Review – Glyos System Custom Corps III (Chaos Invasion)
Over 260 individual custom Glyos System (Onell Design) were unleashed on the world. Custom Corps Wave III – Chaos Invasion is the largest Custom Corps drop so far, and I scored two of the figures for myself. That’s twice what I grabbed when the first Custom Corps was released last year (review here) . . . and I really should have maxed out and ordered five figures. This is an impressive collection of work.
So what did I get? My two figures (shown here) are part of the Wrecker Command and Rydine Command subseries in the Chaos Invasion wave. See all 260+ figures in this wave at the Chaos Invasion Archive page. Wow. Not only did Matt Doughty construct all of these toys he also worked to catalog — and post to the web — the entire run. I told you guys Matt is insane.
Rydine Command Govurom
Awesome, my very first Govurom figure! This is one of those rare characters in the Glyos toy line; as far as I know there has never been a production Govurom head; every single one that is out there is a hand-cast and hand-painted resin piece. An an old post at the Glyos Transmission Web Log will give you some very tight shots on the Govurom head. I really need to buy a magnifying glass and try that photography trick that Matt uses.
Wrecker Command Chaos
Ever since I first saw the Chaos head and arm by LAMOUR Supreme I’ve wanted a set. A crazy, bizarre adaptation of the Real X Head Chaos vinyl toy, this tiny Chaos head looks intensely terrifying when it’s combined with the Glyos System. I would have killed for an arm attachment — take a look at Rilleco Chaos on the Chaos Invasion Archive to see why I want one of these so bad — but what I scored is fantastic. The head sculpt is tight and creepy, with the single eye staring out like something from our worst nightmares. I can’t understand why some people are taking their customized Chaos heads and repainting them.
Look, More Heads!
In addition to the hand-cast and hand-painted heads that were included with each figure in the run, Matt also tossed in dyed production heads; the photo above shows the Phanost and Pheyden heads that were packed with my Govurom and Chaos figures. It’s crazy how just swapping out the heads changes the look of the toy; I would love some new bodies for the Glyos line, but as long as we keep getting the occasional new head I can live with the basic bodies a little longer.
Closing Thoughts
The Glyos System is more than just a toy line. It’s a construction kit, an art project, and “platform” toy all in one tiny 3-inch action figure. I consider myself very lucky that I got into the line in time to be a part of every Custom Corps drop, and it’s amazing how the numbers in each release keep climbing.
These are two excellent action figures, but like the other customs in my collection these guys do not go with me on regular trips. Each Custom Corps toy is more on the art side than the toy side of the line, and I’m happy that I’ve been lucky enough to grab some of these one-of-a-kind toy art works.
Philip Reed has taken many, many photos of Glyos toys over the last year, but he still hasn’t managed to take spectacular shots. It’s time to grab a magnifying glass and attempt some super-tight, wacky-zoom effects and see if Philip can snap some photos that are really impressive.
“I can’t understand why some people are taking their customized Chaos heads and repainting them.”
I couldn’t see repainting one that was already painted, but the few that are cast in the color look so much better with a wash or some highlights.
I agree with MF why would you custom a hand custom head/figure already. All my CC figs stay original thats why I love them. Thats a Great Govurom Phil. I’m going to have to wait for another CC release to hopefully grab one myself. But I love the 3 figs that I got out of it.
It really is a shame that some people have cut up their Chaos CC figures… I understand being allowed to do whatever you want with what you buy, but there’s something really distasteful to me about hacking up a custom. Each one of the Chaos CC figures was hand-finished and thought out… none of them were just extra figures thrown in to bulk up the numbers, and like you said, each one is a little more ‘art’ than toy. I got two jolly-rancher clear figures with no paint detail, but I don’t care. They are gorgeous figures, and unique in their own right.
😐
Hail, Wrecker brother! The probe arm might have been nice, but the ‘normal’ body reminds me of a containment suit for Chaos.
Great trick with the magnifying glass for close-ups. Never would have thought of that.
@akum6n – I keep waiting for someone to try to collect _all_ of the figures in one of the subseries from this wave. It would be kinda cool to have a complete Wrecker set.
I have two of the seven Wreckers, so no one is completing that set.
I think there are too many similar figures in most of the subsets to get the large ones. Someone might be able to pull off one of the more limited sets if they really tried.
I think that overall, I might try to secure one figure from each subset.
I agree about modifying the figures. Chances are that there will less Custom Corps in the future because of it. Why should he put in a dozen hours work on something for it to be destroyed?
And lastly, these guys are not “Pocket Survivors” when it comes to the head paint. I wound up chipping the paint off of one of my Chaos’ eyes playing with him.
I’m not suggesting anyone paint up or break apart the painted guys… I was talking about the ones that have painted bodies with a solid color head like those that look like they are GITD but weren’t– someone did a wash on one of those Chaos ones and painted the eye and it looked great. Matt’s all about customizing things to suit his own tastes. If someone gets a figure that they like all but one or two minor things and then alters it to make it more their own, they don’t need a choir of fans condemning them for it. I doubt Matt would be all that happy about that at all. He’s just not that judgemental.
Charles, I have only one statement – would you tweak the Mona Lisa to make it more to your liking? Or pay Jin Satome $200 for a custom Shockwave and then “fix” it?
The offering of standard Glyos items and the way that some view them as platforms for their whims is great. What I am saying is that the customizing of the customs is akin to destroying a work of art. It doesn’t matter what Matt thinks – this is an opinion I hold, and some others – although if you read that checklist blog entry carefully, I think you can see his feelings on the matter.
Fine.
Um…I came here to say “good review as always,” but…wowsers.
Anyway, just wanted to add: since my two favourite CC figs are dyed and unpainted, they’re perfect for pockets! A small risk of chipping the clearcoat on the one from this wave (CC3055), but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.