I could not resist the sheer weird ugliness that was this Spider-Man from Hasbro. Its construction shows actual innovation, and clever cheapening out. The figure has only 5 joints and stands about 3 3/4-inches tall, with unpainted and slightly off-model limbs. The toy is packaged in a clear bag with some graphics covering the lower legs, no doubt preventing people from seeing the fact that the feet are blue rather than red.
While the eyes are painted, as is the black spider, everything else is molded in color. Everything you see in red is molded red - everything in blue is molded blue. There's a big red spider on the back that's a plastic piece. I assume this means it's the perfect toy for kids - so many old toys have scratched-up boots or chipped hands, and since this one lacks any sort of paint that won't be an issue. Sure, the plastic will dent, but it will still look pretty good if and when you stumble on him in a thrift store bin down the road. Hasbro did some of this dual-color injection molding with its excellent Kenner-style Ahsoka Tano in 2022 and has more frequently started to mold hair elements in colors in its $20-$25 collector figures. I think it's the best way to go. Playmobil also uses this technique extensively in things like dinosaur horns and claws, so kids who bash these toys around won't have worn-looking figures as quickly. It also has the added benefit of not requiring Hasbro's labor force to whip out as many (or any) paint masks.
While the figure does look something like a bootleg thanks to the all-blue legs and all-red arms, it has a perfectly painted black spider logo on his chest and that molded red one on the back. It's also worth noting that his eyes were exquisitely centered on flat raised elements on the head, with a white blob and a black outline looking stellar. It'd look better with a thicker black outline, but I assume these guys not looking quite perfect is the point of Hasbro's "value" toy program. These value toys assure the world that kids can get an official and cheap Bumblebee or Optimus or Spider-Man, but they never look quite as good as the toys that cost $15 or more.
The reason I wanted to buy this whole wave of figures is that I wanted old-style figures, and it delivered. This looks like something out of Mego's Pocket Super Heroes line, but better in most respects. Spidey is perfect to hang out with your Kenner Mini-Rigs or Fisher-Price Adventure People vehicles, thanks to the lack of paint to scuff and his skinny build. He really looks like something I could have had as a kid in the 1980s, whereas the Marvel Legends 375 Spider-Man Action Figure [FOTD #2,342] - while excellent - looks way better than anything Kenner ever sold during the Reagan and Bush era. Cheap bagged Spider-Man has no accessories, which works out since his hands are a fist and a "thwip."
If you found this figure in Asia or South America for the intended $2-$4ish asking price, I would say it's an excellent toy. The minimalist packaging is cheap to produce and ship from Vietnam while protecting Peter Parker, and its off-model nature makes it more interesting than the parade of increasingly specific and near-perfect $30 figures. Marvel Legends Japanese Spider-Man was a brilliant idea in a gorgeous package, but there's something to be said for this "lowest bidder"-edition web-slinger. This is the one you'd toss at a kid or stuff in a stocking because it's cheap, and it's a pity that 3 3/4-inch action figures as toys have fallen out of vogue at Hasbro as they seem to be doing well enough at Spin Master or Mattel. These guys seem to be exiting the US market, so grab one if you see it. Hasbro - I dare you to make a $4 bagged 3 3/4-inch Darth Vader with little/no paint and 2-5 joints.
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