Review: 76317 Peter Parker's Apartment
Posted by CapnRex101,
76317 Peter Parker's Apartment reminds me of the period when the LEGO Super Heroes theme was perhaps at its zenith, in 2015 and 2016. This model fully embraces its comic inspiration, with plenty of fun details to be discovered and some appealing minifigures.
Hobgoblin is definitely the standout, nine years after his last LEGO appearance, while the titular building looks surprisingly good too, greatly improving on the lacklustre equivalents in 76324 Spider-Man vs. Oscorp. Moreover, this set's compatibility with Oscorp and 76311 Miles Morales vs. the Spot is a bonus.
Summary
76317 Peter Parker's Apartment, 394 pieces.
£44.99 / $54.99 / €49.99 | 11.4p / 14.0c / 12.7c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Peter Parker's apartment includes a lot for such a small model, but it is small!
- Nice architectural details
- Good use of interior space
- Outstanding Hobgoblin minifigure
- Front door becoming a balcony is clever
- Kitchen could be improved
- No Peter Parker minifigure
- Fairly expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
The standard Spider-Man minifigure is included, sadly lacking dual-moulded legs. However, I like the printed arms and intricate web pattern, even though a fresh design would be welcome. Peter's usual head and hair element are provided too, which are fine, but a set based on Peter Parker's apartment should surely contain a full Peter Parker minifigure.
Apart from the character's Marvel Cinematic Universe reimagining as MJ, Mary Jane Watson has only appeared once before in the modern Marvel Super Heroes theme, which amazes me, given her prevalence in the comics. While a new torso would have been nice, a piece designed for Jurassic World works and I love her vivid red hair, perfectly suited to Mary Jane.
MJ carries a printed pizza box, while Spider-Man is equipped with a pack of web accessories. Some of these accessories are attached to the building in the instruction manual, but you can use them however you choose.
By far the most interesting figure included is Hobgoblin, who last appeared in 76058 Spider-Man: Ghost Rider Team-Up, almost a decade ago. The villain's classic orange and dark blue costume translates brilliantly to minifigure form, featuring Moon Knight's hood with the rubber cape introduced last year, both making their debut in orange.
Anti-Venom returns from 76308 Spider-Man Mech vs. Anti-Venom, launched in January. I am glad the character is available and his minifigure is quite detailed, but there are so many other Spider-Man enemies yet to appear. The likes of Chameleon, Mister Negative and Jackal would have been fantastic, or maybe the long-awaited comic book version of Electro.
Nonetheless, both Anti-Venom and Hobgoblin are well-executed figures and I particularly love Hobgoblin's maniacal alternative expression. Additionally, the pumpkin bomb accessories look better than ever, now featuring removable trans-orange flames on top. Hobgoblin wields two of these weapons, also found in 76324 Spider-Man vs. Oscorp.
The Completed Model
Hobgoblin's glider is assembled similarly to the Goblin Glider in 76324 Spider-Man vs. Oscorp, albeit with longer wings and ample room to store the pumpkin bombs on board. The wings are adjustable and Hobgoblin looks fine when standing on board, although I think including armour around the rider's legs has worked well for previous glider designs.
Spider-Man has no shortage of somewhat confusing vehicles and this robotic spider is a good example, as I doubt this robot travels quicker than Spider-Man can when swinging through the streets of New York. Nonetheless, I like its eight-legged design with four camera-like eyes, plus Spidey's classic red, blue and white colours.
I assume the vehicle can be deployed as a drone, but there is a seat for Spider-Man to ride on top. Perhaps the robot is a welcome sight to carry Spider-Man home after especially strenuous battles! As expected, the legs are articulated and you can move them forward and back, as well as up and down, thanks to the use of 1x1 rounded plates with bars.
Peter's apartment seems more like a house in its standard configuration, split across two levels and featuring a ground floor entrance. The brickwork texture and mix of tan and dark tan pieces looks splendid across the exterior, thankfully improving on the bland walls of several buildings in 76324 Spider-Man vs. Oscorp.
The dark blue accents look lovely over the windows and door, beside a few sand blue planters. Peter commonly resides at 410 Chelsea Street in comics and video games, so I am pleased to see the same is true for LEGO Marvel. There are several exposed studs on the walls, including two flanking the door, which will become important later.
