Star Wars Rebels Mission 01 Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios & Stormtrooper

The newest Star Wars Mission Series have recently hit my local Toys R Us and when I saw that the first one was Zeb and a Stormtrooper from the new Star Wars Rebels show, I had to grab it.

I'm not usually one for 5 points of articulation, 3.75" figures but I really like what I've seen of the show and these figures looked great. And good looking toys are good looking toys, no matter their size or articulation. I don't discriminate.

This is Mission 1. The other Mission 2 packs are:

2 - C3-PO & R2-D2 (Done in the same Rebels animated style as Zeb and the 'trooper)
3 - Darth Vader & Luke Skywalker
4 - Yoda & Darth Sidious
5 - Boba Fett & Stormtrooper
6 - Obi-Wan Kenobi & General Grievous

Like I said, I don't collect these, but I'm pretty sure that 4, 5 & 6 are re-packages.

The packaging of these figures is really nice. There's a plastic packet giving a nice full view of the figures on a card back using the new Star Wars Rebels logo and 'trooper helmet. There's also a little picture of Zeb and the stormtrooper below the figures.

The figures themselves are great looking.

Let's look at the stormtrooper first.

This is a slightly more simplified looking, animated style stormtrooper. But that's not to say there's nothing going on here.

The details are all there, the torso buttons, the helmet grates, all that good stuff.

He also has details in the back.

I really dig this little guy! He even comes with his blaster rifle... even if he can't hit anything with it.

The gun is nicely sculpted in a solid, softer, plastic. It's a good looking little piece and suits the trooper nicely.

Zeb is an excellent little figure. Paint, sculpt and detailing is great.

His paint is brilliant, it really is very screen accurate. He really is a great looking figure for the size and I especially like the design on his left shoulder - such a neat paint app!!

I'm guessing that the lack of articulation (both figures only have neck, shoulder and hip movement) meant that Hasbro was able to spend more on making these little figures nice and screen accurate.

Zeb also comes with an accessory - his big blaster rifle!

I really like these guys, and I'm glad we've got Rebels toys already - more to come!!

Go Figure!

Figma 153 The Legend of Zelda Link

I'd heard a lot about Figma figures and how highly articulated and detailed they were, and when I saw the Link figure they released, I knew it was something worth saving for!

Figma toys are imported from Japan and are therefore quite pricey. In my opinion though, if you're really into your toys and the subject matter then they're well worth it. This version of Link is from Skyward Sword for the Wii, and Figma nailed this figure. It's a gorgeous piece and if it's true that Figma are going to be doing other versions of Link, I'm going to need to get saving!

Taking Link out of the box, you find him safely packed in plastic.

You can see here his shield, sword, sword sheath, and alternate hair and face. And that's not all Link comes with, he also comes with 4 extra pairs of hands

He also comes with the Master Sword, which is just an absolutely beautiful accessory. Beautifully sculpted and detailed

The Master Sword also has a nice sheath to be stored in

And the final accessory for use with the Master Sword is a "swoosh" effect, as though Link was swinging it through the air

And of course Link comes with his Hylian shield, how else would he defend himself?! Again, this is an excellent looking piece

And he also comes with the Figma stand, which is brilliant for getting Link into different poses

Link himself is, unsurprisingly, beautifully done, well painted and highly articulated.

Straight out the box he looks much like this

The detail in Link's outfit is great, the green tunic and hat, his pointy pierced ears, the silver mail under the tunic, the brown boots and yellow trousers. He also has changeable hair and face. You simply pop the hair off first, then the face, then you can change them. You get this scary look first.

And that can quickly become this!

Link's articulation is really great. From top to bottom: Link's hat swivels, his neck is on a ball and hinge joint though his head can't really tilt back due to his hair. His shoulders pivot and turn, and his elbows have Figma joints, which are discs that make his elbows go back and forth very smoothly. His wrists have small peg holes so you can switch the hands, but the hands themselves have joints so they can move back and forth and of course the hands can spin in the joints.

Link has an ab crunch and swivel, his hips move back and forth and up and down, and his knees also have the Figma disc joint, boot cut swivel, ankle and toe articulation.

As you can see, Link has a serious amount of articulation.

And I don't remember this bit in Skyward Sword, but...JAZZ HANDS!!

The details in this figure really are brilliant. Gorgeous sliver buckle, small pouch on the belt, blue wrist guards. This figure is a perfect representation of Link from Skyward Sword and what really nails it his face. It's a beautiful paint job and both faces really convey Link's very subtle personality.

If you can afford this guy and you're a Zelda fan, I'd highly recommend ordering this piece. It really is great and I find myself posing him differently on my shelf at least once a week!

Go Figure!

Jakks Pacific S.L.U.G Zombies Series One

A friend from the USA was kind enough to send me a couple of these fun little horror toys made by Jakks Pacific. S.L.U.G stands for Scary Little Ugly Guys and Zombies because... well, zombies.

This is the first series of this line and I loved the aesthetic as soon as I saw them - coffin boxes!! How cool is that?! In total there are 8 to collect

There were none of these guys that I didn't want to get - really, I mean look at those designs! I was going to be happy with any of them.

So upon opening the coffins the figures themselves are in small clear plastic bags. I got 2, so let's see who I got

Firstly, zombie cheerleader Rigamortis Lourdes! I love the fact that instead of pom poms she's holding heads, that's such a grotesque and brilliant touch. The sculpt on her is really neat too. Nice details in the skirt and hair, and especially the face. I like the rips in her clothes too. She even has a little "Z" on her vest!

Secondly - and I was extra happy to get this guy - Decayin' Dom

This guy must be an homage to Tarman from Night of the Living Dead!! Just look at him! I love this little figure and the sculpt is excellent!

The detailing in this little figure is great, the barrel with it's radioactive sign on it, the slime oozing off of Decayin' Dom and over the edge of the barrel, the bit of brain and exposed ribs... All of it is just excellent!

If you get a chance, I'd recommend picking one of these up. They're great sculpts and solid little figures made in a brilliant toxic green plastic, and all of the characters have great designs. If I ever see these in the UK, I'd have to add another to my collection. These really remind me of Monster in My Pocket and I freaking LOVED those when I was a kid.

Go Figure!