REVIEW: Marvel Legends Spider-Man Spider Armor Mark III Figure (Demogoblin Wave)

Up until now, I’ve been cherry-picking and talking about the most hyped and most popular figures from the 2020 Spider-Man Marvel Legends Demogoblin Series. But since it’s a requisite to buy all six figures to build the Demogoblin Build-A-Figure, I’m going to have to talk about every figure in the wave—including one of the weirder Spider-Man costumes Hasbro has done to-date! Marvel Legends Spider Armor Mark III is still available online discounted with Prime shipping despite the pandemic—is it worth ordering out for while you’re stuck at home?

Marvel Legends Spider Armor Mark III Figure Review

Alright, so I imagine “What the hell is the Spider-Man Spider Armor Mk III?” is the most frequent question asked the first time a majority of collectors see this toy—and it’s actually a pretty legitimate question with a surprisingly interesting answer.

While the Mark III Spider Armor appears as an alternate costume in the PS4 Spider-Man video game (hence why this figure gets the “GamerVerse” label on the box”), this is actually a blink-and-you’ll-forget-it armored suit that Peter Parker wore to fight the Sinister Six in Dan Slott’s run on Amazing Spider-Man.

Unboxing Spider-Man Armor Mark III Legends Figure Hasbro 2020

I actually read the comic this suit first appeared in back when it was published in 2012, but the story was such a non-entity in my mind that I forgot the armor originated there while I was playing the Spider-Man PS4 game. Whoops!

Box Back Spider-Man Armor Mk III Demogoblin Series Figure

This is one of the least  “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man”-looking costumes in Spidey’s whole wardrobe, as it looks more like a cross between DC’s Red Hood and Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle than a Spidey costume to me. The costume has a real alien, vigilante vibe to it. While I’d be totally game for a goofy 90s silver Spider Armor figure, this iteration is a whole lot less enticing to me at a glance.

Close-Up of Spider-Man Armor Mark III Hasbro Marvel Legends Action Figure

But wouldn’t you know it…? As I played with this guy and posed him for photos, my heart thawed somewhat. I don’t especially like this as a Peter Parker costume, but taken for what it is—as a no-nonsense, sinister-looking Spider-Man—there’s a real appeal to this action figure.

PS4 Spider-Man Spider Armor Mark III Action Figure Back

This 6” figure is covered in unique tooling and sculpting textures—detail-wise, it’s also pretty rad on top of looking cool. I love the alien feel to the armor when viewed from the back.

Spider-Armor Mark III Spider-Man Legends Figure with Web Effect and Demogoblin BAF Leg

We get one accessory (besides a Demogoblin BAF leg) with the ML Spider-Man Armor Mark III figure, and while it’s small, it’s also all-out awesome: a web effect that you can stick onto most figures’ faces!

Doppelganger Spider Man vs. Spider Armor Mk 3 Legends Figures

This web effect is ultra-fun and honest-to-God the thing I like the best about this whole action figure. I hope Hasbro recycles this web effects piece ad nauseam, because I want a ton of these to stick on villains’ faces!

2020 Marvel Legends Armor Spider-Man vs. Superior Octopus

Of course, there’s also a few not-so-good aspects of this release. Besides the fact that this obscure costume isn’t recognizable to most fans (and is a favorite of even fewer), we get no switch-out hands here. Spider-Armor Mark III is stuck with a right fist and a left web-shooting hand for eternity. That’s not a terrible combo, but it does heavily restrict logical poses to stick this toy into.

Hasbro Marvel Legends 2020 Spider-Man Armor Mark III Figure Review

In addition, the butterfly swivel shoulders we’ve seen on many recents Spideys is absent, and the shoulder pads get in the way of posing the arms more than you would expect.

And for whatever reason, the red on the hips doesn’t match the red anywhere else on the figure at all. These issues aren’t huge deals, but they are a genuine hindrance on a character like Spider-Man who should have limitless posing possibilities.

Spider-Armor Mark III Legends Figure vs Vulture with Web on Face

The complete articulation scheme consists of:

  • Ball-Hinge Head and Shoulders
  • Ab Crunch
  • Swivel Waist, Biceps and Thighs
  • Double-Hinge Knees and Elbows
  • Swivel-Hinge Wrists
  • Ball-Jointed Hips
  • Ball-Hinged Ankles with Rockers

Despite a few limitations, I am overall satisfied for the most part with the articulation scheme.

Hasbro Spider Armor Mark 3 Figure Review 2020 Marvel Legends

Overall: Marvel Legends Spider-Armor Mark III is one of those rare action figures where I unboxed and took photos in the mindset of hating on it in the review—and then decided it really wasn’t all that bad, even if the underlying design just isn’t my thing.

The mismatched red hips, lack of alternate hands and slightly inhibited articulation are minor issues that combine with an unfamiliar costume as strikes against this figure, but I think it’s overall a good release that far exceeds my minimal expectations.

GRADE: B

Comments

REVIEW: Marvel Legends Spider-Man Spider Armor Mark III Figure (Demogoblin Wave) — 5 Comments

  1. I picked this up too, with minimal expectations. Just thought it looked cool.
    Also got that GamerVerse red/white/blue Spidey that I believe was a Gamestop exclusive.

  2. This my least liked figure from this wave although he’s still OK. Only picked him up to finish Demogoblin. Still, I liked this wave better than either of the 2019 waves – none of the figures were really duds imo and my main criticism is that Demogoblin, while a cool figure, is not a great BAF

  3. I’m forcing myself to not think badly of it because it’s a practically unknown look for Spidey. That shouldn’t have any impact on the rating. Judging it just for what it is, it’s pretty good. First thing I noticed from the very first picture was the lack of butterfly shoulders. Ouch. Just that and some hands to switch out, and this is elevated to B+ or A-.

  4. since Pizza Spidey I have not passed up on a Spider-man, Woman or Girl. These will be the first that I have no interest in whatsoever. There are many different suits they could have pulled from the comic pages but instead they pull crap from a video game. These will pass me by with good riddance as I await the next Spider-Man wave.

  5. I’ve gotten every Spider Man, Woman and Girl since pizza spidey but these are the first that I’m have absolutely no interest in. There are numerous suits they could have chosen from the comics but instead, they went with crap from a video game. These will pass me by with good riddance and I’ll wait on the next Spider-Man wave.