Okay so if you've been paying attention you'll notice that we don't really collect superhero toys, but since we've had the store, we've had plenty pass through our doors. So when the entire wave of Marvel Legends Build-A-Figure Spider-Man figures were available to us, we couldn't pass on the opportunity to document the set.
Not quite sure why Spidey is getting a new wave of ML figures after the last wave centered around the movie just sat on shelves. Though the figures included in this wave are by far cooler than those. The breakdown:
Each figure came with a part of the Build-A-Figure Hobgoblin villain and unlike recent previous waves of Marvel Legends figures, there's no figures released without a piece of the BAF figure and there's no variants (at least that I know of) of figures that come with a piece that would have you end up with an extra double piece if you wanted to get everyone.
Not quite sure why Spidey is getting a new wave of ML figures after the last wave centered around the movie just sat on shelves. Though the figures included in this wave are by far cooler than those. The breakdown:
- Classic Spider-Man w/pulled-up mask head, extra hands and a slice of pizza
- Anti-Venom
- Spider-Man 2099
- SpiderGirl (Warriors of the Web)
- Spider Woman (Warriors of the Web)
- Daredevil
Each figure came with a part of the Build-A-Figure Hobgoblin villain and unlike recent previous waves of Marvel Legends figures, there's no figures released without a piece of the BAF figure and there's no variants (at least that I know of) of figures that come with a piece that would have you end up with an extra double piece if you wanted to get everyone.
The packaging has done a good job at showing you which figures come with what part of the Build-A-Figure which is helpful. This has been done on the last few waves of Marvel Legends figures, I believe since they've switched over to the "Infinite Series" which as far as I can tell is just a way to differentiate previous ML figures from newer releases.
It's not always the case with BAF figures that it's what people want most out of the wave, more times than not, it's just a nice added bonus figure once you've collected all the others. But with Hobgoblin, he seems to be very sought after at this point, demanding quite a high price in the secondary market (as there's no actual direct market for him) as this wave has just started hitting retail.
It's not always the case with BAF figures that it's what people want most out of the wave, more times than not, it's just a nice added bonus figure once you've collected all the others. But with Hobgoblin, he seems to be very sought after at this point, demanding quite a high price in the secondary market (as there's no actual direct market for him) as this wave has just started hitting retail.
The first figure, (both in how he's listed on the packaging and in popularity) is the "classic" Spider-Man. He comes with four extra hands, an extra head with his mask pulled half up, Hobgoblin's left leg and of course, a slice of pizza.
It's nice to see when companies as big as Hasbro and Marvel get to throw cool/funny things in with toys or their packaging, and that slice of pizza fits in very well with Spidey. Obviously having to eat on the go as a superhero means you have to get what's available to you, and in New York it's either that or figure out how to use chopsticks while upside down.
The extra head with the mask pulled up obviously is to be paired as often as possible with the slice of pizza, as are the open-palmed hands. The other hands are fists and Spidey's trademark "rockstar" web-launcher position. While the hands were easy to swap out for photos, the head was a bit tricky to get back on when switching.
The only thing I had a problem with besides the head was how confusing this much articulation was for me. People that collect Marvel Legends figures (and most other 6" figures that are similar) are looking for tons of articulation. Having the figures is one thing, but being able to put them in exactly the position you want as well has become crucial for most collectors. Getting Spidey in the perfect mid-swing pose while avoiding a charging Rhino figure is something that people feel gypped if they don't get to do.
So while countless points of articulation may be the standard now on these ML figures (and especially Spider-Man), I feel like I need a simpler figure that I can just pose easily and throw up on a shelf. But honestly I'm in the minority there and I'm okay with that.
It's nice to see when companies as big as Hasbro and Marvel get to throw cool/funny things in with toys or their packaging, and that slice of pizza fits in very well with Spidey. Obviously having to eat on the go as a superhero means you have to get what's available to you, and in New York it's either that or figure out how to use chopsticks while upside down.
