Along with DC’s Crisis on Infinite Earths, Marvel’s Secret Wars from 1984 was another incredible miniseries, if for no other reason than it gave us the origin of Spider-Man’s black suit Symbiote look. All these years later, the black Spidey costume has an amazing look.
Much like the late ’70s, the mid ’80s were another incredible and impressionable time on my geek development. I was entering the magical 10-11 years to teenager years and just about everything was starting have some kind of emotional impression on me. Secret Wars was one of many comics that spoke to my evolving self: it had drama, death, love and tons of action. And it was built on Mike Zeck’s art and Jim Shooter’s writing.
While the black costume was introduced before Secret Wars started, it was in the miniseries that we learned the origin of the costume. Pete wore the costume for a while before Marvel decided it was time to rebrand, which coincided with Todd McFarlane taking on penciling duties and demanding a switch to the classic blue and red duds. Pete still has a classic black costume that he pulls out for special occasions, but the Symbiote has moved on — a couple of times …
So there’s some history: young Pabs, easily impressed; Todd McFarlane, not so much impressed changes the costume. As far as the figure goes, it’s Pizza Spidey with better hips. Yeah, these hips have a better range of motion than Pizza Spidey, seems all the subsequent figures based off that mold are better. Symbiote Spidey is no exception.
But the best part of this figure is the costume. It’s a great from the comic-to-action-figure translation. Along with the extra hands, this is a perfect rendition and one that needs to sit proudly in any collection.
So … yeah … buy this figure. It’s a good, solid figure, it pops on the shelf, and whether you are collecting Spider-Man or Venom, he’ll fit in any collection. You can pick him up today here:
