#245 SECRET WARS – BLACK COSTUME SPIDER-MAN vs. BARON ZEMO (1985)

SECRET WARS TOYS

As said in the previous entry, this time we will just focus on the toy line. There were three waves made, each of them with two factions, heroes and villains. One of the “new” things in this toy-line were that lenticular shields that came with each figure. These shield could be opened so you could insert on them one of the 4 double-sided images that came with each figure. Each of these 8 images was double, so moving the shield, you could see either one or the other. I guess the idea came from superheroes that must hide their identity; for example Peter Parker/Spider-Man. One of the images (often referred as “main image”) shows exactly this transformation, while the other 7 show the character in action. Shields for heroes are round and red. Shields for villains are square and grey.

Apart from the shield, some figures came with weapons. In the first wave, the most common weapon is a double-barrel gun. This weapon came with many figures, although there were other accessories made, for example a second type of rifle (for Dr. Doom), wolverine’s claws, and a few removable harnesses, belts and armours for different figures.

In the second and third waves, figure came with more specific accessories, like a falcon for Falcon, the glider for Hobgoblin, Daredevil’s whip and Constrictor’s whip.

Figures were sold carded, and on the backcard, a few comic scenes were depicted, in which the figure could be seen “in action”.

Here's the list of released figures and playsets:

WAVE 1:

Captain America

Iron Man

Spider-Man

Wolverine

Dr. Doom

Dr. Octopus

Kang the Conqueror

Magneto

WAVE 2:

Daredevil

Falcon

Spider-Man (black costume)

Baron Zemo

Hobgoblin

WAVE 3

Iceman

Constrictor

Elektro

Apart from the figures, there were two playsets and 7 vehicles released. As usual, playsets and vehicles bring additional playability to a toy line, as bring higher revenues to the toy manufacturers since they’re more expensive than single figures. In this case, there were two big playsets made, one for each faction. The 7 vehicles were actually 4 different vehicles, 3 of them recoloured for one or the other faction, plus the Doom Roller, which was exclusive for the villains.

Those three vehicles are: an helicopter, a motorbike with sidecar and a glider. The gliders are much rarer than the rest.

VEHICLES AND PLAYSETS:

Freedom Fighter Playset

Turbo Copter

Turbo Cycle

Star Dart Glider (with Black Costume Spider-Man)

Tower of Doom Playset

Doom Copter

Doom Cycle

Doom Roller

Doom Star Glider (with Kang)

And to finish this article, let’s go to the figures:

Black Costume Spider-Man is well known, but this black costume is really a symbiote of alien origin, that Spider-Man finds in planet Battleworld. 

He came with his shield only. I have to mention that paint is very likely to disappear in some figures of this collection. This version of Spider-Man is usually seen in a very bad shape. Mine is quite good, although the spider on the back is almost gone.

Baron Zemo, or Dr. Heinrich Zemo, 12th Baron Zemo, was one of the top nazi scientists during World War II. His son also used the same (or a very similar costume), so this figure could also represent Helmut J. Zemo, 13^th Baron Zemo.

The figure came with a grey shield (with it corresponding images), a gun and a yellow belt.

It is interesting to mention, that although all figures seem identical, there are some differences in the casts, that give additional quality to these toys. Note for example, that Spider-Man’s right foot is barely set on the ground (a sign of its agility), and Baron Zemo’s left hand is opened, as simulating it’s telekinetic powers.

In future entries, I will talk further about this line.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: BLACK COSTUME SPIDER-MAN and BARON ZEMO
• Toy Line: Secret Wars (Wave 2)
• Year: 1985
• Company: Mattel (U.S.A.)
• Size of the figures: Around 12 cms