Review: Diamond Select Star Trek TOS Two-Packs
Posted by Lindsay
If you read the reviews here with any regularity, you probably know that I have a strong affection for Star Trek. This year I have really gotten into the Original series, and have been on the look out for some good figures. Diamond Select's Original Series Star Trek line is really nice, so when I got the chance to get three packs at a discount, I jumped for it. Previous Diamond Select Star Trek Reviews: Communicator Keychain Amok Time Kirk and Spock Enterprise NCC-1701 |
Appearance and Construction:
Kirk and Uhura: 8/10
Scotty and Spock: 8/10 McCoy and Sulu: 9/10 Lets get the obvious out of the way first: these are almost all really nice likenesses of their respective actors. There are a few small defects, and I wish that they hadn't used a soft plastic for the torsos of the tunics, because I don't trust that it'll stand up to wear. But I love their costumes, I love their boots, and their sculpted braid on the sleeves. I'm trying to be clear that these are lovely toys I am about to nitpick. Scotty looks amazing. No question. Spock has some very slight paint slop at the hair line and a loose joint, but what actually bothers me is that he is permanently in Vulcan salute mode with one hand, and there's not a lot else he can do with it.
McCoy has one leg that's slightly warped, but he stands and looks fine. He might have the best face though. Sulu is great too, but McCoy just hits it out of the park. |
Uhura's only problem is arguably a bit too much shading on the face (which gives her the appearance of uneven skin tone). You could complain about her slightly unstable sassy stance, but I like it.
She makes up for Kirk, who also has a weird facial tone, and some awkward gaps at the shoulders where his bulkier chest doesn't quite fit. Still a great pair. |
Packaging and Accessories: +1
The packages are pretty standard; they protect the figures well.
Although, I actually considered a demerit for packaging in this case. All of the gentlemen were held in with a twist-tie so tight that it actually left an impression in the soft plastic of their tunics. It seems to be fading a bit with time, but it's something to watch out for.
On the plus side, each two-pack comes with FIVE accessories. In these days of DCUC figures coming with diddly-squat but a useless leg, this is great!
On the plus side, each two-pack comes with FIVE accessories. In these days of DCUC figures coming with diddly-squat but a useless leg, this is great!
For Kirk, a phaser and communicator
For Uhura, a communicator, tricorder, and data pad So if you're keeping track, that's a total of 6 communicators (everyone),
4 tricorders (everyone except Kirk and Scotty), 4 phasers (everyone except Uhura and McCoy), and one data pad. That is a nice, and largely character appropriate haul. All the tricorders have straps that are gently detachable, and there is delicate paintwork on all the pieces. They really add a lot to the figures. |
For Scotty, a phaser and communicator
For Spock, a phaser, communicator, and tricorder For McCoy, a tricorder and communicator
For Sulu, a phaser, tricorder, and communicator |
Play and Display: ---
These guys have pretty nice articulation, but possibly not quite nice enough for a bonus. The joints are a little sticky here and there and I don't quite get the range I'd like. The ball-jointed necks work really well, though.
Anyway, here's the run down: Ball joints at neck and shoulders, hinges at elbows and knees, Post/cut/whatever hips, cuts at bicep, wrist, thigh and the top of the boot, pins in the the ankle. Also, all the boys have another cut at the waist and a slight crunch hinge in the abs hidden under the soft tunics. |
They hold most of their accessories without too much trouble, but getting the communicators secured is touchy.
They do stand quite well, don't they? |
Price Tag and Final Analysis:
Kirk and Uhura: 9/10
Scotty and Spock: 9/10 McCoy and Sulu: 10/10 High marks all around. I'm lucky though, because I got these guys on sale. I've seen these packs in the store for around $30-$35 dollars. Thanks to a special sale on bigbadtoystore.com, I got all three packs for $42 plus shipping. It was 100% worth it. Now I don't feel so bad about my collection of 12” dolls from the new movie. I do love the original cast, and now I have the crew to prove it. |
Want to hear what I think about other things, including the occasional Star Trek comic book?
Try my book and comic review blog: The Blue Fairy's Bookshelf.
Come back to the Bin soon for an announcement about something new... something sci-fi.
Try my book and comic review blog: The Blue Fairy's Bookshelf.
Come back to the Bin soon for an announcement about something new... something sci-fi.