Wait? What's this? Hasn't October's 31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe ended? Yes, it did. So welcome to Happy Franksgiving, a month long celebration of the Frankenstein Monster and the Bride of Frankenstein. How did this come about? Well, for one there are some pretty good Frankenstein action figures that came out a little too late for me to get them lined up for October. Also, not only have I finished watching through Universal's Frankenstein series of films as part of my classic Universal Horror watch through but I've also recently finished Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein. To kick off Franksgiving I'm first checking out Frankenstein's Creature from the Four Horsemen Studios' Figure Obscura line. We've received some excellent figures from classic horror literature in this line such as the Headless Horseman, the Masque of the Red Death, and the Ghost of Jacob Marley, and Frankenstein is a fine addition to the collection. It's pretty cool to have a version of the Creature based on the book's description rather than based on or inspired by Boris Karloff's iconic portrayal. This set went up for sale in late September and did arrive to me in early October, but I decided to hold back on it a bit. Not only does the set come with an excellent figure of Victor Frankenstein's Creature (or the Monster, or Adam Frankenstein, or call him Frankenstein, too, as that's perfectly acceptable, too) but you get a bunch of Victor's lab equipment. Ready for a look at the complex and complicated Creature from Mary Shelley original Victorian masterpiece? Then join me after the break...
Height: 7 5/8ths inches
Articulation: Double swivel/ hinge ankles, swivel/hinge knees, swivel thighs, swivel/hinge hips, ball jointed waist, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel hinge elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, hinged neck and a ball jointed head.
Accessories: 3 portraits, skull, undead head portrait, four swappable hands, booted feet, bare feet, pants w/ belt, jacket, loincloth, two piece table, two piece two piece operating table, 2 straps, 4 manacles, 3 bell jars with bases, skeletal hand, 3 books, generator, 3 capacitors/ batteries, one coil, illustrated except from Frankenstein, display backdrop.
Non-Scalper Price: $70 dollars
* Like most other Figure Obscura sets, Nate Baertsch is responsible for the art seen here and it's excellent. The set follows the form of this line, being a window box covered covered by removable piece of art you see on the front. It's a wrap around piece and is actually held on at the sides via magnets. That cover also serves as a backdrop, which I'll show off shortly. The illustration of the Creature is excellent and there's a cool writeup about the book and the Creature here.
* Because of the swappable heads, feet, and clothes, you can get at least two very distinct looks out of the Creature. First up is the Creature when it is brought to life through a process that's quite secretive in the book. Victor Frankenstein has extensively studied the sciences, including chemistry and biology, as well as Galvanism. He's also spent some time in his early life reading the works of various alchemists and occultists, so who knows what Victor did? It worked, though, and he's brought the 8ft tall yellow Creature to life. The Creature is made larger intentionally to make him easier to build and to make him a more impressive specimen, so this guy is suitably impressive. To cover up his Franken-dork, there's a wrapping of linens that fits around his waist (he separates at the balljoint at his waist).
* When Victor Frankenstein (in the book he's Victor and Henry is his closest friend; the Universal films called him Henry Frankenstein) he's grown long, black hair. This portrait is sort of half way between his basic stoic face and his angry face, though the long black hair (that doesn't look like it's been shampooed for a hot minute) give the Creature such a different look.
* Here's a look at the Creature from behind. The muscles look pretty impressive here. In the book the Creature's yellow skin has an almost transparent quality to it, allowing his veins and such to be seen. Here that's not present, but his flesh does look like it's very tight and covered with seams where the various bit and bobs of different bodies have been sewn and stapled together.
* Here's a close-up of the Frankenstein Monster's stitches. They're quite impressive! While the figure and his parts are compatible with Mythic Legions, Cosmic Legions, and other Four Horsemen figures, I'm not sure that the Creature borrows much, if anything, from other figures. His body seems all new and very specific to him, though I imagine we will see these parts in another figure at some point.
* By separating the Creature in half at the waist (there's a large balljoint there, so just use a little heat), you can swap his loincloth for pants, throw on his jacket, and swap out the bare feet for shoes. Now Frankenstein (and yes, you can call him that) is ready to roam Europe, spying on families, looking for love, and murdering those closest to Victor.
* This jacket is cool with some very elaborate fasteners. The sleeves are ripped off, but the Monster doesn't seem to get very cold, so he might not be too concerned. The coat reminds me a little bit of the coat the Frankenstein Monster wears in Van Helsing.
* I love how the jacket it stitched together, too. It gives the vibe of something Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas might make.
* The pants are soft goods with a cord belt. They fit great and they have a little plastic piece you can attach to help keep them in line. There's also some dirt and stuff on the legs and some rips in the knees and legs. These are quite well tailored and look great.
* The boots make the Monster look even taller than normal, adding quite a bit of height to the figure. Also another detail that makes me think of Boris Karloff's depiction of the Frankenstein Monster.
* Four swappable hands are included: Two standard grips and two gesturing grips. These swap easily and give you a little variation in your display.
