ANGEL: Deluxe Spike & Angel
by Lando da Pimp

The only two vampires with a soul who both stole Buffy’s heart are the second series of Diamond Toys Deluxe Line. Both vampires, became heroes with Buffy / Angel fans fighting over who Buffy belongs with. I prefer Angel while I know Mrs. Da Pimp believes she belongs with Spike. Either way it comes out as a geeky conversation that is no different than the Kirk vs. Picard debate.

The added articulation of these figures places them into the deluxe line. The first deluxe series was Faith and Buffy so it makes sense to make highly articulated figures of the characters who did the most fighting in the series are given this treatment

Spike
Before becoming one of the deadliest vampires, Spike, was the shy and sensitive William "The Bloody" Pratt branded because his poetry was "Bloody Awful." Sired by his first love Drusilla, along with Angelus and Darla terrorized Europe for over a century. While always competing against Angelus, Spike became the first vampire to kill two different Slayers and continuously fought Buffy to make her the third. He slowly fell in love with Buffy and in the end sacrificed himself fighting the First Evil after he regained his soul. A year later he surfaced in Los Angeles on Angel.

Based on the Angel season 5 episode "Destiny", where Spike and Angel finally got to battle it out. The figure sculpts are done by Gentle Giant who did an excellent job on the likeness of Spike in "Vamp mode." The details of his slicked back Billy Idol looking hair and the face ridges are really excellent.

You have two different options with Spike with his famous trench coat or without. By removing his arms you can remove the coat and replace the arms with his short black sleeve shirt. I prefer the coat as this is how we see Spike most of the time. Spike also comes with a few accessories a 2 x 4, a piece of rebar, and cross, which easily fit into the hands.

The deluxe figures have 30 different points of articulation with ball jointed necks allowing forward and backward turning. Double jointed knees and elbows, biceps, wrists, and ball-jointed hips really allow for great flexibility.

Angel
Before he was cursed with a soul by gypsy’s, Angel, was known as Angelus the vampire with the Angelic face. The most ruthless vampire ever known Angelus and his sire Darla spent a century reeking havoc. Being cursed with a soul forced Angel to remember and live with his past actions of violence. He fled Sunnydale after he achieved ultimate happiness by sleeping with Buffy his true love. This turned him back into Angelus. When the powers that be resurrected Angel he started Angel Investigations where he fought for good against Wolfram & Hart.

The Angel sculpt done by Gentle Giant is not nearly as good as Spike. The face is just a bit off. Angel also has two different clothing options with his coat or without. By removing his arms you can remove the coat and replace the arms with Angel’s blue striped shirt. I also prefer Angel with the coat as is just seems right.

Angel also comes with a few accessories. The Cup of Perpetual Torment which Spike and Angel battle over in the episode is included along with the pedestal and a larger piece of rebar.

Overall
I really like the deluxe figures articulation and Gentle Giants sculpts are right on the mark. My only criticism would be that the deluxe figures do not come with a stand for display as the other Buffy figures do. I also really like how Diamond Toys provides numerous variants for each series. While I prefer these figures, you can also purchase the Battle Damaged Destiny Spike and Angel representing them after they fight each other.

You can Purchase Deluxe Spike & Deluxe Angel at BillsBricks.com

You can also pre-order the BillsBricks.com exclusive Ice Cream Man Xander

All images are ©2006 MillionairePlayboy.com.