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Introduction
While I love the DC and Marvel figures that Mezco has produced as part of the One:12 Collective brand, it's the lesser licenses and in house stuff that is more likely going to end up on my top ten best list. Figures like Popeye, Conan, and Secret Agent Gomez have been simply outstanding, and there's a new one joining their ranks - Captain Nemo.
This isn't the first time Mezco has tackled the famous seafaring rogue. Almost 20 years ago - 20! - they released a pair of Nemo designs in a six inch scale. One was 'Cabin Control Nemo', and the other was 'Wave Rider Nemo'. Both were terrific, setting the bar in quality at the time.
As part of their terrific One:12 line of clothed six inch figures, he's gotten a make over. This figure was available for a short period at their web site - 'short' being the operative word - for $112. He just started shipping, so expect to see the usual group show up on ebay.
Packaging - ****
I really like the metal containers Mezco uses for a limited number
of their One:12 figures, and of the metal container styles, it's the
lunchbox that I love the most. This one is particularly beautiful
with a ton of color and great artwork. While I display all my One:12
figures out on the shelf (you really shouldn't keep these things
boxed), there are a limited number of the metal cases I also display
separately. This one will joint that small group.
Inside there's a couple plastic trays, which hold the figure and
accessories safely and in a very collector friendly manner. Again,
there's absolutely no reason not to open these up and enjoy them.
Sculpting - ****
Like most One:12 figures - but not all - Nemo comes with a second
head sculpt.
The standard head is stern and serious, but not overly dramatic or emotional. The swarthy skin has wrinkles and texture, while the billowing white hair is sharply cut with fine strands. Tiny baubles are woven into the beard, and the head scarf is blowing in the sea wind.
The second head sports a more emotional, angry expression. The teeth are bared and gritted, with a sharper arch to the eyebrows. Even the hair and beard is more unkempt and wild, sculpted with the impression of movement and action.
The heads swap easily, as do the various hands. The hand sculpts are great, and the sculpted pieces of the costume - like the chest armor or intricate belts - look fantastic.
He stands about 6 1/2" tall, fitting in nicely with the rest of the line.
Paint - ****
Mezco has taken the paint work on 1/12 figures to a very good place,
creating life-like portraits and exceptional accessories.
Both heads sport excellent paint, from the sun baked skin to the tiny, tiny teeth. Small details, particularly those done in gold (a tricky color to work with) look fantastic, and the various metallic colors have been given a burnished, aged appearance.
One of the aspects that make this such a great figure is the bright, vibrant colors, allowing him to hold his own on the shelf with the rest of the line. The palette also matches the nautical theme, without being drab or dull.
Articulation - ***
The outfit is well tailored, but that does mean the leather pants
are on the tight side.
The neck is a bit restricted as well, due to the long hair and beard. You can still get some lean and tilt out of it though, and add a bit of personality to those poses.
Since the shirt is soft cloth, the shoulders have decent mobility. The wrists and elbows can work with them to produce good arm poses, even with the various weapons.
The torso crunch is a bit restricted by the chest piece, but you can turn the upper body a bit. The real restrictions come in the lower body, where the tight pants reduce the usefulness of the hips and knees.
The two piece boots can manage enough rocker movement to keep the feet flat on the ground in shallow to medium stances.
It's also worth noting that the cloak has a several wired edges, which allow you to add some dynamic movement to the cloth.
Accessories - ****
The hallmark of the very best One:12 figures is the plethora of
accessories.
Nemo has 11 extra hands to go with the pair of fists he comes wearing. These are designed to work with various accessories and poses. Technically there's a twelfth additional hand - the harpoon, which swaps in for the metal left. All the hands swap easily and remain in place while working with the figure.
He also has a variety of weapons. There's a large scimitar style sword with scabbard, which attaches to his belt on the left side. There's a smaller dagger and scabbard which attaches to the back of the belt, or can attach on the outer thigh of his right leg. There's a gun as well, referred to as a 'sparklock' pistol, and the holster can also attach to the right thigh.
In fact, the right thigh comes with a small pack attached, but this can be removed and either the gun holster, knife scabbard, or holster for the spyglass can go in its place. I ended up going with the gun holster for my final display look, at least for now, but your mileage will most definitely vary.
The aforementioned spyglass can collapse and extend, and there's a sextant as well. The harpoon left hand has a unique feature. The harpoon can be removed, and the string rope attached to it unspools. You can turn the reel to tighten the string up again when you reinsert the harpoon.
The Mezco version of Nemo is a bit of a crossover with Captain Hook. Like Hook, he's lost his hand, but to a shark rather than a crocodile. He got his revenge though, and the shark's jaws are mounted on a block, with Nemo's skeletal hand mounted in the center.
There are also two extra costume pieces - a hat and cloak. More on them in the Outfit section.
As a bit of a bonus, you get a small comic book, similar to a few previous Rumble Society figures, and packed in a separate small box is a reproduction of the Nautilus, his submarine.
Finally, he has the usual round display base, and can attach to it with either the simple foot peg or the larger, clear plastic support rod.
Outfit - ***1/2
The outfit consists of multiple materials, combined to create an
amazing look.
The soft cloth shirt has puffy pirate sleeves, with a hard armored chest piece and leather vest. The leather pants, while a bit restrictive, are extremely well tailored, and the overall fit is excellent. The two piece boots look great and allow at least a bit of ankle articulation, and the various belts fit tightly, yet hang naturally on his hips right out of the box.
That being said, I don't love the cloak. The hat looks good, and is a decent fit, but the cloak is quite wide through the shoulders. On the plus side, there are elastic loops inside the shoulders to put the arms through, ensuring the cloak doesn't fall off. You can get it to clasp in front with the hook and loop (take off the head first), and use the wires in the front and collar to create some interesting looks, but I still didn't love the overall fit.
I won't be going with the cloak on the shelf though, so the minor issues with it become even less of a factor.
Fun Factor - ****
Like all the best One:12 figures, this guy has the potential for
posing and re-posing and re-posing again. With a wave rider
expansion pack and a few henchmen on the way, there's going to be
even more potential for display options in the future.
Value - **
There's a lot to love about this figure, but even as a diehard
One:12 fan, the $112 price tag was alot to swallow. These figures
were in the $80 range, and that's a place where you can get an easy
**1/2 (average) score from me. But once you start getting north of
$100 - especially with a non-licensed character without a light or
sound feature - it is going to take a hit.
Things to Watch Out For -
Not much. When trying to reattach the hook and loop on the cloak,
remember to take the head off first. It will be much easier and less
frustrating.
Overall - ****
I was recently looking at all my One:12 figures, and I realized that
while there's some terrific DC and Marvel characters, it is really
with the other smaller licenses and in house characters that the
line really shines. Nemo is a wonderful example.
Great sculpting and paint, excellent accessories, and a terrific looking costume, all thanks to a wonderful initial design. I'm really hoping we see them offer this guy again, particularly since they now have the wave rider expansion pack, and you really need a second figure to make the most of it on the shelf.
Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ****
Sculpting - ****
Paint - ****
Articulation - ***
Accessories - ****
Outfit - ***1/2
Fun Factor - ****
Value - **1/2
Overall - ****
Where to Buy
He was originally $112 on the Mezco site, but sold out quickly.
Online options include these site sponsors:
- Entertainment Earth had him at $112, but look like they sold out to0 these things go fast! It might be worth watching though, in case they have preorder cancellations.
- or you can search ebay for a deal.
Related Links -
You should check out my very old review of a very old figure,
Mezco's first Nemo, called Cabin Control Nemo.
You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.
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This product was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and
text by Michael Crawford.
