ARCHIVE: McFarlane Toys LOST Series 2

Article originally published 07/16/2007 at figures.com

If there is one thing that McFarlane Toys consistently excels at, it is getting their mitts on the some of the most popular product licenses available. Last year when McFarlane decided to try their hand at adapting the television universe, they set their sights on one of the hottest licenses out there… LOST. An enigmatic ratings supernova, LOST has been one of the most popular shows on network TV for the past three seasons.

Last year, McFarlane announced that they were beginning production on a number of LOST-themed action figures. The first series of these were released with mixed results. Fans of the show loved McFarlane’s take on some of the more dynamic characters in the LOST universe. However, there were functionality issues with the sound boxes that accompanied each figure. Also, McFarlane’s selection of the show-accurate prop replicas that were packaged with the series was confusing. The replicas ranged from amazingly accurate (Kate’s plane) to completely useless (Locke’s Walkabout brochure).

Now, McFarlane has returned with a second offering of LOST figures. Series 2 includes Mr. Eko, Sawyer, Jin and Sun. Again, each figure includes a sound base and is packaged with a full-size prop replica. However, it is clear that McFarlane has listened to fans comments about the first series and have made significant adjustments with Series 2.

PACKAGING: Right off the bat, things look different than Series 1. Each figure is packaged in a large window box that shows both the character and their base in clear view. Collectors who value the ability to display their figures in their original packaging will be very pleased with LOST Series 2. Gone is the folding box flap that obscured figures in Series 1.

Another neat feature of McFarlane’s ever-evolving packaging is the inclusion of episode and character info. Each box highlights the episode that the figure’s pose was taken from. Also included are a brief description of the character, their motivation in the show and a list of the phrases included in the figure’s voice chip.

SCULPT AND CHARACTER LIKENESS: In LOST Series 1, McFarlane was hit and miss with this category. Locke, Jack and Charlie were dead-on replicas while Hurley, Kate and Shannon appeared to be based off characters from a mysterious unnamed show. With Series 2, the sculptors improved their efficiency to 75%. Sun, Jin and Mr. Eko are all perfect representations of the mysterious characters that were highlighted in LOST Season 2.

However, Sawyer is another matter. This is unfortunate because Sawyer was perhaps the most anticipated and requested figure by LOST fans. McFarlane’s Sawyer is featured perched atop his doomed raft with a goofy looking grin. I’m not sure what happened with Sawyer’s head-sculpt but he appears more as someone who is self-medicated than a man who is preparing to battle for his life. Sadly, this figure does no justice to the wise-cracking southern con man that has become one of the highlights of LOST.

Fear not, LOST fans! My disappointment with Sawyer is equaled only by amazement with Mr. Eko. If Charlie was the highlight of Series 1, Eko is the absolute gem of Series 2. McFarlane’s Mr. Eko is every bit the solemn, enigmatic man that lit up every scene in which he was featured in LOST Season 2. Eko’s tattered clothes and boots reflect the weary journey the character goes through on the show.

Not to be forgotten, Sun and Jin are also very well done. Despite some curious choices in the pose of these characters (I believe that there were a number of different poses from the show that could have been better utilized for these characters), their head and body sculpts are incredibly accurate.

PAINT AND COLOR: These figures are, without question, absolutely stunning. After close inspection of each of the four figures in Series 2 I found no paint issues, no sloppy detailing among facial features and nothing but clean apps on the bases. McFarlane prides itself on producing high-end figures with quality paint jobs. LOST Series 2 is no exception to this. Each figure (yes, even Sawyer) includes professional paint applications. This is not an area where you will need to be worried about quality.

ACCESSORIES: This is an interesting category for the line. These figures (with the exception of Mr. Eko and his staff) do not include any standard accessories. However, each figure does come packaged with two specific items. The full-scale prop replicas included with Series 2 are more intriguing than those that were packaged with Series 1 figures. This time around, McFarlane chose to tie in the replicas with specific LOST episodes. Mr. Eko’s film cells, Sun’s airline ticket folder, Jin’s translation pages and Sawyer’s haunting letter are all eerie reminders of the mysteries of the LOST universe.

Perhaps the greatest improvement that McFarlane made to the LOST line was to include the sound chips inside the character bases. Instead of the clumsy frame apparatus that frustrated many collectors with Series 1, these sound bases simply require the addition of two AAA batteries and work with the push of a button. Even nicer, the bases are sculpted to not look too cumbersome or out of place with the overall feel of the character.

VALUE AND OVERALL IMPRESSION: Make no mistake; McFarlane has taken strides in improving the overall quality of their LOST figures. Despite the issues I found with Sawyer, the remainder of the series is spectacular. The addition of the sound bases and more thought-out prop replicas makes each figure in LOST Series 2 a must-have for collectors and fans of the show.

If I had to choose only one figure from this series, Mr. Eko would be my favorite… hands down. LOST Series 2 is due in stores this month and will range from $18 - $20 each.

Fans of the hit show can expect more LOST from McFarlane Toys, albeit pushed back to 2008 to coincide with the airing of the show's fourth season on ABC.

McFarlane Toys' LOST Series 3 is scheduled to include four figures:

* Sayid

* Desmond

* Claire

* Henry Gale

With what fans have been delivered so far, all signs indicate this third wave to be a winner.