I'm really a fan of Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction's Operation: Monster Force line and today I'm reviewing what is absolutely my favorite figure from them to date: The Donner Party. Yes, while it's one figure who definitely gives off Frankenstein's Monster-like vibes, the character still goes by the name The Donner Party. Why's that? Well, according to the comic included on his packaging and in the bios found online, he's actually a being made from the remains of some of the half-eaten corpses left behind from the ill-fated Donner Party from their disastrous winter of 1846-1847 in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Put back together by a mad scientist known only as The Devil's Caretaker, the Donner Party has spent the past two centuries following and keeping a protective watch over the descendants of the relatives of the folks who make up his body. After a descendant of the Donner family, a woman named Isola Donner who is one of the four women in the world with purple eyes, is taken by the Forgotten King, The Donner Party comes out of hiding and joins up with Operation: Monster Force to help them find the whereabouts of their greatest foe.
Wow! That's one heck of a story. I love how instead of just giving us a slightly different take on the Frankenstein Monster, Operation: Monster Force has instead transplanted the character into an American context, steeping him in elements of western and pioneer folklore. He's an incredible figure and one of the standouts of the line to date. Ready to see what Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction have cooking here? Then join me after the break...
The Facts:
Height: 6 and 3/8ths inches
Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, thigh swivels, balljointed hips, balljointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, lateral pectoral hinges, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, balljointed neck base, hinged neck, and a balljointed head.
Accessories: 8 swappable hands, arm bandanna, two chest straps, cloak, rifle, submachine gun, revolver, machete, sheath, and a gravestone display base.
Non-Scalper Price: $40 dollars
The Positives:
* I absolutely love the design of this figure. While there are elements of the base body shared with other figures in the line, the base figure still has a look that feels like something out of a Western. The Donner Party is clearly inspired by Frankenstein, sure, but he's also a pioneer, a tracker, and a frontiersman. The paintjob has lots of weathering and his outfit has a nice texture that seems very classic, showing off clothes that have been around for awhile with bits and pieces replaced as needed. You know, definitely stuff a 178 year old roaming revenant.
* I love the portrait here. There's so much character in Donner's face and his eyes and gritted teeth are impressively painted. I can just call him Donner, right? For short. Yeah, I'm, going to do that. He's a great Frankenstein-like character and I absolutely adore that he's a hero rather than a villain. Good paint, a great sculpt, and even a metal bolt on his left temple.
* Here's a shot from the side to really show off the sunken cheeks, the rotten skin texture, and the brass plate that's keeping Donner's brains from showing. The metal color looks great with lots of tarnish from years in the elements.
* On his right bicep there's a removable bandanna that actually looks to be a very old and weathered American flag. Just a nice bit of Americana alongside the various bits of history and folklore that characterize this figure.
* The Donner Party's gloves are very cool. They look like they're made of leather with various brass elements on them, almost like brass knuckles on the knuckles, along with a more decorative design on the wrists. The wrists covers are removable, just FYI. Pop off the hand and they slide right off.
* Check out this pouch on the side of the belt: Look at all of the interesting stuff The Donner Party is carrying. A detailed pouch with an interesting design and beads, a toy rabbit splashed with blood, a U.S. Marshall's bade (you can see "U.S. Marshall" sculpted on the badge), and various feathers attached to metal designs. Where did he acquire all of these things? It's an interesting design element that tells a story and makes this guy an even more sympathetic character. Friends and family he's lost along the way? How many people has The Donner Party befriended or had rivalries with that we'll never know about?
* Here's a shot from the pack so you can see more of The Donner Party's outfit and the bullets he carries on his belt.
* To keep warm as he trudges through the mountains, across the plains, and while he's out riding fences, Donner has some cool furry covers over his boots. There's also some very cool detail on the toes of his boots to show off the wear on the tips.
* To really give him his own unique look you'll want to slap at least one of these chest straps on The Donner Party. Likely both. They're quite neat looking and just give him a bit more of a frontier, roughrider kind of vibe. If you're going to use the included serape/ poncho, one might work better than two, but it's your call.
* I'm not sure whether to call this a serape or a mantle cape but it's a really nice soft goods piece for Donner that fits over the figure well while looking suitably worn. It's a thick material, but it's made to look rough, worn, and damaged. The remnants of bloodstains and cuts and tears from many battles cover it, making it believably a garment worn by someone surviving over the centuries.
* The serape/ mantle/ cape is also wired, allowing you to pose it as if it's blowing in the wind while The Donner Party roams the earth like Caine on Kung Fu.
