Background

We recently got our hands on one of Symbiote Studios’ first designer toy platform figure – the Symbiotes. This rotocast vinyl line of DIY, licensed and original characters is available with characters such as Dr. Tran, a ninja, a pirate and several DIY colorways. We’ll be looking at the navy blue DIY piece.

Symbiotes are cool new figures that all use the same head, body and arms. Designed by legendary artist Curt Rapala, each figure is a character that is created in a stylized way.

Symbiotes are in the same height and scale as other "Mighty" competitors products. They also have accessories that are interchangeable with our competitors products. Have no idea what competing product we are talking about? Well, then our mind control is complete!

The Facts



Navy DIY Symbiote
Series: Symbiotes
Manufacturer: Symbiote Studios
Artist: Joseph Reiter (lead designer) and Curt Rapala (lead artist)
Material: Rotocast vinyl
Height: 6.5”
Points of Articulation: 5 (head, shoulders and wrists)
Accessories: Four interchangeable hands, pistol and sword
Edition Size: 100 pieces (Wave 1)

Packaging

The Symbiotes packaging features an illustration of the character you purchased on the front. The sides of the box contain a little info on the line (website and artist names). And the rear of the box shows what’s included with your figure as well as several other released (and planned) Symbiotes. Inside, the figure is held within dual snapping plastic trays.

Our Opinion

Again…I have to reiterate that it’s difficult to review a DIY figure. (They generally rate anywhere up to 2 points lower than a painted figure) Not only do you have to look at the blank figure, but you have to imagine how it would be customized. There have been a few character and licensed figures released, but we’ll be speaking specifically of the DIY version.

I like that the figure comes with some extras. However, the packaging shows the sword and pistol as being painted. That’s not the case. They are both the same navy blue as the figure. The hands, which pop out fairly easily, are available in open and closed hand variations.

Quality-wise, there’s a noticeable crease around the neck, but that’s fairly common in rotocast vinyl figures with spherical heads. Also, the hands pop out easily, so be careful not to lose them.

It’s interesting that the figure is available in so many various DIY colors, since most folks will probably want to prime it and paint over whatever color they bought. Currently they have DIY Symbiotes available in the following colors: Black, White, Navy, Grey, Dark Green and Red.

Looking at the figure design, it’s very similar in appearance to veggiesomething’s House of Liu line. And that figure looked a little bit like a Dunny. So it’s not exactly an earth-shattering new look, but it’s a very affordable DIY figure for the size.

I’m interested in checking out some of the actual character figures, as they will give you a better feel for what the platform figure can evolve into. If Symbiote Studios can turn the Sam and Max illustrations on the rear of the DIY box into vinyl figures, I’ll be thoroughly pleased. And the company has stated that they’ll be adorning Symbiotes with their newly acquired Fraggle Rock license. If that happens…I’m sold!

You can pick one up at the following:

Symbiote Studios: $15.00 ea.

Navy DIY Symbiote Grades:

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

Overall: 7.5/10

What do you rate this figure?