Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Out of the Box: Monster High Finnegan Wake

I've said it before, but every time I think "No more Monster High after this one", they release another doll that catches my attention.  This time the release that brought me back to the line is Finnegan Wake, the blue merman in the black and red wheelchair.

In addition to the uniqueness of the wheelchair (a first from the line), the doll also has a unique body: the torso is both larger than the standard MH boy body and smaller than the SDCC exclusive Manny Taur body, while the fish tail lower body is distinct from those of the soon-to-be-released Scarrier Reef mermaids.



A regular in-store release in most markets, he was an online exclusive in the US, so he had to make his way to me in the mail (I was tempted to look for him on the shelf when we were in the UK and then Canada, but I really didn't have space for his larger-than-standard box, so it's just as well that I waited).  The outer packing box of mine was crushed, but luckily the inner packaging survived the trip.  In any case, on with the photos!


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In the box.
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The back of the box. The "You voted, he won" tagline
refers to the 2014 doll election that selected a character
to be made into a doll.
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Inner packaging. In addition to the doll and
wheelchair, there's a backpack and goggles
and the standard MG Diary
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Out of the box.
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Compared to Clawd Wolf, who has the standard
(narrower) MH boy body.
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Swapping accessories.
If you're wondering if other dolls can use the chair, Clawd is too tall for the it (his feet extend past the footrest), but some of the shorter younger-style female dolls might fit. 

Unlike the Scarrier Reef mermaids, Fin can't stand on his tail without leaning against some support, and even then the skinny lower body makes that a challenge.  That said, since the character's disability is defined as "My tail never worked" in the diary, it's certainly in-character.



Close up of the wheels.  The rear wheels turn well, and the casters both
turn and spin, which was a nice unexpected touch.
.
There's also a flaming scull beneath the footrest
(or should I say finrest?).
The chair itself is made of a very thin vinyl, but I actually like the way that looks (I've always thought the Barbie "Becky"-release wheelchairs looked too bulky), so even though it was probably a cost-saving measure, I think it works well.
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Side view. The doll has tattoos on his upper right arm
and left forearm and painted fingerless gloves on both hands.
His mohawk and tail fin are both a more flexible
translucent vinyl than the rest of the body.
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Rear view. The backpack can be removed, and does open
(although it can't actually hold much).
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The goggles give him even more of a fish-eyed look,
which I find hilarious.
Overall, I'm very pleased with Finn; He's a unique doll with a solid execution.  I wish he'd been available in stores in the US, but that's a small complaint for such a fun doll.


20 comments:

  1. Very cool!My daughter Is hooked on this series on Netflix.

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    1. Heh, my niece was into the show for a while too - she outgrew it, but some I'm still picking up the toys. Funny how that goes...

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  2. That is pretty cool, the tail and the wheelchair are great!

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    1. They are, aren't they? They really did a nice job with this one! :)

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  3. I find him one of the best MH dolls yet! I absolutely want to find him, but will have to buy on EBay, he's not in our stores here (yet). The goggles are such a funny and original accessory, and I love his story!

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    1. Hopefully he'll make his way into your stores soon - he's a fun one to have! :)

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  4. Ooh, I can't wait to get my hands on Finnegan! Mattel finally started shipping him to Canada but with shipping and exchange...I'm debating if I want to take the plunge or what to see if he shows up on shelves in Canada which he hasn't yet...Your pictures make me want to grab him immediately though!

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    1. Hopefully he'll show up locally for you - with the bigger box the postage will be a pain.

      Either way he's a great doll though, you'll love him! :)

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  5. Oh how wonderful JS, we appear to be on the same wave length! Sea creatures are taking over. LOL! Your merman is pretty cool and I think the wheelchair is a wonderful prop that could be used by any doll in need of assistance. :)
    Hugs,
    X

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    1. Mer-folk do seem to be popping up in our collections these days, don't they? But they can be so appealing that it makes sense! ;)

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  6. Hi!
    This doll is really cool. His wheelchair is even more detailed than expected.
    Haha, it's impossible to stop buying dolls, I also say "no more MH" and they release new ones that catch my attention TT__TT
    Greetings ^^

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    1. Heh, it is a near-impossible thing to stop, it's it? LOL! :)

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  7. I can't blame you on not being able to resist buying more and more dolls. I suffer from the same disease :-)
    Finn is a fine young (mer)man. I like the fact the accurately overdeveloped is upper body.

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    1. Heh, if there's a disease to have, I think the doll-buying one is the best of them! ;)

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  8. The wheelchair concept and execution is really neat.

    If I bought male dolls, I don't know that I'd resist, especially since he's blue.

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    1. It's true, they did a solid job of making him reflect his appearance in the concept art and his webisode.

      And heh, the call of the blue. I know it well! ;)

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  9. Those goggles are a riot! I really love that they gave him a stronger upper body to accentuate the fact that he really does need to use his arms more than the average "ghoul." I hope they feature his character more in the series. He looks like an awesome doll. I usually don't collect the boy MH dolls, but I might start! I think he would be one I'd want to try a repaint on though as his eyes (in almost everyone's photos of him) look a little wonky and his face could have so much more character. Great review!

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  10. Thanks! :)

    I almost wonder if the eyes are supposed to look a little off - to give him that extra fishy look... But maybe not! LOL.

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  11. What Farrah Lily said! I appreciate the more muscular arms to show that he does use the chair. I don't have a single Monster High male doll. They just haven't produced one that made me all gaga.

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    1. Heh, I'm your opposite then - it's the MH boys that keep drawing back to the line!

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