Bebop and Rocksteady!

So it’s been awhile since I've actually gone on an honest to goodness toy hunt, but when I saw a video review of the new Transformers: Age of Extinction Voyager Hound, I decided I must have it. And besides, I still haven’t found that Toys ‘R’ Us (TRU) Exclusive Masterpiece Soundwave that I need.

I left for work 3 hours early and proceed to run the MRT Makati station to Greenbelt 1 course. This includes Toy Kingdom SM Makati, Rustan’s Department Store, TRU Glorietta, Landmark Department Store, TRU Greenbelt 5, and (a new one which I didn't learn about until today) Toy Town Glorietta 1. It’s a pretty sweet line up of sources, so much better than what’s available in Eastwood (basically just TRU Eastwood Mall and 2Rats). I didn't have much luck with that Soundwave, but I did find the Voyager Hound and a few other things.

When I say a few other things, it means I went a little nuts.

One of the other figures I found was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) Classic Rocksteady, which is something I haven’t seen “in the wild” since I learned they were available in Philippine toy stores. I’d been on the lookout for the Rocksteady and BeBop figures for months now, since I really was stoked about the four turtles when they came out. If I had the money, I’d buy everything in the new Playmates line, both the classic and the new Nickelodeon version figures and play sets. They’re both so absolutely superb that every time I look at the asking price, I can’t believe they aren't gouging me for more.

Imagine, this thing only cost Php 900. A 6” figure for Php 900. Today, you could go to TK or TRU and the DC and the Marvel and the Star Wars 6” figures are all at the Php 1,500 mark or thereabouts. Hell, the last batch of 4” Marvel Universe (the "Infinite" line) figures were already Php 700. You could argue that the other figures need to pay licensing fees and they have better paint apps and more accessories, etc. but the reality is I'm not willing to pay that much for a 4" figure. I don't even feel one bit sad that those Infinite Hulks are sold out.

Not one bit. Really. Not one.

Ok, so I'm kicking myself in the balls for not getting one! I hope you're happy!

However, returning to the crux of this "review," I look at Rocksteady and THIS is value for my money. He’s got a good size to him, and nice proportions. The toy’s got a nice heft to it as well, which is a good sign. Construction seems rugged and I didn't notice any quality issues on the figure I ended up with, though this was the only one there, so I can’t know if that’s a problem). The reps told me they had several, so if this is the dregs of the case, then it shouldn't be a problem.

I wasn't sure if I'd ever get Rocksteady's partner in crime, Bebop, seeing as it's been so long since I first heard that these were available. Lo and behold, while I was in TK at Megamall looking at the Transformers, I see one Bebop, waving from the TMNT section.

Insta-buy!

 

The packaging on these is about the same as the ones for the Classic Collection Turtles. The facade is pretty much identical, and the top of the bubble still has the manhole cover design; both good points as the packaging was one of the best on the shelf in 2012. The back, of course, changed a bit to add an artist's rendition of Bebop and Rocksteady taking on the fantastic foursome.

The cards aren't unique to either. Both have the same artwork and the same history lesson on the back, with the same "Also Available" line-up. Still, it's clear, well-done, and super fun looking.

 

Bebop comes with just one accessory; something that looks like a drill gun. Why anyone would want a drill gun or what they could possible use it for is beyond me. It' looks completely silly.

Rocksteady is better situated with a heavy machine gun, a machete, and a removable helmet. All pretty awesome stuff.

Both of their weapons fit nicely into their hands and are sculpted fairly well. Sadly, they don't have any paint applications.

Their sculpting is pretty gnarly and kind of odd. Bebop is really cartoon-ish, very close to the style used on the back of the card, but Rocksteady's rhino face is more "realistic" looking, and scarier. I'm not sure if that makes one better than the other. Both of them look pretty bodacious and close enough to the 80's cartoon model for me to not care about the license the sculptor took with the material.

The characters from the original 1987 cartoon series.

Bebop and Rocsteady from Turtles Forever

Even their scale relative to each other is true to canon. Though they've been depicted at other sizes by fan art through the years, if you look at the scenes above, Rocksteady looks roughly the same size as Bebop, but since the warthog has that huge head, he appears bigger. Same deal in the action figures.

Bebop is kind of a hunchback with broader shoulders and a huge head that make him look wider than Rocksteady. I'm thinking that's why he got fewer accessories.

However, both are puny compared to the Turtles, who look to be about two scales above these two.

That's a bummer, but one I'm willing to swallow because of the fact that WE HAVE BEBOP AND ROCKSTEADY FIGURES!

While we're comparing them to the four Classic Collection Turtles, though, let's talk articulation. There have been some sacrifices since the first batch came out, but most are ones I can sort of live with.

One, they did away with the ball-jointed heads. The increased range of that ball-joint would have been welcome, but I don't see how they could have done it without some fancy engineering considering the models they were working off of. Both their necks are just plain, old swivels.

Two, they dropped that awful finger (and toe) articulation. Look, it was annoying when Marvel Legends was doing it, and it's annoying now. You just can't really use this kind of articulation unless you have a character that gestures a lot. And even then, it's better to include an extra molded hand than try and engineer a tiny articulated one at this scale that can point and hold a weapon.

Glad to say that Bebop and Rocksteady hold their weapons just fine, and their upper body articulation is great, with universal shoulders, a bicep swivel, double-hinged elbows and hinged peg wrists. Not to mention the mid-torso swivel (I think it's a ball-joint in there, but their bulk limits it to a swivel).

Four, and this is one that I'm kind of miffed about, they removed the thigh swivels and ankle articulation. Fine, I think I can do without the ankles, but the lack of thigh cuts really do hurt their lower body poseability. Basically, they can just stand and that's it. Their double jointed knees and ball-jointed hips are pretty much wasted.

But as they aren't ninjas, so maybe not a big deal?

One thing I kind of do hate is that the stands they come with are no longer washed with the black that the Classic Collection Turtles' had to bring out the details. These two's stands are just cast in the same really light gray plastic. I love that they included them, just wish they'd made them match.

Those are some pretty small nitpicks for considering how wrong Playmates could have gotten these. I think they are just fantastic, and just about the best 6" figures on the market today.

And honestly, I'm just happy to have them both to add to my Turtles collection!

Bring on the Terrordrome, Playmates!