Figure: Martok

Bio: http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Martok
Wave: DS9 Series 2
Body style: Klingon officer’s uniform body

   Martok really is a great example of what made Deep Space Nine a great show…the reliance of numerous reoccurring guest stars that all played significant roles within the story.  It’s really a shame that DST has thus far neglecting all of these secondary characters in their line.  On the flip side though, I’m really excited that we got this figure because seriously, who doesn’t want to add more Klingons to their collection!  On top of that, the Martok figure is by far the best of this wave and gives the Odo figure a run for his money for best in the DS9 set.

   Sadly this will probably be the last wave that has the standard packaging style that we have become accustomed to with the TNG and DS9 lines.  Even though this packaging is a bit bulky for me usually it displays not only the figure well but also the accessories.  In this case though, Martok has so many accessories that there just isn’t enough viewing room to display them all.  Personally that’s a great problem to have!

   This figure utilizes the standard Klingon officer’s uniform that we first saw with the Regent Worf figure.  This body style really captures the uniform’s look in the show.  I think the body also captured the size proportions of Martok being that it gives him a broader chest.  The sculpt does not have any of the Klingon badges that are worn on the sleeves.  Most Klingons have some sort of markings there and I guess it’s just a by product of being able to reuse the parts for multiple figures.  I would rather have no markings than the incorrect markings.  The best part of this figure is the head and face sculpt.  It truly captures the likeness of Martok and is one of the best that DST has done thus far.  The detail of the head ridges is great, but even better is the detail surrounding the scars on the missing left eye and the surrounding area.  They just did a really great job capturing Martok down to the one tooth coming out of the right side of his mouth (although it’s a real shame that they didn’t paint it white!). 

   The paint scheme for the most part is solid as well.  The figure I received had no major blemishes.  The Klingon uniform has a pewter paint wash to give it a little more depth.  The Klingon sash also has a black paint wash to bring out the minute chain detail that is sculpted into it.  My one complaint is that the face and head ridges could have used a darker paint wash to bring out the detail that is sculpted.  Of course if the tooth outside the mouth would have been painted white, it would have added a great deal to the overall presentation of the figure.  The hair too has multiple paint washes to give it some color depth.   My final thought on the paint scheme is that in many episodes the string Martok’s disruptor holder is gold.  I think a gold string would have added some needed color variation away from the very silver heavy uniform and accessories.  Overall, I have to say that the paint scheme really adds to the detail of the figure.  Where other companies are drastically cutting down on multiple paint washes, DST is holding steady if not increasing some of the washes.

   The articulation for this figure gives it a decent range of motion.  Most of the TNG and DS9 releases are pretty stiff when it comes to overall range of motion.  For the first time since FC Data I did have some significant problems trying to move the bicep joints.  I tried twisting them but it began to feel as if they were going to tear off.  I have another Martok still MOC that I will have to open to see if this is an isolated problem or a overall production problem.  This figure features 20 points of articulation.  I never quite understood the angle cut on the mid thigh.  It really doesn’t add much to giving the figure better action poses.  It actually produces some strange angles.  I know the uniform design is made so that a standard thigh cut isn’t possible because it will detract from the look of the sculpt but in this case I again would just prefer that they save some money and not put the cut in.  Maybe I am missing what it does and maybe one of our great member can explain how they use it in the forum?

   Let me say that DST really went above and beyond on the accessories for this figure.  If you count the two extra hands, there are a whopping 10 separate pieces.  If you count the sash and holster, that goes up to 12.  Martok comes with the standard Klingon weapons such as the disruptor, disruptor rifle, d’k tahg, and bat’leth.  In addition to the weapons Martok has two bottles of blood wine one Klingon PADD and one Klingon cup.  All of the items are fully colored and really display what good toy companies can do with accessories.

   In conclusion, I really like this Martok figure.  Despite its minor flaws, it really captures the character and all the added features like the paint washes and the myriad of accessories make up for those minor flaws.

Positives:

 A number of detailed accessories that are character specific

Multiple paint apps that are all near perfect

Head sculpt captures the character

Negatives:

Tooth not painted, could have used another paint wash on head ridges

Bicep articulation “stuck” both arms

Strange thigh angle articulation

Rating: out of 5 stars.

As Always,