Wednesday, May 3, 2017

American Champions Venus Williams

I purchased American Champions Serena and Venus Williams dolls several years ago. They remained in their boxes for years, but I purchased them with the intention to release them from their boxes one of these days.

Last year, I was able to get a Sideshow Art S. Buck figure for a price that I was willing to pay.

I wondered if the Art S. Buck body would be a good match for Venus. So finally I released Venus from her box to find out.

The Art S. Buck body was a little darker than the Venus head, and rather skinny, but I did love the articulation. Venus finally had fun playing with all of her gear.

Venus came with a tennis racket, sun visor, athletic bag, tennis balls, trading card, trophy, and water bottle (not to mention her tennis outfit, sneakers, watch, bracelet, necklace, and beads in her partially braided hair).

Her new body made it possible to grasp all of the items that came with her.


Venus was happy to be released from her box, but wanted her sister Serena to be released, as well. I didn't want to put Serena on an Art S. Buck body. In fact, I wasn't entirely satisfied with Venus being on the Art S, Buck body. I looked around to see if I had any other action figure bodies that may be a better match for Serena.

I think that the body of the Triad Alpha figure would be a good body match for Serena, but it is not a good skin tone match. So, Serena stays in her box for now.

I became aware of some Sims dolls being sold on eBay for a great price (thanks Dawn!), so I purchased a couple. These dolls use Herobuilders action figure bodies. I thought that this body might be a better match for Venus.

And I was right. Venus looks much better on the Herobuilders body. The skin tone is a much better match, and the body looks more athletic. Also, both hands are able to grip items of various sizes.

I was glad to see that Venus' outfit is stretchy enough to fit on the larger Herobuilders body. 

Now Venus is ready to be the champion that she is, and play to her fullest potential! 

I'm not entirely satisfied with the Herobuilders body. It has weird elbow and knee joints, and something just looks a little off about it. But this is a better choice than Venus' other two bodies. Serena is still in her box for now. I want her to have a different body than Venus, so I'm going to wait until another option comes along for her.

12 comments:

  1. I love that you have the Williams sisters! I agree that the second body you selected for Venus was a way better match for her. She looks very athletic and great movement for her! Hope you find a body for Serena and then maybe we can see them in a tennis match!

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    1. Thanks Phyllis! I actually had to think about deboxing Venus for a while after having her boxed for so long. Sometimes I have to remind myself of what kind of collector I am. I am a DEBOXER, that's what I keep telling myself. :) I'm looking forward to more companies making darker action figure bodies so that Serena can have more choices.

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  2. Great idea. The bodies make such a big difference for Venus with movement. I like the fact that the bodies allow her to grip the tennis ball and racket. I have one of the herobodies. I never thought of using the Art S. Buck body.

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    1. Thank you, Male Doll World! If any of my female dolls need action figure bodies, it's these two! And they have such great accessories, I needed for Venus to be able to play with everything that she came with. One of these days, Serena will be able to join her sister...

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  3. Wow! Nice dolls! The second body is perfect! I hope that her sister is able to come out and play soon. I never think to look outside of Mattel or FR for bodies. Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. Thanks Georgia Girl! You know, I never look to Fashion Royalty for bodies, but maybe that's where I need to go for my Mattel Halle Berry.

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  4. How cool! Those action poses look very realistic.

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  5. Great matching up bodies! I wish I had those two ladies and their body donors. Maybe one day!

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    1. Thanks The grandmommy! I hope that you're able to get them!

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  6. Great match - I prefer the Herobuilders' body for your Venus Williams doll, too. Its articulation and build suits the tennis player better.

    Thanks for sharing these other articulated doll bodies.

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    1. Thanks D7ana! The Herobuilders bodies are a little weird, but it does suit Venus much better. I was so relieved to find out that the Frankenstein shoes do come off!

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