Orbitron The Man from Uranus Outer Space Men Alpha Phase Comic-Con 2012 Exclusive Item No.: n/a Manufacturer: Four Horsemen Includes: Ray gun, star weapon Action Feature: n/a Retail: $50.00 (sold as a set with blue Cyclops and pink Orbitron) Availability: July 2012 Other: First release of Orbitron in this line
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Taller than many of the other figures in this line, Orbitron is only second to the giants Colossus Rex and Cyclops in terms of size so far. This pink pre-paint stands at about 4 1/4-inches high, cast in a translucent pink plastic similar to the "Nonilla" color used for Glyos figures earlier this year. (Minus, of course, the glitter.) The striking figure has crisp sculpting and even a few painted details, with three pale blue dots making up his eyes and chest. A swell star pattern on his stomach pops when lit just right, and the overall look and feel is exquisite for an alien based at least loosely on the Metaluna Mutants of This Island Earth.

While nearly every figure so far has had some sort of bent arms or alternate hands, Orbitron does not. What he does have, however, is a big removable brain which as far as I know serves no purpose other than being cool and fun to play around with, although I don't think there are any pieces which serve as something worth swapping the brain out for as of yet, except perhaps other brains, which I assume are coming later at various conventions and whatnot. The sculpt is good, and the color choice was excellent as well. His arms are bug-like and clearer, although he has a spine on the back of his exoskeleton and that throws me for a loop when trying to figure out just what kind of creature the man from Uranus truly is. His clawed feet and hands say bug, but the giant brain and spine suggest I should not be trying to shoehorn him into such earthly roles. I should also note his hips are restricted from swinging forward fully by their design, just like Electron+ last year. As I guess nobody else is considering putting these guys into other toy vehicles, it shouldn't be a big problem for anyone displaying the figures, just kids who think these should sit in Star Wars vehicles.

While Gemini has a high piece count and Cyclops is huge, it would seem Orbitron is made of 14 pink plastic pieces with 2 green weapons. As always, everything is connected to his person via Glyos plugs, so you can slap the brain on another figure's arms if you really wanted to. Every Glyos figure I've ever bought, including the Outer Space Men, have had impeccably perfect-fitting joints except for this one. My sample has a left arm that falls off easily. In display it stays in just fine, but it starts to come out when you rotate the joint and that's quite unusual for these figures. I assume it's just a fluke on my sample, although feel free to let me know how yours is in the comments below.

While the original figure came with a ray gun, this one has an added star weapon as well. I'm sot sure what purpose the star weapon serves in terms of story, but I can tell you I haven't seen a pointy weapon like this in ages. Bless the Internet for direct sales, as this thing seems to sharp to fly at regular retail. It's a very striking design, if you'll pardon the pun. The ray gun has a ball at the end of its barrel, a plate under the main body, and other little flourishes. It's simple, yet complicated, but mostly simple. The star's design seems more fleshed-out, but this ray gun really pops nicely in its clear green plastic.

I love the design and sculpt, and the figure's design and similarity to another famous movie monsters opens the door to all sorts of questions I'd love to ask figure creator Mel Birnkrant if I ever get the chance to speak or email with him. (He seems cool.) Of the batch, I would say the blue paint on this figure does wonders to bring him to life visually and he's probably one of the more striking figures in the batch. Not knowing what other colors await us I can't say for sure if this is the best version to get, but when you have an alien with a removable brain piece, clear pink is probably the best color you could hope for. It's paler than the 2010 Metamorpho, but it still looks great on its own. Get it if the price is right, I think you'll enjoy it.

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