Quest for Dark Beasts

[Ghouldrool]

A great line with larger 5 inch knights, awesomely huge creatures and fantastic Gargoyles. Most of the creatures are perfectly suited to fall in with the normal 3 3/4 inch scale knights and other fantasy lines Chap Mei has put out. As such, I value this line very highly!

Let's kick things off with some catalogue shots.



These are three smaller sets which include one of the three figures in this line and a recoloured horse, courtesy of the earlier Medieval Knights line.



Here's where the fun begins. These chariot sets are awesome. The two headed wolf has to be seen to be believed in terms of awesomeness. The good side gets a repaint of the Wild Quest lion, this time in white with a saddle and ball jointed wings!

The best part about this line is the inclusion of the Gargoyles.





And finally, an enormous Giant Spider in the biggest set.

[Ghouldrool]

Aside from the above sets, Quest for Dark Beasts saw some additional sets released. Here's some examples that were released as a sort of unofficial second wave. Apparently, this white repaint of the red Gargoyle is a UK exclusive:



But the Goblin Gargoyle also saw rerelease in a smaller set:



The same is true for the great purple dragon with saddle that was available in the Legends of Knights line. In Quest for Dark Beasts the creature was repainted in a darker tone:



And perhaps best of all, the electronic Giant Spider saw rerelease as well, with the inclusion of the awesome four armed Orc Chieftain that was available in Medieval Knights.

[Ghouldrool]

Here are some of the Gargoyles from Quest for Dark Beasts out of the box.

[Ghouldrool]

This is another loose shot of one of those large horses that were also available in Medieval Knights.

[dinoviper]

My two favorite fantasy creatures are dragons and gargoyles. I love gargoyles even more because they are not typically included in regular fantasy. They belong more in the Gothic and horror stories and films rather then knights and dragons. I did come across an audio book we would listen to at work in the lab called, Wizards First Rule by Terry Goodkind that is fantasy based and contains both dragons and gargoyles. Chap Mei caught the gargoyle bug about a year and a half ago. They introduced a 4 inch line based on the Legend of the Knights called Knights Quest for Dark Beasts. The most popular figures of the line were the two massive 7 inch gargoyles. These two Gargoyles named Mars and Argus eventually showed up at Toy R Us over a year ago in the animal planet exclusives line in different packaging. Bacchus was a smaller gargoyle figure that was part of the Dark Beasts line but did not appear in the U.S. until half a year later.



Let us began with Argus. Argus is one of the only gargoyles that features lights and sound, although the version in the United States did not feature. Argus could move both wings up and down. His left arm could rotate and he held a spiked club which the American version did not come with. His other arm could move slightly and is what activated the light and sound. Both his mouth and eyes would light up red and green. His waist and tail also rotated. His head rotated and could be removed from the neck in order to replace the batteries. No such electronic device exists in the American version. Argus did come with a set of chains shackles that attached around his hip and neck and spiked bracelets went around his wrists and legs. Argus is painted in a gray and dull blue it appears that Chap Mei forgot to paint him below the waist because it is a solid dull blue and looks like he is wearing nylon active wear. Animal planet had versions with a fact card which during production of the packaging must have gotten mixed up. His card reads dragon gargoyle when it should read goblin gargoyle because he does appear goblin like. It is best for me to go by the names Chap Mei gave them in order to avoid any confusion.



Mars is the dragonoid gargoyle and his European figure came with a light up staff. Of course the American version had no such thing. This is by far my favorite gargoyle Chap Mei produced. Perhaps it is his reptilian persona or the fact he is simply a gargoyle. He appears very demonic looking with his red scaly skin and huge gray wings. He could very well come right out of the pages of the book of Revelation. A lot of time was taken in detailing every scale and tooth he is a big sturdy figure. Both of Mars arms rotate his legs move and neck turns from side to side. His wings move up and down and I only wish that his reptilian tail could move. Mars wears a sinister looking belt with a sinister skull on its buckle. Mars also has some wicked chest armor and the spiked shoulder pads look like King Koopas shell. The only parts on Mars not painted red are the armor, belt and wings. The top of the head and horn are painted black with green beady eyes. Mars along with Argus first appeared at Toys R Us over a year ago. His fact card has been incorrectly misidentified as with Argus. His card should read Dragon Gargoyle instead of Goblin Gargoyle.



