Poest Office – Poe Ghostal's Points of Articulation

Poest Office > NECA’s Godzilla figures

On February 3, 2014

Not sure if you have seen this, but I’m pretty excited. BBTS has a new listing for a “Godzilla 12″ Head To Tail Action Figure.”

From one of the most anticipated movie releases this year, the relaunch of the classic Godzilla franchise. This 6″ tall figure is highly detailed and fully articulated, and over 12″ long from head to tail! Over 25 points of articulation and a bendable tail. This classic movie monster has never looked so good in toy form.

I like the idea of having a NECA Godzilla to put with my NECA Pacific Rim figures. I had thought NECA only had the license to do large scale figures (as they do for Marvel, DC, and others). A 6″-7″ figure seems like it might be stepping on the toes of Bandai and Jakks, who are also making toys. I have a suspicion that these figures are labeled 12″ Head to Tail (for the 6″) and 24″ Head to Tail (for the 12″) in order to skirt around this issue. I hope we get a look at these and the other Godzilla offerings next month at Toy Fair.

–PresidentJuggernaut

I did see that, and found it very interesting. You’re right that the clarification about the height versus the length is intriguing. I actually went ahead and pre-ordered the 24″ long (12″ tall) version. I grew up with Bandai’s 8″ vinyls, and while I collected a number of the 6″ vinyls in the early 2000s, I’ve always felt like Godzilla toys should be bigger – which may be one reason why I was never really able to commit to S.H.MonsterArts.

So, long story short, I’m excited about NECA’s figures. I don’t expect S.H.MonsterArts-level articulation, but I do expect more than the “swivel arms, legs, and tail” of the Bandai vinyls. It may actually hit the perfect sweet spot between those two extremes. Here’s hoping!

ItÂ is curious that NECA’s making these when Bandai USA is producing their own 6″ figures (and JAKKS is producing oversize figures). Bandai USA is the master toy licensee,Â but obviously that doesn’t preclude either the JAKKS or NECA figures, begging the question, what exactly does being the master toy licensee get you? According to this sourceÂ (whose veracity I can’t speak to, but it’s the only one I could find on a quick search), “the [master] toy licensee receives the right to control virtually all licensed products in the toy and game category.” If true, does that mean Bandai USA had to sign off on – or perhaps even arranged – the NECA and JAKKS deals?

I don’t know the truth behind it all, but I think the NECA products represent a promising (if somewhat more expensive) option for adult collectors. I agree the specific “head to tail” phrasing by NECAÂ is weird, but I’m skeptical it’s a semantic workaround for the potential legal complications of making an official 6″ or 12″ figure – I can’t see that holding up in court. Of course, it’s always possible it’s something Bandai USA and NECA worked out ahead of time. Or maybe NECA just wanted to be really clear on what the figure was going to look like.

Poest Office > Toylines Poe Doesn’t Like, Ab Crunch Importance, 6″ Display Stands

By Poe

On March 29, 2013

In Poest Office

It’s yet another new title for my letters column! Will I ever be satisfied with a title? Probably not!

Anyway, we start off today with this missive from Poester AF:

What action figure lines leave you cold?

Well, growing up I had zero, and I meanÂ zero, interest in G.I. Joe. Just none at all. I suspect a big part of that was I just didn’t know anyone who was into it. My cousin Ed introduced me to Godzilla, and my cousin Elye introduced me to Transformers (I’m not sure where MOTU came from, it may have been a childhood playmate or maybe I just caught the cartoon), but no one pushed G.I. Joe on me. That said, I do think some of the Joe toys these days are pretty neat.

Of course, as longtime readers (or even casual readers) of this blog know, I have no time for plastic statues like McFarlane Toys’ sports and military stuff. Despite my love of MOTU I had no interest in the Stactions due to their lack of articulation.

I want to like Jazwares’Â Adventure Time andÂ Regular Show stuff, since I love those shows, but I always find Jazwares toys just a bitÂ off, somehow. Usually the sculpts are okay, but they consistently cut corners during the production process – articulation, paint apps – and the end product is just unsatisfying.

Purloined Letters > Toy storage, the MOTU movie, and bad toy memories

By Poe

On December 21, 2012

In Poest Office

poe-sack

I looked over a huge list of comic book letter column titles for inspiration for that title. Ultimately, I think “Going Postal” is still probably the cleverest one, but given the origin of that term and current events I think it’s in even poorer taste than “Poe’s Sack.” So I decided to play up the Edgar Allan Poe side of things and go with “Purloined Letters.” It should be noted, however, that these letters are not actually purloined – they were sent to me by readers of their own free will.

Toy Hunters, Power Lords, & monster kings in this week’s Poe’s Bag

By Poe

On December 7, 2012

In Poest Office

It’s time for another round of answering reader email. (Rather than sticking with “Going Postal” or switching the too-raunchy “Poe’s Sack,” I’ve decided to split the difference and rename the column “Poe’s Bag.” Make of it what you will.)

