ML Hobgoblin BAF: Anti-Venom

Ah yes! The Hobgoblin BAF set of the Amazing Spider-Man line. I'm not sure how I feel about the BAF and a couple of the figures, but I do know there are some I want to get like Anti-Venom over here. So it's Eddie Brock after surviving cancer and gaining a new symbiote. Not 100% about his story but here we are with a figure of him in the 6in scale! What to say about this guy?!

So here's the box and the set that come with him. Some good figures here and there that I really like but for the most part I'm still ambivalent about getting the entire set.

Just off the get go, I will say for someone who is as feral as Anti-Venom, his paint job looks slightly too clean. As hasbro will go, paint details lack aside from minor things like the black logo and the orange contrast in his mouth and eyes. Despite the bland coloring, it fits this negative Venom. I mean, I have the Select version and as far as Marvel Select goes, they are fantastic in details and paint jobs but we have come to know Hasbro for lacking so I suppose this one is sort of expected. It's not an ugly paint, it's just not above what Hasbro does. Mold wise, I'm content. He can be a bit bigger since it is the former Venom we are talking about, but it's good enough. The hands are recycled from Carnage and Hasbro's Toxin; was hoping for alternate hands. I was just hoping some sculpts of symbioses protruding from him here and there but alas, not so much.

He comes with one of Hobgoblin's leg which again, I'm not so sure I will be buying him. Oh and one lackluster accessory that really does very little to add to the figure:

Yeah, it does very little to nothing.

His articulation came to no surprise as well. It doesn't do him injustice, but it doesn't do him as much advantage since as far as I recall, while he is a big character, Brock had some agility thanks to the symbiote's duplication of Parker's spider abilities. The 'big man' mold we have seen lacks that pose ability so I can say that there are certain things that are deterred. Though he still has some good range of articulation that allows him some posture that I would imagine this Venom would be in. The fun factor of his range of movement still exists and a bit more natural than Drax, I would say.

Superior Spider-Man

And I don't know why, there is just something fun about the photo shoot with having Anti-Venom pose with a bunch of other Spider-Men related/Symbiote related figures that I own! I didn't pose him with any red and blue Spideys but here he is with his symbiote clan:

Symbiote party!

"They all left and didn't help me clean up!"

In conclusion, I love this figure despite my qualms with it. It's a nice contrast to my symbiote collection with how white he is. He is so vibrant and just cool to look at. While I may not say that he is Brock's best symbiote suit(apparently he is now the new Toxin too....?), I will say that I'm still a Symbiote junkie as I was when I first started liking Marvel hardcore(way back when). Still, I'm not sure I'm convinced with buying Hobgoblin Set. We'll see. 

Happy New Year 2015!

Well, it's the New Year! So this is just a minor representation of what I accumulated during 2014! While some may make the roster as figures of 2014, I just decided to pull some figures that came up from the top of my head and displayed them. As you can see, Playarts Kai Supergirl and S.H. Figuards Saturn haven't been reviewed yet so I'll get on those soon enough and then get the 2014 figures top whatever listed down! But all in all, what a good year!

-Masterless

ML U.Goblin BAF: Superior Spider-Man(Reprise)

Previous Post

This is my first repost of an action figure I have reviewed before. So what's new with Superior Spider-Man? Well, what Hasbro lazily didn't provide, a custom kit provided by a fellow collector rectifies Hasbro's short coming! So let's check him out then!

The 'web shooters' and the 'backpack' attaches quite snugly with a little bit of super glue! Again what an amazing addition and what art some of these customizers can do compared to what a main company like Hasbro can't provide! I mean:

RecklessHero

It's not like Hasbro didn't have the tools to see what he looks like right?!

The only thing missing from the kit(might be available later) are the spider-legs that signifies the whole 'Dr. Octopus' and Iron Spider deal.

Webbing accessory! He is missing some webbing accessory that is a must in this kind of shot! Though him just having the gauntlets/web shooters and backpack just gives him that much more fun factor in my opinion.

Out of all the Ultimate Green Goblin set, he was already high on my favorite list but with the kit, it just truly puts him on top!

All in all, the kit was worth it. It took a bit of time to get him for whatever reason, but here he is now all suited up for the next superior mission a Superior Spidey has to do! So anyways, my first reprise review so not much to truly scrutinize since this figure has seen the light before. Let me tell you though, if I get webbings and the legs, this guy might see another light of day in the spotlight!

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! 

Toy Hunting: Amazing Spider-Man 2 ML infinite Series

Never thought I'd be hunting this vehemently for MLs as much as I have been the last week or so. Online may be the easiest way to do it but it is not the most frugal way to do it. I was rather excited when I saw the pieces of the toys back then. So…. here we are. Well, Tuesday hopefully. There might be that chance for it according to the local retail. Here's to hoping!

In the mean time…

That is beautiful!

NYCC: Marvel Legends Preview "The Amazing Spider-Man 2"

So San Diego Comi-Con pretty much started giving us some teasers to 2014's Comic Book related movies, action figures, collection, so on and so on. While the majority of the news being conveyed are up my alley, I am more enthused with the action figures that are being released. Basically I get to have a bit of a hindsight on what I will be trying to nab for my collection in the months/year to come. The SDCC also conveyed that there will be a change in the way Marvel Legends come out and they will be mostly sticking to the the Movie releases and the current Marvel Legends BAF will end with 'fireworks' through the Jubilee BAF(huh?). So here's a bit of preview on what was revealed in New York; pictures are from Marvel Legends website.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

This is the BAF of this wave. I can see where people call out the fact that it is a recycled Movie Hulk mold. I don't have that figure so I have no qualms with it. Is it a worthy thing to combine? Yeah. I just have to look for a spot for it.

 
These two are my most 'wanted' pieces of the set. Black Cat with the new female mold... Hmmm. Superior Spider-Man may just be Doc Ock in Spidey's body, but it is a cool costume in my opinion. Better than the original!

I have a Carnage figure. Two of them to be precise. I'm glad that they aren't recycling those old Toybiz molds and creating a new one(from what I can see anyways). This new Beetle is a must have for me. I'm enamored by the color scheme and the way it is sculpted.

And my two least favorite of the set. I'm not a big fan of the retraction of the rather unique costume of Spider-Man to the original. Suffice to say, it just looks plan boring to me. Electro looks rather mundane as well so with that said, they are the least enticing part of the set. Not to mention they are the movie version.

In conclusion, so far that's two waves I'm interested in that are coming out next year. I might skip the Winter Soldier set because of the rather atrocious BAF they have called Mandroid.

I mean he isn't as terrible as I made it sound but, there just isn't something about him that makes compels me to complete this set. I mean Black Widow is in it so perhaps I'll get her.... Who knows.