The extra head with the mask pulled up obviously is to be paired as often as possible with the slice of pizza, as are the open-palmed hands. The other hands are fists and Spidey's trademark "rockstar" web-launcher position. While the hands were easy to swap out for photos, the head was a bit tricky to get back on when switching.
The only thing I had a problem with besides the head was how confusing this much articulation was for me. People that collect Marvel Legends figures (and most other 6" figures that are similar) are looking for tons of articulation. Having the figures is one thing, but being able to put them in exactly the position you want as well has become crucial for most collectors. Getting Spidey in the perfect mid-swing pose while avoiding a charging Rhino figure is something that people feel gypped if they don't get to do.
So while countless points of articulation may be the standard now on these ML figures (and especially Spider-Man), I feel like I need a simpler figure that I can just pose easily and throw up on a shelf. But honestly I'm in the minority there and I'm okay with that.
I'm actually not familiar with Anti-Venom, or as we now call him "Auntie-Venom", but I'm always impressed with the larger figures. Just something about a hunk of plastic that you could really hurt someone with along the lines of the vintage JLN WWF wrestling figures or even the Marvel Select hulk figures. I'm guessing that the price point of $20(ish) evens out between the amount of plastic used for a smaller figure like SpiderGirl and larger ones like Anti-Venom here. Looking at the wave as a whole, rather than a cost per figure when it comes to production I'm sure is how we're able to get figures that if you look at it as a cost per figure probably leaves little to no profit margin on these big guys.
Anti-Venom as large as he is doesn't come with any accessories, but is packaged with Hobgoblin's left leg. Not that Anti-Venom needs an accessory with those crazy claws he has on either hand.
I make it no secret that I love repaints, and though I don't remember the Venom version of this sculpt, just the fact that I know venom is the opposite color scheme (mostly black with white paint apps and a red mouth) I already like this guy. Sorta like how I would probably never buy a Darth Vader figure, yet I have the white one from the comic pack they released a few years ago.
As far as articulation, he may have the exact same amount of articulation as Spider-Man, but the size makes him a little more manageable as he's not as flimsy.
While fans of ML figures may have been looking for some other character and might consider Anti-Venom a stretch, or possibly see this as Hasbro/Marvel looking to squeeze some extra cash out of this mold, I think he's my favorite out of the wave.
Anti-Venom as large as he is doesn't come with any accessories, but is packaged with Hobgoblin's left leg. Not that Anti-Venom needs an accessory with those crazy claws he has on either hand.
I make it no secret that I love repaints, and though I don't remember the Venom version of this sculpt, just the fact that I know venom is the opposite color scheme (mostly black with white paint apps and a red mouth) I already like this guy. Sorta like how I would probably never buy a Darth Vader figure, yet I have the white one from the comic pack they released a few years ago.
As far as articulation, he may have the exact same amount of articulation as Spider-Man, but the size makes him a little more manageable as he's not as flimsy.
While fans of ML figures may have been looking for some other character and might consider Anti-Venom a stretch, or possibly see this as Hasbro/Marvel looking to squeeze some extra cash out of this mold, I think he's my favorite out of the wave.
I'm going to stop telling you how little I know about these figures. But I do remember Andrew and Matt telling me how amazing (pun intended) that the Spider-Man 2099 comic was when it came out. So I've always had a fondness for any of the 2099 figures or books when I see them. I actually really like this Spidey too, I like the colors and how menacing he looks with this design.
His frame for the most part is the same as the Classic Spider-Man figure, with different hands and possibly a different head, but I'm not certain on the head. He comes with a little cape made of web, which is kinda cheating cause if you think of it, no one else gets to just make a cape when/if they feel like it. But I guess they needed some other ways to distinguish his design enough from the original when they came up with him that adding a cute little cape was an easy way to do so.
