Captain Phasma - Hasbro - The Force Awakens (2015)
Return to the Main Jedi Temple Archives Home Page

Jumbo Vintage Kenner Figures

Walrus Man - Jumbo Vintage Kenner Figures

Name: Walrus Man
Type: Jumbo Vintage Kenner Figures
Number: Item No. 80045
Edition Size: 1020
Source: A New Hope
Availability: April 2013
License: Gentle Giant Ltd.

Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan01 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan02 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan03 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan04
Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan05 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan06 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan07 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan08
Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan09 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan10 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan11 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan12
Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan13 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan14 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan15 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan16
Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan17 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan18 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan19 Review_JumboVintageWalrusMan20

We have come across Star Wars fans throughout the years that have gone so far as mocked Kenner for their interpretations of classic action figures like Hammerhead and Walrus Man. Their inaccurate costumes (and even physical features) in particular are the source of criticism. “Just what were they thinking?!” is a question we often here. But what many collectors forget is that action figure design was a completely different bowl of wax than it is today. It wasn’t so much about screen accuracy (and it certainly wasn’t about super-articulation either for that matter) back then. So when it comes to seeing these figures again in a much larger scale, it’s again about the whole original experience at a grander scale. Likeness and articulation once again take a backseat to everything else. Walrus Man, a name we haven’t heard in a while thanks to the figures brought to us by Hasbro, is a refreshing release to see. And Gentle Giant Ltd. did a fine job at releasing it in this larger scale. He may have flippers, a bright orange leotard and skin tight blue body glove. And his gloves may exactly match the color of his head, but he is Walrus Man, a classic cantina alien and a timeless action figure.

We have to hand it to Gentle Giant sometimes. We had criticized some of their earlier efforts that they should be “correcting” issues the original Kenner figures had without compromising the nostalgic factors of these figures. Let us give you an example of what we mean. The Han Solo [Small Head] Jumbo Vintage Figure was made with one leg shorter than the other. This is something that is actually present in the 1978 Kenner figure, but we expressed we wished we would have seen Gentle Giant ensure that both legs were the same length in the larger scale so he would be able to stand unassisted on a display shelf. That’s very difficult because the digital scans didn’t correct this issue, but in fact magnified it because of larger parts. Well, Gentle Giant painted the hands on Walrus Man the correct way for the first time ever with the Jumbo Vintage Kenner Figure. The green paint (which oddly matches his head color) goes all the way up the length of the glove and doesn’t cut off at the actual wrist like the 1979 vintage figure. We expect there will be collectors out there who would like Gentle Giant to remain consistent with Kenner, even if they’re errors. But we feel oppositely about this.

Conversely, Walrus Man has overspray on his tusks which is often present on the 3.75” Kenner figures. It would have been nice if Gentle Giant Ltd. would have put a better process in place that would have prevented the green color of his head to “leak” onto his white tusks. These are very nitpicky details. But we have expressed time and again that these are expensive and will only have one chance to make an impression on the collecting community. These are not horrible issues, but we would like to see them fully resolved and these expensive collectibles come issue free. There is one other exception we take with the roto-cast vinyl process used to make the Jumbo Vintage Kenner Figures. Sadly, the hands and lower legs of Walrus Man are separately sculpted pieces. Obviously this is a much different approach than the original Kenner action figures. The limbs should have been entirely casted as whole pieces. This has caused issues with quality as pieces have broken off when trying to place the weapon in hand or other reasons. If Gentle Giant Ltd. Can just find ways to perfect the process, this will be a very special collectible line that will be long and fondly remembered.

Collector Notes

Walrus Man

Status: Walrus Man is an all-new figure.

Exclusivity: N/A

Articulation Count: 5

Articulation Details: swivel head, 2 swivel shoulders, 2 swivel hips

Accessory Count: 1

Accessory Details: blaster rifle

Date Stamp: 2012

UPC: 871810008964

Retail: $79.99 USD

Market Value: Click here to check the latest prices based on Click here to check the market value on eBay! listings.

 

Gentle Giant Ltd.
All Jumbo Vintage Kenner Figures

 
Added: May 16, 2013
Category: Jumbo Vintage Kenner Figures
Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Score:
blog comments powered by Disqus

Return to Research Droids Reviews Index

-Click HERE to return to the home page-

Channels

 

Follow Us

JTA Info

Affiliates

Hasbro

Gentle Giant

Sideshow Collectibles

Hot Toys

LEGO

Mattel

Disney

Disney Store

Acme Archives

Hallmark

Trading Cards

Store Reports

Research Droids Reviews

Visual Guides

Books & Novels

Convention News

Movie & TV News

Rants & Raves

Special Reports

       Facebook

       Instagram

       Pinterest

       Youtube

       RSS

Home

Contact

News Archives

Site Search

Image Use Policy

Disclosure Policy

Privacy Policy

RDR Index

Visual Guide Index

Bantha Skull

Collector's Cantina

Jedi News

Star Wars Figuren

Star Wars New Zealand

Star Wars is a Copyright and Trademark of LucasFilm LTD. This site is intended for informational purposes only, and is not in anyway associated with LFL. All Visual Guides, images, and content are the property of JediTempleArchives.com, © 2004-2019 and may not be reused without permission. Please do not direct link to any of the content on this web site.