Tuesday-Toy-Review: Hermees by Gary Ham

QUICK TOY CATCHUP: "Hermees" is designed by Gary Ham, with an impressive wing span of 12" across. Hermees the vinyl toy has 8 points of articulation (head, snout, wings, hands, and feet), and is produced in an edition size of 200 pieces in this colorway.

Hermees has a SRP of US$45, and is currently distributed by DKE Toys, as well available directly via Gary's webstore @ http://www.superham.bigcartel.com (Don't gorget to ask Gary to sign you're figure!)


PACKAGING: First off, I need to mention that this figure is monster-big, and complete with it's packaging window-box? He is monster-huge! And for US$45 per figure (sans shipping), it's heck of a price for designer vinyl these days, IMHO. Might watch out for the shipping costs tho, huge box needed to be padded well and all. Luckily, the figure is not in the dreaded "heavy" category!

The graphic at the back of the box features three other colorways of Hermees, which either serves as a harbinger of toys to come, or just a plain tease from Mr. Ham. Regardless, it is an enticing tease that does not take away from the figure inside, which is housed on a plastic clear tray and tied secure with cable tie (not a huge welcome, but nevertheless necessary as this is a huge vinyl! (Yes, I said that already ;p).



FIGURE FORM: Having the vinyl figure clasped in hand, it is as big as it looks, with a decent heft, and frankly, not your usual designer toy with an "urban vibe" or kitschy-now look. This flying and traveling bat with gnarly teeth character is designed by Gary and can hardly be categorized in the usual modes. Pretty individualistic and unique, if you ask me.

More carnival-sight other than designer-draw, I would have actually liked more about Hermees, like a panel of sequential-drawings or even an insert-card (ado with drawings), but perhaps I know Gary draws well, hence my "wants". Hel, I enjoyed his Carrot Shake Jake (on sale here) ~ which I have yet to review (my bad) that actually did show graphic-doodles on the box ~ which I thoroughly enjoyed :)




PRODUCTION / PAIN APP: I might be looking too close into the figure, but the sculpt and finishing seems a tad like the figure might have been carved from "wood" (which is sweet as the Hermees form is first manifest as a wooden figures from Gary himself), and hence the paint app seems quite "charming" in this notion.

The paint apps for joints and edges are decent smooth and is not implied otherwise :)



ARTICULATION: And while the figure boasts 8 points of articulation, what seems the most obvious are the arm-sockets leading to the winged-arms, which actually pop off without a hitch. As stubborn as the joints seem to be, there are actually no grooves at the tips / ends to ensure they do not pop out erringly.

Little fuss, with the winged-arms delightfully swingablefor over 180-degress, as well prop up the figure from it's back. And Hermees seems to stand well, but I would watch out for the weight of his head tho.



CONCLUSION: This release was a tad surprise for me, compared with Gary's previous petite Carrot Shake Jake, as well as a delight as characters like this seem only to exist as customs, and not necessarily a production toy. You are heartiy recommended to procure the figure, for a heap slice of Americana drenched in subtle nostalgia as well a certain panache in character depiction that has originated not on licensed products, and instead is designed by an individual.