The Beautiful:
The packaging alone speaks a lot of its ornamental value. The box carries the family crest of Destro's clan, beautifully done and well thought off. Within the box is a two halve book piece that also shows diagrams and descriptions of the family empire, while the other halve shows vehicles of the older sigma 6 series. Both carries figures; one of Destro's original ancestor; McCullen IX and the current ROC Destro; McCullen XXIV.
The Value:
The back of the box shows the evidence of authentic purchase. For it being a convention exclusive carries a premium instilled in this proof of purchase.
The Great:
The current James McCullen has a very handsome and firm design, sporting a corporate suit laced with lining as additional detail. Its head sculpt is well done and accurate enough to resemble the actor Christopher Eccleston in the ROC movie.
The Bonus:
The figure also includes chrome items as part of its accessory line; two large MAR's rifles, a pistol and of course Destro's Head. The chrome items add aesthetic appeal and increased value for Destro.
The Chrome head is quite harder to place than its original counter parts, so caution is advised when swapping the heads.
The Verdict:
This Destro figure is a real winner. Buying one for collection, and another loose for hands-on display is a definite option. Acquiring two more for customs, perhaps the crimson twins is another. The price is premuim, however for the quality of both the toy and its packaging is all worthwhile, making its collectible value exceed a single purchase.
A perfect for me 10/10... and I dont have to tell you why.
Convention Exclusive (SDCC) Destro - McCullen XXIV
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Rise of Cobra - Paris Pursuit Baroness
The new baroness is a new improvised version of the drag-queen faced circus feature predecessor. The head sculpt is pretty much decent over the older one (about five times if you ask me) and its choice of skin complexion is much fairer (I dont recall the actress having a tan).
The Better:
Aside from the new head mold, the figure sports a new look with its skirt, which allows more movement and articulation thanks to the readily split halves. Now the figure has more range of action and although the skirt may still restrain the Baroness of poses most 25th figures can do, the toy feature is a big improvement.
The Splendid:
Guns and more guns. Two rifles and two submachine guns that are not MARs manufactured (Spare us hasbro of all the unbelievable reality designs please).
The Lamo:
Still you can do away with the pencil launcher. In this case its no longer a pencil it launches but some two prong nano-missile that can double as nostril plug.
The Verdict:
Even with the weird launcher, the Paris Pursuit Baroness is a better figure to get. So if you already have the ROC Baroness still get this one. For those who don't have a Baroness, get this one instead of the fugly original ROC version.
A generous 8.5 / 10 for me. I dig chicks with guns and garments.
review by Daniel Enriquez
Rise of Cobra - The Doctor (White Variant)
The Good:
The Doctor comes in an alternative color scheme to delight collectors. The variant has a white robe and white arms at match the coat.
The Well-ok-should-have-been:
Since they were thinking of bringing in another variant, Hasbro could had included variant weapons with this doctor edition.
The Poor:
The Doctor is not advised to display itself on a lonesome without the white robe, since the arms are white too. This leaves an action figure with white arms over its black body, somewhat like a skinny reversed colored panda.
The Excellent:
Despite the cheezy move of Hasbro to further drain our pockets with color variants, the figure shows a whole new design, and array of accessories that is unique for this line. The doctor has a pretty decent coat, its black undergarment riddled with all sorts of nice detail (similar to Edward Scissorhands) and the only figure I can think off that comes with a wig and an alternative removable mouthpiece that is attached through its neck. The figure also carries a briefcase filled with nanomite containers, a rifle, and a grabber device that replaces those kiddy pencil launchers.
The Verdict:
The Doctor is a well designed action figure for the Rise of Cobra line. The release of this white variant makes heads turn and crave for more. I was surprised these figures arrived this soon on retail, and as fast it comes the faster it disappears. Hasbro might employ yet another tactic to get more of our money for the same mold, however if the figure is an impressive as the Doctor, I would gladly oblige.
A flat and firm 9.0/10 ...wonderful indeed!
