Why don't you just call him
Rocketboy?
No, that's lousy...
What about Rockman? That's worse!
Rocketboy?
No, that's lousy...
What about Rockman? That's worse!
Review & Images by Casval
July 8, 2007
July 8, 2007
The year is 1991. I am nine years old and I had one thing on my mind: a new movie
that had just come out. That movie was, of course, The Rocketeer. For some reason I
don't remember, I was hooked. I saw the movie with my father and when I came out,
my mother had bought for me a set with the cassette tape and 3-D comic book of the
movie, which was followed up with the junior novel. Finally I got my one and only toy: a
small figure of the Rocketeer with wheels on his stomach so he could 'glide' around on
the floor. Fast forward fifteen years. I've kept buying toys, though my tastes have
changed a fair bit. I'm now heavy into the upscale toy market, including one-sixth. Then
I hear about it. Medicom has decided to revisit one it's older pieces and release a
revised version of their Rocketeer doll. There was no question, I had to have one.
Luckily getting him was made easier by Master Replicas, who have deals to distribute
a few Medicoms in the US (particularly those of the Disney persuation.) It seems that
I'm not alone in my love, Master Replicas quickly sold out of their stock.
Well, enough nostalgia, on to the main event:
that had just come out. That movie was, of course, The Rocketeer. For some reason I
don't remember, I was hooked. I saw the movie with my father and when I came out,
my mother had bought for me a set with the cassette tape and 3-D comic book of the
movie, which was followed up with the junior novel. Finally I got my one and only toy: a
small figure of the Rocketeer with wheels on his stomach so he could 'glide' around on
the floor. Fast forward fifteen years. I've kept buying toys, though my tastes have
changed a fair bit. I'm now heavy into the upscale toy market, including one-sixth. Then
I hear about it. Medicom has decided to revisit one it's older pieces and release a
revised version of their Rocketeer doll. There was no question, I had to have one.
Luckily getting him was made easier by Master Replicas, who have deals to distribute
a few Medicoms in the US (particularly those of the Disney persuation.) It seems that
I'm not alone in my love, Master Replicas quickly sold out of their stock.
Well, enough nostalgia, on to the main event:
Cliff Secord (aka The Rocketeer) comes packed in a nice big black box. The box is deeper than most (5 1/4") to accomidate
the rocket pack. The design is simple elegance, with a bust shot on the cover flap, and a shot of Cliff looking upwards on the
back (there's a reason for this, later). The caption at the bottom reads: "Back to AD 1938 at L.A." It fact that it's in quotes and
the plot summary that follows is in perfect Englsih makes me think it's an old tagline or something for the Japanese release of
the movie. I have to say I'm a bit more partial to the artwork on the version 1 box, the new one is a bit less fan-friendly and a bit
more 'cool.' Inside The Rocketeer is nestled in a plastic tray with his accessories clearly visible.
the rocket pack. The design is simple elegance, with a bust shot on the cover flap, and a shot of Cliff looking upwards on the
back (there's a reason for this, later). The caption at the bottom reads: "Back to AD 1938 at L.A." It fact that it's in quotes and
the plot summary that follows is in perfect Englsih makes me think it's an old tagline or something for the Japanese release of
the movie. I have to say I'm a bit more partial to the artwork on the version 1 box, the new one is a bit less fan-friendly and a bit
more 'cool.' Inside The Rocketeer is nestled in a plastic tray with his accessories clearly visible.
Sculpting factors in the two most signature parts of the Rocketeer: the helmet and the rocket pack. The helmet is spot on,
100%. All the subtle details are here, all the way down to the welding marks on the fin and detailing. Looking at stills, even
the placement of the bolts around the eye lenses is right. Under the helmet a strap has been sculpted and if you look up, you
can see the detailing for a mouth and nose. While I assume it isn't Billy Campbell's likeness, it ensures that the doll looks
realistic from every possible angle.
The rocket pack is immaculate too. There are tubes around the jets, and a multitude of bolts about. The 2.0 version adds a
nice detail: a wad of gum. Fans will remember that in the movie Cliff always sticks a wad of chewed gum on his planes for
luck. Before he takes off his friend Peevy does the same with the rocketpack. When the pack is damaged by gunfire,
Peevy, who is also Cliff's trusty mechanic, effects a quick fix by resticking the gum over the hole, sealing it. This plays a role
on the climatic finale. The first version had a totally clean jet pack, which is technically inaccurate (comic version, anyone?)
