Background

BIC Plastics have released their BIC Buddy line of blind-boxed platform figures. Designed by graffiti artist Marka27, the figure uses the shape of a spray can nozzle head on a Dunny-esque body. In Artist Series One, they’ve gathered a strong group of 13 designers to lend their unique styles to the platform.

The Facts



BIC Buddy
Series: Artist Series “One”
Manufacturer: BIC Plastics
Material: Rotocast Vinyl
Platform Designer: Marka27
Designs by: Andrew Bell, Angry Woebots, Brandt Peters, Cope2, David Flores, Indie84, Jesse Hernandez, KaNo, MAD, Marka27, Ritzy Periwinkle, Scribe and SKET (plus 3 chase designs)
Height: 3”
Points of Articulation: 3 (neck and arms)
Accessories: Marka27 design includes a nightstick

Packaging

The line is packaged in a blind-boxed format. On the outside in the box is a list of illustrations of the various designs you might pull (as well as ratios). Each BIC Buddy is in a metallic bag so you can’t see which figure is inside. You’ll need scissors to open them because there isn’t a visible tear mark. Inside, there’s a little foldout booklet that features illustrations, artist names ad ratios of all of the designs.

Our Opinion

Most of the big name designer toy companies have their own brand of platform toys. Kidrobot has the Dunny. Jamungo has the BUD. Toy2R has the Qee. And, now, BIC has the BIC Buddy. The figure, designed by Marka27, has a curved head that resembles a spray can nozzle and a body very similar to a Dunny.

The quality of the vinyl is slightly above average. The only strange thing is that they went with a head sculpt that was constructed in two pieces. The bottom lip area is sculpted separately and glued on. There are no issues with this, other than you can see a slight seam under the chin. I’m just not sure why they didn’t sculpt it as one piece.

They’ve gone with pad printing for the paint application, so each figure has a tight look to it (especially the blood spatter). Also, on most of the designs, there is a pad print of the artist’s signature and website on the bottom of the foot.

Several of the designs come with little extras such as capes, wings or a nightstick. I would have liked to see a few more items for the characters to hold in their hands, since they were sculpted perfectly for weapons. In Series One, only KaNo’s design comes with a nightstick.

The BIC Buddy Artist Series One features a top of the line assortment of designers who all bring their A-game. Some of the designs are stronger than others. I’d probably break them into three groups: 

Great – Angry Woebots, Jesse Hernandez, Ritzy Periwinkle, SKET
Good – Andrew Bell, Brandt Peters, KaNo, MAD, Marka27, Scribe
OK – Cope2, David Flores, Indie84

You can pick one up at the following:

BIC Plastics: $228.00 per case of 25

BIC Buddy Artist Series One Grades:

Figure Quality: 8/10
    Sculpt: 8/10
    Paint: 8/10
Accessories/Outfit: 8/10
Packaging: 9/10
Durability: 9/10
Fun Factor: 9/10
Value: 8/10

Overall: 9.2/10

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What do you rate these figures?