I have already brought you a look at a KR crocodilian figure. In sharp contrast to the all-white character reviewed some weeks ago, let's change colour to look at his all-green offspring, who is ready to join the Rexodon army on my shelf: Li-Gah-TorTM!
The brutal son of the cruel Li-Meh-Zor, Li-Gah-Tor is the 21st action figure prototype I have received from PoliganToys.
Details
Name: Li-Gah-Tor
Subtitle: tail-striking warrior
Classification: archosauromorph reptile
Sex: male
Relationships: son of Li-Meh-Zor
Home: Tahron
Affiliation: Rexodon
Rank: major general.
Background
Li-Gah-Tor makes his first appearance in the fourth KR comic issue A fateful secret, where he is presented as Li-Meh-Zor's hard-hearted son. It is recounted that Li-Gah-Tor grew up bitter under the rule of his despotic father. After years of training in Rokang Tar, he finally struck a deal to help lead the Rexodon forces in a raid against the Therioms, but at last he was put aside. Nevertheless, the plan failed and Li-Meh-Zor was severely wounded. Following his father's untimely defeat, Li-Gah-Tor was taken in by his master Bi-Harr and quickly rose up through the ranks, serving as his major general. His rough character and headstrong impulsiveness have made him more than a match for the Therioms, who have to withstand the demolishing power of his thrashing tail.
Articulation
Standard, with the addition of a tail, which is a ball jointed separate piece. It features two articulation points, two swivels at about one-third and two-thirds of its length.
Description
Head: similar to an alligator, characterised by a wide and rather short U-shaped snout, dark-green skin, a large light-green cranial crest, two short ossicones covered in skin, long pointy ears, evil large dark eyes with vertical yellow pupils, a small nose adorned with a septum piercing, and a prominent chin spike. Despite the closed mouth, many sharp teeth (including three large fangs in the upper jaw) are visible along the edges of the jaws
Body: dark-green scaly skin (except for the abdomen, which is smooth), claw hands and feet; his limbs display large light-green ridges which run down the sides. He has a long, thick tail that ends with a ridged mace-like ball
Wearables: a light-green armour with dark-green details, two light-green bracelets, two light-green boots (with purple claw protectors), a light-green belt and a Roman-style dark-green leather loincloth decorated with blue studs.
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| Li-Gah-Tor's stylised armour. |
Action feature
Like in the case of his father's action feature, Li-Gah-Tor's main characteristic is his menacing tail. Despite the apparent similarities, the two figures' appendages are pretty different: while Li-Meh-Zor's tail is permanently connected to the back armour, Li-Gah-Tor's one is a completely separate piece that snaps into a socket under his loincloth. This solution makes it possible not to hamper any movements and the total of three articulation points (ball joint plus two swivels) allows for tons of poses.
Weapons and accessories
Li-Gah-Tor includes one accessory, his macuahuitl, i.e., a dark-green wooden sword whose sides are embedded with blades made from black volcanic glass. This type of weapon was actually used by ancient civilisations in Meso-America including the Aztec and the Mayan. I have to admit that, way back, when I studied archaeology, I never really appreciated this weapon... Li-Gah-Tor's sword finally speaks to me! Sure, details like some strange symbols, cracks and also something that looks like circuitry have been added to make the design more inspired, but the weapon is true to its historical origin.
Comic
Together with the action figure we get the fourth comic issue A fateful secret. Some villages are suffering due to the raids of the Rexodons and their cruel leader Bi-Harr, so Tir-Hing gives Xonedar and Elykta the task to scout those territories for signs of lurking evil. The heroes meet with the two Independent Warriors Bellius and Fai-Rha, and, together, they try to rescue villagers who are transported into slavery. Fai-Rha gets distracted for a moment and is overpowered by the brutal warrior Li-Gah-Tor. Being used as a hostage, the heroes have to watch Fai-Rha leave without being able to fight back. The Rexodons reach their headquarters in Rokang Tar, where they imprison their captive in a dungeon. Afterwards, Bi-Harr attacks Theriom City and threatens to kill Fai-Rha if the defenders don't surrender. Elykta, suspecting that Fai-Rha's is actually Rhadiel, Masq-Lor's younger sister who was also abducted as a baby, proposes a plan of action. Being occupied with their coup, the Rexodons don't notice Sei-Lha and Mor-Rak sneaking away. The Therioms buy time long enough for the two heroes to carry a prodigious helmet to Fai-Rha, who is successfully rescued and taken to Theriom City. There, Fai-Rha uses her helmet to transform into a powerful combatant. With the help of her new powers, she hacks the Rexodon Troopers into pieces and fights Bi-Harr. Meanwhile, all the Therioms manage to get away from their captors and regain control of their residence. Together, they defeat Bi-Harr and chase the Rexodons away. Later, Fai-Rha finally recognises her true identity. Her family is joyful to see her again after so many years, but Fai-Rha realises that she's still needed among the Independent Warriors, with whom she has fought for a long time.
Overall, Li-Gah-Tor is a very well-designed action figure and makes a great army-builder for the Rexodon faction. Even between more high-profile reptilian characters, like Bi-Harr and Loghar, there is no denying that this alligator is one impressive warrior. I'm glad it didn't turn out to be a Li-Meh-Zor repaint; on the contrary, the new character-specific pieces, above all the head, really won me over.
About the comic, well, it's again the villains' (not very ingenious) kidnapping plan to threaten the heroes. We've seen that quite a few times - too often, actually. But the generally well executed fight scenes and the introduction of Fai-Rha make this story one of the better versions of this standard plot. On the whole, this issue is not bad, but still suffers from the "helmet solves everything" mentality of the KR episodes. One important detail - at some point in the story it is briefly recounted that Li-Gah-Tor, during his youth, was devoured by his father after an altercation, but he eventually managed to save himself by tearing his father's abdomen; this creepy action shows Li-Gah-Tor's extremely combative and furious nature, and explains Li-Meh-Zor's mysterious surgical suture.
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