Most Humilitating Spider Suit? The Bombastic Bag-Man Costume in Comics, Video Games Cartoons, & Toys

Amazing Spider-Man's lamest alternate Fantastid Four costume/suit - the Amazing/Bombastic Bag-Man costume, one of the craziest gags from Marvel in the Bronze Age!
One of the strangest moments in Spider-Man's comic history that has lived on in comics, cartoons, video games, toys and action figures, including the new Marvel Legends release, the amazing bombastic Bag Man was a one-off gag by the Human Torch aka Johnny Storm in Amazing Spider-Man #258, from Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz. But the Bag-Man refused to die and would live on in future comics, cartoons, and toys. It started with the Fantastic Four's Johnny Storm/Human Torch trying to humiliate Spider-Man, forcing him to wear the embarrassing alternate costume. The classic paper bag mask and old-school Fantastic Four costume, thanks to Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch
JM DeMatteis later introduced his own version of the Bag-Man lamest costume, this time calling him the Bombastic Bag-Man, in the late 90s pages of Spectacular Spider-Man comic book, this one without the Fantastic Four comic book costume. But there's more - unknown to most, the Bag-Man suit has a secret appearance in the 1980s Spider-Man cartoon (the solo cartoon series, not Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends). All of these appearances are based around Spider-Man not having a mask (or an entire costume), and being forced to wear a bag on his head as the Bag Man to conceal his secret identity. The cartoon appearance of the Bag-Man is actually inspired by a scene from the comic book Spider-Man #4, Nothing Can Stop the Sandman. In the comic book, during a battle with the Sandman, Spider-Man's mask is torn to shreds and he's forced to flee. But when the cartoon adapted this scene, they added a scene where on the way home, Spider-Man dons a paper bag on his head to keep his identity secret. Apparently, this was done completely separately from DeFalco's story in Amazing Spider-Man #258, with neither creator knowing the other had also done it. And same with JM DeMatteis - he confirmed to me that indeed, his Bombastic Bag-Man gag in Spectacular Spider-Man was done without any knowledge of the prior versions of this gag superhero costume. And some say its the worst costume!
Despite some saying it's the worst, fans still love the Bag-Man today, and the Bag Man has lived on outside the Spider-Man and Fantastic four comics and cartoons, in toys and Bag Man action figures. Several action figures featuring the alleged worst costume Bag-Man suit have been produced, for the Marvel Universe line of 3.75" figures, for a Funko Pop figure, and for the HeroClix dice game. But you can see the passion for Bag-Man suit in action figures among the fans because you can find tons of pics online of fans that have made their own custom Bag-Man action figures, usually repurposing 6" Marvel Legends figures of Reed Richards or Johnny Storm into Bag-Man figures. I even found fan art of the Amazing bombastic Bag Man suit from the website Deviant Art!
But strangely, the Bag-Man's biggest exposure may be in the world of video games, where the Bag Man has been available as an alternate costume that's playable in SEVEN different video games, starting with the 2000 Spider-Man game for the Sony Playstation, Spider-Man's first 3D polygonal game. With this much love how could it be the worst costume?
Special thanks to Tom DeFalco & JM DeMatteis & sources.
UPDATE - You see the Across the Spider-Verse trailer?? The Bombastic Bag Man is coming to screens in the new Across the Spider-Verse movie! I never thought when I was writing this that the Bag Man would get new Marvel Legends figure, and then get adapted in Across the Spider-Verse - it's the year of Bag Man!
Sources:
General:
Fandom.com
www.Spider-Friends.com
SpidermanCrawlspace.com blog & podcast; Twitter: @Crawlspace101
The HeroJournalism Archives
Custom Bag Man action figures:
User Green Skin from the website FigureRealm.com, IG: @greenskin_customs
@Ashrok1 on Instagram
@LooseCollectorCollectibles on Instagram
Mike Eetipona (sp?) from sookayitsaverage.wordpress.com
Reddit user u/MY-HARD-BOILED-EGGS
Video Game clips from these KZbin channels:
Geracao Power Up
Andrew Louis
MrGamesRus
Immortals Gaming
Amazing Bombastic Bag Man fan art on Deviant Art website from these users:
Denism79
Jeageruzumaki
Music - Instant Crush by Corbyn Kites
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro to the Amazing Bombastic Bag Man!
01:04 - Secret Wars, Alien Costume & Bag-Man
01:59 - Spider-Man & Fantastic Four's Human Torch
05:04 - Bag-Man's Origin: The Unknown Comic comedian
07:19 - Spider-Girl #47 - Bag-Man Redux?
08:19 - Bag Man in the Spider-Man cartoon!
13:38 - Bag-Man action figures, Funko, HeroClix
14:24 - Bag-Man custom fan made action figures
15:24 - Bag-Man Video Games: PS1 to PS4/PS5
17:17 - Amazing or Bombastic Bag-Man?
HeroJournalism is produced/written by Jason Lethert. HeroJournalism, the best place for hero journalism!
#spiderman #comics #bagman

