Toy OTD: Playmates Toys Simpsons Figure (Celebrity Series 2, 2002): Brad Goodman (autographed)

Here's one character from my rather large Simpsons action figure collection! I was lucky enough to get it signed by Albert Brooks while Finding Nemo was in production. He's one of my favorite recurring guest voices!

This is a typical Playmates Simpsons toy, with the usual strengths and weaknesses. Of course, I love how many ancillary characters were included in the overall line, and Brad is a great character than many other toy companies might have overlooked. Big props to Playmates for including him!

The sculpt itself is a bit of a mixed bag - the face is nicely done, but the overall proportions are rather top-heavy and the pose is somewhat symmetrical and stiff. The paint work is simple but nice, and I always like it when colored plastic is used to broaden the palette (I think there's at least three different colors being used here).

You can also plug Brad into a variety of the playsets, which allows him to say some phrases from the show. While I'm a big Brooks booster, I don't really need my action figures to talk, and most of the playsets were little more than glorified bases. Personally, I would've preferred that the money had been put into making the figures themselves better, or enabling Playmates the likeness rights to even more of the guest stars.

Brad came with his coffee mug, book, motivational video, a sign, and a can of fortified wine. These were fine accessories, but in general, unless it's really critical to the character (Captain America's shield, Thor's hammer, etc), I mainly feel that it's just more stuff to lose, and it drives the price point up. Still, big props for the accessories coming right from the episode, and being dead-on model to boot!

Even though this figure is six years old, you can still get one very easily. Toyrocket.com has them marked down to $3.99 + shipping.

Toy OTD: Playmates Toys 14" Talking Li'l Penny (Hardaway) Figure (1997)

The Nike ads featuring Li'l Penny didn't really register with me when they aired. But when Chris Rock (who performed the character) appeared on my comedy radar, I got a lot more interested in getting this toy. The sculpt and the paint work are quite good, and it was reasonably priced when it came out (though I forget exactly how much it was).

Considering that the ad campaign wasn't a huge success, and wasn't followed up with short films or a series, this mascot got a fair number of items. Along with the pictured version, there were two non-talking, nine-inch figures - one in a white jersey and trunks, the other in a smoking jacket and slacks (with a cell phone in the bargain).

Penny's phrases are either custom-recorded or lifted from the ads - I can't tell, but they sound good. Playmates wisely added a stand, and one of the hands has a peg so the figure can be set in a shooting pose. Nice! The articulation is moderate, so don't expect to be able to set it up like an Alfrex figure or something. An interesting addition is a movable mouth, like a ventriloquist dummy.

I bought mine on eBay, and I don't remember how much I paid for it. If you don't mind the toy not having its basketball, you can snap one up right now for 99¢ + $8.00 shipping. Hurry, though - the auction ends in fifteen hours!