Act 5: Hyper Boxer Parapsychic "Razorback"
Review by Showapop
Spiral Zone Act 5: Hyper Boxer Parapsychic "Razorback"
In 1986 Bandai released four extra protect suits for their SF Spiral Zone action figure line. Unlike the first three sets which featured a protect suit and a SZ figure, these basic sets included the protect suits and armor only. These were essential re-colored armor and cloth sets of Act: 1 Bull Solid and Act 2: Hyper Boxer. Unfortunately Bandai chose not to recolor and release Act 3: Sentinel Bear.
Reissued and re-colored releases of previously manufactured toys have always been a blessing and a curse for collectors. Some re-releases could be very creative and well thought out while other releases can be a blatant cash out for the manufacture without any thought to the quality of the toy line. The prices of casting molds for the injection machines are quite expensive and receiving the most from the investment can justify the re-colored projects in the eyes of the manufacturer. No toy manufacturer is immune to this, Hasbro, Kenner, Mattel, Bandai, Takara, etc have done this at one time or another with their respected toy lines.
As is, Spiral Zone was a small line to begin with, with only 12 releases total with four of the Acts re-colored from the first two releases, Act 1: Bull Solid and Act 2: Hyper Boxer. I believe Bandai was marginally successful with the re-colored extra protect suits. Not only was the price point an issue as one could spent $5.00 more and get a deluxe protect suit and figure set but generally they were not as aesthetically pleasing as the deluxe sets.
Act 5: Hyper Boxer “Parapsychic” is the first of two and the least attractive of Hyper Boxer re-colored sets. Although the black armor looks great I do not know why Bandai decided to give Act 5 a silver threaded lame suit with orange paint highlights. It completely dismisses the military overtones of the Spiral Zone line. The orange trim could look good but it visually clashes with the silver of the suit. It is simply just a mess of colors.
The only reason why I do like the set is that I never had one back the 80’s and it is somewhat of a mystery set as I never seen one in person until I received this one from Japan a few months ago. One other feature that I do like is the stencil stickers that come with call numbers for the side of the leg armor. It is great to finally have a representation of Act 5 in my display case, but otherwise, it is the weakest representation of the protect suits colors in the Spiral Zone line.
If Bandai had given this set a black real cloth uniform with white trim on the helmet and call numbers It would be a definite standout protect suit like the all black Act 4: Bull Solid “Parapsychic”. Yutaka’s Action Figure Series “Ninja” not only comes with an original 1985 Spiral Zone body that can be used for Act 5 but also a black uniform that could be used to replace the silver uniform for this set. The picture above is Act 5 with Act 3 Sentinel Bears black uniform.
As is, I do not suggest this set for the casual Spiral Zone fan due to its rarity and the fact that it does not entirely represent the aesthetic pleasing quality of the rest of the Spiral Zone line.
© 2008 article and photos Leonardo Flores "ModCineaste" & CollectionDX.
Comments
6 comments postedI can kind of dig it. It reminds me a bit of when G.I. Joe starting getting further away from just military stuff and started making more sci-fi spacy stuff...then snakemen, etc.. lol
"This must be settled the way nature intended....with a vicious, bloody fight!"
Onyx Blackman
Principal, Flatpoint High
It's funny that you mention GI Joe as I was going to use that as an example as Hasbro were the masters of re-coloring items. The entire 1982 first run was basically just 3 heads with different colored hair, not mention the bodies being reused. But it still is one of the best and iconic lines of the entire GI Joe run.
It seems GI Joe lost its way somewhere around 1992, i think they moved to far away from the traditional military line but lines such as the aliens in Star Brigade, street fighter, Cobra-La were a welcome addition. It's great to add those lines but Military soldiers in day-glow killed it for me and they forgot why we loved GI Joe in the first place but I had already stopped collection GI Joe in 1986-87 ( I now am trying to collect all the figures between 1982-1986 and will start writing reviews on them when I'm finished writing about Spiral Zone).
I actually secretly think this is the a really cool item in the Spiral Zone line but as a whole it doesn't quite fit in well with the rest of the line. The black uniform even looks better and appears it should have a sword as it has a very Samurai look to it.
Finally I do believe the silver suit has something to do with reflecting properties and has an added stealth technology to it. I will not know that until I translate the file cards which I plan to do soon.
Cheers
LF
Leonardo Flores
CollectionDX Staff Writer-West Coast Bureau
Sometimes, poor color choices are because of factory errors, or are left-over from color tests for molds, etc. Maybe this could be a reason for the silver suit? Maybe suits were made in an incorrect color for a different set, and the orange helmet details a mistake as well. rather than throw them away, just slam em into a new box. Either way, I think it's kind of cool.
I remember reading in a GI JOE book years ago, that the change from military colors to sci-fi then finally to movie-themed and neon eco-battles was due to massive complaints from parents, who were not pleased with their children playing with war toys. To make the change much more cost affective, colors were picked at the factory, using the cheapest color they had on hand (neon blue, say, for the accesories) as the line was in a steady decline since 1988. The US-military focus also damaged Hasbro's ability to licence the line to other countries, as not everyone on the planet is supportive of the US military or government. Making the figures neon blue and including monsters made it less war-torn, and more family friendly, since we all know when we direct day-glow violence towards non-humans, it's totally cool with mom and dad.
The Big R,
Thanks for the comment. Bandai actually used the silver suit in another release Act 6 Machine head, but since there isn't that much info the Spiral Zone line to begin with that' s definately a possibility.
What Joe book did you read.....I would love to read about that. I never heard that reasoning about why the line changed so quickly but personal I preffered the military influenece. That makes perfect sense that they would change it but in all reality they killed the line.
GI was repackaged as Action Force in the UK and Europe and Brazil had their own line of recolored GI figures. GI Joe was remarketed as an International Force and was very popular as an International Force. In fact I just recently heard the 80's Joe theme with the words A Real American Hero replaced with An International Hero. Action Force had the coolest re-color ever..Red Laser. Brazil also has a couple of Joe's that are worth locating.
Sanjeev,
I have a feeling that is what the Silver Suit is all about....but Act 4: Bull Solid is also a Parapsychic coating and it doesn't come with a Silver suit but a Black one and Act 6 Machine Head is not a Parapsychic but it comes with a silver suit!
Regardles Act 5 is a great item to have and I'm glad I finally own one,
Thanks Friends!
LF
Leonardo Flores
CollectionDX Staff Writer-West Coast Bureau
not sure of which joe book it was, but i'm pretty sure it was "Ultimate Guide to G.I. Joe" or something along those lines. I'll see if i can find out which one.
Well, regarding the colors, the first thing I noticed is the word, "Parapsychic" on the box! Instantly, my mind simply resolved the decidely non-military colors to this guy being part of some weird psyker division of the military...y'know--creepy brain experiments and such.
Hence the silver suit. Duh.
;)
--
Sanjeev