KR|"Echoes of Future" Review #16: Pang

Toy prototype details

Name: Pang

Subtitle: avian tech maverick

Line: KR|Echoes of Future

Item type: action figure - Nº 12 in the line.

Character details

Name: Pang

Classification: archosauromorph reptile with bird-like traits

Sex: male

Home: Idakarr (Tahron's former name)

Era: 570 years before Foundation

Affiliation: Interspecific Commission

Rank: consul.

Background

First appearance: KR|Echoes of Future #1 - The secret origin of chaos

Character summary: a brilliant technological genius with an inventive mind, whose lack of wings, despite his bird-like appearance, spurred him to create advanced aerial technology, initially using a jetpack for boosted hops and later developing solid energy wings for true flight.

Articulation
Standard (new scheme).

Description
Head: similar to a bird of prey, characterised by a pair of nearly human-like, piercing blue eyes, which are framed by khaki feathers (except for a pair of bushy, yellowish eyebrows), as well as a fairly large, yet short, yellowish beak with nares. Aside from having two subtle appendages on the sides (each resembling a mix of a pointy ear and a feathered wing), his bald (except for a widow's peak), vulture-like scalp allows him to wear an orange copper removable armoured helmet, which is ornamented with metallic light-blue details such as a 5-pointed, comb-like crest, two horns protruding laterally, a pair of goggles with large bird eye-like glossy dark-red lenses, and an embossed stylised motif of a feathered bird's head profile on either side (it reminds me a bit of the design of Rey Mysterio's masks)

Body: arms and legs covered with khaki feathers, scaly black hands and feet ending in pinkish talons (two of which point forward and two go backward in each foot, while a patch of khaki feathers covers the back of each hand), two orange fabric armbands knotted around the upper arms

Wearables: a metallic light-blue harness with orange details (including a leather shoulder belt with sculpted feathers, loops for grenades and a pocket), two studded metallic light-blue wrist guards, two metallic light-blue shin guards (each showing a wing-shaped ornament protruding outward), a studded metallic light-blue belt (the central stud, which is larger and serves as the buckle, is a gleaming blue gemstone), and a triangular orange fabric loincloth emblazoned with a light-blue pattern echoing the form of stylised feathers. The harness features a scale armour shoulder guard/chest plate that is studded and grooved with deep lines to resemble a ruff of pointed quills, and is equipped with a pair of epaulettes trimmed with orange feather fringes, while similar orange feathers lining the wrist and shin guards peek out subtly from their top edges.

Pang's stylised helmet.

Pang's stylised harness.

Action feature

In the comics, Pang cannot fly with wings (he doesn't have any) or magic (he cannot master it), so he relies on technology. The back of his harness is adorned with small tech greeblies, such as wires and circuitry, and includes an attachment point for a metallic light-blue jetpack. The jetpack features a single turbojet engine, a small tail assembly with additional thrusters, a longitudinal crest-like ornament, and what appears to be a laser cannon at the top. The jetpack plugs into two square sockets on the back of the harness via two tabs, and it latches securely in place. Additionally, there are multiple sets of energy wings for three different configurations or display options. These wings feature a mostly angular design, with deep grooves resembling feathers, giving it an aggressive and streamlined appearance. They are made of translucent light-green plastic, speckled with glittery flecks, giving them a neat, see-through effect that makes them appear as if they are made of solid energy. Fictionally, they are generated by an energy source that flows from the jetpack to the inner sides of the wrist bracers via a pair of detachable pliable tubes (which have metallic light-blue ends and translucent light-green middle portions). A pair of forearm wings plugs into the bracers and can rotate freely, allowing them to be positioned as desired. They are easy to pop on and off, looking impressive both as wings for flight and as weapons or shields - swing the tips forward and they look like dual energy blades. For a more comic book-accurate appearance with longer wings, you can add the upper wing portion to each arm. These attach to the armbands and connect to the shorter portions with swivel joints at the elbow area, allowing them to move while maintaining full arm articulation. Finally, there is also a piece composed of a pair of massive wings and a tail that stays securely attached when plugged between the back of the figure and the jetpack. These wings are intended to be used in place of the separate arm-wings. They can rotate in and out, allowing for various posing options, for example positioned behind him while standing, or spread and aligned with his arms pointing outward for more dramatic flying poses.

Weapons and accessories

Apart from the jetpack and the various energy wing sets, Pang comes with a very peculiar orange copper gun. This weapon features a bird's body-like design, resembling a wingless robotic falcon. Subtle nods to the jetpack are incorporated through the presence of a crest and a tail assembly-mounted jet engine, while a single flexible tube, identical to those attached to Pang's wrist guards, connects the weapon's rear to the rocket pack. At the front, a handle shaped like a sort of feathery arm has a narrow portion that can be gripped, while in the back, a stirrup-shaped butt resembles backward-pointing grasping talons that clasp a perching rod. The weapon can be either stowed on the side of the jetpack, with the handle and rod clipping into designated slots, or held by the figure. The gun's barrel ends in a falcon head-shaped, laser-blasting muzzle, accompanied by two side launchers loaded with smoke grenades (in the comics, these are sometimes replaced with electric net grenades). Once a smoke screen is deployed, the robotic falcon-gun can serve as a weaponised drone for attack operations. This transformation is achieved by equipping it with energy wings and a tail, mirroring its owner's ability. So, the package includes a translucent light-green pair of wings and a long tail, which exhibit a slightly softer, more rounded shape compared to the sharp, geometric lines of the figure's add-ons. These accessories have three plug-in points: two on the sides (which provide some articulation) and one on the back (accessible after removing the tube).

Additionally, we get a propulsion-blast effect for the jet engine, and three accessories that, one at a time, are fictionally produced by a copper egg-shaped tech artefact stored in Pang's shoulder belt pocket: a pair of binoculars, a megaphone and a tracker pad/view-screen that lets Pang monitor the falcon drone's activity (any of these objects conveniently clips onto a loop on the figure's breast plate).

Finally, the package includes a powering perch, which features a tech-looking metallic light-blue stand topped with a translucent light-green crystal, where the falcon/drone can dock and recharge. While I would have preferred a flight stand for Pang, this accessory will work just fine.

Final thoughts

Overall: Pang might not be an instant classic, but he's definitely grown on me. His unique aesthetic, impressive array of accessories and various display options make him a solid addition to the series. While he may not be everyone’s cup of tea, those who appreciate a figure that’s both visually striking and fun to play with will likely find a lot to love about Pang

Rating: ☺☺☺☺ / 5