Series: The Simpsons, 9

Craftsmanship: 9.0 out of 10

- Dead-on likenesses

- Recreate all those great Simpsons moments

- Good paint application

- In proportion to the other figures

Playability: 9.0 out of 10

- Small accessories easily lost

- Durable

- “Catch us, Lord! Catch us!”

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Rod and Todd Flanders (The Simpsons) by Playmates

rod and todd flanders

Every time I review a Simpsons action figure, it gets harder and harder to write a decent intro. The problem is that they’re so well done I sound like a parrot: “Great likeness, great playability, great figure, period. Now, can I have a cracker?” So, it

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goes without saying, Rod and Todd continue to make me feel slightly avian.

Rod and Todd sport the (high) standard sculpt and likeness. Both of them fit in with the rest of the Simpson line – whatever the series. It’s good to see that even after the 9th Series, Playmates is still bringing high consistency to the table. Some companies would

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have redesigned aspects of the figures, say, the articulation. Rod and Todd have the standard four points of articulation – not deviating in the slightest from tradition. (Unlike MAC’s take on Futurama, another of Matt Groening’s creations, which have much articulation.) Both stand with extreme ease – more so when installed on the base. There aren’t that many accessories, only two in fact: a picture of their (deceased) Mom, Maude, and the Road to Jericho board game. This is on the anemic side considering the number that come with most of the other figures, but because everything is so compatible it’s kind of a moot point. Many different accessories fit easily and snuggly in their hands.

Playability, now come on. Do I really have to say? Or should I just sprout feathers and cover my floor in newspaper? The Simpsons can now be safely entered into the pantheon of highly playable action figures, joining the ranks of 3 ½” GI Joes, He-Man, and Transformers. Rod and Todd are the latest kid figures, joining the likes of Uter, Sherri & Terri, Bart, and Lisa. the roster of characters is so huge now that re-enacting complete episodes is possible (far outweighing the chance of losing the accessories) and with Rod and Todd I finally got to re-enact my favorite Simpson’s moment. Homer gets a trampoline, puts it in the backyard and soon every kid in the neighborhood is bouncing up and down on it. Rod and Todd climb on:

“Each jump gets us closer to God!”
“Catch us, Lord! Catch us!”

End that conversation with a loud THUD! And you have my favorite Simpson’s moment. (I know those aren’t the exact lines but I haven’t seen that episode in a while.)

At this point, collecting Simpson figures is like collecting baseball cards – you have to have them all! More importantly though, I’ve never been disappointed by a Simpsons figure. A no-name rookie card is boring and disappointing, but a one-shot Simpson character is outta sight! Basically, get Rod and Todd to round out one of the best playable (and displayable) action figure lines ever.

- Omni
(September 5, 2002)