CONFUSED COLLECTOR: “THIRD PARTY? I WASN’T EVEN INVITED TO THE FIRST OR SECOND ONES!”

BREAKING NEWS:

“THIRD PARTY? I WASN’T EVEN INVITED TO THE FIRST OR SECOND ONES!”

ThreeZero. SooSoo Toys. Star Ace. ToysEra. Manniple (hehe…nipple). NOTA Studio. Blitzway, and many more. Those companies all have one thing in common: they have been defined by the toy community as ‘Third party’ brands.

A third party brand is a brand that provides an alternative product, not supplied by the primary brands to the customers (thanks, Google!). Basically, any action figure that is not coming from the bigger brands (Hasbro, Mezco, Hot Toys…) is considered a third party brand, it seems. For example, we’ve seen countless times collectors ask for a one sixth scale figure, in the very official form of a post on facebook: a picture of an unreleased character, with a text saying “HOT TOYS WHEN?”, but when a third party brand does release that character, collectors seem to not want it, because it does not come from the big brands that they trust. What could be the issue?

“I’ve heard that there is a third party, yes. It’s nice and all, but I wasn’t even invited to the first and second ones” says Paul, a long time Hot Toys collector. “Why would I even get to the third party if I wasn’t invited before? I’d rather just wait that Hot Toys announces the toys I want when they have their own party!”.

Some third party brands are more legit than other, and one of the best part about the ‘unofficial’ ones are the names they come up with to avoid raising any eyebrows (*cough* copyright issues *cough*). ToyFarce will hold a ‘Third party name generator’ the whole weekend on social media (instagram and facebook stories), so please, visit the pages and give us some characters, and we’ll come up with their third party names!

More news at 11:00… from “ActionfigureJokes”

#toyfarce #thirdparty #toycollector #confused #hottoys #neca #mezco #onetwelvescale #onesixthscale #actionfigures #toys #collectibles #toycollection #toycommunity #humor #satire #parody

REVIEW: VTS TOYS “BLACK SKULL” SIXTH SCALE FIGURE

TOYFARCE REVIEWS:

VTS TOYS “BLACK SKULL” SIXTH SCALE FIGURE

Finally, there was some progress in the post system and I got my hands on some fresh, brand new toy! Today, we’ll take a look at VTS Toys (or Virtual Toys) “Black Skull” figure. VTS Toys is a third party brand, and just like every other third party brand, they have to use the “slightly different name” trick to avoid getting unwanted attention (which reminds me that I definitely have to talk about that in an article someday…)

Disclaimer: This figure has nothing to do with a video game called ‘Arkh@m Orig1ns’ or a character called ‘Black M@sk’ (*wink wink*).

The packaging is pretty sober, with some texture on the mask that show when displayed against a light.

Inside, you’ll find the figure along with a multitude of different hands, 2 alternative eye ‘pieces’, and a second level with weapons, accessories and base stand.

Right off the bat(man?), that figure is of very high quality, and will fit very well next to another pricier/non-third party sixth scale figure brand. That depiction of Roman Sionis and his mask is spot-on. The tailoring is quite amazing, and that white suit looks spectacular.

The 3 different sets of eyes include the black parts around the eyes (like if he was wearing some sort of hood under the mask) with eyes looking straight, and to the side, and a third option without the black hood looking straight in front of him. There is a part behind the head held by magnets (how do they work?!), which can be removed in order to change the eyes.

The figure is highly poseable and has that intimidating look that mob bosses usually have.

Now, about the accessories: VTS Toys did a great job on that part too. The black baseball bat is actually made of steel, and will do that signature “cling” sound when dropped on the floor or smashed against the head of an enemy. I didn’t expect that!

The assault rifle has a retractable armrest that can be pulled in or out. The ammo mag can be removed and had great details as well (the bullet at the top is painted and all!).

Even Black Ma…I mean Black Skull’s watch is detailed (a bit of a pain in the ass to attach, but it wouldn’t be a real sixth scale figure experience if there wasn’t a part that give you trouble to attach on it, would it?)

It’s getting hot in here, so let’s remove his jacket, shall we?

The holsters can be put under the suit. The guns have also amazing details, with the ammo mags being removable as well, with a painted bullet at the top for both, and the top part can be pulled back, like on a real gun, a nice touch!

“You cockroaches wanna play rough? Okay, I'm reloaded!! ” - Michael Bolton

“BANG BANG!”

There’s also a bomb included with the figure, once again showing that VTS Toys isn’t joking around. All the details on the ‘motherboard’ are painted nicely. It’s as if they have someone at VTS Toys that knows its way around weapons and bombs… Oh boy, that’s a weird thought.

The base stand is very nice too, in the sense that it’s not the usual flat oval black plastic bland base stand, but they added some rubble, as if there had just been a stand down where Black M..Skull is located (and he won!). Here are all the accessories:

That figure is a great offering from VTS Toys, and will look amazing next to your other Arkham-related sixth scale figure, especially for the price which is a fraction of what a Hot Toys figure usually costs (about $135 on KGHobby).

“You had your shot, Deathstroke, and you’re not the ONLY assassin in town…”

“…and the night is young.”

“I WANT THE BAT… AND PICTURES OF SPIDER-MAN!”

“Err… you look taller in person!”

*Sinister plotting intensifies!*

This wraps up another review. Hopefully, i’ll get more new stuff before next wednesday!

More news at 11:00… Show is over, boys.

#toyfarce #vtstoys #virtualtoys #blackskull #blackmask #arkhamorigins #batman #romansionis #deathstroke #sixthscale #sixthscalefigure #thirdparty #qualityfigure #toyphotography #toyreview #toys #collectibles #actionfigure #toycollector #toycommunity #toycollection #humor #parody