Wave: Unreleased Wave 2 Playmates 6" figure

Body style: new styled Starfleet space suit 

  Well I think we are all pretty displeased at the overall demise of the 2009 Trek Playmates.  There were just so many disappointments with this line from the initial releases all the way through the eventual cancellation of the whole line.  What is even more frustrating is that Playmates had seemed to get its act together with many of the proposed ideas for Wave 2 of each of the different scales.  We had new aliens, better articulation, and it was even hinted that DST might be taking over the sculpting duties on a new classic TOS line.  All of these bright spots have since then been discarded with really there being no hope left of any of this actually reaching the general market.  Apparently though, some of these figures were moved to the prototype phase, three of which were Academy Uniform Spock, Space Dive Kirk, and Space Dive  Sulu.  I've managed to track down all three of these figures and am hoping that a few more will eventually surface!  This is actually the first review I've written about a prototype figure so basically I am going to do my best to analyze what could have been making certain to point out the significant changes that would have been made to some of the wave 2 figures if actually produced.

  This prototype Sulu figure utilizes a completely new body sculpt featuring the famous Space Suit that Sulu wore in his space dive down to mining rig that was in the process of destroying Vulcan.  This body style has 15 points of articulation which is very similar to the 14 points on the Wave 1 Sulu.  However, the style of joints has been completely altered that makes the Wave 2 Sulu far superior to the Wave 1.  The upper half of the body retains all of the same styles of joints including a neck swivel, ball jointed shoulders and elbows, swivel wrists and a ball joint torso.  The only significant difference on the top half is the that the torso joint has a bit more range of motion due to the sculpt of the body.  The extra point of articulation comes from an addition flip communicator located on the figures left arm.  The lower half of the body could not be any more different.  Whereas the Wave 1 Sulu has a simple swing joint legs and knees, the Wave 2 Sulu has ball joints legs and knees.  This just completely changes the type of figure is and completely changes the way the figure can be played with and displayed.  One of my main complaint about the Wave 1 figures is that they were just too static and really only looked good while standing straight up or sitting down.  Any action poses were difficult to obtain due to the lack of movement on the legs.  However this  new figure has all of the articulation that a modern figure should have.  It's my opinion that in today's marketplace this is the minimum points of articulation and styles of articulation that any action figure should have.  Overall I think if Playmates would have chosen this style of articulation for Wave 1 that the overall line would have had a better chance at success.

  The sculpt of the body is also an improvement over Wave 1.  Even though this is only a prototype and not painted, I think the detail is pretty good and fits with how the character looked in the film.  From the initial prototype pictures, this figure would have looked even better with a nice metallic gold paint covering.  One of my biggest complaints with Wave 1 was the over detail in the Trek deltas being sculpted onto the rubber shirt and arms.  It was just too much for my liking and I think detracted from the overall look of the figure.  This figure though doesn't go too far with detail and doesn't skimp on it either.  The most detailed parts are the legs that has a bunch of cross stitching where the panels of cloth connect.  There are also a lot of tubing sculpted onto the pants that give it a great look.  Im sorry that the prototype did not come with the space helmet as pictured in the prototype pics released because I think that piece would have really added greatly to the look of this figure. The head sculpt too is a great likeness of John Cho.  I think without the paint, the likeness really comes through better.  In the hands of an expert painter (which I am not!!) I think all of the Playmates Trek sculpts would have looked far superior to the mass market paint job they received.

  One of the coolest parts of this figure are the little extra pieces that add to the  overall look.  First is the fli communicator/computer found on the figures left arm.  It's a simple addition but I think on the final painted figure this would have looked really cool with a accurate sticker on the inside.  The second little extra is the phaser holster on Sulu's right side.  In my opinion this is much better than the belt we got with the Wave 1 figures that never looked quite right or kept falling off the figure.  It harkens back to the good old days of playmates when the TNG figures had the holsters for their phasers.

  This figure was scheduled to come with a phaser, sword and helmet all of which did not come with the prototype figure.  I really wish at least the helmet would have come with it but unfortunately it did not.

  Overall, I think this figure was far superior to what was offered to us in wave 1.  I will not say that if the changes made to wave 2 such as better articulation and more realistic sculpting would have guaranteed success, but I do think that the line would have had a better shot.  One of my main complaints when I first saw the Wave 1 figures was that they just did not look like modern action figures.  They almost looked like upgraded dollar store offerings.  This Wave 2 Sulu though looks like a modern action figure.  I'm ultimately glad that I was able to obtain this prototype because I think it make a great addition to the overall look of the set adding some much needed diversity to the crew sitting on my shelf.  Now the only question is do I paint the figure to make it look more like this?

Positives:

Improved articulation

More realistic Sculpt

Cool extras

Negatives:

NEVER PRODUCED!

Rating:  out of 5 stars.

As Always,