15 years on after putting in the first post inside this Blog, the character I have used his onscreen call sign to name this place, has finally made his way home. What has taken me sooooo long I don't know. He is here now and a milestone reached.
From StarWars .com :
Jek Porkins was a pilot and trader who abandoned his homeworld when the Empire moved in and developed a new military base there. The burly rebel pilot flew an X-wing at the Battle of Yavin under the call sign Red 6. His X-wing developed a mechanical problem early in the battle, leaving him struggling to maneuver. Before Porkins or his astromech could fix the problem, one of the Death Star’s turbolasers zeroed in on the X-wing, incinerating it and killing Porkins instantly.
More on Porkins at Wookieepedia.
This figure was released under Power of the Jedi (POTJ) cardback in the turn of the millennium. It is the first of this character made into 3.75" and it is a really nicely made figure. It is only in the Star Wars franchise that under a minute onscreen character gets a chance to be made into a figure. Porkins is one of them. I'm pretty sure there is at least a following of fans out there that appreciate his effort in the Battle of Yavin.
This is an important figure for this Blog, a detail run through of my thoughts on this has to be in the cards. No scores will be assigned but a general thoughts on the made of this figure.
Design
It is all within expectation for a figure released in yr 2000. The concept will have to be post millennium. The fact that it has a removable helmet and a proportionally sized head deserves a big thumbs up. Helmet fits snugly too and it maintain the proper proportion both on and off it.
One peeve on the 2 white straps around the thigh should be painted grey instead since it is part of the body harness that hangs down from the belt. Noticed the other rebel Pilots also the same. Designer probably isn't well versed on pilot's gear.
Not sure if the real Porkins, during filming, is that rotund but I can't help but believe there is a little exaggeration on his size. It is still a very good turnout overall.
Sculpting
Headsulpt alone is a home run. Especially the chin to the neck portion properly show a correct big sized man profile. Very lifelike all downscale 18 times (3.75" is roughly 1:18 scale).
While the flight suit can do a little more wrinkles here and there, it will be had in the later figures. Here with POTJ Porkins, this is the standard of those days.
The hands were sculpted in this "C" stance manner seem to want him to hold onto something. Tried getting it hold a blaster pistol without success. The pistol will swivel inwards and eventually fell off the hands. Them hands are really non-functional.
Other essential details are sculpted nicely and to point. Nothing really stands out (apart from the headsculpt of course) and it does the job decently.
Articulation
All of 6 points articulations all visible from the pictures. 1 more than a vintage figure on the waist swivel. There isn't a lot you can do to pose him in a natural pose. Turning the head seem the only option to achieve a somewhat "different" stance.
Painting
The whole figure was probably molded in its original orange flight suit colour. The other details are painted on.
A decent job with special mentioned on the silver canisters around the top of his right boot, are painted nicely without much bleeding or under painting.
Helmet insignias are nicely printed on position.
Special mention on the stubble painting on the headsculpt, I think it is top notch for its time. However moustache can be painted better.
Good job overall.
Accessories
It would be nice if Jek is given a blaster pistol, just to add to the play value and also an added opportunity to pose. With that, the hands could be sculpted to hold it correctly.
Therefore Jek has only his helmet to play with.
Not a big deal to me as usual. Lesser accessory, lesser opportunity to lose it.
Overall
To sum it all up, it is simply - within expectations from all categories. With the headsculpting a highlight of this figure.
Jek enjoys probably under a minute of screen time before he was blasted to smithereens by Imperial Tie Fighter. It is the uniqueness of this character that captures my attention. The image of a fighter pilot, in most people's eyes, should be suave and macho (Top Gun anyone?). And this guy defies all norms and stereotype. He upped the ante by piloting a freaking X-Wing Starfighter. George Lucas is a genius.
It is a no brainer to buy this figure when it is out. However, this is not the only one of Porkins made in 3.75... in Yoda's breath, there is another one. Not as a single carded figure but in a 2012 Toys R' Us "Yavin Pilot Pack" box set sold exclusively in the US . The way it was packaged seem to suggest Porkins is the highlight of the set. It is an overall upgrade but it somehow the overall outlook doesn't look as cohesive as this POTJ version. If there is a lose one popping up, will definitely scoop it up.
Pretty sure it will appear as a TVC carded figure some point of time. Patience is a virtue.
There aren't a lot of merchandise made for Porkins, understandably, but only recently I know that Gentle Giant has made a mini bust of him as a SDCC 2014 exclusive.
Looks like it will be a forward looking thing for me in order to get another version of Porkins. Ultimately it will be a 1/6 action figure which probably has a very very slim chance any company will ever make him.
That's alright, at least I have one Porkins to call my own for now.
No comments:
Post a Comment