A rotten future... what to expect?

[JacktheRipper]

As has been mentioned before one shouldn't spend their time worrying about what might happen. I have a few rubber bodied figures and I can't spend my time worrying about what might happen. The only way to avoid rot is to stay away from these figures entirely. I bought these figures knowing something might happen with the rubber portions. I live with my decision.

 

[Moonwalker1982]

Unless they announce a "crack addict" rubber body, you're fine. HT heads and hands aren't cast out of the same material as the rubber bodies.

That's good to know, so basically it's especially the case with older HT figures that still had rubber bodies? And that's one of the main reasons they keep updating them to slim..advanced, etc?

 

[dominishin]

Yes and no.

Truetypes can't really replace specialized muscle bodies in terms of aesthetics. Truetypes are mostly for customizers (or the occasional case for one of their figure releases).

 

[JacktheRipper]

That's good to know, so basically it's especially the case with older HT figures that still had rubber bodies? And that's one of the main reasons they keep updating them to slim..advanced, etc?

Not really older, HT ventured into trying different materials ie. rubber for some characters. Some have shown to not hold up over time. Slim, advanced, etc are just variations to their base TT body.

 

[thenammagazine]

That's good to know, so basically it's especially the case with older HT figures that still had rubber bodies? And that's one of the main reasons they keep updating them to slim..advanced, etc?

In cases like Hellboy, Rambo or Dutch, where a substantial amount of muscle needed to be shown, they used rubber bodies. Otherwise, for basic releases, it was the standard TrueTypes. Now HT's essentially done away with them in favor of sculpted muscle bodies with PVC chests. So, unless you're looking at a figure like Batman (who's on a TrueType but utilizes a rubber suit over the top), Sarah Connor or the Mars Attacks dudes, you should be fine.

Yes and no.

Truetypes can't really replace specialized muscle bodies in terms of aesthetics. Truetypes are mostly for customizers (or the occasional case for one of their figure releases).

The rubber bodies were more the exception than the rule. Most of their figures are on TrueTypes.

Not really older, HT ventured into trying different materials ie. rubber for some characters. Some have shown to not hold up over time. Slim, advanced, etc are just variations to their base TT body.

I'd say if you have an older body, it's only a matter of time. REALLY hoping they toy with the idea of specialized replacement bodies for their older figures. Especially the Rambos.

 

[Moonwalker1982]

Really really sucks for people who have that though, damn. But i gotta say it's nice and good of Hot Toys that they changed them for the better. I mean, they could have just went on producing these and ignoring complaints from customers, knowing that peolpe will buy them anyway. That's something i can really apreciate.

 

[JacktheRipper]

I'd say if you have an older body, it's only a matter of time. REALLY hoping they toy with the idea of specialized replacement bodies for their older figures. Especially the Rambos.

But that's with any kind of rubber. Your environment, the chemical combination, etc. all play a roll in when it will deteriorate. If you go in knowing that it may fall apart in you life-time then you should be good. If not then stay a way.

 

[thenammagazine]

But that's with any kind of rubber. Your environment, the chemical combination, etc. all play a roll in when it will deteriorate. If you go in knowing that it may fall apart in you life-time then you should be good. If not then stay a way.

I agree to some extent. At least now. But back when I bought Rambo, I didn't expect to see all the issues people have been having with him. Mine was fine but I didn't want to sit there like an idiot and watch a grail slowly deteriorate, so I decided to let him be someone else's problem. Also, these are labeled as ACTION FIGURES. They shouldn't be falling apart from customers bending the articulated points, following the instructions HT themselves included. That said there are still figures like the rubber King Kong I've had since '74 that hasn't deteriorated a bit, or Sideshow's 12" Creature from the Black Lagoon that, despite having his elbows bent holding the skeletal hand for several years now, shows absolutely no sign of cracking or rotting.

 

[JacktheRipper]

No, they shouldn't be falling a part so soon. Especially for what some of us have paid for them. I too have stuff from when I was a kid that show no signs of falling a part.

