ML U. Green Goblin BAF: Spider-Girl

I've actually caught a figure this month, and what better way to start it than to get a "Spider-Woman"! Okay, she's not Spider-Woman. She's not Jessica Drew or even Julia Carpenter. Truthfully, I don't even know this girl's secret identity name, believe it or not! But knowing about this character and having a full blown bio isn't exactly the main purpose of this! It's all about the figure and all its wonderful assets! So...

Pretty standard packaging. She is the variant of the Black Cat figure I got earlier this year! Skyline sirens are what these two are called.

This mold is brand new and I like it. Mentioned more than once by a couple of other reviewers, this mold would be the perfect teenager lady of Marvel like X-23, Spider-girl(May Parker), Kitty Pryde, and so forth. I'm elated to see what Hasbro will do with this mold in the nearby(hopefully) future.

Spider-Girl's paint job isn't at all terrible but it doesn't offer something spectacular. As seen in the collage, her front has the painted on spider emblem; more or less this suit is from Julia Carpenter's 'Arachne' form so the paint does it justice. Then of course there is black everywhere and her back side offers very little to add designs(though the taut buttocks might be something for the perves).

In the articulation department, Spider-Girl has a lot of swivels in her lower body like her ankles, calves, and thighs. Though I feel that the feminine hips deters a bit of her agile poses since she doesn't seem to be able to do a full on split for me. Her upper body articulation is also lackluster compared to her legs and I seem to have tighter than normal arm joints. Head moves well enough though it did require a bit of forcing to really warm her up.

Just like Black Cat, she doesn't come with any interchangeable hands or any of the sort. In fact she comes even more short handed than Felicia since she has NO accessory AT ALL. Sure she comes with the Torso BAF piece, but that's it! Sure failed there in my opinion! A webbing, a variation in face, or maybe just more hands would've done this figure more justice!

Overall, Spider-Girl is a good pick. I don't regret getting her but she does come with some flaws. Again the main one is really lacking in accessories! Though I'll look into the bright side that this figure does pave the way for a lot of other characters both mold-wise and the idea that if a not very well known character like Spider-Girl gets out into the plastic open, why not others?! I mean... aren't we due for a Spider-Woman figure with the Black Cat mold?! 

ML Infinite Series: Ultimate Green Goblin BAF

Beetle, Superior Spidey, Black Cat, Electro, Carnage, Spidey

First and foremost let me just state that this is probably one of the best BAFs that Hasbro has dished out! In fact, it's the first BAF I have completed a full review on each and every single figure(something I will most likely make a habit out of). Hasbro's decision to make their BAF "Infinite Series" lines concur with the movies wasn't entirely well received for a little while though I understand why they did it! Nowadays people know Marvel Studios than the Marvel Comics itself so presenting their toy lines with a label that is familiar with casual fans will most likely have more fruitful result. My real qualms with that is the characters that would be provided; Will these characters be mainstream/movie characters? Or will Hasbro touch base with some of the not so popular characters in the comic books? Luckily this one did a great job mixing in recognizable characters from the movie but adding in some underground and popular comic book characters. The BAF may not be my personal favorite but this review will delve into what makes Ultimate Green Goblin worth it. Besides, isn't that face something anyone would love?

I'll give you the reasons why I'm not the biggest fan of this BAF right off the get go. First and foremost, this thing screams Hulk all over it. It's plainly obvious that it is from an Incredible Hulk mold! From what I know it was from the Avengers 6' inch action figure and they didn't do a very good job trying to hide it at all. I mean with the fact that they are both green and gargantuan it's a hard task to truly distinguish when using the same mold. I have no qualms with the mold, it's a good mold for large muscular characters, but they should've made him more like the very first adaptation of the Ultimate Green Goblin with the purple cloak and all. That and those denim jeans has got to go since it's the exact same ripping patterns as the Hulk I believe. But be that as it may, the details that are Goblin's alone like the spikes on his arms, the beastial feet, and the satanic creature of the black lagoon head mold does it justice.

And if the back looks too plain, there is always the flame affect that this figure is graciously rewarded with. Again, kudos for Hasbro for taking some tips from Toybiz and the imports!

I'm not entirely sure why the flame affect did it for me but what it accomplished made me like this figure that much. It has a pretty good mold and the paint accentuated a rather 'fiery' feel to it(as it should). The one thing about them is that they don't really hang on to Goblin as much as I would want especially the back flame. If one doesn't move him as much they'll stay, but literally they just hang and a slight angle it will make them just fall off. Still, the detail molded in them and the fact that they arm flames aren't identical, it's beneficial and it adds to the overall 'energy' of the figure.

