo ongoing series and seems to guest star all over the place. And then in 2016 she started getting merchandise. I have a handful so far and I'm hoping there will be a true Marvel Legends or Marvel Universe action figure soon. This Funko Pop! was the surprise exclusive figure in this Summer's Marvel Collector Corps Women of Marvel box. That choice earned some grumbles for being such a random character, but I think she's great. Let's check out Squirrel Girl below!