Review: Skeleflex: Skullkor
It's been a while since I reviewed any Skeleflex figures, but some things are perpetually on clearance. Longtime readers may recall my reviews of Akafly and Spinosaurus and of Stegosaurus. These are basically packs of bones you transform into dinosaurs and alien skeletons. Well, seeing as I liked the last ones, and seeing as Toys R Us hasn't altered the price recently, I figured I'd add to my collection.
Today, I'm looking at the artist formerly known as Skullkor. How ironic: you name an alien "SKULL-kor" then he winds up a skeleton.
Ahem. At any rate, this is produced by Wild Planet. Lets see if the toy fares better than the alien.
Today, I'm looking at the artist formerly known as Skullkor. How ironic: you name an alien "SKULL-kor" then he winds up a skeleton.
Ahem. At any rate, this is produced by Wild Planet. Lets see if the toy fares better than the alien.
Appearance and Construction: 4/10
I've said this before, but it bears repeating: I'm treating this like an action figure, so I'm taking the lack of paint into consideration. This is particularly a problem behind the eyes, where some black would have added much needed depth.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, lets talk about what works, what doesn't, and what's just weird. In the "works" category, you've got the skull, the body, and the feet. The long arms are a little odd, since they deviate from the traditional little green (or gray or blue) men. Likewise, while I love the skull overall, the horns feel somewhat out of place.
But the larger issue is by far the hands, which come off as awkward, both in size and in pose. There are a few positions where they make sense, but I think something less raptor could have worked better.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, lets talk about what works, what doesn't, and what's just weird. In the "works" category, you've got the skull, the body, and the feet. The long arms are a little odd, since they deviate from the traditional little green (or gray or blue) men. Likewise, while I love the skull overall, the horns feel somewhat out of place.
But the larger issue is by far the hands, which come off as awkward, both in size and in pose. There are a few positions where they make sense, but I think something less raptor could have worked better.
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In addition, I'm not crazy about the light blue color of the plastic (the photo and the very top is most accurate to actual coloration). I'd have preferred either something white, off-yellow, brown, or even light gray. The blue makes it look like it glows in the dark. I checked; it doesn't. Of course, all this brings up another issue I want to address: what is this thing? I understand it's meant to be some kind of alien, given the packaging and extras, but posed beside similar sized action figures, it looks more like a demonic skeleton (or skeletal demon - take your pick). Take it away from other action figures and, well, it gets really disturbing really fast. And not for the reasons it's supposed to. When I got this assembled and looked down at it, my first thought was that it was a poor, infant alien that got incinerated by some sadistic space marine. Really, horns or not, this looks far more like an alien fetus than anything else. Now, I want to be clear about this: I'm not complaining. Personally, I think a baby alien skeleton is kind of awesome. But there's probably something seriously wrong with me, so take that under consideration. |
I'm giving Skullkor a four, just like the others. While I think he's cooler in some ways, the cheep blue plastic takes a toll. As to the construction end of things, when I first snapped him together, the joints felt stiff, but after some use they seem fine. Also, be aware that the toy's on the lighter side.
Packaging and Extras: +2
Okay. Skullkor's is a smaller toy than his bigger cousins, and, as such, he comes in a less impressive case. It's still nice and all, but it's decidedly less cool than a giant plastic skull. There are numerous things one can do with a skull, but I can't think of anything for the bone. Even so, I'm tacking on a bonus point, because it isn't expected at this price, even with what this started at.
Also, as a side note, I want find it interesting that the case Akafly came in looks very similar to Skullkor. Just an observation.
Once again, Skullkor comes with the usual bendy pieces and the large poster, both of which are more or less useless.
But, unlike the other packages, Skullkor comes with REAL accessories. Well, more accurately, he comes with a few extra/optional pieces. You get a mechanical arm extension, a robo-claw, and a jet pack.
Also, as a side note, I want find it interesting that the case Akafly came in looks very similar to Skullkor. Just an observation.
