Well, Christmas Day, so got my present opened up. My initial impressions, soft-review, and some pics.
Okay, so this is my first TBLeague figure. I've got a couple Hot Toys and other 1/6 figures from various companies, but this is the first foray into their offerings. BBTS had this guy for under $125, and I even grabbed a "damaged" box for a few more dollars off (the box had the mildest of creases on the back, so I feel like I got a MAJOR deal on this guy). So... let's get to King Tut, shall we?
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As someone used to the build, size, and weight of Hot Toys, I was surprised at just how much heft these figures and their metal skeletons have in comparison. TBLeague's famous seamless body is also very impressive. I've long heard their praises, and it's almost a shame that 99.9% of this figure's seamless body is covered up. Almost.
Because the amount of layers and the tailoring is exquisite. While I wish there were handling instructions (so I wouldn't have put a few armor pieces on prematurely, only to discover I had to remove them later for other bits), referencing the promo images was enough to get my bearings. There was some very minor creases and folds some light steam mostly handled, and admittedly some parts didn't quite fit as easily as I hoped (that left shoulder pauldron really doesn't want to stay affixed to the collar piece), but it's a small price to pay for such a handsomely displayed shelf piece. The amount of differing materials all come together so well - from the metal to the fur to the variety of textured fabrics. You can look at him for hours and find something new.
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The joints are solid, even if the large staff is perhaps a bit too hefty for really dynamic poses, and the death mask head is flexible enough to offer a surprising range of motion. While he has a lot of "kingly" presence, you can get some really cool dynamic poses from him as well, if you so choose. It's nice that he comes with several staffs and accessories, you're given the choice of swapping and changing out parts to build the version you want. I've stated earlier, I like this "Assassin's Creed Origins"-inspired look, so I've gone all-in on most of his stylings.
One thing I really appreciated was the presentation. The box itself is a work of art. It feels so much less like a toy than a museum piece crafted with care. From the layers and layers of soft foam surrounding every accessory to the magnetic cover (which I used as a backdrop for several pics), TBLeague really knows how to make a great first impression.
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And that's not even touching the throne. The figure alone would have been worth the asking price, but the chair they include is exquisitely detailed, finely painted, and really brings the pharaoh's look together. I have him currently seated beside my computer desk and he looks like he always belonged there, lording over the rest of my collection beneath him.
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Overall, he's not perfect. No figure is. The amount of materials means some bits of him don't always stay where I want them to stay, but it's not nearly enough to diminish what's on display here.
I grew up with a strong fascination with Egyptian mythology and history as a young child that carried over into my adult years. Every time I go to the museums, I hope they have a section for Egyptian art and history. I spent many years in my youth drawing Tut's death mask, and I never thought we'd get a figure like this. I have certain "rules" for my 1/6 scale collection due to the limits of budget and space - almost exclusively the heroes that I grew up loving and admiring - and Tut wasn't on my "list". 1/6 scale collecting is an expensive hobby and I don't easily deviate, or make impulse purchases.
But BBTS's sale was too tempting and my interest too strong, so Tut's now at home and a breath of fresh air from my normal superhero and Japanese robot acquisitions. There's admittedly not much else in the Egypt line that really excited me like this one did, but this is enough to represent an important part of my formative identity. And the positive impression of TBLeague's construction makes me feel a lot better about a few of their upcoming seamless body figures to modestly calm my fear of them wearing down and breaking.
It's a good Christmas present for me, and it might be the last 1/6 purchase I make for awhile. He may not be my favorite figure on my shelf, but he's definitely one of the most positive and high-quality offerings I've seen yet.
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I have the white throne sitting in my loot pile at BBTS and can't wait to see it! Thanks for posting these pictures!
