112 replies to this topic

[fkro6784]

So guys, I found a Star Monster.

 

I FOUND A STAR MONSTER!

 

Here's the deal:  I regularly purchase MIMP lots for figures I need, and whenever I get new ones in I put all the extras in a big bag containing smaller bags separated by color, not usually paying much attention to them. I stored this monster in there at some point (not certain when or what lot exactly I got it from) without even noticing the back of it. The other day, I was going through my duplicates and comparing the condition of them with the versions in my master set, turned around one of the purple Jotun Trolls, and noticed it looked off. Upon closer inspection, there it was. A star! I couldn't believe it, and am still so excited about it.

 

First, I do not intend to sell this figure, so please no offers or inquiries about buying it. I am posting this just to share the news with my fellow collectors here.

 

Second, you will notice the star looks different than it did on the neon purple Star Monster that was sold here late last year, which I'm sure most know was the first time an example of any Star Monster was ever publicly shared. I have no idea what the reason for that is, but the two examples are considerably different. On this one, there is a circle set into the back of the figure, with a very slightly raised star inside the circle. On top of the star is a slightly-raised "20," which is quite a bit narrower and in a different sort of type than the "20" on a normal Jotun Troll. It seems like they would have had to have a unique mold for this figure, considering the very different way the star and point value are treated.

 

Okay, now here are photos I took of the figure, showing the star from different angles:

 

 star2.jpg   443.4K   143 downloads

 

And here's a comparison shot of a normal purple Jotun alongside the Star Monster (they are both regular purple, just some slight variation in shade as can happen with MIMP):

 

 star.jpg   437.55K   124 downloads

 

I have no doubt this is a legit figure as I don't know how it would be possible for someone to fake it the way the area is treated--it's so different from the normal point value.

 

It was really a huge thrill to discover it, especially since I've wanted to find one ever since the first time I looked at the back of a MIMP package when I was 6 years old.

 

So don't forget to always check your Jotuns. These beasts are out there waiting to be found!

[Behemoth]

Looks very much like the one on the France checklist. I really want to find another neon one to see if it looks like yours or the one Nik sold. 

 

Congrats!

[Ericnilla]

crazy~! Congrats Frank~!

[Draznar]

Congrats, buddy! Awesome news.

[bigburty]

Awesome find bud! Pleased it went to such a great mini figure collector too

It's interesting to see the difference between yours and Nik's - yours looks extremely well printed and is how I imaged it would look in my mind, before seeing Nik's version. Certainly very intriguing...

[thenerdieststore]

That is amazing! I am so jealous its ridiculous lol guess I need to buy tons of trolls now at least I can buy every purple troll I ever find

[Draznar]

Awesome find bud! Pleased it went to such a great mini figure collector too

It's interesting to see the difference between yours and Nik's - yours looks extremely well printed and is how I imaged it would look in my mind, before seeing Nik's version. Certainly very intriguing...

I really thought it was the genuine article at the time. I think now that he was just pretending to not want to sell it in order to make a buck.

Edited by Draznar, 20 March 2015 - 12:45 PM.

[fkro6784]

Awesome find bud! Pleased it went to such a great mini figure collector too

It's interesting to see the difference between yours and Nik's - yours looks extremely well printed and is how I imaged it would look in my mind, before seeing Nik's version. Certainly very intriguing...

 

Thanks Al!

 

Yeah, even though the Star Monster has been discovered, the mystery continues...

 

I guess it's possible that they changed the way they did the star for the later neons. No way to say for 100% at this point.

[thenerdieststore]

Frank you better hook me up if you find more

[fkro6784]

Frank you better hook me up if you find more

 

Haha I can tell you this--I am never going to store away a Troll again without checking its back first. 

[thenerdieststore]

lol you are going to make me buy every lot with a purple troll in it and hope for the best now

[Jesse]

Congrats man!!!! Another "mythic" find this week. And yeah, the star looks different from the one Nic sold some time ago... Might be just in great condition and from diiöfferent era but i dont care awesome figs

And glad the put the star in the Jotun cause in my oppinion its a very nice sculpt(also like purple) haha theres my new holy grail item

[Jesse]

Awesome find bud! Pleased it went to such a great mini figure collector too
It's interesting to see the difference between yours and Nik's - yours looks extremely well printed and is how I imaged it would look in my mind, before seeing Nik's version. Certainly very intriguing...

