Background

Rocket World’s IWG has been re-imagined as characters from the world of Star Trek: The Original Series. Captain Titus, Commander Affonso, and Lt. Commander Hannibal are on a mission to explore strange new worlds as they journey to the final frontier. Who knows what mischief and mayhem lie ahead as they boldly go where no animal has gone before?

Released as a 2010 San Diego Comic Con Exclusive, the IWG Starfleet Series was one of the more popular lines at the show. Rocket World was kind enough to hold on to some of the series for those who could not get to the show.

The Facts



IWG Starfleet Series
Series: Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo
Manufacturer: Rocket World
Artist: Patrick Ma
Material: Rotocast vinyl
Dimensions: 7” tall
Points of Articulation: Titus – 3 (neck, arms); Affonso – 6 (neck, arms, legs, tail); Hannibal – 5 (neck, arms, legs)
Designs: Captain Titus, Commander Affonso and Lt. Commander Hannibal
Outfit: Federation Starfleet uniform shirt with Starfleet Insignia
Accessories: Type II Phaser, Communicator, Tricorder, and a mini plush Tribble
Edition Size: 300 pieces of each character (numbered on foot)

Packaging

All of the three characters are packaged in the same box. It features the Star Trek logo as well as a plastic window cut out similar to the Starfleet insignia. On the rear of the packaging, you can read a little background information on the line as well as a list of the three characters.

Our Opinion

I find the Star Trek films entertaining, but I definitely wouldn't consider myself a Trekkie. Saying that – or at least writing it – I have to admit that this might just be my favorite Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo series. It features the three most popular IWG characters: Titus as Captain Kirk; Affonso as Commander Spock; Hannibal as - I'm guessing - Lt. Commander Scott.

The quality of the IWG Starfleet Series has taken a step up from some of the recent IWG offerings. Each figure includes a detailed Phaser, Communicator (although it doesn't actually open), Tricorder and a plush Tribble. Each character comes with a different color Tribble: Affonso – white; Hannibal – gray; Titus – brown.

The shirts feel like they're made of Spandex. They have a Velcro strip along the back so that you can remove the shirt, if you're so inclined. Each shirt features a plastic Starfleet Insignia on it. This is the only place where I've come across an issue with these figures. The insignia is glued on the shirt, and on two of the three, they've actually started falling off the shirts. I'm not sure if I'll need to superglue them in place, but it's worth noting.

OVERALL: I feel like this is a big coup for Rocket World. They were able to get ahold of the Star Trek license, which I'm guessing isn't the easiest thing to do – especially for a small designer toy company. But then they created a series of really fun toys that really benefited from that license.

From the figures to the accessories to the clothes to the little plush Tribbles...Star Trek and Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo fans will be extremely pleased with the way the IWG Starfleet Series turned out.

You can pick one up at the following:

RocketWorld.org: $50.00 ea.

IWG Starfleet Series Grades

Figure Quality: 9/10
   Sculpt: 9/10
   Paint: 8/10
Accessories/Outfit: 8/10
Packaging: 8/10
Durability: 8/10
Fun Factor: 9/10
Value: 8/10

Captain Titus: 9.2/10
Commander Affonso: 9.3/10
Lt. Commander Hannibal: 9.1/10

Background

Rocket World has released their first production run plush. Based on the original – and arguably most popular – Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo member, the Titus Plush landed with a roar (err…a snarl). There was a treasure hunt that started right here on Plastic and Plush, and ended with a shot at receiving a prize of a plush Titus. Now, the limited edition plush (plus human skull) is available for all IWG fans to place alongside their vinyl collection.

The Facts



Titus Plush
Series: Insurgent Wilderness Gruppo (IWG)
Manufacturer: Rocket World
Artist: Patrick Ma
Material: Plush
Dimensions: 17.5” feet to ears (13.5” seated)
Accessories: Removable plush skull
Edition Size: 1,000 pieces

Tag

The plush has a very simple tag, which features the Rocket World logo. It’s tied around Titus’ neck with a red ribbon.

Our Opinion

The plush resembles Titus from the IWG Baby Cubs line. I know…the Baby Cub and regular edition Titus are the same bear character. But the head on the plush is not in scale to the body (head – 9” and body – 8.5”).

One of the first things you notice about the Titus plush is the size of his head. He actually needs to sit with his chin resting on the removable plush skull to stop it from flopping around. There’s no support in the plush’s neck, so that’s the best way to display Titus.

The plush skull is held in place using Velcro attached to the Titus’ hands and the sides of the skull. The stitching work on the white cranium is great. The eyes, nostrils and spaces between the teeth are embroidered. The way they formed the cheekbones is very impressive. The only thing I don’t like is that they put one rough piece and one soft piece of Velcro on the skull. I would have preferred having both rough pieces on the skull, since Titus is cuddlier (and no one wants to be scratched).

Rocket World did a great job transferring Titus from illustration to vinyl to plush. He’s got the pink belly button and ears, plastic eyes and nose (one eye is smaller than the other), and the single tooth exposed thanks to a slight underbite.

Overall, the quality of the plush is great. It’s super soft (although the skull is quite solid), and there’s a lot of complex stitching (Titus’ mouth and the skull) that are superbly done. I’m just hoping that Rocket World continues producing plush versions of some of the more popular IWG characters.

You can pick one up at the following:

Rocket World: $24.99 ea.

Titus Plush Grades

Plush Quality: 9/10
    Stitching: 10/10
    Material: 8/10
Softness: 9/10
Packaging/Tag: 6/10
Cuteness: 9/10
Fun Factor: 8/10
Value: 9/10

Overall: 9.2/10