Review: 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO Marvel has included numerous character-based models in recent years, between various buildable action figures, many character mechs and the Helmet Collection. I think the selection was already enough, but two busts have been launched this summer.
While perhaps unnecessary, 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust looks great on the whole. This model definitely captures the suit's distinctive colour scheme and chest pattern, without relying too heavily on printed parts. Additionally, a unique Iron Spider minifigure is included, complete with decorated arms.
Summary
76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust, 379 pieces.
£54.99 / $59.99 / €59.99 | 14.5p/15.8c/15.8c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
This rendition of the Iron Spider armour is vastly overpriced, but looks pretty good
- Impressive sculpting
- Outstanding minifigure
- Head seems out of proportion
- Far too expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
The infamous 76323 Avengers: Endgame Final Battle introduced a new Iron Spider minifigure earlier this year and the same figure appears here, albeit with arm printing! The existing design was already good, though looks considerably better with decorated arms to continue the details from the torso, including the dark blue and gold spider symbol.
Dual-moulded legs are welcome too, but a few gold highlights on the boots would elevate the minifigure even more. Also, I marginally prefer the more articulated arms connected to Spider-Man's back in 76323 Avengers: Endgame Final Battle, which allow many more posing options, but these pearl gold claw elements work.
The Completed Model
Armoured characters like Iron Man, or Spider-Man wearing the Iron Spider suit, often translate effectively to brick-built form and this model illustrates that well. The overall shape seems fairly faithful to the onscreen character and gaps between parts are readily excused as seams where armour segments join.
Additionally, the bright colours look fantastic, distinguishing Iron Spider-Man from the relatively muted 76327 Iron Man MK4 Bust. Their difference in size seems odd initially, but makes sense when you consider how Tony's armours developed over time. While the MK4 armour was pretty bulky in Iron Man 2, the later Iron Spider was more form-fitting to Peter Parker.
Like the Iron Man MK4 Bust, this model rests on a black plinth. The diagonal angle looks good and there are spaces for the minifigure and a printed nameplate. Alternatively, you can remove the minifigure and attach the plaque in the middle. I prefer the angled configuration, but options are appreciated.
However, the head seems disproportionately small to me, compared with the shoulders. I think their shaping is quite effective separately and changing the size of the head would definitely be difficult at this scale, but it simply looks strange. On the other hand, the dark blue and pearl gold stripes on the shoulders look excellent, as do the mechanical arms on Spider-Man's back.
The arms are fully articulated and pearl gold claws capture their shape well, although the blue accents visible onscreen are missing. The anchor points on the back look good, however, with accurate gold details and a red 2x3 pentagonal tile in the centre, matching the printed piece on the front.
Even though it should be bigger, I am impressed with the sculpting of Spider-Man's head. The printed web pattern looks superb from the front and the eyes are also stunning, making clever use of 1x2 semicircular tiles. There is perhaps too much blue, but the white and silver designs look marvellous.
Unfortunately, the web pattern does not continue on the sides or rear of the head. Focusing on the front makes sense though and I imagine the patterns would look messy on the sides, given the number of different elements used. Even if they were individually decorated, there would be lots of noticeable seams between pieces, probably spoiling the design.
Overall
LEGO sculptures have greatly improved in recent years, taking advantage of the many curved elements and wedge slopes developed lately. 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust seems accurate on the whole and the curvature of the shoulders is particularly impressive, given the complex brick-built pattern.
There are two major problems, however. I understand that options are limited at this scale, but either the head is too small or the shoulders are too large. Even more frustrating is the price of £54.99, $59.99 or €59.99, which seems much too expensive, despite the several printed pieces and an exceptional minifigure.
57 likes
34 comments on this article
Looking at the minifigure, what is that stuff on the arms and why are the legs two colors?
-LEGO Star Wars collector
Neat idea, but I probably don’t plan on getting it. That minifigure is sweet (except for those arms on the back — I also prefer the longer ones).
I’m hoping that the Iron Spider fig with the arm printing shows up in another set that I want, as I’m trying to collect one minifig of every MCU Spider-Man suit.
@yellowcastle said:
"Looking at the minifigure, what is that stuff on the arms and why are the legs two colors?
-LEGO Star Wars collector "
Also, why isn’t there a sticker sheet? I see decorated elements… but no sticker sheet?
I really do like the concept! I think it’s a great way to incorporate NPU, printed elements, and fantastic new techniques. The price is iffy… and I think something like $50-400 and one awesome figure would be great! The rumored Star Wars batch is a bit underwhelming, I’ll say that. But, if in the future we start to see a bit of a lower price, and some new figures (not Vader and Yoda, we already have a million of them), I’d totally be in. All told, I hope this eventually swaps with the helmet series, although I’m not sure how much these will improve in quality. I do love the concept though!
