Spider-Man's enduring popularity is evident not only in blockbuster films and milestone comic issues but also in the surprising market value of a niche action figure. According to collector site ActionFigure411.com, a Hot Toys figure depicting the wall-crawler from a little-known 1977 television series is currently the most valuable Marvel Comics-based action figure available.
The 1977 Spider-Man figure, which originally retailed for $255, has been sold for as much as $768.50, underscoring Spider-Man's broad appeal across various interpretations. This surge in value also shines a spotlight on what is often considered one of the strangest iterations of the character.
The 1977 series significantly diverged from established Spider-Man lore. While Peter Parker was still bitten by a radioactive spider, the motivation for becoming a hero was altered. The iconic mantra, "with great power comes great responsibility," derived from the death of Uncle Ben, was absent. Instead, Peter Parker adopted a heroic path without this foundational tragedy. Furthermore, the series featured less prominent villains, eschewing classic adversaries like the Green Goblin or Doctor Octopus.
Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee expressed his disapproval of these changes in an interview, stating that the appeal of the character lies in the conflict between his civilian life as Peter Parker and his superhero persona. He felt the comic book version was more sophisticated than its television counterpart.
The 1977 series only ran for a single season before its cancellation, as CBS opted to move away from superhero programming at the time. The show remained largely obscure for years, with actor Nicholas Hammond, who played Spider-Man, unable to secure a crossover with The Incredible Hulk. Hammond later appeared in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which may have resurfaced memories of the series for some viewers. Despite the show's limited success, the action figure inspired by it has become a highly sought-after collectible.