Monster Gorilla (Eldrador by Schleich)

Swinging through the branches and charging among the tree trunks of the Jungle Kingdom, the aptly named monster gorilla possesses enhanced strength and agility, poison spines, and a savage temper.

Despite his name, the monster gorilla actually isn’t all that different from a regular one. He has the same face, same physical proportions, and the same colouration: black all over with a pink mouth, red tongue, and white teeth. However, as a denizen of Eldrador’s Jungle Kingdom, he has plant elements running throughout his body. Dark green vines are growing on his forearms, along with large yellow thorns. Translucent yellow thorns sprout from his shoulders. And jutting out of his forehead are two more yellow thorns. Finally, there are patches of yellow fur on his cheeks, a short yellow mohawk on his head, and three yellow slash marks on his chest.

The result is a most frightful-looking ape, albeit nowhere near as botanical as his friend and leader, the jungle emperor. It might have been looked better, however, if the thorns were either all translucent or all solid yellow.

The monster gorilla is sculpted in a dynamic fighting pose. His right leg is extended far back while his right fist and left foot are firmly planted. His mouth is open in a furious howl and his left arm is raised high with the fingers ready to seize or slash an opponent. Did I neglect to mention that, unlike regular gorillas, this one has large, curved claws on his hands and feet?

From his right hand to his right heel, the gorilla measures almost 12 cm long, and is 9.5 cm high at the top of his left hand, making him about the same size as the standard Schleich male gorilla.

The sculpting here is very nice. The gorilla’s fur looks thick and shaggy, particularly on his arms. His hands and feet are wrinkled and his bare chest has visible pecs and abs. His face is also well sculpted, although the inside of his mouth is quite smooth. And the thorns on his body have faint grooves.

The monster gorilla is a fine addition to anyone’s Jungle Kingdom assortment. Unfortunately, Schleich retired it a few years back, so best of luck finding one now.