Spider-Man never has shortage of villains. There always seem to be a new one popping up to give the wall-crawler new headaches to worry about. Marvel Minimates Series 33 takes a look at latest threats with the Menace and Anti-Venom two-pack set.

Menace looks like the latest goblin with a glider, and that’s not too far from the truth at all. The identity of said villain was always in question with all the signs pointing to one person: Harry Osborn. But he has the ultimate herring because it ended up being his girlfriend Lily Hollister. All of this occurs during the “Brand New Day” storyline after Peter and Mary Jane’s marriage is wiped out by Mephisto. Menace shares similar characteristics to previous goblins, namely that demonic visage. I actually how this is rendered. This is a case where good line art really makes the vision come to life. The yellow eyes in particular really have that menacing (pun intended) look. I like the horns that are shaved off and look like little stumps. What I could never understand was why she need long red hair. At first I thought it was a long hat similar to the Green Goblin until I realized that wasn’t the case.

if the head looks a bit bigger than usual, it’s because the head is a slip-on that fits over another one. When you take off Menace’s head. it reveals the identity of Lily underneath. Her face has a darker skin tone from the usual Minimates characters. She comes with long blonde hair that can be affixed onto her head. The outfit is nothing memorable with a dark purple tunic and blue pants. The silver belt and gauntlets add nice contrast. I do love the glider that comes Menace. There’s a peg on it to clip into Menace’s foot. Also included is a stand to mount the glider.

Anti-Venom is Eddie brock, the man who once held the symbiote that made him Venom. Cured of the symbiote, Brock tried to lead a normal life until the symbiote can back to haunt him. In trying to bond with Brock, the symbiote was rejected by Brock’s body. Instead the remnants of the symbiote in Brock’s body bonds with his white blood cells (charged with energy from Mister Negative) to form a new white symbiote; thus Anti-Venom is born. I have to admit that the look of Anti-Venom is quite striking. he is the reverse of Venom with a white body and black spider emblem. I really like the face detailing. He looks even more terrifying this way. As an anti-hero, Anti-Venom tries to do good but crosses over that line for justice.

There isn’t much to this figure other than the slipover chest piece to make him look bulkier. The details come from the line work that is seen all over his body. As with other Venom figures, Anti-Venom has claw-like hands rather than regular ones. Both figures have 14-points of articulation for these 2” figures.

While it’s great to have new characters in the Spider-Man universe, I wouldn’t deem Menace and Anti-Venom is vital components to the mythology. They are more peripheral characters to me that have their place in Spidey’s history but not enough to be memorable. Of course that change over time. For now, though, they are considered window dressings.


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***This is part of my 2012 Funny Pages Write-Off. Let your inner geekdom out. You have until the end of July.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 8.99
Type of Toy: Action Figure
Age Range of Child: Kids to Teens