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Review of Son of Frankenstein - Universal Monsters action figure
Diamond Select Toys
Date Published: 2014-10-10
Written By: Michael Crawford
Overall Average Rating: 3.5
out of 4
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Introduction
Earlier this week I looked at the Mezco take on the monster
from Son of Frankenstein - now let's look at another version from Diamond Select
Toys.
As everyone knows, the monster is not Frankenstein, although that same everyone (including me) tends to call him that out of
laziness. The movie's title is in reference to the doctor's son coming to take over the castle, and in doing so, he
discovers the body of the creature from the original film, once again played by Boris Karloff. Hijinks ensue.
This figure is in an 7" scale, matching the rest of the long running DST line of Universal Monsters. You can pick him up at
online retailers for around $22, and that's the version I'm reviewing tonight. There's a second version that lacks the
diorama style base, but is available for a few bucks less at Toys R Us.
There are two more figures in this wave, including Creature from the Black Lagoon (yes, a new version), as well as their own
take on the famous monster hunter Van Helsing. I'll be covering both of those figures very soon.
Click on the image below for a Life Size version
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Packaging - ***
These collector market figures come in the traditional DST 'bookshelf' boxes. You slide them up on the shelf like a book,
and they have splines that show off the name and have attractive graphics.
These look great, but I did have to snip my way through a forest of twisty ties.
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Sculpting - ***1/2
This is the second time DST has done a Frankenstein Monster in their Universal series. The first time was about 3 years ago,
and while it had its own issues, I have to say that I think the likeness
was slightly better.
The face is a little long here, but I do see
Karloff in there. The detailing is better this time, especially around the hair and eyes.
You'll also notice that there appears to be a section of the vest on the upper left chest that they melted a bit. This is
not by accident, or a mistake, as the costume had a section
missing the 'fur' in the original film, and they were doing what they could to reproduce that look. Overall, this vest
looks terrific, with lots of detail in the furry texture.
Another issue is with proportion - the arms are a bit skinny, an issue partly created by the very woolly vest. Add in a
head that's a tad undersized overall, and he looks slightly off. It's not a deal breaker, but something that holds him back
slightly.
Likewise, another minor issue is in the sculpt of the left hand. I'm not a big fan of the fist, although he does do a
similar pose in the movie. I think a relaxed hand would have given you more posing potential.
This is an 7" scale line, and this guy comes in at about 8 1/4", allowing him to tower over the other figures.
In the end, the minor nits add up enough to bring the score down slightly, but this is still one of the better Frankenstein
creatures we've gotten in this scale.
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Paint - ***1/2
The paint is quite clean and neat overall, with just the right amount of wash to bring out the details. I particularly like
the work around the eyes, and the skin tone has just the right sickly glow to it.
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Articulation - ***
I think this is the first time in 20 years that I'm going to say this - but this figure is actually too articulated.
He comes with a nice ball jointed neck, which does have some tilt and lean action, although less than I expected. He also
has ball shoulders, ball elbows, pin and cut wrists, cut waist, hinge hips, pin knees and ball ankles.
The joints all work well, and allow for flowing, natural poses. That's the exact problem - he tends to stand with too much
of a natural appearance. It was hard to get him to look stiff, especially with the excellent leg articulation. You can
do it, but it's weird that this time more wasn't better. Trust me, I'll never say that again.
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Accessories - ****
You can also find this figure at Toys R Us, but he'll lack the cool accessories you get with this online retailer edition.
Frankie comes with the severed arm of poor Inspector Krogh's right arm. Of course, what he ripped off in the Son
of Frankenstein movie was already an artificial arm - Krogh had his original arm tore off by the monster when he
was a child - so this one doesn't exhibit any blood or gore.
He also comes with a stony base and a piece of lab equipment that attaches to it. There's a foot peg on the base to attach
the monster as well, although you really won't need it.
The lab equipment looks terrific, including some red color 'lamps', and various vacuum tubes. The antenna are a little bent
out of the package, but I think I'll be able to straighten them over time.
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Fun Factor - ****
Excellent articulation, some terrific accessories, and a great looking classic monster? Yep, that's pretty much a recipe for
fun for kids and adult fans alike.
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Value - **1/2
These guys cost around $20 - $25 a year ago, and they are still in the middle of that range at most retailers. Considering
the cool bases that you get, and comparing to a lot of other current $20 figures on the market, I'd say these are a solid
value.
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Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing.
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Overall - ***1/2
I'm a sucker for all things Universal Monsters, but this series from DST has had more hits than misses. This version of the
Frankenstein monster is a great addition to the set, and picking up the version with the lab equipment diorama is the way to
go.
Next up - Creature from the Black Lagoon redux!
Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - ***
Accessories - ****
Fun Factor - ****
Value - **1/2
Overall - ***1/2
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Where to Buy
Online options include these site sponsors:
-
has him at $22.50.
-
is at $23.
- Entertainment
Earth comes in at $20.
- or you can search
ebay for a deal.
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Please share with your friends!
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This product was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.
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