Otherwise, these studs are ideal places to attach web accessories, the included spider or even Spider-Man himself. Unfortunately, there are no trans-clear flight stands in this set, which limits the options for display to some degree, particularly with Hobgoblin's glider.
A stickered advertisement for the Daily Bugle is found on one side, showing J. Jonah Jameson with a newspaper inspired by Amazing Fantasy #15, where Spider-Man was introduced. Peter has made some minor changes to the billboard, reflecting his thoughts on J. Jonah Jameson!
Apart from the aforementioned web accessories, a larger rubber element is also included and can be attached to the building, as shown below. This piece debuted in January and is able to wrap around a minifigure, thanks to its rubber material. However, I think it rather overwhelms a smaller model like this one, so I prefer the building without webbing.
You would hope Peter's secret identity would keep him and his home safe, but clearly not, as pressing a button on the back causes its top floor to explode! The removable section pops off with a surprising amount of force and the designer has integrated this feature very well, as the only indicator is that button. Two flames are also included to complete the explosion effect.
The model is constructed on a 6x14 plate, so there is not a huge amount of space inside. The available space is used quite efficiently though, beginning with a kitchen and dining area. Peter clearly has an affinity for red, white and blue colours, between his Spider-Man costume and this room's furnishings, which stand out against the tan walls.
However, the kitchen units and dining table are maybe too simple. There are no accessories in the drawers or cabinet, nor a proper oven under the hob or even a sink with any depth. It looks fine at a glance, but kitchens in Friends and City sets frequently include greater detail. I like the light fixtures mounted on the walls though.
There is no staircase to reach the next floor, but prioritising other features was probably a wise choice. Inside is a bed, a desk, a computer and a crate with a microscope on top, likely used to research the activities of Spider-Man's many enemies.
Sadly, there is nothing in the crate beneath the microscope, which I find odd. Were a standard Peter Parker figure included, this would have been an ideal place to keep his Spider-Man garb, represented by the parts of the Spider-Man minifigure. The web accessories will have to suffice instead, which seems a bit dull.
Peter's camera is placed on the desk and he seems to be reading about a sighting of Venom. The screen uses a sticker, but the keyboard is printed on a 1x2 tile. The bed folds against the wall to create more space, revealing a sketch of the Iron Spider suit underneath. A final sticker on the wall shows some of Peter's past scientific successes and Oscorp Tower, matching the building in 76324 Spider-Man vs. Oscorp.
The rooftop is empty, apart from a black grate. This serves no specific purpose, but looks like some kind of access hatch or perhaps part of the air conditioning system. Regardless, having room to pose a couple of minifigures battling on the roof is no bad thing.
In fact, this is included to become a railing when 76317 Peter Parker's Apartment is combined with other recent sets! Strangely, this feature is not shown in the instruction manuals or on the box, but it was clearly deliberate. The obvious thing to do is attach the apartment above 76311 Miles Morales vs. the Spot, but I think it better matches the jewellery store from 76324 Spider-Man vs. Oscorp, pictured here.
Overall
Of the three Marvel modular buildings introduced this year, 76317 Peter Parker's Apartment is my favourite. This model is far more detailed than 76324 Spider-Man vs. Oscorp and I think its lack of specific source material is advantageous, as 76311 Miles Morales vs. the Spot arguably focuses too much on minor details, at the cost of size. Peter's apartment strikes a balance.
The minifigure selection is good as well, although it could be even better, as I would like to see some new Spider-Man villains in LEGO form. The price of £44.99, $54.99 or €49.99 feels quite expensive, but again, this set probably provides the best value of the three Marvel buildings, so this is the place to begin if you are thinking about collecting them, in my opinion.
I have an article showing various possible combinations between these buildings coming soon, so keep an eye on the Brickset homepage for that.
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28 comments on this article
"The model is built on an 8x14 plate"... shouldn't that be 8x16? For a brief moment I thought a new plate size might've been introduced.
Anyway, this is really cool! The ability to add a railing to make it an upper floor apartment is a surprising and welcome feature.
These look great for their intended audience, but as a grown-up I think they fall apart a little in the fine details. When I’ve gotten things like modular buildings in the past, it’s the interior elements that often make or break it for me. I’m not expecting anything as elaborate in a set like this, but if I was a child receiving this I think I’d like things to put in the drawers and cupboards; cutlery, perhaps.
