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Battlestar Galactica | ||||||||||
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hat's old is new again. A new series based on the 1970s TV show Battlestar Galactica now airs on the SCI FI network to critical, as well as popular, acclaim. The show takes some large liberties with the characters and situations from the original, much beloved series. One of the most jarring changes is the changing of perhaps the most popular character, Starbuck, from a man to a woman. But critics were soundly silenced when the first show aired.
The popularity of the new series has boosted nostalgia for the older show, which still holds a place in the hearts of many science-fiction fans. And, riding this popularity, Majestic Studios has just released two new 12-inch action figures based on two of the original show's most beloved characters—Colonial pilot Starbuck and fleet leader Cmdr. Adama.
Starbuck and Adama come packaged in glossy flapped window boxes rich with colorful images from the TV series. Inside the flap of each, Richard Hatch, who played Apollo in the series, is shown posing with several of Majestic's Battlestar Galactica figures, including Starbuck. Also, each flap shows pertinent images of each character in situations from the show. The back of each box shows further images from the show and a history of each character. Behind the figure, each box displays the history of the Battlestar Galactica universe.
Cmdr. Adama, president of the Quorum of the 12 and commander of the Battlestar Galactica, the only surviving battlestar after a deadly sneak attack by the enemy Cylons, wears a blue velour suit (hey, it was the '70s), pants, a sweater and a long overcoat and cape. He comes with a communications pad.
Lt. Starbuck, Warrior-grade viper pilot, wears the standard Colonial Viper pilot uniform, beige pants, beige jersey, brown suede flight jacket and black boots. He has a low-slung holster with a blaster pistol. He also has a communications pad.
Each figure has an amazing array of articulation points, with double-jointed elbows and knees and a superior range of shoulder motion. Each also comes with display stand labeled with the show's logo to help the figure stand, not that they necessarily need the help.
Two leaders ready for battle
Starbuck's outfit is otherwise identical to that of Majestic's previously released Apollo, complete with (non-operating) closures and Colonial starburst insignia on both collars. The jacket is made of soft material that nicely mimics suede, with stiffer felt on the shoulders. The belt is fake leather and fits through belt loops on the pants, attaching to a metal buckle. The elastic holster belt hangs low and is strapped to the leg with more elastic straps sewn into the inseam. It is commendable that Majestic, after molding Apollo's holster as an accurate left-handed holster, gives Starbuck a right-slung holster.
While the figure's body closely matches the superior articulation of a Sideshow Toy figure, the wrists have no joints at all. Rather, each arm attaches partway up the forearm and is a solid piece of plastic. Starbuck's right hand is replaceable. One hand is posed to hold the blaster pistol, and the other holds his characteristic cigar.
Starbuck's face sculpt is, sadly, the worst part of a fine figure. The profile is pretty accurate, but the paint is unnaturally pale and the result is alarmingly more like a young Liberace than Dirk Benedict, who played Starbuck.
Adama's outfit is rich velour, making for a soft, supple effect. The cape is lined with white and has a hook-eye attachment.
However, the silver-and-black checkered pattern that trims his outfit is overly large. While the pattern is correct, its scale is far too big for the figure. Pictures of the prototype Adama (on the cover of the box) show a more accurately scaled striping. This and the fact that the Colonial symbol Adama wears around his neck is chrome on the prototype picture and dull silver plastic on the actual item lead to disappointment in the figure, if only a little. Majestic would have done better to show the actual production figure on the box to avoid false expectations.
Adama's face sculpt is better than Starbuck's, but it is still rendered somewhat cartoony by the paint.
This, combined with the fact that Adama comes with only one accessory, an unnecessary communications pad, brings this figure's score down a bit.
These are good figures, no question. My main concern has to do with their facial features, which are close, but not accurate. I'm particularly excited by the fact that Majestic has announced they will be creating figures from the new series as well—that's something to look forward to! — Sean
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