by TJ Norris
Pardon me. Though I'm one of the few who has yet to watch a single episode of the huge Sony Pictures Television hit series Breaking Bad. So, how might one prepare themself to review something related without much but peripheral exposure? Well, I think this is exactly where collectible toys and their original medium can divide and transcend themselves. By way of the figures themselves I start to get the idea that the series is about drugs, making money and awkward tragedies. I get this simply from looking at the small batch of Funko Pop! figures I have collected over the last several months. They were too unique to pass up. In passing I also happened to watch the actor Bryan Cranston discussing his role as Heisenberg moments after he won his Emmy for his portrayal on the show.
Now, in front of me stares a miniaturized, yet super-detailed version of said character from the "curiously bold" toy company, Mezco. The collectible action figure measures 6" tall and comes complete with removable hat and glasses, a well-rendered sack of bills (cash money people) and a bag of mysterious blue crystals (hidden behind the plastic packaging). The figure comes on a carboard card back that must be broken to retrieve the figure - some collectors have amazing techniques for removing and replacing the darndest packing, but this one may be tender for even the pros.
The face sculpt is rough, not unlike the actor's, with a furrowed brow, auburn gotee and bald noggin. His sunken cheeks are right on even though his whole head may be smaller than some thumbs. His leather has a super cool matte-like texture, with wonderfully molded wrinkles and crinkles. Under it he sports a subtle hint of a white t-shirt and burgundy button-down with detailing right down to the final of five white buttons and a gold belt buckle. The figure's stance is a very slight forward lunge. The duffle bag is just genius and hints at the potential criminal nature of the man behind the dark glasses. All-in-all the makers at Mezco captured a true sense of dramatic being without seeming caricature-like at all. at such small scale!
This is a high quality figure that I'd rate nearly 4 out of five stars for a smaller action figure. Though these have been selling out (as the new series of figures is expected soon) you can get yours through J and K Stuff (they have 9 in stock now)!