Burger King Universal Monsters Bolts and Volts Frankenstein Burger King, 1997
Day #924: May 20, 2014
Bolts and Volts Frankenstein Surprisingly Decent
Universal Monsters Action Figure
Item No.: n/a Manufacturer:Burger King Includes:Glow in the Dark character sticker Action Feature:Table lights up (or it did anyway) Retail:$2.99ish Availability: 1997 Other: Nifty
For the pedant in all of us, Universal Monsters nomenclature is probably like hearing nails on a chalkboard. The Bolts and Volts Frankenstein set features Frankenstein's Monster (see?) and an operating table of sorts, allowing you to recreate the "It's Alive!" moment at home. Consider that this figure was a fast food toy in 1997, and it's astonishing.
As with the others, it's roughly 3 3/4-inch scale - similar in size to an old Kenner Darth Vader. Like the Creature figure, Frankenstein's monster skin is transparent green - this lets it "light up" with the green LED embedded in the table with a non-replaceable battery that probably wore out midway through George W. Bush's first term in office. The table itself is a 3-piece outfit, you plug in the ill-fitting legs and it has no deco to speak of. You can see broken straps sculpted on the bed, with various dials and levers off to the side. A green switch activates the light - or it did once - but now it just does nothing. I believe if I crack open the battery compartment I could replace it, but I don't want to tear up the table so it'll just remain in non-working order.
Due to the clear skin, the figure has a little less personality than his cohorts. There's no paint on the face, and I think that was a failing here. At least his silver neck bolts got a little paint, but the wonderful Karloff-esque face sculpt is difficult to see unless you hold him up to a light source. The hands are more Kenner-esque than modern ReAction figures, as they captured the essence of a hand not necessarily having to grip an accessory if one is not included. (See: 1979 Boba Fett, Walrus Man left hands.) The thick, platform boots are present as are black pants, plus a tattered-looking glossy painted jacket covering most of his body. The amazing thing is that given his action feature and overall scale, this figure probably could've sold for five or six bucks at a toy store rather than be relegated to the thing you have to throw out of the bag to get to your french fries faster.
While far from perfect, this fun little toy has saved me a ton of money over the years - I didn't want to buy any other Frank toys because I had this one and I liked it so much I had no reason to upgrade. I love what Funko is doing with ReAction so I'll be getting those - but I feel this Frankenstein's Monster figure will probably occupy the same place in my heart as my old Boba Fett action figure. This line of Burger King fast food toys may be the only one I actually suggest people track down - the Universal Monsters license has been handed well by Sideshow, Hasbro, Remco, Funko, and so many companies over the years but I found these to be some of the most charming - and cheap - renditions. Seeing as how the figures like Frankie here can actually sit, I hope I never misplace him.
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