It's great they remembered it this time around. My only complaint with it is that, in what I assume was an attempt to make it
look more metal, the seams are overly pronounced and a bit uneven. In the movie the seams are clean and more
professional, so the doll's rocketpack looks like a second-string (mass-production?) version.
100%. All the subtle details are here, all the way down to the welding marks on the fin and detailing. Looking at stills, even
the placement of the bolts around the eye lenses is right. Under the helmet a strap has been sculpted and if you look up, you
can see the detailing for a mouth and nose. While I assume it isn't Billy Campbell's likeness, it ensures that the doll looks
realistic from every possible angle.
The rocket pack is immaculate too. There are tubes around the jets, and a multitude of bolts about. The 2.0 version adds a
nice detail: a wad of gum. Fans will remember that in the movie Cliff always sticks a wad of chewed gum on his planes for
luck. Before he takes off his friend Peevy does the same with the rocketpack. When the pack is damaged by gunfire,
Peevy, who is also Cliff's trusty mechanic, effects a quick fix by resticking the gum over the hole, sealing it. This plays a role
on the climatic finale. The first version had a totally clean jet pack, which is technically inaccurate (comic version, anyone?)
It's great they remembered it this time around. My only complaint with it is that, in what I assume was an attempt to make it
look more metal, the seams are overly pronounced and a bit uneven. In the movie the seams are clean and more
professional, so the doll's rocketpack looks like a second-string (mass-production?) version.
Paint is a strong word here; for the most part we're talking wash. There is light
weathering on the helmet and a stronger one on the rocketpack. The helmet looks
really good, the weathering helps the metallic bronze look. The lenses are super
glossy black; so glossy I can see my reflection. On the rocketpack, though, they went a
little crazy. The pack has a lot of detailing, and so the wash collects around them. The
result is that it isn't just weathered, it's almost weather-beaten. The wash in the seams
also makes them overly pronounced, adding to what I mentioned earlier.
weathering on the helmet and a stronger one on the rocketpack. The helmet looks
really good, the weathering helps the metallic bronze look. The lenses are super
glossy black; so glossy I can see my reflection. On the rocketpack, though, they went a
little crazy. The pack has a lot of detailing, and so the wash collects around them. The
result is that it isn't just weathered, it's almost weather-beaten. The wash in the seams
also makes them overly pronounced, adding to what I mentioned earlier.
Clothing is one of the departments that Medicom especially excels in. Cliff's
signature rust-colored leather shirt is reproduced button-for-button. Brown buttons,
instead of brass, but they really work. The smaller scale means that the flap doesn't
lay down at the top (not enough weight), so it stand up a bit much, but I don't think that
really could have been avoided. Underneath lies the working straps of the
rocketpack, and the zipper for his leather shirt. It's a bit oversized, but it's almost
always hidden beneath. Under it all is a clean white button down.
His pants are reproduced to the seams. Some have said they are baggy, but this
mainly a result of the boots causing them to ride up. Just tucking them further into the
boots solves the problem.
His boots are simple, smooth plastic with no treads.
signature rust-colored leather shirt is reproduced button-for-button. Brown buttons,
instead of brass, but they really work. The smaller scale means that the flap doesn't
lay down at the top (not enough weight), so it stand up a bit much, but I don't think that
really could have been avoided. Underneath lies the working straps of the
rocketpack, and the zipper for his leather shirt. It's a bit oversized, but it's almost
always hidden beneath. Under it all is a clean white button down.
His pants are reproduced to the seams. Some have said they are baggy, but this
mainly a result of the boots causing them to ride up. Just tucking them further into the
boots solves the problem.
His boots are simple, smooth plastic with no treads.
The biggest improvement over the original is the use of the RAH 301 body, easily one of the best on
the market. Since Cliff's no martial artist, it's more than enough to put him in any appropriate pose
and hold it. No loseness issues in the body at all. The soft leather-like shirt and cloth pants don't
interfer with the joints to any major degree. The gloves cover the wrists, so they get restricted quite
a bit, but you can still wiggle them a little.
