The Farscape cast from Sci-Fi’s hit series
© Sci-Fi Channel
Toy Maniac: The Farscape Folly
By: Robert T. TrateDate: Thursday, September 04, 2008
A couple weeks ago I wrote about the “Necessity Syndrome” and that “every once in a while we discover something that just won’t let us alone. Whether it is a TV show, comic book or movie there is something that becomes a necessity in us to capture that same feeling we had when we discovered it”. While making room for the overgrowing DVD collection, I came across my four seasons of Farscape. Immediately, I wanted to pop them in and start the story of John Crichton all over again. I wanted to get past all the how do you do’s and character development and get into the heart of the series. This was tough because there were so many small moments that lead to huge moments down the road. While basking in the glow of one of the greatest science fiction series of all time, I decided that something else had to reemerge.
The “Necessity Syndrome” has been with me a long time. Thankfully, it has allowed me to acquire a few items for my collection. The Farscape action figures by Toy Vault are figures that will forever remain in their plastic see through sarcophagi. I only have five of them but they are glorious: John Crichton (Commander Crichton limited to 30,000), Aeryn Sun (the Mutation limited to 30,000), D’Argo, Chiana and Scorpious the Hunter. The problem with collecting anything from Farscape is/ was that it is/ was a niche of science fiction. Star Trek and Star Wars run rampant with products. You can get everything and anything with the Star Wars logo on it (even a shower curtain). Of course it didn’t really help that I got into Farscape during its last season. Making it only harder and costlier to find those very same action figures I once put on clearance while working at the video store several years before.
My retro toys for the week are from (obviously) Farscape. One of the greatest science fiction TV shows in history. Here is the complete Farscape action figure line and one of the last places on Earth who still sells them (see gallery for pictures). Check out Troll and Toad Road for what is left of their inventory. To find anything else you’ll have to resort to eBay.
Farscape Series 1: Zhaan: Delvian Pa'u, Crichton: Astronaut and Scientist, Chiana: Anarchistic Runaway, KA D'Argo Luxan Warrior
Farscape Series 2: Crais: Vengeance is Mine, Rygel: XVI Dominar of Hyneria, Scorpius: The Hunter
Farscape Special Edition and Variant Figures: Scorpius: Crackers Don't Matter (Hawaiian shirt), D'Argo Luxan Warrior Cold Cast Resin Statue, Crichton: I Do, I Think (wedding outfit), Aeryn Sun Boxed Action Figure (in Peacekeeper outfit, limited to 2000 copies), Zhaan w/Special Edition Card, Chiana: Escapee from Nebari Prime (Entertainment Earth Exclusive), Aeryn the Mutation (Fandom Exclusive), Rygel Plush, Zhaan: Oralla
the Spirit figures
Mezco has released early images of their new The Spirit action figure line. They also have released an image of one of their new movie roto busts (see gallery) in the likeness of the Spirit. Each figure will have various points of articulation and accessories. Look for them in December when Frank Miller’s The Spirit is released in theaters.
My problem with Dc Direct
I think DC Direct makes some of the best action figures out there. They have a great pool of characters to draw from and their artist driven character likenesses never disappoint. My problem with DC Direct is that they announce their figures way too far in advance. Wizard is already taking advance pre-orders for their new Alex Ross Justice Society of America Series 1 action figures including: Starman, Golden Age Flash, Golden Age Green Lantern and Sandman. These figures come out in late April. Why announce this at the end of August? I have had a problem with DC Direct since I wanted an Oliver Queen Green Arrow a few years back and pre-ordered him at the local comic shop. They guy laughed at me because I was so early. I never did get him because by the time he did come out I had forgotten all about him (I did get a great DC Direct Mr. Freeze on eBay once, for four dollars). Call me Veruca Salt, but I want it now! Don’t show me a picture and tease me with something coming out months from now. Now movie figures are different (i.e. The Watchmen) because they have a release date to coincide with the film. Miscellaneous JSA figures should appear in the trades a month before their release.
Video Games:
PS3, PS2 and PSP
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness by Atlus (PlayStation2)
FaceBreaker by Electronic Arts (PLAYSTATION 3)
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames by Electronic Arts (PlayStation2)
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames by Electronic Arts (PLAYSTATION 3)
NFL Head Coach 09 by Electronic Arts (PLAYSTATION 3)
Rapala Fishing Frenzy by Activision Inc. (PLAYSTATION 3)
Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS
Defendin De Penguin by Crave Entertainment (Nintendo DS)
Dendin De Penguin by Crave Entertainment (Nintendo Wii)
Rapala's Fishing Frenzy with Fishing Pole by Activision Inc. (Nintendo Wii)
Rapala Fishing Frenzy-Wii by Activision Inc. (Nintendo Wii)
Xbox 360
FaceBreaker by Electronic Arts (Xbox 360)
Forza 2 Platinum Hits by Microsoft (Xbox 360)
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 JC by Encore Software (Windows Vista / XP)
Infinite Undiscovery Includes Gift With Purchase by Square Enix (Xbox 360)
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames by Electronic Arts (Xbox 360)
NFL Head Coach 09 by Electronic Arts (Xbox 360)
Rapala Fishing Frenzy by Activision Inc. (Xbox 360)
Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise by Microsoft (Xbox 360)
Viva Piñata 2: Trouble in Paradise by Microsoft (Xbox 360)
Warhammer: Battle March by Namco (Xbox 360)
World in Conflict: Soviet Assault by Vivendi Universal (Xbox 360)
PC
Far Cry by Encore Software (Windows XP)
Flatout: Ultimate Carnage by Empire Games (Windows Vista / XP)
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames by Electronic Arts (Windows 2000 / 98 / XP)
Rapala Fishing Frenzy by Activision Inc. (Windows 2000 / Vista)
Rapala's Fishing Frenzy with Fishing Pole by Activision Inc. (Windows 2000 / Vista)
Reel Deal Casino Millionaire's Club by Phantom EFX (Windows Vista / XP)
Reel Deal Slots Blackbeard's Revenge by Phantom EFX (Windows Vista / XP)
Sid Meier's Pirates! By Feral Interactive (Mac OS X, Mac OS X Intel)
More From Mania
FARSCAPE: Music for the Wide-Open Universe
ADV Films announces Farscape releases
(Thursday, November 9, 2000)
FARSCAPE Chat Transcript: Gigi Edgley, Lani John Tupu & Wayne Pygram
(Monday, September 18, 2000)
FARSCAPE Convention Report
(Monday, August 7, 2000)
FARSCAPE: Continuing Season Two
(Monday, June 5, 2000)
FARSCAPE: Launching Season Two
(Friday, March 17, 2000)
FARSCAPE: Wrapping Up Season One
(Monday, December 13, 1999)
FARSCAPE: The Sci Fi Channel Show Without The Reset Button
(Monday, December 6, 1999)
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