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Captain Toy/Michael's Review of the Week

Review of Lycan - Underworld Evolution
Deluxe Vinyl Figure

Star Ace
Date Published: 2020-05-27
Written By: Michael Crawford
Overall Average Rating: 3 out of 4

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Underworld Lycan vinyl figure by Star Ace

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Introduction

Star Ace has produced several sixth scale figures in their Underworld series, including both Selene and Viktor. Fans wanted more, but I suspect the cost versus demand made it prohibitive for them to do any further regular sixth scale releases. The solution? Add in some large vinyl figures!

The Lycan is now shipping. There's two versions, a regular and deluxe. The regular will run you around $150, while the deluxe - with a diorama base - will cost you another $30 or so. I'm checking out the deluxe tonight, but the only difference is the base accessory.

Underworld Lycan vinyl figure by Star Ace

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Packaging - ***
He comes in a large box, packed inside interior plastic trays. Everything is collector friendly, and while the box is fairly plain, it gets the main job done.  There's also some simple instructions, although you'll be fine without them.

Underworld Lycan vinyl figure by Star Ace

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Sculpting - ***1/2
The Lycan design varies based on movie, as well as the individual Lycan. Some are more wolf-like, some a bit more on the dog side. Some are hairy as Robin Williams, others a bit less hirsute. The look they went with here is a good compromise, and matches up pretty well with the on screen character.

He's bent at the knees and ankles, but still comes in at about 12 1/4" tall. I would have liked another half inch of height and the bulk to go with it, but it's a minor nit, and he still looks quite good with the Selene and Viktor. I included a couple shots with Vik at the end of the review.

They used fur for his 'mane', or neck beard. It looks good, and adds some additional realism, but they had the fur run up farther on the sides of his face with the prototype. The production version has a smaller beard, which doesn't look quite as imposing as the early marketing photos. Still, it's attached well, is easy to work with, and has a nicely sculpted edge where it attaches to the face to blend it in better.

The hair on his head and down his back, along with the elbows and ankles, is sculpted. There's a very fine stranding and tons of detail, and it looks terrific.

The skin detail is nice as well. The veins aren't simply painted, but are poppin' right out of the skin. There's a weathered, leathery look to the figure, and it adds some additional realism.

He comes wearing a chain and cuff, and the chain is made from real metal of course.

Underworld Lycan vinyl figure by Star Ace

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Paint - ***
Star Ace tends to shine with their paint work on the vinyl releases, but this one is a little less impressive. He's nice, but I do have a couple nits that I haven't had with their Defo-Real series.

The biggest nit is with the teeth, which are too clumpy and thick. This sloppy white paint hurts the sculpt as well, because it gives the fangs less definition.

Take that away, and you'd go up another half star here. The skin looks great, with a muddy, splotchy appearance, and a ton of surface paint detail. The sculpted hair is nicely detailed as well, but could have been a bit darker to better match the neck beard.

Underworld Lycan vinyl figure by Star Ace

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Articulation - Bupkis
I'm only including this category as a FYI. I just want to be clear - this is a vinyl statue, with no articulation of any kind.

Accessories - Regular *; Deluxe ***
The regular statue doesn't come with anything extra, but there is a small black foot post that holds the figure upright. I didn't need to use it for the photos, but long term it's probably a good idea.

The deluxe has that foot support, but it also has a display base/diorama. He stands pretty well on it if you get his feet in just the right spot, and doesn't really need to use the black support. The sculpt is nice, and there's an 'Underworld' name plate on the front.

Underworld Lycan vinyl figure by Star Ace

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Underworld Lycan vinyl figure by Star Ace

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Fun Factor - ***
Most vinyl statues like this don't get a Fun Factor rating - they're statues. But this one can really add to the display with Selene and Victor, and you can mix it up with them over time.

Underworld Lycan vinyl figure by Star Ace

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Value - Regular **1/2; Deluxe **
The regular isn't bad at $150, considering the scale and quality. However, I'm not sure I can recommend spending an extra $30 or more on the display base with the deluxe.

Underworld Lycan vinyl figure by Star Ace

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Overall - ***
Star Ace tends to be all over the map with their sixth scale releases, but their vinyl figures are always top quality. Their Underworld Viktor is one of my favorites they've done, and adding in the Lycan on the shelf is going to be great. I do wish he was slightly bigger...and the paint work on the fangs could be cleaner. But overall I'm happy to include him with the Underworld sixth scale figures.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***1/2
Paint - ***
Articulation - Bupkis
Accessories - Regular *; Deluxe ***
Fun Factor - ***
Value - Regular **1/2; Deluxe **
Overall - ***

Underworld Lycan vinyl figure by Star Ace

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Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- has the regular for $150, and the deluxe for $190.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
Other Underworld reviews include the original Selene, the updated blue eye Selene, and of course Viktor.

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!

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Underworld Lycan vinyl figure by Star Ace

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This product was provided for the review by the manufacturer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.

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