Background
Shocker Toys – known for their Shockini and Indie Spotlight lines – recently launched their line of urban vinyl inspired figures – Mallows. While the company has released a few licensed character Mallows, we’ll be taking a look at the blank/customizable white DIY Mallows.
According to the packaging:
Mallows are the first 3D canvas offering from Shocker Toys. A fusion of urban vinyl styling queues and the pose-friendly articulation Shocker Toys is known for. This unique canvas adds versatility to the mix, while still maintaining crucial surface area for customization.
Expect to see our licensed characters transposed onto this figure, solid color blank figures for the customizer crowd, and our Artists’ Series in the coming months.
The Facts
DIY Mallows
Series: Mallows
Manufacturer: Shocker Toys
Material: ABS Plastic
Height: 5”
Points of Articulation: 9 (head, shoulders, elbows, knees and ankles)
Packaging
For a DIY figure, the packaging is well above average. It has the above description on the rear panel, with an illustration (featuring dimensions) of the Mallow on one of the sides. The other side has an image that looks straight out of the 1950’s with a great tagline for the series – Because art doesn’t have to be so stiff!
Our Opinion
It’s difficult to review a DIY figure. There’s no paintwork on it. There isn’t a license or a recognizable character. It’s just…blank. BUT! We can imagine what artists will do with this template and we’ve already seen a few licensed Mallows released at SDCC.
I hope to do a review of the licensed Mallows in the future, so I’ll focus on the DIY version here. It’s a very sturdy piece. You can easily pop off the head, the arms and the legs. But they’re still very stiff, so you’re not going to have issues with loose joints or the figure falling over.
One thing I want to point out is that the line is made out of ABS plastic. It’s not a big deal to me, since making a rotocast vinyl figure with this type of articulation would be nearly impossible. But some collectors might pick one up and not realize that it’s a harder plastic.
With that being said…I have to admit that the Mallows are my new favorite DIY figure. They’ve jumped ahead of Munnys or Qees. And the main reason is the articulation…oh…and the fashionable marshmallow shaped head.
You can pick one up at the following:
Shocker Toys: $14.00 - includes shipping
DIY Mallows Grades:
Figure Quality: 7/10
Sculpt: 7/10
Paint: N/A
Accessories/Outfit: N/A
Packaging: 8/10
Durability: 9/10
Fun Factor: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Overall: 8.5/10
What do you rate this figure?
