Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Heartbreaker T.J. at 1

Manufacturer: Integrity
Series: Dynamite Girls
Character Name: Heartbreaker T.J.
Box Year, if Noted: 2009

Why is T.J. on the Top Ten list?

Well, she's pretty and pose-able. I like her side-glancing eyes -- having attractive side-glancing is no small feat. Her overall coloring pleases - whoo hoo for red pepper lips instead of pink or tomato red. The red pepper color looks more sophisticated. And add a plus for her pouty-shaped mouth ... it gives her a stubborn, aloof air.




Why is T.J. first on the Top Ten list?



Let's see, Mai has the best articulation; Luchia has the most glamour. How did T.J. shoot ahead to Number One? The two winning factors are the Pout and the Connection.

The Pout is easy: it gives T.J. "attitude." "Attitude" as in hands on her hips and taking a stand and NOT backing down. The fight is on. Mai has a little attitude, too, but she's younger. Think teenager flouncing out a petulant "whatever." Luchia has Attitude Galore, but her attitude comes from confidence, maturity, and a little ennui. Luchia has world-weary captured. Arched eyebrow and curled lip ... how bored she is. T.J. has that I'm-not-getting-my-way-and-somebody's-gonna-pay look.

What cinched T.J.'s place though is the Connection. Not T.J. being brown-skinned or dark-eyed or dark-haired. But T.J. having small breasts. Luchia and Mai are both bosomy. T.J., on the other hand, revives the teenaged me. Back when I was "tall, thin, with not too much up there" as one stranger informed me many years ago. Like I needed him to tell me that. Think narrowed eyes rolling. Head shake. Back to the present. So that feature sets T.J. apart from the other top three. Did anyone see that coming?

Both Integrity Toys dolls, Fashion Royalty W Club 2008 Bewitching Hour Luchia and Dynamite Girls Heartbreaker T.J. can be found on eBay and possibly in online shops. They can be in stock one day and gone the next so my suggestion would be for interested buyers to do a Google or a Bing search for the dolls to have the most current information.

For those interested in reading other Top Ten Dolls/Action Figures/Toys, see the post initiator, Shaun Wong's blog for incredible photography and interesting reviews. Other doll and action figure collectors participating in the Top 10 of 2009 Reviews include:

Corsetkitten
Mick
Smidge Girl

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Bewitching Hour Luchia at 2

Manufacturer: Integrity
Series: Fashion Royalty, W Club 2008
Character Name: Bewitching Hour Luchia
Box Year, if Noted: 2008

Why is Luchia on the Top Ten list?

1. She is gorgeous.

2. She has attitude.

3. She reminds me of a blond Emma Peel.

4. She has better articulation than I am accustomed to (think basic Barbies).

When I showed a relative a photo of Bewitching Hour Luchia, I was told that I would not buy that doll because that doll was the sort that men buy. Cocked my head to the side and looked at the doll again. Bouffant blond hair, [her] flesh-colored mini dress, black slatted knee high boots ... I could almost understand why my relative had that thought. In some circles, Luchia might look like a high priced um call girl. Hmmm .... Well. Okay, she still reminds me of Emma Peel of the Avengers, only Luchia's back story came from an American Anglophile. She should be in action movies where she should know umpteen martial arts AND fencing and spy stuff.


Why is Luchia second on the Top Ten list?

The doll that placed first has two advantages over Luchia.

Top Ten DAFs of 2009: Girl's Mission Mai at 3

Manufacturer: Aoshima/Skynet
Series: Girl's Mission
Character Name: No. 4 Mai
Box Year, if Noted: Alas, I did not note the year

Why is Mai on the Top Ten list?

Oh me, oh Mai! This teen wonder nearly made number one on the Top 10 List. Cute, solemn, intelligent face. Slightly heavier build. Can she pose? Can I write my name? (Yes to both.) I had considered buying the Aoshima/Skynet Girl's Mission dolls for years before finding Mai on sale at HobbyLink Japan. I wrestled my credit card away from the Barbie-Momoko-Fashion Royalty factions to make the purchase. Am I glad that I did? Yes, I am.

Sometimes, you have an instant connection with a doll or action figure. He or she or it talks to you. I looked at Mai, and her story unfolded. She's the younger sister of Ladies' Mission Street Nun Kyoko Tenryu. Since her parents are dead and her sister is a sister (I love puns), Mai lives at the East Philadelphia Orphanage. She has a pet rat, Willow. More to unfurl in future posts.

Why is Mai third on the Top Ten list?



Mai is one of the best poseable dolls I have: 18 points of articulation. Yes, she could have had smaller hands. Yes, she could have had tighter ankles. Yes, she could have had less frizzy hair. Of those three "problems," the big hands bother me the most. Otherwise, Mai would have topped the List.


Mai is still available at Nouveau Toys for $89.95 BEFORE postage.

Other doll and action figure collectors participating in the Top 10 of 2009 are

Corsetkitten
Mick
Smidge Girl

and the Top 10 blogger who issued this online challenge, Shaun.

This is my last post of 2009. Happy New Year to All.

G.I. Joe Heads and Kilt Pattern Online

The universe must have decided I've been neglecting my action figures: while seeking old print outs for Integrity Janay dolls for Dolls of Color, I came across two articles I had printed about G.I. Joe. Checked to see if the web sites were still there; they were. So, I have to share them with any new Joe fans OR old Joe fans who had seen them but lost the link.

Joe Heads

First, if you want to read interesting articles about G.I. Joe, MasterCollector is a site you need to see. The Hasbro Heads article only dips your foot into the quicksand of Joe's World. Tread carefully because these articles are like Lay's potato chips: you can't read just one. Reading leads to awareness of new playscale guys.

The extremely sales resistant OR utterly broke may dare investigate G.I. Joe Club. Warning, you will find dolls um action figures like the Man of Asia or the G.I. Joe 2009 Club exclusive action figure, a reproduction of the Black Talking Commander who wears the cutest Adventure Team logoed boxers imaginable. Squeal. Oops ... sorry, Joe fans. I recognize that "cute" is NOT a suitable adjective for this worthy figure. Ahem.


Joe Kilt Pattern

Anyone sewing? How about a classic Scottish kilt for your 12" Joes? R. Scott Roger's MacJoe site provides a pattern and instructions on how your Joe can wear his kilt. Notice the omission of the word, "cute." I am trying.

Happy viewing and happy sewing!

Link to Pop Life Ken in the Vinyl Photos

For those longing for a look of the new, limited issue Pop Life Ken, here's the first online photo of the vinyl figure"

Pop Life Ken

He looks like a slightly better looking Ken from the Mod years.

Enjoy!

Helpful Sewing Links, One Recommended by Niel

Since I've been talking "sewing," I decided to three sewing related links. The first is from Niel of Niel's Dolls


Tips and Tricks by Valkyrie

Tips and supply suggestions.


Perestroika Fitting Tips

Illustrations showing various playscale female as well as a few male dolls and practice fitting.


Perestroika Sewing Links

Links to patterns, other sewing tips and tools, etc.