Spider-Tracer: Spider Power, Series II

Welcome back for round 2 of the Spider Power figures! Yes, we’ll be following up last month’s article with a look at the second series of Spider Power figures from ToyBiz. Let’s get right to it and take a look…

This second series of Spider Power figures was, in my opinion an improvement in several areas. There was only one actual Spider-Man figure this time around, which allowed for more characters and looks to be made. The sole villain (depending how you feel about a certain newspaper publisher) got a much better sculpt. And, yes, a civilian character was thrown into the mix! First up, let’s look at…

Flip and Swing Spider-Man

Yeah, this was my least favorite figure, so let’s just get him out of the way. This figure had one purpose, and one purpose only: To hang from a lamppost and swing and kick crates (or enemies, your choice). The crates would, as a result, pop open. You could also swing Spidey from the side of the post. Try and do anything else with him and he just ends up looking… weird. Not even the sculpt on this one won me over.

Spider-Sense Peter Parker

I always did like that half-Spidey, half-Peter Parker Spider-Sense look, which this figure nicely captures in plastic form. It’s funny how the last series had a figure with Spider-Sense as a main feature, no? The main difference here is that it’s not an action feature, just a part of the sculpt. Also, I do wish he was wearing the same outfit as Street Warrior Spidey from the previous series, but I digress. Anywho, place the handles on the two trashcan lids in Peter’s hands, press his legs together, and he tosses the attached trashcans as a result. It’s kind of neat. The sculpt is okay, but I do have to point out how wide his calves are compared to his upper legs; it just looks strange to me. Still, if you were needing a Peter Parker figure, and missed out on the earlier animated offering, this was for you.

J. Jonah Jameson

I talked a little bit about this figure in a previous article focused on J. Jonah Jameson action figures, so be sure to check that out. With that said, this figure was so very highly anticipated by yours truly as a child. With JJJ having been such a major character on the 1994 animated Spider-Man show, this figure was a must have! Finally, a J. Jonah Jameson to fund the creation of and get kidnapped by the Scorpion! He came with a desk that also transformed into a Spider-Slayer that shot discs. The Spider-Slayer was neat for what it was, but I much preferred just giving JJJ his desk to pound on and demand pictures of Spider-Man. He also had a rolled-up newspaper with actual written Spider-Man and Doc Ock articles. My only complaint with this figure was his legs, which made it very difficult for him to stand well. Otherwise? I was thrilled to have him!

Doctor Octopus

Now, this Doc Ock was straight out of the comics, specifically from his return from the dead story arc by writer Tom DeFalco and artist Steve Skroce in “The Amazing Spider-Man” #s 426-428. However, he also came with an Octobot with design elements from the 90’s animated series. Sadly, the Octobot had better arms than the actual figure. The Octobot’s arms were a thick, bendy, durable material, while the arms that ported into Doc Ock’s back when not using his Octobot were thin, flimsy, and not so durable. That said, the sculpt on Doc Ock was fantastic, as were the colors they used! Ock and Jameson were hands down my favorite figures in this wave!

And there you have it, Spidey fans, a look back at both series of Spider Power figures from ToyBiz. What’d you think of this second series of figures; did you have any of them, and if so, which ones were your favorites? Sound off in the comments section below!

PS

If you’re reading this article the week it came out, I’m on vacation; I wrote it the same day as the Series I article. Take care, and see you all next month!