SEARCH REVIEWS    LIVING WITH LATE FEES    FEATURES    LINKS    BIO    MISSION    EMAIL    MAIN PAGE >


Indiana Jones Adventure Heroes

Indiana Jones Adventure Heroes action figures

Hasbro had quite a bit of luck - and were probably quite surprised - with their Star Wars Galactic Heroes line. These little figures were designed to bring pre-schoolers into the Star Wars fold, but they found an audience with older kids and collectors as well.

They expanded the line to the Marvel Superheroes, with not quite as much success, but enough. It only made sense that they'd try out other licenses as well, and now we have Indiana Jones 'Adventure Heroes', small basic figures in the Playskool style packed in two packs.

I'm looking at the first six packs they shipped tonight, because of two reasons. First, I'm spending all week at the San Diego Comic Con, so I won't have any time to spend on doing any reviews. That means I have to get these done early, and in fact, I'm working on this review a full week in advance.

The second reason is more pragmatic still - I have to open these six to send in for my special Indy/White Horse set. As with the 12" figures and the 3 3/4" figures, if you buy 6 sets of these figures, collect the stamps from each, apply them to the 'passport' and send it in with a check for shipping and handling, you'll get a free exclusive two pack of Indiana Jones and his white horse. Since I have to open these guys anyway to send in the passport, I might as well review them - right?

Indiana Jones Adventure Heroes action figures

Indiana Jones Adventure Heroes action figures
Indiana Jones Adventure Heroes action figures
Indiana Jones Adventure Heroes action figures
Indiana Jones Adventure Heroes action figures
Indiana Jones Adventure Heroes action figures

Since releasing these six, they've shipped out a couple other new sets as well, and we should be seeing some more sometime very soon. If you want to get the exclusive set though, it looks like you have to get these 6, because each set comes with a very specific sticker and all the stickers are required.

These sets cover several of the movies so far, and the six I'm looking at tonight are: Indy/German Mechanic; Marion/Indy; Belloq/Ark Ghost; Mummy/Sallah; Indy/Ugha Warrior; Indy/Cairo Swordsman. You can find these at various mass market retailers right now, including Target and Toys R Us. The two packs run $6 - $7 each, depending on the retailer.

Packaging - ***1/2
I've been pretty happy with all the packaging for the Indy figures from Hasbro so far. They have a nice jungle/adventure feel to the colors and graphics, and they do a reasonable job of showing off the other figures in the line. The sticker (and passport book) is well packed in these too, making it more difficult for the uncouth and creepy to steal them.

The stickers that come with these figures are pieces of a map. They are very colorful and attractive, and I love the mail away concept.

Sculpting - ***1/2
If you're looking for realism, you're looking in the wrong place. But if you love toys like Playmobil and Mini-mates, then I suspect you'll like these.

They are small, only standing about 2 inches tall. They have the big hands and big feet that seems to be the defacto standard for pre-school action figures these days. While they are clearly cartoony and even designed to look young themselves (they look more like baby versions of the actual characters), there's something inherently fun and cool about the designs.

While there's not a ton of detail, there's actually more than you might expect. And while they might not be screen accurate, they did do what they could to make the various Indy's wear the correct outfits, right down to the gloves on the version of Indy that battles the German Mechanic.

All of the figures stand great on their own, and kids won't find it frustrating or difficult to pose them, stand them, or play with them.

Paint - ***
When you're dealing with relatively basic sculpts, the paint work has to be solid to keep them attractive. Here, we get some very clean, very neat mass market work. It's not complex, and it's not eye popping, but you won't find it disappointing.

Most of the cut lines are even and sharp, with only a little bit of slop here and there. They use colors to add some detail where the sculpt lacks it, and it works fairly well. Again, these aren't designed to be the ultimate collectible, but they manage to attract older collectors nonetheless.

