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Review of Tyrion Lannister - Game of Thrones action figure
Walgreens Exclusive
Funko
Date Published: 2014-m08-04
Written By: Michael Crawford
Overall Average Rating: 3
out of 4
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Introduction
Over the last 5 or 6 years, the number of retailers carrying action figures has dwindled. That's partly due to the drop in
retailers - gone are stores like Media Play, Electronics Boutique, and others that once stocked cool figures from weird
licenses. But it's also due to a shift in the market, where even smaller toy companies are working hard to get their figures
into Walmart and Target.
But there's a new player in town, and if you think about it, it makes complete sense. Walgreens has been carrying more
action figures for the last year or so, with lines like the Walking Dead popping up on their pegs. For most
collectors, this will seem weird - they are a little store with only a few pegs dedicated to toys at all. How can they
manage to carry major brands?
That might be true, but there are more Walgreens in America than Walmarts, by far. For smaller companies, like McFarlane or
Funko, this can be the perfect outlet for a series - or an exclusive. Even the big boys are getting into the act, and
Walgreens will have their Marvel Legends exclusive Agent
Venom hitting pegs any day.
From the Walgreens perspective, exclusives make the most sense. They want you in the door, so you pick up your other basics
while you're there. And an exclusive you can only get through them is the perfect way to bring in traffic that might
not otherwise stop by.
On top of that, they tend to be cheaper than other retailers. Tonight I'm looking at their exclusive Tyrion Lannister
from the Funko Game of Thrones, and this figure will run you a couple bucks less than a regular release at other retailers,
coming in at just $18. They have a number of the other series 1 figures available with him, all at this slightly lower
price.
Click on the image below for a Life Size version
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Packaging - ***1/2
I like these boxes, because they a) show off the figures quite well and b) are very collector friendly. You can remove the
figure without damaging the package and pop it back in at a later date for storage or sale.
They still do have a few twisties though, which Hasbro has proved is unnecessary with their terrific Marvel Legends
packaging.
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Sculpting - ***
These figures are done in a 6" scale, making Tyrion about 4 1/4" tall.
Of course the body sculpt is different, with his more common Hand of the King leather tunic look. You might assume that
there are only minor tweaks to the figure, but in fact most of it has been altered.
The face looks the same to me, with no alterations. It has the same problem as the original, being a bit too symmetrical
and perfect.
The hair has been tweaked, with a few strands changed and added around the hairline. Obviously the larger pieces of the
costume are new, but even the legs and arms have been altered slightly. For an exclusive like this, I'm pretty surprised by
the level of change.
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Paint - ***
I'm not quite as sold on the paint job this time around, largely for two reasons.
It's not really a slop issue - there's a bit here and there, but considering the scale it's fairly minor. I like the work
on the rings, and the face is a reasonable job. He's clean shaven this time, although you can still see a little stubble in
the sculpt itself.
But the darker hair doesn't match the eyebrows, making it look like a weird dye job. Add in the use of a gloss finish
on the hair - the same finish as the costume - and his 'do pops out at you, and not in a good way.
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Articulation - ***1/2
For such a small figure, he has plenty of articulation. There's ball joints of one kind or another at the neck, shoulders,
elbows, hips, knees and ankles, with pin wrists and a cut waist. The range of movement is very impressive, and while the
outfit restricts the legs from any deep stances, you can get some natural, flowing poses out of him.
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Accessories - **1/2
Tyrion has one accessory again, just like the normal release, but I'm knocking him down slightly here simply because it's
such a small accessory - his knife. While it's a knife he actually wore at times in the show, I can't help but think the
Cat's Paw blade that was his and was used to frame him for the attack on Bran, would have been a better add. He never
actually had it on the show, but it is more associated with his character.
On top of that, there are plenty of other potential extras that would have increased his score here, including
anything related to his second favorite past time, drinking.
The knife is nicely done however, and fits easily in his hand or the sheath on his belt.
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Fun Factor - ***1/2
Kids aren't going to have a whole lot of interest in this line, simply because they aren't familiar with the license. For
collectors, the great articulation make these solid action figures. Tyrion could use a couple more extras to make him stand
out, but he's still great for the fan of the show.
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Value - ***
The regular figures are selling for $20 at most retailers. That's a hefty price tag. It's particularly hefty for
Tyrion, who is obviously smaller than the rest.
This exclusive is a couple bucks cheaper though - how rare is that? It's also the preferred look for most people for
the character, making it even more popular than the regular release. If I were comparing this figure against other
figures in the market in general, he'd get a lower score here, but instead, I'm comparing him to his own counterpart in the
series. Under that comparison, he fares quite well.
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Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing, as far as the figure goes. When you go shopping for him, don't just look in the aisle labeled 'toys'. They have
a side end cap for these figures (along with the others in the wave), and it could be located anywhere in the store.
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Overall - ***
Overall, this figure is very much like his counterpart. If you liked that sculpt, you'll like this one, and vice versa. The
big draw is the new, and more popular, outfit. Since you can get this guy for a few bucks less as well, you really can't go
wrong.
Tyrion is hitting right now - if you want him, head up to the local Walgreens pronto. I don't expect him to last long,
because this outfit is going to be the preferred release.
Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***1/2
Sculpting - ***
Paint - ***
Articulation - ***1/2
Accessories - **1/2
Fun Factor - ***1/2
Value - ***
Overall - ***
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Where to Buy
As I've mentioned more than once, this is a Walgreens exclusive, where you will find him for about $18. If you don't have a
Walgreens handy (hard to believe), you can search ebay for a deal.
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Related Links -
I covered the first wave of figures in three sets, here,
here and here.
I've also covered several of the recent Dark Horse figures, including their Daenerys,
as well as Drogo, Ned Stark, and Tyrion Lannister.
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!
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This product was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.
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