Background
One of the new plush lines of 2010 are those morbid baby vampyres called the Vamplets. We offered up a review of two of the characters early in the year. The line has undergone some changes, so we wanted to bring you a review of one of the slightly tweaked versions of Count Vlad Von Gloom.
He is descended from a direct line that dates back to Count Dracula. Therefore he is arrogant...he's royalty after all! He is never full when fed. Keep a full warm bottle of blood handy at all times. This is a warning! Vlad is totally fussy about his appearance. A stray drop of blood on his diaper can cause a tantrum. If a tantrum occurs quickly place him on his bed of nails. This is a favorite among his many torture device playthings.
The Facts
Count Vlad Von Gloom
Series: Vamplets
Manufacturer: Vamplet LLC
Artist: G-Ra
Material: Plush (fleece)
Dimensions: 8” tall
Outfit: Dark gray diaper with white bow, embroidered safety pins and skull decal
Tag
The tag is shaped like a baby bottle, half-full or half-empty (depending on your outlook) with blood. The Vamplets logo and the character's name are printed on the outside, while inside is the “Official Certificate of Possession”.
The tag has been redesigned since our last review. It allows for a little more flexibility when opening it up.
Our Opinion
The Vamplets were one of those big surprises we stumbled upon during the February 2010 International Toy Fair. I was pleasantly surprised to find a cute new plush line that had a little edge to it. The baby vampires were even able to make their way out to San Diego for the company's first Comic Con appearance.
The line has been tweaked since their NYC introduction of this past winter. The tag has been redesigned. The accessories on the Vamplets' heads are slightly larger. And the color around the eyes is a little more pronounced. The only issue I had noted, which wasn't addressed, was that some of the pointy fingers had began fraying. Nothing too major, as the stitches still hold in place.
Count Vlad Von Gloom features two tufts of hair, each one adorned by a little black bat. He's sporting a dark gray diaper with a small skull on the front (a bow and embroidered safety pins as well). His little wristband states BAD – isn't that a given for a blood sucker? And Vlad has the green shadow (our favorite) around his eyes. Oh...and his ears are the smallest of the lot.
Overall: Count Vlad Von Gloom might just be our favorite character in the Vamplets line. Although, it's pretty tough to choose with all of the cute baby vampires awaiting that bottle of blood. For less than $20 each, you can't go wrong picking up a Vamplet or two.
You can pick one up at the following:
The Geekest Link: £11.75
Vamplets.com: $16.95
Count Vlad Von Gloom Grades
Plush Quality: 9/10
Stitching: 8/10
Material: 9/10
Softness: 7/10
Packaging/Tag: 8/10
Cuteness: 9/10
Fun Factor: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Overall: 9.3/10
