Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men White Star Commander Comet Action Figure

Believe it or not, I expected the look at White Star Commander Comet to be the obituary for this line - maybe I've said that before a few times. By the end of 2013 and 2014, fan sentiment toward the Four Horsemen's two Glyos properties seemed to straddle the fence between adoration and loathing. On one hand, Power Lords and The Outer Space Men were amazingly well-crafted indie toys using familiar licenses to make something for the discriminating action figure fan.
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men White Star Mystron Action Figure

Did you know that The Outer Space Men toy line turns 50 this year? It's true! The space race got people really excited about space and space toys, until we landed on the moon and everybody got bored. Because of that, the original prototype figure that led to White Star Mystron was never produced - but we got little versions of him now for a fairly nice price. If you've been following these reviews - and I've only got a couple left to write - you no doubt know that a lot of the early figures share a ton of parts, which coincided with lower pricing. Everybody won! ...initially. This Mystron was in a Comic-Con exclusive from 2013, after each figure had a minimum of 4 or 5 releases in various colors. The higher prices and reduced paint was sort of a slap in the face. I still bought it - and I basically like it, even though it'd make a better custom base than a play or display toy. Also I get to say that I own a White Devil action figure. 
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men White Star Electron+ Action Figure

Space is a fascinating thing - heck, science in general is great as it changes our perception of the world, and our toys follow. This entire line was conceived before man ever sat foot on the moon, so the potential for our being alone in the solar system was a lot different. We didn't open the box and kill life on other planets yet, so the notion that something could be out there wasn't quite as fanciful as it appears today. With the recent visit to Pluto, it makes sense that we look at White Star Electron+ as he was still in the hopper. A lot has changed in the last two years, namely the line finished its five-year mission and the license expired over at the Four Horsemen. New figures may be coming, but the prices of some old figures have plummeted thanks to what one sharp toy collector referred to as "punitive" repaints. He's not wrong.
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men White Star Alpha 7 Action Figure

I like White Star Alpha 7, despite it being part of an incomplete "White Star" master set (so far anyway). And the fact that it's overpriced. And that I really have no good way to display it. It's just a fun little figure - sometimes these things are interesting for no good reason, particularly since I have an aversion to white figures due to yellowing over time. (Glyos have been good so far, though.) This Martian is decidedly not of the red planet, which I find mildly disappointing - I was always hoping for a red one - but the white one ain't bad. The solid opaque color adds a little to the figure in terms of making it feel old, particularly as space toys of old were largely unadorned with such extravagances as "paint..." or articulation, but who's counting.
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Alpha Phase Ohpromatem Action Figure

Of all the figures in the line, Ohpromatem may well be the toughest to spell. Three versions of this figure exist, and this clear, smoke one was the first release. It would be followed by an all-white figure plus a fully-painted figure, all of which look pretty awesome for different reasons. As the only translucent version of the mold this figure will probably be of more interest to fans down the road, particularly since most figures received 3 transparent precolors.
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Alpha Phase Jack Asteroid

This ability for a classic figure line to grow is both exciting and terrifying. So many action figure lines are revived without the original cast seeing plastic, new entrants are sometimes seen as unwelcome pests - but not Jack Asteroid. Not only did he debut after we saw evidence of the original 13 Outer Space Men were hitting plastic, but the design was a clever twist on existing figures - the body is Metamorpho, from 2010. The helmet, backpack, and weapons are recycled from the Terra Firma design, which debuted in early 2012. The only completely new element is his human head, one of very few mass-produced people noggins in the Glyos-compatible toy world (so far.)
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men White Star Xodiac Action Figure

As we look at White Star Xodiac - which I feel is pretty good - we're at a point where I think we can all say that we've seen the bulk of what this line has to offer and how it shook out. On the bright side, those of us who were too young (or not yet on this planet) got a shot at some really cool characters, rendered in a wonderful sturdy style. Also, it served as a stern reminder of how fickle the collector market continues to be as most of the figures were available for half price at some point or another if you were willing to wait. Most of the "Alpha phase" figures sold quickly, and there were a couple of fast-selling specials, but when you get right down to it this is another line that the history books say you could've saved a couple hundred bucks if you just waited it out on most of them, even if it meant paying a premium on eBay for the "rare" ones - it turned out the marketplace for the line was indeed small, but on the bright side I actually have some of these guys. You can't win 'em all, but I had a good time - and this is a pretty good figure despite being stupendously lacking in deco.
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men White Star Metamorpho Action Figure

