The Simpsons World of Springfield: Wendell action figure review by Andrew Lenahan
Figure: Wendell
Property: The Simpsons
Series: World of Springfield, series 10
Keywords: The Simpsons; World of Springfield; Wendell; nausea; barf bag
Company: Playmates Toys
Release year: 2002
Series Overview:
The Simpsons: World of Springfield is the second major attempt to create a Simpsons action figure line. Running through 16 different series of figures and with many playsets, exclusives, and bonuses, it is one of the most extensive toy lines in action figure history. A major feature running throughout the line is "Intelli-tronic Voice Activation" whereby figures activate certain spoken phrases when placed atop compatible playsets. Although the line has been praised by critics and embraced by collectors, the increasing obscurity of some figure subjects and reliance on somewhat uninspired playsets has slowed consumer demand, with many pieces being deeply discounted and the line eventually being cancelled in 2004.
Character Overview:
Of all the characters in the cast-of-thousands on The Simpsons, Bart's various schoolyard friends and enemies are among the least interesting. There's very little to be said about Wendell, whose sole purpose seems to involve barf jokes. Probably the most striking thing about him is that he's paler than the other kids and virtually everybody else on the show.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 6
It would have been surprising if Wendell was a great sculpt, and he really isn't. To be fair, his hair on the show is a continuous looping line which would be difficult to pull off in plastic, but the Wendell figure looks like he's had ramen poured on his head. Thrust uncomfortably into the third dimension, Wendell resembes a slightly more human version of the drone creatures of Mark Osborne's "More". To make things worse, the colours are off... he's still paler than the other figures, but on the show he's more white than this.
Articulation: 6
Almost all of The Simpsons: World of Springfield figures articulate at just four points: neck, both shoulders, and waist. If anything, Wendell is marginally worse than mose, as his big head doesn't allow more than a few degrees of arm rotation.
Like (nearly) all The Simpsons: World of Springfield figures, Wendell can say a few phrases when placed on a compatible playset. In Wendell's case, there are just two: Dr. Nick Riviera's office, and Main Street (where he just says "You'd better believe it" for no apparent reason). I confess that this feature has never really impressed me, but some collectors seem to like it.
Accessories: 7
Most of the Simpsons: World of Springfield figures come with decent accessories, and Wendell is not an exception. He has a big stack of fused-together books (as seen with some of the other school-kid figures as well) with nice painted pages and even painted titles on some of them. He also comes with some fruit, which I guess is his lunch: a green apple, orange, and a banana, all paintless but nicely sculpted. Rounding out this classy set is his coup de grace: an overflowing vomit bag with painted hurl. The bag is the only accessory Wendell can hold, and it doesn't look like he's really holding it anyway.
Packaging: Average
The Simpsons: World of Springfield figures are packaged in standard bubble on cardboard action figure packaging, and annoyingly tied in with wire. There's not much to complain about with the packaging, but nothing to really praise, either.
Overall score: 6
Though not a terrible figure, Wendell is below average for the Simpsons: World of Springfield line and should be one of the last ones you buy unless you really want an inch-tall barf bag accessory for some bizarre diorama involving Flight Attendant Barbie.
Availability:
Wendell lingered on Amazon for quite awhile, but finally seems to have sold out. Try eBay.
Property: The Simpsons
Series: World of Springfield, series 10
Keywords: The Simpsons; World of Springfield; Wendell; nausea; barf bag
Company: Playmates Toys
Release year: 2002
Series Overview:
The Simpsons: World of Springfield is the second major attempt to create a Simpsons action figure line. Running through 16 different series of figures and with many playsets, exclusives, and bonuses, it is one of the most extensive toy lines in action figure history. A major feature running throughout the line is "Intelli-tronic Voice Activation" whereby figures activate certain spoken phrases when placed atop compatible playsets. Although the line has been praised by critics and embraced by collectors, the increasing obscurity of some figure subjects and reliance on somewhat uninspired playsets has slowed consumer demand, with many pieces being deeply discounted and the line eventually being cancelled in 2004.
Character Overview:
Of all the characters in the cast-of-thousands on The Simpsons, Bart's various schoolyard friends and enemies are among the least interesting. There's very little to be said about Wendell, whose sole purpose seems to involve barf jokes. Probably the most striking thing about him is that he's paler than the other kids and virtually everybody else on the show.
Action Figure Sculpt and Paint: 6
It would have been surprising if Wendell was a great sculpt, and he really isn't. To be fair, his hair on the show is a continuous looping line which would be difficult to pull off in plastic, but the Wendell figure looks like he's had ramen poured on his head. Thrust uncomfortably into the third dimension, Wendell resembes a slightly more human version of the drone creatures of Mark Osborne's "More". To make things worse, the colours are off... he's still paler than the other figures, but on the show he's more white than this.
Articulation: 6
Almost all of The Simpsons: World of Springfield figures articulate at just four points: neck, both shoulders, and waist. If anything, Wendell is marginally worse than mose, as his big head doesn't allow more than a few degrees of arm rotation.
Like (nearly) all The Simpsons: World of Springfield figures, Wendell can say a few phrases when placed on a compatible playset. In Wendell's case, there are just two: Dr. Nick Riviera's office, and Main Street (where he just says "You'd better believe it" for no apparent reason). I confess that this feature has never really impressed me, but some collectors seem to like it.
Accessories: 7
Most of the Simpsons: World of Springfield figures come with decent accessories, and Wendell is not an exception. He has a big stack of fused-together books (as seen with some of the other school-kid figures as well) with nice painted pages and even painted titles on some of them. He also comes with some fruit, which I guess is his lunch: a green apple, orange, and a banana, all paintless but nicely sculpted. Rounding out this classy set is his coup de grace: an overflowing vomit bag with painted hurl. The bag is the only accessory Wendell can hold, and it doesn't look like he's really holding it anyway.
Packaging: Average
The Simpsons: World of Springfield figures are packaged in standard bubble on cardboard action figure packaging, and annoyingly tied in with wire. There's not much to complain about with the packaging, but nothing to really praise, either.
Overall score: 6
Though not a terrible figure, Wendell is below average for the Simpsons: World of Springfield line and should be one of the last ones you buy unless you really want an inch-tall barf bag accessory for some bizarre diorama involving Flight Attendant Barbie.
Availability:
Wendell lingered on Amazon for quite awhile, but finally seems to have sold out. Try eBay.
posted by Andrew Lenahan at 10:08 AM
1 Comments:
wow...sounds like you really hate this one! I don't remember which one was Wendell....so hang on a second and lemme go up and have a look see...(*paused for checkin*)...Wow, you had already put him up in the treacherous attic! I see what you mean about the ramen-head. though I think he is cute and tiny and needs a hug...or a blood transfusion! I bet the little orange is your favorite thing about it...though by your review you sounded more keen on the bag of vomit. Well...anyway...I love you!
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