Why not its one chance√

[{Just throwing the thought here... Considering how toys especially minifigs never quite match their pics so would it be possible if the star on this one is actually a TOO WELL done fake matching exactly the pic?

As,said im only throwing my ideas here since i dont know much of Mimp. Lettin the experts talk this out.

No comment on earlier sold but hell awesome find and i truly think and hope its genuine nice find}]

Edited by Jesse, 20 March 2015 - 02:20 PM.

[plasticfiend]

Congrats dude - after all the fuss about the previous star monster I know this is a big deal.  Pretty amazing to be sitting on it this whole time!!!  AWESOME!

 

 

PF

[Ericnilla]

i bet the other star troll is a fake, this looks way more legit.

[Strontium Dog]

I guess it's possible that they changed the way they did the star for the later neons. No way to say for 100% at this point.

 

It's entirely possible, given that regular colours and neons were released separately.

 

Congratulations Frank, it's a hell of a find.

[TheRiddler]

crazy how you can see the same size circle on the orginals back...notice how the star trolls circle cutout can be seen "uncut" on the original...this has to be legit its waaaay to good looking....awesome story man!!

[Jesse]

Earlier post withdrawn! checking Niks pics again and hell... its no where near the package pic and this yours definately is NOT "too perfect to be real". Youve got yourself a Starmonster man!
Sucky situation that was since Nik's troll most likely wasnt real...

but well see if third pops up and perhaps the star on that one is upside down hahahaa

Edited by Jesse, 20 March 2015 - 02:21 PM.

[dixiebull]

First of all, congrats on finding that. So crazy it was just in with your old doubles. Second, I wasn't around when the first one came to light, but after reading this thread I went and read through all of the first one to get up to date. I am not much of a professional when it comes to MIMP, but I do think they are incredible. Just starting a collection myself. I know the discovery of this one will make people skeptical of the original find once more, but I can see how they both could be legit. Frank's star figure looks more in step with the art on the back of the South African packaging, and I know he is a very reputable collector, so I completely believe this one to be real. BUT, I can see how the other would be too. I have worked my fair share in production factories, and I know the mindset of both the QC departments and management in these places. This being a promotional item, and being so few, the original idea was likely to just brand the figure while it was still cooling, as has been suggested. This would have been a logical method to save time and money, which let's face it, is what it is all about for any business and industry. So lets say they did this for a day or two, and the figures went on to mix in with the rest for random packaging...later on however, maybe a manager or QC person comes along and inspects the figure, see's that it looks kind of shoddy, (what with the brand mucking up the raised point value circle) and decides that this won't do. At that point production could have been halted, and a higher up in the company could have green lit a temporary new mold for the remainder of the figures, thus finishing it out and producing a much cleaner product. This type of stuff happened all the time at the factories I have worked for over the years. Just my thoughts on this because I'm sure someone is going to re-open the forgery case on the first. Regardless, I have really enjoyed reading both threads on this and seeing the photo's of both. Incredible! 

Edited by dixiebull, 20 March 2015 - 02:33 PM.

[ritualaos]

Hello, congratulations on your awesome find!! Im very happy and exited about this as much as you are I think

 

I was wondering if I can publish your images in my web page fan, so more people can see it? It is a Facebook page fan in spanish since i'm Mexican. Please let me know, of course I would publish your name and gave the credits to you and watermark the picture so no one misuse it.

 

Thank you and AWESOME FIND

[fkro6784]

I knew that by sharing this find it would automatically call the legitimacy of the last one into question, but just to be clear, my intention is not to make any judgement on the other one. I am just sharing my own discovery.

 

I would imagine when my figure was produced Matchbox probably wasn't already planning to re-release the figures later in neon colors, so by the time they did that who even knows if this mold still existed.

 

None of us know for sure!

[fkro6784]

Hello, congratulations on your awesome find!! Im very happy and exited about this as much as you are I think

 

I was wondering if I can publish your images in my web page fan, so more people can see it? It is a Facebook page fan in spanish since i'm Mexican. Please let me know, of course I would publish your name and gave the credits to you and watermark the picture so no one misuse it.

 

Thank you and AWESOME FIND

 

Yes, you can share it. You can just use my screen name here as the credit. Thanks.

[Ridureyu]

WOAH DUDE!

 

hey, this looks a lot different from that other one...

[PlasticSoul]

Could not have happened to a more deserving collector!

 

It needs it's own special display case for sure.