Background
Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans will always remember Angel (played by David Boreanaz) as the former vampire Angelus, not to mention the love interest of Buffy Summers. He was a cursed demon who had to leave happiness, and Sunnydale, or risk returning to his evil vampire form.
Once in Los Angeles (and on his own spin-off show), Angel formed Angel Investigations with a staff of human demon fighters. The group was dedicated to fighting evil, while Angel attempted to make up for the sins of his past.
This is the 3rd 12” Angel figure that Sideshow Toys has produced. However, it’s the first of their Angel line, based on the episode – City of Angels.
Packaging
It’s tough to find any complaints with the packaging for Sideshow’s 12” collectible figure line. The box is loaded with a number of product photos, plenty of background reading, and live-action photos from the Angel television show. The front panel opens to reveal the figure and accessories behind a plastic window, giving collectors a choice in displaying options.
The Figure
Sideshow’s 12” line is fully articulated with over 30 points of
articulation. Angel comes dressed in a black leather jacket with
matching pants. Under the jacket, he’s wearing a black shirt with a
white tank top. Accessories include twin wrist-mounted stakes (for
easily taking out vampires), a short sword and an additional wooden
stake. The Sideshow exclusive version includes an additional axe. And as always, there is a special Angel display stand.
Our Opinion
Oluf Hartvigson’s sculpt of David Boreanaz is dead-on. I wonder if it
might fool his actress wife or weatherman father? Even though the
figure is eerily similar to the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Angel, this
version is superior in sculpt, clothing and accessories. It’s often
difficult to get the spikey hair correct, but I like what Sideshow has
done with the sculpt. Even the scuffed look of the figure’s brown
shoes is impressive. It would have been nice if Sideshow could have
created workable retractable wrist stakes. And speaking of those
stakes, I would keep this figure away from small children because
those stakes are pretty sharp.
You can pick up these figures at the following:
Sideshow Collectibles: $44.99 (Wait list only)
Angel Grades:
Quality: 10/10
Paint: 9/10
Durability: 8/10
Hype: 8/10
Fun Factor: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Overall: 9.3/10
