Sunday, May 17, 2009

The Best BCA Owen Hart Figure?


If I had the time or interest in doing so, I would review every single BCA figure produced for this blog.

However, I prefer to focus in depth on one figure at a time (two max), such as I did below this post with the Flash Funk review.

I planned on reviewing the ever-popular DTA Tour Series 2 Blue Blazer figure next, but I thought I would give a brief overview of each of Owen Hart's BCA figures and select the one I believe is the best of them all. I will exclude the S.T.O.M.P. Series 2 Owen figure, as it represents a fictional attire and is better grouped with similar S.T.O.M.P. series figures instead of the original BCA line.

Here is a list of all of Owen Hart's BCA figures, by the way.

1. Superstars Series 2 ("King of Harts")
2. Superstars Series 6 ("Black Hart")
3. Hart vs. Hart Family Feud KB Toys Exclusive 1 of 12,000 2-pack (with Bret Hart)
4. 2 Tuff Series 3 2-pack (NOD "Danger", with The Rock)
5. DTA Tour Series 2 (as Blue Blazer)
6. Best of '97 Series 1 (with Hart Foundation jacket)
7. Grudge Match Series 1 2-pack (with HHH)
8. Championship Title Series #1 4-pack (with Undertaker/Rocky Maivia/British Bulldog & first Jakks title belts)

It is worth mentioning that the Championship Title Series #1 4-pack attire was re-released in the Best of '97 (HF jacket added) and Grudge Match Series 1 sets. The basis of that attire was a repaint of the original Jakks Owen Hart figure from the Superstars Series 2 set.

The 1/12,000 exclusive is a separate repaint with painted-on cast on Owen's left forearm to depict the attire he wore in early 1996. Only five of Owen's BCA figures feature him with long hair; the short hair sculpt was introduced around the same time for Superstars Series 6 and 2 Tuff Series 3 (also used for the S.T.O.M.P. Series 2 figure).

And, of course, Owen's Blue Blazer gimmick from the DTA Tour Series 2 set was a repaint of old parts (including the Slammers Series 2 Patriot head), with added blue cape.

As far as the best overall representation of Owen Hart, his debut Jakks figure from the second assortment of the primary Superstars line would be the winner. From the long hair and scowl on his face to the detailed black singlet, pink knee pads and fully-decorated boots, the Superstars Series 2 figure would be the figure of choice if you were to look to buy one BCA Owen for your collection. However, the best Owen figure has to go to either the Best of '97 Series 1 figure with removable, sleeveless Hart Foundation jacket or the 1/12,000 exclusive with painted-on left forearm cast.

Both have great detail and are slight improvements over Owen's first figure, but it's difficult to choose one over the other; it really depends on which attire you prefer, and if you would rather display Owen with the Hart Foundation in 1997 or as a member of Cornette's Camp from 1996.

I've never cared much for the short hair sculpt of Owen (which was repainted and used later for Jeff Jarrett), and the figures with that particular look are missing a lot of detail. For more on why the Blue Blazer figure is probably one of the most overrated figures in the history of Jakks Pacific, check out my next figure review coming soon.

So, here is my ranking of the best Owen Hart figures (1- best, 8- worst), as listed above.

1. Hart vs. Hart Family Feud KB Toys Exclusive 1 of 12,000 2-pack (with Bret Hart)
2. Best of '97 Series 1 (with Hart Foundation jacket)
3. Superstars Series 2 ("King of Harts")
4-5. Tie (same figure as 2, w/o HF jacket) - Grudge Match Series 1 2-pack (with HHH) & CTS#1 4-pack (with 'Taker/Rocky/Bulldog and belts)
6. DTA Tour Series 2 (as Blue Blazer)
7. 2 Tuff Series 3 (NOD "Danger", with The Rock)
8. Superstars Series 6 ("Black Hart")

Here's a picture of all of my loose BCA Owen Hart figures, excluding the DTA Tour Series 2 Blue Blazer, which is pictured elsewhere.

From left to right - Superstars Series 6, Superstars Series 2, Best of '97 Series 1, 1/12,000 KB Toys Exclusive 2-pack w/Bret Hart, 2 Tuff Series 3.

That's it for now, but thanks for looking and have a nice day!

- Alex

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