Raphael is my favorite member of the TMNT and the Wolfman is my favorite of the Universal Monsters crew, so you can probably guess that I'm predisposed to liking this guy! Raphael as The Wolfman is another figure that's new in NECA's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles X Universal Monsters line for 2024 and, while there was a Wolfman figure in the vintage Playmates toyline, it wasn't Raph. Leonardo was the Wolfman in the first series of Playmates' figures from 1993 (Raphael was the Mummy in 1993 and the Metalua Mutant from This Island Earth in 1994). This version is fully in color though there's also a black and white variant partnered up for a double feature with Leonardo as the Hunchback, offered as a Walmart exclusive this past summer. I actually liked this guy so much I picked that setup, too. Ready to check out this "carnivorous canine creature?" Then join me after the break...
The Facts:
Height: inches
Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, double hinged knees w/ upper swivel, balljointed hips, swivel/hinge shoulders, double swivel/hinge elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, balljointed neck base, and a barbell jointed head.
Accessories: 6 swappable hands, 2 swappable portraits, bone sai, cane sai, and trap.
Non-Scalper Price: $38 dollars
* I love this figure! I really does look like the 1990 TMNT move version of Raphael wearing Lon Chaney Jr.'s Wolfman costume. Well, not just wearing his costume: Actually transformed into the Lon Chaney Jr's Wolfman. The overall body proportions are very TMNT, as are details like the number of fingers and toes, but he does have the lupine legs of the Wolfman and, of course, he's covered in fur. He's wearing the green button up shirt and blue trousers we always associate with Larry Talbot but he's also sporting his brown belt and knee and elbow pads from the 1990 movie version of Raph.
* Raph's second sai is similar to the first, but the butt of the handle has the same decorative object as the head of the cane werewolf cane that Larry Talbot purchases from Gwen Conliffe's antique shop in The Wolfman. That's a cool little detail, isn't it?
* Wolfie Raph also comes with a trap that he has to avoid. Or maybe he's setting it out to catch the members of the foot. Seriously, who knows what play pattern Playmates had in mind when they originally released the TMNT/ Universal Monster hybrids back in the 1990s.
* The trap is really quite nice as both jaws are articulated and the chain is actually metal.
* Raph's sai can fit right into the loops on his belt, leaving his hands free for clawing, slashing, and scratching at fleas.
The Negatives:
* Unfortunately, the sai are kind of large and they're a bit awkward in his belt. be careful you don't bend them!
As I said at the beginning, it's kind of hard to go wrong when you blend my favorite Universal Monster with my favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Raphael as the Wolfman is really fun and a clever combination of both brands. This isn't just a werewolf Raphael: This is definitely Larry Talbot's Wolfman from the Universal Studios film. The accessories are clever and fun, the two portraits are excellent and nicely varied, and the figure is covered with fun details that are both kooky and frightening. A furry shell? Sure, let's go with it. This is an Epic figure and definitely one to pick up if you need both more turtles and more werewolves in your collection.
For more of Larry Talbot, the Wolf Man, I've also reviewed the Funko ReAction Wolf Man, the Real Ghostbusters Wolfman Monster, the McFarlane's Monsters Werewolf Playset, the Imaginext Wolfman, and Luke Talbot (the Wolfman) from Monster Force.
For more Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles X Universal Monsters by NECA check out the following:
Leonardo as the Creature from the Black Lagoon
For more Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles X Universal Monsters by NECA check out the following:
Leonardo as the Creature from the Black Lagoon
No comments:
Post a Comment
What'chu talkin' 'bout?