Serpentor is one of those figures who only has one look. Every one of his figures has been in his standard, regal armor design. Sure, the colors have changed...a bit. But, Serpentor doesn't really have a figure in a look other than one derived from his 1986 debut.
Serpentor is also a figure, though, who doesn't really need another look. Attempts to modernize him fall flat. And, sometimes, the regal emperor's regalia is all a character needs to convey his purpose. Granted, I wouldn't say no to a debut inspired, shirtless Serpentor. He and Dr. Mindbender would be twinsies. I actually hope Super7 gets around to a Serpentor like that. But, I'm not going to hold my breath.
This 2005 Serpentor is probably the worst of his three o-ring versions. But, that's a misnomer because all of Serpentor's colorings are great. This one is just different. The removable helmet actually works for this figure, too. The soft pastels are a nice alternate look for Serpentor and give him a less regal and less imposing feel than the golden and black based figures that preceded this release.
I'd really love to do more with this figure. But, I sold all my spares during my purge. And, the lone sample I have left is starting to show fraying and wear around the arm holes on his cape. So, I don't get this guy out much, any longer. The biggest argument for newer Serpentor figures is that the old ones are all brittle and easy to damage. Heck, even this figure is now 20 years old. But, the Super7 Serpentors, so far, haven't really done much to inspire my acquisition of them. Maybe that will change if they do something fun or interesting with the character. Until then, I have this 2005 figure for the sparse times I may feel the need to bring the Serpentor character out for a photo shoot.
It's hard for me to agree. v1 with its plastic causes the figure to fall apart, so on that basis, it has to be the "worst." This wasn't so obscure d-list Joe or Cobra. Hasbro designed a shoddy "action figure" that was in the look, but don't play with realm.
ReplyDeleteSo, this one doesn't fall apart, so there's that with this figure. The removable helmet is a decent feature, but I was never too keen on his head mold. I probably prefer what Super7 has done over the old Hasbro o-ring Serpentor figures, bottom line, and he finally has a MUCH better ally, Pythona, rather than that goof Mindbender.
I 100% hate the brittle gold plastic of the 1986 Serpentor, too. But, to be fair, I'm sure Hasbro wasn't planning on people still being interested in the toy almost 40 years later. The gold plastic wasn't immediately brittle...that happened over time (except those damn teeth on the headdress...they were always a weak point). It's my recollection that I didn't start to notice the brittleness becoming an issue until the late 90's/early 2000's - which is more than a fair length of time for Hasbro to have expected the figure to survive.
DeleteAs for the 2005 version, he's fine. I applaud them for trying something a little bit different with the color scheme (as has been said, there are only so many options with Serpentor). I don't think the removable headdress worked out perfectly. But, again, it's a nice change of pace. Plus, it gave the figure a distinct look from the previous versions
For a Serpentor figure you can "play with" this is probably the best Hasbro option. Aged brittle Original is prone to breakage and loose joints and the capes can be fragile. The 2002 RAH Collection Wave 5 recolor was underproduced and the skin is likely prone to yellowing like the others from that wave.
ReplyDeleteStill surprising not rust-read Serpentor from the animated commercials and error shots from the toon.
But Super 7 might get to in...in betwixt all the Cobra Commander and Snake-Eyes variations.
I actually like the colors on him alot. Wish I bought him in 2005. I definitely remember seeing him in the Wal-Mart store back then but girls were on my mind not Joes....unfortunately lol
ReplyDeleteAlso please don't ever say Twinsies again