“Yer boss, dese weapons are the best wunz ever. Da Boyz will hit better, an ‘arder than ever before!”
In 2022 the McFarlane Warhammer 40k expanded further into the rich universe of the 41st Millennium with the introduction of the first Ork figures to the line. The Ork’s were also the first Megafig’s to be released in the WH40k series and saw the basic packaging expanded to a larger format window box to enclose these larger characters although with a continuation of the same design principles and colour schemes - including the dark gothic art of the outer box and the deep yellow card back framing the figure in its inner tray. Like the standard releases, the Megafig’s still had the display stand included - glued to the card back - despite it offering little practical use on a figure of such size and weight.
The Ork Big Mek is not far off the same figure as the two Meganob releases and the Artists Proof versions. In hand, it has the same weight and bulk as the Meganob with the Big Mek wearing the same Power Armour. The armour is cast in dark grey and has dry brushed gunmetal weathering on the metal segments. The arms and back of the Big Mek are exposed Ork flesh cast in green and also weathered this time with a darker wash. The differences to the Meganob releases then kick in with the Big Mek featuring a different type of claw attachment on his left hand, and a flamer weapon on the right. The flamer has a painted bronze ignition unit, while the claw has red and white markings. The same red and white features elsewhere on our Big Mek with a chequerboard pattern on one foot and one shoulder. We also get a red chest panel, individual to the Big Mek figure, complete with sculpted Mek symbols of a skull and spanners.
The backpack is very different for the Mek. It slots in the same way as the other Orks, and with the same instability when handled, and the base section is the same as the other Orks. However, the entire top section is different and is made up of a large bronze apparatus on the top connected with ropes and wires. Our Mek also features an individual head with a full mask across the eyes and nose and metallic teeth around the partially open mouth that also features painted yellowed teeth and pink gums. While the sockets remain, our Big Mek does not get the face plate featured on the Meganob releases. Its absence is not massively noticeable and the paintwork has been taken down and across the slotted sockets to disguise them further.
We have no specific accessories outside of the add-on backpack, and the arm weaponry is not removable or inclusive of any articulation. That puts our Big Mek at 16 points of articulation in total. The legs feature the jointed hips, knees, ankles and toes but remain limited in what they can do and are still temperamental when posing the figure standing due to the limited footprint vs the very top-heavy figure. The arms lack much movement at the wrist other than the ability to rotate the weapons, while the elbows too don't work too much but are inclusive of the moving pistons around the back of the arms. That leaves the shoulders doing most of the work, and thankfully they have a good range of motion. The other joints sit with the head which can rotate in the socket, and some movement in the waist.
The Big Mek is suitably different to the two Meganob figures to be a worthwhile purchase and all three painted Orks feature matching colour schemes so as to fit in as a trio from an Ork Clan. The Big Mek carries all the same features as the Meganob including a hefty construction, excellent sculpt, good paintwork with weathering and some nasty look weaponry built into either arm. There are also similar issues with some niggles around stability, a lack of general articulation in anything other than the upper arms, and a backpack that doesn’t lock in place and falls out too easily.
Like the other Ork Megafigs, the Big Mek has not seen strong sales at the original £35-£40 RRP and that is possibly compounded by the fact McFarlane releases three similar-looking figures at the same time. Even at the discount clearance prices which have dropped as low as £17, the Ork figures are not shifting, and that is worrying for the line in terms of seeing anything other than Space Marine variants going forward.
Keep Track of all the Warhammer 40k figures from McFarlane at our comprehensive
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...