.

The packaging is the now-usual Marvel Minimates box as utilised aince wave 4. It features the Spider-Man logo and also has the faces on the side of the box. The chase figure is clearly identified, with a “VARIANT ENCLOSED” banner on the corner of the box front.

Interestingly, the back of the box is the older list of characters with the 3 bands on, which debuted with wave 4. Spider-Man 2099 had the newer back which the summer exclusives had.

The figures are packed in a bubble tray, and have no twist-ties holding them in. Instead, a second clear tray piece fits over the top and then locks in, meaning that these figures are held in well and can be seen from each side.

The wave 7 chase figure appears to be J. Jonah Jameson, who edits the Daily Bugle, the Spider-Man-hating newspaper that Peter Parker works at. However the head is merely a mask which can be removed to reveal… the evil Chameleon! The Chameleon is the exact same figure that comes with the non-chase version of this set, except for this mask, and as such represents a very bizarre move for Art Asylum/Diamond Select Toys.

All the chase figures released thus far have something to distinguish themselves from the non-chase figure without taking anything away from the non-chase version. From the differently painted costumes of Elektra and Stealth Iron Man, the different hair-pieces of visorless Cyclops and unmasked Daredevil, the scarred or masked face of Doom, to the highly elusive black-costumed Spider-Man versus the damaged one, there are differences between the non-chase and chase figures. This is not the case with wave 7. You have a choice to buy the Chameleon, or the Chameleon with an additional mask. This means there is no reason to pick up a Chameleon/Ultimate Spidey set unless you are a completist. If the Chameleon was different between sets, for instance if he was in his costume rather than in a suit disguise, that would have been a lot better. Still, wave 7 was touted as a catch-up wave, and with two great chases announced for waves 8 and 9, let’s hope that this remains an anomaly.

Enough of my ranting, let me focus now on the Minimate itself. This is a very cartoony-looking Jameson. The expression is perfect for the character. The Chameleon head below has also got a great expression on his face. Looking at the expressions on the mask and the face, it’s cool to see that some elements are the same.

The suit looks good but it is a re-use from Professor X, except in darker colours. The paint apps are solid enough. The mask is the only accessory for this figure, as described above. The Wave 7 Minimates were created too late to incorporate C3 feet despite this years summer exclusives having them.

Overall, this is a figure tied to a gimmick which works fairly well. I’m pretty sure we would never get a “real” J. Jonah Jameson so this is a nice compromise. Certainly recommended over the normal Chameleon.

MMC Score – 6 out of 10

Review and pictures by Danny Mills

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