REVIEW: Andrew Bell's Zliks

Background

ZLIKS are a strange species of creatures that live primarily underground. They often travel in packs and will only emerge from their burrows in search of food, fun, friends... or revenge.

The line, produced by Wheaty Wheat Studios, has been designed by Andrew Bell.  They’re based on drawings from his immensely popular website (and book) – The Creatures In My Head.  There are currently 3 different “species” of Zliks – Oil, Natural and Psycho.

Packaging

Zliks come packaged in a window-front box.  It’s designed as a forest type scene.  There are instructions to create a Zlik environment from the packaging...as well as reading on drawings on the rear of the box.

The Figures

There are currently 9 different Zliks you can choose from (3 Oil, 3 Natural and 3 Psycho).   There is the standard edition of each…a variant…and a shop exclusive.  The standard editions are limited to 600 pieces, while the variants are limited to 200.  The Octane 3 and Wheaty Wheat shop exclusives are limited to runs of 100 and the DeadZebra exclusive is limited to 69 pieces. 

Each set of Zliks comes with 3 individual figures and stands.  The Zlik figures are made of rotocast vinyl. The body designs of the 3 figures differ.  One Zlik stands upright, one is tilted to the side, while the other is simply a head popping out of the ground.  You can remove the figures’ head as well as the various eyeballs.  This lets you swap parts and create unique figures.

Our Opinion

This is Andrew Bell’s second stab at an original figure (Groob being his first) and they both have been swinging successes.  This time, Bell’s DYZPlastic toy label has hooked up with Wheaty Wheat.

With 9 variations of the figure, there is essentially one for everyone.  You like glow-in-the-dark?  You got it!  The designs also differ greatly.  I rank the species – Psycho, Oil and then Natural – in order of my favorite. I like the figures that use the sculpt as the mouth, rather than the painted on mouth and teeth.  Each is unique, which will make it easy for you to pick your favorite.

Also of note is the price.  You get 3 figures for less than $50. Considering the price of some vinyl figures on the market, these are a steal. 

Where to pick up Zliks:

Frozen Empire Toys: Standard Natural, Oil and Psycho - $45
Kung Fu Toys: Standard Natural - $45 Variant Oil - $79.95
Oala World: Standard Natural and Oil - $45
Panik's Toy Box: Standard Oil and Natural - $49.99 Variant Natural - $79.99
Pop Thirteen: Standard Natural, Oil and Psycho - $45 Variant Natural - $79.99
Rocket Pop : Variant Natural - $75

Zliks Grades:

Quality: 8/10
Paint: 9/10
Durability: 9/10
Hype: 9/10
Fun Factor: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Overall: 9.4/10

Comments

[Tahir]

These are certainly one of the best toys of the year and definitely worth the price. They truly deserve 9.4.

The Glow in the dark version however is my favourite and looks amazing at night.