Hey, it’s a new year and that calendar change always marks the beginning of a fresh start if you want it, and a way to help make the struggles of the past twelve months remain in the past. Well, 2020 might be starting off with us careening towards World War 3, but that just means that, more than ever, we need to be reminded of all the “happy little trees.”
I would be willing to bet that, if you are reading this, you are familiar with NECA Toys and their reputation for producing high-quality action figures based on an array of pop culture properties. For me, their sculpting has always been their strongest suit, and be it Alien, TMNT, or your favorite horror icons, they have a long history of bringing characters to life in highly-detailed fashion. Somewhat more (relatively) recently though, NECA has been making some “clothed” figures with soft-goods stylings in the vein of the vintage MEGO line to expand some form factors for their more “core” properties, but to also introduce some licenses that play just a little bit more against type cast from their usual fare.
Thanks to that, I now have four of the sassiest action figures of all time in their Golden Girls offerings, and I have a new take on my favorite horror clown, Pennywise, coming soon. However, the chilliest and affirming TV artist of all-time has just arrived in the form of their new figure of The Joy of Painting star, Bob Ross. Like many others, I have been waiting for this my entire life (even if I didn’t always know it), and I can just hear his calm and soothing voice convincing me that yes, trees have friends (thank goodness) and that I might be able to paint something that looks remotely like what he produced in 30 minute increments. Bob’s contributions to the zeitgeist are irrefutable, and as a constant PBS presence from my youth, this was required buying.
While it certainly does not make up the bulk of my collection, I think this particular format works well for some specifically pointed properties. There has to be a general amount of era association or kitch built into a character or property, or just an exercise in variation of format to make it work for me, but much like the Golden Girls, Bob Ross fits that requirement. I think there is some assumption of detail degradation when it comes to a soft goods format (unless you are Hot Toys, or maybe One:12 Collective), but that does not mean that the trademark button-down and jeans aren’t just right for this style.
Aside from the body being a base meant to be covered with an outfit, the rest of the figure and accessories are just as detailed as what you come to expect from NECA in a traditional sense. There is a slight caricature in the likeness, but again, it works and be it the friendly expression or can’t miss hairstyle, there is no mistaking this as anyone other than Bob Ross. As I mentioned, we need more “squirrels with friends” and “puffy clouds” and “happy little trees” in our lives, so this figure pretty much emotes all of that.
The boots, easel, painting, brushes, and putty knife are all as detailed and well-sculpted as you would come to expect from NECA. I especially love the easel and the replication of one of Bob’s paintings (likely the closest you will ever get to a genuine article), and with the simplicity of the set used for the show, you have everything you need recreate it. Just add a bit of television static.
Bob was known to use unconventional tools in his painting, and this set includes the traditional fan brush, but also the 4-inch paint brush and putty knife. The palette with the oil paint is one of the best accessories I have gotten in a long time, and while it is distinctly Bob’s, I will likely be using in other spots for just the right photo opportunity.
This figure is something distinctly from my childhood, and now I am glad I can watch reruns of The Joy of Painting and have my own little Bob Ross to accompany me. He is dearly missed, that is for sure, but the imprint he left reminds us all to be a little kinder, appreciate the natural world around us, and maybe even try our own hand at painting.
Remember to be a happy little action figure collector and pre-order your very own Bob Ross from BBTS.