@Lyichir said:
""The model is built on an 8x14 plate"... shouldn't that be 8x16? For a brief moment I thought a new plate size might've been introduced."
It's actually 6x14.
@Lyichir said:
""The model is built on an 8x14 plate"... shouldn't that be 8x16? For a brief moment I thought a new plate size might've been introduced."
I think it would actually be a 6x14 plate. These Spider-Modulars all seem to be 6 stud deep builds. They are, however, normally 8 studs deep at the ground level to include some sidewalk, this being the odd one out, likely to allow it to stack on top of other buildings without looking totally awkward.
Anyways, here's hoping that lovely Hobgoblin fig ends up in a magazine gift or smaller set sometime in the next year or two. As much as I like the idea of a subtly Spidey-themed apartment, the color scheme here just doesn't do it for me. Ah well, shouldn't be too hard to whip up a MOC based on Peter's apartment in 76108.
It's difficult to pin down who these bad guys are, there have been several Anti-Venoms as well as several Hobgoblins.
Anti-Venom could be either Eddie Brock, or Flash Thompson, both of whom have also been the host for Venom. You don't need to know the whole story since it involves symbiote-nonsense, but Anti-Venom has healing powers, and it can cancel out other symbiotes. If I somehow make that sound even remotely interesting or exciting, sorry, I absolutely do not mean to.
Hobgoblin could be Ned Leeds, Roderick Kingsley, Kingsley's butler Claude, Jason Macendale, Phil "I Also Have An Uncle Ben" Urich, Daniel Kingsley, Norman "Yes, That Norman" Osborn, Harry "Son Of Yes, That Norman" Osborn, Flash "When I'm Not Being Venom And/Or Anti-Venom" Thompson, Wade "Yes, That Wade" Wilson, Lefty Donovan, and several others. The main takeaway here is that it's a popular identity for budding career-criminals, though it usually leads to their deaths.
The longest-running Hobgoblin is probably Roderick Kingsley, who was a talented fashion-designer, but who became a career-criminal in his own right. These days, Kingsley isn't active as a villain anymore, but instead, he rents out villainous identities, complete with costumes and weaponry, to help new upstart criminals make a name for themselves (or to ride the coattails of already established identities). Kingsley takes a cut from the loot, and keeps his hands clean in the process.
This does suggest that this Hobgoblin could be just about anyone, up to and including you. Is it you? Are YOU the new Hobgoblin?!
I think the Hobgoblin would be a little better with a hood that was closed at the bottom/across the neck. Pretty nice set over all though.
If LEGO were to make a modular version they could finally include the skylight along with Bambi, Candi, and Cyndi.
I really like this set. That door/balcony feature is really clever.
It’d be nice to get more comic-based sets like this. Definitely planning on picking this one up with a sale.
At least it’s not an Iron Man Hall of Armor…I guess.
I read that as 'Pumpkin Bob'
Does the database have a "cross set connection series" field? Some comment said there are other Spiderman connectables. There are also the couple big Harry Potter ones (that also inter-connect across generations). Or an article about them even?
There was also last year's small Harry Potter one with the purple bases that came in a couple different sets.
@emQ said:
"Does the database have a "cross set connection series" field? Some comment said there are other Spiderman connectables. There are also the couple big Harry Potter ones (that also inter-connect across generations). Or an article about them even?
There was also last year's small Harry Potter one with the purple bases that came in a couple different sets."
Usually if it's only a few sets, you can find a list in the notes. Also, some sets have the tag "Mini Modular" which usually refers to sets with a similar gimmick. The other options if people have made bricklists, which have a tab on the database page, or often articles like these refer to the sets that can connect.
Is that little Spider-bot based on the robot helpers Doc Ock used during his term as Superior Spider-Man?
Ah, Hobgoblin. Takes me back to the days of the Spider-Man animated series from the 90s. Speaking of which, we could use a version of that series/comics Lizard.
I wouldn't mind getting this to connect to 76311, although if I did get it, I wouldn't bother getting 76324 to complete the trio, unless I found it on a sizable discount (and were able to clear a lot of space).
