Review: DC Universe Classics Wave 11 Collect & Connect: Kilowog
I know, I know: I haven't even reviewed the whole wave yet. But, seeing as the only figures left come with display stands that don't even work with Kilowog, I decided to skip ahead. I'll review the Steppenwolf figures in good time, but I thought this might have a bit more interest, anyway.
I honestly don't know what makes Kilowog so endearing, but it's not just me: a lot of geeks like this character. If you're not familiar with Kilowog, he's kind of a intergalactic warthog with a power ring. He serves as a drill sergeant for the Lantern Corps, and, given his size, he can be intimidating. He's got to be at least seven hundred pounds of muscle.
And did I mention he had an advanced scientific degree? Yup, don't let his size and demeanor fool you: Kilowog is a true renaissance man.
He's also something of a fan favorite. So it's no surprise that Mattel decided to produce him as a Collect & Connect figure. Normally, I pass these up, since the idea of buying an entire wave of figures is a bit daunting. This time, though, I folded. I had some extra cash and decided I could afford it. Besides, this is one character I wasn't sure I could live without.
I honestly don't know what makes Kilowog so endearing, but it's not just me: a lot of geeks like this character. If you're not familiar with Kilowog, he's kind of a intergalactic warthog with a power ring. He serves as a drill sergeant for the Lantern Corps, and, given his size, he can be intimidating. He's got to be at least seven hundred pounds of muscle.
And did I mention he had an advanced scientific degree? Yup, don't let his size and demeanor fool you: Kilowog is a true renaissance man.
He's also something of a fan favorite. So it's no surprise that Mattel decided to produce him as a Collect & Connect figure. Normally, I pass these up, since the idea of buying an entire wave of figures is a bit daunting. This time, though, I folded. I had some extra cash and decided I could afford it. Besides, this is one character I wasn't sure I could live without.
Appearance and Construction: 7/10
A score of eight or nine would be closer to my instincts, but I think this is more honest. Kilowog is a good figure, but he's not spectacular. In fact, in some ways, he's a little below average for a build-a-figure in this line.
That said, there's a lot here that's good. His head, for one, is made of a rubbery plastic with a nice texture. While it could have used some more painted detail, I like the sculpt. It's a bit shiny, which kind of gives the impression he's been sweating. Normally, I'd be complaining, but I kind of like the effect here.
The neck is also very good, though it doesn't quite work with the head, since they're made from different materials. Also, there's a very obvious molding line along the side, which is never a good thing.
The paint on the ring is bright and relatively clean: this is definitely a high point. Overall, though, there's nowhere near the level of detail work throughout the figure you want to see painted. The lantern symbol isn't bad, but it is a tad dull.
That said, there's a lot here that's good. His head, for one, is made of a rubbery plastic with a nice texture. While it could have used some more painted detail, I like the sculpt. It's a bit shiny, which kind of gives the impression he's been sweating. Normally, I'd be complaining, but I kind of like the effect here.
The neck is also very good, though it doesn't quite work with the head, since they're made from different materials. Also, there's a very obvious molding line along the side, which is never a good thing.
The paint on the ring is bright and relatively clean: this is definitely a high point. Overall, though, there's nowhere near the level of detail work throughout the figure you want to see painted. The lantern symbol isn't bad, but it is a tad dull.
Packaging and Extras: ----
Kilowog comes "packaged" with all the other DC Universe Wave 11 figures. I suppose you could say he's an extra, though in my case, the reverse was more true: I wound up with most of the figures because they came with pieces of Kilowog.
You could count the stands that come with the Steppenwolf figures as being accessories that come with Kilowog, but that's not really accurate. First of all, Kilowog doesn't even have peg holes in his feet, so those bases aren't going to do much good.
I'm a little disappointed Mattel didn't give us a lantern with Kilowog, but that's not all that surprising. The other two lantern figures in this wave didn't have one, either. Sure, it would have been a nice gesture - as would some Kilowog-sized energy constructs - but it's hardly worth deducting points over.
You could count the stands that come with the Steppenwolf figures as being accessories that come with Kilowog, but that's not really accurate. First of all, Kilowog doesn't even have peg holes in his feet, so those bases aren't going to do much good.
