Pocket Brawlers – Series 2
By therojotoy, eddieinthecity, and shingangu
Objective:
The first series of Pocket Brawlers were previously reviewed. The second series of Pocket Brawlers are a set of three figures. One of the figures has two interchangeable heads. The figures were sculpted by @therojotoy and produced by @eddieinthecity and cast by @shingangu (formerly trutek).
The figures were sold in three colors: (1) M.U.S.C.L.E.-like Flesh; (2) Red; and (3) Purple.
The set of three figures sold for $46 and was cast in a M.U.S.C.L.E.-like rubber. The figures did not have any packaging.
Subjective:
Like the first series, I balked at the $46 price tag for the second set. But I loved the first series so much that I pushed right past any hesitant. Interestingly, I spent a similar amount of money, $50 for Skreeee! and Fugtaro at about the same time.
My brain was stuck. Series one of the Pocket Brawlers cost $55 ($11 per figure). Series two of the Pocket Brawlers cost $46 ($15.30 per figure). Because neither set had packaging I assumed the M.U.S.C.L.E.-like casting material had increased in price. However, Skreeee! and Fugtaro were cast in a similar material. A rudimentary measurement could validate, or disprove, my assumption.
$46 for 2oz. of Pocket Brawlers
$50 for 4oz. of Skreeee! and Fugtaro Figures
The second series of Pocket Brawlers had two ounces of “rubber” (I don’t know the exact material); which means $23 per ounce. The Skreeee! and Fugtaro were also about two ounces each; which means $12.50 per ounce – and completely ignoring packaging.
I’m left slightly confounded. I don’t know the precise materials used for casting these sets, so I can’t fairly make any declarations. If the material costs are similar, then does overall popularity drive the prices? At the time of writing the #pocketbrawlers on Instagram had 16 posts and #fugtaro had 18 posts. That doesn’t really help either.
My final takeaway is that too many M.U.S.C.L.E.-inspired minifigures are overlooked, underappreciated, and under-purchased.
Take a look at the first figure and I’ll try to further explain my takeaway.
Unarguably an interesting sculpt. Personally, I love it but I’m also a realist and acknowledge some people may not.
I believe those people aren’t looking at the entire set. When I saw the first figure I thought, “That’s pretty cool.” But when I saw the second figure I loved the first even more.
My imagination instantly screamed, “This must be the fully engulfed version of the first figure!”
I could be 100% wrong; I’m ok with that. However, I will always argue that figures that spark imagination are the best. These figures are truly both toys and art. I have always believe the best minifigures are both.
I suspect other minifigure collectors don’t feel the same way. They want “art” and playability is a non-factor. Figures that have a playable-feel are over looked. This leads awesome lines, like the Pocket Brawlers, to be slightly overlooked, underappreciated, and under-purchased. (I hope I’m especially wrong on the last part.)
I hope I’m also 100% wrong when I say the minifigure/toy art community looks down on these keshi-type figures. Take a look at the previous winners of the “Designer Toy Awards.” I see a lot of redundancy; same people and styles winning year after year.
Take a look at the third and final figure. It features two interchangeable heads.
Does an increase in playability decrease its “artiness?” I don’t know for sure. I suspect the prejudice to be true.
I’ll tell you why it perfectly blends playability, art, and craftsmanship for me. I loved the idea. I loved both heads. But I was hesitant to rip off a head. I worried that the neck could be too tight and tear. I decided to give a light tug and it came right off. It was easy to change the heads without damaging anything. Masterful!
I hope I am intensely incorrect. I hope the “toy art community” loves these types of figures just as much as a M.U.S.C.L.E. freak like me. I hope everybody loves them and still buys a set.
Pocket Brawlers Complete Set
Series 1 and Series 2
