Lining up the new Mafex Amazing Spider-Man next to its predecessors really shows just how far import figure engineering has come. Starting with the Mafex No. 004 from TASM2, it’s almost like looking at two completely different eras of collecting. The old Mafex was impressive when it dropped and it was one of the first figures to even attempt this level of articulation, but now it feels dated. The proportions are clunky, with a short torso and thick limbs that just don’t capture Andrew Garfield’s lanky build. The painted-on web lines and flatter colors don’t hold up well either, and posing it next to the new release makes the difference obvious. The new Mafex has razor-sharp sculpt work with raised webbing, a deep metallic red, and vibrant whites on the lenses that bring the TASM2 suit to life. Articulation is night and day too. The old figure’s hips and shoulders always felt a little stiff, while the new one moves like butter. It’s dynamic, natural, and screen-accurate in a way the 004 never quite achieved, which makes that older figure feel more like a fun relic than a serious display piece now. The Marvel Legends TASM2 Spider-Man shows just how big the gulf is between mass-market and import figures. Don’t get me wrong, that Legends figure is still a solid toy and a nostalgic one for a lot of collectors, but standing it next to the Mafex makes it look like a completely different tier. It’s bulkier, more “comic booky,” and the painted webbing and simple matte colors feel a bit toyetic. Articulation is fine for a $20 figure, but the range and natural posing just aren’t in the same league as the Mafex. The Legends Spidey is fun to mess around with and still holds up as a budget option, but if you’re into photography or high-end display, the Mafex blows it out of the water. Now, the SH Figuarts TASM2 Spider-Man is a much closer competitor, but even then, Mafex still edges it out. The trade-off is that it’s a bit stylized and undersized, with articulation cuts that break up the sculpt. Don’t get me started on the hips. The torso feels narrow, and it doesn’t capture Garfield’s proportions quite as well as Mafex’s longer, more natural frame. The paintwork is also clean but flatter, and the webbing doesn’t have the same sculpted depth. SHF is the kind of figure that’s super fun to handle and pose, but Mafex has the realism and presence that really pops on a shelf or in photos. Putting all five together, there’s no question that the new Mafex Amazing Spider-Man is the definitive TASM2 figure. The Mafex 004 is a nostalgic throwback, Legends is a solid but simple toy, SHF is a strong posing champ but slightly stylized, and Mezco is a beautiful display piece that sacrifices articulation for aesthetics. The new Mafex combines the best of all of them. It has better range than SHF, Mezco’s premium presence, and the nostalgic appeal of Legends and the original Mafex, but with 2025-level engineering. For collectors, this is the version that finally nails Garfield’s Spidey suit in every way: proportions, color, articulation, and accessories. It’s a figure that feels just as good in-hand as it looks in photos, which is rare. #spiderman #mafex #review #toy #marvel - @narohfigs