Figure: The Keeper

Bio: http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Unnamed_Talosians#Magistrate_.28The_Keeper.29  OR http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Balok


Wave: DST Mego Reproductions Wave 4
Body style: Standard Mego body w/ fabric clothing

 My first exposure to the classic Mego figures came with the first classic episodes of Twisted Mego Theatre in the early issues of Toyfare.  Basically this was an early precursor to the current episodes of Robot Chicken which are equally hilarious.  Toyfare’s main character was the Mego Spider-Man and his Marvel fiends.  However, the characters of Star Trek routinely made appearances usually centering around Kirk’s famous line of “KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNN!!!!!!!” or something to that effect.  From that point forward I always had a like for the style of the Mego figures in general.  Being that I am a child of the 80s, I never owned a Mego figure during their first run but I have bought Mego styled figures that I’ll talk about in future reviews. 

In any case, DST partnered with EMCE created a reproduction line of Megos aimed at collectors.  These are intended to be faithful recreations of the original Mego style.  However, the line has grown beyond Mego’s releases and has begun to introduce previously unreleased characters to expand the original list of characters produced.  This line also caters to collectors through their packaging.  Each figure comes in its own re-sealable clamshell case.  The casing essentially protects the retro card that is inserted behind the figure.  The one problem with this is the clamshell also serves as the blister for the figure so there is no way to display just the figure on a blister card.  It seems to me that DST took many steps to avoid having these figures be confused as original MOC Megos and this type of packaging is an example of that.  I’m also a bit confused by the instructions as to how to properly open the re-sealable casing.  If following the instructions on the package to cut along the top, it leaves an unsightly top edge but also gets rid of the hole-punching that some may use to display the figure and clamshell.  Another option is to simply pry apart the two halves of the casing.  This sometimes ends up in damaging the edges of the casing.  I really don’t like either of these two options because both don’t effectively get the job done especially for collectors.  My suggestion would be to create a casing more like those used for Star Wars and GI Joe special edition figures.  It’s essentially the same style of casing but instead of sealing the two halves together, they are taped on three of the four sides.  This allows for a simple cutting of the tape and possible opportunity to reseal the package as well.

The card itself is reminiscent of the original cardback used for the first series of figures as seen in the Scotty figure below

Click to enlarge

The Keeper’s card does deviate from the original version because it is essentially homage to this.  The new card adds a few more characters in circles that also appear in the new DST line such as Sulu and Chekov.  My one complaint about this is I would have liked to see the old “Aliens” card-back used to accurately reproduce the original look.

Click to enlarge

I think this would have been a much cooler look that a lot of people looking for nostalgia may have appreciated.  The back of the card is also a complete departure from the original Mego style.  This portrays reproduction figures in various action poses.  It also gives a little history about how Mego got started and what the relationship to history the original figures have.  I think the style fits with the retro theme but once again I would have preferred a more accurate retro depiction.  DST obviously went with a standard card to cut down on production cots and to give the line a more uniform look, both reasons that I can respect in this situation.

Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge

When looking at the figure itself, I will be tackling the review from two perspectives.  The first way will answer the question “How accurately was this figure reproduced from the original?”  The second way will look how accurate the figure is in relation to the original TV show.   The Keeper figure is probably the most interesting because the name of the figure implies that he is a Talosian.  Obviously the figure does not come even close to portraying that character!  The figure resembles Balok’s puppet from the episode “The Corbomite Maneuver.”  This puppet/character was a little more well known because it appeared in the credits of the TOS episodes so a casual fan would probably recognize the character.  Being that the character is just a puppet does present a few problems because I don’t know many kids that would run out for a “Balok’s Puppet” action figure.  However, portraying it as a real alien called a Talosian (who in my opinion have a somewhat boring look compared to the puppet's look) it would probably appeal to more kids despite its inaccuracy. DST has kept the same name on the figure to recreate the retro feel.

Click to enlarge

The original figure came in two different shades of orange.  This new figure recreates the lighter orange robe coloring.  The head nails the original exactly right down to the way in which the eyes and mouth are painted.  The robe is also sown in the same way as the original.  My one complaint is that the white cloth is a bit thin and the blue from the figure’s body does bleed through.  A thicker cloth may have been better to prevent this from happening.  Since I do not own an original Keeper figure I’ve been looking at reference pictures and it seems as if the DST version’s robe does not hang as low as the original Mego. With the DST version, the ankles of the figure can’t be seen whereas the original figure’s ankles are obscured by the robe.  The only other item to note on the robe is how the robe connects in the back.  The robe utilizes a snap to close the neckline but as the picture below shows, it does completely close the robe along the back. 

Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge

The construction of the figure itself also recreates the original Mego style.  The figure has 16 points of articulation using the same methods of connection as the original figure.  One thing I was impressed by was how strong the plastic felt.  The figure has a bit of weight to it that I was not expecting.  The plastic also has a very smooth and shiny finish to it that makes it easier to slide the clothes on and off the figure.

Click to enlarge

In conclusion, I very much like the reproduction of the original Keeper.  I have very few complaints about the figure or clothing because I think both are very faithful to the original Mego figure.  The packaging however could have been better.  My biggest complaint is the design of the clamshell packaging.  There’s just no real good way to open it to keep it in a near mint condition.  The way the card is inserted into the packaging also deviates from the original figure/card back.  Finally the card insert itself also is not a faithful recreation of the original card that The Keeper was released on.  Overall, I would recommend buying this figure if you are interested in the Mego style of figures.

Positives:

Faithful recreation of the Mego style

Figure seems durable

Clothing is easily taken on and off

Accurate recreation of the clothing and likeness to the original Mego

Negatives:

Clamshell hard to open without damaging

Construction of clamshell/insert does not allow for display of figure on a card/blister

Card insert is a new design of DST that is not the same on which The Keeper was originally produced

Cloth robe is a bit thin that allows blue from underneath to bleed through

Rating: out of 5 stars.

As Always

The author wishes to thank the Mego Museum for the wonderful classic photos used above. You can visit the Mego Museum at  Mego Museum

 

webpage design by http://www.fhc-webdesigns.com