James Bond - Jaws Teeth Signature Edition Prop Replica
Jaws is not only my favorite 007 villain, he is one of my favorite movie characters at off all time. Factory Entertainment are now producing James Bond prop replicas. This replica is based on the teeth worn by Richard Kiel as Jaws. The teeth are limited to 715 numbered pieces with a plaque signed by Richard Kiel. They limited them to 715 as Richard is 7'1.5" tall. The booklet that comes with the teeth explain a lot about the history of the prop. Only one set of prop teeth were ever made and were held by one person during filming to prevent loss or theft. Factory Entertainment spent time with Richard Kiel, Peter Lamont ( art director of The Spy Who Loved Me) and the man who made the original teeth : dental technician Peter Thomas. Peter Thomas still had the original molds, dental impressions and other tools used to construct the original prop.
Packaging - The most important thing about the packaging of any prop replica is how it protects the piece. There is lots of foam padding to prevent any damage. The outer box has a beautiful silver slipcase.
Prop Replica - The teeth are made of dental grade stainless steel and are hand polished. They are about as close to the original as possible. As a bonus, a replica of steel cable made of resin is included to if you choose to have it resemble the classic scene in Moonraker. The cable is cast in solid black with a silver paint dry brush.
Display Case - An acrylic cylinder case and base is included to protect the replica. A clear plastic piece to hold the teeth in place is also included.
Plaque - The nameplate has a classic design that is placed on the plaque. The signature of Richard was done in black and is placed nicely. The handwritten number on mine (#51) is a bit sloppy and hard to read. I like the overall design of the case and plaque, but feel the case should have been designed to display the plaque in the case.
Price - Factory Entertainment sells this on their site for $199.
The Verdict - This may be the least expensive prop replica I own, but it could be my favorite. I recommend this to any serious Bond fan. The price is very reasonable considering what you get.
Where To Buy - You could purchase this directly from Factory Entertainment
Packaging - The most important thing about the packaging of any prop replica is how it protects the piece. There is lots of foam padding to prevent any damage. The outer box has a beautiful silver slipcase.
Prop Replica - The teeth are made of dental grade stainless steel and are hand polished. They are about as close to the original as possible. As a bonus, a replica of steel cable made of resin is included to if you choose to have it resemble the classic scene in Moonraker. The cable is cast in solid black with a silver paint dry brush.
Display Case - An acrylic cylinder case and base is included to protect the replica. A clear plastic piece to hold the teeth in place is also included.
Plaque - The nameplate has a classic design that is placed on the plaque. The signature of Richard was done in black and is placed nicely. The handwritten number on mine (#51) is a bit sloppy and hard to read. I like the overall design of the case and plaque, but feel the case should have been designed to display the plaque in the case.
Price - Factory Entertainment sells this on their site for $199.
The Verdict - This may be the least expensive prop replica I own, but it could be my favorite. I recommend this to any serious Bond fan. The price is very reasonable considering what you get.
Where To Buy - You could purchase this directly from Factory Entertainment
The Phantom 8" Figure (The Dailies Edition) By Cast A Way Toys
Cast A Ways Toys has come out with yet another Phantom variation. This version is called The Dailies Edition.
This is the fourth version of the figure made by Cast A Way.
Packaging - The clam shell can be opened to take it out and place it back in without damaging it. There is a 2 sided card back inside. The card back is made of sandstone paper to resemble newsprint. The art was done by Chris Franklin and looks fantastic.
Sculpt - The head was sculpted by well known Mego style customizer Charlee Flatt.
Paint - The parts painted on the figure are the head, rings, guns and belt. The application on the each part is near perfect. I really think the paint color of the belt buckle with the with gray and silver skull works great. The rings were painted to perfection and the light blue on the face is a nice touch.
Clothing - The body suit has overall good stitching and color. The boots are rubber like that fit perfectly.
Articulation - The body is a modernized version of the Mego figure. The hands are flexible and the biceps swivel unlike the vintage Mego body. It has numerous points of articulation.
Accessories - The Phantom comes with his trademark pistols and belt with holsters. The pistols are well sculpted and fit perfectly into his hands and holsters. The holsters are rubbery with a skull buckle painted silver.
Price - $22 plus postage is the price from Cast A Way.
The Verdict - This may be my favorite of The Phantom figures by Cast A Way. Cast A Way must be doing something right as I rarely
buy color variants.
