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In 1997
Playmates took their generic
all-series-inclusive Star Trek action
figure line and revamped it slightly.
The packaging was changed and each
"wave" of figures that was released was
given a "Warp Factor" number. A "wave"
of figures, for those of you that don't
already know, is a group of action
figures that is released at the same
time. For example, a manufacturer's
assortment of figures may contain
eighteen different figures, but they
might be released to retailers
gradually in three batches or "waves"
of six figures each. This is generally
the way Playmates operates. The first
wave of figures in this assorment, i.e.
"Warp Factor One," were all taken from
the "Trouble With Tribbles/Trials and
Tribble-ations" episodes of Classic
Trek & DS9. This wave included DS9
characters in Classic Trek Uniforms
(cheap and easy for Playmates, except
for the Odo figure) and Captain Koloth
the Klingon. Subsequent "Warp Factors"
have not had any discernable theme used
for the selection of figures that were
included.
These figures
included a "Triple-Tribbles" game piece
as a pack-in premium. This was some
sort of lame scratch-off game that was
more trouble to figure out than it was
worth. Along with this, some of each of
the figures in this wave came with
three fuzzy tribbles inserted loosely
in their packaging. Generally, the
packages with the plush tribbles are
more highly sought after because, let's
face it, it's a lot more fun to pelt
your Kirk figures with plush tribbles
than hardened plastic ones. Well, more
fun for the Kirk figures, anyway.
Captain Koloth, with or without plush
tribbles, generally hasn't increased in
value much as of yet. Unopened, this
figure will now fetch an average of
$7.00 on the secondary market. Opened
and intact, the figure will average
$3.00. Captain Koloth features
articulation at the neck, shoulders,
biceps, elbows, waist, hips and knees.
He's a good likeness of the character
and I especially enjoy the choice to
sculpt an open, taunting mouth (smarmy,
smart-ass, grain-poisoning
Klingon).
This figure
is an entirely original sculpt and has
not been reused as of yet. Hopefully,
since Playmates seems to be into
recycling old molds, they'll choose to
make a couple new heads for the body
and produce Kor, Kang and/or other
classic Klingons. We can dream, can't
we?
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