[@DarthOlyx]

Unpopuler opinion: I think that costume looks pretty good

[@HeroJournalism]

Not as unpopular as you might think. When I posted this on FB, tons of people commented about their love of the Bag Man, and a number of them were a little salty about my apparent slamming of the costume. However, I'm as big a BM backer as anyone - I bought this off the rack as a kid, and it was one of my favorite comedy moments of the era, one I never forgot and which led me to making an almost 20 minute documentary on it all these years later! Maybe I shouldn't have called it 'lame' in the thumbnail, but I was implying it from Peter's perspective of being humiliated by the Torch. That's why I wanted to cover every little element of his history & merchandising. Hope you liked it

[@DarthOlyx]

@@HeroJournalism thank you for replying my comment and I think you have done an outrageous job with this video. Hope you get the attention you deserve .

[@HeroJournalism]

@@DarthOlyx - hey man, I really appreciate that. Hearing comments like that really does help. I gotta be honest, I thought this vid's Spider-Man connection and quirky/fun trivia would be a bit of a hit, but it's been down to like 2 views a day. I know part of that is because I'm small, and I've had similar videos that start gaining traction as they get into the thousands of views, but it's tough when you but like 30 hours+ into a vid to see it eeking along like a wounded animal. So at this time in my YT journey, comments like yours help cushion the blow of low performance, as at least I know that the content is good, that you/people respond to it. So thanks again, and I ain't to proud to ask, if you can, share it with your comic friends on social media. Thanks again, Olyx - and hit that notifications bell because I have some crazy stuff coming soon!

[@loselot6044]

I mean... you can't go wrong with the Fantastic Four suit

[@kidwajagstang]

No need for a custom any more! There is now an official Marvel Legends Bag man figure available from Target! Been trying to find one for weeks. Randomly found one two days ago!

[@HeroJournalism]

Right on! I gotta get one myself! I was pretty floored that it came out after my video; it's a 6" right? That's what I said fans wanted in the video! I've gotten a bunch of new viewers that found the video because of the new action figure, so that's pretty cool. Glad you got your figure finally!

[@thareal1956]

@@HeroJournalism Great Review ! Really enjoyed it! Learned a lot I didn't know! Liked and subbed !! I just picked my Bag-Man.

[@nikki3760]

Its nice to see this suit return in Spiderman 2 across the spider verse

[@HeroJournalism]

Isn't that crazy?? I can't believe what's happened since I started planning this ep a couple yrs ago; adding the figures was a late addition to the script - I like trying to be comprehensive. But I never imagined the Bag Man (and the video) would get a boost by a new Legends figure and then by appearing in Across the Spider-Verse! It's the year of Bag Man!

[@jacobsiler1360]

He’s actually gonna be in the new Spider-Man movie, also Nogla did him so it should be called, Across the Vanosserve.

[@HeroJournalism]

Yeah, I saw him in the trailers; I'm excited for that, hope they give him a couple lines at least! Thanks for watching!

[@bigmidget117]

You recently just sent this on my twitter. and I am so glad I went to check this interview out!!! I’m subbing!!!

[@HeroJournalism]

Nice to have met you on Twitter, and glad you liked the video! It's a thankless task promoting the awesomeness of the Bag Man, so every bit of support helps! Thx for giving the video a shot, if you check out more, be sure to give a holler if you see something you like!

[@zelsha]

In the Marvel Super heroes players book (TableTop RPG), Bag-man was featured on the character's creation section. That's when I learned spider-man somehow joined or was affiliated with the fantastic 4 when I was very young lol. (around 1989). The character was still heavily featured, for me (a child) to learn about it back then.

[@HeroJournalism]

Great trivia, which I'd known that and mentioned it!

[@AyosheeshkoboYoesoes]

And foundation thingy suit

[@db2841]

Ur content and voice are amazing!!