Now in regards to his articulation, he has pretty much every standard bending ability as modern figures these days would ask for. For a big guy, he can be pretty nimble as a toy so I can take solace in that. I could pose him to do some pretty feral things that still makes him look like a juggernaut(sorry Cain Marko!) that he supposedly is(in the Ultimate line, he is responsible for Peter Parker's death).

But those Incredible Hulk pants though is killing off most of his aesthetics for me. He just reminds me of Hulk and/or Abomination! I really wish they put more effort into making him distinguishable than the other mean green giants of the Marvel Universe!

Speaking of giant, Mr. Ultimate Osborn doesn't quite stand up to the mighty Galactus. Well all joking aside, Hasbro still has yet to make a gargantuan BAF lately that matches up to the standards of Toybiz. Okay so maybe they had Fin Fang Foom way back when, but that's one out of how many BAFs have they made? They're more popular for BAFs like Hit Monkey, Puck, and Rocket Raccoon who are dwarfs compared to Apocalypse, Sentinel, Galactus, etc. So perhaps after the next two BAFs announced that Hasbro will pick up the size, huh?

Personally, Ultimate Green Goblin as stand alone figure doesn't have the compelling qualities that will get me just to buy him. With a very obvious Hulkness to him and the Ultimate universe has never been my cup of tea, this figure isn't making any top tier for me. Though what does make this BAF worth it are the pieces on its roster. Out of the six figures only one I barely didn't care for but ultimately with how the variant hands/heads are implemented, dynamic affects, new molds, and brand new packaging, I say in the end it was a note worthy catch. It was a hard toy hunt that I'm not doing again, but it was well worth it(now). 

ML Ultimate Green Goblin BAF: Superior Spider-Man

So far, it's the last of the Ultimate Green Goblin BAF I have. Again, Carnage and Black Cat still remains out of my grasps and their prices are still sky high in my local online stores! But moving on to this guy… You know the story line that involves "Superior Spider-Man" is intriguing. It got a enough backlash from fans and some praise from others. Regardless of where it stood, it lasted a good few 13 months and a bit more until the second movie come out in theaters(that was predictable). One thing for sure that I like from that story line(despite me not reading ONE issue) is that Spidey got an updated suit!

There's two box theme for this series. One is the more comic book themed like we have seen in Beetle and Superior Spider-Man here, and then of course there is the movie theme that we have seen from Amazing Spider-Man and Electro. The symbol and the side art is the distinguishable signs that of what is movie and what is not. Curious, they only have 2 out of the 6 movie related and the running change variations don't have any other movie versions as well.

I'm a big fan of this costume design! Okay so a lot of the preferences I have for this thread is the fact that it adheres to my two favorite colors: red and black. If I remember correctly, Superior Spidey also has extra 'limbs' like Iron Spider-Man suit. I'm sure with Dock Ock being inside Spidey's body, that would make sense since that would feel right at home with his tentacle ways in his original body. Wish they added that in with the figure! But as a new mold and the paint job being above mediocre, I can't complain that much. Though he is missing something on his forearm which I assume are advanced web shooters or something… not entirely sure. Again, didn't read the comics(don't read comics anymore).

He comes with another leg of Ultimate Green Goblin and a pair of alternate hands. Again I'm glad they have these variant hands which adds a lot more pose options, but if only those 'tentacles' or 'spider pegs' were added in here!

On the articulation department, he reminds me a lot of the Amazing Spider-Man figure on this wave. He has the same amount of articulation with the same new mold that they use for a skinnier and more nimble looking Spidey!

And he is rather pose able might I add and very joint friendly! Though I will say now as a qualm I have with the other Spider-Man figure, he lacks the webbing accessory that would've made these web slinging shots a bit more convincing! I mean he has the flexibility for it, adding that web line would really make a few more great shots!

And those extra legs on his back… it would've been really nice!

Superior Spider-Man in red light!

Superior vs Scarlet!

In conclusion, I really like this figure despite the minor set backs or the lack of things that would've made this figure just plain 'perfect'! Basing it off on the character and the costume design and its action figure adaptation, I would say that this is my favorite so far of the four. But again, Carnage and Black Cat are still running rampant out there and not in my grasp so I'm sure there might be a change of opinion once I finally have them! As of right now, that's all in regards to this BAF. I will build him, just a matter of time!