“The darkness that blankets this city is nothing. Nothing! Not compared to the shroud that Spider-Man pulled over me! He stole my life… shattered it… then cast it aside like yesterday’s news! So it is only fitting, only fair, that I do the same to him! And I will. Very… very… soon!” – Eddie Brock, Amazing Spider-Man v1 #298, March 1988.
I had this really cool Morbius figure once. It wasn’t exactly comic accurate. It skewed creepier with a decayed, atrophied look, giant claws and a flowing decrepit cape. He had “Fang Attack Action” where a lever in his face would stretch his chin for a screaming… well fang attack. I really enjoyed adding him to my Spidey villain collection.
Then one day he fell forward and I didn’t notice. And then a day passed. A week passed. A month passed. It was a big ML collection so I’m really not sure exactly how long Morbius was face-checking the figure in front of him. When I did finally notice and reached in to correct him, well, his face had been let’s say… permanently rearranged. The softer plastic used for the action feature really, really liked the plastic of the figure in front of ol’ Morbius and they had plenty of time to bond. Morbius’ face basically melted off. I don’t throw away many figures, but I did have to toss him. I imagine I’m not the only one.
And so I’ve been Morbius-less for many years now. Hasbro finally saw fit to correct that with a less ambitious, but still great figure this year. This Morbius isn’t trying to be too cool for school. He’s just on the basic buck with a few new bits to nail his look. I do miss the action feature because it was cool, but it definitely wasn’t worth it in the long run.
The new figure starts with a new head sculpt and I actually like it even though it’s screaming. I’m not a fan of screaming heads that often, but Morbius just chilling on the shelf probably wouldn’t look right. This snarling expression is convincing too. Morbius is not happy. Maybe he just saw a pic of his old figure. I’m not entire sure what else is new – my ML parts knowledge just isn’t as strong. The claw hands are probably a reuse, but the torso could be new. It’s designed to integrate his fashionable collar. New or not, it all comes together for a clean, simple Morbius look and brings another classic Spidey villain to the shelves. Continue to Page 2…
I guess I got lucky? My rubber-faced TB Morbius still looks good. and this is after two years in storage, going in and coming out in 90+ heat and spending a record cold winter stuffed in a box out there. Hell, I’ll take a pic against the review if you don’t believe me.
I did see this guy the other week, but he’s not a character I *NEEDED*, so I took a pss on him for now. He does look good, but you pointed out the basics: same buck with a few new pieces, and a weak paint job for a belt when we know they have simple bands to use for belts already.
Then again, the previous one does look like a post-mortem Brandon Lee ‘Crow’….
almost forget: LOVE the Terry cameo! LOL
Snagged Morbius tonight. Not much of my original opinion has changed, same thin red paint for a blt, and your eyes look better than mine, esp the left.
…but now I kinda want an extra to torso swap a classic Iron Fist. I had guessed the one in the i[coming Dr Strange wave would be a redux of the TB collared appearance, but it looks like he might be Orson instead of Danny?
Saw in person and if had the extra woulda grabbed as one I saw looked great but alas I had to get Ben Reilly Spidey. I know will get eventually as never had that old one (or even recall seeing it in person) and the stories hearing of the face glad never did.
My knowledge of him is from the 90s toon and know that happy no suckers on his.hands and happy about that. On my get list indeed and thats not just cause want Absorbing man.
Great review once again
I believe the hands are reused from a Black Panther figure.
MY GOD, this figure needs a microphone, stat!
That’s what I did with my old pre-ML TB Morbius. set him up as the lead singer of Nocturnals-type band, Meat Loaf/Marilyn Manson crossed with Legion of Monsters/Monster Squad/Howling commandos. Blade on drums and some indy comic purple she-wolf on axe.