* Because the ability to swap pieces, heads, accessories, and other items is such a key part of the Four Horsemen Studios' lines, the articulation model has largely stayed the same since the line began. There are sometimes figures with enhanced articulation or new details, but overall you probably know what to expect here if you have Mythic or Cosmic Legions. The figure is very solid and very durable. The Creature isn't a ninja or anything but he's not an old stiff, either. You can have a lot of fun with this guy.
* The Frankenstein Monster is awesome on his own, but the wealth of accessories he comes with just makes him shine. First up is an operating table. This piece is crazy! Lots of paint applications and weather, a killer sculpt, and the ability to be positioned with the figure laying flat, at an angle, or standing upright.
* The base is cool and looks like it has the foot pedal to pump the table up. It doesn't move or anything, but it looks great. It does look more like something from the 19th century, probably the later end of that, but 18th century medical tables were pretty basic wooden affairs, so this is much cooler.
* It doesn't turn but their is a wheel where you can "pretend" to rotate the operating table up and down.
* Here's the table all the way up. There's a hole for draining fluids and such and lots of rust, or perhaps a build-up of fluids, on the edges of the table, which has a lip around it.
* The Creature is a big guy so he's a bit large for the table, but that's to be expected. This lab equipment seems like it would be very desirable to many collectors for use by supervillains or other evil doctors. The table stays in position well and has a very tight joint that allows it to be places in three different positions.
* The leather straps are two different sizes and they fit on the table easily to keep the Creature in place while Victor works. There are loops for manacles, too, though the included manacles don't truly attach to those loops.
* Here are the manacles. Just pop off the Creature's hands and place them over his wrists or forearms. the chains dangling off look pretty realistic.
* And here are the shackles for the Creature's feet.
* A side table for holding operating equipment and other mad scientist lab equipment type stuff is also included. It's similar in its aesthetic to the operating table, though smaller and less complex.
* To help bring the Creature to life a generator is also included. The knob doesn't turn but it looks like a sophisticated piece of the equipment for the 18th century.
* The wires attached to this seem like real wires coated with black rubber. They're thin and can be poses and hooked up to other pieces of equipment included in the set.
* What's this? I'm thinking it's a type of insulator coil. There is a hole in the bottom and a hole in the top for wires to run through. There are also a lot of paint applications on this, making all of the lab equipment look very impressive. Scene builders and diorama enthusiasts should have a lot to work with.
* Three capacitors are included, too. That's what they look like, anways. Leyden jars, capacitors invented in the 1700s in the Netherlands. They also have a space at the top where the wires can run through, allowing you to run everything together.
* Books play an important role in Frankenstein. As a teenager, Victor Frankenstein becomes interested in the writings of various alchemists and metaphysical writers. The Creature himself, when Victor meets him again after his initial disappearance, is a voracious leader, studying religion and philosophy. Three books are included and they all look wonderful with impressive paintwork. Some of these might have been books the Ghost of Jacob Marley figures carried attached to his chains.
* Want some exhibits for the lab? Three bell jars are included, along with three creepy speciments. The first bell jar is the largest.
* A well preserved head is included that looks like something Mike Mignola would have drawn in a Hellboy comic. It's actually from the Mythic Legions Hagnon figure, though the paintwork is incredibly different as both Hagnons released were transparent ghost figures. Those eyes are spooky! if you want, you can pop this on Frankenstein's neck to give him a weirder look.
* The next bell jar is medium sized.
* Included this time is a basic skull. It's very realistic looking with fantastic paint applications and weathering. It also can be a separate head for the Creature.
* Last up is the smallest bell jar.
* This one comes with a skeletal hand. Whose hand was this?
* The various bits and bobs look wonderful and make for a neat display of bizarre and odd memorabilia.
* The front of the box is a very strong, very solid piece that has a diorama of Victor Frankenstein's laboratory near the University of Ingolstadt in Germany. Lots of cool details on this and a bolt of lightning seen out the window make this a great backdrop for your own a lab scenes.
* A small book with excerpts from Mary Shelley's novel that describe the creature is also included. There's also lots of info about Shelley and the Creature. It's a fun extra with text mixed with illustrations.
Frankenstein's Creature from Figura Obscura is an incredible figure. The figure itself is amazing but it's all of those cool laboratory accessories that really make this the most impressive action figure offering I can think of in recent memory. You are absolutely getting your money's worth here as there are so many cool items for display and changing up the Creature's look. The Four Horsemen continue to impress and this might be my favorite of their releases in Figure Obscura yet. Yes, possibly even beating out the Headless Horseman in my book. Epic all around and a heck of a way to begin Happy Franksgiving this November!
If you're a fan of Frankenstein's Monster I've reviewed some other Frankenstein themed items including Funko's ReAction Frankenstein, the Sideshow Frankenstein, the Imaginext Frankenstein's Monster, various monsters from the Playmobil Take Along Haunted House and Vampire and Monster set, the Monster in My Pocket The Monster, Frankenstein's Monster from Mezco's Tower of Fear, Grumpy Bear as Frankenstein #1627 from Funko, the mini Frankenstein from Mighty Max Escapes from Skull Dungeon, Frankenstein from Monster Force, and the Real Ghostbusters' Frankenstein Monster. There's also Frankenghost from The Worst, who's the Ghost of Frankenstein('s monster). Check out the Keshi Surprise in Flesh Frankenghost, Teal Frankenghost and the ReAction Frankenghost!
