In our continuing mission to bring to the attention of the Connecticut College community the finest in leisurely diversions, we have chosen for this week’s installment to shine a critical eye on a lesser-appreciated form of artistry: action figures (for the little ones), costing no more than five dollars American.
Design Integrity: Dave’s chosen figurine is the villainous Avalanche of the animated series Wolverine and the X-Men.
Made of a heavy plastic material, Avalanche is able to withstand the frequent onslaught of a small child. His limited points of articulation (ten in all, including swiveling calf muscles) make him a durable figure with plenty of replay value.
Davis’ toy, Jedi Kit Fisto from the classic Star Wars: Clone Wars series, also features a variety of moveable parts, though his tall and slender physique makes balancing a treacherous task! The light rubberized plastic used in his clothing may also be susceptible to damages from the sun or curious animals.
EDGE: Avalanche.
Predictability: Avalanche’s limited range of poses and lack of projectile weapons make him a safe product to have around skittish children. However, his attachable shockwave blast attack can be mounted on either his hands or his feet, making the manner of his attack quite unpredictable.
In the predictability category, Mr. Fisto proves particularly problematic. Not only do his lightsaber-wielding hands spin in both directions, but his pack-mounted rockets also have a tendency to fire at random intervals.
Though this would seem to provide Avalanche with yet another edge, we must ask ourselves: do we want predictability in our action figures?
EDGE: Indiscernible.
Realism: Avalanche is certainly a formidable foe; his hand mounted plastic shockwave blast attack looks very much how one would imagine a superhuman shockwave might appear in real life, with its translucent amber color and widening gyre. Furthermore, his Fu Manchu juxtaposed with a savvy soul patch is a bold aesthetic statement.
While Kit Fisto’s proportions are certainly more in sync with traditional human anatomy, his rigidity comes across as hostile and the cavalier smirk on his green, tentacled skull hardly seems to betray the sort of attitude one would expect from a seasoned Jedi.
EDGE: Avalanche.
CONSENSUS: None. Both figurines, like the very best of us, have their strengths and weaknesses.
Happy trails and best of luck in this week’s scholarly pursuits! Be sure to read our column next time, when we’ll be comparing and contrasting hairless cats and angora rabbits.
