Every year at SDCC I always see something new, something I haven’t noticed before.  This year, it was the I.W.G. – Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo.  This line of nifty activist animals is brought to you by Rocket World, a small independent company run by Patrick Ma.  The basic concept is that aliens, called the Astral Overseers, infect the planet with a retrovirus that makes certain animals self aware.  These sentient animals begin a resistance movement against the poachers and polluters that are ruining their world, often using the very tools of those they battle. 

I picked up Sasquatch at their booth.  He’s the subject of the review tonight, but I also included a shot of the Yeti in my SDCC coverage, and their website has TONS of info and the ability to order product direct. 

If you have any questions or comments, drop me an email at mwc@mwctoys.com, and if you like the reviews, check out my other site, Michael’s Review of the Week.

The I.W.G. – Sasquatch

 As I mentioned, I picked up Sasquatch.  He’s a guy, but he was lucky enough to find a Yeti of the female persuasion, and they’ve since fallen in love.  It was an Internet dating thing.  Amazing how successful that can be.

 

 

Packaging – ***
The package is pretty basic, with simple graphics and a clean design.  It’s pretty sturdy, so there’s little chance of damage to the figure, and it’s also quite collector friendly.  There’s a couple twisties, but no need to damage the package just to remove the fuzzy guy.

 

 

Sculpting – ***1/2
These are one of those cute designs, and like many other vinyl products, will speak to some people, while others have no idea what the hell it’s about.

These really caught my eye, with a neat design and great style.  They were sort of like those old Applause stuffed animals, with Uzi’s and hand grenades.  Cute but deadly!

The Sasquatch has an interesting design, although he doesn’t stray too far from what you’d expect.  Big feet, big body, with a cool flocking of hair over the majority of the figure.  Only the hands, face and feet are bare vinyl.

 

 

Yes, this is a rotocast figure, and yes, one eye is bigger than the other.  But that’s part of his charm! Or at least that’s what the Yeti thinks. He also has a groovy little soul patch, also flocked.

He stands just under 8 inches tall, and is larger than the majority of other animals in the I.W.G., which makes sense. His hands are sculpted to hold the weapons, or to actually hold hands with his main squeeze, the Yeti.

Paint – ***1/2
The paint ops are extremely clean and neat, although they are very basic.  There’s not a lot of detail in the design, but there’s at least three or four unique colors here, and there’s no major slop on any area.

 

 

I had some issues with the flocking rubbing off around one shoulder (which I’ll mention in more detail in the Things to Watch Out For section), but the flocking itself is very tight and very even and consistent.  It’s a great touch, and adds quite a bit to the overall appearance of the figure.

Articulation – **
Even though he’s a vinyl figure, he has some articulation, and it’s about as much as the design allows for.

 

 

There’s cut shoulders, wrists and ankles.  That’s not a ton, but it’s enough to raise his weapon in a threatening manner, and hold hands with the love of his life.

Accessories – **1/2
He comes with a slightly cartoony chain saw, big enough to make Thomas Hewitt happy.  It fits well in his hands, although the limited articulation means that it can’t be held in both hands at the same time.

Value – **
Like many of the ‘designer’ toys, Sassie is pretty damn expensive.  I coughed up $45 for him at SDCC, but two factors keep it from getting a lower value score.  First, the flocking really is extremely well done. Second, it’s a limited edition of only 500 figures, and at that small of a production run, I’m much less surprised by the price.

 

 

Fun Factor – ***
While not really intended as ‘toys’, these are in fact pretty cool for kids.  They’re quite sturdy, and while the flocking would take a beating in regular play, kids that like cute, adorable killing machines will find these right up their alley.

Things to Watch Out For - 
The flocking is pretty cool, but I did have quite a big hunk rub off at the left shoulder joint when I turned the arm.  The movement of the arm tore off a hunk all the way around, so be extremely careful when you are first using the arms. 

 

 

Overall – ***
A high price holds these back from an extremely high score, but they are certainly a solid designer toy.  Like most art, you’re either going to think the design is cool, or it’s not going to speak to you at all.  It’s unlikely that there will be much middle ground, but that’s common with all art, and is further proof that figures like these have successful made the jump.

Scoring Recap –
Packaging – ***
Sculpting – ***1/2
Paint – ***1/2
Articulation – **
Accessories – **
Value – **
Fun Factor – ***
Overall – ***

Where to Buy –
The Rocket World website has some of the animals up for sale, along with some suggestions for retailers.

 

 

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