…or is it Kurt Russell in 3000 Miles to Graceland?
Sometimes those whacky Germans behind the Playmobil lines make goofy choices on what constitutes a toy or play set. I’m pretty certain this one was aimed at the adults because fewer and fewer children know who Elvis was (hell, fewer adults even remember poor Liberace, never mind Lady Gaga and Elton John sharing his performance DNA). The trickier part to getting this figure involved going through these special random packs. Playmobil is getting into the same random crap business which many attribute to Wizards of the Coast via Magic: The Gathering. When I last heard WoTC being accused, I piped about baseball cards being around decades ago yet few seem to complain about their practice.
Thankfully this wasn’t the case (nor did I need to buy one!). A helpful Terra Toys staff member, Somara and I used our divining skills to feel through the packaging. The key to the King? You feel for his rather distinctive cape but there’s a Darth Vader knockoff in the series of 12 figures so you confirm it by finding the microphone. I was also allowed to open the package immediately with the understanding, I bought it regardless.
Now to anticipate the third line in August. This one will have a hockey player, a Lady Gaga type (it’s not a superhero due to the microphone) and a pastry chef for Somara.
I want to make a quick plug for Terra Toys before I go. This place is the store to shop at in Austin for everything Playmobil. As much as we love to support Learning Express, Terra Toys carries all the major genres: Pirates, Cowboys, Treasure Hunters, City, Knights, Fairies, Spies, Space, Ancient Egyptians and the new Stone Age adventures. What puts them over the top is their bins containing extra parts, animals or people. Playmobil has additional pieces you have to buy online. For example, a vending machine, an elephant or miscellaneous Union soldiers, these things aren’t sold in the sets. Terra Toys has them in stock!
OK, I have one more reason to praise Terra Toys…their staff. These people dig toys and I have always had a great time engaging them. One staffer gave me a great suggestion on a Christmas present for the budding Billy Wilder nephew.
Beware! If you have a kid under 10, you may receive something Playmobil-related for a birthday or other occasion. Believe me, I’m trying to line up a recipient for this bitchin’ dollhouse they sell.