[@HeroJournalism]

Thank you very much, and thanks for watching!

[@mombepombe]

I just read ASM #82 yesterday! I thought it was really funny that they did that..so Pete could do his laundry LOL

[@HeroJournalism]

Wow, you must have one heckuva collection, my physical copies get pretty sparse before the mid 70s! Very cool you found this video, so glad you liked it! I've got a lot more comic history on the channel - exclusive interviews with John Romita Sr., Gene Colan, and more, and new Marvel comic and cartoon content coming soon!

[@scottyblanco732]

Really great video!!! This is great.

[@HeroJournalism]

How'd you like that Murray Langston coverage? I was hoping you'd like that!

[@scottyblanco732]

@@HeroJournalism you nailed it!!

[@aidianajones]

Just got an official marvel legends bag man. Glad I found this after.

[@HeroJournalism]

Hey, I'm glad you found it too! Long live the Bag Man! I don't cover figures much but if you like comic/cartoon/movie history, I've got plenty more! Thanks for watching

[@that1badyoutuber117]

Who else is watching this because of across the spider-verse

[@HeroJournalism]

Lol, I did this vid bc I remember buying Bagman's 1st app issue as a kid, I loved it. It got a few views at first, then fizzled. Then Bagman appeared in the Spider-verse trailer and I got a huge boom in views, and it bumped up again when the movie hit theaters! Glad I had this already out so all these new Bagman fans can get the whole story! Thx for watching, hope you liked the vid!

[@dopetoysny2510]

Right on time, Marvel Legends Bagman went up for pre-order today

[@HeroJournalism]

Dude! This video's been crawling along and suddenly yesterday blew up! I went to Twitter to search out why and just found out about the new figure! I was really glad to cover the various Bag Man figures and toys in the video, and the customs too! Thanks so much for watching - some people took my video as a slam on Bags, but I've always loved him since I had the comic as a kid!

[@X-treme_13]

I preordered 1 for my son's X-mas gift & 1 for my collection

[@HeroJournalism]

@@X-treme_13 - that's awesome! You are clearly a world class dad, happy early fathers day!

[@X-treme_13]

@@HeroJournalism thank you, good sir.

[@fishboi8050]

I think it would make for a really fun and easy cosplay!

[@HeroJournalism]

Oh yeah, and fun to see which fans recognize it

[@Michael_Afton40]

I really liked the costume in the ps4 game

[@HeroJournalism]

Hey, I was hoping I'd get some viewers that knew the costume from the game's bonus skins! You have to realize - I'd been working on this script at least back to last year. Originally, it was just a video on an obscure bit of Spidey history I remember (and loved) from when I was a kid. I hoped 80s Spidey content would be enough to get it some attention - I never expected Bag Man to come back into the limelight. Then the game came out - well, I was working on some other videos at the time and so missed out on timing the video with that - but I figured that many players would be like "where did that costume come from?"; then to my shock, after I finally get the video out, a new action figure is announced and he's coming to the Across the Spider-Verse movie! Crazy stuff. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed learning about all the backstory. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts

[@Michael_Afton40]

@@HeroJournalism oh wait really? I didn't know he is coming to the spider verse movie Lol

[@HeroJournalism]

Apparently so; if you go to my channel's "community" page, I posted a still from the Into the Spider-Verse teaser promo that was the Bag Man, in Spiderverse animation style. I'm really thrilled, I thought the video turned out great, but it got a slow start, so I'm hoping it may get a larger audience from that. If you feel so inclined, consider sharing on your social media

[@theguyonthecouch42024]

Just got the action figure, I'm having so much fun🤣

[@HeroJournalism]

Nice! I had no idea they'd end up releasing a new figure of the Bag Man, that's so cool! Hope you liked the video!

[@may21136]

Here from across the spiderverse trailer

[@HeroJournalism]

Oh DANG! I was wondering why views suddenly spiked, I hadn't heard of the trailer, gonna watch it right now!

[@duketheLEGEND651]

I used the suit in a game once

[@HeroJournalism]

I remember thinking it was so crazy to see Bag Man in digital form the first time I saw him in one of my games!

[@nyspawn9332]

Right

[@duketheLEGEND651]

7:33 who's in the scarlett spider costume?

[@HeroJournalism]

I forget; that panel is from the MC2 "future" Marvel Universe; Peter's daughter is Spider-Girl, and teamed with a few others, but I forgot who was in the Scarlet costume. I think most or all of the kids were children of heroes or villains. Thanks for watching, hope you liked it!

