UPDATE: Dark Shadows figures are available again! Click on the pic to get yours!
How much do I really love the 8 inch Mego style action figures? So much so that I will even shell out my hard earned cash on a toy that comes from a soap opera! Seriously the Specter Toys released “Chris Jennings” wolfman figure from the cult favorite “Dark Shadows” soap opera is so cool that I had to make this one mine. And once again thanks to the folks at EMCE Toys this wooly wolf is a must have for “The Wall”
Point #1. What it is.
Point #2. Where it came from.
Point #3. The Good.
What’s not to love about a werewolf figure? In all actuality this figures look is so campy cool that I had to add it to my collection. Not only is the sculpt fantastic but the costume really puts this one over the top. “But it’s just a plaid shirt with holes in it, Jim?!?” So what? That plaid shirt with strategically placed holes in it really make this toy “pop”!
And as I’ve said in previous chapters of “The Wall” I’ve gotten on a hard core monster toy kick. Also to note while I haven’t taken this guy out of the package I feel pretty safe in assuming its quality and playability is top shelf. How can I be so certain? Because it was made by EMCE Toys! I’m telling you dear readers, the reputation that EMCE has worked very hard at establishing for quality is a major contributor to me purchasing this one. While I didn’t mind shelling out a couple bucks for the CTVT monsters that you’ve found here on “The Wall” there is NO WAY I would pay the $20 plus shipping I gave for this one. Never gonna happen. The price for this figure however I know is very well worth the money.
Plus the thought of a werewolf wearing shoes just makes me laugh.
Point #4. The Bad.
The only thing I can honestly complain about here is the lack of the resealable clamshell. I don’t know if that was a cost thing or what but I honestly would have been even more happy with this toy had I had the chance to take it out and really look it over without damaging the packaging. Mind you I’m not a Dark Shadows fan and the artwork is a bit drab for me, as a collector I don’t like ripping up a package. I probably will once Halloween approaches so I can display this guy with my assortment of 8 inch monsters but for know he will be trapped safely in his sealed bubble.
Point #5. Why I like it.
To not sound redundant in the praising of EMCE Toys I’ll simply refer you to previous comments found in Chapters 2 and 11 where I’ve already gushed a lot about these makers of New Mego’s. Getting back to this figure itself I have to note that I simply LOVE it’s looks and charm. Plus considering my Monster kick this guy is beyond perfect for satisfying my Halloween décor collecting tastes. More than anything this one is simply fun for me.
Point #6. Why you should or shouldn’t get one.
Why you should:
It’s a fun looking toy. Once I open him I’ll show you how much fun he really is but as of this writing we’ve got a long way to go before Halloween. Hopefully that will give both you and I something to look forward to.
Why you shouldn’t:
No reason I can think of. Unless of course you prefer your werewolves to be half naked Native American teenagers, Mattel has that one covered for ya. As for me I’ll leave my animal shape shifters as they should be, clothed in holey plaid shirts.
In Conclusion
In the weeks and months to come I intend to bring you more of the details that went into the making of this particular figure but for now I’ll just say that having a werewolf named “Chris” hanging around adds a really cool element of nostalgia to “The Wall”. Now, Go Play! Jim 4/12/11
UPDATE: Dark Shadows figures are available again! Click on the pic to get yours!
Jim Bumgardner is a 20 year veteran of the broadcast industry and currently serves as the news director for television station TKO 8 in Harrison, Arkansas. Jim is the father of two the husband of one and firm believer in the power of toys for both the mind, body and soul. You can contact Jim via email at jimstoybox@gmail.com
All images and products are the sole copyrighted property of it’s respective owners. Specialty photographs and graphic work used for this article were done by Jim at the TKO 8 Studios located at 500 N. Main St in Harrison, Arkansas. “Little Jim” was created by Dawn O’Connell of Little Buddies Action Figures. Learn more about getting your own Little Buddy at www.littlebuddiesactionfigures.com
