Review: 76230 Venom Figure
Posted by CapnRex101,LEGO buildable characters are divisive, whether assembled using traditional pieces or dedicated CCBS elements. However, the good reception for 76230 Venom Figure seems harmonious on the whole, praising this intimidating head design in particular!
Moreover, this model is significantly larger than Peter Parker and Miles Morales' Spider-Man figures, mirroring their comparative sizes in the comics, without needing an increased price. Venom should therefore prove rather appealing.
Summary
76230 Venom Figure, 297 pieces.
£24.99 / $24.99 / €29.99 | 8.4p/8.4c/10.1c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Venom appears intimidating, but presents problems avoided by the Spider-Man figures
- Impressive head and torso design
- Mostly good articulation
- Very limited head articulation
- Strange hip proportions
The Completed Model
Whereas 76225 Miles Morales Figure and 76226 Spider-Man Figure are extremely similar, for obvious reasons, Venom is constructed quite differently. The sinister Symbiote appears much bulkier than his opposition, primarily because the torso is substantially bigger and the head is positioned in front of the shoulders, duplicating Venom's traditionally hunched form.
Furthermore, Venom is slightly taller than Peter Parker and Miles Morales, measuring nearly 25cm in height. Their varied proportions are the most important distinguishing factor between them though, as Venom's shoulders tower above the heroes and give an impression of greater strength. However, the differences between their limbs are less pronounced.
Articulation is probably the greatest strength of the Spider-Man figures, which Venom definitely shares. The neck, jaw, shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, waist, hips, knees and ankles include moveable joints, presenting numerous possibilities for display. The forward motion of the ankles is limited, so matches the Spider-Man figures, but I consider that less problematic for Venom.
The head movement does leave something to be desired though. The head is connected using a ball joint and projects forward, so is prevented from moving sideways very far by the ball cup. This is disappointing because I think the designer could have included a second joint, allowing improved sideways motion, while also maintaining the hunched position of the head.
While that limited sideways motion is frustrating, Venom's head does include an articulated jaw, which works brilliantly. Opening the mouth reveals a connection point for the villain's distinctive tongue and I love how teeth are printed along a 2x1 plate with flange. When the mouth is open, these complement the elongated teeth on the face, although they appear awkward when closed.
Venom's chest is emblazoned with the twisted spider emblem consistently associated with the villain, comprising four printed elements. The jagged shaping of the spider's legs looks perfect and I like how these transition into white sections on either side of the torso. Unfortunately, the colour difference between these elements and the neighbouring decoration is noticeable.
76206 Iron Man Figure includes the same element for the head and shoulder armour and the same is true here, unlike 76225 Miles Morales Figure and 76226 Spider-Man Figure. This decision greatly restricted the movement of Iron Man's shoulders, while Venom fares better. Additionally, I think raising Venom's shoulders is paramount and would have been difficult with the curved shell developed for the Spider-Man figures.
The aforementioned spider emblem also decorates the back of this model, corresponding with Venom's appearance in the comics. The white panels on each side therefore link both symbols, which certainly seems appropriate for an organic being, like the Symbiote. Several grey and red elements are visible on the back of the legs, but these are relatively inconspicuous, thankfully.
I think my least favourite aspect of this model are the legs, primarily because of the large gap between them. While this wide stance was necessary to correspond with Venom's torso, each leg should be bulkier. The use of curved elements to replicate muscle definition from the comic character is somewhat successful, but the legs still appear too narrow, in my opinion. Also, the knee covers cannot move properly to conceal the knee joints.
Overall
I am slightly disappointed with 76230 Venom Figure, although I think my high expectations are partially responsible for this feeling. The poor head articulation was definitely unexpected and I dislike the proportions of the hips, which give Venom a peculiar stance. As always, good posing can disguise such problems to some extent, but I think the entire issue was avoidable.
Having said that, the bulky chest looks excellent, including several printed elements across the front and back. Additionally, the decoration on the head is superb and the size of this figure is remarkable, particularly because the price of £24.99, $24.99 or €29.99 matches the smaller Spider-Man models. I am pleased with this addition to the group, but still cannot quite escape a feeling of unfulfilled expectations.
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15 comments on this article
Of the three figures, I think Venom is probably the best, and he represents fair enough value. I just can't get myself to buy it though, maybe because I think the character is slightly overrated.
I think we can all agree that this is definitely one of the Venom-models of all time.
Still no fan of these buildable action figures, but of the three, this is easily the best. Proportions might be a bit weird, but that gives it a more aggressive, somewhat animalistic look.
Almost works with minifigures too like this is just venom if he grew in size
find ich einfach nur hässlich...
