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

[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.

[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]

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 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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[Werewolf]

Kenner's figures had a certain gloss to the paint they used.

Yes! The plastic as well. The figures were always very bright and shiny. They also molded in color as much as possible and rarely painted skin tones on the figure's heads. The Funko stuff is too dull and matte. (A big pet peeve of mine about the Gentle Giant Jumbos as well.)

Kenner always made stuff very kid friendly and appealing looking. Early sculpts were softened and they didn't have perfect actor likeness. But were instantly recognizable as the character on and off the card. By Empire the sculpts had improved greatly. Still friendly looking and kid appealing but you could now easily see actor likeness in figures like Han Hoth.

Most of the Funko sculpts don't look softened, to me. They look exaggerated or caricatured or even a different actor entirely which throws the figure. The Mego STTMP Kirk and Spock still resemble Shatner and Nimoy. The Funko ones don't to me.

I'm not trying to be harsh and I will continue to support many of the Funko Reaction lines like Trek and Gremlins. I love and miss Kenner toys of the 70s and 80s. So I am pretty much the target market for these. I just get irritated by the concept that Kenner means intentionally bad sculpts on any random license they can use. Kenner is vintage Star Wars. But it is also Indiana Jones, Super Powers, MASK, Silverhawks, Strawberry Shortcake, Real Ghostbusters, Six Million Dollar Man, etc. So, I'd personally like companies to be more thoughtful with the license choices and stop thinking Kenner equals poor sculpts.

[4NDR01D]

I feel like I should be into these and I'm just not. The only thing I think I really want done in the retro kenner style would be more Star Wars cantina aliens and that's just not going to happen I guess.

[Bantha5]

I feel like I should be into these and I'm just not. The only thing I think I really want done in the retro kenner style would be more Star Wars cantina aliens and that's just not going to happen I guess.

Hasbro could easily get into this segment, but they don't seem to want to be in the Star Wars business anymore. Even with wanting to go with cheaper manufacturing ( fewer paint apps, 5 POA ) they still don't want a part of it. They could finish out the vintage run, and make a few collectors happy. More cantina aliens would be quite a challenge, make them to close to there original look and they would not fit into the line. The original 4 were so off model and had such a 70s look and color pallete, it would really be a trick to pull them off correctly. Ryan

[palitoy]

I feel like I should be into these and I'm just not. The only thing I think I really want done in the retro kenner style would be more Star Wars cantina aliens and that's just not going to happen I guess.

Yeah, it would be so easy for Hasbro to follow suit.

[Mego Milk]

BREAKING BAD!
Getting!

[Werewolf]

Yeah, it would be so easy for Hasbro to follow suit.

They already kind of are with the Rebels and Original Trilogy Saga Legends figures.

The new Biker Scout and Wicket look right at home with the vintage Kenner ROTJ Speeder Bike.



Even the plastic feels very close to what Kenner used. I think it's a real missed opportunity not putting these on vintage style cards.

[Hedji]

These are so full of win. They are the reason they make bathtubs and swimming pools.

[Werewolf]

These are so full of win.

They are very nice. I think Jaws and Gremlins are the best they've done.