* The articulation is excellent here with plentiful joints, most of which have a great range of motion, and a quality build. In hand, these figures feel like a blend between the G.I. Joe: Classified Series (joint design, etc.) and Action Force (harder plastic). They're really high quality figures and are incredibly fun to pose. The Donner Party looks great in firing poses or just standing around as a grim yet vigilant sentinel.
* Eight hands are included: A pair of pistol grips, a pair of open hands with splayed fingers, a pair of grips, and a pair of fists. They swap easily and all have the same nice paintjob with elements of brass on the gloves. Now, the real question is whether these are just different poses for the character's hands or are they actual hands form other members of the doomed Donner Party and this guy keeps them close (at hand) and swaps them out as he needs them?
* The Donner Party comes with an excellent assortment of weapons, all of which have very crisp sculpts and are cast in a very firm plastic. I believe Gridiron Studios does the design work so you know you're getting a quality product. First up is a rifle that looks like a Winchester model 1873 short rifle with a larger loop lever. This is a really compact and uncommon Winchester design and it's a fascinating piece. I love the detailing and the classic design.
* Next up is a Thompson submachinegun, aka the Tommy gun. This is another classic American designed weapon and it's a cool accessory to have for Donner to have some automatic fire. He's using a box magazine instead of a drum magazine but that's probably the more reliable way to go. What a fine take on the classic SMG! The detail is just so impressive!
* Donner's revolver is another classic model. It's a top break revolver (the cylinder doesn't slide out; the cylinder and barrel are hinged and fold down) and it looks like maybe a Smith & Wesson Model 4 (though I could very well be wrong). It's another piece that's both rugged and gorgeous in its design.
* There's also a holster on Donner's belt that holds this beauty perfectly.
* His last weapon is a very intricate machete. Check out the design of the blade! Both sides have an incredible etched pattern and a nice bit of paintwork and wash so you can appreciate all of the fine details.
* There's even a sheath to store the machete which can fit onto one of the straps on The Donner Party's back. Not only does it have a leather like texture but all of the little rivets around the edge are painted as well. I definitely have to say that nothing about this line ever feels like paint apps or sculpted details are half-baked. There's a quality to everything from the figure itself to the smaller accessories.
* Four firing effects are included which can be used in the hollow barrels of the Winchester or the Thompson SMG. There are three different firing effects and a wisp of smoke. The effects look impressive, offer up a decent variety, and are made from a somewhat flexible material so you have less reason to worry about the little pegs snapping off.
* Each standard figure in the series comes with a display stand personalized with their name on it in red letters. There are two pegs and the stand has a decent sized footprint, so it's not going to fall over easily. It's a great way to display The Donner Party on your shelf!
* The base can also be stood up to serve as a tombstone display piece. There's some excellent sculpted detail here and some nice paint effects. Really impressive stuff.
* The Operation: Monster Force figures each come in a five panel box with an opening front flap (and a magnet to keep the flap closed). On the back of the flap is a pretty cool comic unique to the character. I love that Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction are doing this as it is a welcome touch of the old fashioned storytelling that we used to see on action figure packaging back when it was more commonly found on store shelves and had to entice buyers.
* My only issue with this figure is with the ankle. I like how the ankles attach to the foot at an angle as it gives the figure a pretty solid range of motion but the ankle pegs were really stiff here on the right leg, making this guy a chore to loosen up and get poses.
If you can't tell from the review, The Donner Party is one of my favorite action figures of 2025. The design, the concept, the weapons. Everything is just about as nice as you can expect from an action figure that's not being sold for an absolutely insane amount of money like a high end, Japanese import or something. There's just so much imagination here and The Donner Party is one of the coolest reimaginings of the Frankenstein mythos that I've ever come across. This guy is Epic and I feel like he's probably the absolute "Must Buy" figure from the latest set of releases (which includes Season 0 and Season 2 figures).
This is the first figure of The Donner Party that I've reviewed. For more Operation: Monster Force reviews check out the following:
If you can't tell from the review, The Donner Party is one of my favorite action figures of 2025. The design, the concept, the weapons. Everything is just about as nice as you can expect from an action figure that's not being sold for an absolutely insane amount of money like a high end, Japanese import or something. There's just so much imagination here and The Donner Party is one of the coolest reimaginings of the Frankenstein mythos that I've ever come across. This guy is Epic and I feel like he's probably the absolute "Must Buy" figure from the latest set of releases (which includes Season 0 and Season 2 figures).
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