ARCHIVE: Diamond Select Stargate SG-1 Desert Combat Series

Article originally published 05/02/2008 at figures.com

By all accounts, Diamond Select Toys has had a pretty stellar run with their Stargate SG-1 line. When DST initially announced that they had secured the Stargate license, they were met with a bit of fan skepticism. Concerns surrounding the character accuracy and overall quality of the figures were primary, considering DST’s history with other ‘fan favorite’ lines (i.e. Serenity). However, any doubts in the Stargate line were instantly erased when DST rolled out their first likenesses of Jack O’ Neil, Daniel Jackson and the Jaffa Warrior. These were amazing figures, and fans knew that the Stargate license was in safe hands.

Fast forward to today. The DST Stargate SG-1 line is now running at full steam with its fourth full series of action figures. Fans already own the entire SG-1 team, a host of aliens, a buildable Stargate… what could possibly be remaining? Three words: desert combat camo. Series 4 features all four members of SG-1 in the ‘away team’ desert combat uniforms that became so familiar throughout the series. Plus, DST rolls out two amazing buildable accessories and a lost additional fifth member to the team. In this review, I’ll take a look at all of the figures and accessories in DST’s Stargate SG-1 Series 4.

PACKAGING: Not much change here, which is fine by me. DST has stayed with a constant ‘gate shaped’ form factor for both their SG-1 and Atlantis packaging, which keeps on-card collectors happy. Also, the figures that come with components for the two separate buildable accessories (more on these later) are easily distinguishable. This should make it a bit easier for collectors to pick out which figures to buy in order to complete their M.A.L.P. or Ring Transport Device.

SCULPT: Throughout the line, this is where Diamond’s Stargate figures have really shined. DST’s decision of going with the sculptors at Jean St. Jean Studios has delivered in spades, and that tradition continues with Series 4. Although the majority of the components to this series are essentially repaints of previous sculpts, that doesn’t diminish the amazing level of quality of each figure.

New sculpted components within this series include an amazing sunglass-sporting head for Jack O’ Neill, a head for Jonas Quinn (remember him from Season 6?) and an upper torso for Sam Carter. My favorite of these is undoubtedly the Jack O’ Neill. The sunglasses and backwards cap give the Series 4 O’Neill the same casual-yet-tough look that Richard Dean-Anderson so flawlessly portrayed throughout the show.

PAINT: Paint is truly what makes Series 4 stand out. Billed as the ‘desert combat’ series, each figure is a repaint on a previous sculpt. Though, given the choice, I’d take these versions of SG-1 over their standard-issue green uniforms. SG-1 is a field-ops team and they often adapted their uniforms to best suit whatever environment they were in. I think that the ‘desert combat’ coloring gives the figures a more realistic feel. These figures look like they just jumped through the gate and are embarking on yet another mission to an unknown planet.

ACCESSORIES: I could write an entire separate review on the detail and overall quality that DST has poured into the accessories within the SG-1 series. This series includes all the standard P90’s, zat guns, staff weapons and radios that you would expect but also includes a few bonus items. Daniel Jackson includes the Keystone and an ancient canopic jar. Teal’c comes with a massive glider cannon and Jonas Quinn includes a nifty Naquadria bomb.

The standard accessories themselves are outstanding but it is the build-an-accessory that keeps fans coming back for more. In Series 4, DST has rewarded fans with not one but two buildable accessories. The M.A.L.P. (Mobile Analytic Laboratory Probe, pictured above) is awesome and is in scale with the figures. This droid (again, sculpted by Jean St. Jean Studios) may trump the Stargate itself in many fans’ SG-1 displays. Pieces to the M.A.L.P. are included with Teal’c, O’Neill and Daniel Jackson.

The second buildable accessory is a Goa’uld Ring Transport Device, which is composed of any number of rings. Ring pieces are included with Carter and Jonas Quinn, and come with four clear plastic connecting posts. My only gripe about this series is the lack of availability of more transport rings. Diamond originally made additional rings available via their website (at $4.00 each) but these quickly sold out. So, fans wanting to build their Transport Device more than two rings high will end up buying duplicate Carter or Quinn figures.

ARTICULATION: Each figure retains the basic articulation points that have been staples throughout the SG-1 line. There are hip, knee, shoulder, arm, wrist, ankle and neck joints that allow enough movement to pose the figures with a wide variety of weapons and accessories. The M.A.L.P. also includes a bit of articulation, featuring moveable lights, camera and an adjustable extending arm.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: I feel that this is the strongest Stargate SG-1 series that DST has put out so far. Their continued collaboration with Jean St. Jean Studios has yielded some of the nicest sci-fi figures and accessories to hit shelves in a long time. Again, the more casual look with the ‘desert combat’ series is more authentic to the characters. I take nothing away from DST’s previous SG-1 figures, but these truly look like the embattled team that survived ten seasons of away missions and alien attacks. Plus, the M.A.L.P. and Ring Transport Device serve as amazing additions to the existing buildable Stargate and DHD. With any luck, this line will survive beyond Series 4. If it doesn’t, fans can be satisfied in knowing that they have a true representation of the SG-1 team.