Packaging - ***
While these are pretty basic bubbles with cardbacks, I really like the color
combination. The symbol on the front stands out great, with almost a 3-D
depth to it, and there's little wasted space so they don't take up more room
than necessary.
Sculpting - Abe ***; the rest ***1/2
The sculpts on both Hellboy figures are very similar to the larger scale,
with excellent expressions, and a similar style to their outfits. The
right hand of doom has plenty of rocky detail, and they both sport a variety of
sculpted items on their belts. There is one thing that bothered me about
the Hellboy sculpts though - the left hands. These are done in very
standard Mez-itz style i.e. plain, but it contrasts with the concrete hand way
too much. Some detail, giving him more of a realistic left hand, would
have really helped, especially on the coatless version, where the hand
difference is really obvious. It's not unheard of, since Abe has more
realistic hands right down to fingers and a thumb.
Speaking of Abe, he doesn't translate as well to this format as the rest of
the line. He was my favorite figure in the larger scale, but here he's a
little plain, and the head sculpt isn't quite as nice.
Rasputin sports a great head sculpt, and his right hand glove is actually an
accessory, and is removable. The cape/coat doesn't work quite as well in
this scale, but they did a decent job on the translation.
This is perhaps the only Kroenen we'll get that has his German outfit
on. There's no sign of any swastikas, but there's an Iron Cross or
two. And no, this time the mask isn't removable - and neither is the hat.
But the big winner in this category is Sammael. They've managed to
capture the important aspects of the big nasty, including his funky finger, even
in this rather cartoony and caricaturish style. Speaking of that finger,
it actually folds back and snaps behind the elbow, and can then be brought out
to full extension for dispatching annoying heroes.
Sammy also sports fully sculpted hands and a sculpted torso, something very
unique in the world of Mez-itz, but critical to making him look right.
Paint - ***
The paint ops on this series is solid, although there are a few issues here
and there.
The best overall work is on the heads. All the details are clean and
neat, and they took a lot of care in doing the eyes, teeth and other small
facial features.
The bodies aren't quite as nice. Every figure shows at least a little
slop, from the buttons on Kroenen's jacket to the legs on Sammy. They aren't
major issues that require a major knock, but it's worth noting.
Articulation - Sam ***1/2; the rest ***
These have the same articulation as all the Mez-itz - neck, shoulders, wrists,
waist, and hips.
The joints don't all have terrific range of motion, especially the hips, but it's plenty of articulation for this scale.
Sam scores a little better here due to his super cool finger. The
design shows imagination, and exhibits that 'going the extra mile quality' that
Mezco has.
Accessories - Abe, Samael Bupkis; Kroenen, Rasputin ***; both
Hellboys **1/2
Figures in this scale often have few or no accessories, so the lack here on
several is no big surprise.
The additional finger on Sammy makes up, at least a little, for his lack of
accessories, but Abe doesn't have much of an excuse. There are plenty of
possibilities, and he's so much plainer than the other figures in the series
that it hurts him even further.
Rasputin has his cool glove, although it's more cartoony here, and the paint
ops aren't quite as nice as in the larger version. Both Hellboys have a
gun, and Kroenen comes with two blades that fit nicely in his hands.
Fun Factor - ****
These are perfect toys for kids. Over three of course. We wouldn't
want them choking on the small parts!
There's plenty of articulation, with just the right amount of silliness, for
any kid, small or big, to have a ton of fun. That's the beauty of any
mini-figure, and the Mez-itz manage to walk the line between kids and collectors
extremely well.
Value - ***
$7 a pair is about a buck too steep. It is in line with most other
mini-figure pricing though, even if I think it's hair too expensive. Three
bucks each for these feels about right, but with them selling only through
specialty stores, we're getting hit with a higher mark up.
Overall - Jacket Hellboy, Kroenen, Sam ***1/2; Jacketless Hellboy, Abe,
Rasputin ***
I'm not a big fan of the general design for Rasputin, since he tends to be a
rather dull looking character. The same is true for the Hellboy missing
the jacket, and if you have the other one, you'd be more than happy. Abe
fairs not quite as well simply due to his lack of accessories and his more plain
appearance in comparison to some of the other figures. Of course, they're packed
in such a way that you have to buy the jacketless Hellboy to get the much cooler
Kroenen.
The jacketed Hellboy and Sammy are both very cool however, and this is a
version of Kroenen you might not see in any other format. Unless Mezco
does a second wave of the larger scale figures, of course!
Where to Buy -
I picked them up locally at Media Play, but you can find them on-line:
- Killer Toys has the full set of six
for $22, or individual two packs for $8. I heard from them tonight, and
Mezco is completely sold out of these, and Killer Toys just got in the last
shipment from them.
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