Action Figure Review: Wolfman from Universal City Studios Mini Monsters by Remco

   

   Today I'm taking a break from newer stuff and checking out something older that I've recently acquired: The 1980 Remco Wolfman. I had originally hoped to have this guy in hand for last month's Wolfman themed review series but it took a bit longer to get him. I'd been eying a Remco Wolfman for sometime and this guy was in excellent condition for a very decent price. It's not uncommon to find these figures beaten up or with the capes missing for Dracula and the Phantom, so finding a Wolfman in good condition was a win for me. This guy is one of the oldest action figures I've reviewed (the only older ones would be a couple vintage Kenner Star Wars figures) and the first figure I've reviewed from Remco. Remco released a series of Mego-like Universal Monsters and these 1/18th scaled Universal Monsters Mini Monsters, all of which are now very collectible. These were a couple years before my time so I never had any as a kid. Ready to check out the good old fashioned Wolf Man? Then let's jump in after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 3 5/8ths inches

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

Accessories: None

Year of Release: 1980

Original Retail Price: $3 to $3.50

The Positives:

* While Kenner certainly made Star Wars work as a 1/18th scale action figure line with 5 points of articulation, few other similar lines had much success. Remco's mini monsters do feel like Universal Monsters figures in the style of the vintage Star Wars line, and that's not a bad thing at all. Just curious: Did anyone use this guy as Lak Sivrak in your Creature Cantina playset? The paintwork is simple, sure, but the sculpt is pretty good. Larry's shirt is a very dark green, almost a muddy green, and it doesn't look too different from his pants. The shirt and pants have wrinkles and pockets and there's even a noticeable belt with beltloops and notches. His shirt's unbuttoned at the top, showing off his manly chest hair. 

* The portrait is pretty cool. It's not dead on accurate or anything, but for 1980 and for a toyline marketed towards kids? This is far more than a generic werewolf. The Wolfman's fangs are tiny (yet noticeable) and it's clear that he's got some blood on them. That's what I'm seeing, right? Blood dripping from his fangs? Yup. This guy's face isn't hairy, so you can see his facial features. I really like how he's looking to the side. The shifty eyes just crack me up and definitely make him pretty interesting. 

* Does the Wolfman have furry hands and long claws? Does the Mummy spend less money on toilet paper? Wait, does he? I'm not sure that makes that much sense. I mean, I'd think he spends less because, you know, he can just rip off a square as needed, but that wouldn't last long, would it? And I'm not sure how easily his bandaged would rip. Plus, what's he doing? Just farting dust, most likely. You know what? Scrap this section.

* Does the Wolfman have furry hands and long claws? Yes, indeed. He sure does.

* He also has really furry paws. Interestingly, Remco did keep his paws arched, but there's no we he could stand like that. To correct that, they added a little plastic tab on the bottom of the foot. If you flip him over it looks like he's wearing some sort of funky high heel, but it's not too noticeable on display. 

* With those classic five points of articulation you'll be able to have Lon sit, stand, and do the Werewolves of London. Awooo! Position one leg forward and you can even have him walking with the Queen. 

   Remco's Universal City Studios Mini Monsters (that's kind of how the packaging and other marketing materials refer to them) are pretty neat classic 1/18th scaled figures and seem to be a challenge to complete. The Wolfman is the first one I've owned and I really like him. I have some of the NECA tributes (the glow in the dark figures), so it's kind of cool to have this guy as well. I think he's the oldest Universal Monsters toy in my collection now, so that makes him an interesting curiosity piece. He's a Great figure, though it's a shame he didn't come with the silver cane or a trap for him to avoid. Still, he's a classic.



 For more of Lawrence/ Larry Talbot, the Wolf Man, I've also reviewed NECA's Wolf Man and the Wolf Man from Crypt Club 4-Pack, the Toony Terrors Wolf Man, the Funko ReAction Wolf Man, Jada Toys' The Wolf Man, Imperial's Wolfman, the Real Ghostbusters Wolfman Monster, NECA's Raphael as the Wolfman, the McFarlane's Monsters Werewolf Playset, the Imaginext Wolfman, the Werewolf from Mezco's Tower of Fear, Mezco's 2010 Wolfman, Luke Talbot (the Wolfman) from Monster Force, and the Wolf Man dog toy from Fetch for Pets.