Welcome back, Spidey fans! I hope you’re all doing well. For the past two months, as I’m sure you’ll recall, we took a look at the first and second series of Spider-Man Classics figures produced by ToyBiz. While the second and final series came out in 2001, there was one more Spider-Man action figure line that came out late that year. That line, of course, was the first series of Spider-Man movie action figures!
At the time, I was 10, and I was dying for figures; in fact, I was also unable to believe that we were finally going to get a movie based on one of my favorite characters at long last. As with any action figure line based on a movie property, the goal is to get the figures out a few months before the film arrives, which helps build hype for the film, and in turn, that anticipation helps sell the figures. That’s why these figures were hitting shelves before 2002.
The movie itself came out on May 3rd, 2002, which means that by the time you read this, the film will have already just turned 21 years old! My, how time flies! With that in mind, coupled with the fact that a new animated Spider-Man movie is hitting theaters next month, I couldn’t think of a better time to look back at these figures.
Super-Poseable Spider-Man
Spider-Man Classics set the bar for this wave, which was perhaps most obvious with this Spider-Man figure. Spidey featured an appropriately detailed sculpt, intricate paint details, as well as an articulation scheme similar to his comic counterpart and a display base. The display base, a gargoyle, featured a string to attach Spidey for web-slinging, which could also retract. The gargoyle could attach to a wall with the help of a pushpin, or clamp to a shelf. Spidey could also perch upon it when he wasn’t busy swinging off of it. This figure was very top notch for its day.
Super Poseable Green Goblin
Like his arch enemy, Green Goblin here featured a wide range of articulation and a super detailed sculpt. Instead of a gargoyle, Green Goblin’s base was his glider, complete with a clear display stand so he could look like he was flying or hovering in place. He also featured a removable mask with a Norman Osborn face underneath. I loved this figure, and played with him until he began to fall apart. The figure also featured a packaging variation. Originally, the figure was posed standing straight up and down, while later versions of this figure featured more dynamic posing in the box to better show off his articulation.
J. Jonah Jameson
I touched upon this figure in an older article detailing the best J. Jonah Jameson figures, but he definitely warrants another look here. JJJ features his office desk and chair. Unfortunately, unlike Spider-Man and Green Goblin, JJJ’s articulation is more limited, and he has an action feature. A lever on his back allows him to raise a pointed hand and pound his fist on his desk, which in turn rattles some items on it. His sculpt and likeness are pretty great, thankfully.
Norman Osborn
Some of the most memorable scenes from the film involved Norman Osborn talking to his sinister alter ego, which this figure portrays magnificently. Norman’s base is his chair, which allows for a spot to plug in his Green Goblin mask. Push down upon the seat, and the mask’s eyes light up as it begins to talk to Norman. Despite Norman’s limited articulation, his sculpt is great, and this action feature of his really was rather cool.
Battle Ravaged Spider-Man
Much like the second series of Spider-Man Classics, this series featured a battle ravaged Spider-Man. It allowed for some part reuse (which any toy company can appreciate) and helped capture his look and the feel of the final battle with Green Goblin. By reusing these parts, it allowed for this figure to also be super poseable. He featured a base which appeared to be some post-battle debris. Seeing as how we don’t get many battle damaged figures like this anymore, this figure makes for a neat figure, and a real standout on your shelf.
Did you guys collect these figures back when they came out like I did? Which one was your favorite? Let me know in the comments section below!
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Great article!! I can’t tell you how many times my parents bought me the Spider-Man perched on the gargoyle because I would always leave him at either my cousins house, restaurants, friends houses,etc. I remember the most common ones I saw was the Spidey with the ripped mask and Mary Jane with her festival outfit.
I had missed this article!
Pretty proud to say I still have that Green Goblin figure!
@Sthenurus- It was an amazing figure for its time! Having masked and unmasked options was the best!
I used to have that green goblin. It was awesome.