Bacchus is perhaps the most authentic looking gargoyle out of all of them however he is smaller and does not have any articulation. He is also the only gargoyle that stands on all fours and will not fall over. Until recently Bacchus was near impossible to get in the United States. You had to know someone over seas to pick one up. Backus was painted a dark gray, had purple membranous wings and green eyes. Bacchus may in fact be a pet to either Knight Titus or his larger Gargoyle cousins. There are two ways to get Backus if you live in the United States, you were lucky to pick one up at Big Lots. They carried two Knights Dark Beasts figure packs one with Lord Kestrel and the other with Knight Titus. They were only available for a short time and were quickly picked up. The other way is recently a set for $14.99 at Toys R Us was sold containing Mars, a small knight, a large two headed wolf, and Bacchus.

[Jbyrdd]

I was fortunate enough to find the 2 big Gargoyles at my local Toys-r-Us a couple years ago, i have never seen them there again or anything else from them, now they have Animal Planet toys, nice and all, but these was tons better, wish they would return.

[rocklord74]

I love the winged lion. Kind of wish I got into these sooner but I feel it's way to late now. I'm sure I'd have to spend a small fortune playing catch up.

[Ghouldrool]

As a friendly heads up to Thorhawk: a friend of mine won your Winged Lion. It's coming my way!

[Ghouldrool]

The largest Quest for Dark Beasts box has a backside, which reveals more product and names. Sadly, I don't see a name with the picture of the Winged Lion, which is a shame, because I LOVE the creature and would have loved to have known the proper name. Looks like I will have to come up with one myself, because - for this set at least - the lion's left nameless. Take a look.

[Ghouldrool]

Another great Chap Mei score thanks to a friend who snagged it for me, it's the Winged Lion!



This is actually a creature from Quest for Dark Beasts, the line that also included the Gargoyles. It was made alongside 5 inch knights.



However, since Medieval Kingdom came out, the mythical Lion now has its proper 3 3/4 inch master, King Leo.



This is actually a repaint of the lion that was featured in early Wild Quest sets, only in white with a better face and mane paint app, and of course the saddle with added not-quite-balljointed wings.



Since Chap Mei never named the fearsome steed, I came up with a name myself: Atrox!



Now, King Leo can finally charge into battle on Atrox, a steed fit for a King!



Alongside Thun, and White Fang.



"Sound the charge! Take them head on! CHAAAARGE!!"

[dinoviper]

Mars Gargoyle (white)

When the Knights Quest for the Dark Beasts were released there was a variant of the Mars Gargoyle a white skinned version that was very rare and nonexistent here in the United States. Like its darker red predecessor the white variant has the same articulation and sculpting. It is also believe to carry a scepter or staff with light up action. Alas mine came with no such weapon. I have to say I prefer the white version over the red because of the albino look with the pink and white. It also shares the same characteristics as the reptilian Draco. In UFO-lore the extraterrestrial race known as the Draco a reptilian bipedal entity possessing wings and a tail who consider the white skinned Draco there royal elite reptoids.com.

[monsterboy]

I'm rediscovering my gargoyles this summer. Man I miss chap mei.

[Swift]

Huh, did not know the white dragon-man was EU exclusive. Here in Hungary, he is quite common on flea markets and auction sites (never saw him in package, though)

[nikosmakos]

hello here is my set i have, if someone want this i sell them, via paypal or ebay

[thunderbolt]

Dec 27, 2011 9:19:21 GMT -5 Ghouldrool said:

The largest Quest for Dark Beasts box has a backside, which reveals more product and names. Sadly, I don't see a name with the picture of the Winged Lion, which is a shame, because I LOVE the creature and would have loved to have known the proper name. Looks like I will have to come up with one myself, because - for this set at least - the lion's left nameless. Take a look.



This is definitely my favorite Chap Mei line.  The Knights are incredible, and the Gargoyles/Demons are awesome.  The wolf is amazing, and the chariots are very clever.

But I need to know the name of the evil Bull Knight!  Thax or something like that?

And does anyone else find it interesting that Mars is apparently a good guy demon?  He's pictured as being on the side of King Richard on the back of the box and is paired against the evil Knight in a two pack.