A major upgrade they pimp on this release is, unlike the previous version, the neck joint allows him
to tilt his head back and look up. For the Rocketeer, I consider this range totally neccessary; it's the
only way he can look ahead when flying layed-out! On the only downside is that on mine the head
pops off really easily. Whether it's a batch problem or just mine, I can't say.
Accessory-wise he's a lightt-weight, but he comes with his essentials. He has two sets of hands.
He has gloved fists, a right gloved gun hand, and a left 'at-rest' gloved hand. He has no bare hands
like the version 1 has, but he doesn't need them since the 'Rocketeer' always has his gloves on. All
the gloves are sculpted with the bronze studs on the knuckles and buckles. The open left hand has
the trigger device sculpted on the palm. Unfortunately the trigger is supposed to be on his right
hand. Oopsy. A new feature of version 2 is Cliff's signature German pistol (signature for the exactly
two minutes he has it.) He holds it tightly and it can even fit in his pocket, like in the movie. The only
other hands I would like to have seen are fully opened, flat hands, for flying poses. There is more
they could have added, like Peevy's schematics or Jen's picture, but they really aren't needed.
For the record, I consider the rocketpack part of the outfit, not an accessory, and I pretty much
covered it earlier anyways.
Medicom did a great job recreating The Rocketeer. Whether you're a fan of the movie for the
comic, this guy is just the thing for your collection. This piece and Master Replicas' helmet prop are
by far the nicest things out there.
the market. Since Cliff's no martial artist, it's more than enough to put him in any appropriate pose
and hold it. No loseness issues in the body at all. The soft leather-like shirt and cloth pants don't
interfer with the joints to any major degree. The gloves cover the wrists, so they get restricted quite
a bit, but you can still wiggle them a little.
A major upgrade they pimp on this release is, unlike the previous version, the neck joint allows him
to tilt his head back and look up. For the Rocketeer, I consider this range totally neccessary; it's the
only way he can look ahead when flying layed-out! On the only downside is that on mine the head
pops off really easily. Whether it's a batch problem or just mine, I can't say.
Accessory-wise he's a lightt-weight, but he comes with his essentials. He has two sets of hands.
He has gloved fists, a right gloved gun hand, and a left 'at-rest' gloved hand. He has no bare hands
like the version 1 has, but he doesn't need them since the 'Rocketeer' always has his gloves on. All
the gloves are sculpted with the bronze studs on the knuckles and buckles. The open left hand has
the trigger device sculpted on the palm. Unfortunately the trigger is supposed to be on his right
hand. Oopsy. A new feature of version 2 is Cliff's signature German pistol (signature for the exactly
two minutes he has it.) He holds it tightly and it can even fit in his pocket, like in the movie. The only
other hands I would like to have seen are fully opened, flat hands, for flying poses. There is more
they could have added, like Peevy's schematics or Jen's picture, but they really aren't needed.
For the record, I consider the rocketpack part of the outfit, not an accessory, and I pretty much
covered it earlier anyways.
Medicom did a great job recreating The Rocketeer. Whether you're a fan of the movie for the
comic, this guy is just the thing for your collection. This piece and Master Replicas' helmet prop are
by far the nicest things out there.
| ROCKETEER VERSION 2 GALLERY |
Cliff retails for 14,800 yen, which is just over $120, plus shipping. The US release retailed for just over $150, so in the end
you'd have paid about the same. Now you'll have to go though the secondary market. The price is pretty average for a basic
Medicom, and very acceptable for anyone used to importing 12". Even if you're not particularly a 12" collector, it's a fair price
for the best toy of what is for many a very fond memory of youth.
Pick one up, and remember a youth spent watching fun, simple movies; including one about a flying rocketman who fought
Nazis in the name of love.
Personally I'd flying into a nest of Nazis for Jennifer Connelly anyday.
you'd have paid about the same. Now you'll have to go though the secondary market. The price is pretty average for a basic
Medicom, and very acceptable for anyone used to importing 12". Even if you're not particularly a 12" collector, it's a fair price
for the best toy of what is for many a very fond memory of youth.
Pick one up, and remember a youth spent watching fun, simple movies; including one about a flying rocketman who fought
Nazis in the name of love.
Personally I'd flying into a nest of Nazis for Jennifer Connelly anyday.
I was just borrowing it . . .
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