Through the Lens of the Multiverse: LEGO Spider-Man CMF Reviewed

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is a crazy kaleidoscopic ride through worlds, stories, and endless variations of Spider-Man. The idea of releasing an entire Collectible Minifigures series based on a single character [albeit one with countless incarnations] sounded just as crazy. The sheer abundance here—an explosion of prints, designs, and accessories—could easily fuel more than one CMF wave. At first glance [or even eight-eyed glance], the lineup makes a huge impact. A few closer looks reveal some shortcomings, but more on that later.

Spoiler alert: The descriptions below contain details about the characters and events in the film. If you haven’t seen it yet, you might be spoiling the fun.

THE SETUP

Each Spider-Verse minifigure stands on a trans-orange base. I get the sense that the color was inspired by the interdimensional portals we see in the film. It also echoes the glowing screens inside Spider-HQ.

Those bases ended up serving as the backdrop for my photos, placing the figures mid-leap, suspended somewhere between dives into the multiverse. I also added dark walls with a slightly industrial feel, thus alluding to the Spider HQ interiors from the film.

THE MINIFIGS

The Spider-multiples hold up well in front of the camera [as you’ll see below]. The challenge, though, lies in LEGO’s limitations: minifigures are bulky little things with very few articulation points. Spider-Man, on the other hand, is lean, acrobatic, and constantly twisting into mid-air contortions. Recreating that with a minifig is basically impossible [short of taking it apart, which isn’t really my cup of chai]. So as you scroll through the photos, let your imagination do a bit of the posing 😉

Normally, when I review a CMF series, I present the lineup in leaflet order. This time, though, the Spider-multiples appear in order of appearance in the film.

Spider-Gwen

Crisp white with splashes of pink and turquoise, Gwen’s suit instantly catches the eye. The hood adds depth and mystery, framing her face in shadow. She’s sleek, stylish, and full of quiet attitude. This outfit may seem simple, but it’s more of a subdued elegance.

Photographically, her clean white surfaces love backlight. The white hood diffuses and bounces light beautifully. More pastel backdrops make her pop without overwhelming the design.

Spider-Man 2099 (Miguel O’Hara)

Miguel’s deep blue and crimson palette radiates futuristic intensity. Just look at his cyber-pixelated cape! The sharp lines of his mask and emblem make him feel larger than life. He’s a figure that practically demands dramatic lighting. The cape itself is a great addition to any cyber outfit.

His suit thrives under LEDs or neon-inspired setups. Lighting shining through his cape creates cinematic highlights, and a techy bokeh background turns him into pure cyberpunk.

Spider-Man – Miles Morales

Miles balances stealth and energy in his iconic black-and-red design. But it’s the lightning bolt zigzags that do the trick here! The design makes the lines bold enough to add texture without looking cluttered. There’s a sense of youthful determination built right into his look.

Silhouettes and rim lighting suit him perfectly. It’s best to place him against a sunset or city blur for a shot that screams agility and youthful energy. Like the multiverse portal.

Spider-Man India

Warm cream, bold red, and rich blue make Pavitr stand apart from the rest. His costume details carry cultural flair while keeping Spider-Man’s familiar silhouette. Just look at the stylized lotus flower shape, inscribed in a spiderweb on the shoulder. He radiates optimism and motion, even at rest.

Architectural backdrops or arches woild echo his design roots quite well. Subtle smoke or rays of light give his figure a dawn-patrol glow.

Spider-Punk

Nothing subtle here—his spiky hair and guitar scream pure chaos. Loud colors and a rebellious stance give him unstoppable stage presence. He’s the embodiment of energy in plastic form.

It’s best to shoot him with grunge textures: graffiti, chainlink, or hard lighting. We play hard here, experimenting with angles and boisterous lighting. A fisheye lens would also give him that punk-rock poster feel.

Web-Slinger

A cowboy twist on the Spider-Verse makes this figure unforgettable. The hat, holster touches, and playful details give him unique charm. It’s a quirky design that begs for storytelling setups. And a steed, or rather, in this version, a “steeddy”! The horse with the spider mask on its muzzle looks strange, but at the same time, there’s something magnetic about it!

It’s just a pity Web-Slinger’s lasso isn’t white, which might suggest a spider’s web. But I really like the pattern on the poncho, which is associated with Native American aesthetics.

