Review — Fanhome’s ‘E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial’ Build-Up Subscription, Stages 21-26
by Brendan M. Allen
This month’s E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial Build-Up subscription box has arrived from Fanhome. This shipment includes build stages 21-26. We’ve reached a point in this build where the internal structures need to be constructed before we can resume any of the really cool stuff. No glowing fingers or blinking eyes in this box, I’m afraid.
It does come with a couple of sturdy boxes to store the magazines that have been piling up, though, which is nice. I’ve honestly not had the time to read all the stories and backmatter from each stage’s companion magazine, so it’s nice to have a protected spot to keep them until I can really go through to read them from cover to cover.
Most of the build stages in this installment are mirrors of each other or previous build stages. It looks like six stages, but it’s really finishing up the last build stage from last month, then two more pairs of parts, and one that I’m leaving in the package until next month to avoid losing pieces between shipments.
By the time assembly is complete this month, we have this doodad, which is described in the manual as “abdomen” and “hips.” It slips right into the bit that I was describing last month as “pelvic floor and legs.” I’m guessing we aren’t securing those two bits yet because it will eventually hold the power source, wiring harnesses, and assorted other hidden parts in subsequent stages.
Sometimes these monthly shipments contain parts that are best left wrapped until the next stages arrive. There are a couple gears in here that I don’t want to lose before the other half of this gray box arrives, so it will remain sealed for now.
So far, my little Asogian is coming along beautifully. The parts are well made. Fit and finish is on point. The instructions are super simple, along the lines of Lego and Ikea. I’ll mention one thing that I hadn’t thought of when signing up for this sub, and that’s the amount of space required for storage during installation. I kept a couple of the shipping boxes to keep the magazines, in-process parts and bonus items, and the tools that I’m using (a sturdy #2 Phillips screwdriver, and a good pair of scissors) safe and together in one place.
Fanhome’s E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial Build-Up subscription service is available at this link. There are some other really cool subscriptions currently active and some that are in pre-order stages at this link, including a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Megazord, an R2-D2, the Millennium Falcon, an Optimus Prime, and many others.
*Fanhome provides Comicon with an E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Build-Up subscription for review. No proceeds from the sale of Fanhome subscription services go to Comicon or the reviewer.
