CT Toys MAFEX No.186 Scarlet Spider Comic Version

Description

CT Toys version of the MAFEX No. 186 Scarlet Spider figure. Here’s a breakdown of what makes this figure special:

Figure Details:

• Character: Scarlet Spider (Ben Reilly)
• Source Material: Based on the classic comic book appearance of Ben Reilly as the Scarlet Spider.
• Scale: 1/12 scale, making him around 6 inches tall.
• Manufacturer: CT Toys (known for making more affordable versions of popular figures)
• Original Design: This is a recreation of the MAFEX No. 186 Scarlet Spider by Medicom Toy.

Features:

• Sculpt and Design: CT Toys has captured the distinct look of the Scarlet Spider suit:
  • Vibrant Red: The suit is predominantly bright red, a key difference from Spider-Man’s usual costume.
  • Blue Hoodie: The figure includes the signature blue sleeveless hoodie with the spider symbol. This is often made of fabric for better posing.
  • Detailed Webbing: The sculpted web pattern on the suit is intricate, staying true to the comic design.
• Articulation: Expect a high degree of poseability:
  • Head: Ball-jointed head for a wide range of motion.
  • Arms: Double-jointed elbows and shoulders with butterfly joints for dynamic arm poses.
  • Legs: Double-jointed knees, thigh swivels, and ankle pivots and rockers for great leg movement.
  • Torso: Ab crunch and waist swivel for expressive torso articulation.
• Accessories: This is where CT Toys often shines, providing plenty of extras:
  • Interchangeable Hands: A variety of hands for web-slinging, fist-clenching, wall-crawling, and more.
  • Web Effects: Assortment of weblines to attach to his wrists or hands, simulating web-shooting action.
  • Alternate Head: May include an unmasked Ben Reilly head sculpt.
  • Stand: A display stand to help with dynamic poses and aerial action.

Product Specifications (Estimated, as these can vary):

• Height: Approximately 6 inches (15.24 cm)
• Material: PVC and ABS plastic (and possibly fabric for the hoodie)
• Packaging: Collector-friendly window box, likely showcasing the figure and accessories.

Why Choose CT Toys’ Version?

• Affordability: CT Toys figures are significantly cheaper than the original MAFEX releases.
• Good Value: They offer a good balance of detail, articulation, and accessories for the price.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Quality Control: While CT Toys has been improving, there might be minor inconsistencies in paint or joint tightness compared to the original MAFEX figure.
• Not Official: CT Toys is a third-party company, so this is not an officially licensed Marvel product.

The Scarlet Spider is a mantle that has been taken up by several characters in the Marvel Comics universe, most notably Ben Reilly and Kaine Parker. Here’s a breakdown of the most well-known Scarlet Spider, Ben Reilly: 

Who is Ben Reilly?

• A Clone: Ben Reilly is a clone of Peter Parker, created by the villainous Jackal. Initially believed to be the original Peter, he eventually discovers his true nature and forges his own identity.
• The Name: The “Scarlet Spider” name comes from a combination of his red suit and the fact that he’s a Spider-Man clone.

Costume:

• Predominantly Red: The most striking feature is the bright red bodysuit, a stark contrast to Spider-Man’s classic red and blue.
• Blue Hoodie: Ben wears a blue sleeveless hoodie with a large spider symbol on the chest, adding a unique layer to the design.
• Web Shooters: His web shooters are bulkier and worn on the outside of his costume, almost like bracers. This allows him to carry more webbing and gadgets. 
• Mask: The mask is similar to Spider-Man’s, but with larger eye lenses and a more pronounced jawline.

Powers and Abilities:

• Spider-Man’s Powers: Being a clone of Peter Parker, Ben possesses all the same powers:
  • Superhuman strength, speed, agility, and reflexes 
  • Wall-crawling ability
  • Spider-Sense (though it interacts differently with Peter’s)
• Impact Webbing: Ben developed a unique type of webbing that delivers a concussive blast upon impact.
• Stingers: He also utilizes stinger darts fired from his web-shooters, which can incapacitate opponents.   

Personality:

• Haunted Past: Ben’s history is full of trauma and identity crises, leading to periods of instability and questioning his place in the world.
• Desire to be a Hero: Despite his struggles, Ben ultimately wants to use his powers for good and forge his own path as a hero.
• Independent: He often operates independently from other heroes, though he has been a member of teams like the New Warriors.

Key Storylines:

• The Clone Saga: The infamous storyline where Ben Reilly was introduced and his identity was intertwined with Peter Parker’s.
• Scarlet Spider (1995): Ben briefly took on the mantle of Spider-Man during this time, leading to his own short-lived solo series.
• Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy: A more recent storyline where Ben was manipulated and became a more morally ambiguous character.
• Scarlet Spider (2011): Kaine Parker, another clone of Peter, took on the Scarlet Spider identity in this series.
• Scarlet Spider (2016): Ben Reilly returned as the Scarlet Spider in this series, trying to redeem himself after the events of The Clone Conspiracy.

Across the Spider-Verse:

• Comic Relief: In this film, Ben is portrayed with a somewhat comedic tone, serving as a member of Miguel O’Hara’s Spider-Society.
• Experienced and World-Weary: This version of Ben has clearly been through a lot, and his experiences have shaped his personality.

The Scarlet Spider is a complex and interesting character with a rich history in the Spider-Man mythos. Whether it’s Ben Reilly or Kaine Parker under the mask, the Scarlet Spider represents a different take on the Spider-Man legacy, often grappling with darker themes and a more morally gray area.