Thanks to the proliferation of film, comic-book and cartoon characters, consumers are bombarded with an incredible selection of action figures. With tongue in cheek, let’s take a peek at some of the specimens worthy of a place in Zad’s Toy Vault.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Since 2003, Diamond Select Toys has given fans of Marvel Publishing’s comic-book universe more than three dozen 7-inch superstars to collect. Its latest masterpiece sports 14 points of articulation and taps into 20th Century Fox’s movie portrayal of the most dangerous and feral mutant on the planet.
Figure profile: From the box - Shrouded in mystery, Wolverine’s past is filled with secret government programs, memory manipulation and more deaths than are dealt in most wars. With his mutant healing factor, heightened senses and claws, Wolverine will stop at nothing to hunt down those responsible for his vicious treatment.
Accessories: There’s nothing extra for this unshaven brute, bone claws extended and garbed in tank-style undershirt, jeans and boots. However, the included deluxe diorama on which he can stand offers a back-alley theme complete with gray cobblestone street and a trash bin covered in rust and loaded with garbage.
Price: $19.99
Read all about it: Marvel Publishing condensed Wolvie’s convoluted history into 30 pages with the release earlier this year of the single-issue X-Men Origins: Wolverine ($3.99). Writer Christopher Yost did the cramming, and legendary artist Mark Texeira illustrated the action.
What’s it worth: A solid likeness of actor Hugh Jackman helps bring the figure to life and makes a nice display next to the Marvel Select Origin Wolverine piece. This feral fellow is for collectors - children should look to Hasbro for their Wolverine fix.
Fans of the line can look forward to beefy Abomination and Sabretooth figures in the coming months.
Republic Clone Trooper
Sideshow Collectibles adds to its popular 1:6 scale Militaries of Star Wars lineup with a 12-inch doll mirroring the design of a loyal soldier who helped hunt down one of the Separatist forces’ most dangerous leaders.
Figure profile: From the box - Denoted by the orange flashes on the fighters’ armor, the 212th Attack Battalion operated under the orders of Clone Marshal Commander Cody and High Jedi Gen. Obi-Wan Kenobi. Gen. Kenobi led the 212th Attack Battalion to the Utapau system, storming the stronghold of Pau City in the hunt for General Grievous.
Accessories: By the looks of the blaster marks and dirt, this fellow has been through some major battles. A dark rubber-suit underlay highlights his dozen plates of intricately painted and weathered armor, topped off with a helmet that looks as if it has been plucked from an Industrial Light and Magic miniatures archive.
Besides a pair of interchangeable hands (formed as fists) and a display base with metal pincers to hold him in place, the weapons - specifically, a carbine blaster with an unfolding stand and a long rifle complete with metallic highlights - make this Clone Trooper shine.
The complaint department found joints so loose he can hardly stand on his own and a left hand that falls out of the socket with a light tug.
Price: $89.99
Read all about it: Dark Horse Comics handles the Star Wars: The Clone Wars sequential-art stories. I would suggest either the trade paperback of the “Revenge of the Sith” adaptation, in which the 212th found Grievous ($12.95), or the monthly Clone Wars book ($2.99 each), which takes its design from the popular Cartoon Network show.
What’s it worth: Priced the same as Sideshow’s Clone Wars Gen. Kenobi figure, this Trooper does not stand up to the challenge (literally). He’s just not as impressive - although he’s as expensive - as some of the other incredible 1:6 scale Star Wars figures the company produces.
With that said, those looking to create a Clone Wars diorama display will need to purchase him to stand next to the legendary Jedi. The occasional collector will want to save his money for some of the other spectacular 12-inch Sideshow gems, such as Gen. Kenobi, Ki-Adi Mundi and the Palpatine/Sidious set ($119.99).
Strange but cool
A look at more toys for the pop-culture fan.
* Echo Base (Lego, $24.99, 155 pieces) - For 10 years, the Danish block maker has aligned with George Lucas’ rich universe to deliver buildable ships, vehicles and dioramas based on a galaxy far, far away. Now on store shelves, the second wave of Lego Star Wars celebrates the anniversary with some classic moments from the films.
The smartly priced and potentially action-packed Echo Base set features a glimpse of the war on the icy planet of Hoth as realized in “Star Wars: Episode V, the Empire Strikes Back.”
The set features a 4.5-inch-long snow trench to protect a pair of figures with an option to pop one in the air to simulate being hit with an explosion. Also, an anti-infantry laser has a moving turret with launchable missiles with the option to station a figure on top or inside.
Echo Base really comes to life courtesy of those famed miniblock figures, including two snow troopers (one can control an E-Web Heavy Blaster) two Rebel soldiers (with goggles) and Han Solo in a blue parka with hood.
Best of the figures is the tauntaun creature (a first for Lego) that Han can ride. It even has a spot to hold his binoculars and blaster.
Eager tween builders will be able to construct the set in less than 30 minutes without a parent’s help.
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• Joseph Szadkowski can be reached at jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com.
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