Where To Buy - Cast A Way is a very small company with limited distribution. Go to http://store.castawaytoys.com/phantom-quotdailiesquot-version.html for more information.
This is the fourth version of the figure made by Cast A Way.
Packaging - The clam shell can be opened to take it out and place it back in without damaging it. There is a 2 sided card back inside. The card back is made of sandstone paper to resemble newsprint. The art was done by Chris Franklin and looks fantastic.
Sculpt - The head was sculpted by well known Mego style customizer Charlee Flatt.
Paint - The parts painted on the figure are the head, rings, guns and belt. The application on the each part is near perfect. I really think the paint color of the belt buckle with the with gray and silver skull works great. The rings were painted to perfection and the light blue on the face is a nice touch.
Clothing - The body suit has overall good stitching and color. The boots are rubber like that fit perfectly.
Articulation - The body is a modernized version of the Mego figure. The hands are flexible and the biceps swivel unlike the vintage Mego body. It has numerous points of articulation.
Accessories - The Phantom comes with his trademark pistols and belt with holsters. The pistols are well sculpted and fit perfectly into his hands and holsters. The holsters are rubbery with a skull buckle painted silver.
Price - $22 plus postage is the price from Cast A Way.
The Verdict - This may be my favorite of The Phantom figures by Cast A Way. Cast A Way must be doing something right as I rarely
buy color variants.
Where To Buy - Cast A Way is a very small company with limited distribution. Go to http://store.castawaytoys.com/phantom-quotdailiesquot-version.html for more information.
Captain Action and Dr. Eville 2010 New York Comic Con figures
I just dug these gems out of storage and they've been begging for a review since October 2010. Cast A Way made a limited edition of 50 boxed sets with the NYCC foil logo on the packaging. Another limited run was made without the foil stickers on the Cast A Way site.
Packaging - The boxes were designed to look like the vintage Ideal Captain Action photo boxes from the 60's. I personally prefer this style over the carded versions. The quality of the printing is top notch.
Sculpt - The head sculpts are very similar to the vintage Ideal
figures. The Dr. Eville is slightly updated with more detail.
Paint - The paint applications are very well done. I also like different colors used for both Captain Action and Dr. Eville's eyes.
Clothing - Both suits has overall good stitching and color. The boots are rubber like that fit perfectly as well as the sandals.
Articulation - Cast‐A-Way uses a modernized 8" Mego style body . The hands are flexible and the biceps swivel unlike the vintage Mego body. It has numerous points of articulation. The stringing is a little tight for the legs.
Accessories - There are numerous accessories for each figure. Captain Action has a cap, 3 different belts, 3 different knives, a gun and 2 sets of hands. Cast‐A-Way forgot to include an extra fist and sent me one after emailing them of the issue. Dr. Eville comes with 2 medallions, 2 sets of hands, 2 ray guns and a mask. 2 right feet were on the figure I bought and this issue was also
corrected quickly when I emailed Cast‐A-Way .
Price - $50 for the set is very reasonable for a such a limited edition, high quality item.
The Verdict -If you are a Captain Action fan and love 8" Mego style figures, these are a must.
Where To Buy - The Cast‐A-Way site is the place to go for these figures. Go tohttp://store.castawaytoys.com/limited‐edition‐boxed‐ca‐and‐de.html for more information.
Packaging - The boxes were designed to look like the vintage Ideal Captain Action photo boxes from the 60's. I personally prefer this style over the carded versions. The quality of the printing is top notch.
Sculpt - The head sculpts are very similar to the vintage Ideal
figures. The Dr. Eville is slightly updated with more detail.
Paint - The paint applications are very well done. I also like different colors used for both Captain Action and Dr. Eville's eyes.
Clothing - Both suits has overall good stitching and color. The boots are rubber like that fit perfectly as well as the sandals.
Articulation - Cast‐A-Way uses a modernized 8" Mego style body . The hands are flexible and the biceps swivel unlike the vintage Mego body. It has numerous points of articulation. The stringing is a little tight for the legs.
Accessories - There are numerous accessories for each figure. Captain Action has a cap, 3 different belts, 3 different knives, a gun and 2 sets of hands. Cast‐A-Way forgot to include an extra fist and sent me one after emailing them of the issue. Dr. Eville comes with 2 medallions, 2 sets of hands, 2 ray guns and a mask. 2 right feet were on the figure I bought and this issue was also
corrected quickly when I emailed Cast‐A-Way .
