THE DOKTOR IS IN: What a treat to have the opportunity to review the latest vinyl collaboration from the maker of Mectorians, the illustrious Doktor A. and producer extraordinaire Munky King, the amazing to behold Mr. Pumfrey and His Astounding Mechanised Perambulator. This is turn-o-the-century steampunk-style toymaking (or "retrobotic" as they say) at its absolute finest! The style will be of great interest to tinkerers everywhere, rivets and parts, steel mechanisms and lots of imagination. Let's have a look, shall we?.....
Pretty much, from every possible angle, this figure is flawless. The various metallic parts are represented by different shades of copper and brass, Mr. Pumfrey's monocle is a perfectly shiny emerald accentuating his probable eye color. This edition in only 400 is 8" tall and is referred to as the "Summer Saunter Edition". Maybe because it is so shiny and welcoming, maybe because it has so much intricacy anyone who beholds it will be mesmerised for hours.
As you can obviously see, there are so many detailed gadgets and gizmos painstakenly painted to the nth degree, shading and spot touches everywhere. And I haven't even started to describe the beguiling sculpt by Dave Pressler and Julie B (of Pretty in Plastic). It's all about superlatives in what we see as the figure of the year thusfar, by far.
If you look closely at the front of this contraption you will spy some brass gears under the semi-transparent green portal lenses which bring life to the otherwise inanimate. The seams have a realistic dark shading giving the overall metallic effect lustre and pizazz even though this is 100% vinyl. And the bulbous and twisted octopus-like tentacles in bright orange-bronze are sumptious -- and will glow without any lighting in any display setting. Speaking of glowing, I really like what Munky King did for the box, utilizing a vision of the figure coming from the darkness with only the eerie slime green eyes glowing through the night. The box also uses a shiny aqueous coating to differentiate parts from the matte of the rest of the box - it's a nice extra touch.
As for Mr. Pumfrey himself, he is removable as a separate figure from his wild craft. At first he struck me as the Monopoly guy - with his top hat and undeniable moustache - but he himself is made from tin and tacks (vinyl of course). The figure fits in your hand as shown and stands up if you get him just right though he best fits in the cockpit of his imagination. There is countless detailing on this gorgeous "wind-up" man - the key turns and pulls out for safe-keeping! The only single addition that would have sent this further over the top was to make a lil' door or placement on the perambulator for the key (a secret sweet spot). Imaginations run wild on this ride.
RATING:
Sculpt + Paint: PERFECT 10 of 10
Packaging/Design: 9/10
Get him right here and now or forever hold your pizza.
If you like this guy check out the many other creations by the good Doktor A.