[@sigsig1638]

It was Spider-Girl. She spent an arc in the Scarlet Spider costume.

[@HeroJournalism]

@@sigsig1638 - you are probably right that she wore the Scarlet costume at some point in the series, but not in the panels shown. They're all from Spider-Girl 47 (cover shown at 7:29), and you can see her in her Spider-Girl costume in the group shot at 7:51. But that's interesting she wore the Scarlet costume, I did not know that - thank you for chiming in with that!

[@sigsig1638]

@@HeroJournalism I just checked, it was Gwen Reilly. She was a clone created by the Jackal who was turned into a human/symbiote hybrid by Osborn. She made her first appearance in Spider-Girl#46 Man, Spider-Girl is criminally underrated. Best comic of the late 90's and one I have to read again.

[@HeroJournalism]

@@sigsig1638 - thx for looking that up so we know! Yeah, I freaking LOVE DeFalco and Frenz, that Spidey run was legendary. I've got some more comic history on the channel; interviews with Romita Sr., Gene Colan, and more. Thx so much for watching, really appreciate people checking out this weird history!

[@bunbunbun9857]

Grippersman

[@cheddarcheese7928]

Not trying to be that guy..But the Spidey 81 solo series defiantly aired before 1988..I’m from Philly and in 1984 I went to visit my grandma in California and the show was on daily M-F..I was 13 and all I knew was The 60’s Spidey and Spidey and amazing friends..So I was blown away at the 81 Spidey show!

[@HeroJournalism]

You may be right, I'll continue to research this, but the more important fact is that the solo show did NOT predate Spider-Friends, which is commonly reported. Thanks for watching and sharing your memories, much appreciated!

[@cheddarcheese7928]

@@HeroJournalism oh yeah ur right amazing friends came 1st..I was so shocked to see the solo series in 84 that I audio taped a few episodes(couldn’t afford a vcr back then)..Great job on this video!.really enjoyed it!

[@battleframestudios8989]

The most embarrassing Spiderman costume should go to the Enfluencer suit. That thing looks horrible.

[@HeroJournalism]

No doubt that one is horrible; Bag Man's way more fun

[@borntoclimb7116]

I when i was a superhero

[@HeroJournalism]

You still are - thx for watching!

[@limpx336]

Let him know they released a 6inch version.

[@HeroJournalism]

Yes, Darrell I saw that! Lol, originally I had intended to try and do this video close to when the PS4 Spidey game because I knew it was a skin in the game, but I take a long time to make my videos, so I was worried I'd missed the boat on Bag Man hype, so I was shocked when a new figure came out and people started finding my video! Sad that I couldn't include the 6" fig in the vid, I am an obsessive completionist, but hope you liked the video anyway! Thanks for watching, more comic/cartoon/movie analysis coming soon!

[@limpx336]

@@HeroJournalism oh it was a great video! Hopefully the creator of bag man who wanted the figure will find one as well! It's a fun figure. I loved the video!

[@HeroJournalism]

@@limpx336 Oh, i bet that's what you meant by "him" - tell DeFalco about it! You know, I was thinking of buying some of those and sending him one, I'll have to check to see if I still can get some. Thx so much, I'm glad you liked it! I do pretty in-depth stuff so sometimes my videos struggle with watch time, so it's really nice to hear when people like it. Thx again!

[@cloudracer419]

Funko has them for $10

[@HeroJournalism]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll have to get one of those! Thx for watching

[@snazzy5033]

Is he that bad?

[@HeroJournalism]

Not to me, I loved the Bag Man! Hope you liked this celebration of his history

[@mspaintzombie]

I personally like it but I guess if you don't that's alright

[@HeroJournalism]

You know, I've had a handful of silmilar comments; as I said in the video, it became a beloved moment of 80s Spidey comedy, it certainly was for me - enough that I never forgot it and 40 years later created a 19 minute documentary on the character's history! I thought my love for the character would be obvious, maybe I shouldn't have said 'lamest'? It was just tongue in cheek for me, I love the Bag Man - still have my copy of that issue, bought off the rack when i was 13. I wanted to create the definitive history of the character, and I'm glad that other Bag Man fans like yourself have found this video! Sorry if you feel I was a little harsh in the title, thank you for watching

[@mspaintzombie]

@@HeroJournalism ahh gotcha man you're a legend btw love your videos