Funko Reaction: Jaws, Scarface, Flash, Arrow, etc

[Earth 2 Chris]

For what it's worth, here is a comparison of a "cosplayer" (always hated that word) next to one of the Trek figures. The cosplayer is me. I think the figure looks nothing like me. Can we not use cosplay as a standard of "badness"?

My post wasn't aimed at cosplayers. But the figures should look like the actors, and most of these don't. So therefore they look like a random person in a costume appropriating that character and actor.

Spock actually seems to be the best. The Kirk likeness is way off. It's a very subtle thing, which is probably one reason why some of these are so hit and miss. The Flash Gordon figure looks like Sam Jones to me. The Kirk looks like they weren't really trying. It may be the paint, I'm not sure.

I agree with Brian that retro shouldn't equal "bad" or even primitive. Especially since Funko is keying off Kenner's work, who arguably had some of the best sculpts of the 70s and 80s, minus a few hiccups (big head Han, I'm looking at you).

Chris

Chris

[ZICA]

^I think you nailed it right there. The cartoonish stylized look is the issue, not the likeness. And I think some of the digital sculpting tends to lead to that softness. It's definitely a weakness of the process.

My biggest criticisms of the line have less to do with sculpt and more to do with plastic choice and paint. Kenner's figures had a certain gloss to the paint they used. It really emphasized that they were toys, not collectibles. The matte paints of the Funko figures are to me less appealing. Also, once they're off the card, they don't quite nail the feel of the old Kenners 100%. Joints aren't as tight, and the plastic feels either a different softness or density or something. For me, the tactile experience is part of the fun. Zica's $6M figures came closest in that regard.

The only ReAction figures I have are the first series of Alien figures and for the most part I'm happy with them. Obviously the line is doing well and seems to be catching on just like the Funko POPS figures.

[palitoy]

Spock's actually the best one. I've just gotten a little feedback from Funko that implied that their soft likeness on some of the lines is explained away by "retro". That bugs me, especially when they do something like Breaking Bad or Gremlins that on or off the card, are instantly recognizable.

I'm certainly not trying to be a knob about this or combative to those that dig these. Make no mistake, I will buy these and after seeing JAWS and fifth element, I may pick those up as well. But this is Retro:



It's a bit like Mego I guess, some people think "Mego" means oven mitts and removable cowls, while others think it's Mr Fantastic.

[Hedji]

^I think you nailed it right there. The cartoonish stylized look is the issue, not the likeness. And I think some of the digital sculpting tends to lead to that softness. It's definitely a weakness of the process.

My biggest criticisms of the line have less to do with sculpt and more to do with plastic choice and paint. Kenner's figures had a certain gloss to the paint they used. It really emphasized that they were toys, not collectibles. The matte paints of the Funko figures are to me less appealing. Also, once they're off the card, they don't quite nail the feel of the old Kenners 100%. Joints aren't as tight, and the plastic feels either a different softness or density or something. For me, the tactile experience is part of the fun. Zica's $6M figures came closest in that regard.

[ZICA]

I think they look like a lot of fun. let's face it, Mego and Kenner did not really get good likenesses either.

interesting that all the Trek crew is present except chekov

I don't really think actor likeness issues are the real problem with these lines. Most of the vintage Star Wars figures didn't look like the actors who played them. Out of the first 12 I would say Obi-Wan-Kenobi was the closest. The Luke Skywalker figure didn't look anything like Mark Hamill. The problem is that a lot of the Funko ReAction stuff tends to look slightly stylized and cartoonish. Vintage Kenner figures didn't look like that.

[Hedji]

I still think the Star Trek figures are very disappointing. They look like Happy Meal toys of cosplayers, to me. But, to each their own.

Chris

For what it's worth, here is a comparison of a "cosplayer" (always hated that word) next to one of the Trek figures. The cosplayer is me. I think the figure looks nothing like me. Can we not use cosplay as a standard of "badness"?

[ZICA]

Thanks for posting that, Craig. It really looks terrific there.

I apologize if any of my criticisms of the Flash Gordon figures seem inflammatory. I feel regretful for being overly critical. The truth is, I love all of these retro style 3.75" figures. I'm just growing weary of having to defend the ReAction line. I'm really into them. I think it's easier to call them Happy Meal toys when no one from Funko is on this message board to represent them and share them with us personally. ReAction are not critique-proof. There's a lot of times when I think they miss the mark too. They are not perfect toys. But then again, I haven't seen too many ReMegos that perfectly capture the vintage feel either, and for the most part we celebrate the embarrassment of riches there.

No need to apologize, and I understand where you're coming from on defending the ReAction line. I think the main reason that Funko isn't hitting the mark frequently enough on the Kenner style aesthetics is primarily due to the shear volume of product they're putting out. I'd be willing to bet that most of the lines after Alien were done with digital sculpts and not wax just to speed up the development process.

One thing I've noticed is that the lines that seem to get the style down the best are ones that already have a good point of reference. For example, vintage prototypes of the Alien figures already existed, and the vintage REMCO Universal Monsters were a good reference for the Funko versions. It will be interesting to see what the Dark Crystal figures look like because I believe vintage prototypes of those exist as well.

Funko seems to struggle when they have to start completely from scratch but it does seem like they're getting better. I definitely see some improvements with what's been shown at Toy Fair.

[Nostalgiabuff]

I think they look like a lot of fun. let's face it, Mego and Kenner did not really get good likenesses either.

interesting that all the Trek crew is present except chekov

[Hedji]

Here's a better pic.

Thanks for posting that, Craig. It really looks terrific there.

I apologize if any of my criticisms of the Flash Gordon figures seem inflammatory. I feel regretful for being overly critical. The truth is, I love all of these retro style 3.75" figures. I'm just growing weary of having to defend the ReAction line. I'm really into them. I think it's easier to call them Happy Meal toys when no one from Funko is on this message board to represent them and share them with us personally. ReAction are not critique-proof. There's a lot of times when I think they miss the mark too. They are not perfect toys. But then again, I haven't seen too many ReMegos that perfectly capture the vintage feel either, and for the most part we celebrate the embarrassment of riches there.

[Iron Mego]

The Breaking Bad figures look pretty darn good as far as likeness goes. Jesse actually kinda looks like Jesse.

I'm a fan of this line, and the funky sculpts on them don't really bother me that much. I'd probably be buying more of them, say like Pulp Fiction, if they were better, but for now it's allowing me to be choosy and save $$.

[justzeg18]

Diva Plavalaguna might just be decent… the rest of the 5E are sketchy with the subpar pics. FFS we need a good Zorg too!

I barely noticed myself, so I'll link it here. There looks to be a Zorg figure in this group shot, but I didn't see him in the individual close ups.

http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/up...Legacy-004.jpg

[ODBJBG]

Star Trek looks to be the worst likenesses Funko has done. Which is saying something. It's like they got Helen Keller to sculpt them. Some of the others look good, but Funkos paint is what ruins their figures for me.

[ZICA]

The Trek likenesses are no worse than the praiseworthy Flash Gordon figures.

Here's a better pic.

[mazinz]

Gremlin pic here. Kinda dark but you can still make them all out. Looks surprisingly nice.

http://popvinyls.com/2015/02/14/funk...-breaking-bad/

from the pics at least it seems they are paying more attention to head sculpt and detail. I personally like the Scarface and Taxi drive figures. Actually most of all these 2nd wave sets will be gracing my shelf. Jaws looks great

[phil]

Kirk's hair is too light. The face reminds me of the Animated Series.