NBA HEROES - Kobe Bryant Review !!!

This review here is a review of " FIRSTS " . This Kobe Bryant figure is the " first " sports action figure to be reviewed on this site . In the "first" month of this new year 2015 . This is also the "first" figure to be reviewed on this site that I did not purchase in person . I won this figure off of an Ebay auction . These NBA Heroes figures came out about four months ago , however I just not to long ago discovered their existence . Plus these figures are very hard to find in person, I had to go to the internet . To go along with being an action figure fan, I am also an NBA basketball fan . So to get this six inch scaled Kobe Bryant figure is a real pleasure . ( NOTE ) I know that this is a 2014 action figure, however 2015 is still young at the time of this writing. and not much 2015 toy stuff has arrived just yet but will . Plus I do not want to go long periods of time without bringing you readers any content to read for your entertainment . Now on to the figure.

As you can see Kobe is joined by other NBA stars such as LeBron James , Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony , and Blake Griffin . Even though these are sports figures , the company that made these figures, Jazwares was mostly aiming at kids it seems when they made these. Trying to turn these NBA players into super heroes , thus earning this toy line the name " NBA Heroes " . Even Kobe's bio on the back is a fictional one, not discussing his basketball career or accomplishments but instead the bio explains the use of the super hero accessories he comes with to fight crime . Speaking of the accessories , here they are .

Kobe comes in with the above accessories . A hooded cape , a visor , a basketball , and some mechanical arm attachment used as a weapon to shoot the ball . I was surprised that the ball has almost the touch and feel of a real basketball . You can even press your thumb down on it and squeeze it . Now for a look at Kobe out of the packaging with just the figure only without the accessories.

I am very pleased with this figure. Jazwares did a great job. As you can see he is right at the six inch mark , however I wish he was at least 6.5 inches tall, since the real Kobe Bryant is 6"6 in height . If the figure was 6.5 inches instead of 6 inches, this would be more realistic to his real height . For example , if a player is 7 feet tall I feel like his action figure should be 7 inches tall . A 6 foot even player's figure should be 6 inches tall , etc . and so on . I love the realism with this figure . Not just with the figure but with his accessories. The NBA logo is located on the top of the back of his jersey and on the right upper thigh area of his trunks / shorts . The jersey itself looks like a real NBA jersey and is probably made out of the same material as the real thing . It certainly looks as if it is . Now for a couple of looks at the figure without the jersey .

I'm glad Jazwares did not go to the extreme with the look of the body . This is what an average basketball player's body is supposed to look like. Muscular with a slim build, not overly buff like super hero or wrestling figures . Since NBA players are playing a fast paced sport, it makes sense to have a slim muscular build . I'm not sure if you can notice in the pics, but if you look real close you can even see veins running between the figures chest and shoulders. What a very cool realistic effect . I also like the effect that the flash from my camera is making, giving off the illusion as if Kobe is sweating . Very cool effect and very realistic . The figure does not have any of Kobe's tattoos but I'm okay with that. I assume Jazwares did not have the extra time to apply them onto the figure. ( NOTE ) In order to remove the jersey, you must temporary remove his lower right arm and raise his left arm . There are instructions that did not come with the figure that explains how this is done, but I'll get to those instructions in a moment . For now, here's a look at Kobe being displayed with the accessories .

Given above are several different looks of Kobe with the accessories . Cape and cowl only , cape and vizor only , cape, vizor and arm attachment , and vizor only . Now on to the instructions on how to assemble everything. As I already mentioned, these instructions do not come with the figure. To gain access to them you must visit Jazware's website at www.jazwares.com . Once there go to the " Action and Gaming Toys " category , click on NBA Heroes and select the " How To " feature for the instructions . I've downloaded and scanned Kobe's instructions for you below. For better higher quality copies you may want to visit Jazware's site and download the instructions yourself.

The only thing I don't like about these instructions is that you have to remove the figure's lower right arm to both remove the jersey and attach the mechanical arm attachment . Removing the lower right arm is not easy, you'll have to put some strength into removing it but at the same time be gentle so that you do not tear the arm peg . Here's a look at two more accessory pieces that come with the packaging. The NBA Heroes logo and the Los Angeles Lakers logo representing Kobe's team .