I'm a little disappointed Mattel didn't give us a lantern with Kilowog, but that's not all that surprising. The other two lantern figures in this wave didn't have one, either. Sure, it would have been a nice gesture - as would some Kilowog-sized energy constructs - but it's hardly worth deducting points over.
Play and Display: -1
I don't want to do it, but I have to. This is a build-a-figure, and I have high expectations.
First off, to be fair, Kilowog stands perfectly well on his own. Good thing, too, because Mattel forgot to drill holes in his shoes, so he can't even use the bases that come with Steppenwolf. That's not a huge deal - I don't think anyone's buying into the "display stand" line Mattel's trying to feed us to get us to buy an extra figure.
Other than that, Kilowog has almost all the joints this line is known for. It's the "almost," of course, that costs him a point. Unlike the smaller figures, there are no cut joints on Kilowog's legs. This means your options for posing the big guy are severely limited. I was surprised and more than a little disappointed by the omission.
He does have cut wrists, biceps, and waist, ball jointed head and shoulders, pins on the ankles, knees, and elbows, a hinge in his abs, and those swiveling hip joints that kind of defy description. Most of the joints work well, though I have a few notes. The biceps are limited in how far they can turn because of the sculpt. In addition, the waist can't turn far without revealing the cut. Also, be aware the knees are very stiff. I'm not sure this is a bad thing, since it means he's stable, but I thought I'd mention it. On the other hand, his head actually has some up and down movement, a rarity in this line up to now.
Ultimately, the only major issue here is the lack of a cut joint on the legs. It's not a huge problem, but it's enough that I have to deduct a point.
First off, to be fair, Kilowog stands perfectly well on his own. Good thing, too, because Mattel forgot to drill holes in his shoes, so he can't even use the bases that come with Steppenwolf. That's not a huge deal - I don't think anyone's buying into the "display stand" line Mattel's trying to feed us to get us to buy an extra figure.
Other than that, Kilowog has almost all the joints this line is known for. It's the "almost," of course, that costs him a point. Unlike the smaller figures, there are no cut joints on Kilowog's legs. This means your options for posing the big guy are severely limited. I was surprised and more than a little disappointed by the omission.
He does have cut wrists, biceps, and waist, ball jointed head and shoulders, pins on the ankles, knees, and elbows, a hinge in his abs, and those swiveling hip joints that kind of defy description. Most of the joints work well, though I have a few notes. The biceps are limited in how far they can turn because of the sculpt. In addition, the waist can't turn far without revealing the cut. Also, be aware the knees are very stiff. I'm not sure this is a bad thing, since it means he's stable, but I thought I'd mention it. On the other hand, his head actually has some up and down movement, a rarity in this line up to now.
Ultimately, the only major issue here is the lack of a cut joint on the legs. It's not a huge problem, but it's enough that I have to deduct a point.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 6/10
Well, I paid $120 plus tax and shipping for all of wave 11, but that includes a pair of figures you don't need to complete Kilowog (both versions of Steppenwolf). So, really you're looking at needing six figures to build yourself a Kilowog. If you can find them for fifteen each, that puts the total cost at ninety bucks. I figure that's ten bucks for each figure and thirty for Kilowog.
Of course, all of that is assuming you can find the figures going for fifteen each. Toys R Us, at least the stores near me, are asking seventeen-fifty, and that's absurd.
Even at the thirty estimation, that's steep. I really like Kilowog - far more than his score reflects, in fact - but, come on. This is a twenty dollar toy, tops. A lot of fans, myself included, decided that we needed a Kilowog, no matter the cost. And, frankly, I really like having him in my collection. But there's no way I can objectively justify calling this a good deal.
Of course, all of that is assuming you can find the figures going for fifteen each. Toys R Us, at least the stores near me, are asking seventeen-fifty, and that's absurd.
Even at the thirty estimation, that's steep. I really like Kilowog - far more than his score reflects, in fact - but, come on. This is a twenty dollar toy, tops. A lot of fans, myself included, decided that we needed a Kilowog, no matter the cost. And, frankly, I really like having him in my collection. But there's no way I can objectively justify calling this a good deal.
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