You took a proactive aproach to your figures and got rid of them. And you're probably not going to buy any rubber bodied figures any time soon. The only rubber bodied figures I've bought have been of characters/movies I truely love and will deal with any deterioation as it shows itself. As of now the only thing showing any signs, and they might have been their when I bought it, is ED-209. It has very small tears which I can live with at the moment.

 

[thenammagazine]

You took a proactive aproach to your figures and got rid of them. And you're probably not going to buy any rubber bodied figures any time soon. The only rubber bodied figures I've bought have been of characters/movies I truely love and will deal with any deterioation as it shows itself. As of now the only thing showing any signs, and they might have been their when I bought it, is ED-209. It has very small tears which I can live with at the moment.

Nope. Still own Police Shootout Rambo, Rambo III, Dutch, Billy (who got swapped to a TTA), RoboCop, Apollo Creed (switched to AATTA for Dillon), TDK Batman, Krauser (which I switched to a TTA), and Chris Redfield (also switched to TTA). I'm currently

 

[JacktheRipper]

Nope. Still own Police Shootout Rambo, Rambo III, Dutch, Billy (who got swapped to a TTA), RoboCop, TDK Batman, Krauser (which I switched to a TTA), and Chris Redfield (also switched to TTA).

Then live with you choices, sucker!

 

[thenammagazine]

Then live with you choices, sucker!

That's my point. All the figures with the rubber bodies are set for replacement bodies that don't have the issues. The upcoming ACI Gladiator looks like a perfect replacement for Dutch. The rest is just a matter of wait and see.

 

[a-dev]

The upcoming ACI Gladiator looks like a perfect replacement for Dutch.

Got a link to that? I'd be interested in having something on standby for when the Dutch body starts to degrade. Pity the T-800 body doesn't work for Dutch.

 

[thenammagazine]

Got a link to that? I'd be interested in having something on standby for when the Dutch body starts to degrade. Pity the T-800 body doesn't work for Dutch.

Nada yet. It was announced at ToyFair though, so we should see something sooner than later.

 

[riky]

I have missed out on so many figures due to this issue (I guess my wallet should thank them), because I know I would obsess and not enjoy them. Abigail Whistler would be prone to this on her arms and chest correct?

 

[thenammagazine]

I have missed out on so many figures due to this issue (I guess my wallet should thank them), because I know I would obsess and not enjoy them. Abigail Whistler would be prone to this on her arms and chest correct?

Chest potentially, but I believe she had the jointed TT arms.

 

[FlyAndFight]

On a related note, I recently traded for an Alien Big Chap and when I opened up the box, it smelled of cigarrettes. I ended up giving it a good dousing of "Febreeze". I was willing to risk it, as the stink was simply nasty. So far, so good. I've checked on it everyday and all looks fine.

Big Chap is now smelling like springtime in Tuscany...

 

[thenammagazine]

On a related note, I recently traded for an Alien Big Chap and when I opened up the box, it smelled of cigarrettes. I ended up giving it a good dousing of "Febreeze". I was willing to risk it, as the stink was simply nasty. So far, so good. I've checked on it everyday and all looks fine.

Big Chap is now smelling like springtime in Tuscany...

I know what you mean. Ordered a plush My Little Pony on ebaY for my daughter a couple weeks ago and had to do the same (now she smells like Hawaiian Spring). It reeked so bad, you'd swear the seller pulled the ____ing thing out of an ash tray and shipped it. And I was supposed to just hand that thing to my daughter?!

 

[DiFabio]

Well I'm glad for the most part that both of the recent Arnold T-800s don't have rubber (I know the upper torso and neck are made from a rubber/plastic shell, but it feels better than the rubber bodies and costumes I've owned in the past). If they had the Rambo or Dutch true type bodies, I'd be disappointed.

Here's hoping that the Hot Toys '89 Batman figure has minimal rubber but with the aesthetics of the suit, I'm sure that's what it'll be.

 

[Boba Ben]

I have missed out on so many figures due to this issue (I guess my wallet should thank them), because I know I would obsess and not enjoy them. Abigail Whistler would be prone to this on her arms and chest correct?

I think she has the rubber arms too, similar to Sarah Connor.