A Price Hike That Packs a Punch
For a decade, Diamond Select held steady at $29.99 for their Marvel Select figures—an impressive run in an inflating world. But 2025 marks the shift, with Hobgoblin leading the charge at $35. If Hasbro jacked Marvel Legends to that price, I’d be rioting in the streets, but DST gets a pass here. Why? These figures are bigger (7 inches vs. 6), more limited in production, and loaded with unique tooling and accessories—think diorama bases and detailed sculpts—that Hasbro often skips. After years without a bump, a $5 increase feels fair, especially for a character like Hobgoblin, who’s been begging for a definitive take.
Hobgoblin: A Cut Above Hasbro’s Goblins
Speaking of which, Hasbro’s had a crack at Hobgoblin a few times—think the 2016 Space Venom wave or the Retro Series—but their gliders always felt flimsy, and they’ve never quite captured that classic menace. DST’s stepping up with a sturdy, dynamic Goblin Glider base that’s practically a mini-diorama. It’s posed to perfection, ready to swoop down on Spidey, and it’s the kind of display piece Diamond Select nails every time. Hobby’s gonna look wicked perched up there, pumpkin bomb in hand.
But the real MVP? That unmasked Roderick Kingsley head. Hasbro’s never given us this—crazy, right?—and DST’s sculpt is a dead ringer for the comics. Pair it with the hand clutching a loose Hobgoblin mask (another first!), and you’ve got a two-in-one figure that’s dripping with personality. It’s a clever nod to Kingsley’s dual life—fashion mogul by day, cackling villain by night—and it’s executed with flair.
Hasbro’s Goblin Gliders for Hobgoblin have always felt on the flimsy side, but the one DST is giving us should be nice and sturdy (and looks great!). This is the type of base/diorama piece that Diamond Select really excels at. Hobby is going to look awesome flying atop his dynamically posed glider.
But the Goblin Glider isn’t even the coolest pack-in here—it’s the unmasked Roderick Kingsley head! Surprisingly, we’ve never gotten one of these unmasked heads for Hobgoblin in Hasbro Legends, so I’m glad DST has churned out top-notch work on this head sculpt. It looks like the comic art brought to life.
And we even get a hand holding a removed Hobgoblin mask, which is also a first (which makes sense, what with there never being an unmasked head included before and all). A fun and neat inclusion—good work, DST!
Diamond has really upped their game in the articulation department in recent years. While still contractually limited in the number of points of articulation figures can have, DST has learned to really maximize what they can integrate to make their Marvel action figures the best they can be.
Hobgoblin looks to have double-hinge elbows for posing properly with pumpkin bombs, as well as a ball-jointed chest (no unsightly ab crunch) and the lower body articulation like swivel ankles needed to perch perfectly atop the glider. Select will never (and cannot) reach the sheer amount of articulation packed into Marvel Legends, but I’m impressed with their continuing growth in this area.
I also wanted to give props for the extremely subtle texturing on the “Mail” portions of Hobgoblin’s costume here. You can see the mail up-close, but from a distance it still looks like a guy in a costume and not a thick layer of armor. I really dig the aesthetic here, and think it works convincingly for a classic look like this.
Articulation and Aesthetics: DST’s Evolution
Diamond Select’s been flexing their articulation game lately, and Hobgoblin’s no slouch. Contractually capped on points of articulation (thanks, licensing quirks), they’re still packing in smart joints: double-hinge elbows for bomb-throwing poses, a ball-jointed chest (bye-bye ugly ab crunch), and swivel ankles to lock him onto that glider. It’s not Marvel Legends-level posability—never will be—but it’s a huge leap from DST’s stiffer early days. You can feel the effort to make these figures play as good as they look.
The sculpt’s a standout too. The subtle mail texture on Hobby’s tunic and arms is a masterstroke—up close, you catch the detail; from afar, it’s just a guy in a slick costume, not some clunky knight. The orange-and-blue palette pops without overdoing it, nailing that vintage Amazing Spider-Man #238 vibe. It’s a love letter to Roger Stern and John Romita Jr.’s original baddie, and it shows.
Pre-Order Now—Don’t Get Burned
The Marvel Select Hobgoblin is up for grabs now at spots like Entertainment Earth and Big Bad Toy Store, with a late 2025 drop (think Q3-ish). At $34.99, it’s a smidge pricier, but recent Selects like Archangel have pre-sold out fast—so if you’re sold, lock it in. Shoaib, your cutitoy.com crew’s gonna want this one on their radar—it’s a collector’s dream with that unmasked twist.
So, what’s the verdict, Marvel faithful? Does this Hobgoblin outshine Hasbro’s attempts? Are you cool with the price bump for the extras, or holding out for a deal? Hit me with your thoughts—is this goblin gliding onto your shelf?
