It's been a while since my last collection update, so let's get right into it. Today I am not only showcasing, but comparing and contrasting the Bandai Creation [BC] Wave 1 6" line of Godzilla figures with their nearest Monster Island [MI] counterparts.
1954 Godzilla: The MI version looks like it popped right off the movie poster of the same year, a definitive vision of the start of a legacy. The BC version looks like a kid's toy. The paint job on the MI is much better, and there's more attention to detail in the sculpt. Both share four points of articulation. However, the BC is not a bad toy at all. but my vote goes to the MI version.
Burning Godzilla: The key difference between these figures is translucence. The effects of Godzilla's nuclear heart attack permeate down beneath the skin, where you can almost see his blood turning to radioactive lava. The very claws at the end of his fingers share the same effect. The BC version has the same effect, except that it's spray painted on like a cheap temporary tattoo. The pose makes it look like he's about to tip over from clumsiness. The lack of the translucent effect really cheapens the figure. But the detailing on the eyes is better on the BC version. Still, it's not a bad toy, but I'll still rank it as the worst of the set. Both figures feature a very awkward sculpt on the arm articulation, similar to a baby stuck in a high chair. Vote to MI.
Rainbow Mothra: What makes a Mothra a Rainbow Mothra? Is this the gay pride version? Well, I don't have a MI version to compare the BC version to, so I'll but review the figure based on inspection points alone. The paint job is top notch out of the entire set. As a matter of fact, it's an "A" ranking even when compared to the MI figures based on other kaiu. Had you not told me this was an American figure, I would have thought it a Japanese one. While the edges of the paint job come to an abrupt stop at their borders, it's still beautiful to display, even if you don't hang it up with clear string. I would say this is the best of the set, but I'm not a big mothra fan, so I'll give it an "Almost the Best" grade. A definite must-have. For lack of a comparison figure, vote goes to BC.
Space Godzilla: Where to start?! These to figures really go head to head on so many different points! Both only have four points of articulation: head, arms and tail. It would have been nice to get the legs to move. The shoulder crystals on the MI version are laced with gold paint, while the BC features an airbrushed gradient. I honestly can't decide which looks better. The chest detail on the MI looks very nice, while the BC has a look of an actual actor's kaiju suit from the movie. It's very leathery looking and has more of a sense of realism. The MI has gold on his forehead crystal, while the BC is just light yellow paint. The sculpts of both are awesome. However, the MI has the edge for the vote simply because of the more natural paint job done on the back and tail crystals. It has more of a brushed look, whereas the BC paint just isn't as good. Vote to MI, but just BARELY.
