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bbi Lucifer

Guest reviewer Mark D. is back, with another terrific sixth scale review - take it away, Mark!

This is Blue Box Toys' (BBI) most recent release from their Elite Force "Terminate" series (the bad guys). This figure is named Lucifer and he is a "sniper assassin." This was one of those figures that I wanted as soon as I saw the pictures.






Packaging - ***
If you've ever read my reviews before, you know that boxes are nothing more than functional transportation vessels to me. I immediately rip them apart to get at the goodies inside. However, this box does feature great graphics and photos and the flap style box that allows full viewing of the contents. For those collectors that like to keep the boxes, this is kind of a mixed blessing. The figure and accessories on the box side are easily removed and could be easily returned. However, the accessories on the flap side are impossible to remove without destroying the box.

Sculpting - ****
The head sculpt is great. The sculpt looks A LOT like Robert DeNiro, and the whole set looks a heck of a lot like the DeNiro character from the movie "Heat". Even if you don't agree with the De \Niro comparison, it is still a great sculpt. He's got a determined piercing glare and looks like a paid assassin.

Paint - ****
The head is the only thing is the only thing that is really painted. BBI did an EXCELLENT job on this head. The skin tones are right on, there's a three-day growth of goatee beard and I count multiple color layers to make the hair blend. This is one of the best I have ever seen.

Articulation - ***1/2
BBI has articulation that is comparable to the other top figures on the market. I especially like the "ratchet" type joints that allow the figures to retain even the most awkward poses. This figure comes with two sets of  "gloved" hands. There is only a slight difference in the poses of the hands but the subtle differences can make a world of difference in his poses. This is a sniper/rifleman who can actually cock his head correctly to look through his scope. If he had a head/neck that could look up better, this would be a ****

Accessories/Outfit - ****
The basic "uniform" is a pair of gray slacks and a black Polo type shirt. He also comes with rubber "urban" style combat boots. All are nice and functional with nice detail. He wears a "leather" load-bearing vest that connects to a Sam Browne style police belt. It all features metal buckles and clips. Very nice. The entire ensemble is covered up with a trench coat. It has nice details that include functioning pockets. NOW THE GOOD STUFF…He comes with two flash bangs and two baseball style CS teargas grenades. Both have real pins and nice details. He comes with a silver "metal" colored Ruger Mk-3 .22 caliber pistol with two clips. The pistol fits nicely into a holster on the belt. He has a survival type knife and scabbard that is "sewn" into the inside of his jacket. Lucifer's main tool of the trade is in his "metal" padded briefcase. He has an AR7 rifle that can be fully broken down. The stock of the rifle holds a barrel, the main firing housing (with a working bolt action) and a magazine. If this iron sight barrel isn't to his liking, then he has a second barrel and scope in his briefcase. All of the detail on this stuff is great and it all fits together nicely. There's even a sheet of airline tag stickers to put on the briefcase.

Play Factor - **1/2
This figure is more suited to striking a pose on a collector's shelf than it is riding an avalanche down a back yard log pile. The BBI figures are overall pretty sturdy but the mini-clips and other items on the vest and weapons won't take a lot of abuse before popping off or breaking.

Value - ***
I got him on line at Hot Rod's Collectibles for $35 delivered. It's a nice price when compared to comparable figures on the market like Dragon. The quality is high end but there was no skimping on the details and accessories.

Overall - ***15/16
As I mentioned at the start of the review, this is one "gotta have it" figure that I wanted as soon as I saw it. This is by far my favorite modern figure that I have bought in the past few years!!! Nothing is ever perfect, but this guy is close. If I was a little more confident in his durability, he'd be a ****

Where to Buy
Where to Buy - As I mentioned earlier, I got this one at Hot Rod's Collectibles. Other on-line options:

- Entertainment Earth has it for $38 plus shipping. (MROTW affiliate)

- Good Stuff to Go has a good price at $29 plus shipping.

The Rater: Mark D is an avid action figure collector old enough to have gotten vintage GI Joes for Christmas as a kid, but still young enough to play with his toys. He collects mostly vintage AT GI Joe stuff but still likes to grab the cool stuff that comes out now, especially law enforcement figures and accessories. He's been a regular at The Sandbox (alt.toys.gi-joe) since he first came on line about five years ago. He's always looking to swap with other Joe-head and assist them in finding the hard to find stuff. You can contact him at mmdals1@aol.com or visit his site at www.the-precinct.com


Figure from the collection of Mark D.

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