Reader's Review: SSC's Subject 805
Posted by: D. Martin on April 19, 2008 at 09:13 PM CST
The Cool Toy Review Reader Review of Sideshow Collectibles' Subject 805: Tactical Containment Unit Operator
by Josh Long
INTRODUCTION
The Dead sounds like something straight out of a Zombie movie doesn’t it? Well, that’s a good thing since this line is nothing but the Undead. The line premiered at the 2005 San Diego Comic Con with a figure known as Patient Zero. Well, its nearly three years later and this line is going very strong and may be one of Sideshow’s most popular lines. It’s also a Sideshow Collectibles Original line as well which allows them to go with all their wild and crazy creations since they have the final say.
I want to take a few lines of this review to talk about the past figures in The Dead line. We’ve gone through seven figures that are now in hand, and one more Subject 1025 The Babysitter who has yet to ship and is the first female too.
Patient Zero— Little is known about Patient Zero. Was he like you or I? Did he have a normal job? Lots of questions but very few answers. He was the first figure released in The Dead line and for me my personal favorite. Zero comes with a arm that has been gnawed off some poor soul, and a newspaper of all the zombie events. Patient Zero was a Comic-Con Exclusive back in 2005 and is limited to 300 pieces world wide.
Subject 5: Security Guard — Security guards are a must and if you’re doing medical tests you need someone to watch over things when nobody’s home. Well, Subject 5 once did that job but sadly he had a run in with something that forever changed his life the living part that is. Subject 5 was released the following year at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con and comes with Guns N Bullets Magazine, Radio, Flashlight, and Key Ring. Five’s edition size was limited to 1000 pieces world wide.
Subject 57: The Doctor – You’d think a Doctor would be more careful. I guess things are quite so easy when you’re working with the Dead. It also makes you wonder exactly what are they doing behind those closed doors. Subject 57 was the first non Comic-Con released Dead figure. It came in both the regular and exclusive formats with the regular having green scrubs and exclusive in blue scrubs. The Doctor comes the usual medical items like syringe, scalpel, clipboard, and medical files. The edition size of the regular is 1000 pieces while the exclusive is 300 pieces world wide.
Subject 560: Corporate Spokesman – Any company needs a spokesman to make sure their message gets across. However, I think this guy might have gone a little far getting himself turned into whatever they’re selling. Subject 560 came in two types of exclusives which makes him quite unique. The first release came as the 2007 Comic-Con Exclusive and wore a dark blue suit while the other was a 2007 Spooktakular Exclusive and wore a grey suit. The Spokesman’s accessories include a briefcase, handcuffs, Defense Weekly Magazine, and top secret folder w/photos. The edition size of the Comic-Con version was 1250 pieces and the Spooktakular comes in at 300 pieces world wide.
Subject 805: Tactical Containment Unit Operator – Subject 805 title is a puzzling one. Why does a company who has nothing to hide as the Spokesman said need a guy like this? He obviously was some kind of SWAT type character who protected at all cost, and boy did he pay the ultimate cost by being turned into a Zombie.
PACKAGING – 7.5 The Dead has some of the coolest looking packaging that comes from Sideshow Collectibles. You have the simple white design with just a ton of blood including a bloody handprint. Unlike the Star Wars or Lord Of The Rings Lines you get no back story but with Zombies do you really need to know that much? The reason for such a drop though? I hate TWIST TIES! They do not use these on the other lines I buy why in the world are they being used on The Dead? They are a total pain to get off and really are more annoying than their worth. I do like the neck collar they use but on both my 805’s it had come lose which could have led to paint rubbing.
SCULPTING – 10This guy is sick looking and I mean that in the best way possible. How can you not love the fact he’s missing most of his face and half his left arm. The job done on the missing jaw is just freaking brutal in how awesome it looks! His missing arm next to his missing face is the goriest thing we’ve seen in this line. You see where the bone is almost sticking out of the meat in the arm. His tongue is just freaky in how long it is and amazing it was able to stay attached. This figure has the coolest sculpt of any Dead figure released so far.
PAINT – 9Now, this was the hardest part for me to review. Exactly what is the right color for a Zombie? Especially when let’s face it Zombies aren’t real or are they? Its not the same color as the prototype but who knows what happened to this guy. His job title gives you the option to believe and based on an email Sideshow sent out something happened to this guy on the job. So for me I’m going to roll with hey before he went down something went way wrong with him. The reason I take a point off is because his hair is green and that too me is harder to believe his hair would turn green too. The paint job on the eyes are really nice as well and give the emotion that this guy knew it was about to get bad before he died. Overall, the paint apps look quite nice and depending on the light he even changes color a little.
ARTICULATION – 10I know there are a lot of haters when it comes to the Buck body Sideshow has been using for some years now. Zombies however don’t need a lot of great movability and the body here allows you to find any creepy pose you can imagine with 805.
ACCESSORIES - 10805 comes with a plethora of goodies for your Zombie displaying needs. He comes with his MP-5 Assault Rifle, M-92 Pistol (which still has one sadly unused bullet left), Radio with Headset, Aerial Surveillance Photos, Triage Cards, “Be Ready” Shooting Target, and Map/Blue Print set. The two guns 805 comes with are by far the coolest on any figure I’ve ever received and look insanely real and as I mentioned I love the unused bullet in the Pistol.
OUTFIT – 7.5The outfit is really very cool but does have a few things which puzzled me. Why is the only part of his outfit that’s torn up the sleeve where he’s missing the arm? He’s lost a of parts and showing very little wear on the overall outfit. I would expect him to be bloodier and more torn up for what I can imagine he went through. Also why doesn’t he have a clip for his radio and no holster for his pistol? As I said the outfit design is cool and does the job for the most part.
VALUE - 8805 sold for $55 which is really quite fair with all he comes with and the overall coolness of the figure. You get several items with 805 that are essential to the figure and play into the fun of this line. Plus it’s a Zombie and he kicks butt!
OVERALL- 8If this figure was more beat up, bloodier, and the hair a different color it would be an easy 10. Having said all of that this figure still rocks! How can you not love a Zombie that has half his face and arm blown off? 805 is well worth getting so worth it I actually bought two of him.
RATINGS RECAPPackaging- 7.5
Sculpt- 10
Paint- 9
Articulation- 10
Accessories- 10
Outfit- 7.5
Value- 8
Overall- 8
SPECIFICATIONSEdition Size of the Subject 805 is 1400
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