Cylon robot figure stiffs ‘Galactica’s‘ enthusiasts

Thanks to the proliferation of film, comic book and cartoon characters, companies are bombarding consumers with an incredible selection of action figures. With tongue in cheek, let’s take a peek at some of the specimens worthy of a place in …

Zad’s Toy Vault

Cylon Centurion

Joy Ride Studios is known for its action-figure ode to the science-fiction video game Halo. Now it continues its outer-space tribute with 3-D figures of characters and vehicles from “Battlestar Galactica.”

Based on the popular television series from the late 1970s, the multiple lines will include smaller-scale mock-ups of the primary fighting ships Colonial Viper and Cylon Raider, along with 7-inch multi-articulated figures of Apollo, Starbuck, Adama and the members of menacing robotic army looking to terminate the human race.

Figure profile: Cylon Centurions serve both as foot soldiers and as pilots for the Cylon Empire. Tall, lumbering and blindly loyal to their cause, these imposing robots pose a threat to the Galactica and its crew. Centurions characteristically speak in a low-pitched, synthesized voice.

Accessories: The stiff, silvery, bowlegged fellow comes with only 10 points of articulation and his rifle. I dare anyone to get the figure to stand up without a rise in blood pressure.

Price: $14.99

Read all about it: Numerous comic book Battlestar Galactica series have been put out over the past quarter-century. But for my money, I would choose to read Maximum Press’ 1996 release of the three-part Battlestar Galactica: Apollo’s Journey, which actually was written by the actor who played Apollo, Richard Hatch ($4 each).

Words to buy by: Usefulness of the barely poseable Cylon will have buyers scratching their heads. It’s not near the detail quality of a Marvel Select or McFarlane Toys figure, so displaying the warrior as a treasured pop-art collectible does not make sense. It also does not have enough articulation or sturdiness to be enjoyed by the youngsters. Let’s hope the designs based on Lorne Green’s, Mr. Hatch’s and Dirk Benedict’s characters will offer more for the smitten “Galactica” fan.

Cornelius

Sideshow Collectibles takes fans to a time when monkey ruled human with its line of 12-inch “Planet of the Apes” figures. Based on the popular 20th Century Fox movies from the late 1960s and early 1970s, each boasts 30 points of articulation, cloth costuming, a stand and detailed sculpting to capture the actors and the Academy Award-winning makeup designs of John Chambers.

Simian fanciers can choose among reproductions of Maurice Evans as Dr. Zaius; Kim Hunter as Zira; Charlton Heston as George Taylor; and the most famous ape of the film series, Cornelius, whose portrayal turned Roddy McDowall into a pop-culture icon.

Figure profile: Cornelius is a promising young archeologist devoted to furthering the advances he has made in science, a relatively new field on the Ape Planet. After an expedition to the Forbidden Zone, Cornelius finds artifacts and bones from a culture more advanced than the apes’, dating to before their recorded time. The capture of human oddity Taylor brings his theories to reality, and he and his fiancee, Zira, must convince Dr. Zaius of the truth and fight charges of heresy.

Accessories: Although I was more impressed with the other figures of the line’s extras, Cornelius does come with a plastic scroll; a map of the Forbidden Zone on parchment; and, most important, a badly damaged female human doll, which proved intelligent man existed with ape.

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