He comes with a couple Hobgoblin parts, the right arm and the flame sword. Which kinda sucks because of how his hands are, if you were just buying him you wouldn't be able to put that sword in his hand and have him hold it as well as the Hobgoblin's arm can.
It looks like he's a much-awaited character as well and one that people that aren't collecting the entire line seem to be looking for. That's understandable as he's pretty cool even in package.
His frame for the most part is the same as the Classic Spider-Man figure, with different hands and possibly a different head, but I'm not certain on the head. He comes with a little cape made of web, which is kinda cheating cause if you think of it, no one else gets to just make a cape when/if they feel like it. But I guess they needed some other ways to distinguish his design enough from the original when they came up with him that adding a cute little cape was an easy way to do so.
He comes with a couple Hobgoblin parts, the right arm and the flame sword. Which kinda sucks because of how his hands are, if you were just buying him you wouldn't be able to put that sword in his hand and have him hold it as well as the Hobgoblin's arm can.
It looks like he's a much-awaited character as well and one that people that aren't collecting the entire line seem to be looking for. That's understandable as he's pretty cool even in package.
There's been a trend on these new Marvel Legends Infinite Series waves where they come up with snazzy nicknames for characters, usually when they're releasing variants of figures in a wave. So they can show two figures under one title and switch them in or out as the line progresses. But luckily they've released both figures at the same time that fall under the title "Warriors of the Web". I feel like that was a compromise between someone that wanted to call these to "Women of the Web", but got shot down because that sounds like it should be action figures based on porn stars.
But I'm assuming the added names is so that if a SpiderGirl is released say in a previous Marvel Legends wave, an easy way to refer to her or find her both internally at Hasbro or for stores selling her (or even in the secondary market) would be these titles. Searching for "SpiderGirl Marvel Legends" may turn up a couple different figures, but "SpiderGirl Marvel Legends Warriors of the Web" will give you exactly what you're looking for.
So yeah, the first of the two Warriors of the Web is SpiderGirl, a smaller figure that's evening out the plastic that was spent on Anti-Venom. She's a really good sculpt, but again the amount of articulation with her makes her hard to get the pose I wanted and have her stand at the same time. I kept coming up against bowlegs that I couldn't figure out how to get rid of.
SpiderGirl comes with no accessories but really doesn't need them, she's pretty sleek and adding anything to her would just seem unnecessary. She's got little bracelets that fit on pretty well and don't detract from the overall design. While they're instantly noticeable, they're not distracting. Which I've heard is exactly what a girl wants in a bracelet.
SpiderGirl comes with Hobgoblin's head and wings.
But I'm assuming the added names is so that if a SpiderGirl is released say in a previous Marvel Legends wave, an easy way to refer to her or find her both internally at Hasbro or for stores selling her (or even in the secondary market) would be these titles. Searching for "SpiderGirl Marvel Legends" may turn up a couple different figures, but "SpiderGirl Marvel Legends Warriors of the Web" will give you exactly what you're looking for.
So yeah, the first of the two Warriors of the Web is SpiderGirl, a smaller figure that's evening out the plastic that was spent on Anti-Venom. She's a really good sculpt, but again the amount of articulation with her makes her hard to get the pose I wanted and have her stand at the same time. I kept coming up against bowlegs that I couldn't figure out how to get rid of.
SpiderGirl comes with no accessories but really doesn't need them, she's pretty sleek and adding anything to her would just seem unnecessary. She's got little bracelets that fit on pretty well and don't detract from the overall design. While they're instantly noticeable, they're not distracting. Which I've heard is exactly what a girl wants in a bracelet.
SpiderGirl comes with Hobgoblin's head and wings.
Spider Woman is the other Warriors of the Web figure and comes with the torso of the Hobgoblin build a figure.
Other than the head and hands I don't think there's much difference between her and SpiderGirl. I really like the open flowing hair and the deep red/maroonish color of the costume she has. Other than that same, gripes and praise for her as I had for the preceding figure. I think she photographs better and took a couple extra shots of her because of it.
