Spiderman Action Figures
Spiderman remains one of comics’ most popular characters, nearly fifty years after his first appearance in Amazing Fantasy in 1962. This is due in large part to the unprecedented success of the trilogy of movies featuring the character, which collectively have grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. At present, a new movie is being developed, and the character continues to appear in various animated series, and of course, in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Naturally, lots of Spiderman action figures have been produced throughout the character’s long history, and here are reviews of some of the best of them.
Hasbro, one of the US’s biggest toy manufacturers, currently holds the license to produce action figures based on Marvel Universe characters, under its Marvel Legends Line. Its Spiderman action figures based on the movie series were released under the Spiderman Trilogy line, and each featured a piece of an action figure of Sandman, which collectors could assemble after having bought all the characters in the set. One of the most popular figures in the Spiderman Trilogy set is Dr. Octopus, from the critically-acclaimed Spiderman 2. The character features multiple points of articulation, and has a bent signpost weapon accessory, which can be held in Doc Ock’s tentacles. Incidentally, he also comes with the Sandman’s right arm.
Before the license went to Hasbro, Toy Biz, now the toy division of Marvel, held the license to produce Marvel action figures. One of its most popular releases was the Carnage figure, based on the popular comic storyline Maximum Carnage. The red-suited Carnage is six inches tall and has a weapon arm that can exchanged with the figure’s regular arm.
Toy Biz also produced Spiderman action figures based on the 1994 Spider-Man animated series. The Rhino was a popular villain who first appeared in the Amazing Spider-Man comic in 1966. The Rhino action figure is approximately five inches tall with multiple points of articulation, and has head-butting action.
More recently, Hasbro has produced a Signature Series of Spiderman action figures featuring the character as he appeared in various points in his long history, including his first appearance and in his black costume. One of the most popular figures features the Iron Spider costume from the controversial Civil War crossover, given to Spiderman by Iron Man when he became a member of the Avengers. The figure has a red fabric costume and includes three ‘spider leg attack claws’; of course, it is fully poseable with multiple points of articulation. It is highly collectible since only a limited number of figures were released.
US $.55
