With Hasbro at the top of its game and giving us Marvel Legends with their best articulation, sculpting and character depth ever, we are truly in a golden age of Marvel action figures. But if there’s one deadly threat to this era that’s largely outside Hasbro’s control, it’s tax-induced price increases. And so, though Hasbro just launched pre-orders last week for an awesome Marvel Legends Symbiote Spider-Man figure 18 years in the making, a huge swath of collectors are more awed by the price-tag than the figure itself…

Spider-Man 3 wasn’t exactly the universally beloved end to the trilogy that fans had hoped for in 2007, but the movie definitely had elements that are still popular today. One of those elements is the symbiote/black suit Spider-Man costume that would eventually become Venom in the movie (although Topher Grace’s Venom isn’t exactly iconic).

Hasbro was young into their Marvel toys tenure way back then, but they produced non-Marvel Legends-branded Spider-Man 3 figures nonetheless. But after 18 years, they finally revealed and opened pre-orders for a Spider-Man Trilogy Black Costume Spider-Man this past week!

Unfortunately, it had the misfortune of launching for pre-order on one of the worst days in modern American history. Fresh off of President Trump announcing monumental new worldwide tariffs the day before, Black Costume Spidey’s MSRP shot up to levels few were expecting.

EE opened orders at a surprising $37.99 for the 6” figure, while BBTS priced it at a similarly high $34.99. Neither price was particularly tempting, so I almost didn’t hesitate to order it from Amazon for $29.99 when they opened orders (what with how high the bar was set elsewhere). Other collectors must have felt the same, as the figure sold out on Amazon before other retailers.

I think it’s a real shame that the price increase needs to overshadow this action figure’s launch, as it really is a solid figure. The “Emo Peter Parker” head and little symbiote effects piece are both awesome accessories, and I appreciate Hasbro retooling their Tobey Maguire Spider-Man mold to make it more accurate to its on-screen appearance in the film.

Even so, the overnight price jump from $22-$25 Marvel Legends action figures to $30-$38 is a shocking one. Sony-licensed designs often cost a bit more, but this is still a hefty price for a very basic retooled figure. Because the Symbiote costume is my jam, I don’t regret dropping 30 bucks for a pre-order, but even I’m not keen on $35-$38.

What are your thoughts on this launch, Marvel collectors? Did you order your own black costume Spidey, and for how much if so? If non-Sony Marvel Legends also get a fresh price increase, how will that affect your collecting?