Review – Reactor Station Alpha

Sideshow Collectibles is no stranger to high-end, high-quality toys and statues, but this Reactor Station Alpha action figure display* (first mentioned here) is the first time I’ve ever seen their statue skills applied directly to the action figure market. And what we get is an almost-perfect action figure display; but one that’s not at all well-suited to the 12-inch scale action figures that Sideshow specializes in.

Packaging

It’s a fairly simple brown cardboard box with some printed images and a color label applied to one side. Nothing fancy or special, but it’s inside the box where we can really appreciate the effort Sideshow puts into their packaging. Two massive blocks of custom-cut styrofoam, taped securely together, protected the pieces of the action figure display during shipping and I didn’t see any dings or nicks in the parts.

As with many of Sideshow’s boxes this is one I’ll want to store; whenever I need to move again I’ll want the packaging to protect the display.

Limited to 500 Pieces

The back of the box, and the underside of the display base, both have this display identified as #140 or 500. $90 is a lot to pay for an action figure display, but considering the size and weight of this piece — along with the limited number of copies that were made — $90 is actually a very good price. I’m not entirely sure why Sideshow decided to limit the Reactor Station Alpha display to 500 pieces (build demand for future action figure displays?), but the individual number on each display is a nice touch.

Four Individual Parts

The Reactor Station Alpha display is made of four parts: the display base (shown above), the mechanical columns (shown below), and two partial barrier pieces that slip into holes in the base. The two large parts are extremely heavy and durable (the entire display weighs about 6.5 lbs.), but those two plastic barriers are fragile and feel like they’re gonna snap at any moment.

Fortunately, Michael Crawford posted a review of the display last week so I was prepared for these plastic bits. In the review, Crawford warns readers about the parts, saying:

“The handrails are plastic and will snap off if you put any real side to side pressure on them. I have a fear that one of my figures might take a dive and break one of the hand rails in the process, so it might be worth considering when you set up the display.”

It didn’t take me more than a few seconds to understand — and feel — Crawford’s fear of a figure toppling over and snapping the plastic barriers. If there’s one huge complaint I have with this display it has to be that such cheap plastic parts were included in what is otherwise an excellent and well-manufactured piece.

Scale Issues

Advertised for 12-inch scale action figures, the base portion of the base works just fine. About 12-inches wide by 7-inches deep, the base is an excellent size for 12-inch scale figures. It’s the height of the columns — roughly 10-inches — that doesn’t work well for 12-inch scale action figures. The photo above shows how a 12-inch scale Stormtrooper towers over the display; he just looks goofy standing on this piece.

In the above photo you can see one of the ArtFX Clone Trooper Statues** (review here) setup on the Reactor Station Alpha display. MUCH better. 7-inch scale action figures are a better choice for display on this piece than 12-inch scale figures.

But let’s see how my favorite scale — 3.75-inch — looks on the display.

Fantastic! Here we get a look at one of the clones from the ARC-170 Elite Squad Battle Pack** (review here) and a Saleucami Trooper (review here) setup on the display. Both figures look great, and you can easily see how six or seven 3.75-inch scale action figures could stand up on this piece without looking out of place.

Closing Thoughts

The Reactor Station Alpha is a beautiful action figure display with an excellent paint job and a sculpt that’s as sharp and attractive as any Sideshow statue. Other than the issue of scale (which really isn’t a problem if you grab the piece knowing it will work best with figures about 3 to 8-inches in height), and the flimsy barriers/rails, this is a display piece that belongs in any collection that’s focused on display rather than play. Unfortunately, the limited run and high cost means that few collectors will get to add one of these to their collection.

I hope we see Sideshow — and other companies — produce more action figure displays. If someone out there can produce pieces along these lines (though hopefully in greater numbers) for about half the price they may find an eager market. After all, how many of us wouldn’t like more attractive displays for our action figure collections?

*Affiliate link: Orders using this link earn battlegrip.com cash, which is applied to buying toys.
**Affiliate link: Orders using this link earn battlegrip.com cash, which is applied to buying toys.
***Affiliate link: Orders using this link earn battlegrip.com cash, which is applied to buying toys.

Philip Reed is now hoping his Minimate display from Luke’s Toy Store arrives soon. That display is probably going to be perfect for Glyos figures.