It's been a little over a month since Valaverse did a drop with a few new figures but I'm finally getting around to checking out the second figure I picked up from the drop: The Ghost Operator. Like many lines these days (and some vintage toylines; heck, reuse has always been the name of the game), Action Force definitely relies on reuse, mixing together a number of base bodies and limbs with different gear and portraits to create new portraits. I think Action Force is a line that this concept works exceedingly well for since most of the figures are fairly standard soldiers using fairly standard military gear. It's kind of like playing dress up for adult collectors who dig military and tactical equipment! The Ghost Operator definitely is not a new figure by far but it's a new combination of equipment with a new camo pattern that's pretty appealing. According to the file card (and for those of you who follow the Action Force storyline), the Ghost Operators are special forces operators with the Republic Territory Guard who make daring incursions into New Colonia to gather intelligence and eliminate key targets. They're allies with the Action Force. Of course, it's also a fairly standard soldier in darker urban camo, so this guy can be whoever you want. In terms of the build, the Ghost Operator is the same as the Crimson Shadow Infantry, just with a different rifle and no grenade pouches. If you're experiencing some déjà vu while reading this review, that's why. Ready to check this guy out? Then join me after the break...
Height: 6 3/8ths inches
Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, calve swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed drop down hips, ball jointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, balljointed neck base, hinged neck, and a ball jointed head.
Accessories: 2 swappable heads, 8 swappable hands, vest, helmet, nightvision attachment, pistol w/ suppressor, rifle, 4 magazines, and display stand.
Non Scalper Price: $30 dollars
* This guy is sporting urban camo, though the grey has just a bit more of a bluish hue to it than you normally see. There's no white mixed in, either. It's not necessarily a unique look but it's recognizable, practical, and seems like you could use this guy in a variety of ways or with multiple 1/12th scaled collections. Action Forces uses a lot of base bodies and I know we've seen these exact parts before, but they still look great and get the job done. Details like the kneepads, the bloused boots, and just the detail of the camo pattern look excellent and really impress me.
* The helmet is another piece we've seen reused many times. It's a take on the Ops-Core Future Assault Shell Technology Helmet, or FAST helmets used by a number of special forces groups. Here's it's just a solid, basic black. It's a smaller helmet that fits tightly on the head with an attachment port on the front and two holes on each side.
* The night vision goggles are the new style we've seen implemented in series 5, meaning they have four lenses and they're hinged so they can swivel up and down on the helmet. I like the blue lenses on this set, making them standout from everything else on the figure. The only thing with any real color here. They are brighter, more of a turquoise, than the lenses on the Crimson Shadow Infantry.
* The quality of the most recent Action Force figures seems even better than before. All of the Action Force figures I've picked up so far have largely had the same articulation style though we have been getting some differently designed joints lately, particularly the new styled neck. There's an excellent range of motion here and everything was nice and smooth right out of the package. These are sturdy, well made made action figures that are a lot of fun to pose and mess around with. If you dig the tactical aesthetic of these guys, you'll love this one, too.
* You get the full complement of swappable hands with the Ghost Operator: Pistol grips, cradling hands, fists, and standard grips. Everything swaps easily, so no concerns about broken pegs and no need to use a hairdryer, at least on my end. These have really solid pegs and they're very easy to swap.
* If you ask me, this rifle looks like a FN SCAR with a grenade launcher on it. It's an impressive rifle with lots of little attachments and such to really trick it out. There's also a empty barrel for the grenade launcher, so a firing effect from one of the accessory packs can go there.
* Not only is the magazine removable but you get four magazines. One for the weapon and three to have around spare. Because Triples is best.
* The three spare magazines fit into the pouches on the Ghost Operator's vest, keeping them close at hand when he needs to swap.
* The pistol looks like a modern version of the venerable Colt 1911, something like a TTI or a S&W 1911 with a reflex sight on top and a light or laser underneath. It's a cool sculpt. Plus, you have a removable suppressor.
* There's a pouch for the suppressor and the holster for the pistol on the Ghost Operator's belt.
* Valaverse has switched up the stands for Action Force a bit with series 5. Now we get a dusty looking bit of ground with rocks and the Action Force logo stamped into the ground. There are more pegs here, allowing for more options, and you still have a place to display the file card, too, if that's your thing. They're excellent stands and take up about the same amount of space as the previous designs.
The Negatives:
* The pistol and suppressor are a bit tough to get out of the holster and pouch. The pistol is blocked a bit by the vest while the suppressor just doesn't have anywhere to get a grip when getting it out. Actually, the holster is really tight and the pistol can be a real tricky joker to get out of there.
This is the first Ghost Operator I've reviewed. For more Action Force reviews check out the following:
I have received two of these the 1st one torso would not fit together 2nd belt broke. The pistol once in bulges the holster and is not coming out paint apps are also less on figure so i have to disagree this recent wave is a let down the quality and in this case accessories is not on par with previous offeringslooks like all the effort went into the zolocon exclusi e steel Corp trooper.
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