Cobb Vanth, also known as "the Marshal," was a human male who lived during the Galactic Civil War and subsequent New Republic Era. Once a slave, he rose to become marshal of Mos Pelgo on the planet Tatooine. He despised the Red Key Raiders, a syndicate attempting to establish itself on the planet. Immediately following the Battle of Endor, Vanth fled into the desert following Mos Pelgo's takeover by the Mining Collective. He then encountered some Jawas and traded a camtono of silicax oxalate crystals for a set of Mandalorian armor.
Hasbro's official released date for this figure, as a Deluxe set, is on 1st Jul 2022. But I got this figure in May the same year and it was already out for awhile here. Apparently it only got release in the US on the stated official date. We don't get new and cool stuffs before the US on many (or all) things. This one broke the myth.
Earlier mentioned that this figure is already out here in Singapore for quite a while now. To the extent that the price is coming down in the secondary market and I got a brand new sealed box piece at a respectable price of $40/-. Never intend to buy it but at that price, there is no harm.
I didn't know about this character prior to the Mandalorian series. My knowledge of Star Wars characters are pretty limited to just the films. The vast pool of cool characters that only appear within the novels are now coming into the films as a brand new character to me ie The Black Krrsantan etc.
Cobb Vanth's back story is quite cool for he "took over" Boba Fett's armour and he could be a permanent owner until Disney decided to put an end to it by re-introducing Boba Fett into the fray. How will Disney reinvent Cobb Vanth? Last scene in the final season 1's episode of The Book of Boba Fett (BoBF) show Vanth inside the Bacta Tank receiving treatment - after he was shot by Cad Bane. That means he could come back, perhaps, in Mandalorian Season 3 or BoBF if there is a Season 2.
Another merchandising opportunity for sure.
Earlier mentioned that this figure is already out here in Singapore for quite a while now. To the extent that the price is coming down in the secondary market and I got a brand new sealed box piece at a respectable price of $40/-. Never intend to buy it but at that price, there is no harm.
I didn't know about this character prior to the Mandalorian series. My knowledge of Star Wars characters are pretty limited to just the films. The vast pool of cool characters that only appear within the novels are now coming into the films as a brand new character to me ie The Black Krrsantan etc.
Cobb Vanth's back story is quite cool for he "took over" Boba Fett's armour and he could be a permanent owner until Disney decided to put an end to it by re-introducing Boba Fett into the fray. How will Disney reinvent Cobb Vanth? Last scene in the final season 1's episode of The Book of Boba Fett (BoBF) show Vanth inside the Bacta Tank receiving treatment - after he was shot by Cad Bane. That means he could come back, perhaps, in Mandalorian Season 3 or BoBF if there is a Season 2.
Another merchandising opportunity for sure.
DESIGN - 4.5/5
There is really nothing bad to say about designing of this figure. And there is also nothing out-of-the-ordinarily-amazing thing to roar about.
There is really nothing bad to say about designing of this figure. And there is also nothing out-of-the-ordinarily-amazing thing to roar about.
Helmet is removable and it shows a well sculpted headsculpt underneath.
Perhaps the only nit-picking (so that it can shun a full score) of the headsculpt can be a little bit bigger. Helmet is somewhat lose fitting and a just slightly bigger headsculpt will hold the helmet snugly.
Backpack missile is detachable and retachable increases play value. Jetpack also fit in snugly onto the back.
Blaster Pistol fits into the molded holster almost perfectly.
Sum it all here : A design by the textbook standard.
SCULPTING - 4.5/5
Headsculpt should be the most important feature for this category and it is. Albeit not the only one. Here the sculpt is repectable but I find it too "squashed". It resemble the actor, Timothy Olyphant, no doubt. if it is slightly narrower (but bigger) will be almost perfect. Padding inside the helmet should comensate for the narrower head.
The real highlight for this figure in this category is no doubt that textured maroon shirt sculpting. It has raised "dotted" pattern all over. I immediately liken it to Ostrich skin's leather. These raised dots are sculpted on most visibliy along the arms.
Details on the gauntlets, the belts, pants and boots are all sculpted exceptionally well.
PAINTING - 2.5/5
While the sculpting department is hard at work, painting folks are caught napping. The only effort seen here are of the helmet, armour and the hair. Rest of the figure are almost entirely in it's original raw plastic colour. The colour are on point and a simple dark colour wash will bring out the details of the sculpt. It is a big letdown for the otherwise excellent details in sculpting.
Gauntlets painting are also proofs of the sub-standard paint works best summarized in them being lazy or trying to take collectors for a ride.
Am I over expecting for a mass produce, mass market toy? Think not. Expectation should be higher on a Deluxe figure like this. And it cost more.
As a whole, and if you focus on just the head and torso, its not that bad.
ARTICULATION - 4/5
Cobb Vanth has most of the standard articulation points of a humanoid figure.
Chest articulation is hidden underneath that body armour but even so, it is functional. There is no issue bending downwards or backwards about ±10° point
Surprisingly, there isn't a waist articulation. To swing left and right is to be borned by the chest articulation point.
