November 2, 2001 CURRENT RUMBLE Kaiju Kontentment Tim 11.02.01 In the age of highly machined molds, totally refined forms and ultra-detailed toy characters, I still find myself wanting. There is a quality of charm and playfulness that seems to escape even the most talented modern toy designers Japan has to offer. Don't get me wrong here kids, I love my SOCs and many other modern character toys, however it seems these toys just aren't very toy-like at all any more. There is just an essence to modern toys that seems missing. Enter the Bullmark Gigan. He is a tribute to what toy making was once all about. He is incredibly silly, jam packed with gimmicks and begs to be picked up an manhandled. Children, and in this case at least one adult cannot resist flicking his imposing saw blade of terror, or extending his telescoping arms. His missle launchers beg to be loaded and fired, just to be reloaded again. There is something beautifully 'low-tech' about Bullmark diecasts. Gigan in no exception. He is wonderfully cast in zinc and plastic and has a heavy solid feel. Sure, the paint work is sloppy, and there is quite a bit more flash along the mold lines than what we are accustomed to these days, but he posseses a true spirit that has eluded the modern toy for quite some time. Gigan has already worked his way behind glass, so perhaps I am a hypocrite for writing this. However, I often find myself going to my cabinet and pulling out Red King, Gaiking or some Godzillas for a round of bizarre play with my daughter or to simply blow off some steam. Despite the collectability and the price tags of these fine pieces, they were once intended as play things, and I see it fit to engage them as such.  RUMBLE INDEX  |  CURRENT RUMBLE