With the recent release of the
4184 Black Pearl set, and
@sidersdd still dripping photos from this discussion:
http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/1792/black-pearl-4184-minifigs#Item_3. What is/are your G.O.A.T. minifig choices?
I know there are those who love the classics, and others who lean toward the modern. There is the whole yellow vs. flesh debate as well. But ignoring those points, of all the figs TLG has ever produced, which would be up at the top of the list?
It is very hard for me to decide. I lean toward the more modern figures because of the creativity and diversity and detail that is put into them. The more classic figures look a little too simplistic for the most part. I must say, though that the Davy Jones is right near the top. He has a completely new and unique beard/octupus, and crab claw hand, plus a peg leg in a new color and a hat that is a different color but same mold as Blackbeard.
Here are some qualities that will automatically propel a fig toward the top of the list:
Detail - things like leg printing, arm printing, creative designs/colors, etc.
Uniqueness - Unique molds/parts only used in that figure.
Versatility - can parts of the figure be used in other figures well, can other figures' accessories be used with this figure and look good?
Backstory - is there a great story with the figure. This is of course more subjective, but licensed figures have a big boost here, they are usually associated with movies/characters we already know.
So I would say my top ten in no particular order are:
1. Cloud city
Boba Fett. Printed arms and legs, which wasn't being done near as much in 2003 as today, unique jetpack/helmet, incredible backstory, extremely unique. It isn't very versatile, but sure makes up for it.
2.
Imperial Royal guard. All red, with a cape, and that awesome helmet that is only for those figs. They are actually quite versatile, too. The way they used the black head and space in the helmet to emulate the black visor is awesome.
3.
Davy Jones. See above
4.
Crab from City of Atlantis
5.
Mola Ram. Awesome Indy fig. Very unique.
6.
Gold Knight. My favorite helm design, but this guy wins it because of full armor and it is the only one in gold. Awesome.
7.
Vladek. Personally, I loved the knights kingdom series, and wish I had more, despite the rainbow of colors for the knights. Vladek always was the favorite.
8. CMF 3
Space Villian. All around awesome figure. The mechanical arm, new helmet, face design, etc. The only one who can nudge classic blacktron aside. Although the AC aliens are growing on me. If he hadn't come out, classic blacktron would be in his place.
9. I absoultely love love love all the Ninjago figures. I can't get enough of them. The skeletons are my favorite, and although it is tough, I would have to go with
Wyplash, mostly because of his removable hat.
10.
Redbeard. Captain of the Black Seas Barracuda, how could he not be on the list. He introduced us to the hook and peg leg. Win.
Man, do you know how hard it is to narrow this down to ten?? I could do a top twenty, easy. At first I was going to rank them, but couldn't decide, so no particular order. I would love to hear what others have to say about it.
To preempt the exclusion of such figures as the Spartan, Zombie, classic space, etc. I am not saying I don't love those, just if I had to grab only ten figures on my way out of my burning house, I would grab these...if I could find them. ;-) You know what I am talking about.
Comments
I meant to make my top 10 list of minifigs back when this was first started but didn't get round to it - I'll be compiling it and sharing it in the next few days. I know for sure Achu will be on it, but what number will he be...?
Edit: Yay! Its bumped! Thanks very much @atkinsar!
I will come up with my top ten this evening to share, hope some others do too. Let's see if we can't convince some of those people who can't see what all the fuss is about regarding minifigures!!
Nothing like those cold Black visors staring back at you.
1. Darth Vader (http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=sw004) - A legendary character, chosen by several Bricksetters as their forum picture, I think the Lego rendition of him, while not overly detailed, is instantly recognisable and a faithful representation.
2. CMF Elf (series 3) (http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8803-10) - A figure I'd been waiting for for a long time, my very own Legolas. I'm not quite sure how the official LOTR fig in the summer could surpass this one.
3. Sensei Wu (http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=njo026) - I love the dragon on his back, the script that runs down his torso and leg (I will have to ask a friend to translate the Japanese characters - I would love it if it said "wax on, wax off :P) and the detail included on his head, even though a lot of it is hidden under his beard.
