Welcome back to Dan's ToyBox. As if having my own website wasn't enough, now I've got my very own action figure! This year, Hasbro offered their new "Selfie Series" figures and collectors have jumped on this trend. The great thing about this is that you can choose from five different toy lines for your custom figure: Ghostbusters, Power Rangers, G.I. Joe, Star Wars, and Marvel. I debated it and eventually told my wife about it. Her response was to go for it, because it would be very neat to have my own figure... so today, I'm really excited to bring you my review of "The Dandalorian."I thought about going with a Marvel figure, but growing up, though I really enjoyed superheroes, Star Wars was my first love and I really enjoy "The Mandalorian" series on Disney +.
Born in the breadbasket of America, raised in the icy tundra of Western NY, Dan Danjarin was your average, ordinary, everyday kid. Danjarin knew though, that he was meant for greater things and one day, that truth was shown to him. "Dando" witnessed hardened criminal, "Buster the Cat" escape police custody, leaving carnage in his wake. Dando, hard pressed for money eagerly jumped on the bounty offered for this villainous feline and the course of his life was opened up. Donning his trusty Beskar armor, carrying his blaster and Amban Sniper rifle, Danjarin brought the vile Buster in to justice. Intrigued by the villain's jetpack, Dando added it to his growing arsenal and became the fearsome intergalactic bounty hunter...The Dandalorian! Created by Dan Hickman, The Dandalorian first appeared in December 2022.
I think for the sake of pure fun and enjoyment though, we will discuss our four key attributes, this will be a purely tongue in cheek article, aimed at showing you just how much fun it is to have your very own action figure.
Images © Dan's ToyBox 2022
ACCESSORIES
When I ordered this figure, I was honestly unsure as to what all it would come with. To be honest, I really didn't expect there to be any accessories, though I don't know why I felt that way. The figure does actually come with the standard Mandalorian figure accessories: a blaster, the Amban Sniper Rifle, his jetpack, and the removable cape. Given that a helmet would have been oversized and likely would have damaged the paint, I can understand why one wasn't included. The fact that they packed Mando's accessories though was a nice bonus and aside from Grogu, I really can't think of anything else The Dandalorian needs to fulfill his bounty missions. I'll give them a 9 out of 10.
Images © Dan's ToyBox 2022
APPEARANCE
If you've seen any of my previous Mandalorian figure reviews, you'll know that I'm really fond of the amount of detail and paint that went into this figure. This body is exactly the same as the black series Beskar Armor Mandalorian and still looks incredible. The paint applications, sculpted details, and accuracy to the source material are on point. I really love the clean paint details on his cloves, boots, weaponry, belt and bandolier. There is so much applied and it's still just as impressive to me as the first time I saw the original figure. The true purpose of this part though is to talk about the astonishing head sculpt and paint applications. With the Hasbro Selfie Series, the consumer is asked to download the Hasbro Pulse app and when you are ready to take your picture, the app will have a head shaped outline for you to keep your face within. The first picture is straight on and you are asked to remove glasses and hats (if wearing any.) Once the picture has been taken, you will receive a message to first turn your head to the left for a profile picture, all the while keeping within the outline provided and then to the right. Once complete, you can review the photos and if you aren't happy, can take new ones. After this, you are asked for things like eye and hair color and hair style...of course, that was an easy one for me! Once submitted, the magic happens. Hasbro has been using photo real tech for a number of years now, most notably on their MCU Marvel Legends figures and it continues to provide amazing results. Honestly, when I first opened this figure, I was floored. The resemblance is uncanny and once I looked even more closely, I discovered that it replicated my lazy eye to a degree!!!! Even the goatee is identical. What really shocked me though, was the paint applications. I look at this figure and the flesh tone is spot on, right down to the color on my lips. My facial shape, nose, mouth... it's just really neat how Hasbro is able to offer this. Appearance easily earns a solid 10 out of 10 (for accuracy, because I'm surely NOT a 10 at all!!!!!)
Images © Dan's ToyBox 2022
ARTICULATION
If there is one complaint I have, it's definitely with the articulation. As we've seen this body before on previous iterations of the Black Series Mandalorian, there isn't anything new. The head will turn side to side but has limited up and down motion and virtually no tilt. The shoulders are hindered from raising out to a full T pose due to the shoulder pauldrons, but the arms will rotate a full 360 degrees. There is no bicep swivel, because it was moved to the elbow joint. The elbow is a single joint that bends to 90 degrees max. Both hands rotate and hinge good enough though. There is a ball joint, giving the upper torso some rotation, crunch, and tilt ability. Unfortunately, the bandolier can prohibit this movement to a degree. The legs will do moderate splits and can kick forward relatively well. There is a thigh cut, which is good enough and the double-jointed knees can bend in rather deeply. The ankles hinge and pivot easily enough, which allows for decent poses. Overall, though, the articulation does leave a bit to be desired which means Dando gets a very generous 5 out of 10.
AFFORDABILITY
The Hasbro Selfie Series is not an inexpensive purchase. This figure cost $59.99, which is still better than import pricing, but significantly higher than similar figures. Let's face it, you're paying for a customized head with your face on it, slapped on an existing Hasbro figure. That being said, I'm not going to lie, it's worth it. If you have been on the fence about ordering a Hasbro Selfie Series figure, don't let the price scare you away. The novelty of having a singularly unique figure that nobody else will ever be able to reproduce or replicate is really neat. All things considered; I'll give the pricing a solid 7 out of 10.
Overall, I'll admit it... I freaking love this figure. Yes, I'm biased because... it's ME! But the truth of the matter is that Hasbro's Selfie Series has turned out better than I think most people anticipated. If you are a toy collector, this is exactly what you are looking for and I give the Hasbro Selfie Series a boomin'
9 out of 10 ToyBoxes!!!
I hope you had as much fun reading this as I did writing it. Dan's ToyBox has the best fans around and I'm grateful for all of you! Until next time... GEEK OUT!!!