Tomopop Review: Sharkchild's Gravescab plushes

5:00 PM on 01.29.2012   |   Natalie Kipper

Looking for a plush to play with right before you drift off to sleep? Maybe something in a good, old fashioned yarn to listen to? Then, you may want to give Sharkchlld's Gravescab plushes a try. You may be wondering, "What on earth is a Gravescab?" Rest assured, it is not what happens when you skin your knee running through a cemetery. It is, in fact, a macabre yet charming plush set consisting of a dressable plush body known as a Skell and these skins you pull over it, the titular Gravescabs. The set is accompanied by a free series of podcasts (available here) that tell the tale of the plush characters. Consider it a multimedia experience of sorts. 

Is this plush series your cup of tea or is it a little too out there? Hit the jump to get the scoop!

Figure Name: Gravescabs Skell, Stoneway, Nervesale
Figure Maker: Sharkchild
Retail/List Price: US$12.99 (Skell)/US$10.99 (Stoneway or Nervesale)
Available at: Gravescabs Online Shop

Like all good stories, there is a strong beginning to the series: the 5-inch tall Skell base plush. Purchasing him is a necessity if you want to interact with the other Gravescabs characters, who fit over his gloomy form. Let's get a better look at him, shall we?

I honestly love the Skell's face. His is the best of the three characters I was given to review, in my opinion. It makes me think of voodoo dolls coated in sugar asking for a hug. Just look at those little eyes! Look at them! On the bottom-left of the Skell's frontside is the Skell's symbol (think of it as a My Little Pony cutie mark, defining what the creature is). 

The Skell's tag is glossy, sturdy cardboard. On the front, it has a nice clean image of the Skell. The middle is filled with the creator, Sharkchlld's logo as well as a brief description of what a Skell is. Finally, the back of the tag details how to "heal" your Skell by placing the Gravescab covers over it. Sounds pretty easy (and actually, it is). 

Next, we come upon the titular Gravescabs, the first one being Stoneway and the next being Nervesale, but first, I want to discuss the boxes. It is my opinion that it is here in which the toy falters. I understand that the toys' series is meant to match a series of podcasts, but between the numbering of "Gravebox 1" and "Gravebox 2" and the heavy-handed limerick, I find it hard to imagine what group this is meant to appeal to. Thankfully, you can play with the toy while ignoring the box, which I would suggest for most people, as the toys themselves are quite good. Anyway, onto Stoneway!

Okay, now we can talk about Stoneway, the first of the Gravescabs that you buy to accompany your Skell. Why do you need a Skell? Why not just but Stoneway? Besides the fact that the Skell is freaking adorable, the Gravescabs are just covers that fit over your Skell plush. Just buying Stoneway and not Skell is akin to buying a pillowcase but no pillow to put in it. As you can see, Stoneway's symbol is a stone key. I noticed a few loose threads in the embroidery in symbol. This is a real shame because, as far as I know, there is no real way to fix it (it may destroy the embroidery if I mess with it). 

Stoneway is actually supposed to start off (should you choose to play with the toys while following the story) by being flipped inside out, revealing another character: the Dirtscab. Notice that the Dirtscab still bears Stoneway's stone key symbol. According to the story, if a Skell stays inside one Gravescab too long (they need to be switched out after learning an important lesson), they become a Dirtscab. Every one of the Gravescabs is reversible to reveal a Dirtscab.

Here is the second Gravescab, Nervesale, as a Dirtscab. Like Stoneway, Nervesale's symbol, a snowflake tag, is visible in both Gravescab and Dirtscab forms. 

When Nervesale is his usual Gravescab self, he looks like this. You may notice that Nervesale and Stoneway's faces are almost mirror images of each other. I wonder if that was on purpose. I was relieved to see that Nervesale's snowflake tag symbol didn't have any stray threads (the overlaying threads in the corner are unfortunately-placed seams). 

I can see why this plush series isn't for everyone. The source material feels like it is aimed towards a younger audience, but personally, I had a good time reviewing these toys. The concept is a good one, and the price is right. If you want to choose just one Gravescab to go with your Skell, I would recommend Stoneway. Nervesale's Gravescab face looks too similar to his Dirtscab one, or you could just buy a Skell. He was my favorite of the three and, to me, had the most character. 

[A big thank you to Gravescabs.com for sending us this review sample!]