CAP'N BOOTY'S TOYBOX

For over 50 years, one TV special has become as much a Halloween tradition as trick-or-treating itself. I am of course referring to It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown-- a story about a boy who trades trick-or-treating for waiting all night in a pumpkin patch for the mythical Great Pumpkin, who showers all devoted children with gifts. There’s also a dog next door that has a wild acid flashback that makes him think his doghouse is a WWI plane being shot down in France-- the typical Halloween tale. Hard to believe someone has never made any decent toys based on this classic. Until now.
Chuck and the gang have finally bridged the toy gap thanks to Playing Mantis Toys, the people who brought you the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer toys. The first set contains Lucy in a witch costume, Schroeder with piano and candelabra, and the undeniable Snoopy with a flight outfit and bird sidekick. Set two contains Charlie Brown with a bag of rocks and Swiss cheese ghost costume, Linus with blanket and glowing pumpkin, and Sally with a pumpkin and Great Pumpkin welcome sign. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the sculpt on these babies being any more perfect. And all their accessories are well executed. I especially love the Lucy figure, even though she’s a bitch. How many times did she torture Chuck with that football gag? But I'm getting off topic. The best part of this set has to be the pumpkin patch itself. Each character comes with a small patch. They all connect to form a nice, big pumpkin patch. What a cool idea. Even though this is a terrific action figure line, there is one major flaw. More time should have been spent deciding how each character should hold their accessories. Each figure has their hands in the position of a medical cadaver. Have you ever tried to get a cadaver to hold a pumpkin? Take my word for it: it is really difficult. Pretty much all you can do is put all of their arms straight out in a forward position and try to balance their objects gingerly between them. It is a real shame that such a beautifully sculpted set would have such a pointless flaw, especially when it could have easily been corrected with better planning. Oh well. You can't have your cake and make it drink, that's for sure.