@Crux said:
"It's difficult to pin down who these bad guys are, there have been several Anti-Venoms as well as several Hobgoblins.
Anti-Venom could be either Eddie Brock, or Flash Thompson, both of whom have also been the host for Venom. You don't need to know the whole story since it involves symbiote-nonsense, but Anti-Venom has healing powers, and it can cancel out other symbiotes. If I somehow make that sound even remotely interesting or exciting, sorry, I absolutely do not mean to.
Hobgoblin could be Ned Leeds, Roderick Kingsley, Kingsley's butler Claude, Jason Macendale, Phil "I Also Have An Uncle Ben" Urich, Daniel Kingsley, Norman "Yes, That Norman" Osborn, Harry "Son Of Yes, That Norman" Osborn, Flash "When I'm Not Being Venom And/Or Anti-Venom" Thompson, Wade "Yes, That Wade" Wilson, Lefty Donovan, and several others. The main takeaway here is that it's a popular identity for budding career-criminals, though it usually leads to their deaths.
The longest-running Hobgoblin is probably Roderick Kingsley, who was a talented fashion-designer, but who became a career-criminal in his own right. These days, Kingsley isn't active as a villain anymore, but instead, he rents out villainous identities, complete with costumes and weaponry, to help new upstart criminals make a name for themselves (or to ride the coattails of already established identities). Kingsley takes a cut from the loot, and keeps his hands clean in the process.
This does suggest that this Hobgoblin could be just about anyone, up to and including you. Is it you? Are YOU the new Hobgoblin?!"
No, this Hobgoblin is a clone that went wrong.
@Crux said: "Is it you? Are YOU the new Hobgoblin?!"
... no.
No Peter Parker in a set called ‘Peter Parker’ is bonkers.
@Reventon said:
"No Peter Parker in a set called ‘Peter Parker’ is bonkers. "
Wait until I tell you guys about the secret identity of Spider-Man, it's going to blow your mind.
@Crux said:
" @Reventon said:
"No Peter Parker in a set called ‘Peter Parker’ is bonkers. "
Wait until I tell you guys about the secret identity of Spider-Man, it's going to blow your mind."
It’s not that hard to have included a torso and leg to go with his head. Especially at that price.
@Crux said:
" @Reventon said:
"No Peter Parker in a set called ‘Peter Parker’ is bonkers. "
Wait until I tell you guys about the secret identity of Spider-Man, it's going to blow your mind."
No spoilers please.
Maybe next year there will just be a 4 stud deep wall for the same price. It would look the same on the shelves... Who needs play depth and interior anyway, right?
Fun fact: Parker lives in Queens. Miles Morales lives in Brooklyn. Oscorp is located in Manhattan. Eddie Brock lives in California, possibly in another dimension.
Now, I don't want to accuse Lego of just randomly and interdimensionally slapping real-estate together, though I just have - but I would like to point out that there is a precedent for this. It's Secret Wars all over again! It's the Beyonder, cutting and pasting Battleworld together, as he has before and will likely do again! If you see a tall white guy with a Jheri-curl haircut wandering the streets, punch him in the face with all your might!
@Crux said:
"Fun fact: Parker lives in Queens. Miles Morales lives in Brooklyn. Oscorp is located in Manhattan. Eddie Brock lives in California, possibly in another dimension.
Now, I don't want to accuse Lego of just randomly and interdimensionally slapping real-estate together, though I just have - but I would like to point out that there is a precedent for this. It's Secret Wars all over again! It's the Beyonder, cutting and pasting Battleworld together, as he has before and will likely do again! If you see a tall white guy with a Jheri-curl haircut wandering the streets, punch him in the face with all your might!"
Randomly slapping real estate together is what LEGO's all about.
The ratio of colors to parts is too high, IMHO: tan, dark tan, dark-red, dark-blue, sand-blue, white, dark-bley, black. It's visually messy. A New York building of this kind will often be striped with have two colors of brick, but this model is too small for the stripes to be evident -- they're interrupted by windows and the five-high bricks that provide necessary reinforcement. The dark-bley plates have a dual function -- splitting the modular floors and providing a different color for the interior, which is the unavoidable drawback when elements are shared between interior and exterior of a building. "Friends" sets usually allocate some parts-budget to throw rugs to mitigate this.