* The Frankenstein Monster is awesome on his own, but the wealth of accessories he comes with just makes him shine. First up is an operating table. This piece is crazy! Lots of paint applications and weather, a killer sculpt, and the ability to be positioned with the figure laying flat, at an angle, or standing upright.
* The base is cool and looks like it has the foot pedal to pump the table up. It doesn't move or anything, but it looks great. It does look more like something from the 19th century, probably the later end of that, but 18th century medical tables were pretty basic wooden affairs, so this is much cooler.
* It doesn't turn but their is a wheel where you can "pretend" to rotate the operating table up and down.
* Here's the table all the way up. There's a hole for draining fluids and such and lots of rust, or perhaps a build-up of fluids, on the edges of the table, which has a lip around it.
* The Creature is a big guy so he's a bit large for the table, but that's to be expected. This lab equipment seems like it would be very desirable to many collectors for use by supervillains or other evil doctors. The table stays in position well and has a very tight joint that allows it to be places in three different positions.
* The leather straps are two different sizes and they fit on the table easily to keep the Creature in place while Victor works. There are loops for manacles, too, though the included manacles don't truly attach to those loops.
* Here are the manacles. Just pop off the Creature's hands and place them over his wrists or forearms. the chains dangling off look pretty realistic.
* And here are the shackles for the Creature's feet.
* A side table for holding operating equipment and other mad scientist lab equipment type stuff is also included. It's similar in its aesthetic to the operating table, though smaller and less complex.
* To help bring the Creature to life a generator is also included. The knob doesn't turn but it looks like a sophisticated piece of the equipment for the 18th century.
* The wires attached to this seem like real wires coated with black rubber. They're thin and can be poses and hooked up to other pieces of equipment included in the set.
* What's this? I'm thinking it's a type of insulator coil. There is a hole in the bottom and a hole in the top for wires to run through. There are also a lot of paint applications on this, making all of the lab equipment look very impressive. Scene builders and diorama enthusiasts should have a lot to work with.
* Three capacitors are included, too. That's what they look like, anways. Leyden jars, capacitors invented in the 1700s in the Netherlands. They also have a space at the top where the wires can run through, allowing you to run everything together.
* Want some exhibits for the lab? Three bell jars are included, along with three creepy speciments. The first bell jar is the largest.
* A well preserved head is included that looks like something Mike Mignola would have drawn in a Hellboy comic. It's actually from the Mythic Legions Hagnon figure, though the paintwork is incredibly different as both Hagnons released were transparent ghost figures. Those eyes are spooky! if you want, you can pop this on Frankenstein's neck to give him a weirder look.
* The next bell jar is medium sized.
* Included this time is a basic skull. It's very realistic looking with fantastic paint applications and weathering. It also can be a separate head for the Creature.
* Last up is the smallest bell jar.
* This one comes with a skeletal hand. Whose hand was this?
* The various bits and bobs look wonderful and make for a neat display of bizarre and odd memorabilia.
* The front of the box is a very strong, very solid piece that has a diorama of Victor Frankenstein's laboratory near the University of Ingolstadt in Germany. Lots of cool details on this and a bolt of lightning seen out the window make this a great backdrop for your own a lab scenes.
* A small book with excerpts from Mary Shelley's novel that describe the creature is also included. There's also lots of info about Shelley and the Creature. It's a fun extra with text mixed with illustrations.
If you're a fan of Frankenstein's Monster I've reviewed some other Frankenstein themed items including Funko's ReAction Frankenstein, the Sideshow Frankenstein, the Imaginext Frankenstein's Monster, various monsters from the Playmobil Take Along Haunted House and Vampire and Monster set, the Monster in My Pocket The Monster, Frankenstein's Monster from Mezco's Tower of Fear, Grumpy Bear as Frankenstein #1627 from Funko, the mini Frankenstein from Mighty Max Escapes from Skull Dungeon, Frankenstein from Monster Force, and the Real Ghostbusters' Frankenstein Monster. There's also Frankenghost from The Worst, who's the Ghost of Frankenstein('s monster). Check out the Keshi Surprise in Flesh Frankenghost, Teal Frankenghost and the ReAction Frankenghost!
For more Figure Obscura reviews check out the following:
The Ghost of Jacob Marley
Headless Horseman
The Masque of the Red Death
The Ghost of Jacob Marley
Headless Horseman
The Masque of the Red Death
What a great set. I still haven't opened mine. It does remind me of the Frankenstein movie with Robert Deniro and Kenneth Branagh. So good.
ReplyDeleteI just purchased that film on Blu-Ray a week or two ago as I've never seen it. I'm looking forward to watching it soon.
DeleteWow!! This figure is beautiful! And finally one accurate to Mary Shelley's original book.
ReplyDeleteI hope the guys from this brand are encouraged to make Count Dracula based on Stoker's novel. And to Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla too.
Beautiful 10/10!
A Bram Stoker take on Dracula and Le Fanu's Carmilla would both be excellent figures. I love how we're getting some truly classic horror characters in this series.
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