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Background

Timebandits Toys - an offshoot of Timebandits Watches – has released a vinyl figure based on their logo. Poster boy – Frankie "The Timebandit" – was designed artist/creative director Jonathan Stephens.

Frankie "The Timebandit" is a gangster superhero. He can travel through time, stop time, and is the supreme bandit of time. His powerful “Time Travel” watches allow him to break the space-time continuum in order to fight evil and tyranny.

He seeks out others who have the potential for “Time Travel” who also possess gangster superpowers of their own. He slings watches to these select few. They become the chosen ones who will join together to form a league of time traveling, gangster superheros known as “Timebandits”.

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The Facts



Frankie “The Timebandit”
Manufacturer: Timebandits Toys
Artist: Jonathan Stephens
Sculpted by: David Arshawsky
Material: Rotocast vinyl
Dimensions: 9” tall
Points of Articulation: Zero
Accessories: Fedora hat; Bullet-riddled briefcase

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Packaging

The Frankie vinyl is packaged in a window-front box. It features the background story from above as well as the names of those involved in producing the piece. On the back panel, you can check out an illustrated version of Frankie. Inside, the figure is stowed in a plastic tray that hugs the figure on its head, feet and arms.

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Our Opinion

I hadn't heard of TimeBandits Watches previous to checking out Frankie “The Timebandit”. The sweatband-based watches are apparently fairly popular...enough so that they released a vinyl figure based on their logo character. And while it's not necessary to know of the watch company to appreciate the figure, he is prominently displaying a pair of Timebandits Watches.

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The Frankie character appears to be modeled after actor Edward G. Robinson. Robinson was best known for his portrayal of mobster “Rico” in the 1930's film Little Caesar.The figure sports a removable tan fedora as well as a Timebandits briefcase (complete with bullet holes on the rear). The two watches on his left arm appear to be made of rubber.

The static figure is well sculpted. The pose is somewhat complex, but it mimics the illustration. The area where the figure struggles is the paint. This is an instance of where bad paint can hurt a sculpt. There are spots on his arms and hands where the paint isn't heavy enough (you can see the gray vinyl underneath), but then there are other places where that paint is applied a little too liberally. It's sad that it lacks tight paint lines, because the paintwork on the eyes, eyebrows and beard stubble looks pretty good.

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OVERALL: I'm thinking that Frankie “The Timebandit” will appeal to collectors familiar with Timebandits Watches and those who dig early 20th century mobsters. Even though there are some paint issues with the figure, I suggest checking out the deal where you can pick up the figure and a watch for $54.95 (especially if you like the watches).

You can pick one up at the following:

Timebandits Watches: $54.95

Frankie "The Timebandit" Grades

Figure Quality: 6/10
   Sculpt: 8/10
   Paint: 5/10
Accessories/Outfit: 7/10
Packaging: 7/10
Durability: 8/10
Fun Factor: 8/10
Value: 8/10

Overall: 7.3/10

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