Doesn't the Iron Spider minifigure from the 2018 Sanctum Sanctorum have printed legs in addition to printed arms? Making it better than the one here?
I want people to buy these solely to sell the minifigure at Bricklink so I can buy it.
I may be in the minority, but I absolutely hate this. Feels half done, ugly, big gaps.
I didn't think it could get much worse than the Helmet series, then these busts came out.
@JasonBall34 said:
"Doesn't the Iron Spider minifigure from the 2018 Sanctum Sanctorum have printed legs in addition to printed arms? Making it better than the one here?"
Yeah, but that one doesn't have dual moulded legs. So you either get printed legs with no dual moulding or dual moulded but no prints.
@CapnRex101 , The too small head may not be true to the film but it is in keeping with comic book art. In the early days of the genre, artists realised they could make characters seem more dramatic if they reduced the size of their heads and increased the size of their hands. It’s partly why early representations of Superman seem off to us now. His proportions then were realistic but defy our current expectations of what a drawn superhero looks like. I’m not claiming that’s the reason that LEGO made this bust’s head small, only that it may actually make its shoulders - and by implication its physique overall - more impressive.
@Zander said:
" @CapnRex101 , The too small head may not be true to the film but it is in keeping with comic book art. In the early days of the genre, artists realised they could make characters seem more dramatic if they reduced the size of their heads and increased the size of their hands. It’s partly why early representations of Superman seem off to us now. His proportions then were realistic but defy our current expectations of what a drawn superhero looks like. I’m not claiming that’s the reason that LEGO made this bust’s head small, only that it may actually make its shoulders - and by implication its physique overall - more impressive."
I suspect it's really just a reflection of which pieces the designer wanted to use for the set. We don't have a designer noted, but @Nabii did the 76327 Iron Man MK4 Bust which doesn't seem to have the same size concerns. It would seem that the Iron Man bust looks good from multiple angles while the spider webbed costume may limit options for the design here.
he looks like he's got a pig snout or something and I can't unsee it
Iron Man, Iron Man,
Does whatever an iron can
Not much
@CapnRex101 / @Huw - just curious, does LEGO have a requirement or expectation for how many provided sets get reviews? Do they blind ship whatever they choose to Brickset Towers or is there some back/forth discussion? This whole process and/or the Brickset role in LAN would be a fascinating read, assuming you're allowed to discuss.
Regarding value, I guess we can agree that the gold standard for minifigs is the CMF ones, where most often no expense is spared. And these cost, individually packaged too, 4 Euro / 5 Dollar. So that's the maximum a minifig in a normal set should be valued at, especially since more often than not the detailing and execution is far less intricate than on any CMF.
Is the rest of the set worth 55 Euro / Dollar?
Not by a long shot imho.
Plus, it would be no problem to print the sides as well, without any gaps too. Alternative brands like Cobi or BlueBrixx have proven that for years.
Hey... The first bust of Peter Porker...
60??? Must be bigger than it looks
@yellowcastle said:
" @CapnRex101 / @Huw - just curious, does LEGO have a requirement or expectation for how many provided sets get reviews? Do they blind ship whatever they choose to Brickset Towers or is there some back/forth discussion? This whole process and/or the Brickset role in LAN would be a fascinating read, assuming you're allowed to discuss."
Obviously, Huw and CapnRex are better placed to answer but other LAN members have discussed the requirements before, so some of it is known. From what I can tell:
- LEGO does require coverage of all sets they provide, though not necessarily reviews. For other LAN members it can be another format, e.g. a speed build.
- LAN members inform LEGO what themes are of interest though LEGO decides specifically which sets within those themes. Generally, LEGO will provide everything within a theme but not always.
- LAN members are allowed to discuss what is required of Ambassadors.
I wonder if they deployed these all around the world, they would collect all the world’s dust.
@yellowcastle said:
" @CapnRex101 / @Huw - just curious, does LEGO have a requirement or expectation for how many provided sets get reviews? Do they blind ship whatever they choose to Brickset Towers or is there some back/forth discussion? This whole process and/or the Brickset role in LAN would be a fascinating read, assuming you're allowed to discuss."
@Zander has pretty much covered it.
Sets are usually offered for review a couple of months ahead of their release and we can choose to accept or decline those offers. Everything we accept for review should receive coverage in some form, which can entail a full review and multiple other articles or videos, or potentially a single article, video or social media post about a whole wave; whatever is appropriate for each outlet. We can also request sets up to a certain value after they have been released, again to generate whatever content we choose, but we almost never use this process.
Each outlet submits a form describing our particular interests at the beginning of each year and our preferences are accounted for when review offers are distributed, but not everyone receives exactly what they want because certain themes are oversubscribed, as you would imagine. There is also a great deal of variation in how many of certain sets or themes are distributed.
