Trick or Treat for 31 Days of Toy Terror: Bub from Day of the Dead by Trick or Treat Studios

 

   What is this year's theme for 31 Days of Toy Terror? That's right: Toys that are connected to the holiday of Halloween itself! It's Trick or Treat for 31 Days of Toy Terror, baby! That can include toys that are based on things like Jack 'O Lanterns or action figures based on movies and such that take place at Halloween, sure, but what about toys from Trick or Treat Studios? You know what? I'm going to allow it! I've really taken a liking to Trick or Treat Studios various movie based toylines that are reminiscent of the five or six point of articulation action figures of the late 1980s and 1990s. They make me think of classic Kenner lines like The Real Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, Police Academy, and even stuff like Aliens, Predator, and Jurassic Park. Sure, other companies released toys like these, too, but these really give me that old school Kenner vibe. I've got a bunch of these lined up for this month but I'm definitely going to be checking out all four figures from Trick or Treat Studios' Day of the Dead line. I'm a huge fan of George Romero's zombie films and I was amazed when I saw these at my local Walmart in their horror section in the late spring/ early summer. I'm starting off with Bub, the most recognizable zombie from 1985's Day of the Dead. Ready to check out Bub with his "Undead Salute" action? Then join me after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 5 1/2 inches.

Articulation: Swivel hips, swivel shoulders, and a swivel neck.

Accessories: Pistol, cassette player with headphones, razor, and bucket.

Non-Scalper Price: $30 dollars

The Packaging:




* These guys come on blister cards with the film's logo on the front and an image of Bub. The back has the cross-sell image of the other four figures in the line and a collectible "Zombie Specimen" card from Dr. Matthew Logan. Nothing too special but it does feel like it fits the era of the action figures these guys are paying tribute too. 

The Positives:

* This is a pretty solid figure of Bub! Bub's smarter than your average zombie and still seems to retain some of his memory. He can also interact with a number of objects. Bub also seems to have some level of emotion. The figure is quite good and is instantly recognizable as one of the most recognizable zombies in movie history. The sculpt is really quite nice with crisp details and some solid paint applications. It's a nice compromise between feeling like a retro action figure while still also being a fun, decent looking new release. He's not under detailed or under painted just for the sake of looking retro. The detail on his jacket and ripped up shirt is quite good and really looks grimy fitting for the character.

* That's a pretty solid likeness to bub. He's got that pale green skin, a wonky expression with some visible teeth, and those freaky eyes. The paint on his eyes is just excellent. It's clear that Trick or Treat Studios' sculptor, Alexander Ray, really went for a likeness rather than just a "close enough" like you seen on many of the Kenner Star Wars styled figures. 

* Bub has a collar around his neck attached to a chain. The chain isn't removable but it is an actual length of tiny chain, so that's a near extra detail. I love extra stuff that is separate from the main sculpt as it just makes the figure feel more realistic and alive. 

* Bub's excellent paintwork and detailing even covers the back of the figure, too. Check out the stitching on his jacket, the ripped effect of the back of his shirt, and the slight weathering on his pants. It's all really well done, particularly for a figure designed to look and feel a bit retro. 

* Bub has an action feature that involves squeezing his legs together (the left hip activates the mechanic) in order to make his right shoulder lift up, as if he's saluting. Still, even with that, he does retain five points of articulation. He's more like one of those very late 1980s or 1990s Kenner figures I mentioned above (Police Academy, Jurassic Park, Beetlejuice) so he does have a bit of a pose. Still, he can move, so he's doing exactly what he's designed to do. He also feels quite durable. I'm not saying that he's for young kids to throw around or anything, but he's not delicate. Below is a video of his action feature in action:

* The accessories are really solid with a lot of sharp detail. Bub comes with the .45 pistol (a Colt M1911 series variant) that he picks up near the end of the film and uses to get revenge on the soldiers who disrespected him. It's a very nice looking accessory. 

* Bub also comes with a razor, one of the items given to him by Dr. Matthew "Frankenstein" Logan that Bub remembers from his previous life as a solider. It's a simple little piece but it actually has paint applications on it, making it instantly recognizable in such a small scale. 

* Next up is the portable tape player that Dr. Logan gives Bub. He can hold it in his left hand and the headphones fit securely over his head. It's a great looking piece with solid paint applications and a flexible cord. Remember the Land of the Lost line from Tiger Toys? The Kevin Porter figure had headphones and a Walkman, too, which I thought was great as a kid. This accessory makes me think of that old school accessory, so I dig it.

* Last up is a bucket of.. stuff. It's Bub's reward for god behavior and it's secretly the remains of other soldiers from he lab. This is a really fun, gruesome accessory and it reminds me of the stuff that came with McFarlane Toys figures back in the late 1990s an early 2000s. 

   I'm really impressed by Bub! He's a great figure for Day of the Dead fans who just want a Bub on their shelves, sure, but he's also a really cool figure for horror collectors who also dig late 1980s and 1990s Kenner styled figures. Sure, his sculpt and paint lean more modern than those vintage toys but I still get the feeling of a vintage toy from him. He's not going to "trick" someone like some of the ReAction styled figures and Kenner's Star Wars Retro releases but he's a darn fine zombie on his own. Great sculpt, a fun but not too intrusive action figure, and some excellent accessories make for an excellent action figure. Definitely Epic!




This is the first figure of Bub that I've reviewed on the site.