TOYSREVIL Reviews: Business Monkey by Joe Ledbetter x Munky King
PRODUCT STATS: Joe Ledbetter's BUSINESS MONKEY is produced by Munky King, with this edition released in March 12th and limited to 500pcs made. SRP is US$90 per and available to purchase online via www.munkyking.com.
Standing 20cm / 8-inches tall (to the top of the bird), the BUSINESS MONKEY is based on Joe's "Good Morning Sunshine" Monkey, this is the 5th and final Edition to be released.
Thanks to the generosity of Munky King, I am able to review the collectible you see here today.
[ Larger & Individual Images Viewable HERE on FB ]
Coming in housed in a window box packaging, the graphics depict the other editions of Good Morning Sunshine (5 in total). With Joe Led collectibles, there are essentially "expected editions" depicted/presented, and for me personally, provides a clear idea and notion of what to expect, and hence am able to consider purchasing - not just physical cashmoney, but also a mental "commitment" in what to expect for a series from a similar figure design. Sometimes "no surprises" affords a stable notion to "plan ahead" and be prepared.
In this day of multiple colorways (a resurgence from the mid-2000s), I have grown to appreciate an assured planned route of collecting, IMHO. Escpecially where I have multiple names and brands on my toy-wish-list. "Surprises" are the cream on top of the collecting cake, as far as I am concerned, although I cannot say that I am a "completist" in this regard.
[ Larger & Individual Images Viewable HERE on FB ]
I am quite impressed at the quality and finish of this Joe Ledbetter-designed piece - from the paint apps (or I should say "print application") to the sculpt, the piece I now own is pretty much flawless, with no blemishes I could quibble on about. Kudos for production!
As a fully-formed figure, the characteristic stands strong, staying in line with Joe's "animal"-based character design. The bird is the nicest touch to the figure, while I am not wholly convinced of the mokey itself - which des nt lend itself much by way of "cuteness" hahaha - but maybe that was the intention (although I must say, even Fire Catzilla was "chibi-cute" in some ways haha).
Articulation-wise, there are tons to be done to pose your figure for display. From the neck to the arm-limbs and wrists. Besides the visual presentation / colors f the figure, the other thing differentiating each other, is the item being "held" in the monkey's hand. A MUG and a WAD OF CASH, who in this instance, Biz Monkey shares the design with Poker Monkey. The wad cannot be removed.
[ Larger & Individual Images Viewable HERE on FB ]
I have to admit, the "size" somewhat bothers me a bit … primarily because of the toy's "limbs" - because they are not necessarily heavy-set (and hence harder to move), so they tend to "flap" about loosely (NOT that the toy is haunted and moves by itself!) … and I wonder if a slightly smaller piece (like 70% of) might prove optimal? Would it stand comfortably alongside his other releases? Or is this meant to "stand alone"? … but then again, I am not going to be playing around with this piece as much and not floundering the limbs in the air, in the first place LOL
In that regard, the aesthetics works pretty strongly for the piece to stand out amongst the rest on your toy-shelf (that are not JLed-designed haha), and as well follow the concept of elongated-limbs his previous released like RINGO BEAR and SMASH possess, and they make one fine family of toys indeed!
