Background
Introducing Inspector Cumulus! Scotland Yard's leading cloud-headed detective. Feared by criminals and colleagues alike due to his short temper and cantankerous nature. "Don't make me Cumulonimbus, you wouldn't like me when I'm Cumulonimbus!"
Jonathan Edwards, a UK based artist/illustrator, is the creator of the Inspector Cumulus character. He has teamed up with Crazy Label to bring this cloud detective to vinyl form.
The Facts
Inspector Cumulus
Manufacturer: Crazy Label
Artist: Jonathan Edwards
Material: Rotocast vinyl
Dimensions: 8” tall
Points of Articulation: 5 points (neck, shoulders, wrists)
Accessories: Fedora Hat, Smoking Pipe
Edition Size: 500 pieces
Packaging
The Inspector Cumulus figure comes packaged in a retro styled box. It features an illustrated version of the character on one side, with the above rewritten biography. The front of the box has a plastic windowpane in the shape of Inspector Cumulus' head, with the character's logo underneath it.
Our Opinion
When I saw the initial sculpts of the Inspector Cumulus figure, my first thought was how well the character would look alongside Pete Fowler's Monsterism series. Those figures were my introduction to the designer toy scene...many years ago. So it makes sense that I was eagerly anticipating the release of Jonathan Edwards' Inspector Cumulus.
Crazy Label has created a vinyl figure that closely resembles the source illustration. The only difference? In the illustration, Cumulus' right hand is in his pocket. And that might be my lone issue with the sculpt, the right hand looks a little awkward.
Inspector Cumulus comes packaged with a pair of accessories. There's that fancy black fedora that sits upon his puffy head. And Cumulus' pipe fits into a small hole in the figure's mouth. The left hand is sculpted so that you can place the pipe between his index and middle finger.
As far as quality, I think Cumulus is slightly above average. There's not much painting on this figure, with most of the paint detail around the neck/tie/shirt area. I like that Crazy Label went with a soft vinyl – and semi translucent – head.
OVERALL: I'll admit that I was expecting a must-have release with this Inspector Cumulus figure, and I think the puffy-headed cloud detective has lived up to my lofty expectations. I think that Crazy Label released a contender for our 2011 Vinyl Toy of the Year Award.
You can pick one up at the following:
Frozen Empire Toys: $39.95
Tainted Visions: $39.95
Crazy Label: $39.95
Inspector Cumulus Grades
Figure Quality: 8/10
Sculpt: 8/10
Paint: 8/10
Accessories/Outfit: N/A
Packaging: 9/10
Durability: 8/10
Fun Factor: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Overall: 9.1/10
