Action Figure Review: Count Dracula from Operation: Monster Force by Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction

 

   It feels like it's been a good two years or more since this line was announced but Operation: Monster Force has finally arrived and I do have to say it's worth the wait. A collaboration between Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction, Operation: Monster Force is an incredible mix of a military action toyline (think G.I. Joe: Classified Series and Action Force) with a horror theme. The first series of eight figures began shipping in October and while I originally hoped to review one or two of them for 31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe, that never came to pass. Today, though, I'm going to start checking out a few figures from the line, starting with Count Dracula. Let me say that, oddly enough, Dracula is the weakest figure in the first series due to a lack of accessories. Character wise, though, he's the most recognizable classic monster in series 1, so he caught my attention. Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction have worked up a pretty cool storyline for this series and each figure has a minicomic strip inside the front flap. Count Dracula isn't the main villain of Operation: Monster Force, however; he's an uneasy ally of Declan Van Helsing in his campaign against the Forgotten King, a powerful Egyptian sorcerer. Released from his prison in Tomb 13, Dracula leads Delta Red, an army of soldiers temporarily inflicted with vampirism, against the Forgotten King. Ready to see how this take on Count Dracula turned out? Then join me after the break...

   

The Facts:

Height: 6 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: Sword, 2 swappable portraits, 8 swappable hands, and a display base.

Non-Scalper Price: $37 dollars

The Positives:

* There are elements of a traditional Dracula here with the red and black color scheme and the fancy clothes, but there are also some unique aspects. The clothes look more formal and Victorian rather than the standard Dracula outfit. He's not wearing a cape but a knee-length coat overtop of a stylish vest with a great pattern. There are lots of textures on the different parts of the Count's outfit and plenty of folds and buttons. The coat is made from a more flexible material and is attached to the vest, necktie, and collar, another separate piece sitting over the figure's torso. I like the appearance; it makes me think of something that Gary Oldman's Dracula might have worn.

* Dracula has long hair, pointy ears, and green skin here, but he still manages to look very suave and sophisticated. The scale is a very light green, reminiscent of how the Munsters are depicted in color. It's a good look, though, and it complements his dark hair and beard nicely. While he has long hair, it's slicked back and look neat and well kempt. His red eyes are quite small and set back in his eye sockets. I detect just the faintest touch of Bela Lugosi in the likeness.

* Dracula's second portrait shows him ready to rock and in battle. His eyebrows are arched, his eyes look more aggressive, and he's baring a mouth full of bloody fangs. It's not a "vamped out" portrait where he looks totally different (you know how some movies and such have the vampires' faces change shape), just a more aggressive portrait for when he's leading Delta Red into battle. 

* The jacket does have some nice detail on the back and it really looks quite cool. It's a neat substitution for a cape, really. 

* The articulation on Operation: Monster Force is really good and the figures feel very sturdy and well made. If you told me this was a Hasbro figure, I'd believe you as the joints are all pinless, the plastic feels neither brittle nor overly rubbery, and there's a great range of motion. The mid-torso joint is a bit limited by the vest but everything else has a great range of motion. The joints feel smooth, nice and tight, and without anything frozen up. These are really high quality figures. I had a lot of confidence in these due to how nicely the Naughty or Nice Collection figures turned out and my trust wasn't misplaced. 

* Count Dracula comes with a nice assortment of eight swappable hands that change in and out easily. You've got a pair of pistol grips, a pair of loose grips, a pair of open hands with nails extended, and a pair of fists. 

* Most of the figures in this line are loaded with weapons but Dracula only comes with one: His sword. it is a really nice sword, though. The plastic quality is pretty solid and not rubbery at all, which really helps to make the fine details stand out. I love the bat or demon-like wings on the hilt and the dragon's head pommel. This is an impressive sculpt and Dracula looks quite commanding wielding it!

* Each 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.

* Don't want a stand? Then set it up on its side and it turns into a tombstone! The Operation: Monster Force logo is etched into the stone, along with lots cracks and marring detail. 

* The Operation: Monster Force figures come in a five panel box with an opening front flap. On the back of the flap is a pretty cool comic unique to the character. I love this as it gives the figures a welcome touch of the old fashioned storytelling that we used to see on action figure packaging. 

The Negatives:

* Drac's jacket is attached to his vest by glue and some tiny pegs. While simply messing around with him the glue came loose and his jacket peeled back a bit. It's going to be an easy fix but it does seem like a weird way to attach the jacket. Why not just have the jacket be a loose, separate piece as well? 

  As I mentioned in the intro, I picked Count Dracula as my first review for this series as he's a recognizable character in horror, so part of what makes this series stand out and gives it its appeal. Unfortunately, he's a bit lackluster. Not bad, mind you, but for a $37 dollar figure I really would have liked more extras. Now any of the series one army builders (the Delta Red troopers or the Sleepwalkers) are incredible and well worth the money as they come with an insane amount of extras. Dracula is a high quality figure, sure, but he doesn't earn that higher price tag at all. He's a Good figure and if you're a Dracula fan or plan on picking up the heavy hitters from this line you'll want him. He's not the high point of series one, though. I'll be checking out a few more of these in the days ahead, so don't let Count Dracula sour you on the line. He's nicely done, just really light in the extras department, especially when everyone else has more weapons and gear than you can easily count.


 Looking for more of Count Dracula? For more reviews check out the NECA Dracula (Transylvania), the Funko ReAction Dracula, Super7's ReAction Bela Lugosi as Dracula, the McFarlane's Monsters Dracula Playset, Jada Toys' Bela Lugosi as Dracula, the Playmobil Take Along Haunted House 9312, the Big Bucket of Monsters Dracula, Mezco's Tower of Fear, the Wendy's Frosty Bite, and Dracula from the original Playmates Monster Force line.