It is funny that there is no civilian Peter in the set since it is his apartment because Spider-man should have no reason to be there ;). He's playing pretty wild and loose with keeping his identity hidden.
The Hobgoblin looks neat, but I have the original and I don't think I have to have the new one. I liked the old tattered cape better, but the new printing and hood work well.
The set itself is decent enough, but I don't love the price.
A wave of Spider-Man sets that can connect to build a whole street? Sounds awesome, kinda what this theme has always been in desperate need of. The reappearance of long forgotten figures like Kraven and MJ? Heck yeah! Lego Marvel has been too centered on Venom and the Spider-verse kids these last couple of years.
Unfortunately this whole wave feels overpriced and sets feel lacking in detail. As it stands this set should be $40.
@Crux said:
"It's difficult to pin down who these bad guys are, there have been several Anti-Venoms as well as several Hobgoblins.
Anti-Venom could be either Eddie Brock, or Flash Thompson, both of whom have also been the host for Venom. You don't need to know the whole story since it involves symbiote-nonsense, but Anti-Venom has healing powers, and it can cancel out other symbiotes. If I somehow make that sound even remotely interesting or exciting, sorry, I absolutely do not mean to.
Hobgoblin could be Ned Leeds, Roderick Kingsley, Kingsley's butler Claude, Jason Macendale, Phil "I Also Have An Uncle Ben" Urich, Daniel Kingsley, Norman "Yes, That Norman" Osborn, Harry "Son Of Yes, That Norman" Osborn, Flash "When I'm Not Being Venom And/Or Anti-Venom" Thompson, Wade "Yes, That Wade" Wilson, Lefty Donovan, and several others. The main takeaway here is that it's a popular identity for budding career-criminals, though it usually leads to their deaths.
The longest-running Hobgoblin is probably Roderick Kingsley, who was a talented fashion-designer, but who became a career-criminal in his own right. These days, Kingsley isn't active as a villain anymore, but instead, he rents out villainous identities, complete with costumes and weaponry, to help new upstart criminals make a name for themselves (or to ride the coattails of already established identities). Kingsley takes a cut from the loot, and keeps his hands clean in the process.
This does suggest that this Hobgoblin could be just about anyone, up to and including you. Is it you? Are YOU the new Hobgoblin?!"
I'm gonna go with Flash Thompson vs Flash Thompson.
So I have the Anti venom fig but I would but this for the New Job Goblin and Mary Jane but not at the price currently!
I'll wait until it's about £30 I also like the fact the flame elements are removable from the Pumpkins might make good pieces for Johnny storms head or Ghost rider mid Transition!
@DekoPuma said:
" @Crux said:
"It's difficult to pin down who these bad guys are, there have been several Anti-Venoms as well as several Hobgoblins.
Anti-Venom could be either Eddie Brock, or Flash Thompson, both of whom have also been the host for Venom. You don't need to know the whole story since it involves symbiote-nonsense, but Anti-Venom has healing powers, and it can cancel out other symbiotes. If I somehow make that sound even remotely interesting or exciting, sorry, I absolutely do not mean to.
Hobgoblin could be Ned Leeds, Roderick Kingsley, Kingsley's butler Claude, Jason Macendale, Phil "I Also Have An Uncle Ben" Urich, Daniel Kingsley, Norman "Yes, That Norman" Osborn, Harry "Son Of Yes, That Norman" Osborn, Flash "When I'm Not Being Venom And/Or Anti-Venom" Thompson, Wade "Yes, That Wade" Wilson, Lefty Donovan, and several others. The main takeaway here is that it's a popular identity for budding career-criminals, though it usually leads to their deaths.
The longest-running Hobgoblin is probably Roderick Kingsley, who was a talented fashion-designer, but who became a career-criminal in his own right. These days, Kingsley isn't active as a villain anymore, but instead, he rents out villainous identities, complete with costumes and weaponry, to help new upstart criminals make a name for themselves (or to ride the coattails of already established identities). Kingsley takes a cut from the loot, and keeps his hands clean in the process.
This does suggest that this Hobgoblin could be just about anyone, up to and including you. Is it you? Are YOU the new Hobgoblin?!"
I'm gonna go with Flash Thompson vs Flash Thompson."
Has anyone ever seen Flash Thompson in the same room as himself?