Background
Last year, Tonner Doll Company announced that they'd be releasing Tonner Character Figures based on Joss Whedon's 2002 television series – Firefly. To date, they have released three figures – the essential main characters. And while we've reviewed Malcolm Reynolds and Jayne Cobb, we're going to take a look at the last of the trio – Zoe Washburne.
According to Wikipedia, Zoe Washburne “served in the Unification War under Sergeant Malcolm Reynolds and continues under his command on his spaceship, Serenity. A loyal second-in-command and a tough, deadly fighter, Zoe is the only member of Mal's crew to regularly call him 'sir' and take orders as if receiving them from a superior officer.”
The Facts
Zoe Washburne
Series: Firefly Tonner Character Figures
Manufacturer: Tonner Doll Co.
Sculpted by: Robert Tonner
Authorized Likeness: Gina Torres
Material: Tyler BW High-Heeled Body in Dreamgirls Skintone with Brown Eyes and Dark Brunette Rooted Hair
Dimensions: 16” tall
Points of Articulation: 17 (neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, chest, waist, hips, knees, ankles, feet)
Outfit: Soft knit shirt, slim-cut twill trousers, faux leather vest with working side buckles, faux leather belt and holster, braided faux leather bracelet, wrap around cord necklace,and zip-up faux leather boots
Accessories: Painted resin gun; Display stand
Edition Size: 500 pieces
Packaging
The Zoe Washburne figure comes packaged in the black matte Firefly box (preferred by myself), with the gold foil Firefly logo on the front. Inside, there are the usual Tonner safeguards: hairnet, ribbons, plastic bags and Styrofoam.
Our Opinion
Out of the three Firefly figures that Tonner has released, I feel that the Zoe Washburne TCF features the best face sculpt. There's a little something off with the eyes. Gina Torres' eyes are a little further apart. Tonner did paint the eyelids slightly closed, which makes her a little more realistic looking. The nose, lipstick and hair all look spot-on (even if I'm awful at styling doll's hair).
From all of the still photos I've seen, Tonner Doll Co. has recreated Zoe Washburne's outfit perfectly. I'll admit that I did place her bracelet on the incorrect arm. But the vest, shirt, pants and other accessories look just like the source pictures (style-wise and color).
Zoe Washburne has sold out from Tonner. That's fairly surprising, since the figure isn't that old. And 500 pieces isn't that small of a run, although it is half of the Malcolm and Jayne runs. You can still find it around the internet, but at a price marked up from the original $169.99.
OVERALL: I think that Firefly fans will be pleased with the Zoe Washburne figure. Obviously, they are...if Tonner has already sold out of them. She's probably the most realistic looking of the three Firefly figures, although I still think that Jayne Cobb is my favorite (you have to love the hat).
Firefly - Zoe Washburne
Figure Quality: 8/10
Sculpt: 8/10
Paint: 8/10
Accessories/Outfit: 9/10
Packaging: 8/10
Durability: 8/10
Fun Factor: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Overall: 8.8/10