Before we go further, I wanted to mention to all contributors to Poe Ghostal’s Pic of the Day – holiday-themed pics will get special consideration right now, so submit those visions of sugarplums, whatever the hell those are.

Moving on…

Going Postal > Poe makes do

By Poe

On November 30, 2012

In Poest Office

So, last week I asked you to submit some questions so that I could start a Bill Simmons-like weekly “mailbag” column. Well, hardly anyone asked anything, but I don’t care because I want to try this and dammit, I’m sticking to it. So I’m going to take the few questions I got, throw them together with a few comments from the past week I want to respond to, make some crap up if I have to, and hope that you guys get the gist of what I’m trying to do and submit some better questions next time. (I considered calling this feature “Poe’s Sack”.)

Oh, and to keep the surprise of it all, please try to submit them directly to me via email at poe@poeghostal.com, not in the comments. It’s more fun that way. That said, IÂ will respond to comments, tweets, and questions on the PGPoA Facebook page. And ask about anything, not just toys. I figure most of them will be about toys, but you’ve got the option.

Poest Office > New Marvel Legends Sculpts a Cut Above?

By Poe

On February 21, 2012

In Poest Office

Today’s question comes from Poester TP:

Dear Poe:Â Do you know any of the sculptors for the new pieces in Marvel Legends 2012? It’s been all the gossip that this new wave of ML is really a cut above Hasbro’s old ML offerings, and I’d like to acknowledge credit where credit’s due. I’ve been collecting things by the 4 Horsemen in various lines for so long that’s it’s tough not knowing who sculpted the new Iron Man figure, for instance…

I checked with my contacts at Hasbro, and their response was, “We’re not set up for fan questions right now, unfortunately. We’re going to be relaunching the fan Q&A program soon, so keep an eye out! Sorry!”

So, I’m afraid I can’t answer your question quite yet, TP. Perhaps someone else out there already knows the answer?

Poest Office > How Durable Are Rubber Hoses on Toys?

By Poe

On February 10, 2012

In Poest Office

Poester SF writes in:

“I’m a collector and I know you have a lot of experience with figures so I hope you can help me out. I’ve got a quick question about rubber parts used in toys.Â I am looking specifically at figures like Transformers Dark of the Moon Shockwave and McFarlane’s Call of Duty Marine Corps with Flamethrower figure when I ask this. Those figures have rubber hoses (at least Shockwave does) and I’m wondering if these rubber partsÂ can become worn from taking them out of their sockets and re-inserting themtoo many times.Â Have you had any experience with this?”

Thanks for the note, SF. While I don’t own either of the toys you specifically mention, I have had a number of toys over the years with rubber parts, and in general I have found that the durability of such hoses depends a lot on the design of the hose itself. For example, I have a Mutagen Man figure from the vintageÂ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line whose hoses are still tight and strong, but I’ve had other figures who tubes have been so thin as to be easily ripped.

If your question is whether removing and replacing the tubes frequently will weaken their ability to hold tight in the socket, my gut feeling is that the answer is no. Rubber is fairly flexible and will simply squeeze to fit the hole, rather than getting scratched away.

That said, if you’re really concerned about durability, it’s never a good idea to repeatedly remove and replace parts on a figure, especially if they’re made of rubber.

But since, again, I don’t own those two figures, I invite my readers to weigh in with their own experiences. Do you find rubber hoses to be durable or easily ruined?

If you’d like to ask Poe a toy-related question, send an email to poe@poeghostal.com. Please include “Poest Office” in the subject heading.

Poest Office > Figure stands for 12″ figures?

By Poe

On May 18, 2011

In Poest Office

Today’s question, which is more for you folks than me since I don’t know the answer, comes from our own Doc Thomas:

I have a question specifically regarding 12″ toys, which I don’t collect – but I have one 12″ figure, one of the Buffy Gentlemen, which features a clear stand that holds him up in the air as if he’s floating, and I’m wondering if it’s possible to purchase more like or similar to this. Specifically for Toy Story figures – Woody and Jess do not stand by themselves and need support like that to stay verticle alongside Buzz and co. Do you know where I can get something like that, or can we ask your readers?

Poest Office > Rune with a View

By Poe

On September 8, 2010

In Poest Office

Poester DF writes in with an interesting conundrum.

Poest Office > Rhapsody in Light Blue (plus: figure stands)

By Poe

On September 1, 2010

In Poest Office

Welcome to a new feature. Occasionally I receive emails asking about various toy-related things, so I thought I’d start sharing my knowledge with the collecting world (plus build more content for the website).

First off is a Poester who wishes to remain Anonymous. He first contacted me a few weeks ago after spotting an eBay auction offering what appeared to be a lighter-blue DCUC Superman. Most fans figure it’s a factory prototype for the proposed (but as yet unproduced) Superman/Bizarro DCUC 2-pack.

Well, Mr. Anonymous got his hands on one and sent along an email, complete with pics.

Category: Poest Office