Packaging - ***
Same story, different wave.  These are the same as the previous packages, and they have the 'wave 5' designation on the right side that started with the previous wave.

The only thing to note is that several characters could have possible packaging variations.  The Captain, Bartman, and Martin have yellow stickers over cancelled playsets like the Aztec Theater.  And Bumblebee Guy has a yellow sticker also covering one playset name, but has "Krusty Burger (coming soon)" printed on it.  These could be permanent changes on future cards.

Sculpting - ***1/2
While many collectors have complained that this line isn't the most exciting in terms of character selection, I think these sculpts and scale are some of the best.  Martin simply kicks butt, and Brockman, Bumblebee Man and the Captain are all better than average.  Of course I haven't seen Mel in person yet, but the only loser of these five is the Bartman.  His bug eyes are a little too much, and he really did need the 'scowling' look he has in the prototype pictures.  He also suffers from the same scale problems the other kids have.

Articulation - **1/2
Gee - neck, shoulders and waist.  What a surprise!  Yes, the articulation is exactly the same on these as it has been on every previous wave.  And yes, we'd like it to be better, but this has always been a situation I can deal with.

Accessories - **1/2
In every previous wave, the accessories have gotten high marks from me.  But unfortunately, this time we get very little in the way of new accessories and mostly reused items.

Bartman has three comics, but at least all three have new Radioactive Man covers.  He also has the reused rocket and slingshot.

Kent Brockman has a reused clipboard with appropriate checklist, reused half eaten donut, and new microphone.

Martin has a new apple, but a reused clipboard (with IQ test), books, magnifying glass and cookie sheet.

Bumblebee Man has a new bowl and spoon, but reused camera, and clipboard (with gag written on it).

And Captain McCallister is the only figure with all new accessories, but only two - a harpoon, and a can of tuna.

Most of these accessories are at least applicable to the characters, although a couple are a stretch.  Reusing accessories has always been a Playmates strategic direction, so you can expect to see it as much as possible.

Paint - ***1/2
All the paint ops are extremely clean and well done.  There is no sloppy overspray on any of the ones I picked up, and even the accessories look great.

Talking Feature - **1/2
Here's another area that I usually give higher marks, but several of these figures are woefully short on lines.

Of course, Bartman works just like every other Bart variation on every set.  Kent Brockman has the greatest number of compatible playsets, working with five of the current releases, but Martin only works with the school and the comic shop, and McCallister and Bumblebee Man don't work with any current sets!

Let's hope that when Krusty Burger and the Church hit we get some good lines for these two.