Shoulder has butterfly joints but range are limited by the body armour.
Legs can have full range of motion as there are no hindrance in the design. Swivel joint on the thigh, knee bend, feet bend and rocker all present.
ACCESSORIES - 3/5
The figure came with what it should have if it is released as a standard box figure. However being a Deluxe set, a little bit more is expected - since we generally pay more for it.
This kit came with a Blaster Rifle, a Blaster Pistol, Jetpack, Removable Missile and a removable helmet. Seems like how it should be in a standard release.
I would expect more. Perhaps a pair of spare hands for greater posing opportunity and also a pair of "afterburner-blast" effect-piece for the Jetpack. Kinda disappointing these are not included.
There is no distinction between a Deluxe or not a Deluxe that much anymore.
Perhaps the only nit-picking (so that it can shun a full score) of the headsculpt can be a little bit bigger. Helmet is somewhat lose fitting and a just slightly bigger headsculpt will hold the helmet snugly.
Backpack missile is detachable and retachable increases play value. Jetpack also fit in snugly onto the back.
Blaster Pistol fits into the molded holster almost perfectly.
Sum it all here : A design by the textbook standard.
SCULPTING - 4.5/5
Headsculpt should be the most important feature for this category and it is. Albeit not the only one. Here the sculpt is repectable but I find it too "squashed". It resemble the actor, Timothy Olyphant, no doubt. if it is slightly narrower (but bigger) will be almost perfect. Padding inside the helmet should comensate for the narrower head.
The real highlight for this figure in this category is no doubt that textured maroon shirt sculpting. It has raised "dotted" pattern all over. I immediately liken it to Ostrich skin's leather. These raised dots are sculpted on most visibliy along the arms.
Details on the gauntlets, the belts, pants and boots are all sculpted exceptionally well.
PAINTING - 2.5/5
While the sculpting department is hard at work, painting folks are caught napping. The only effort seen here are of the helmet, armour and the hair. Rest of the figure are almost entirely in it's original raw plastic colour. The colour are on point and a simple dark colour wash will bring out the details of the sculpt. It is a big letdown for the otherwise excellent details in sculpting.
Gauntlets painting are also proofs of the sub-standard paint works best summarized in them being lazy or trying to take collectors for a ride.
Am I over expecting for a mass produce, mass market toy? Think not. Expectation should be higher on a Deluxe figure like this. And it cost more.
As a whole, and if you focus on just the head and torso, its not that bad.
ARTICULATION - 4/5
Cobb Vanth has most of the standard articulation points of a humanoid figure.
Chest articulation is hidden underneath that body armour but even so, it is functional. There is no issue bending downwards or backwards about ±10° point
Surprisingly, there isn't a waist articulation. To swing left and right is to be borned by the chest articulation point.
Shoulder has butterfly joints but range are limited by the body armour.
Legs can have full range of motion as there are no hindrance in the design. Swivel joint on the thigh, knee bend, feet bend and rocker all present.
ACCESSORIES - 3/5
The figure came with what it should have if it is released as a standard box figure. However being a Deluxe set, a little bit more is expected - since we generally pay more for it.
This kit came with a Blaster Rifle, a Blaster Pistol, Jetpack, Removable Missile and a removable helmet. Seems like how it should be in a standard release.
I would expect more. Perhaps a pair of spare hands for greater posing opportunity and also a pair of "afterburner-blast" effect-piece for the Jetpack. Kinda disappointing these are not included.
There is no distinction between a Deluxe or not a Deluxe that much anymore.
OVERALL - 3.5/5
This figure never really did made me want to buy it. Only because I chance upon a very reasonable price piece in Carousell that it didn't hurt the wallet too much to buy it. First impression, after taking the figure out from the package, isn't that great. But it grows on me a little ever so slowly.
it is a nice figure with good proprotion - usually tricky on figures with removable helmet.
I will probably need to put my hands on doing some additional paint and weathering works to compliments the good sculpting. Such a shame to let that go to waste.
This figure never really did made me want to buy it. Only because I chance upon a very reasonable price piece in Carousell that it didn't hurt the wallet too much to buy it. First impression, after taking the figure out from the package, isn't that great. But it grows on me a little ever so slowly.
it is a nice figure with good proprotion - usually tricky on figures with removable helmet.
I will probably need to put my hands on doing some additional paint and weathering works to compliments the good sculpting. Such a shame to let that go to waste.
Hot Toys (HT) has previewed the prototype of a 1/6 scale Cobb Vanth during Sideshow Con 2021. He could be coming in on a 1/6 scale. HT has been very aggressive this year on showing many new up and coming products. I wonder how will they cope with all that in the meantime to keep order-to-delivery time as short as possible. Waiting time of 1.5-2yrs are now quite a norm which is excessively long. 6-8mths is acceptable. It could also not be release at all like many prior shown prototype did not see the light of day. Will just have to wait and see.
No comments:
Post a Comment