Lest
you think I forgot about these new figures from Funko, let’s return
to the land of Westeros and take a look at my favorite character on
television – Tyrion Lannister.
Before
I talk about the sole member of the Lannister family that isn’t an
intolerable shitbag, let me update you on the status of my damaged
Game of Thrones figures.
I
had been in communication with a representative from the company. Not
only about the broken figures, but also about recording a podcast
with somebody from Funko. I haven’t initiated further contact yet
because this year so far has, quite frankly, been something of a
nightmare. I haven’t heard anything back about my figures or the
program, but I would imagine they’re pretty much inundated with
broken figures right about now. If I haven’t seen or heard anything
by this time next month I’ll inquire. Although hopefully I’ll be
able to get my shit together and follow up on the podcast thing
before then.
Okay,
so Peter Dinklage is amazing. We all know it. If you’ve seen Game
of Thrones
you know that he’s one of the biggest powerhouse actors on TV. It’s
the reason he was cast as Bolivar Trask in X-Men:
Days of Future Past.
Granted, Tyrion gets some of the best and most memorable lines I’ve
ever heard, but if his character wasn’t portrayed so well and
Dinklage’s delivery wasn’t so perfect it wouldn’t matter. He
has just as much to do with Tyrion being fantastic as George R.R.
Martin does. More, possibly.
I
never really imagined I’d be able to buy a Tyrion figure. I thought
the best we were likely to get would be a statue or something. And
there is a statue out, but I’ve seen it in person and it isn’t
great. There’s also a Figure of Tyrion from Dark Horse. While the
Funko version and that statue portray Tyrion in his armor as seen in
the battle at King’s Landing (which probably has an actual name,
but I don’t know), Dark Horse went with the look I prefer –
Tyrion in his regular clothes.
This
guy is not a warrior. I get why a company making a likeness of the
character would want to go for the more action-oriented look, but I
want a Tyrion that looks like he’s doing what Tyrion does best –
playing the game and talking down to the competition. So I might just
have to buy that Dark Horse figure as well.
FIRST
GLANCE
Peter
Dinklage – by virtue of his size – has the most immediately
recognizable proportions of any of the cast. If one of the other guys
legs were a little too long or head was a little small it might not
be that noticeable. But Dinklage has a singular profile and it was
crucial that Funko get it exactly right. They did.
And
while I might not prefer the armored version, it is a striking
figure. The Lannisters might be assholes, but they know something
about presentation.
PACKAGING
While
I have to admit that the perfect packaging is probably just a plain
ol’ plastic blister on a sturdy piece of printed cardboard, these
boxes are super. The design decisions are all classy and the overall
look is very appealing. This box says, “This is a fancy
collectible. It’s much nicer than those “action figure” things
that you buy. You might need to drink tea while you open it.”
The lack of any kind of bio on the back is a little disappointing, but I do lie the decision to simply list the other characters in the series by name rather than having pictures. It puts the focus on the one in your hand.
LOOKS
The
head sculpt on this figure is fantastic. The hair is a separate
piece, which not only gives it a better look than if it were part of
the head, it also eliminates the possibility of paint slop where the
hair meets the skin. This is a common issue with action figures and
I’m glad to see Funko avoiding it. The face is dead-on. The
sculptors captured Dinklage’s heavy brow and strong jaw and the
excellent paint app brings out the features. I’ve been very
impressed with the eyes on these Legacy figures so far.
Tyrion’s
breastplate has the Lannister lion on the front with sculpted straps
running to the back. I thought that there was paint missing on some
of the straps at first, but some are grey and some are brown. I’ll
just assume this is accurate to the show costume because I have no
idea. The necklace on top of the breastplate has a nice sculpt, but
is attached in kind of a sloppy manner. It doesn’t sit quite right
and the glue spots used to attach it are fairly visible.
Tyrion’s
arms have sleeves, shoulder plates, bracers, and gloves. The
sculpting on all of the parts is excellent. The shoulder plates have
the Lannister lion on them. They’re made of a very soft plastic so
that they can slide over the breastplate when you move the figure’s
arms. The material seems sturdy enough, but I am worried about the
plates coming off of the figure with too much movement. The bracers
look excellent. The laces on the inside are well done and such a nice
touch.
Unfortunately,
my Tyrion has two left arms. Yes – seriously. While I was doing
pictures and stuff I noticed that the right arm was kind of odd, but
didn’t think too much about it. But after looking at the pictures
and checking out some photos of the figure online I realized that the
elbow joint and the shoulder plate were backwards. The hand is
correct, so the other portions aren’t really that noticeable. If I
had realized it before I sent the other two figures back I would have
included Tyrion. As it is I think I’ll just keep him. One day I’ll
do a list of all the anomalous figures in my collection.
His
skirt is a little off-center. I just haven’t adjusted it yet. It’s
made of a slightly firmer rubber than the shoulder plates, but gives
way easily so as not to interfere with leg movement. The sculpt is
nice and it looks like a much firmer piece than it is. It matches the
rest of the figure perfectly.
The
knees have swivel joints and I wasn’t sure which side the laces on
the boots were supposed to be on. One leg had them on the front and
on the other they were in the back. I put them on the front because
that makes the most sense.
The
paint on the figure is mostly very good. There are a few minor
blotchy spots, but overall Tyrion has a great paint job. The washes
on this figure are the best and most consistent of the Legacy line so
far. Everything on Tyrion looks worn and real. Funko did a great job
of planning the deco. If only they had planned assembly as well.
ACCESSORIES
Tyrion
comes with a big (to him) battle ax. I can’t imagine that the plus
signs on either blade are accidents, but they look so odd. Otherwise
the ax is excellent. It’s made from a hard plastic and is quite
sturdy. It fits neatly into Tyrion’s hand or hands. The paint is
excellent - the head has a great wash and looks metallic and the
studs on the haft are each individually painted.
This
is a great looking weapon (provided the “pluses” are
intentional). It interacts with the figure and features a complete
lack of the word “China”.
FUN
Funko
did an admirable job of articulating this figure. Given its profile
they could have easily eliminated some of the joints and released a
simpler figure. But Tyrion is a lot of fun to pose and mess around
with. The shoulder plates do make me a little nervous, but otherwise
he’s very easy to move and bend. He interacts well with his
accessory, too.
I
know part of my satisfaction with this figure comes from the fact
that I like the character – and the actor – so much. I’m also
happy because I like firsts in my collection. And this is the first…
I have no idea what the politically correct term is at this point. I
feel like “little person” isn’t right anymore. I mean, honestly
he’s just a short dude. I don’t want to categorize Dinklage as
anything other than a tremendous actor. This is the first non-mutant,
non-monster-type short dude action figure I’ve owned.
OVERALL
Were
it not for the right arm that is really a left arm this would be an
excellent Tyrion. There are a few little paint issues, but overall
it’s a great looking figure. I’m hoping that we get a
plainclothes Tyrion in the future, though. I’m going to need one to
sit around Castle Grayskull and match wits with Cersei Lannister.
4
out of 5
The battle at King's Landing was the Battle of Blackwater. :-)
ReplyDelete<-- nerd
I sent my Danerys figure back to Amazon, where I initially bought it from, rather than wait around for the company to do a new run. I believe my new "Dopplegangland" Willow that I got with my refund money should be there when I get home tonight. ;-) It sounds like the quality is much better on Tyrion, so once they do the new run of Danys, let me know so I can pick up a new one. :-)
I hate returning things online. HATE IT. But I have to do it so rarely that it really isn't a factor in whether or not I shop online.
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