You would play with monochrome or sepia tones, leaning into spaghetti western vibes. A wide stance with angled lighting makes him feel right at home in a dusty showdown. Look out for a photo like this at dawn!

Spider-Byte

Her translucent limbs and cyber-printing look like she stepped straight out of a hologram. Light passes through her in spectacular ways, making her a dream to photograph. She feels futuristic, bold, and utterly unique.

I had the most fun with this minifigure, of course mostly because of the transparent limbs. She’s definitely my favorite from this series.
Spider-Byte sounds like the perfect centerpiece—her translucent parts will naturally draw the eye. She’s practically built to steal the show in any display!

Colored LEDs turn her into a glowing centerpiece. Reflections on glossy black surfaces or refracted light through prisms give her an almost holographic aura and perfectly captures her avatar appearance.

Spider-Man and May “Mayday” Parker

This duo captures legacy in a tiny plastic frame. Peter is classic and very familiar in pink robe, while Mayday brings a spark of playful energy. Together they feel warm, personal, and full of story potential.

In the case of this duo, almost every shot will work well, whether it is a wider shot or a portrait.

Werewolf Spider-Man

Fur textures and a snarling face twist the friendly neighborhood hero into something feral. Sharp claws and earthy tones sell the transformation. It’s a fun, eerie take that oozes personality. But I still don’t really know why this character is in this collection. Instead of a werewolf, I’d have preferred Spider-Noir or the villain Spot. But there’s a Spider-Werewolf, and at least we can decide whether it was a spider that bit the werewolf, or the werewolf that bit Spider-Man…
I think it’s best to side-light or back-light this minifig to exaggerate the fur on the head and tail. Low angles and forested backdrops might create a beast-in-the-night aesthetic.

Sun-Spider

Radiant orange and red give her a glowing, sunlit presence. The design feels graceful yet strong, with details that set her apart. She shines brightest when framed against cooler tones. But I have a problem with the design of this minifigure’s head. I can’t unsee a “grumpy uncle” look, and that the lower part of that “X” looks like a mustache.

This really bothers me because this character was created in the fandom. Sun-Spider originated as a “Spidersona”—a type of fan-created character inspired by the film—here made by comic book writer and designer Dayn Broder.
Besides that, Sun-Spider has a great, laid-back design and a cheeky, twisted cap.
Sun-Spider, though she uses crutches, is best portrayed in dynamic poses, as seen in the comics. She looks good in cooler tones too.

Cyborg Spider-Woman

Metallic accents and robotic detail turn her into a powerhouse. The blend of human and machine makes for a striking silhouette. She’s tough, futuristic, and instantly commanding. And ahe has a cannon instead of an arm!

And looking at this minifigure, I appreciated how much attention the designers paid to Spider-Man’s emblem, ensuring it reflected the character’s personality. Here, we have a piece of sheet metal with eight chains attached. The elements of this minifigure can be successfully used to build some post-apocalyptic [anti]hero.
Split-lighting is her friend—half shadow, half glow. Metallic reflections paired with blue gels give her that battle-ready, cybernetic aura.

Prowler

Dark purples and sharp edges create a figure full of menace. The hood deepens the mystery, throwing shadows across his mask. He radiates danger and stealth in every pose. And there is nothing more to add here.

Backlighting and noir setups highlight his silhouette. Tilted angles amplify his threatening, unpredictable edge.

Final Thoughts

The Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse CMF series is as wild and varied as the film itself. It’s rare to see a single theme stretched across an entire wave of minifigures, but the multiverse concept makes it work well. Each character brings something distinct to the table: from Spider-Punk’s loud chaos to Prowler’s brooding menace, from the warmth of Peter and Mayday to the holographic glow of Spider-Byte.

From a toy photographer’s perspective, the set is both thrilling and challenging. LEGO minifigs aren’t built for fluid acrobatics, so capturing Spider-Man’s trademark mid-air dynamism takes a healthy dose of imagination. But the strong color palettes, bold prints, and occasional translucent elements offer plenty of visual rewards.

For me, the real showstopper is Spider-Byte—her translucent limbs and futuristic vibe practically beg for experimental lighting. But every figure has its own unique visual hook, and together they form a lineup that’s as energetic and eclectic as the Spider-Verse itself.

Whether you’re collecting, posing, or photographing, this wave delivers a burst of creativity. It’s a CMF series that doesn’t just celebrate Spider-Man—it celebrates the idea that there’s a Spider for everyone!

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