Packaging - ***1/2
Beautiful work again. Tuxedo Kermit comes in the carded package, same
as the series 1 regular figures. The TRU version looks exactly the
same, but the Toyfare version (pictured) has a Toyfare Exclusive sticker on
the front.
VC Beaker comes in a great little
window box, easy to open and remove the figure without destroying anything,
complete with a J-hook on top to hang it on the wall.
Sculpting - ****
The sculpts on both are simply excellent. This is of course the same
Beaker as the one that comes with the playset, and since I loved him there,
it's unlikely I'd knock him on sculpting here.
This Kermit is actually an
improvement on the regular release. Yes, we have to have our regular
looking Kermit, but this one has thicker legs due to the pants, and he's got
better posture because of it. Maybe that's my problem?
Paint - ***
The concept behind Beaker is great - he gets the vanishing cream on his
upper body, causing half the figure to be 'invisible'. It works well, and
the paint ops are the trick.
Rather than end the paint abruptly
on his body, it sort of fades into clear. It's nicely done and looks
great. My only knock on Beakers paint work is his eyes. I guess
the white pupils are the invisible version of the black pupils?
Perhaps it looks better this way than having completely clear eyes, but
something about it just doesn't sit right.
I've heard lots of people
complaining about the paint ops on the Tuxedo Kermits. Mine is
actually pretty nice, although the black is a little inconsistent,
particularly across the back, and there was a little overspray around the
hands.
Accessories - ****
VC Beaker has only one accessory, but it's a beaut - the partially squeezed
tube of vanishing cream. It looks great, and it fits nicely into his
hand.
Kermit comes with three
accessories, technically. He comes with the same television camera
that the normal Kermit does, with moving lever and twisting/ extending pole,
and the same 25th anniversary foot stand, but also comes with his new top
hat. There's a hole in the back of his head that fits the post on the
hat perfectly, and just like Dr. Teeth, he looks a lot better with it on
than off.
Articulation - Kermit ***1/2,
Beaker ****
Kermit is the least articulated of all the figures released so far, and of
course this version isn't any different. Neck, ball jointed shoulders,
wrists, hips, waist and ankles round him out. The tuxedo makes this
figure a lot sturdier than his nekkid counterpart, and he has no trouble
standing on his own.
Beaker has neck, ball jointed
shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, hips and ankles. He can hold quite a
few unique poses, and will look terrific on your shelf.
Value - **1/2
That depends on where you pick them up of course, but both of these are more
expensive than the regular releases due to their smaller runs and
exclusivity.
The Toys R Us price for Kermit
was around $11 - through Toyfare it was around $15. Estimates on the
number of each is approximately 3000 for the Toyfare version, and 8000 for
the TRU version.
The VC Beaker is in much
shorter supply, with about 1700 being sold at Wizard World in Chicago, and
another 1000 or so through the collectors club. They were getting $15
at the show, and a membership to the club cost $30.
Overall - ***1/2
Only the higher price forced by the exclusivity is bringing these down a
tad. They are both excellent variations, true to the show and great
to look at on the shelf.
Where to Buy -
Your local Toys R Us may still have the Tuxedo Kermit, and if you watch
out at the Palisades site, you may be able to get the VC Beaker through
the new collector club. Also on-line:
- Amazon.com
still has the Tuxedo Kermit, but at $15. Search under 'kermit', and
you'll see him listed as the Masters of Ceremonies Kermit. (MROTW Affiliate)
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