For the record, we are not obliged to publish positive reviews or indeed provide any opinion whatsoever. I have no doubt LEGO staff would like reviews to be positive because they want to make good sets, but their priority, as I see it, is for sets to receive coverage and attention of any kind.
@Crux said:
"Iron Man, Iron Man,
Does whatever an iron can
Not much"
Presses pants really flat
Gets out wrinkles, just like that!
I have no intention of getting this set, or shelling out for the minifigure on Bricklink, but if I did get the minifigure, I'd replace the back arms with ones like on https://brickset.com/minifigs/sh1047/iron-spider-skeleton-arms-with-barbs
@CapnRex101 said:"I have no doubt LEGO staff would like reviews to be positive because they want to make good sets, but their priority, as I see it, is for sets to receive coverage and attention of any kind."
Like the old saying goes, "There's no such thing as bad publicity."
Thank you, @CapnRex101.
Underneath the 'shield' piece for his snout, there is a suggestion of a mouth.
Once I saw this it was game over :o/
Well, I think this set is a bust.
:)
I'll show myself out...
@Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
" @yellowcastle said:
"Looking at the minifigure, what is that stuff on the arms and why are the legs two colors?
-LEGO Star Wars collector "
Also, why isn’t there a sticker sheet? I see decorated elements… but no sticker sheet?"
And, it's way too cheap. Must be FunWhole.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @yellowcastle said:
" @CapnRex101 / @Huw - just curious, does LEGO have a requirement or expectation for how many provided sets get reviews? Do they blind ship whatever they choose to Brickset Towers or is there some back/forth discussion? This whole process and/or the Brickset role in LAN would be a fascinating read, assuming you're allowed to discuss."
@Zander has pretty much covered it.
Sets are usually offered for review a couple of months ahead of their release and we can choose to accept or decline those offers. Everything we accept for review should receive coverage in some form, which can entail a full review and multiple other articles or videos, or potentially a single article, video or social media post about a whole wave; whatever is appropriate for each outlet. We can also request sets up to a certain value after they have been released, again to generate whatever content we choose, but we almost never use this process.
Each outlet submits a form describing our particular interests at the beginning of each year and our preferences are accounted for when review offers are distributed, but not everyone receives exactly what they want because certain themes are oversubscribed, as you would imagine. There is also a great deal of variation in how many of certain sets or themes are distributed.
For the record, we are not obliged to publish positive reviews or indeed provide any opinion whatsoever. I have no doubt LEGO staff would like reviews to be positive because they want to make good sets, but their priority, as I see it, is for sets to receive coverage and attention of any kind."
How much traffic/comments gets BS priority access (like the DS reveal)?
How many negative reviews are brought up in your LAN meetings?
How many LAN meetings entail discussion of review content?
Why does BS not reserve the right to refuse coverage like BrothersBrick does?
How much does BS rely upon its personal relationships with Lego designers, executives, personnel, etc. (for better or worse) for economic benefits, social benefits, etc.?
Regardless of any of these answers, I find the recent Brickfanatics video on the subject (Lego LAN Days) to be most illuminating. Lego is relying more than ever on building ever more personal and biased relationships with the LAN. They are going out of their way to make LAN members feel special, like celebrities. Thus, the reviews of the LAN are more corporate and worthless than ever. After all, it's hard to criticize a major project of a friend or even someone with whom you've shared several meals (or sweet, sweet deserts).
I am finding JANG's alt-bricks channel to be more and more fun.
@AustinPowers
Wasn't that what this hobby was all about before TLG decided to be a corporate megalomaniac and social media dictator? Before they decided to put media relationships before color-matching, prints, and fun.
@StyleCounselor: completely agree. Especially with regard to Jang and his channel about alternatives.
In general I am well known for having been playing devil's advocate for alternative brands for quite a long time, and I am noticing a shift in perception that is quite dramatic.
A couple of years ago alternatives were often seen as being either illegal clone brands (which some of them definitely were, and a few still are) or legal but subpar compared to LEGO.
These days there are alternatives that have reached and even in some cases surpassed LEGO in terms of quality and/or value for money. And in my experience ever more people are beginning to take notice.
A couple of years ago I was seen as an outlier but now a lot of my friends and colleagues have tried out alternatives and have been overwhelmingly positive in their feedback.
Many have stopped buying LEGO sets almost entirely, especially since prices have often risen to ridiculous levels that in no way reflect the value you are getting.
And it might be anecdotal evidence, but LEGO hasn't been doing TV advertising for years but now they have launched a massive campaign with commercials on all channels.
Coincidence? Or a sign that they are beginning notice a decline in sales and brand perception, at least over here?
