Review: 30448 Spider-Man vs. The Venom Symbiote

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Polybags rarely follow a consistent pattern but 30448 Spider-Man vs. The Venom Symbiote is notably unusual and I was excited to get my hands on this little set when it was revealed in January. Venom has appeared in a couple of sets before but never looking quite like this and I am excited to find out whether the brick-built model can surpass the minifigure version.

Minifigures

The Spider-Man minifigure has not been updated since 2012 when the Marvel Super Heroes theme began and I think it is starting to show. The absence of leg printing is notable and makes the figure look rather bland in my opinion, although I like the webbing designs on the torso and head.

30448 Spider-Man vs. The Venom Symbiote

A super jumper element is included too. I had hoped that we had seen the last of these as it seems like a rather pointless gimic to me but it might increase the play value to some extent and you can leave it aside when displaying or playing with the set.

30448 Spider-Man vs. The Venom Symbiote

The Completed Model

The Venom Symbiote is one of Spider-Man's most devastating enemies and it has never looked as threatening in LEGO as it does here. Seven black claws are included which recreate the tendrils of the creature and each one has an impressive range of articulation so you can create some brilliant poses.

30448 Spider-Man vs. The Venom Symbiote

Venom is shown standing low to the ground on the packaging and instructions, allowing the trans-clear 2x2 round brick underneath to support the structure above. However, I prefer to display the Symbiote at full height as it looks far more imposing that way and the clips which support the legs are easily strong enough to hold the weight of the model so the clear brick is unnecessary.

30448 Spider-Man vs. The Venom Symbiote

Unfortunately some grey pieces are visible from the rear which spoils its appearance to an extent, although it looks splendid from the front where these grey parts can hardly be seen. This is yet another example of a situation in which the Mixels ball joints would look much better in another colour.

30448 Spider-Man vs. The Venom Symbiote

The upper half of the Symbiote is dominated by five printed heads showing Venom's bared teeth and white eyes. The creature often appears in this guise when in search of a host and it is pleasing to find so many heads included.

Overall

I like this little set. The Spider-Man minifigure is fine but the Venom Symbiote steals the show in my opinion and offers considerable play value given that this is only a polybag. In its current state you can pose the Symbiote in a huge variety of ways but the five Venom heads included also allow you to construct your own Symbiote creatures however you like. The core model is impressive but the ease with which it might be customised is what appeals most about it to me and I certainly recommend the set if you can find it.

30448 Spider-Man vs. The Venom Symbiote

More Spider-Man set reviews will be coming up shortly and a visitor from one such set seems to have turned up in this article!

30448 Spider-Man vs. The Venom Symbiote is currently available for £4.99 in Toys R Us stores in the UK and has also appeared in LEGOLAND parks around the world.

23 comments on this article

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By in United States,

I found this one by sheer luck a few months ago at a Smith's Marketplace in the US. Best of luck to all who are looking for it!

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By in United States,

This polybag looks awesome, and is also a great parts pack. Do you know he price?

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By in Finland,

Don't you dare to call the clear round 2x2 brick unnecessary! Clear pieces are always needed! ;)

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By in United States,

So the clear round 2x2 isn't a prop used for photography this time and is included in the set?

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By in United States,

I cannot, for the life of me, understand the general enthusiasm there seems to be for this polybag. Another pajama Spider-Man and a build literally made from the left over parts bin. Shame on you Lego Superheroes, you're better than this!

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By in United States,

There's five venom heads. Also a ton of claws.

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By in United Kingdom,

@DaveWreck - The trans-clear 2x2 brick is included in the set.

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By in United States,

I spot Kraven! Bridge Battle review very soon?

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By in Canada,

@Tim Lydy: People criticize the Mixels as looking like they're built from leftover parts as well, but it just so happens that builds made from leftover parts can be some of the most creative out there. This one certainly fits the bill.

I'm not terribly excited by this set any more than I am about any Super Heroes set or polybag. But I'm still impressed with how insanely innovative and unique-looking it is, and how playable it appears to be.

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By in United States,

Looks like Spider-Man is fighting a Mixel.

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By in United States,

Why do we like the set? It's like $4 for a Spiderman and five awesome heads.

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By in United Kingdom,

Should I buy the sand man and rhino and the miles Morales set now, or wait till I go to Lego land. I will be buying all the new Spiderman sets. Want the figs so I can do a massive bridge battle

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By in Poland,

Yees. So The Bridge Battle is near... The hunt begins.

This poly is simply a must-have for me. As are all, and I mean ALL, Spidey sets this year. What great times for Marvel freaks.

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By in United Kingdom,

good news if your from the u.k and want this as i do.. i spotted it today its £4.99 in toys r us stockport or if you spend 25 pound or more on marvel lego sets its free...

i have the spiderman & cyborg spider polybag so i defo want the symbiote set..

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By in United States,

What a neat little set! Venom is creepy--I love it! Great parts here, including a Spidey minifig.

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By in United Kingdom,

@SinKiller Nick: I would -love- to see a symbiote themed mixel series, no lie

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By in United Kingdom,

You can pick this up for just £2.99 at Legoland Windsor. I go there once a week (live just 5 miles away and have an annual pass) so thinking of buying a few to sell on ebay.

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By in Australia,

Wow, it really does look like Spider-Man is fighting an evil mixel.

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By in United States,

I like it and I saw Kraven

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By in United States,

This polybag was given for free to the first 100 customers everyday who were visiting the Lego Store in Shanghai Disneyland.

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By in United Kingdom,

I really need to learn to be more patient with these polybags! I spent around 15 quid importing this from the US on Bricklink a few weeks back! :(

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By in United States,

This set is an absolute PAIN to find in the US. LEGO Discovery centers had them but sold out fairly quickly due to the theme. Wonder if LEGO has them as a promo or they make an appearance in TRU or somewhere else during the year as well.

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By in United States,

I thought Spidey got the leg print update in the Sandman set?

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