Balathu (Black Sabertooth) - XesRay Studio - L.A. Comic Con Exclusive 2024 - Review
Entertainment
Introduction
Introduction
I recently acquired the Balathu figure from XesRay Studio, specifically, the Black Sabertooth version, which was an exclusive release at L.A. Comic Con. Despite the name "black," the figure appears more brown to me. I purchased it from Gunam It for about $ 90, and as of now, it’s still in stock if you're interested in getting one for yourself.
Quality of Shipping and Customer Service
While I enjoy shopping at Gunam It, I've experienced some issues with shipping in recent orders. The boxes in which my figures arrived have been somewhat smashed and damaged. While the condition of the box for Balathu wasn't as severe, another figure I ordered recently, Pumpkin Princess, came in a very mangled state. It seems that Gunam It uses form-fitted shipping boxes with plastic corners for protection, but it does not adequately prevent damage if the package is mishandled.
Historically, my orders from Gunam It have arrived safely, so this might be an anomalous problem. Their customer service is top-notch, but the shipping practices need improvement. Figures are often wrapped only in a single layer of bubble wrap, which I find unacceptable for high-value collectibles.
First Impressions
Balathu stands approximately 9.5 inches tall and weighs around 25 ounces, indicating a solid, hefty figure. Upon close inspection, the paint detailing is impressive; the figure showcases a menacing expression, with intricate detailing on the musculature and armor. The design has an authentic gladiator vibe, featuring symbolic trophies of battle, such as a helmeted skull and intricate paint work that includes a realistic inner mouth.
Overall, XesRay has succeeded in creating a visually striking piece, meriting a five out of five stars for aesthetic appeal.
Articulation
Moving onto the figure's articulation, Balathu's head is mounted on a ball joint, allowing for decent movement despite the main's bulk. The arms can lift to a reasonable height, and while the figure has a single bend at the elbow, flexibility is quite limited due to Balathu's size.
While the diaphragm joint is almost non-functional, there’s a tight ball joint at the waist providing some mobility. The lower body features ball joints at the hips, allowing for full splits, and a thigh swivel further enhances posing options. He even has double bends at the knee, offering impressive flexibility for such a bulky figure. However, claw-like fingers would have made more sense instead of having human fingernails.
With solid articulation despite minor shortcomings, I rated the engineering at 4.3.
Accessories
Balathu comes equipped with several armor pieces that are all interchangeable. However, I experienced issues right out of the box, with one of the spikes breaking during handling. Care should be taken with these delicate accessories, as they are made from a rigid plastic that may break easily.
The figure also includes a robust, impressive-looking bladed mace that feels durable. Given both the quality of the main accessories and the fragility of the smaller pieces, I rated the accessory score at 4.2.
Price Value
At a price of $ 90, I believe Balathu offers good value, especially for a figure of such size and detail, so I have adjusted the overall score slightly to 4.3 for price value.
Overall Rating
Compiling all the scores together, I give Balathu an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5. He’s a remarkable figure that exceeded my expectations, and I’m excited to see what other large figures XesRay will be releasing in the future.
Conclusion
In summary, Balathu is an impressive figure with great detail and size, coupled with some minor issues in terms of articulation and accessory fragility. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out. Thank you for reading, and take care!
Keywords
Balathu, Black Sabertooth, XesRay Studio, L.A. Comic Con Exclusive 2024, review, figure, articulation, accessories, customer service, shipping quality.
FAQ
Q1: Where can I purchase the Balathu figure?
A1: You can purchase the Balathu figure from Gunam It, and it is currently in stock.
Q2: What is the size and weight of the Balathu figure?
A2: Balathu stands approximately 9.5 inches tall and weighs about 25 ounces.
Q3: How is the quality of the paint detail on the figure?
A3: The paint detailing on Balathu is impressive, showcasing a realistic finish with detailed musculature and armor.
Q4: What are the articulation capabilities of Balathu?
A4: Balathu has decent articulation, with a ball-jointed head, movable arms with limited elbow articulation, and robust knee and hip joints for posing.
Q5: Are the accessories fragile?
A5: Yes, some of the smaller detailed accessories can be fragile and prone to breakage, so care should be taken when handling them.