We're kind of going off topic and talking about our disappointments with Tom Holland's character as Spider-Man and a hero of his own instead of being Iron Man's sidekick. Nothing to do with the toys beside my wondering if I should get a figure of MCU Spidey because I at least love the suit design
Some new things arrived today and yesterday, Web-Man and Qubit (plus bonus Nova)! @transmasterc was gracious enough to scoop me up a Nova, so that's one less headache to worry about since my Walgreens just don't stock their figures and I can't remember the last time one of their exclusives was relatively easy to get off Walgreens' site. Nu/Old Nova's pretty neat. While I appreciate the modern suit, I dig the classic design and appreciate the consistent use of gold throughout (instead of the metallic yellowish gold bits on the suit but a golden yellow, non-metallic helmet on the GotG wave figure). Old/Nu Nova's suit is certainly shinier (I forgot about the metallic blues), but the aesthetic always reminded me of something...Ocean Master-ish, for some reason? It's hard to explain. The difference in helmet's also interesting; Old/Nu Nova's is "longer" (it reminds me of how Magneto's helmet is typically drawn, to make it more menacing, especially when his face was kept in shadow), while Nu/Old Nova's is more, well, head-shaped. More like a bucket. I do wish he'd come with an unmasked head, or alternate helmeted head with a less muted expression? Still, I'm glad there was an opportunity to tackle a classic suit for a cosmic character. I'd still take a red/yellow redeco of this guy as part of a New Warriors set too. Also, Qubit! It's a...flying...head...thing! I don't know why it didn't get painted eyes, but still, I'm amused by dorky little things like this (or the Phlish thrown in with Sam Alexander), so while I still wish Richard got an extra head of his own, I'll take this in exchange. Web-Man, meanwhile, is definitely a man who webs. I love the obscure shit, so this remains right up my alley, but yeah I'm surprised this guy didn't get the new Retro Spidey body. Still, the colors pop so nicely on this; it's hard to mess up baby blue-type color schemes, and this doofus turned out pretty. It's such a simple redeco choice I'm mildly surprised this wasn't saved for a Marvel Unlimited bonus. Speaking of...I also got my Marvel Unlimited kit with Captain Kate Pryde! ...it's basically the Jugs wave Kate with extra bits. Like, this really could've been an upgrade kit, if Hasbro did such things, instead of a separate release. When I first heard of this, I thought it was a reference to when she was with the Guardians (I haven't read those stories yet), but it's actually an even more recent reference to the new Marauders around the HoX/PoX books. People might be more familiar with her "Kill Shaw" look from one cover around that time, with a pirate-esque jacket on, and I think Hasbro could still go all out at some point for a Captain Kate figure that's more, well, notable than this one. There is an alternate look I found while googling that is this figure almost exactly (except with a black eye), so this wasn't them bullshitting a reference out of nowhere. For what it is, it kinda spruces up a somewhat uneventful Kate figure anyways. The scarf actually helps keep Lockheed in place better as the tail can wrap around it too. I bandage on the nose is a nice, small touch, and I find it funny this new one has lipstick on as another subtle touch. Other than the belt and sword, not much else new; the black is a bit lighter and yellow a bit brighter. Lockheed's also a lighter purple. Probably something for the OCD completionists and X-/Kate-fanatics. I might actually swap the previous Kate out for this one on my X-shelves until the Shadowcat version from the Excalibur set drops.
Grabbed MCU Vulture today. Glad I didn’t get the entire build-a-wingpack wave 3 years ago(I only wanted a few of the figures). It paid off to wait as this one has new parts like a more accurate head sculpt and pinless legs. However, I can see why it got mixed reviews. The stand doesn’t work well. You’re better off leaning the figure against a wall or upright surface. Stand is too short and too light to support the figure with its wings. Wings aren’t made from PVC, they’re made from a rigid plastic that feels sturdy except for the hinges. When folding at the hinge, the hinges don’t feel very secure. It’s hard to describe but you’ll know when you bend them. For example, you’ll be thankful they weren’t made from PVC but might think the hinge connections just feel weird. Even the hexagonal peg joints where the wings rotate don’t feel too secure(there’s some give/slack when rotating). Worst thing is, the arm braces don’t have any hinges. So when you bend the arms at the elbows, the braces stick out from the bottom of the forearms. Had they at least been 2 piece braces with a hinge, the upper halves could remain attached to the upper arm when the elbows are bent. Stand aside, the weight distribution for the backpack is clever since it actually pegs into the lower torso, so you can use the ab crunch without making the body top heavy due to the wings. Rotation back is limited though. The connection to the lower torso is pretty secure since it uses a trianglular leg and socket instead of just circular. I do wish a new upper body with barbell neck was used since the collar prevents the head from looking up. Swappable Michael Keaton portrait would’ve been cool too. The Vulture figure itself is decent but the wing hinges and static arm braces are a letdown.
I'm quite happy with the two Holland movies so far. They are far superior to the Raimi movies and unlike the Garfield run, are actually spectacular. I love this take on Spider-Man because he actually has Peter Parker's personality and acts like a high school student. He isn't the cool kid like Garfield portrayed and he isn't the 30 year old pretending to be an 18 year old like Maquire was. Speaking of Happy, look what I found on clearance at Target for $20: I now have myself another goon to have my heroes fight. Oh, and a Gold Man, which is pretty much dogshit.
I always saw that movie as Peter's growth into Spider-Man. In FFH, he's been forced to step out from under Tony's guidance and shadow, and while he flounders a bit at first, eventually he designs his own suit with minimal tech and relies on his own abilities to defeat the villain. Mysterio is also a fantastic villain and it was a lot of fun to see Peter being Peter. Plus the setting was a nice change of pace from the usual New York and other American cities setting. I get not liking it, but really only if you don't like the way Spidey's been portrayed in the MCU overall. Regardless I think NWH will definitely make him more of an independent and self-sufficient character. Dr. Strange is really more of helping him out rather than guiding him like Tony and Fury did.
Oh cool that you have that Kate already! I should get mine soon then! You should read Marauders since you have Marvel unlimited now. It’s good! And Hellions too!
I really should. I read some of the Moira X stuff and really dug it. This whole current X era seems really interesting.
As far as Comic figures go this is one of the best headsculpts of the Hasbro era...... And now I'm going to have to complete that Hyde Baf just so Herc can get a little revenge beatdown going on.
There's a lot I don't like about the current X-Men comics, the least significant but most annoying of which is that Kitty decided to start going by Kate for no reason. Hopefully that's one of many things nobody ever touches again after Hickman leaves.
I'd love to see Hasbro update the Annihilation Nova. Such a cool look and that figure could be so much better.
I agree. I recently read Powers of X/House of X and I'm intrigued by this timeline. I want to read how it all plays out, but my library is making it very hard as they only have Dawn of X Volumes 1 and 14.
MARVEL LEGENDS! I GET IT! Took a break from it yesterday. The Spidey shelf didn't make it so I had to combine with the villains shelf. Luckily the Hydra and AIM guys where easy omissions.
That reminds me, a Sentinel sized Apocalypse figure would make a great future HasLab project. Especially if they toss in his drill arm from "X-Men VS Street Fighter".
