Art Design: Standard Window box. The dark background with Lightning was not very exciting. This figure was produced by Jakks Pacific, Inc.
Headsculpt: It is a good thing that Van Helsing is boxed with a scarf over his face. While the headsculpt is interesting, it does not look like Hugh Jackman. I guess it has a general resemblance to Jackman, but it is a bit off the mark. The best thing about this headsculpt is that it has the modern GI Joe neckpost, so the head can be placed on a better body.
Articulation: Jakks Pacific has once again produced a subpar 12" figure. This body is basically a Mattel's Ken or 1960s Gilbert's "Action Dan" or "Fighting Yank" style. The legs can only move straight up and down. The knees are rubbery Ken style. The arms barely bend to a 45 degree angle. The sad part is that the gloved hands are nice. I wonder if Jakks was mainly concerned about making the parts that can be seen in the Window Box look appealing in order to snare unsuspecting consumers? Any modern Action Figure manufacturer that is putting out a 1960s Gilbert's-style rubber-legged body has no respect for its reputation or for the consumers and toy collectors. Little children who got this toy for Christmas must have cried their little eyes out! Or they swapped heads with another action figure, like I did!
Outfit & Gear: The pleather overcoat is not bad. The color and the style do not match the one worn in the movie. No working pockets, something that even the Formative Soldiers of the World and Power Team Elite have on many of the outfits that are included with their $7.99 action figures. The boots are similar to the kind that are usually included with the Hasbro 12" Star Wars figures. The scarf is made of a cottony fabric. The black pleather vest under the overcoat looks alright, but it is velro-tabbed and thus it looks puffy. The brown sweater under the vest is also velcro-tabbed. The "Spinning Tojo Blades" are well painted, but they are one solid piece of non-spinning soft rubber. The very distinctive hat that is worn by Van Helsing in the movie is not included.
Overall: The clothing could be salvaged to kitbash a better version of Van Helsing, or as an undercover disguise for the PUNISHER, or for the SHADOW, or for GAMBIT. The Van Helsing figure's body qualifies as a "dolly." This set lacks passion, heart, artistic integrity and it has slipshod production values geared strictly towards chiseling a buck from the fans of the film, collectors, and/or well-meaning parents and grand-parents. One can only wonder how many children got this Van Helsing doll and were turned off to action figures forever. Hopefully those kids will get a GI Joe or other quality Action Figure for this Holiday Season. At the original price point of $19.99, reputable toy companies provide a much better product. The Van Helsing movie series' Action Figures are currently on clearance at most Toys R Us and other retailers as of November, 2004.
Grade: D