Price - $50 for the set is very reasonable for a such a limited edition, high quality item.
The Verdict -If you are a Captain Action fan and love 8" Mego style figures, these are a must.
Where To Buy - The Cast‐A-Way site is the place to go for these figures. Go tohttp://store.castawaytoys.com/limited‐edition‐boxed‐ca‐and‐de.html for more information.
G.I. Joe - Vacation In The Shadows 2010 Convention figure set
After I ordered my 2011 G.I. Joe convention box set, I thought about the 2010 set. The Vacation In The Shadows set is based on the Action Force line from the U.K. in the 80's. Their line and characters differed from ones being produced in the U.S. at the time. The set includes Flint, Black Major, Interrogator, (6) Red Shadows and (6) Red Torches.
Packaging - The box has nice art and the inner foam tray holds the figures in place well. A certificate of authenticity came with the attendee version of the set. All look very nice.
Sculpt - The head sculpts are good, but not great. A simple head sculpt like the Red Shadows is actually less detailed than the original version. The lack of detail gives it more of an 80's feel, which makes sense for the now defunct o‐ring style figures.
Paint - The paint applications are not perfect. Since only a small amount of sets are made, I don't feel the GI. Joe club can get perfect Hasbro quality. A Red Shadows figure had a grenade not painted on it's strap for example.
Articulation - O- ring figures have very good articulation. Some of the rings seemed a bit tight in this set.
Accessories - The accessories are really good in this set. I really likes the simulated flames for the Red Torches. All come sealed in
individual bags for each figure. File cards and stands are included as well.
Price - This set is not cheap. Retail is $345 for non members and $295 for members. Only 500 boxed sets were produced.
The Verdict -I like the set, but don't love it. I don't really have a connection to these characters. I also prefer the modern style figures over o‐ring figures.
Where To Buy - The G.I. Joe club and ebay are your best options. Go to GI. JOE Club for more information.
For more info on the characters, go to http://bloodforthebaron.com/toys/002/index.html
Packaging - The box has nice art and the inner foam tray holds the figures in place well. A certificate of authenticity came with the attendee version of the set. All look very nice.
Sculpt - The head sculpts are good, but not great. A simple head sculpt like the Red Shadows is actually less detailed than the original version. The lack of detail gives it more of an 80's feel, which makes sense for the now defunct o‐ring style figures.
Paint - The paint applications are not perfect. Since only a small amount of sets are made, I don't feel the GI. Joe club can get perfect Hasbro quality. A Red Shadows figure had a grenade not painted on it's strap for example.
Articulation - O- ring figures have very good articulation. Some of the rings seemed a bit tight in this set.
Accessories - The accessories are really good in this set. I really likes the simulated flames for the Red Torches. All come sealed in
individual bags for each figure. File cards and stands are included as well.
Price - This set is not cheap. Retail is $345 for non members and $295 for members. Only 500 boxed sets were produced.
The Verdict -I like the set, but don't love it. I don't really have a connection to these characters. I also prefer the modern style figures over o‐ring figures.
Where To Buy - The G.I. Joe club and ebay are your best options. Go to GI. JOE Club for more information.
For more info on the characters, go to http://bloodforthebaron.com/toys/002/index.html
The Phantom 8" Figure (FX Staff Exclusive) by Cast A Way Toys
I missed out on the Phantom early bird version on the Cast A Way website. I then went to order months later for the standard version and that was sold out! Cast A Way are having a delay from China receiving the figures, so I went looking elsewhere. I got really lucky scoring the exclusive FX International Staff exclusive. The sticker on the package reads : FX international , The Phantom , L' Uomo
Mascherato Limited Edition "Thank You" Figure 2009 Edition Size 150. Like most others, I only knew of The Phantom in his purple costume. I did some research and found out the worlds first Phantom comic book was published in May 1937 by Casa Editrice G.Nerbini in Italy called L' Uomo Mascherato.
Packaging - The clam shell can be opened to take it out and place it back in without damaging it. There is a 2 sided card back inside. The front features art and the back has a photo of the figure.
Sculpt - The head was sculpted by well known Mego style customizer Charlee Flatt. I think it looks really nice. At first I thought the head may be too small for the body. The more I look at it, the more I like it.
Paint - The parts painted on the figure are the head, rings, guns and belt. The application on the each part is near perfect. My only complaint is that the silver paint on the buckle rubbed off on the bubble and guns on the inner holster. If the guns were cast in silver and paint wouldn't rub, I'd have no complaints.
