This is the ninth year I’ve written about my favorite figure for The Fwoosh. It also happens to be the third time I’ve picked a Spider-Man figure. The TSI/Spider-Man connection is encroaching on Dan Larson/Boba Fett and Robo/Black Krrsantan territory.
Up until the last week of December, I thought the 1000toys Halo Infinite Master Chief was my figure of the year. It’s the first Master Chief figure that isn’t held back by articulation, engineering, sculpting, or a combination of the three. It stands out on a shelf and poses well, yet I’m coming back to a classic comic book character in an iconic costume. I guess we can’t help but be our truest selves.
Symbiote Spidey doesn’t have a natural place in my display. In fact, as of now, this Spider-Man figure is the only duplicate character in my collection. Without a true spot in my main display, he’s web-slinging his way across my desk. It’s a great place for him because it’s a reminder of why I started collecting in the first place.
For a long time, I’ve been collecting to build my perfect X-Men team, but before that, it was about getting tangible, 3D versions of my favorite characters and costumes. As good as Master Chief is and as much as I love Halo, I keep returning to Spider-Man in this costume. The black costume is probably my single favorite look in comic history.
MAFEX has been my go-to toy line since their original Spider-Man came out in 2019. They’ve delivered several near-perfect renditions of comic-book titans. Add in the likes of Gambit, Catwoman, and the T-800, and they’ve really got my number.
Maybe next year my figure of the year will finally break free of comics and superhero-dom. Maybe it won’t be a beloved character in a seminal costume. But looking at my pre-orders for 2023, my taste, and my picks over the last nine years, something tells me it might be.
TSI’s best-of archive:
2021 – Medicom MAFEX Hush Superman
2020 – Hasbro Marvel Legends Doctor Doom
2019 – Medicom MAFEX Spider-Man
2018 – Bandai S.H. Figuarts Avengers: Infinity War Hulk
2017 – Mezco One:12 Collective Red Skull
2016 – Mezco One:12 Collective Captain America
2015 – Hasbro Marvel Legends Spider-Man
2014 – Hasbro Marvel Legends Star-Lord
