toysrevil2

:: TOYS / 1/6 / REVIEW ::
my first published toy-review in Playtimes Vol:2 Issue#8 (thanks to Zaki and all@PlayImaginative!)



all images can be found on my multiply here :)

THE SHADOWOMAN REVIEW:
I've always collected "nudes" ever since i started this hobby. And by that I mean "12-inch-action-figures-sans-clothing-and-accessories", which makes for great kitbash fodder options, IMHO.

And it was with a certain sense of trepidation and excitement when I was asked to review a "new" action figure from Dark Box Workshop, named "Shadowman".

THE PACKAGING:
At first glance, the blister-pack fold-out-packaging seemed a welcomed alternative to the current carton-boxed of other nudes. Primarily it allows the potential buyer an all-around view of the figure. (Which might also mean a savings on materials and printing costs, for which I hope translates to savings for the buyer, no?)

Included in the package is: (1) An articulated action figure (Caucasian skin-tone) with Open-Palmed Hands. (2) An additional pair of Grip-Hands and (3) A black figure stand with base, plastic-grips and a back-pole.

And with a coupla pops, the package is opened and I run down the schematics with my simple 4-step review criteria = my "4-As":

(1) Articulation
(2) Appearance
(3) Adaptability
(4) Affordability

ARTICULATION
Primarily, when folks mention "Points Of Articulation" (POA), that would mean how many moving-points or parts with which the figure provides. On average, a Ken/Barbie doll has 5-points of articulation (swiveling neck / left and right shoulder-joints / left and right pelvic-joints). And on an average action figure currently, it would have to possess at the very least 30-points of articulation, before anyone would give their minimum respects to said figure. Luckily for both Shadowman and collector, this criteria is met.

Also one important aspect of the POA, is the rigidity and/or structural-integrity of the joints, meaning they are flexible enough to be swiveled/bent/twisted to pose, but strong and tight enough to let the figure stand on it's own weight and/or with clothes and accessories, without buckling under once your hands leave the figure.

As flexible and articulated as the Shadowman is (as shown from pictures), he cannot stand on his own for too long. There are only a few poses which allow him that reprieve. It was a struggle to pose him for my shoots and in some instances, had to be propped-up against the stand or a chair to maintain balance. But with additional clothing later-on, the tightness of the jeans held the figure in place longer and firmer.

A firm ankle-joint is also very important for a figure, which a lot of times manufacturers fail to remedy. This figure unfortunately falls into that mistake, with a very loose ankle-joint. (please refer ADAPTIBILITY-category below)

Incidentally, the additional stand which came along with the figure? It's actually slightly short for the entire standing Shadowman!

APPEARANCE
Personally, what defines a figure is it's FORM. Arms not too long, chest not too huge, legs proportional, headsculpt-features not too fugly. "Realism" and "Details" are always major-plus points.

Body
"Shadow is created to provide people who are interested in painting and making their unique figures with human-shape skeletons" - as stated by the producers of Shadowman, and hence answers the question of it's current small body-form. And which firmly puts him under the category of "Fashion-Figure" (as opposed to "Military-themed-realism")

Hands and Feets
Proportion and Realism is one thing required for Military-themed collectors. Shadowman's hands are huge. "urban vinyl-designer"-huge and definitely out for your average Military-theme-collector. Shadowman's big hands are a stylistic-aspect of this figure, that much i understand and accept.

And you know what they say about plastic-people with big feet? Well, it's all true as Shadowman's feet are a tad bigger than others on the market. Which restricts it's adaptability (more on that later) as most shoes might be a tight fit (except for Hot Toy's Sneaker Vision shoes, which are bigger than the norm).

Head
One major obvious visible "condition" of the Shadowman figure is it's headsculpt, or lack-thereof. From the image in the website (http://d-b-workshop.com), it showed at least an unpainted-headsculpt with facial features, for which I understand not why it wasn't included with this incarnation I hold in my hands.

