Guess what! This is my second new review for 2025. In fact, I think it might actually have been the first 2025 release that I received in the mail, though I did look at Mezco's Toht with the Ark of the Covenant first. Read for another review from a classic 1980s film? Then let's take a look at Jordy Verrill (First Bloom) from Monstarz. Based on the classic anthology film Creepshow, a collaboration between George Romero and Stephen King, Jordy Verrill is the country bumpkin from the second short story who gets infected by a space virus in plant form. Played in a wonderfully kooky and over the top manner, Stephen King's Jordy Verrill might be my favorite part of the film (story wise, it's between this one and "Father's Day"). It's just a wonderfully delightful performance with some wacky quotes ("meteror $#!%") and it cracks me up that the king of horror has no problem being so goofy. Garth Marenghi would never take on such a comedic role, that's for sure. Amok Time's Monstarz line has been around since 2008 with a mix of scales and styles, but their Creepshow line started in 2016 with the Nathan Grantham from "Father's Day" and then continued with the zombies from "Something to Tide You Over," the creature from "The Crate," and the Creep himself. Jordy Verrill was definitely a missing spot in the line and it seems like Monstarz has further plans for the line as they've recently renewed the license. Jordy Verill comes in two styles: The First Bloom version I'm looking at here on a green card with a smaller mossy beard and the standard figure with a larger mossy beard. Ready to check out that old lunkhead Jordy Verrill? Then join me after the break...
The Facts:
Height: 3 15/16ths inches
Articulation: Boot swivels, hinged knees, swivel hips, swivel waist, swivel shoulders, hinged elbows, swivel/ hinge wrists, and a swivel neck.
Accessories: 6 swappable hands, 2 meteor halves, and a bucket. (Meteor $#!% not included.)
Non-Scalper Price: $20 dollars
The Packaging
* If you're buying these to keep on the card, they really do look nice and have a very retro flavor to them. The figures themselves look more modern than, say, Super7's ReAction line, but the cards have the look and flavor of a vintage 1980s toyline mixed with an EC Comics cover. These would look really cool with Super7's Pre-Code Horror line.
The Positives:
* I've mentioned before that the Monstarz 1/18th scaled figures are kind of interesting as they have pretty good sculpts with very modern paintwork. These aren't intentionally retro styled like ReAction or Hasbro's Star Wars, Marvel, and Indiana Jones vintage figures, though they still have some of that vibe. I'd honestly be curious to see Amok Time Toys bring more of these characters into a 7 inch scale to go along with other horror figures. Jordy Verrill might be a lunkhead with bad luck but he's a pretty darn neat looking figure. His overalls have a lot of detail and drape realistically like they're a bit baggy while his plaid shirt has an excellent paintjob. I wear plaid shirts about 90% of the time, so I know what I'm taking about. The alien growth is starting to take over Jordy, so he has patches of the creeping virus scattered about.
* This is a 1/18th scale figure but darn if Amok Time didn't nail Stephen King's likeness. The hair, the wide eyed expression. I love it! This version (First Bloom) has a smaller beard of the alien weed, and it really looks pretty funny. It's a very solid portrait for such a small figure.
* Here's a look at the back of the figure where all of the detail of the front is present, including mud and dust on Jordy's overalls and more creeping bits of the extraterrestrial growth.
* Heck, even Jordy's boots are impressive. There's a color gradient effect on them that makes them look worn and stained in placed. Even the laces are really cleanly painted. Very impressive work, especially for the size of the figure.
The Positives:
* I've mentioned before that the Monstarz 1/18th scaled figures are kind of interesting as they have pretty good sculpts with very modern paintwork. These aren't intentionally retro styled like ReAction or Hasbro's Star Wars, Marvel, and Indiana Jones vintage figures, though they still have some of that vibe. I'd honestly be curious to see Amok Time Toys bring more of these characters into a 7 inch scale to go along with other horror figures. Jordy Verrill might be a lunkhead with bad luck but he's a pretty darn neat looking figure. His overalls have a lot of detail and drape realistically like they're a bit baggy while his plaid shirt has an excellent paintjob. I wear plaid shirts about 90% of the time, so I know what I'm taking about. The alien growth is starting to take over Jordy, so he has patches of the creeping virus scattered about.
* The meteor does have tabs and slits so it can connect together but they don't work well at all. This is about as close to together as I could get it.
* I've had the figure for a bit but when I went to swap hands for the first time while taking pictures Jordy's left hand broke right in two. Major bummer! I used some heat afterwards directed at his forearms and afterwards swapping things out was easy. I didn't think I was applying much pressure, so maybe I just had a dud? Be careful when swapping hands.
While I kind of wish Amok Times would start making these Monstarz in a 7 inch size to fit in with most other horror figures released these days (so, NECA's stuff, essentially) or make them in a true Kenner Star Wars style to fit in with my other horror figures like that, I like Creepshow so much that I started this collection a while back and I'm glad it's continuing. I did have a breakage issue, but with multiple hands In was able to swap up a joint and fix things pretty well. The figure itself looks superb and the accessories are pretty fun. For $20 bucks you're getting a lot more value than you'd see from most faux-retro lines. This is a Great set and definitely the Creepshow figure I've been most looking forward to.
While I kind of wish Amok Times would start making these Monstarz in a 7 inch size to fit in with most other horror figures released these days (so, NECA's stuff, essentially) or make them in a true Kenner Star Wars style to fit in with my other horror figures like that, I like Creepshow so much that I started this collection a while back and I'm glad it's continuing. I did have a breakage issue, but with multiple hands In was able to swap up a joint and fix things pretty well. The figure itself looks superb and the accessories are pretty fun. For $20 bucks you're getting a lot more value than you'd see from most faux-retro lines. This is a Great set and definitely the Creepshow figure I've been most looking forward to.
This is the first figure of Jordy Verrill I've reviewed. For more Monstarz figures check out the following:
The likeness really, captures his early 80s look. He sometimes joked that he'd written parts for himself in movies in the hopes of getting a sex scene, but this I find is a much more appealing performance.
ReplyDeleteHaha. King is a funny, witty guy. One of my favorite authors for sure. Just seems like a darn fine dude. Even with his substance abuse struggles in the 80s, it still seems like he was a darn fine dad as his kids seem to absolutely adore him. Maybe they'll eventually make Joe Hill as the kid who the Creep visits at the beginning of the film?
DeleteVery cool and unexpected. I never thought I'd see an action figure of Jordy Verrill.
ReplyDeleteThat's cause he's an old Lunkhead.
Delete