Mini Review #5 - Signature Series 2

School is in session for the summer, so naturally that means I’ll use it as an excuse for my lack of posts as of late.

If that’s the case, then school is happening year-round as far as new VJB content is concerned.

ZING!



Okay, so I’ll try to keep this short and sweet.

Here is a miniature (see: Mini) review of the Signature Series 2 figures I featured in my previous LVJR #16 post.

Let’s get to it, shall we?



Dude Love – 20/25

Well, he’s been the VJB Suggestion of the Week for about two weeks or more, so that should tell you one of two things: it’s that good, or I’m too lazy to update it.

It’s the truth (both things actually), and even with the facsimile signature tainting the Dude’s right leg (a matter of opinion), it’s an excellent figure.

There’s no denying the head sculpt is one of the best produced by Jakks in the BCA era, and every other major body part is spot-on in recreating the likeness of the hippest cat alive.

It’s a definite winner in the rankings for Signature Series 2.



Kane – 16/25

I didn’t deduct any points for the Slammers torso because this was simply a re-release of the Slammers Series 2 debut Kane and his torso-improved Superstars Series 8 figure had yet to be released.

You get about what you’d expect from the Slammers version of Kane, except with an obscenely large facsimile signature on his right thigh.

Not a bad figure by any means, but it is certainly lacking in size and that which doesn’t have a cartoonish expression.



The Undertaker – 15.5

Similar to Kane, Undertaker’s sculpt (which debuted in the Championship Title Series #1 boxed set) needs a little more beef. It also needs a little more ink for that matter.

However, I have no qualms with acknowledging the excellent shade of purple conceived by Jakks in the, uh, figure laboratory, even if it is an exaggerated look for the Deadman.

He seems to be an early favorite in this week’s poll (which was extended from closing today to next Monday, by the way), but in my book he’s only slightly better than average.



Shawn Michaels – 15/25

He still ranks higher than HBK, which should warm the hearts of all of ‘Taker’s minions out there.

And, yet, I actually like this particular figure of Shawn in his signature (no pun intended) entrance chaps.

The hair color is improved from his Shotgun Series 2 figure, but the attire and other missing details leave a lot to be desired.

The zebra chaps are pretty rad, though.



Road Dogg Jesse James – 14/25

The proverbial “turd in the punch bowl”, and in this case “punch bowl” is referring to Signature Series 2.

Turd is referring to, well, a turd of a potentially-good Road Dogg figure.

It’s like Jakks took the half-decent 2 Tuff Series 2 debut Dee-Oh-Double-Gee and decided to cut costs mainly from this figure and not so much for the other Signature Series 2 cast.

As I mentioned before, his pant logos are scaled wrong and the detail on his boots is missing this time around.

I would avoid this Road Dogg variation if I were you, unless of course you think the turd adds zest to your cup o’punch.



B.A. Billy Gunn – 17/25

Speaking of variations, my mentioning of the Billy Gunn knee pad variant in Signature Series 2 has been beaten to death.

I just haven’t gotten around to burying the issue, that’s all.

Let me look for a shovel, and while I’m doing that make note of the awesome metallic blue shade selected for Gunn’s attire.

Sure, it doesn’t say “Mr. Ass” or even “Mr. BA” on his backside, but he often wore plain trunks in the early days so I’ll let it pass.

Don’t let it pass you by if you get the opportunity to own either variation, and I will now lower the knee pad variation factoid into the ground, never to see it surface again.

On its headstone it shall read:

HERE LIES BOBBY BILLY GUNN KNEE PAD VARIANT FACTOID

ITS EXISTENCE DID MATTER FOR A TIME

THEN IT WAS BEATEN TO DEATH AT VJB

NOW IT NO LONGER MATTERS

AND BILLY GUNN STILL ABSOLUTELY SUCKS!

Until next time, thanks for looking and have a nice day!

- Alex