Okay... after looking at the figure more closely... and after irreparably damaging the zipper on one of the boots (the zipper actually broke in to pieces), I have to chalk this purchase up to experience and move on.
This Core Play Deep Water Ghosts figure is, by far, my most foolish and disappointing "impulse buy" ever. In fact, it's not going too far to say that, when price to value is factored in, this is my most disappointing toy, doll, or action figure purchase in my life.
The figure does not look as good in person as it does in the promo pics. It's not terrible, but it's obviously a toy. The quality I've seen in Executive Replicas/TBLeague figures at lower prices is simply not there. The body is cheap, jointed plastic with a rubberized neck and bust. The dive suit is has a very plastic feel and sheen to it. The suit does not fit nearly as well as the obviously retouched photos suggest. Everything is fragile - the zippers, the little plastic pieces, the fiddly little straps - it all just screams "cheap."
The quality of this figure is on par with a knock-off.
There are no instructions, not even a diagram, to indicate how the multiple little accessories are meant to be assembled. Considering how fragile everything is, I'm hesitant to do much fussing around to try to figure things out, for fear of breaking something else.
There is no display stand or base, not even a simple wire stand. The figure is definitely suited only for display, not for play or posing, but there's no real way to display it. It's certainly not going to stand up very securely on those stiletto heels, with those floppy hinged plastic joints.
The bust is not nearly as smooth and sexy as in the illustrations. Forget that half-unzipped wetsuit top. The interior seams of the wetsuit are poorly finished with loose threads and rough hems, and the cleavage is not nearly as well-defined as in the promotional images.
I am somewhat tempted at this point to bin the thing - literally toss it - and chalk it up to expensive lessons learned. Or, I could try selling off some of the kit, I suppose, and maybe make back a quarter of my loss.
Instead - what's that saying about throwing good money after bad? - I ordered a replacement pair of boots from Monkey Depot. I hope the zipper doesn't break when I try to put the one boot back on the figure. Until the boots arrive, I'll put the fig back in her box.
When the boots arrive, I shall try, very carefully, when I have a lot of light, to assemble the figure to the greatest degree possible, and then try to figure out a way to display it as a reminder - a harsh reminder to avoid STUPID IMPULSE BUYS, and to NEVER trust promo photos from the smaller manufacturers. Any future "top end" figure purchases will be those on TBLeague bodies, optimally those in conjunction with Executive Replicas. I've never had quality issues with the ER/TBL figures, and they have always closely resembled the promotional photos.
I may still sell this thing off. Maybe list it on eBay for half what I paid, with highly visible disclaimers and a firm ALL SALES FINAL / NO RETURNS policy.
This disappointment is my fault, and my fault alone. I knew, going in, that I
might regret this. I was right.
Oh, and no, the suit and gear will not fit a TBLeague body. I have several bodies at hand - petite ones, plump ones, anime ones, teen ones. The way the boots fit, the fragility of the costume, the style of the hand pegs, none of it is compatible, and the amount of fussing about required to even get an approximate fit would almost certainly result in tears or breakage.
My loss is your gain - avoid this fig. Of course, y'all knew that already, didn't'cha?
Okay... I'm gonna go open up another box that arrived a few days ago, one that has something of known quality in it: TBLeague S44 and S45 bodies! Cute li'l things, those 44/45s!
