This will be a fairly short review process, as both of these figures have been released before in different deco, and most of us have their originals and already formed a basis of opinion long ago when they first came out.
First up is Quarrel---or “Undercover Scarlett” as she was known in the United States. She’s just a straight repaint of the 25th Scarlett body, and the 25th Pilot Scarlett (Glenda) head. She comes with her crossbow, Beachhead’s rifle, a pistol, Pilot Scarlett’s backpack and helmet, and a stand.
As with the original Quarrel who was a direct repaint of Scarlett, the trend is continued here and is enhanced by the addition of her U.K. flag and unit shoulder patches. It’s a very simple figure, but she is very faithful to the original. However, the figure is also faithful in sculpt, so we still have the flawed crotch that doesn’t allow her to sit properly, bow-legged legs, and the outdated Star Wars styled-knees.
For what it’s worth, this is a decent figure and a character I’ve long had on my wish-list. And for the most part I’m satisfied with her. But I do have a gripe, and that’s the plastic they used for the face. It’s very soft and very shiny.
There is a long standing debate among ‘Joe fans as to which process is better for faces: covering the face with skin-tone paint, or casting the head (and thus having the face) in skin-tone plastic. Both have their pros and cons. Unfortunately in this case, it’s a con, as Quarrel’s face is more translucent and “buttery”, and the light reflection makes it look as if she is sweating profusely.
Compared to the painted flesh that was used on Pilot Scarlett, I have to say I would have preferred Quarrel to have painted face as well, simply to give her skin a more matte finish.
Now, if Quarrel had flesh tone plastic in the same vein as the excellent JoeCon Daina, I’d have no gripes, but the plastic used for Daina’s face was much different than the mushier plastic used for Quarrel---it was more solid and less reflective than Quarrel’s, so in the totality of the circumstances, the face is not as good as it could have been. I place the blame squarely on the overseas factories. Never-the-less, it is still discouraging to have two FSS females in a row with less than perfect head/faces. Girl-‘Joes are few and far between, so they are always a welcomes addition, but it’s a shame they can’t get them perfect all around.
Another negative aspect of the softer plastic used on the face is excess flash around the jawline that wasn't cut away at the factory as easily as if it had been harder plastic. You can see a few uneven areas and some protruding flash that you'll have to carefully remove yourself if you are anal retentive about aesthetics and it bothers you.
Over all while Glenda is as uninspired and simplistic as she possibly can be for a new figure, that simplicity is also her shining feature because it allowed an almost flawless carryover from the Scarlett = Quarrel tradition. The buttery plastic used on her face did cost her some point, but she's still a solid B+.
Next up is the Nano-BAT, another very cost effective figure using the "repaint equals new character" formula motif. I apologize for not taking it off the card, but I'm selling off the Nano-BAT and the buyer wanted it carded. But like Quarrel [Scarlett], most of you already have the original BAT this is based on, so you already know what it's like despite the color change.
This character is mostly a direct repaint of the 25th Battle Damaged BAT (except it has Snake Eyes/Ashiko/Wraith upper legs and eschews the pistol belt), but it does have all the arm attachments, damaged components, and backpack; plus it also has added to its payload the man catcher pole from the 25th Red Ninja and the bayonetted Pulse Rifle from the RoC line. A stand completes it.
As I said, this is the same BAT we got several times before; just this time around its hallmark is the translucent green weapons and parts. I guess that's kind'a cool if you're into that. I don't really care one way or the other, so that wasn't really a draw for me. And as much as I love robots and mechs, I was never a fan of the BAT concept because I always felt BATs didn't go far enough to be frightening or deadly, so like ninjas, BATs don't do anything for me.
However, with that said, the Nano-BAT gets high marks primarily because it was a planned Hasbro figure that was later cancelled, that the Club resurrected. That fact alone; and the hope that we get more cancelled figures down the road, adds a few extra brownie points to the Nano-BAT to bring it up from and "average" score to a B+/A-.
One other interesting facet, was the Nano-BAT's filecard. It mentions Hotwire; the BAT mechanic, and it links the various JoeCon sets together. Hopefully this is also a hint that Hotwire will be in FSS Wave 2, as his original figure can be much improved upon.
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