Generally speaking, my love for my action figures increases with time. We spend time watching TV or writing reviews, or I have to carry them around from one home to the next. For all of their faults, I usually love them. With White Star Metamorpho I've come away from this set (and indeed the bulk of the 2013 offerings for this line) quite disappointed. This set was blown out at reduced prices and practically given away due to the 200-piece run being unable to sell itself, it looks as if the White Star line won't necessarily ever be completed, and unless you're a customizer these things are kind of a dud. They exist, sure, but they're probably the least interesting figures in the entire run of close to 80 different figures.
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Alpha Phase Horroscope Action Figure

While Terra Firma was forged from the stuff dreams are made of, Horroscope is more on the nightmare side. The head was originally designed for a male variant of Xodiac, which probably would be a lot less sexually confusing for any young men who stumble on this one in their dad's collections. (Generally speaking, if you see something involving large breasts and tentacles, these elements are not on the same person. Or so I've been told.)
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men White Star Inferno Action Figure

I liked the idea of the White Star figures a bunch - blank white figures are great custom fodder, and I think would have made great debut releases rather than as third encores. White Star Inferno came out at a pretty high price-per-figure as a large boxed set, which I have no doubt limited its appeal to hardcore fans or hungry customizers. The set was marked down a significant chunk within a month of Comic-Con, which stung, and the set was followed up by a New York Comic Con set of six white figures based on the 2013 new characters.
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White Star Outer Space Men Price Drop

Did you buy the 8-pack of White Star Outer Space Men Action Figures at Comic-Con? I did.  And we're suckers, because ActionFigureXpress marked it down 20% from $114.99 to the much more reasonable $91.99.

It's a much better price for plain white figures with a few blue highlights.  They are by no means remarkable, but if you're planning on collecting them all (and mathematically, you aren't) it's a chance to get them on the cheap.  Or you can wait for another markdown and get some great custom fodder.

Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Alpha Phase Gamma X Action Figure

As one of the final unproduced "original" Outer Space Men, Gamma X benefits from years of history and is a bit of a toy legend in that the original 1969 prototype didn't yield a mass-produced toy until this one. For those dying for a Gamma X figure of their own, truly it is a great day. For those just wanting a neat figure, it's OK. Feeling like a mutation of the previously-released Electron+, the concept of a man from beyond time was a sound one - the original concept of a glow-in-the-dark figure in clear crystal armor - but as a clear unpainted guy in a blue suit, the complete package is just not all that exciting. Individual components, on the other hand, are pretty amazing.
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Alpha Phase Terra Firma Action Figure

The first "new" prototype figure shown to the world was Terra Firma. She was a big surprise at the Futuretro show in New York back in 2012, even though she's visible (barely) on an art print sold at the show. She's also a fairly adult release in an updated children's line, owing her look to the cartoon art of old Playboy magazines. This certainly helps her stay in that 1960s vibe, despite being designed rather recently.
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Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men White Star Astro-Nautilus Action Figure

While I've been hoping for "blank" or "unpainted" opaque figures like White Star Astro-Nautilus for a while now, I always imagined them cheaper and sold individually. A giant boxed set of 8 figures with practically no paint screams "completeist only," which is no doubt why the 200-set run didn't sell out at Comic-Con and why people aren't exactly screaming to get these. A few samples were being flipped on eBay for $200 per boxed set, but oddly nobody is splitting up the sets to sell singles just yet. Given the increasing prices and decreasing customer base for the line, I hope future, similar sets are sold individually just to encourage less-hardcore fans to jump on board. Were I new to this line, dropping $240 on 14 figures at 1 booth at a show would be pretty terrifying.
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White Star Edition Outer Space Men IN STOCK Now

 

The Action Figure Xpress exclusive White Star Edition Outer Space Men Action Figures are up for pre-order as I type this. It's $114.99, same as at the show.