Clothing - The body suit has overall good stitching and color. The boots are rubber like that fit perfectly.
Articulation - The body is a modernized version of the Mego figure. The hands are flexible and the biceps swivel unlike the vintage Mego body. It has numerous points of articulation. The negatives are the right hip doesn't seem properly aligned and the left knee joint is slightly loose.
Accessories - The Phantom comes with his trademark pistols and belt with holsters. The pistols are well sculpted and fit perfectly into his hands and holsters. The holsters are rubbery with a skull buckle painted silver.
Price - It's hard to put a value on this as it was not intended to be sold to the public. I got mine for less than $30. Expect to pay closer to $100-$150 for this version. The standard purple Phantom sells for $20.
The Verdict - I feel this figure is worth getting if you are a fan of The Phantom. I own 4 other figures from Cast A Way and none have the joint problems I listed for this figure. Cast A Way posted on their site that they have a new style body for future figures.
Where To Buy - Cast A Way is a very small company with limited distribution. Go to http://castawaytoys.blogspot.com/ for more information.
Mascherato Limited Edition "Thank You" Figure 2009 Edition Size 150. Like most others, I only knew of The Phantom in his purple costume. I did some research and found out the worlds first Phantom comic book was published in May 1937 by Casa Editrice G.Nerbini in Italy called L' Uomo Mascherato.
Packaging - The clam shell can be opened to take it out and place it back in without damaging it. There is a 2 sided card back inside. The front features art and the back has a photo of the figure.
Sculpt - The head was sculpted by well known Mego style customizer Charlee Flatt. I think it looks really nice. At first I thought the head may be too small for the body. The more I look at it, the more I like it.
Paint - The parts painted on the figure are the head, rings, guns and belt. The application on the each part is near perfect. My only complaint is that the silver paint on the buckle rubbed off on the bubble and guns on the inner holster. If the guns were cast in silver and paint wouldn't rub, I'd have no complaints.
Clothing - The body suit has overall good stitching and color. The boots are rubber like that fit perfectly.
Articulation - The body is a modernized version of the Mego figure. The hands are flexible and the biceps swivel unlike the vintage Mego body. It has numerous points of articulation. The negatives are the right hip doesn't seem properly aligned and the left knee joint is slightly loose.
Accessories - The Phantom comes with his trademark pistols and belt with holsters. The pistols are well sculpted and fit perfectly into his hands and holsters. The holsters are rubbery with a skull buckle painted silver.
Price - It's hard to put a value on this as it was not intended to be sold to the public. I got mine for less than $30. Expect to pay closer to $100-$150 for this version. The standard purple Phantom sells for $20.
The Verdict - I feel this figure is worth getting if you are a fan of The Phantom. I own 4 other figures from Cast A Way and none have the joint problems I listed for this figure. Cast A Way posted on their site that they have a new style body for future figures.
Where To Buy - Cast A Way is a very small company with limited distribution. Go to http://castawaytoys.blogspot.com/ for more information.
The Phantom Skull Cave Throne
After receiving a Phantom figure, I really thought the throne would be a great companion piece. The throne was made in very limited numbers and was first sold at the FX International Toy Show and then their web site.
Sculpt - The throne is actually two pieces. The throne is made of a durable foam rubber material. The base is made of a resin material that is about 14" long. The sculpting is good on both parts, but the base has more detail. A nice touch is the fact that the bottom of the base is covered in felt.
Paint - Dry brushing is used to make the details pop on both parts. Coals in the urns have a realistic paint job making them appear to be burning.
Packaging - It comes in a plain brown box.
Price - The base retails for $75. That really isn't a bad price considering it is hand cast, hand painted and made in such small numbers.
Where to buy - http://store.castawaytoys.com/cc4.html
Sculpt - The throne is actually two pieces. The throne is made of a durable foam rubber material. The base is made of a resin material that is about 14" long. The sculpting is good on both parts, but the base has more detail. A nice touch is the fact that the bottom of the base is covered in felt.
Paint - Dry brushing is used to make the details pop on both parts. Coals in the urns have a realistic paint job making them appear to be burning.
Packaging - It comes in a plain brown box.
Price - The base retails for $75. That really isn't a bad price considering it is hand cast, hand painted and made in such small numbers.
Where to buy - http://store.castawaytoys.com/cc4.html
