Review – Star Trek Galaxy Collection Original Spock

I’ve never really been a Star Trek fan. Sure, I enjoyed some of the Next Generation and Deep Space Nine episodes, and I still enjoy The Wrath of Khan, but I’ve never developed the overwhelming fanatical attraction to the show that many people have. I am a fan of 3.75-inch action figures, though, so I knew I had to try at least one of these. I wasn’t expecting a lot out of the series, though, because — as I said last month —

“Take a look at the larger pics and I think you’ll see why I’m not expecting much out of this series. Who designed these things, the DC Universe Infinite Heroes designers? Look at that Original Spock’s elbows.”

Well, today we take a look at a lot more than his elbows.

Packaging

Card. Blister. Artwork. You’ve seen this type of packaging many times before. The package design actually isn’t terrible, with the clear blister shaped to resemble the traditional Star Trek insignia. The card face is a little dull, though. And the card back, unfortunately, looks to be the same on each release, with the only variation between card backs being one showing the Transporter Room “collect-a-piece” image and the other showing the Bridge.

I’m probably going to be unfairly harsh on every part of this toy — but only because the action figure is so bad — so be warned. The lackluster, simple design doesn’t exactly fly off shelves and it feels like Playmates was counting on fanatical Star Trek buyers rather than an exciting design to sell this series.

To Boldly Avoid Joining Modern 3.75-inch Action Figures

The largest problem with the Original Spock action figure has to be the plastic coat that restricts what little articulation the figure has. With what is commonly known as t-joint legs, Original Spock could sit down if it wasn’t for the plastic coat blocking the leg movement. The figure’s other points of articulation include a swivel head (movement is also restricted by the coat), ball and hinge shoulders, elbows, and knees, and twisty wrists. If Spock had been released ten years ago — hell, even five years ago — he would have been just fine. As it is, Hasbro’s G.I Joe, Star Wars and Marvel Universe action figures are the quality I expect in 3.75-inch action figures these days . . . and Original Spock doesn’t even come close to the quality of those toys.

Spock’s sculpt is pretty good (for what it is) — the head actually looks nice — but dressing the character in a very plain outfit meant that Playmates would have been forced to actively try to suck in order to not do a decent job with the figure. The paint’s also nice — even if he’s mostly cast in gray plastic — without any obvious screwups on the face or hair. In fact, Original Spock’s paint is a little better than Marvel Universe Spider-Man (review here); if Playmates had put some effort into the toy’s articulation it might have turned out to be a decent addition to my 3.75-inch action figure collection. As it is, it’s just a disapointment.

Accessories

Huh? What are those? Original Spock comes with an extra hand — he can make the Vulcan gang sign or he can hold something (maybe a Star Wars weapon, since he didn’t come one) — as well as a stand and one piece of the Transporter Room playset. Not much, but the “build-a-transporter room” (and “build-a-bridge” for other figures in the line) concept excited me. The photos made it look as if collecting enough action figures would allow you to construct a cool display/playset piece.

The photos didn’t tell the entire story.

To build the Transporter Room you need not only four different action figures but also a $30 Transporter Room playset. And I looked at the playset at Target . . . lame. It looks incomplete without the pieces from the action figures. Seriously, Playmates? You take a cool idea like this and just kill it before it even gets a chance to succeed?

Well, at least they gave Original Spock a stand.

Closing Thoughts

To paraphrase myself: Who designed these damned things, Mattel’s DC Universe Infinite Heroes team? Original Spock is inexcusable, poorly articulated, lacking cool accessories, and no fun at all. Now Star Trek fans will probably disagree with me on all of this, their unhealthy love of the series preventing them from objectively looking at this toy, but I’m standing by my decision.

This toy sucks. Avoid this thing and the entire line.

For another opinion on the Star Trek Galaxy Collection series, take a look at this review at Michael Crawford’s site. In the review, the overall judgment isn’t far off from my own opinion (though phrased more politely than I did):

“For the most part, these figures are disappointing. Smaller than most other figures in this scale, with oddly shaped bodies, poor sculpting, and weak articulation, they remind me of 1995. Only Nero and Uhura were half decent.”

Michael Crawford seems to like the accessories, thinking that the playset pieces save the line. I disagree, but I can see where a collector who buys every figure — and the separate playset, don’t forget that! — might be happy with the final display.

Me? I’m done with this line and I’m happy I only picked up one figure.

P.S.

And if you thought the 6-inch Star Trek figures were going to be cool, take a look at this review at www.dorkdimension.com. Keep this statement in mind the next time you look at the 6-inch figures at the store:

“Overall, this is a very disappointing turn-out for Playmates.”

Update: It appears to be the day for reviewing new Star Trek action figures. Take a look at this less-than-glowing review of the 6-inch scale Kirk at www.articulateddiscussion.com. How bad is the toy? Check the review, but pretty sure this is the lowest scoring toy ever reviewed at www.articulateddiscussion.com. (If it isn’t the lowest, then it’s pretty close to the bottom of the stack.)

Philip Reed is overjoyed that he only bought one figure in this series. Even on clearance, and at a buck, these can stay on the pegs. This action figure is pretty bad for something from a major toy maker in 2009.