Stylized HALO by McFarlane Toys @ New York Toy Fair 2009
McFarlane Toys has always been acknowledged as one of the pioneers of hyper-realistic production figures back in the heyday and continues to be one of the market leaders in the toy genre (IMHO). At the recent New York Toy Fair (Feb 15-18) McFarlane debut their new stylized 4 inch line via a trio of ("painted prototypes") HALO themed figures - shaped like a
Source: Toy Ark [all images via]
Additional info-source: Spawn.com
TRE-IMPRESSIONS: So okay - instead of slamming the design and attempt outright - permit me to offer a couple of suggestions to perhaps help ease this concept in:
[1] Top part / head of figure to incorporate transparent tinted plastics for the faceplates - for added value and coolness - as well as differentiate themselves from current market products from major brands tapping into the elusive "designer vinyl culture" (not that they have stated that that was the intention - not that I know of anyways).
[2] Explore further design options in relation to limbs - more specifically the arm / hands, which in it's current incarnation, looks like a literal Mighty Muggs-rip, IMHO. McFarlane has always been known to innovate. Please do not let that change.
what do YOU think?
Hmmm. I guess McFarlane had to wade into vinyl at some point, and sadly they've butchered it as much as they did the concept of "action figures" by removing the action bit.
ReplyDeleteIf they did as you've suggested, pimp them up rather than just use a simple base body with different paint jobs, then they might look better, but not in that state.
Great suggestions Andy.
ReplyDeleteI loved McFarlane when they actually made toys back in the day. So many points of articulation. They also have some of the craziest sculpts I have seen in the toy market. Very creative staff over there.
Rather than judge this concept piece, I am going to wait and see how things progress. Cuz if I were to pass any judgment at this point it wouldn't be very favorable. The final pieces might come out to be WAY better than this. Or at least I really hoping it does.
As for the "designer vinyl market", it's on its way to becoming homogenized by the larger companies if not this toy year, certainly by next. It's a cash cow waiting to be exploited. Sad but true. And to top things off, the designer toys as of late are all starting to blend together. I think people aren't even trying anymore. We need to shake the market back into shape! Note to self: Make a difference in the industry. But first I need to watch more Buck Rogers. ;)
J-R00 :D