Articulation - Jacktless Indy, Idol Indy ***; Glove Indy, Belloq, Mechanic, Ugha, Sallay - **1/2; Cairo Indy/Swordsman **; Marion/Mummy *, Ghost Bupkis
One thing lacking on many of the Galactic Heroes is articulation. Perhaps Hasbro assumed these would skew to a slightly older crowd, kids perhaps in that 3 - 6 age range, and that gave them the leeway to add some joints.

Some of the characters, like the Ghost, are solid pieces. For the rest, it varies.  The Mummy has a cut neck, and a cut right shoulder.  Marion also has a cut neck, but switches to just a cut left shoulder. A bunch - Ugha Warrior, Sallah, the German Mechanic, and Belloq - have a cut waist and two cut shoulders.  Belloq, and the Ugha Warrior also have one cut wrist.  

The Cairo Swordsman and the Cairo Indy only have cut shoulders, and the Swordsman also has one cut wrist.  The Indy with the Idol and the Indy with the gloves have the two cut shoulders and the cut neck, but no waist joint.  Idol Indy does have both cut wrist joints though.  And finally, the most articulated is the jacketless Indy, who has the cut neck, cut shoulders AND cut waist. Was that all confusing enough for you?

Accessories - Belloq/Ghost ***; Marion/Indy, Mummy/Sallah **; the rest Bupkis
Accessories aren't something you generally get with these types of figures, but two of the packs do include some extras. The best is the two pack of Belloq and the blue 'ghost'. This ghost is technically not anywhere in the movie, but is the Adventure Heroes version of what comes out of the Ark and kicks some Nazi ass at the end of Raiders. What good would the Ghost be without the Ark though? The lid comes off the ark of course to put the ghost inside, your you can just toss the ghost aside and display the closed ark with Indy and Marion.

The Marion/Indy set and the Mummy/Sallah set both com with a cobra. This is the same cobra sculpt, but is painted in different colors.

None of the other three sets have any extras, and all the weapons, hats, etc. you see are sculpted as a permanent fixture.

Fun Factor - ****
These really are geared toward kids, and they really are great toys. The added articulation on some (something most of the Galactic Heroes don't have) is a nice touch too, making them much more fun for kids.

Value - **1/2
Getting two figures, even figures that are just slightly articulated PVC's, for $3 - $4 each is a pretty average cost right now. In fact, I'd be surprised if we don't see another round of increases in prices before the Christmas holiday.

Things To Watch Out For
I'd be careful with these for the under 3 crowd, since the articulation does mean there are parts that could theoretically be broken off and swallowed, but I'm assuming you keep an eye on your kids at that age anyway.

Overall - ***1/2
Sure, these aren't the most accurate sculpts in the world. But they fit the style of this type of toy extremely well, and kids who are fans of Indy will enjoy them. In fact, if you're looking for a way to introduce your younger kids to Indy, these figures just might be the ticket.

And unlike the Star Wars license, I don't expect these to go on...and on....and on...and on...until you're buried in little plastic people. Not that I would know anything about that.

Score Recap:
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***1/2
Paint - ***
Articulation - Jacktless Indy, Idol Indy ***; Glove Indy, Belloq, Mechanic, Ugha, Sallay - **1/2; Cairo Indy/Swordsman **; Marion/Mummy *, Ghost Bupkis
Accessories - Belloq/Ghost ***; Marion/Indy, Mummy/Sallah **; the rest Bupkis
Fun Factor - ****
Value - **1/2
Overall - ***1/2

Where to Buy -
You're best bet is Target and Toys R Us right now.

Related Links -
Oddly enough, at least to me, this is the first of this style of figure I've reviewed.  Maybe this is so odd to me because I own so many of the Galactic Heroes!

Discussion:
Want to chat about this review?  Try out one of these terrific forums where I'll be discussing it!

Share this review with others!
  Digg it!    StumbleUpon Toolbar Stumble It!      Reddit

Indiana Jones Adventure Heroes action figures


Figure from the collection of Michael Crawford.

This page copyright 2000 - 2008, Michael Crawford. All rights reserved. Hosted by 1 Hour Hosting.com