So after last year’s highpoint of Marvel legends SDCC exclusive box sets we collectors were on baited breath to see what this year’s set would be. After some leaks from china we saw the line up and it was safe to assume a lot were divisive on it and had split opinions. I wasn’t lucky enough be a SDCC this year but procured a set. So let us crack it open and see what this set has to offer (and as always our main focus will be on the spider-man characters)
So the box each yeah has a theme to tie the figures together. This year it was break out on “the Raft”. Spider-man must run a gauntlet of super-villains being broken out of the Super Max prison. To be honest this did feel more like “this is a set of figures we already had the Tooling for”.
The Box itself is stunning and extremely long. Picking it up at the post office I felt like Arnie in the beginning of commando carrying the log on his shoulder. It is designed to be a cardboard diorama for your toys. Plastic figure tray lifts out and prison cells remain in place. Even has clear plastic on the roof to allow light in. Front of the box has Velcro pieces you rip off and reconnect when you flip up to add levels. (also to show off Electro, Hobgoblin and Eel coming in later Marvel Legends waves, For some odd reason they gave Hobby a green face )
Todd McFarlane Spider-man
One of the, if not “THE”, controversial pieces in this set. A lot of the unpleased side cited that we get a plethora of spider-man figures at retail already. A collector buying this set would most likely own a spider-man already. Another reason was from preview images it looked like the “Pizza Spider-man” from big time hobgoblin Wave repainted with darker shade blue on suit. Being this Pizza Spidey buck* fans were also unhappy that he didn’t come with extra swappable hands of the original.
On the positive side those recent to marvel legends or those who regretted skipping the “Pizza Spidey”, one of the best Marvel Legends released, now could pick one up with this set without paying the super high secondary market cost. Another positive came to light as we started getting these in hand which was there were more changes than just the dark blue. He has a new head. I’m fairly positive this is the recent Scarlet Spider head repainted. Also the front and back spider emblems where changed. These changes give this spider-man much more of a Todd McFarlane look. Once word got around about that, his price on the secondary market has steadily been rising. Nothing brings in the dollars like Todd.
One thing they changed that’s a negative is the switch up the connector pins in his hands. This means if you own Pizza Spidey you can’t lend his hand to Todd Spidey here. Pizza Spidey’s pulled up mask face does fit on Todd Spidey’s head ball socket but it’s a tight fit and I would not leave it on for long or it could become loose on the original. You can use the Ultimate Spider-man hands from the Space Venom Wave but they do come across small at certain angles
The hip joint has been opened up slightly more on this one allowing slightly better poseablity over original.
Paint wise it is a fairly nice over lay of solid colors. Most of the web is applied perfectly for the most part. On mine however the eye of the web in the middle of the mask is off center. This appears to be a defect in mine and not something across the sets. It is painted webbing not sculpted. So if you are a raised webbing fan this one may not be for you.
While I agree that I don’t know if it was needed to have a collectors box set include spidey I do appreciate Hasbro making him a little special for those of us that pick the box up.
Sandman
The Toy biz Sandman from Spider-man Classics is widely regarded as one of the best figures from the Toy Biz 6” days. His sculpt was incredible, it had a grainy feel to the touch and swappable sand shape arms were pitch perfect off the page. He also was colored with a sandy wash over him giving him a believability of being made out of Sand.
Why do I talk about this? To let you know the high standards the Hasbro one has to live up too.
This Sandman uses the absorbing man buck* from the Spider-man wave earlier this year which was a retool of Terrax buck. So he stands a hefty height over Spidey. He is colored in a dark and light brown style all over meant to be giving the appearance of being in ‘all sand’ mode. To me the color and smooth ness of the buck gives him more of a mud feel. I do have issue with the buck used here in that he has veins in his chest. Something I don’t think about Flint having. Given that the buck is from a build-a-figure and pieces can easily be removed it is a shame that he doesn’t come with attachable sand morphs. Even recolored Absorbing man stone arms to give the appearance of hardened sand would have been appreciated
On the positive side this is first comic Sandman marvel legend figure in a decade . With new collectors arriving every day it allows them a chance to put this classic villain on their toy shelf. One thing I think this figure does get right over the Toy Biz one is the “cornrows “ hair is better sculpted here. They really went for that classic look here with this one. I dose give me hope for a Norman head to be included with up coming green goblin.
It should be noted a more classic green shirt version is expected to be the build a figure for the upcoming Spider-man wave. The conspiracy theory is they waited on revealing him as not to take away from this set. It is just rumor at this point but since they have the tooling done it is a strong rumor.
Dreadknight
Aside from fighting Spider-man in the late 90’s this figure has another Spider-man connection in that he is using the New Hobgoblin buck*. He has a new head sculpt and borrows hilt, boots and gloves from Zemo of the Mandroid wave. He is the most kitted out with a sword (Zemo’s recolored) and a new lance. Anyone looking to customize a Demo goblin this would be a good base buck plus alternate Hobgoblin head from the Space venom wave.
Purple Man
This guy uses another of Spider-man’s rogues for his base buck* and that being the suit of the Chameleon, only change here is the color to be stylish modern Kilgrave in his iconic purple and a fantastic new head sculpt on top.
Abomination
Probably the other controversial choice for this set since we are also currently getting him as a build a figure in the current cap Marvel Legend’s wave. Like the last two he does take parts from a spidey rogue. Abomination here uses a handful of parts from the Rhino BAF from last year. The colors here are based off the early 2000’s John Romita Jnr version. While the figure is fun, personally I’m disappointed to be getting this character twice so close together. Would have preferred one version to be colored blue and be released as A-bomb.
Enchantress
She squared off against Spidey and other hero’s in the Secret War event and now here she is in glorious action figure form . She was easily one of the most demanded figures in the Marvel legends line. She doesn’t use a Spidey character’s buck this time but takes most of her tooling from last years Scarlet Witch. Her head sculpt is gorgeous and color of her make up has a wonderful shine. She comes with those cool Spell casting effects to attach to her hands. There are rumors she will appear in the Doctor Strange wave later this year. Like Sandman they are strong but unconfirmed. Still given her secondary price is now in the three digits territory it may be worth waiting to see if she does turn up that wave if you only want her.
All in All
This is not the greatest SDCC box set we have seen by a long shot. Book of Vishanti still has that honor. That said what we got is not nearly as bad as collectors made out when first revealed. Highlight’s for me are finally getting characters like Enchantress, Dread Knight and Purple man. Todd Spider-man is the biggest turn around from the reveal to how much I actually like the finished figure (despite its imperfections) Sandman and Abomination are the clunkers but could be worse.
Here for the crawlspace I have focused on Spider-man aspects… For more Images please feel free to check out our full gallery here.
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I was never into action figures….always thought the joints looked weird.
Much prefer plain old sculptures.
Great job!