Stikfas: Alpha Male Military review

The toy revolution will not be televised!

Pros
you can PLAY with it
Cons
if they were half as expensive, they would be perfect
The Bottom Line
Stikfas is the subject of this review, and what imagination says, it does.

The king is dead! Long live the king!

Stikfas Action Figure Kit (AFK) is a super-articulated 3-inch figure you assemble and configure in numerous ways. With its unique design and solid parts, the Stikfas AFK is both playable and customizable. Armed with interchangeability and poseability, the Stikfas AFK aims to lead the way in a whole new toy revolution... so gear up now and we'll change the way you play forever! Stikfas - -it's simply fun!

For 10 years, Todd McFarlane has been the name for God on the lips and hearts of toy fans. His detailed, statuesque figures set the standard toward which the industry strives. However, ten years is a long time to be king, and a rebellion is growing. Birthed into a world of merchandising tie-ins and cross-promotional marketing decisions, a world where bigger is better, tiny little Stikfas are geared for a new way to play.

Stikfas (I don't know how it's pronounced, but I say it like "stick fass") are ultra-generic, featureless figures. By stripping away the ULTRA DETAIL!!! that defines so may figures today, Stikfas provide a tabula rasa for play - while other figures might interact with playsets, Stikfas interacts with your imagination. Their tiny plain bodies are perfect for customization, with no details to look out of place on a finished figure.

Stikfas (Stikfases?) are sold in a sturdy white cardboard box. The front has the giant "Geared for a new way to play?" slogan, as well as the image and logo seen up above. The sides and rear have images and information about the product. Inside the box is a Stikfas logo ziplock bag containing the Action Figure Kit, several promotional and instructional post cards, and a sheet of stickers.

So what is an Action Figure Kit? Like a Gundam or model plane, it consists of multiple plastic pieces which need to be removed from frames. As with any model, this can leave some sharp bits, so parents might want to check the pieces before handing them off to a child. This Stikfas set consists of 44 pieces on three frames: one for body parts, one for accessories, and one for weapons. The set contains enough pieces to build one figure, with choices of various chests and thighs.

There are two types of torsos - one more pumped up than the other - and two of each with the set; one set smooth, and one set with indentations into which accessories can be plugged. There are also two sets of thighs, with or without indents.

Once you've assembled the figure, he stands a scant 3¼" tall, and is just a little black lump; no detail, no face, no nothing. Imagine an unpainted Lego person - of course, that's just where you start. From there, Stikfas can go anywhere. This particular set is the Military Alpha Male, and his accessories and decals reflect that; he comes with 11 guns, a helmet, stocking cap, riot shield, backpack, assault ladder, two clips and four pockets (the pack, clips, and pockets fit into the aforementioned niches). The decals include a variety of military emblems and gear, allowing you to customize your soldier.

For those that think a plain black figure is always going to be pretty much the same, you couldn't be more wrong. Wearing the helmet, pack and pouches, and carrying a gun, Alpha Male really does look like a military professional; give him the stocking cap and handgun, and you've got a terrorist.

A lot of the difference between Stikfas characters is body language. All of the Stikfas' articulation is balljointed, and he moves at the wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, mid-torso, hips, knees, and ankles. His big huge feet keep him balanced in any number of poses, even on one foot.

Since Stikfas are so small, they can use most 3¾" accessories - that means you can have lightsaber duels or join Cobra Commander in an assault on the Joes. You can also put him in 1:18 scale vehicles, available from many different sources.

In closing, allow me to paraphrase Bob Dorough:

The set sold round the world
Was the start of the revolution.
Stikfas aren't detailed, but they move.
Take your decals, take your guns,
Prepare to have yourself some fun,
Come on now, there's not an hour to lose!

----------

BONUS!

Visit Stikfas' official site at http://www.stikfas.com/

Get tips for customizing at the Stikfas Workshop. http://stikfasworkshop.tripod.com/

Suggested For: Everyone
Bang for the Buck: 5 - Don't pay more than retail
Best Feature: Articulation
Durability: Good.

Recommended
Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 9.00
Type of Toy: Other