The original Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars was a 12-issue limited series published by Marvel Comics from 1984 to 1985. Written by Jim Shooter with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton, it was Marvel’s first major crossover event and one of the most influential stories in comic book history. Here's a summary:
A cosmic entity known as the Beyonder, fascinated by the nature of good and evil, transports a group of Marvel’s greatest heroes and villains to a distant, patchwork world called Battleworld. The Beyonder promises that whoever defeats their enemies will be granted their deepest desires. Seeing other heroes repairing their damaged gear and suits, with a fabricating machine, Spider-Man attempts to repair his torn and tattered costume. Unbeknownst to the web slinger, and par for the "old Parker luck," Spidey unwittingly uses a different machine which appears to create a new black costume. The costume amazes Spider-Man as it responds to his thoughts, can mimic other looks, and seemingly manufactures its own webbing. Of course, after returning to Earth, Spider-Man eventually learns that he has unintentionally began bonding with an alien symbiote. The rejection of which leads to the creation of one of Spider-Man's most terrifying villains... VENOM.
Accessories: 7/10
This Spider-Man figure comes equipped with several notable accessories:
Alternate Head Sculpt: Features narrowed eyes, capturing a more intense and focused Spider-Man expression.
Three Pairs of Hands: Includes fists, open hands with splayed fingers (wall crawling), and web-shooting hands, allowing for multiple posing options.
Lenticular Motion "Shield": A nostalgic addition that pays homage to the original Secret Wars toy line, featuring dynamic imagery that shifts with viewing angles.
While the accessories are well-crafted and enhance the figure's versatility, the inclusion of a web accessory or an unmasked Peter Parker head could have added further value.
Appearance: 9/10
The figure boasts a sleek black suit with sharp white spider emblems on the chest and back, accurately reflecting the comic book design. The paint application is clean, with crisp lines and minimal bleeding. I appreciate the fact that the logo on his back is cleanly applied to the butterfly joint and lines up properly in a neutral pose. The sculpt captures Spider-Man's athletic build, and the alternate head with narrowed eyes adds a layer of character depth. I don't mind the narrowed eyes, in fact that was one of the reasons I wanted this figure. However, I would have liked to see the classic eye design from the original Secret Wars comics.
Articulation: 7/10
Utilizing the "Amazing Fantasy" body mold, this figure offers extensive articulation, including:
Disc hinged head which looks up and down reasonably well. Turns side to side without issue but has virtually no tilt.
Butterfly joints that are fairly limited, which is disappointing and shoulders that I had to force to get to a T pose. Full rotation works fine.
Bicep swivel works as it should.
Double-jointed elbows and knees, with excellent range.
Wrist hinge/rotation
Ab crunch. The upper joint bends back somewhat and forward to a degree. The lower hinge helps improve the range but aesthetically makes for an awkward appearance.
No waist swivel
Legs can split to just a bit past 45 degrees... typically for most Marvel Legends. They can kick forward to about 90 degrees which isn't bad.
Thigh and calf swivels
Ankle pivots
This range of motion allows for decent dynamic poses, from aerial web-swinging to crouched stances. The joints are generally tight, maintaining poses well without becoming loose over time.
Affordability: 6/10
Priced at approximately $25.99, the figure offers good value, especially considering its articulation and accessory count. However, with multiple black suit Spider-Man figures released over the years, some collectors might find it challenging to justify the purchase if they already own similar versions. Additionally, the lack of certain accessories, such as a web piece or an unmasked head, slightly impacts the overall value proposition.
Overall, the Hasbro Marvel Legends Secret Wars Black Costume Spider-Man is a commendable addition to any Marvel collection, especially for fans of the "Secret Wars" storyline. Its combination of detailed appearance, versatile articulation, and thoughtful accessories makes it a solid, if unspectacular piece. Thus, the figure earns a slightly above average:
7.25 out of 10 ToyBoxes
If you already have a black suit Spidey, this may not be a necessity for you. If you don't, then, this will be an acceptable addition to your collection. As always, thank you for visiting Dan's ToyBox and until next time... GEEK OUT!!!