Would have been looking better if he was a bit bulkier (especially the legs) and the hip proportions looks so odd and weird. Personally I thinks Spiderman is the best of the 3 and sure kids will love all 3 models.
The least terrible of all four Marvel buildable figures so far.
@TomKazutara said:
"Imagine using black axles No.2 on a red model,
and using red axles No.2 on a black model."
I mean... that's the point of why colored axles exist in the first place—to be easily discernable from other parts and make building easier. If you're particularly bothered by them, axles are cheap and common and it's easy to swap them out.
@RaiderOfTheLostBrick said:
"Of the three figures, I think Venom is probably the best, and he represents fair enough value. I just can't get myself to buy it though, maybe because I think the character is slightly overrated."
I'd actually say venom is UNDERRATED. Out of the decades of stories we have with him, the movies sorta only adapt his original conflict with spidey. The sony ones tried to tackle a bit of the lethal protector but then it was just sidelined.
As for the figure, I think on its own it looks alright, but by the side of the other 2, he's too lanky and short. A couple more pieces in the torso would have given him a lot of much needed bulk. Since he uses pretty much only black, undecorated pieces, I don't think it'd stretch the budget too much.
Second best figure, losing to miles.
@CCC said:
" @Lyichir said:
" @TomKazutara said:
"Imagine using black axles No.2 on a red model,
and using red axles No.2 on a black model."
I mean... that's the point of why colored axles exist in the first place—to be easily discernable from other parts and make building easier. If you're particularly bothered by them, axles are cheap and common and it's easy to swap them out."
Black axles are easy to tell from the other black parts in the model as they are a different shape. If people can tell the difference between a 1x2 plate, a 2x2 plate and a 2x3 plate then i reckon they could tell the difference between a 1x2 plate and a 2L axle. They could have easily used black instead of red to make the final model look better without leading to confusion when building. They could have swapped the yellow ones too (although being internal they are less of an issue), as telling 2L and 3L apart is simple and for people that cannot handle the concept of 3>2, LEGO could put a size guide or show both types and cross out the longer one when a 2L is required."
The thing is that 2m axles are, well, small. They're easy to lose in a pile of parts, hiding underneath or even inside larger parts, ESPECIALLY if they're the same color as the majority of those parts. So making them a different color is an easy change that reduces frustration and has very little effect on the overall look of the set.
Seems to be the least worst. The heads on the others are terrible.
@Lyichir said:
"The thing is that 2m axles are, well, small. They're easy to lose in a pile of parts, hiding underneath or even inside larger parts, ESPECIALLY if they're the same color as the majority of those parts. So making them a different color is an easy change that reduces frustration and has very little effect on the overall look of the set."
Makes me wonder why Lego makes 1x1 plates, tiles and studs in a vast array of colors. After all, those are even smaller than those axles. Just imagine how convenient it would be if Lego would make those also in just one unique color each! I'd suggest bright green for plates, orange for tiles, purple for studs. And still enough colors left for other parts of similar size.
These aren't for me. Constraction provides no distraction.
However, I really appreciate the apparent joy of play shown in the review photos. More please! As usual, BS reviews are the best advertisement for Lego as they show how fun it can be.
On the other hand, those heads are horrible! They scream Iron Man. They look completely out of place on the Spidey dudes. They look like Lego half-assed trash. Shame, as the articulated figures otherwise look fun. The differing designs for all 3 is also evidence of care. The Iron Man head use is evidence of Lego laziness!
I thought someone had reviewed this already; it turns out I WAS one of the first people to get this one when I did... and I never got around to capitalizing on that with a YouTube review. -_-
Seeing that picture of the three of them together, Venom strikes me as the worst. His chest is way too wide and bulky, the spread hips are awful, the legs try for mass but end up looking awkwardly lumpy in some places and super skinny on others, and while the low shoulder joins are masked on the two Spider-Men, they're super obvious again on Venom like they were on Iron-Man.
Perhaps it's the colour scheme, but Miles is easily my favourite. He looks super lithe and athletic just like he should, and the colour blocking is exquisite. Peter Parker Spider-Man looks similarly well-proportioned, but has a few shortcomings in the colour scheme and bits of his build.
Not sure why so many commenters dislike these to be honest. The heads look fine to me personally and strike a balance of LEGO-y without being uncanny like the CCBS figures of old. The value isn't great for an "action figure" I suppose, but it's a LEGO mech really and shows just how far LEGO has come in that department.
Now, if only these weren't a full 100% dollar number higher in Australia than they are in the US. $25 + tax USD seems ok, but $50 AUD (incl tax) is nuts. Before long a sale will bring them down though.