Spider Mando
Spider Mando
Does whatever a Spider can do.
Shoots a blaster, any size, catches bounties just like flies.
Look out!  Here comes the Spider Mando.

This marks a low point for our photo reviews, but if you’ll pretend the previous paragraph never happened, we can all just move on with our lives.

Alright then.  There’s a lot wrong with this set.  First of all, I’m not a carded collector.  But I understand that a meaningful chunk of the collecting community values the cardboard and plastic that encases that actual figure as much, if not more than the figure itself.  Help is available for such collectors, but until then, this set creates a definite conundrum.  This deluxe set comes in a package that is essentially an oversized TVC card and bubble.  As such, it looks completely out of place with the rest of the line.  Not only that, it is numbered as VC211, which puts it alongside figures in the main line.  This was a poor decision by Hasbro, and I know it is causing much angst among carded collectors.  The only thing we can hope for is that this served as a wake up call, and a few of those folks managed to escaped the black hole-like gravity well of such compulsion.  To make matters worse, Hasbro then numbered the Elite Squad Trooper (from the Bad Batch 4-pack) the same VC211.  It’s a nightmare all around.

Another thing wrong with this set is the price.  $26.99 is too expensive for what we’re getting.  I’m really not one to complain about prices of these things.  Collecting toys is a luxury and we adults are already choosing to toss unfathomable amounts of discretionary funds out the window for something mighty frivolous.  I can accept inflation, the Pandemic-Logistics jam, and the changing toy markets.  But paying double for a tiny Grogu and a few accessories isn’t a great deal by any stretch.

And the last thing wrong is that this set is a Walmart Exclusive.  Yes, I fully understand that we need Walmart to robustly carry Star Wars, and if giving them exclusives helps the cause, that’s a good thing.  But while my brain understands that, my heart despises Walmart, and I will never forgive them for the 2015-2017 3.75” Black Series debacle that very nearly annihilated our beloved line.

The good news is that Hasbro has since announced a few more of these deluxe figures, but thankfully nixed the VC numbering, as well as the bubble-style packaging in favor of an all cardboard look, of which I am a fan.  And perhaps more importantly, the price was adjusted to $20.97, which is much more palatable.

Okay, so on to the contents of the package.  The main figure, of course, is The Mandalorian himself.  That makes this one of 6 distinct releases of the character already, including pre-beskar, carbonized pre-beskar, dirty beskar, clean beskar, soft goods beskar, and this release.  So initially, it seems that this wouldn’t be particularly exciting, and you’d really be purchasing the set for the spider accessories.  But this is an important release.  First of all, this is the first version of Din Djarin that includes the beskar right thigh armor.  Previously, he was still wearing the piece from his original armor set.  Mando also has a very impressive snow deco all around the figure.  It’s not overly done, and the effect is outstanding, looking much more like actual snow and frost that earlier Hasbro attempts at airbrushing some white paint on a figure’s boots.  But most significantly, this is the first Mando figure with ROCKER ANKLES!  It makes a huge difference in possibility, and this character absolutely qualifies as requiring JLA (Jedi-Level Articulation).  This is a must-have figure (assuming you’re into The Mandalorian).  Sadly, Din does not include his Amban Tuning Fork Rifle, nor his jetpack, even though the sculpt maintains the holes meant for them to attach into. 

Grogu is included in the set, as he is named on the card.  Interestingly, the character was still known as “The Child” at this point in the story, so I’m not sure which is preferable on the card.  He is a repaint of the VC164 figure.  This time there are no whites around the pupils, and like Mando, has a convincing snow deco around the hem of his little coat.  The shoulders have ball joint articulation, as does the head, and that’s about it.  Notable is the peg hole in the foot, which is absent in the first 2 releases (but also present in the Razor Crest version.)

The main attraction (if you didn’t appreciate the updates to Mando) are the Ice Spider accessories.  The large one has two forelegs that are articulated, but really don’t give you much possibility.  The figure is nicely sculpted, and looks great, although has almost no paint applications, aside from the black eyes.  The spider is inspired by McQuarrie concept art, something that Favreau and Filoni seem fond of sourcing.  Also included are two smaller spiders, which are not articulated, as well as a hatched egg, which looks straight out of Alien.

When everything in the set is put together, especially if you managed to score a second set of spiders, it all looks great.  It also works well with your new Razor Crest.  If you were so inclined, you could also consider acquiring the Filthy Sixer ™ version, so that you could get an even larger spider to add more depth to your display.  It’s a great looking set.  The spiders are nifty, the upgrades to Mando are much-needed, and the snow deco is perfect.  If you can get over the price and the packaging, it’s a solid 9.  But the price, weird packaging, Walmart exclusivity, and (wrong) number assignment knock it down to an 8.