clra2

Hi guys, not sure if this goes here or under Licensed but I need help from other fellow exclusive collectors! Sorry for the long post, maybe the mods can help me on where to put a post like this for next time. I recently came across a LEGO SDCC 2012 Symbiote Spider-Man to add to my collection (off of Mercari). I was originally apprehensive to purchase this particular one due to it being so easy to replicate by custom printers and imitation brands. However, in my quest to complete the entire SDCC minifigure collection (of which I only need 3 now) I figured with a 10% off coupon and lowest pricing compared to eBay/Bricklink I pulled the trigger. The listing passed my checks: it came with the card, the red 2x2 plate that was originally glued to the card, and the eye printing on the head is translucent. I cross checked the listing with images from google and youtube videos and it looked good. I received the item and at first glance still felt good about it. The card looked the same as the one I got with SDCC 2012 Phoenix - actually the card that came with Phoenix has "lighter printing" but I would guess from sun/light damage over time. Dimensions of the card matched exactly. The 2x2 red plate was ripped off the card but the 2x2 plate still has the glue and "ripped paper" on the back and the plate also has the head imprint from where the head rested against the card. Here is the item I received, 2x2 plate ripped off with some of the paper, if you look carefully you can see the imprint on the card from the minifigure head right above the middle O in BOOOM. The head printing looks good to me, there is a very prominent line through the eyes from where the top stud meets the "face" of the minifigure (I am not sure how to describe this in words..) which was very common for minifigures that had prints that extended up close to the stud at that time. There is a barely noticeable white dot in the left eye which shows up in images for this figure. The left eye also is slightly "smeared" could be from the printing process but images of other people's figures also shows the eyes are not exactly symmetrical. In addition to the above stated slightly translucent eye color on black head, the printing, to me checks out. LEGO's printing on minifigure heads is not perfect, especially back in 2011/2012 when this figure was likely printed, and I find that the PAD printed replicas from Christo and MRM look more symmetrical and whiter in pictures, although I do not have confirmation as I never seen the customs in person. Closeup of the head I got Best picture I can find of the figure from an active eBay auction... notice the whiter dot in the left eye, I am asking the seller what kind of stud the head has The only issue I noticed about the head is that I got a blocked open stud but the Bricklink inventory for this head is a hollow stud: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=3626cpb1072&idColor=11#T=C&C=11 Top of my figure head has an open block stud Now the seller has assured me that he has 2 of these and he made sure it was authentic before selling. I don't blame the seller but it is kind of strange that the one I have has the blocked open stud and the Bricklink entry is for a hollow stud. The fact that this one does come with the card is causing me even more confusion. I reached out to a friend that does have this figure and he sent a picture that his did indeed have the hollow stud. Image from my friend's collection with hollow stud.. also notice the left eye has a slight "smear" LEGO has printed minifigures with both hollow studs and blocked open studs, Deadpool's head is one that has inventory lists for both, which is also a 2012 minifigure, although the reason for this is unclear: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/search.page?q=deadpool#T=P Even the very common Spider-Man minifigure used from 2012-2019 SH038 used blocked open stud: https://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemInv.asp?M=sh038 So I am reaching out to any other collectors that own the SDCC 2012 Symbiote Spider-Man for advice.. any way of knowing if there are any of these were produced with blocked open studs but just not in Bricklink's inventory? I think it's totally possible, given the exclusivity of this minifigure and how old it is that some heads were printed on hollow studs and some were printed on blocked open studs. It is not out of the realm of possibility if the factory was transitioning their molds from the blocked open stud to the hollow stud around this period that the heads got mixed up at some point along the production process. But given how much we spent for this figure, I'd like to make absolutely sure. Thanks for reading to the end, and any comments are appreciated!

What an interesting set.. can't complain about a pretty unique looking Batman minifigure. Was looking for more parademons for army building also. Hopefully the build will be passable!

I cant help but wonder why they chose the Knightcrawler for the mid sized set. I think the Batmobile from the Flying Fox set makes more sense as it's own standalone $35-40 set (with a small build for the parademons). It could still interact with the Flying Fox while also lowering the price tag for the Flying Fox. The Knightcrawler just doesnt translate that well into Lego. I'll still probably pick up all 3 of these sets over the weekend.

I like the Atom figure but I think this year's exclusives are pretty weak (for both Marvel and DC). But that's good for people who can't go. I'll try and get an Atom figure somehow but I really want to know how he looks from the side with the helmet, without the helmet, and whether he has a second face. I think the printed stand is my favorite part actually

Ouch...this set makes the Ghostbusters HQ set look cheap! 4600+ pieces for $350 lol. Too bad I spent all $70 worth of VIP points on the Tumbler! Ooopsies...

Dang this figure looks great. I wish Lego would make sets based on the CW-verse. Too bad no side printing on the legs and arms though. I wonder what the back torso and face printing look like

Ah that superman set looks pretty cool. Definitely not worth the price but if I had a chance to buy it I totally would lol

Well if the DC exclusive is indeed CW Arsenal at least there are some good looking custom versions out there. But I really want an exclusive for the cool looking packaging.

Found a bunch of tmnt sets on clearance at Walmart for about 50% off. Decided to pick up T-Rawket Sky Strike, Mutation Chamber, Karai Bike Escape, and Turtle Van Takedown. Only built Turtle Van Takedown and I'm pretty impressed by the set. Love the foot soldier and I really like the turtle figs even though I hate the movie versions and have not seen the movie. The colors are also perfect for Mocs. I might have to pick up the Turtle Lair Invasion to complete the turtle team once it gets clearanced. Too bad this theme is getting retired but at least I jumped in before it was too late!

Gosh Harley's new eyes looks quite weird to me. I wonder why they didn't give her flesh colored arms and leg printing. I doubt she would cover herself with makeup like that. Disappointed about Poison Ivy and Penguin but oh well. Maybe I will wait for these sets to go on sale before I buy them. I like that we are getting quite a few flesh colored minifigs from other waves in this set though!

It's a shame that the Batman cowl covers up the nice head printing details of Batzarro. Ah well, it's still a welcome addition to the minifigure lineup. More villains please!

Browsing this thread reminds me of the Rogue Squadron games and books. Good times... I dont collect Lego Star Wars anymore but good work!

The new sets just came out and people are already speculating on the summer wave? Enjoy your new sets and come back when you get bored of them. I'm 24 and this super jumper is entertaining the heck out of me right now Also does anyone else's Supergirl have printing errors on the legs? I noticed my Plastic Man and 2012 Wonder Woman have similar errors where the printing wraps around the leg and where the rounded part meets the straight parts of the legs.

That leg printing for Trickster is perfect! I am a little sad that we get this somewhat obscure villain before we get an official Cheetah minifig though. All the other JL members have their primary villains except for Wonder Woman :(

There's really another double VIP date on jan 5? Hmm maybe I will wait for then too