Valaverse launched a new toy line this year that is connected to Action Force: The Black. The Black features a group of modern day "pirates" who are made up of former Navy Seals. Blackbeard is the moniker taken by Austin Moore, the commanding officer of the group known as The Black. The Black don't seem to be straight up good guys or bad guys in the Action Force/ Valaverse lore; instead, they're just kind of their own faction.. Yes, they're protecting the coast of the now divided US from outside forces but they're also controlling trade and seemingly engaging in piracy. They're connected to and loyal to each other, rather than the warring factions of the Citadel, Action Force, or the SWARM. Modern day pirates? Cool stuff and not something you see that much in modern day action figures. Blackbeard shipped over the summer along with a few other new releases from The Black and Action Force and I've had him for a few months now. He's a solid figure and definitely one of the most interesting releases from Valaverse this year. Ready to check out the leader of the Black? Then join me after the break...
The Facts:
Height: 6 7/8ths inches
Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed drop down hips, ball jointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, balljointed neck base, hinged neck, and a ball jointed head.
Accessories: 8 swappable hands, vest, 4 vest holsters, 4 pistols, 2 swappable portraits, watch, knife, sheath, sawed off shotgun, holster, machete, machete sheath, and display stand.
Non Scalper Price: $28 dollars
The Positives:
* If you're not familiar with Action Force, Valaverse's flagship line, then you should know that these are 1/12th scale military action figures that are very similar in design and feel to the G.I. Joe: Classified Series and the various Big Bad Workshop lines like Operation: Monster Force and Soldiers of Fortune. Action Force tends to focus on a more real world aesthetic with detailed, customizable gear. I didn't take off Blackbeard's vest for the shot above but it is removable, and it's all he's wearing on his torso. His skin looks like he's definitely spending a lot of time in the sun and has somewhat of a grungy feel to him. He's wearing just what he needs and what he wants to scare his victims. Tacti-cool definitely might be the perfect word to fit this guy. He's an excellent figure of a mercenary or soldier of fortune; someone who you just do not want to mess around with.
* If you told me that Blackbeard had recently signed to the WWE I would definitely believe you. This guy looks like an absolute beast. He is, of course, sporting a full black beard, because it would be silly if he wasn't. There's some really nice detail in his face and you can see that he's getting some sun on the high seas. The Valaverse portraits can be very hit or miss but I think this one is definitely a hit. I think the details look printed and it's quite well done. There's some excellent detail and a lot of personality. His hair is cut in a high and tight but also pulled back in cornrows.
* A second portrait is included which has a bandanna permanently covering Blackbeard's lower face. The paintjob looks quite crude and intimidating, like something done quickly and rather haphazardly. I really like the effect, especially when combined with his skeletal gloves. It seems like something done simply to intimidate his foes.
* Check out the tattoo that runs all down his left arm. It's a skull with octopus like tentacles, something that seems to be symbolic for The Black. The Black is actually the name of a mysterious, seemingly supernatural figure with a skeletal visage and Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean like appearance. Is he an actual being, a tall tale and rumor, or a member of the team wearing a costume? I'm guessing the latter, but he does exist as a figure and this nicely printed tattoo looks a bit like him.
* Blackbeard's vest is a removable piece but there's no reason that you'd want to take it off as this thing is really cool. First, it features four holsters (they are removable, though that leaves holes in the vest). Like the real Blackbeard, Edward Teach, this Blackbeard carries multiple pistols into battle. He's also sporting multiple SEAL Tridents (Special Warfare Insignias) on his vest. The lore says that these are the insignias of his fallen fellow SEALs and he wears them to remember their sacrifices. That's a really interesting piece of storytelling and the details look excellent.
* Besides just sporting cargo pants, Blackbeard is also sporting kneepads and some boots with a lot of armor on them. The treads on the bottom of his boots are also really detailed, offering up a very cool design overall.
* The articulation model on The Black is the same as on the newer Action Force figures, which means they're also quite similar to the other 1/12th scale military figures I mentioned above. The Valaverse figures feel like they're made of a harder plastic than most of those other figures, though, and they're pretty sturdy. The lateral "butterfly" joints work well here and you can get excellent poses, especially when using the multiple hand poses that are included.
* Not only is Blackbeard's watch removable but it's also really detailed. I mean, you can actually see the hands and the larger numbers. That's crazy!
* Eight swappable hands are included. Besides giving you multiple display options (pistol grips, fists, standard grips, and open palms for cradling a rifle), these also have sculpted bone details on them. These are some wild gloves and I would assume that the bones on them provide some additional hand protection.
* Since life at sea can be cruel and harsh, a hooded cloak is included to protect Blackbeard from the elements. It's made from a good quality material and it doesn't look oversized or too thick and puffy. It's also wired, allowing it to be posed and fussed with so it fits over the figure perfectly. It's a nice extra and it does give you another way to display the figure. It works quite well, especially when posed with the masked headsculpt.
* Blackbeard is loaded down with weapons that are perfect for close quarters combat. First up is a sawed off shotgun. It's a double-barrel shotgun with an excellent paintjob and the ability to "break" in half at the jointing. This little weapon is a piece of art.
* Blackbeard keeps this weapon at the ready in a specially designed holster on his left thigh. There are even a few additional shells sculpted onto the holster in case he needs to reload.
* His knife looks like a Ka-Bar and it also has an excellent paintjob. Most of the Valaverse accessories have excellent paintjobs and it's hard to overestimate how much that improves the look of each accessory.
* The combat knife fits securely into the sheath on his right thigh.
* I mentioned above that the historical Blackbeard carried multiple pistols into battle because reloading was a long and tedious process back then. Well, this Blackbeard carries multiple pistols as well, though they're automatics, so he has an ample supply of ammunition in each one. He's toting four short barreled M1911 pistols with two different finishes. Why bother reloading when you can just grab another pistol? That's the Matrix method right there!
* The four holsters on the vest can hold all four pistols. It's really a cool feature and it's yet another feature that really make this figure stand out.
* Last up is a really dangerous looking machete. Consider this the modern day version of the pirate cutlass.
* There's a sheath that plugs into the hole on Blackbeard's back, allowing the machete to be stored securely for when things go from bad to worse.
* A display stand is also included. This one looks like cracked pavement and features six foot pegs and a slit for displaying the file card (which is part of the backer card that you cut out). I wish every company would include a display stand with their action figures, don't you?
There absolutely are a lot of Valaverse figures that reuse the same base bodies, armor pieces, and even helmets and such, but when they offer up more unique characters they really shine. Blackbeard is a very inspired 1/12th scale military action figure and it's really impressive by the amount of detail and value here for the $28 dollar price. Each of his many weapons has multiple paint applications, he has wired soft goods, two portraits, and a display stand. This guy is Epic and is definitely my favorite Valaverse figure of the year. Heck, he might end up being one of my favorites overall. This guy is loaded and punches far above his price range, which I suppose is one of the nicest things you can say about a pirate, right?
This is the first figure of Blackbeard, AKA Austin Moore.
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