@AustinPowers said:
" @StyleCounselor : completely agree. Especially with regard to Jang and his channel about alternatives.
In general I am well known for having been playing devil's advocate for alternative brands for quite a long time, and I am noticing a shift in perception that is quite dramatic.
A couple of years ago alternatives were often seen as being either illegal clone brands (which some of them definitely were, and a few still are) or legal but subpar compared to LEGO.
These days there are alternatives that have reached and even in some cases surpassed LEGO in terms of quality and/or value for money. And in my experience ever more people are beginning to take notice.
A couple of years ago I was seen as an outlier but now a lot of my friends and colleagues have tried out alternatives and have been overwhelmingly positive in their feedback.
Many have stopped buying LEGO sets almost entirely, especially since prices have often risen to ridiculous levels that in no way reflect the value you are getting.
And it might be anecdotal evidence, but LEGO hasn't been doing TV advertising for years but now they have launched a massive campaign with commercials on all channels.
Coincidence? Or a sign that they are beginning notice a decline in sales and brand perception, at least over here? "
@theJANG and those of us from a certain age, know what conflicts of interest entail- especially in a corporate setting.
The new generation has no real sense of artistic, journalistic, or commercial integrity. They've grown up in an age of cronyism. It's like the last 65 years (journalistic etihics) never happened. Sad.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
" @yellowcastle said:
"Looking at the minifigure, what is that stuff on the arms and why are the legs two colors?
-LEGO Star Wars collector "
Also, why isn’t there a sticker sheet? I see decorated elements… but no sticker sheet?"
And, it's way too cheap. Must be FunWhole."
That brand name always sounded a little... NSFW to me.
@AustinPowers said:"In general I am well known for having been playing devil's advocate for alternative brands for quite a long time,"
That's not quite what "playing devil's advocate" means. It means advocating for a position that you yourself do not hold, just for the sake of discussion. Whereas you've made your feelings towards other brick brands quite well known. Not that I'm saying that it's a bad thing for you to advocate for brands other than the one this site is based around, it leads to discussion, and healthy discussion is good. I'm just saying that you misused a term.
@TheOtherMike : thanks for the heads up. I was under the false impression that the term meant "arguing in favor of an unpopular opinion".
@StyleCounselor said:
"How much traffic/comments gets BS priority access (like the DS reveal)?
How many negative reviews are brought up in your LAN meetings?
How many LAN meetings entail discussion of review content?
Why does BS not reserve the right to refuse coverage like BrothersBrick does?
How much does BS rely upon its personal relationships with Lego designers, executives, personnel, etc. (for better or worse) for economic benefits, social benefits, etc.?
Regardless of any of these answers, I find the recent Brickfanatics video on the subject (Lego LAN Days) to be most illuminating. Lego is relying more than ever on building ever more personal and biased relationships with the LAN. They are going out of their way to make LAN members feel special, like celebrities. Thus, the reviews of the LAN are more corporate and worthless than ever. After all, it's hard to criticize a major project of a friend or even someone with whom you've shared several meals (or sweet, sweet deserts)."
I will respond in the order of your questions:
There is no specific traffic threshold for any kind of access or to receive sets that I am aware of, but I assume traffic or viewership matters to a degree. Outlets with higher traffic levels would presumably be prioritised for certain opportunities over those with lower traffic, although different types of audiences are also a factor, regardless of size.
None. The content of reviews has never been raised by a LAN staff member that I can recall. They have often been referenced by designers though, sometimes in defence of their work, to explain certain decisions or even to agree with criticisms.
We can refuse coverage if we wish. I already said you can choose to decline a review offer and you could probably decline to review a set even after receiving it, as we do not always have full information about sets we receive for review. Icons and Ideas sets can be unpredictable, for example.
I am not aware that we rely on our relationship with designers or other LEGO employees at all. We know many LEGO designers and I would say that affects my expectations for certain sets and perhaps those of other contributors, but it has no impact on our opinions. In many cases, we do not know who designed a set.
With regard to Fan Media Days, it is true that they want attendees to have a good time, as anybody organising an event surely would. However, there is as much opportunity for Fan Media to raise issues and criticise the program, or indeed sets, as there is anything else. Quality issues, prices and much more besides are always a topic of discussion.
@AustinPowers said:
" @TheOtherMike : thanks for the heads up. I was under the false impression that the term meant "arguing in favor of an unpopular opinion"."
well, you're still better with English words phrases than I am with German words and phrases. (Actually, some German words *are* phrases.)
@HuskyDynamics said:
"he looks like he's got a pig snout or something and I can't unsee it"
Iron Spider-Pig
@twentythree said:
" @HuskyDynamics said:
"he looks like he's got a pig snout or something and I can't unsee it"
Iron Spider-Pig"
Canned ham.