REVIEW: Marvel Legends Vulture Figure (2020 Spider-Man Demogoblin Series)

New York Toy Fair 2020 is just a short 10 days away—but before I get to NYC to photograph and preview a plethora of upcoming Hasbro Marvel Legends 2020 figures, I’ve got some catching up to do talking about some recently-released ones! And this time out, I knew the figure I wanted to review first—because he’s a cagey old codger who refuses to wait: the 2020 Marvel Legends Vulture figure headlining the Spider-Man Demogoblin Series is now available! After over a decade since the last 6” classic Vulture, has Hasbro perfected the old-timer?

Review Marvel Legends Vulure 2020 Hasbro Figure

When Michael Keaton as The Vulture was featured as the villain in the Spider-Man Homecoming movie in 2017, we all thought the writing was on the wall that Hasbro would put on a much-needed upgrade of the old Toybiz Vulture in some manner that year.

But, well… 2017, 2018, and even 2019 all came and went without Adrian Toomes appearing in his most recognizable costume (although we did get Ultimate and MCU movie versions). We found out at SDCC 2019 that the long wait would finally come to an end this winter, and a new Vulture Legends figure has now flown in!

Marvel Legends Vulture Packaged

This six inch figure is packed at just one per case, which is a rather worrisome number to me. I personally wouldn’t have picked this incredibly well-known supervillain to short-pack in favor of two PS4 GamerVerse Spider-Man variants, but it is what it is. Competition at retail will be fierce for this wily old man—is he worth it?

Hasbro Spider-Man Legends 2020 Vulture Figure Box Back

As is usually the case with Hasbro’s modern upgrades to older action figures, that is a definitely “Yep”. I might be playing my hand a bit early here before the rest of the review, but this is a 10 out of 10 figure.

Close-Up of 2020 Marvel Legends Vulture Figure Head Sculpt

The main head for this figure is straight-up awesome. We don’t see elderly action figures from Hasbro often, but this is one evil-looking old man. His sinister smile, huge grey eyebrows and liver spots on his bald head all make this one of the most unique and visually-compelling faces we’ve seen in a long time. And his piercing eyes also look downright alive!

Back of 2020 Hasbro Marvel Vulture Legends Figure

There’s a fluffy white collar piece around Vulture’s neck that fits well and doesn’t flop around at all, while the rest of the body utilized the terrific extra-thin mold with butterfly swivels. Adrian Toomes is an emaciated old man, and this mold was the ideal pick for illustrating that.

Wingspan of Hasbro Marvel Legends Spider-Man Vulture Six Inch Figure Review

There are lines of paint detailing on the arms and chest to complete the costume, and I think they blend in and look great. This is a simplistic costume, but Hasbro has made it work. I dig the menacingly posed fingers on the hands as well.

Marvel Legends Vulture Demogoblin Series Figure FlyingOh, but wait—!! I knew I was forgetting something: the wings. The two wings each come as a pair of parts, with the larger part slotting into Vulture’s forearms and the smaller part in his biceps. I was initially surprised to see the wings split like this, but having each wing in two pieces allows for fun and easy posing.

Wings on Marvel Legends Demogoblin Wave Vulture Action Figure

The wings peg into the arm slots tightly, and I’ve had zero issues with them coming loose while playing with him. They also feature a neat color gradient effect on them, which I think really adds a bit of aesthetic flair to this ML Vulture.

Hasbro Vulture Marvel Legends Figure and Accessories Demogoblin BAF Head

Accessories-wise, we get two heads in addition to the four wing pieces: one head for the Demogoblin Build-A-Figure I’ll review soon, and one interchangeable helmeted Vulture head for this toy.

Helmeted Head on Vulture Spider-Man Marvel Legends 2020 Figure

I’m not sure that this is a character that necessarily needed an alternate head (unlike the poor Squirrel Girl figure I have on deck for a review), but I do appreciate having the option. The helmeted portrait is nice enough, though I anticipate relatively few collectors will ever opt to display that head sculpt. Can’t fault Hasbro for delivering extra, though!

Hasbro Marvel Legends Spider-Man Vulture Figure Alternate Head

And the articulation is top-notch and then some, highlighted by much-needed butterfly swivel shoulders. The complete articulation scheme consists of:

  • Ball-Hinge Neck
  • Ball-Hinge Shoulders with Butterfly Swivel
  • Upper Torso Ab Crunch
  • Double-Hinge Elbows and Knees
  • Swivel-Hinge Wrists
  • Swivel Biceps, Waist and Thighs
  • Hinged Feet with Rocker Swivel

Gradient on Wings of Vulture Spider-Man Legends Figure

All of the articulation works well, and I had no issues whatsoever with the ranges of motion. I am 100% satisfied with the poseability of this figure.

Unboxing Marvel Legends 2020 Vulture 6" FigureOverall: For collectors who have been waiting on a definitive version of Adrian Toomes in his iconic costume, look no further. Hasbro has hit this Spider-Man Legends Vulture figure out of the ballpark, and I genuinely don’t think we’ll ever see a better toy made of this character.

From the ideal articulation scheme (with butterfly swivel shoulders!) to the two-part wings with color gradient to the fluffy collar and dead-on portrait, this is everything I ever wanted from a Marvel Legends Vulture action figure. This is virtually guaranteed to cost a fortune on the aftermarket a year or more from now, so might as well scavenge ML Vulture while it’s still cheap if you want it.

GRADE: A+

Comments

REVIEW: Marvel Legends Vulture Figure (2020 Spider-Man Demogoblin Series) — 10 Comments

  1. Well said. I own two: the traditional Vulture and used the other for Blackie Drago’s head. I’m proud to say that I finally assembled my sinister six along with Electro, Sandman, Mysterio, Kraven the hunter, and the main man Doctor Octopus.

  2. He’s a cool figure, definitely a worthy addition to Spidey’s rogues gallery. Minor gripes: the alternate head should be Blackie Drago, a younger different version of vulture, rather than just Adrian in the cowl. Also wish they had provided details on both sides of the wings instead of just one side, and had sculpted lines into his costume instead of just painting some on. but those are all pretty minor gripes.

  3. I’m low key hoping that Hasbro will revisit Darkhawk with these wings pieces, the just look so nice and dynamic

  4. I agree that this is an awesome figure and would have been the only figure from this wave I would have gotten had it not been for Shang Chi. He definitely should have been double packed in the wave cases as we’re already seeing the scalper vultures doing their thing.

  5. I like this figure a lot, but those lazy lines on the chest and shoulders are SUCH a huge disappointment to me. If the body had even the same subtle ripple texture that the Blackie hood has, then it’d be in my top 5 for the year, but there’s only 3 aspects to this costume – the wings, a white fur/feather collar, and a green striped bodysuit. 2 out of 3 doesn’t cut it for me, it feels like a cop out.

  6. But…he’s missing the hump on his back. Even though Adrian as a man isn’t a humpback, the electronics that power his suit are all in a backpack that looks like a hump, making him more “vulture-y” looking. It’s explained in one of his first appearances. :-/

  7. The alternate head would be great if it were actually Blackie Drago’s head and not just Adrian Toomes wearing Blackie’s head piece.

  8. Of note: there are two variants of this figure. The earlier shipments have the upper wing pegged into the shoulder as seen here. Later shipments have the upper wing pegged into the bicep.