She also has no additional accessories, but again, none are really needed.
Other than the head and hands I don't think there's much difference between her and SpiderGirl. I really like the open flowing hair and the deep red/maroonish color of the costume she has. Other than that same, gripes and praise for her as I had for the preceding figure. I think she photographs better and took a couple extra shots of her because of it.
She also has no additional accessories, but again, none are really needed.
Daredevil is forever a dork. I can't see past that horrible Ben Affleck movie. And now, Batman shall suffer that fate too. How that guy keeps getting work is beyond me. He ruined Gone Girl and Argo (I know he did more than act in it) and this Daredevil figure as well. I'm sure if I took the time to get into some Daredevil books I might change my tune, but I've never found the character to be interesting and since he can't read this review I'm not worried about saying so.
Daredevil comes with his trademark batons that can be stored on the holster on his leg. They also combine together to form one larger whackin' stick.
My friend was right though, the figure's sculpt is impressive and hopefully fills the void in many peoples' collections. His pose in the package is questionable, but kinda how I see him when I think of him, contorted all weird and whatnot.
Daredevil comes with Hobgoblin's left arm and a bomb for the BAF.
Daredevil comes with his trademark batons that can be stored on the holster on his leg. They also combine together to form one larger whackin' stick.
My friend was right though, the figure's sculpt is impressive and hopefully fills the void in many peoples' collections. His pose in the package is questionable, but kinda how I see him when I think of him, contorted all weird and whatnot.
Daredevil comes with Hobgoblin's left arm and a bomb for the BAF.
I don't remember the last time I did a BAF, possibly the Rocket Racoon from a couple years ago. I've never completed one of the larger guys and I guess I've never done one this size as well. I had a hard time getting this figure's head on, just like Spider-Man's and this one was even harder because of the cowl that the loose head is rattling around in.
Once built this figure is very impressive and was definitely a good idea to make this figure the BAF in this wave. He's got a evil and somewhat cocky smile that pretty scary. The mechanical wings/backpack are a real nice touch and come with a smaller hilt version of the flame sword stuck into the center of the top of the backpack.
I had a lot of fun posing this figure and taking pictures, so I'm sure that folks looking to pick him up will feel the same way when they complete him.
All-in-all, a pretty great wave of figures and a worthwhile payoff with it's Build-A-Figure character. Grab a set when/if you can. Don't be discouraged if you can't find them at retail for a couple months, most Marvel Legends waves are like that where the first few months everyone is looking for them so they're almost impossible to find at retail other than any figures that may be doubled up in a case (in this particular wave it's Classic Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2099) but then once everyone has finished buying them for themselves and trying to make money off of them on eBay, they become common place. As the secondary market dies down in prices, they will become easier to find at retail.
Once built this figure is very impressive and was definitely a good idea to make this figure the BAF in this wave. He's got a evil and somewhat cocky smile that pretty scary. The mechanical wings/backpack are a real nice touch and come with a smaller hilt version of the flame sword stuck into the center of the top of the backpack.
I had a lot of fun posing this figure and taking pictures, so I'm sure that folks looking to pick him up will feel the same way when they complete him.
All-in-all, a pretty great wave of figures and a worthwhile payoff with it's Build-A-Figure character. Grab a set when/if you can. Don't be discouraged if you can't find them at retail for a couple months, most Marvel Legends waves are like that where the first few months everyone is looking for them so they're almost impossible to find at retail other than any figures that may be doubled up in a case (in this particular wave it's Classic Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2099) but then once everyone has finished buying them for themselves and trying to make money off of them on eBay, they become common place. As the secondary market dies down in prices, they will become easier to find at retail.
Liz: I read all this, but Sam is on his way to get Papa Johns and I honestly can't think of anything else to talk about. Sorry.
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