by TJ Norris
ROCK+ROLL ALL OVER AGAIN: The year was 1975 and the third album from what would become "the Greatest Rock & Roll Band of All-Time" was Dressed to Kill (Casablanca Records) by KISS of course! For this record the big hit was the most memorable Rock and Roll All Nite. The band, like these 8" articulated and posable figures don an overall black and white 3-piece look (down to the buttons) for guys who otherwise wouldn't be caught wearing such garb, the suits are all rumoured to have belonged to their manager at the time. These are available now from Entertainment Earth (as a set of four). At just seconds over 30 minutes in length Dressed to Kill would go on to be one of the bands' fan favorites as well as becoming a certified gold record (500K sold) though neither of the singles ever charted!
Well, here you have four separately packaged figures that bring back the noir streets of NY circa '75. The Figures Toy Co. of Tampa has done a really great job of sparking the imagination of rock fans everywhere with this officially licensed product, developing figures that are pretty sturdy, all with jet black long hair and customized suits and ties and wingtips (and clogs). They ring in the 70's powerfully while ensnaring the great derangement between wild rockers in makeup and businessmen in pinstripes. A great metaphor for the times, and with KISS as one of the most produced bands within the toy and collectable realm, this proves that years of dedication truly pays off in the end, they were just inducted into the R+R Hall of Fame earlier this year in fact.
The figures you see are 8" in height and sport custom-made clothing that are in separates and heels, right down to their toes, they even have socks! The makers spared no detail to bring these to life and they stand out as some of the better I have seen of the band in recent memory. What's more is that these also include a mini collectable album cover plus - get this - aside from this set the toy maker has also released variants as well as figures themed on the records KISS Alive, Love Gun, their debut KISS and a few others - each including garments of the era. Very visual and conceptual, we can only hope they make more of other wild bands and performers of the 70's and 80's! Collectors should know that these come in great sturdy plastic blister packs that pop open and close for easy removal of each figure for posing, etc. When done just return it to the protective packing. Makes for keeping a collectible value intact, while still allowing for some fun.
The Figures Toy Co. got the likenesses pretty close as well as capturing certain expressions in the sculpt which you imagine the band may have had at the time. Perfectly quirky and we recommend: Collect 'Em All!