Okay, get ready, you guys, because thanks to our pal in the Great White North (that is Canada for the uninitiated), we will be bringing you looks at the ENTIRE new Marvel Legends Lizard series, and we are kicking it off Mysterio and Spider-Punk.

So, since we are a little ahead of the curve here, seeing as how this series has not even been okayed to be available for PRE-ORDER yet, we are going to do this a little bit differently. When I told RoboKillah that I would have a set ready to feature the week, the crazy bastard decided to jump in his truck and make the 5-hour drive (which was really more like 7 hours because he hit every Toys R Us along the way) so we could review this set together, and on video! This was a different format for me especially, but aside from the fact that you have to look at my ugly mug, this was a fun format.

However, since I like to look at pictures as well, I decided to supplement our videos with some stills, so there is at least something different if you take the time to look here. Additionally, since we literally opened the figures from the packaging for the first time as we were reviewing them, I did not really have a ton of time to “live” with these figures before sharing my thoughts. So the video format made for some very honest initial reactions, but if you are a collector, you know that, quite often, it takes some time to fully reconcile thoughts on a particular figure. I have just a few words about each to supplement my initial thoughts. I know, that is totally unfair to Robo since he does not have the figures with him now, but I shooting for full disclosure here.

Now, please go ahead and check out the video to get our initial reactions and discussion about these babies, and then, if you want to, read on to see some additional thoughts. I know Robo and I mentioned that we felt like we were maybe being a little too harsh right out of the gate, but I don’t think that was ultimately the case. I enjoyed being put “on the spot” to give some thoughts, but in the end, to exercise that old cliche, “It is not where you start, it is where you finish.”

SPIDER–PUNK

I don’t really have a ton more to add here other than to continue the narrative that I was very pleasantly surprised by this figure, I really love it. I don’t know anything about the character, but I love Spider-Man, and I REALLY love punk rock, so if I going to get into the Spiderverse, this is the perfect way. It is an interesting concept to combine a (close to) classic Spider-Man costume with some punk-inspired elements, but it works for me. I love the vest, and the pick, chord, and goat hands are pitch-perfect inclusions to sell the entire concept. I am still pretty lukewarm on the actual guitar itself, and the limited ankle articulation makes some poses difficult, but overall, this figure is blast, and I glad to add it to my Spider-shelf.

MYSTERIO

Mysterio was the one I felt like I came down really hard on upon first reaction, and while things like the cape peg, and rubbery knee joints still drive me nuts. Overall, I like this figure a lot more now that I have had it for a few days. I still cannot get over how nice the unique sculpt is, especially considering that very little of it is likely to ever be reused for a future figure. The patterns on the body suit and gantlets are both nice, but the detail is really highlighted in the sculpting of the inner lining of the cape — the repeated scalloped pattern is most impressive.

Additionally, I did not mention before that I think he shape for the “fishbowl” is about perfect, and that actually goes a long way considering the weird and very imperfect history of Mysterio in ML. Also, I really love the translucent green effects included with this figure, and I appreciate the direction of the skull and tentacle head sculpt, but I ultimately decided that it is just not for me. FORTUNATELY, I gathered a bit of cotton batting and placed it inside of the fishbowl, and removed the green head. To me, this is a VERY successful effect to achieve a classic Mysterio look, and suddenly some of the figure’s foibles don’t stand out as much to me. I will say that the batting works better than a simple cotton ball, so head to the local craft store and spend a bit more to get the most successful effect.

Overall, these are two solid figures, and while Spider-Punk is a surprise love for me, I am very relieved to have a good classic Mysterio for the first time ever in ML. Stay tuned, we will be back with more tomorrow!