Well I managed to get another one of Jaka’s “Ready To Ship” custom figs. Six months late!
Something has really changed this last year with Jaka’s business model and it’s driving everyone nuts! This fig is another one that got past me like it did a lot of other folks. All because of Jaka stickin’ their head in the sand about limiting their figs!
I’ve spoken on this a half a dozen times by now, but limiting your quantities and artificially generating demand by intentionally avoiding reprinting, drives me up the wall!
Why do all these custom figs need to be “collectors items” with the goofy numbered cards and all the humbug around only making a hundred or so. Just make another batch!
It’s extremely frustrating, because Jaka makes good figs! But they also tend to shoot themselves in the foot with their recently frustrating distribution habits! Even so far as their most recent of “ready to ship” items like their DCU Superman that I ordered back in July.
It’ll show up… any day now.
…any… day… now… (*instert image of me foaming at the mouth*)
But Daredevil here was not purchased through a reseller. I got a hold of this fella secondhand from a kind community member for around $120. The fig originally retailed for $100 back in April of this year, so not a bad deal. But it’s annoying that folks like myself committed to getting their figs have to go through channels like the community or scalpers gaming the system isn’t great 🙃
That being said, I too spent a huge chunk of change on a custom fig due to this exact same reason, so who am I to judge 🤷🏻♂️
Ironically though, Jaka seems to be taking the same path Jin has been pivoting into for quite some time, which is to say a VERY annoying and stupid path leading lots of folks to frustration.
Remember when I chatted about MRM’s new genius "down payment" model? Jaka’s gotta get with the times man! Ugh!
Anyway! I think that’s enough dragging Jaka down the sidewalk. I seem to be doing that a lot lately... Now! Onto the review!
I like this fig… mostly.
I think the one aspect I would change is the facial design. Something about that sudo mustache they gave him feels weird. Like yes, the actor in the show has a pretty heavy five o'clock shadow, but he didn’t have a full on handlebar mustache!
But other aspects of the print and design translation are generally quite good. High quality stuff as always from Jaka! The texture work per usual from a Jaka fig is also solid!
Not to mention, getting printed hands is always a treat! The printing quality I say again, is killer stuff! So kudos where they are due!
One thing that’s holding me back from thinking better of this fig, is the cowl element…
It’s very round. Like almost to the point where it looks like a basketball. Again the production quality is great! The print and ink over the element is very good. But the design just doesn't speak to me like how LifeBrick has taken their own more squareish approach. It just looks so... circular.
Again, like everything else Jaka makes, the quality is super clean, even on the inside of elements, but gosh the design just doesn't gel with me 🤷🏻♂️
But I saved the best for last! The bendy wire batons!!!!! Aaahhhhh!
Now we’ve seen something sorta like this before with FunnyBrick's super solid Marco Checchetto Daredevil collection. But these have taken that concept a step further with nice rope wrappings! Oooooo! Fancy! ✨
These things are super cool dude! Like not only are they well integrated with that rope-like silver coil, but the sheer amount of poseibility with them- GAH! It’s unlimited!
Not to mention the other batons sans-wire provide even more options for posing (sadly they do not include magnets in them like we’ve seen with other Daredevil figs in the past…)
Honestly, this fig is still pretty good despite all my gripes. I don’t hate it, but it didn’t blow me away either. But only time will tell if Jaka's brand respect can uphold to the same standards as their products 🤷🏻♂️