Once again, Skullkor comes with the usual bendy pieces and the large poster, both of which are more or less useless.
But, unlike the other packages, Skullkor comes with REAL accessories. Well, more accurately, he comes with a few extra/optional pieces. You get a mechanical arm extension, a robo-claw, and a jet pack.
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Lets start with that jet pack. This is actually three pieces, because the jets are removable (not that this serves much purpose). It attaches to Skullkor's back easily enough, and it looks pretty good. My one complaint is that it blends in too much, as it's the same color as Skullkor himself. Still, the shape is very cool, and the engines look pretty good. Get some paint on, and they'd look much better, but that's another story. |
The remaining accessories can likewise be considered as a single accessory. Snapped together, they work as an alternate arm with mechanical claw. It looks good.
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Of course, you could just as easily attach it to the elbow or even wrist joint, but that starts looking a little silly. The round attachment can also pass for a laser (as pictured on the package). In the end, I don't have much interest displaying Skullkor with any of these accessories, but that's a reflection of my preference, not their quality. If I ever build up the motivation to paint them, I might put some of them in my Swine Trek playset or use them with other toys: they're fairly generic, so there are quite a few options. |
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While I feel like more could have been added here, I do think these were a good start. I'm handing over an extra bonus point for the accessories. Along with the packaging, that comes to two.
Play and Display: +3
I don't have a whole lot to say I haven't said before, so I'm going to try and keep this short. By virtue of their concept, these have a huge range of articulation. I am a little disappointed that the fingers aren't jointed, since they're posed a bit awkwardly. On the other hand, the jaw works great.
I should reiterate that I had some problems with the joints sticking, particularly at the start. Even now, there are some issues with getting everything to stay together while posing. The elbows have an annoying tendency of popping out when being moved, but you can always put them back in, so it's not a huge deal.
The accessories of course open up some options, and, as always, all parts are fully compatible with the other Skeleflex sets. So, if you're so inclined, you can pick up a few and build truly horrific monsters.
Because I deducted the appearance for not being a conventional action figure, it's only fair I return those points here.
I should reiterate that I had some problems with the joints sticking, particularly at the start. Even now, there are some issues with getting everything to stay together while posing. The elbows have an annoying tendency of popping out when being moved, but you can always put them back in, so it's not a huge deal.
The accessories of course open up some options, and, as always, all parts are fully compatible with the other Skeleflex sets. So, if you're so inclined, you can pick up a few and build truly horrific monsters.
Because I deducted the appearance for not being a conventional action figure, it's only fair I return those points here.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 9/10
Skullkor began a little cheaper than the other sets - I'm going to go out on a limb and say he might have been twelve, compared to fourteen for the others (I certainly wouldn't swear to that, though). Because of that, he's being held to a slightly easier standard in the packaging/extras section, which is why he managed a nine when the others had to make do with an eight.
But this is somewhat misleading, because these are now the same price: seven bucks. So, if you're just going to pick up one, I don't know this is neccessarily the one I'd suggest. There are pluses and minuses to all of these. But if you're in the market for the skeleton of an aborted alien fetus or a skeletal demon to battle your six inch figures, I can't reccommend this guy more. He's really great.
Toys R Us has been trying to unload these for months at seven bucks. Actually, I got him a touch cheaper - closer to six - because all clearance items were 20% off when I picked him up. Any of the Skeleflex figures are a great deal at this price.
But this is somewhat misleading, because these are now the same price: seven bucks. So, if you're just going to pick up one, I don't know this is neccessarily the one I'd suggest. There are pluses and minuses to all of these. But if you're in the market for the skeleton of an aborted alien fetus or a skeletal demon to battle your six inch figures, I can't reccommend this guy more. He's really great.
Toys R Us has been trying to unload these for months at seven bucks. Actually, I got him a touch cheaper - closer to six - because all clearance items were 20% off when I picked him up. Any of the Skeleflex figures are a great deal at this price.
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