Please share with your friends!
Introduction
Star Ace produced not one but two 'deluxe' versions of the Nun Valak in their Defo-Real series of vinyl figures. I looked at the first, with the closed mouth expression, last week. This week I'm checking out the second, with the screaming, bite your face off expression.
With both of these figures there is a regular and a deluxe. The regular version is just the figure - no extras. The deluxe has several additional accessories that we'll discuss in a minute.
The regular release goes for around $55 - $60, while the deluxe is around $70, depending on the retailer of course.
Packaging - ***
The package keeps things safe, and is a collector friendly design. You can easily open it and remove the contents without damaging a thing.
The large window allows you to see the figure you're buying, and the deluxe sticker is obvious.
Sculpting - ****
I really like the sculpting on these, and the whole line takes things to a new level. While it certainly looks like the character, it also has a
realism to the sculpt that most figures in this size and style do not.
The skin is dry looking, wrinkled, with a ancient, aged appearance. The heavier veins are sculpted and not just painted, and the pointed teeth look extremely menacing. The proportions are appropriate as well, based on the deformed style, and the creepy skin texture is repeated on the sculpted hands.
She stands about 6" tall, right in line with the rest of the series.
Paint - ****
The paint work isn't quite as sharp on this version as it was on the closed mouth, but it's still extremely nice.
The veins are subtle, with a nice variation to the ashen gray skin color. The darkened eyes lend a creepiness, while the glossy tongue and lips look wet and life-like. They used glow in the dark paint on the eyes, and while they aren't super bright, they will most certainly freak you out in a dark room.
I don't love the slop on the teeth, although I know it's intentional, and the pupils aren't quite perfectly round. But these are nits so minor that I still went with a full four star score.
Articulation - ***1/2
This is a shock - a figure like this with great articulation?
It's really all about the neck, where the ball joint allows for plenty of tilt and lean, and allows you to add all sorts of menacing personality to any pose. She also has jointed shoulders, elbows, and wrists, and you can get some reasonable arm poses too. Unlike the closed mouth version, I had no issues with breakage, so I'm betting that was a one off manufacturing defect.
There's also a cut joint on the legs, so you can position the feet to get the best stance and maintain the center of gravity, depending on the head pose. And as with the earlier figure, there's a wire threaded along the bottom edge of the dress, as well as along the veil, allowing you to create a nice flow and hang to the material.
Accessories - ***
The regular would get a bupkis here, although that's not really a negative. For figures in this style and size, getting any accessories is a rarity
and always a big plus.
The deluxe gets an extra set of hands, as well as the painting. This time she came wearing the gripping hands while the relaxed hands were the extras - the closed mouth figure had them the other way. The gripping hands can hold the painting as well, and they swap quite easily.
She also has a display base, although there's no foot peg or other attachment. It's sculpted to look like a stone floor.
Outfit - ****
I really like the outfit here - yes, there's an actual cloth costume! The habit and veil, the dress, the belt, it's all cloth. She's also
wearing a small cross around her neck.
She has some undergarments painted on too, including socks and shoes, but it's the cloth goods that really set her apart. The tailoring is excellent, and the material is top quality stuff. It will be interesting to see if they do this with any other future releases of other characters.
Fun Factor - ***
If freaking out your kids and other relatives sounds like fun, then this figure is fun. Set her on the night stand on your wife's side of the bed
without her knowing - good times!
Value - **1/2
The price is about right for these considering the market for imported figures, and the overall quality. If you're not interested in the painting,
the extra $10 for the deluxe might not be necessary.
Things to Watch Out For -
I didn't have any issues with the joints this time, but I'd still take some care.
Overall - ****
Star Ace has had some issues with their sixth scale releases of late, but this new line of deformed vinyl figures is crushing it. Their horror
releases are among the best as well, and I can't wait to see what other modern and classic characters we get this year.
Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ****
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - ***1/2
Accessories - ***
Outfit - ****
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **1/2
Overall - ****
Where to Buy
Online options include these site sponsors:
- or you can search ebay for a deal.
Related
Links -
I just checked out the other deluxe Nun with the closed mouth, and awhile back I checked out the sixth
scale Valak from Qmx as well.
Other Defo-Real figures include the 2001 Astronauts, the Lord of the Rings Nazgul, Jason, the special Pennywise with light up feature, and the regular release Pennywise.
You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.
Discussion:
Want to chat about this review? Try out one of these terrific forums where I'll be discussing it!
Enjoyed this review? Be sure to head back to the main page to find thousands more just like it!
Please share with your friends!
This product was provided for the review by the manufacturer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.