As always here at Action Figure Imagery , one thing that I love to do is compare action figures with other toy lines . So here is a look at Kobe standing next to two six inch scaled figures from other toy lines . A WWE Elite Mattel Mankind figure and a Marvel Legend Agent Venom , whom I've reviewed last year on this site . And to keep things basketball related , I've even posed him next to an old Dennis Rodman figure from the WCW Toybiz series .

As you can see, despite being in six inch scale, Kobe is almost dwarfed by Mankind and Agent Venom . Plus Dennis Rodman is listed at 6"7 when you Google him and Kobe is listed at 6"6 . Therefore their action figures should be about the same height. Rodman should not be towering over Kobe . Which also means that Toybiz made the Rodman figure a little too tall, he is almost seven inches . Now you can see why I wish this Kobe figure was just a little bit more taller than he is, but not by much .
Finally , a comparison shot of the figure and the real Kobe Bryant . Judge for yourself to see if this figure really looks like the real person in the pic below.

For me the eyebrows, shape of his head and ears are spot on . The rest I'm not to sure about . Like I mentioned earlier the figure does not have Kobe's tattoos.
                                                 FINAL     THOUGHTS  
( 1 ) ARTICULATION - The figure is said to have 19 points of articulation . Very good articulation at that. The arms and legs move up and down and outward . Knees and elbows bend,great up and down head movement, etc . If you want to display him in some basketball poses, some b-ball poses may require a flight stand . For these b-ball poses I recommend a flight stand . Shooting, rebounding , and blocking shots. For stealing the ball or passing the ball does not require flight stand assistance .

( 2 ) STANDING  ABILITY - You'll have to position his legs just a little to get him to stand in that proper stance without falling . He stands great once you do .

( 3 ) WHAT  I  LIKE  BEST  ABOUT  THIS  FIGURE ? The realism of the figure. The Jersey , the shoes, Kobe himself looks like the real thing despite missing the tattoos . Plus the 19 points of articulation makes the figure very fun to pose .

( 4 ) WHAT  I  LIKE  LEAST  ABOUT  THIS  FIGURE ? I do not like the idea of having to remove his lower right arm to remove the jersey or to place on the arm attachment . The good news is at least the arm can easily snap right back on . Also it is kind of difficult to get his arms to go straight up into the air , making things awkward for shot blocking or rebounding poses . Also as I mentioned earlier I wish he was just a little bit more taller so that he can fit in better standing next to other six inch scaled figures from other lines .

( 5 ) WHAT  COULD  HAVE  BEEN  DONE  TO  IMPROVE  THE  FIGURE ? Ease some of the restrict upper arm movement . This way so we do not have to remove the lower right arm to remove the jersey or place on the arm attachment. Also this would make rebounding and shot blocking poses easier to pull off .

( 6 ) GRADING SCALE - Here I go again with split grading scales. With the FIGURE ONLY , I give it a 9.8 . Excellent action figure,the only minus is for having to remove his lower right arm to remove the jersey and to attach the arm piece. Not to mention the tightness of the upper arm movement . With FIGURE PLUS ACCESSORIES a PERFECT 10 !!! The jersey, the hooded cape, the basketball and the vizor are all super cool in my opinion . I'm not too crazy about the arm piece but it's okay . I think it'll make a great custom piece for a fictional custom made character .

( 7 ) FINAL  ANALYSIS - As I've already mentioned , I'm both a fan of basketball and action figures, so purchasing this Kobe Bryant action figure was a no brainer for me. Plus I am very pleased with how the figure came out, I wish Jazwares would make more NBA Heroes . I would like to see them make a Dwight Howard NBA Hero figure along with retired greats Michael Jordan and Shaq . It's nice having this 5 time NBA Champion and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant figure in my collection however . Plus I prefer these NBA Hero figures over the McFarlane NBA figures which are almost like statues instead of action figures. Even if you do not like basketball but like action figures, I suggest you give this figure or other NBA Heroes a try out in your collection . You will not be disappointed .