Well, there's always an option of putting on another headsculpt. But we shall see. (refer to ADAPTABILITY below)

Skin Surface
One aspect I like about this figure, is it's matt body surface/finish, as compared to the glossy skin-surfaces of current market offerings. It states these figures are made of VINYL (a first for 12"-figures), which is suited for customization purposes, as was the original intent of the manufacturers. Very cool this and opens up a whole new option for 12-inch figures entering mainstream vinyl-customization mayhap?

Height

Dude's slightly shorter than regular market versions (shown is Hot Toys' on-left and Dragon Figures on-right). Which is cool if you're looking for variety of heights or even a "slightly older teen"-figure. But fails is he expects to stand hands-and-shoulders together with the current market leaders. But if the intent is not to compare with market leaders? It's all good :)

Clothes

One major problem encountered: Because of his "size", Shadowman cannot wear current 1/6th-scaled clothing, as they are too huge, except for a very limited few (refer images). Fortunately he is able to fit into some "women's clothes", ie: Barbie/Jenny.

You can't expect to be customizing this lil fella but not dress him in the end, innit? the only difference between Shadowman and a generic-wooden figure-for-painters in the ability to conform to fashion.

ADAPTABILITY
Based on Ball-Joint-Logic (BJL) for all the major adaptable-points (neck, wrists and ankles) - the adaptability-factor of this figure with other existing mass market figures drops down to near zero. Mayhap suitable with existing Japanese-exclusive figures, but I cannot be sure as I possess not enough figures in that genre to compare.

Out pops the ball-joints but nothing else fits back in, except for the original parts. Great for folks who like to drill into their figures and customize, but mayhap for a brush+paint-person like me? I don't want nor need to have to do more work, to make the figure work, IMHO.

(the following is added after review sent to Play)
Headsculpts :
based on the individual heads i've tried to fix unto the existing Ball-Jointed-head, these are the results so far:

(A) Medicom's Real Action Hero (RAH) = fits decent but out of proportion to body-size.
(B) Takara cyborg-clear head = works well so far, mainly becoz he has a shorter "neck".
(C) Dragon (DML) regular head = uneasy fit and totally moronic-looking, sorry :p
(D) Unknown Brand headsculpt = scary-fit and look.
(E) 3Zero headsculpt = everyone comes out looking like giraffes *urgh*

Conclusion: tis obvious current market headsculpts fit not the existing figure, mayhap i've either to look for something that does NOT have too long a "neck" or i might haveta "chop"/cut down the neck myself. will post result and images when i get down to it :)

alternatively, Dark Box Workshop could produce a number/selection of (generic?) headsculpts for choice. Or even a set of 3 or 4 different facial-sculpts as an add-on accessory, IMHO :)

AFFORDABILITY
Different folks put different values on an item, regardless of cost. But once the cost exceeds that of expectations and the needs of the collector for the figure that they are paying for, then the product would either fall into the category of "ex-clusive" or "waiting for discount-bin". I am unaware of the current price-points for Shadowman.

WRAP-UP
If it's a stylized fashion-action-figure that you're looking for, then Shadowman is the man for you. As an alternative to current market figures, SDM is a welcomed reprieve for which the niche market is very focused with folks willing to fork out the neccessary dough for a dependable figure.

As too the obvious target toward the urban-designer-vinyl-crowd, with the option of customization on a new platform figure, is a welcome addition, I'm sure.

Consider the possibilities of my kitbashed-figure (image-below) with a Dunny-head (altho a tad loose-fit :p) from my VinylFashion-series :)



I might consider getting an additional handful of figures for a specific genre I'm trying to kitbash and/or customize (depending on price-points). I like the "form" but the function" is something I hope they could work more on, because one cannot function without the other, IMHO.

Who knows what the future might bring? Another skin-toned figure (AA)? or even a Female figure? Exciting times, I'm sure :)

Cheers
toysrevil