Review of The Mummy - Universal Monsters action figure
Deluxe Edition

Introduction

Diamond Select Toys has been doing a terrific job with the Universal Monsters license over the last few years.  Always working to improve whenever they can, DST has released a new wave of old favorites, including the Mummy and the Wolfman.  They've produced these characters before, but 'version 2', as they are calling them, are all new sculpts and accessories, with some improved articulation as well.

I'm checking out the Mummy tonight. This is the 'deluxe' release, generally designed for the online retailer market, and includes the larger diorama piece. Expect to pay around $20 - $25 each, depending on the retailer.

Packaging - ***1/2
These online releases come in the large bookshelf packages. This design allows for the MOC collector to keep a larger number of figures on a shelf, lined up neatly next to each other, with each spline indicating the figure inside. While not collector friendly packaging - you will have to destroy it to remove the figure and accessories - it is very attractive, and works well for the MOCer.

Sculpting - ***1/2
The talented Jean St. Jean went back to the beginning and created this new sculpt for version 2 of everyone's favorite shambling monster. Of course, it was Boris Karloff that was under the makeup, and they've done a solid job capturing the movie likeness. 

Comparing this sculpt to a still of the monster or of Karloff as Ardeth Bey, and you can see the good...and the bad. The detailing on the dried, parchment-like skin is excellent, including the exposed tip of the nose. I'm not too kin on the more rectangular shape of the head, and I think the look is being thrown off by a too small nose, but overall it's a very detailed representation.

The bandages look terrific, sporting a weathered, aged look and a perfect texture to imply ancient cloth. Overall proportions are great, and the detailing extends to the hands, where even the ring is included and cleanly sculpted. The left hand is sculpted in a gesturing pose, while the right can be used to grip some of the accessories.

These are larger scale figures, around 8", and the Mummy fits in properly with the rest of the line, coming in at 8 1/4" tall.

Paint - ***1/2
Using a heavy wash, they've highlighted the texture and detailing of the sculpt, particularly on the face. There's not a ton of small detail work with a character like this, but the heavy lidded eyes are quite well done, and even the small ring is relatively clean considering the scale.

The majority of the paint detailing is on the accessories and base, where there's quite a bit more color and bright designs.  The Egyptian theme looks great, and even the heavy bronze color of the statue is nicely done with appropriate weathering and aging.

Articulation - ****
The Mummy is a shambling, slow character with very restricted movement on screen. How the Hell he ever caught anyone is the real mystery, but DST has gone out of their way to provide a true action figure here, with far greater mobility than poor Boris ever had in the costume.

There's a terrific ball jointed neck with lots of tilt and lean action in every direction, as well as rotating hinge shoulders, cut biceps, pin elbows, pin and cut wrists, rolling chest, cut waist, double hinge hips, cut thighs, pin knees, and pin/rocker ankles. All those joints work cleanly and smoothly, and he is easily able to take and hold a wide variety of poses.

I'm particularly happy to see that the rocker ankles are becoming more and more prevalent in figures in every scale. They make deeper and wider stances not only more stable, but more realistic in appearance.

Accessories - ***1/2
This deluxe version includes a nifty diorama base, as well as four loose goodies.

The base has foot pegs for the figure, and a single peg to hold the large statue to his right, up on the square pedestal. Unfortunately, this is where my one issue arises. This single post is very, very short, either cut off or not installed correct at the factory.  This makes it difficult to keep the statue in place, and it topples over with the slightest touch.

However, the statue itself looks terrific.  The small item in her left hand (I assume it's a musical instrument called the sistrum) is actually another separate accessory as well! She has no articulation, but that's not unexpected.

There is also a broken bowl, bottle, and damaged scroll. These can be placed on the base where ever the mood strikes, or the monster can hold one in his right hand. Sculpting and paint work is excellent on all three.

You can save 6 or 7 bucks going with the regular releases on these (depending on the retailer), but the bases really are worth the extra cash.

Fun Factor - ***1/2
He's a great looking example of a classic monster, done up with exceptional articulation and a great looking display base.  You should have plenty of fun posing and re-posing him, and he is sturdy enough to be a true toy - no worries about breaking anything here.

Value - ***
The going rate of around $23 is pretty average for a collector themed figure these days. Most of the 6" scale versions are in that $18 - $20 range, so it's not surprising to spend a couple extra bucks on this larger size.  Add in the diorama pieces, and you're getting a solid value.

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing. I'm going to have to find a way to lengthen the post on the base for the statue, but I'm assuming this is a one off situation.

Overall - ***1/2
I'm a huge Universal Monsters fan, having grown up watching them every Saturday on Sir Graves Ghastly's show. I'm down for anyone doing figures, but DST has been adding quality releases to the collection over the last couple years.  Once again, this Mummy has great sculpting and paint, and incorporates more articulation than you'll probably ever need.  Add in the great diorama, and you have a set well worth the price tag.

I also have the Wolfman (version 2) and Lucy sitting here, and should get around to them over the next couple weeks or so.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***1/2
Sculpting - ***1/2
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - ****
Accessories - ***1/2
Fun Factor - ***1/2
Value - ***
Overall - ***1/2

Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- Entertainment Earth has him for $23.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
The last Mummy review I did was over a year ago - too long! I covered the Mezco stylized Mummy, and did the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Son of Frankenstein, and Van Helsing just before that. DST did the version 1 Mummy as well.

Other cool Mummy figures include the Sideshow Premium Format figure, the Sideshow sixth scale version, and the McFarlane Monsters version. 

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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