Review – Glyos System Arquem and Spirico

Line: Glyos * Manufacturer: Onell Design * Year: 2009

After posting two reviews of the Glyos System toys (Callgrim figures, and three basic figures), is there really anything else for me to say about this awesome series of 2.75-inch designer action figures?

Probably not, but that’s not going to prevent me from rambling about two more figures in the series (hey, they’re both green!) and posting some photos. Join me for the ride!

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Arquem Pheyden

This blue and green badass action figure is — in terms of sculpting — an exact duplicate of the Rothan Pheyden and Red Guardian Pheyden that I’ve already reviewed. The only differences between this new guy and the other two is his colors and the fact that the packaging header has changed (take a look at the picture at left for the new 8-bit style packaging design, which follows the style used for the secret Warp Zone found over at the Glyos Transmission Web Log).


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As I mentioned in the Red Guardian Pheyden review, these guys have one hand that’s perfectly suited to carrying Star Wars action figure weapons. Here we see Arquem Pheyden holding a blaster; the photo below really gives you an idea of how well this little guy can carry one of these weapons. It’s a little disappointing that the Onell Store doesn’t offer us a variety of weapons and accessories, but the fact that we can steal items from other action figures helps offset that disapointment. (But just a little. Give us gear, guys! Please!)

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Click to enlarge the image.


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Spirico Exellis

In my first Glyos System review I tried to show a photo of the Redlaw Exellis but the semi-transparent purple plastic proved (wow, that’s tough to say) difficult to photograph. In that review I said:

“Of the two figures I prefer the Pheyden’s abdomen, because of the pouches on his belt, while the Exellis’ head is the neater of the two.”

Well, after some time with the series I’m changing my mind and saying that of the heads I’ve seen, the Sarvos may very well be my favorite, with the Pheyden coming in second and Exellis at the bottom of the pile. The Exellis head may have more detail, but the Sarvos and Pheyden heads look more like helmets. (I still need the Sucklord’s Glyos System head; see this photo and this blog post.)

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Closing Thoughts

If you compare the cost of a Glyos System toy to that of a mass-market toy — such as a G.I. Joe or Marvel Universe figure — then there’s no doubt that these little guys look expensive. But when you keep in mind that these are quite limited, independent designer toys the $8/figure doesn’t look bad at all. And as always, the best buy has to be the Junk Shop (3 figures for $10).

And the more figures that you own the more you can do with them. The interchangeable parts and solid construction really brings out the fact that these are toys first and collectibles second.

If you love toys, and want a tiny figure to ride around in your pocket, you can’t beat any one of these guys.

The Hulk, though, may very well smash a few of them if you’re not careful.

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Click to enlarge the image.


Philip Reed is slowly working on customizing a Glyos System figure with Sculpey. It’s going slow, but it is fun.

2 thoughts on “Review – Glyos System Arquem and Spirico

  1. Good review!

    Accessories should be coming soon – as a new convert, you missed out on the initial Phase Arms, but the main run of them should be in soon.

  2. @John K — Thanks, John. I’ve been enjoying these figures and I figured I could use “Green Toy Week” as an excuse to talk about them again. And I do have a few Phase Arms; Matt was kind enough to throw some into one of my orders. What I want, though, are some actual guns that fit into the fist. And backpacks. And . . .

    Well, I guess I really want a vehicle.

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