As we continue on with this round of First Looks, we are switching gears to the Ghostbusters corner of Matty Collector. Now, we know that the line has hit a bit of a skid since the cancellation of the 2012 subscription, but the line will continue on and hopefully we will be able to add essential characters like Janine and Gozer to the mix. However, it is always nice to complete a “team” in any action figure line and with the tomorrow’s release of “Ready to Believe You” Peter Venkman, we have the original three ‘busters decked out in their finest commercial and laboratory duds. I think that this was probably the team that I wanted to finish up next in the line, I suppose my focus will now shift to getting a Courtroom version of Ray and Egon, I really need that Tony Scolari Brother as well.
As much fun as the original Ghostbusters film is once they start catching ghosts, I really do enjoy the journey they take getting there. Getting tossed out of university (the private sector expects results), triple-mortaging Ray’s house and moving to a demilitarized zone in a building that should be condemned are all a part of the growing pains the boys have to suffer through prior to the paranormal activity really kicking into overdrive. They did have enough start-up cash to shoot a modest commercial for their services and the information given during that spot makes for some of the most quotable lines in the entire movie. Indeed, “We’re ready to believe you” gives you the name of this actual figure, and I have to say that Peter is my favorite of the three released in this deco. Sure, he is mostly reuse of the previous two, but Mattel did make the minor changes where they needed to be made.
The first place is that he (like the other two) actually has a new lab coat, something that can be discerned by his unique pocket protector. It is nice that this was done because I have to tell you, I was just expecting 100% on the coats from one figure to the next. The rest of his body is made up of the same parts as Egon and Ray so if you have them, you will know what you are getting. I know that Peter has two unique head sculpts in the line already, but I would have loved to have seen a new one here as well. If you go back and watch the movie, either through wind blowing during the commercial shoot or a conscious effort to look more like a mad scientist, Pete has some pretty crazy hair during the spot. I realize that there are more iconic scenes to get a new head sculpt (and Ray needs a new one period) but I think he looks kind of hilarious with the other two in the movie, especially since they are so buttoned down.
Something that Peter does offer, unlike the previously-released Egon, is that he has all of his commercial-accurate accessories. See, Egon was missing is stethoscope thingee in his figure, and possibly his ghost sniffer (I would have to review closely to see if he actually had it), but Peter does come with said ghost sniffer as well as his video camera. The sniffer is the same on that we saw come with Ray, but the video camera is completely new and one of the essential ghost investigating implements of the first movie. Pete proudly displays it during the commercial (hey, video cameras were frikkin’ expensive in the 80s) so it the most recognizable accessory for him during the commercial.
The other “accessory” included is the taxicab ghost seen when everything goes haywire after that darned Peck shuts down the containment unit. I really love that we continue to get ghosts in this line (though not as frequent as I would like) and the taxicab ghost is one of the most recognizable of the entire movie. I don’t think Peter shares any screen time with him, but that doesn’t matter. Since we never see the lower half of the ghost in the movie, the figure stops at the ribcage. Now, I would think he would need some kind of feet in order to make that cab go, but hey, that’s movie magic! The sculpt is very accurate in my opinion and he has some of the best detail and paint applications of the entire line. He has articulation at the neck, shoulders, elbows and wrists so for only being half a ghost, he moves pretty well. He is cast in a translucent plastic so yo can see some of that come through, especially in the jacket. He also comes with the same ghost stand as many of the other spooks so he can float with ease.
Like I said, even though I am dying to get more unique characters in this line (thank goodness Dana/Zuul is up next) it always great to complete a team. Though the boys were dismissed by Dana as con-artist hucksters on first viewing of the commercial, she, like all the others that had spook troubles, came running to the boys eventually. Get ready to recreate your favorite 1984 local commercial now that the team is complete, hopefully the courtroom series will be up next. Click the link below to order your Peter figure, he goes on-sale tomorrow (1/17/12).
*Thanks so much to Rhobyn and the GB team for sending along this figure and stay tuned, we are kicking off the Mattel age of Voltron next!
Additional Links
Yeah, as “Matt” said above… the lab coat looks like it isn’t new, just a repaint of the one Ray had, which is disappointing.
Also, judging by these photos, they seem to have painted Venkman’s tie the wrong color.
Thanks for the preview though 🙂
What’s with ghosts never having any legs! 😛
“The first place is that he (like the other two) actually has a new lab coat, something that can be discerned by his unique pocket protector.”
The coat is the same as Ray’s, they just painted the pocket black. It’s a 100% recycled figure.