Well after 30 years I once again find myself tearing into a Captain Action costume box.  I had forgotten just what a rush it can be actually being able to tear a costume loose from its backing card, cutting the nylon cord and prying the costume from its body dummy for the first time.  Thats not a luxury I have been able to afford, cause up to now any boxed Captain Action costumes I had were a bit too pricey to rend apart with such abandon.  OK, maybe I am a bit more careful with the packaging than I was back then, but I have to tell you, not THAT much more!  A guy I know once said to me that he loved the new C/A figures because he always had a secret longing to be able to smack his dog with a Captain Action Green Hornet.  Not that I condone that sort of thing, but I think you get the idea.  Finally these are once again TOYS!  Nothing beats the feeling of tearing open a new toy, whether its a Digital Camera or new PC.  Or better yet, a toy that you can pose in 1001 positions. 

You've suffered through my monologue so let me get down to the goods.  What we are talking about here are a pair of highly detailed beautifully presented costumes for your C/A and Dr E figures that are just about as good as anything you might have found on a dime store shelf back in the 60s.  The first victim of my abuse was the Phantom. (Figure 1). The new box is a really sharp redo of the original (see the vintage Phantom artwork page).  Even the artwork on the back of the box stays true to the vintage  (Figure 2 ) The Phantom costume is attached to a faithfully reproduced backing card and includes all the accessories of the original set  ( Figure 3 ) Actually Ideal released two versions, one with six shooters and the other with 45s like this one.  For some reason PM has chosen not to go with the original two piece mask and has opted instead for a mask in which the face portion is permanently attached to the hood.  That was a bit of a disappointment, I always like the two piece approach.  The new materials are pretty much in line with everything that PM has used in this line, thin costumes and masks, rubber boots and they did chince out on the stripes (painted instead of vinyl) but all in all its a really fine job.  The face mask has blush painted on it, which I think is odd, but judging from the new face paints on the figures they just like doing that sort of thing.  The knife doesn't have the cool skull on the handle, but the knuckles, belt and rifle all have theirs.  This is just a great item at a great price, even tho I would have stuck with the original mask design it still does not detract from what is just a terrific costume in an awesome display box. 

Their second foray into the previously under explored area of costumes for Dr Evil is Kabai Singh. ( Figure 4) Kabai Singh is also packaged in a vintage style window box which mimics the Captains in both its front and back artwork ( Figure 5). Kabai Singh is an original costume design for PM, based on what was obviously a nemesis of the Phantom.  His set includes a very cool (although undersized) Mauser, Scimitar (sword), spyglass (telescope), brass knuckle knife, bag of treasure (real cloth, nice touch), gun belt and a pile of coins. (Figure 6). The face mask even has a real feather sticking out of the turban!  Its this kind of attention to detail that makes Kabai Singh arguably PMs finest work to date.  This costume too comes attached to a colorful backing card, which, save the printed text, is the same as the one used for the Phantom.  Despite minor shortcomings (plastic snaps, why oh why?) this is such a great costume that to give it anything less than our highest rating would be a real crime. 

So what else is left?  How about the body dummies?  PM is using a much more detailed one than Ideal did, and yes, Virginia there is a Dr Evil version (Figure 7) I have included a vintage one in the pic for comparison.  Can you tell them apart?  The dummies have small heads which makes getting the masks off easy (unlike getting that mask on Dr Evil, have fun).  While the dummies are hardly a selling point, they are a nice touch and keep true to the vintage.  They do not include the cardboard inserts in the phantoms legs (which resulted in one of the sets I had looking a bit squished in the box) but you can't have it all.  Even if you did, where would you put it?  As it is I am running out of room to store the dozens of PM figures I have.  OK, lets tie this baby off and cut the cord.  If I haven't answered all your questions write and ask me, I just got these today and I really want to spend some quality time with them.  The bottom line here people is just go out and buy them!  Buy two for yourself and one for someone you love.  This is the best thing we have gotten our hands on in a long time (toy wise, ok?  I don't want to get myself in trouble). 

Don't forget you can still pick up a flesh colored Dr Evil if you don't like the way the blue one looks in you new Kabai Singh outfit.  They still have a few of them here  Dr Evil as Ming the Merciless .

Nuff said.  Five aliens.  Keep saving those Action points, maybe they'll turn out to be like Marlboro miles and you'll get a T shirt or something.  Oh, and don't smoke, it makes your toys smell funny.

You can get yours today by following these links:

Captain Action Phantom Costume $7.95

Dr Evil Kabai Singh Costume $7.95 

Daniel Webster