Most of you are probably aware of McFarlane Toys, established back in 1994. The company started with Todd McFarlane's comic book anti-hero Spawn, and have been making insanely detailed actions figures ever since. I remember as a kid, looking at some of the Spawn action figures, and my jaws just dropped. That's some damn meticulous craftsmanship.

Though Spawn is the staple of the company, McFarlane Toys have licensed products from films (Terminator, Shrek, Austin Powers), music, and video games (Metal Gear Solid, Onimusha). It also has the official rights to the four major North American sports. That, obviously, includes the NBA.

In March 2002, McFarlane Toys released the first series of NBA Basketball action figures. It featured six NBA players: Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, and Jason Kidd. Each figure was six-inches in height, detailed "to the max," painted meticulously, and sculpted in a vintage action pose. And they all came with their own support base, so you can put it on display on your desk, shelf, whatever. The Kevin Garnett figure depicts a reverse-dunking KG.

I don't have this KG action figure, but judging from the pictures, it's awesome. The facial expression doesn't really capture the moment, though. It really doesn't say, "I'm reverse-slammin' yo." And why isn't the rim bent a little bit? It's a great sculpted figure, but I don't get the sense of motion or dynamic action that I expect out of a Kevin Garnett dunk.

In November 2002, the company dropped the second series, featuring nine new players. It would be two years later, and five series later, until we see the second Kevin Garnett action figure. The November 2004, series seven figures featured eight players including the aptly called Kevin Garnett 2. Before its release, I was really looking forward to it. The photos floored me. The figure was of Kevin Garnett in mid-flight, in his trademark, soaring tomahawk dunk pose. It looked friggin' awesome, and I decided I was going to buy it. But there were two versions, identical except for the jersey colour. The blue road jersey KG cost $13.99 Canadian, while the white home jersey KG cost $24.99 Canadian. That sort of had me scratchin' my head -- they're gonna me charge me almost double for what is essentially a different paint job?

Fast-forward to March 21, 2005. I finally went to Silver Snail (a comic book and action figure store at downtown) to see if I could pick it up. I was in a hurry -- else I'd be late for work -- so I went inside and did a quick scan the place, looking for the NBA series. They weren't on the first floor. I went upstairs.

On the second floor, I found the McFarlane NBA Basketball Series. They didn't have all of the figures ever released -- not anymore, anyway, considering there are eight series in total, with the latest series eight released in February 2005 -- so I didn't see the aforementioned Kevin Garnett 1. But I did find what I was looking for: The Kevin Garnett 2. It was the blue road uniform edition. I then looked up and down, trying to see if they had the white uniform version. No luck.

So I approached the counter, and asked the dude if they had the white edition. He turned to the wall and pointed it out. And there it was, hanging on the wall in its packaging, the home white jersey version of the Kevin Garnett 2. I compared the two editions, and yes, they were exactly the same minus the jersey colour.

"I'll take both."

Why not? For reasons unbeknownst to me, I sort of had the mindset before I left my home that I was going to buy both editions if they were available. Now that I was there -- clocking ticking, about to be late for work -- I just copped both without thinking. (Naw heh heh, I paid for them). Another cool thing was that they were having a March Break sale, so everything was 10% off. Awesome. I left the store, put the stuff in my bad, and literally ran for work, which was within walking distance. I was THIS close to being late. But I made it.

When I got home that night, I opened the blue road jersey edition. KG's legs needed to be assembled, and a small pole needed to be connected between the base and KG's left foot. But other than that, no assembly required. I put it all together, and set it down on my desk.

Dope.

The detail on this thing is absolutely incredible. The straining, bulging arm muscles, the suspended mid-flight motion, the accurateness of the fingers on the left hand, the tattoos, the rippled jersey, the dunking facial expression (they got it right this time) the rubberband, the shoes, the texture on the goddamn ball, the sense of kinetic energy, the feel of artistic violence and raw power -- everything is right just. It's KG.

And it's a fine piece of work. Superb craftsmanship. The weight is heavier than you would expect, and the paint smells fresh. Overall, it's something that feels like it's been worked on, like there is genuine substance to it. Looking at it, it really feels like there's a mini-Kevin Garnett dunking atop my desk.

When I get the chance, I will take some photos with a digital camera. In the meantime, check out the official photos from McFarlane Toys.

I would recommend buying one if you're a Kevin Garnett fan. The figure really captures the spirit and energy of KG.