Packaging - ***1/2
More terrific graphics, and once again a completely collector friendly
box. Sure, there's a few twisties, but you don't have to destroy anything
like you do when the bubble seal the stands to the insert.
I do wish there was more text here. The
best Sideshow packaging, like the Twilight Zone and Outer Limits boxes, gives a
great synopsis of the license. Here we get the poster graphics and a cast
list, but more info would have pushed this to the four stars.
Sculpting - ****
No one does sixth scale licensed sculpts like Sideshow - no one. Occasionally
they slip slightly, but I'm glad to see that wasn't the case here. The
head and hand sculpts are beautiful work once again from Mat Falls.
The facial expression has been chosen well, and
is not over the top, but not too complacent. There's a ton of detail in
the eyes and mouth, and in the slightly wrinkled expression. The hands
look just as you'd expect, but it would have been nice if he could have held the
test tubes properly in one of them.
Paint - ****
The paint operations on this set are fairly basic outside the face, but they
really shine there. The detail of the eyes and mouth is perfect, and the
colors are all consistent and even.
The paint application works perfectly with the
excellent sculpting, and brins out all the detail and expression in the face.
Articulation - ***1/2
The usual Sideshow body is in use, except in a very dark brown color. He
has neck, ball jointed shoulders, cut biceps, double jointed elbows, the special
Sideshow wrists that allow for tons of movement, chest, waist, ball jointed
hips, cut thighs, double jointed knees, and ankles.
Normally, this body gets the full four stars
from me, but this time around I had some trouble with loose hips and
ankles. That seems to be a hit or miss thing with Sideshow, and while I
didn't end up using a stand to keep him standing, I have a hunch that I'll have
to resort to one eventually.
Accessories - ***
The accessories you get with Sideshow are always consistent in quality, but not
in number. Sometimes you're lucky to get one or two, and other times they
are loaded with more than you could ever use. The Werewolf of London hits
that middle ground.
He comes with the flower of course, a critical
piece of the movie, and with a set of six test tubes. There's a Erlenmeyer
flask, his glasses on a string, and a test tube rack that has both an area to
hold the test tubes when in use, and to hold them to dry after washing.
The work on the accessories is very nice, and I
like the detail on the test tube rack and the glasses. There's even a
small gold ball on the end of the string, implying a clasp (although there is
none of course). I would have loved his hat though, but without the
overcoat outfit it really doesn't fit in.
Outfit - ***
Sideshow selected his red 'smoking' jacket, with a white shirt and tuxedo pants
as the outfit. The 8" version wore the more familiar brown suit,
brown overcoat and hat, and I suspect most people would have preferred that
version. It would have been more expensive of course, and also I think
this way they figured you could get two versions of this character on your
shelf, rather than having two that matched in appearance.
The outfit is fairly basic, but the quality is
up to the usual high level. The material used for the jacket is excellent
quality, and the stitching and tailoring is great. The shirt has full
sleeves, and the snaps at the wrists are done 'cuff link' style, a very nice
touch.
The pants are tailored well, with a black stripe
down either leg, and the shoes are the usual dress version.
Value - **1/2
Forty bucks is the usual price at the Sideshow site, but there are normally
alternatives. With such a low production run though, this may only end up
available through the site.
Overall - ***1/2
This figure is a great addition to your Universal Monsters set. After
the disappointing Mummy, I'm glad to see the line back on track, and I simply
can't wait to get my hands on the Creature.
Where to Buy -
I doubt we'll see these in any main stream stores, because the run on them is so
small. On-line:
- your best bet is Sideshow,
because as I mentioned early on these are limited to only 1500. The Moleman's
run is the same - only 1500.
- Time and Space Toys
has them in stock and ready to go at $38 each. They also carry a lot of
the earlier 12" and 8" Universal Monsters from Sideshow.
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