4. Luna Lovegood (http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=hp103) - One of my favourite Harry Potter characters, the main thing I like about this minifig is the doublesided head - wacky Spectrespecs on one side and sweet if slightly vague expression on the other. Sums her up perfectly.
5. Achu (http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=adv001) - I said he'd be here, and if I had to pick a single one out of this list as my all-time favourite it would probably be him. Beautiful headpiece, interesting prints on his torso and legs but the icing on the cake - well, that's the lovely patterned cape.
6. CMF genie (series 6) (http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=col096) - A new fig on the block, and not versatile really, but unique. Clearly inspired by Disney's incarnation, and that's fine by me. Love the genial ;) face, pearl gold hands, swirling blue tail, and the added bonus that he can perch on his lamp.
7. Anubis guard (http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=pha008) - I'm fascinated by myths, legends and all things fantastical, and I just love this guy, simple though his design is.
8. Captain Jack Sparrow with face paint (http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=poc010) - I've specifically chosen this version of ol' Jack because in addition to the criteria cited by George, I think that accuracy is important, and his head is painted pretty much exactly as it is in the film; the sequences involving this Jack escaping from hungry natives count among some of my favourite from the films, which also contributes to my choosing this fig.
9. Zam Wessell (http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=sw059) - Another great doublesided head, and a torso in an unusual mauve colour with splashes of metallic silver.
10. Winter Village lady (http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=twn147) - This one I like mainly for the friendly expression, scarved torso with gloves and because it reminds me of my favourite season.
11. Spaceman (http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=sp049) - This is the oldest of the minifigs I've chosen, and is from one of my childhood sets. I like the colour combination of yellow and grey and the head featuring cool dude shades - perfect for making a Cyclops minifig to join the Marvel superheroes later in the year.
For me, the minifigures that are included in a set are a big factor in influencing whether I want to buy a set or not. There has also been a lot of backlash recently against the new Friends mini-dolls, and Huw's news articles have sparked debate about whether some of the new Star Wars figures are overly detailed. I'd be interested to hear what people think of my choices, and also, as George originally stated, what factors you think contribute to making a great figure.
http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=ac011
http://www.brickset.com/minifigs/?m=ac012
The Brickset pictures are kind of pathetic, but they really are nice.
Chrome 3PO tops it for me.
Lego - tick
Star Wars - tick
Rare(ish) - tick
Shiny - tick
My avatar - tick ;)
Just love one of Cavegod's photos of his sand crawler with C3PO inside the dim light reflecting off his body. Awesomeness!
I think @pookie 's avatar looks like the body from the hazmat guy and the face from the kimono girl, it's a great combination.
Lego minifigs are just plain cool!
Lord Vladek from set 8823
If licensed figures are allowed too, then also Batman (dark knight / black version) and Darth Vader.
For unlicensed probably the King from the Kingdoms theme and the Alien Android from Alien Conquest.
http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/1794/greatest-minifig-of-all-time
Such a simple question, but sooooooo difficult to answer for a minifig fan (like myself).
I cannot just say 'this particular one' is my favourite. This is really, really, ....... really, REALLY one tough call!
Also, I don't keep them all as the instruction manuals instruct you to assemble them. Sometimes because of personal preferences I exchange heads (some faces are nicer then others), hairpieces, helmets etcetera.
But of my latest sets these two I really like so much right now:
The Joker, he is totally and without a doubt my most diabolical minifig
Samurai X (a.k.a Nya)
Then again there are so many other minifig's I like just as much.
Pic to come...
But, in the interest of playing along, I'd like to give a shout-out to one of my favourites that I feel doesn't get the appreciation it deserves, and that's the blacksmith from the Kingdoms Blacksmith Attack set:
Great printing, great dual-sided face and a great colour scheme with the brown, black and grey.
Iron Man(because of his helmet)
Boba Fett(any version)
I started in Lego (although I should say 'restarted' in Lego, as I used to play with it as a kid) a couple of years back after buying one of the battle packs (can't remember which one). I started using the minifigures in my photography, and eventually the Stormtroopers emerged as my favourite. There's something about them that can be very expressive, even though they're not very pose-able, and can't even look up!
I have a gallery full of this kind of stuff over on DeviantART. Just Google my name (without the underscore) and you'll find it.