Ultarama
Collectible Display
by Collectible Display Systems, Inc
Review
by : Troy
Brownfield
(thanks to Mort Simpson)
King
of Displays
 I've
been collecting action figures since I became mobile. Over
my 27 years, I've had figures ranging from Star Wars to G.I.Joe
to Transformers to Megos to Super Powers to X-Men to Wrestling
to Dragonball Z to DC Direct to Gundam. Obviously, display
and/or storage of that many figures can be a problem. There
had to be a simple solution. And now, we've got it.
Ultarama
is here, and it's brilliant. A product of Collectible Display
Systems, Inc., the Ultarama has to be one of the best collector
innovations ever. I first got an up-close look at one at the
Wizard World con last summer, and I was duly impressed. Recently,
I got one so that I could assemble and review it myself. Let's
look at it one step at a time.
Assembly:
Ultarama comes in two sections. There are two floor pieces
shaped as semi-circles. They can either be joined as a full
circle, or stacked to provide two viewing levels. I elected
to make two levels. Assembling the three posts and two columns
to support the top level was a snap. Small kids should have
parental help, but I think that a kid of ten or eleven could
probably put this together with few problems. It took me just
a few minutes.
Inserts:
Once the levels are assembled, you can insert the four background
inserts that come with the basic unit. These inserts give
your figures a backdrop from either outer space, a forest,
a desert, or an arctic setting. Of course, these basic backgrounds
work perfectly for Star Wars figures, but they're also well-suited
to things like super-hero or Dragonball Z figures, since they
also take place in varied environments.
 The
directions also note that you can create your own backdrops
using strong-stock 8-1/2"x11" paper. With the proliferation
of high-quality computer printers and graphics programs and
an unending supply of cool images on the web, you could literally
design any background for any set of figures. I also understand
that the company plans to make genre specific inserts at a
later date, potentially including Star Trek and wrestling
backdrops.
Pegs:
The next step are the pegs, and that's where the real
brilliance of Ultarama comes through. Figure collectors know
that most figures come with peg-holes on their feet; these
are usually used in conjunction with playsets or vehicles.
The surface of each Ultarama level is also covered with holes;
these holes can then be filled with pegs that are also provided
in your kit. The pegs are colored black or white for size
separation (white pegs are for 3-3/4" Star Wars size figures;
black are for 4-3/4" to 6" figures). You insert the pegs into
the holes on the display surface, then stand the figures on
the pegs. This gives you almost unlimited arrangement possibilities,
as you yourself select where each peg goes.
There
you have it! Easy to put together, visually pleasing, and
fun to use, Ultarama stands out as a fantastic new collector's
tool. It's possible to stack an Ultarama up to SIX levels
high, and the company also plans to release expansion sets
in the fall. Ultarama is also aggressively supported by a
website at www.ultarama.com;
the site contains a FAQ, assembly tips, hints, suggestions,
and new products. You can also order more displays, pegs,
and scene packs online.
Collectible
Display Systems should be very proud of their innovation here.
This item is not only fuctional, but great-looking. I've got
mine currently doing Dragonball duty. I give this item our
highest possible recommendation.
Troy
Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. If anybody
knows about shelves and action figures, it's him. Email him
at psikotyk@aol.com
|