The set is one big box with 8 bagged figures inside.  Each figure is cast in white, unpainted plastic with a few blue highlights on eyes, weapons, and chest symbols.  Each figure has some clear blue element with the sole exception of Inferno.   Figures do not have any black splotches or unpainted white bits, as the previous images were mock-ups and not the final product.  They're pretty good - I have a set here and I'm still going through them, but they're basically exactly what you would hope for.

Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Alpha Phase Colossus Rex Action Figure

This figure was a long time coming - Colossus Rex was first shown, fully-painted, to the public at Comic-Con in July 2011. As of my writing this, I've been home from SDCC for mere hours and I just popped this figure open - and it's incredibly great, if you like this kind of thing. Based on the 1968 original design from Colorforms, this new figure comes packaged with Horroscope and Ohproatem in a box rather than in bags with header cards. Interestingly, my sets were swapped - the box showed the opposite set's characters on it instead, for both packs. As far as I know they're all like this so don't have a heart attack when you open the first box - it's probably the correct set.
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Note: there were a whopping 14 figures sold from this line at SDCC 2013.  We do not anticipate reviewing them all in the immediate future, so hang in there.

Quick Overview: 2013 San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive Outer Space Men Alpha Wave

They made it! They weren't available until Friday, but the latest Outer Space Men did indeed show up and reviews will start popping up on this very blog this week - we're just getting back from the show so there's a lot to unpack.  Here's a quick rundown.

- The set of 6 was $120, making this the most expensive Alpha wave yet at $20 per figure.  Last year's was $50 for 3 figures, or $16.66 per figure.
- This was the first Alpha Phase to not come with any bagged figures with stapled header cards.  All came in sealed bags inside a small white box.
- The box has no individual figure names on the outside.
- The sets were mispackaged with my sample - the figures came in the opposing boxes.
- The flags are not well made. The stickers keep coming unglued - you can squeeze them together but they begin to separate.  Expect to reglue or replace them within a few months to a year.
- The Outer Space Women have difficulty standing due to their poses.
- The Outer Space Women cannot sit with their legs at a 90-degree angle.

Overall it's a nice wave - Colossus Rex is the clear winner (literally) and will be reviewed here on Tuesday.  Gamma-X is quite good, but cannot sit with his armor attached.  The Jack Asteroid and Terra Firma helmets are three-piece contraptions with flip-up visors.  Ohpramatem and Horroscope share a bunch of parts, and the transforming head gimmicks work great.  Horroscope has a two-piece head that separates at the tentacles. And I got work to do so more later.

Outer Space Men SDCC Exclusives Finally Revealed

Update: The figures did not arrive on Thursday, and we were told to come back Friday. For the curious, I picked up my White Star set without a hitch.

After some delay, 6 new pictures and some news got posted to SourceHorsemen.com!   Horrorscope (pictured) looks great, and due to a delay the figures are expected to go on sale after noon on Thursday (today).  I of course shall be there.

Click here to see everything.

Heads-Up: SDCC AFX White Star Outer Space Men Invoices Incoming

Hey kids - the San Diego Comic-Con Action Figure Xpress Outer Space Men White Star Action Figure Set invoices started going out over the weekend, and this is required for at-show pick-up for the figures.  If you haven't already printed yours out, or checked your email, you may wish to do so.

The show is under 10 days away!

Pre-Order Outer Space Men 2013 Alpha Phase Figures Now

Good news! You can pre-order the 2013 Outer Space Men San Diego Comic-Con Exclusives from the Four Horsemen right now.  (Not so good news: each 3-pack is now $60, making the 6 figures $120 before shipping.)  These are not for at-show pick-up, I assume it'll be like other years where you just walk up and buy it.  At $12, shipping isn't actually all that shabby.  Click here to order.

Pictures are not posted at this time, but here's the breakdown:

Wave 6 with Deluxe Wave 2
Colossus Rex - Clear Green
Horroscope - Clear Purple
Ohpromatem - Clear Smoke Grey

Wave 1 with Deluxe Wave 3
Gamma X - Clear Colorless
Jack Asteroid - Clear Orange
Terra Firma - Clear Orange

I'll be picking mine up at the show, barring a sell-out.

For those keeping track, this makes the tally 14 SDCC exclusive Outer Space Men so far, for a grand total of $235.00.  ($16.79 per figure on average.)