Issue 63 : Saturday 30th September, 2017
NECA are keeping their Gremlins license going with the release of this standard packed Mohawk Gremlin later in the year. He will follow up the very impressive Ultimate Gizmo, and we would hope he isn't the only Gremlin in the works by NECA - it would be great to open up the range to a new audience who may have missed the original releases. These packaged images have been released for Mohawk, which means a release (in US) isn't far behind. UK customers might be waiting a little longer.
NECA have revealed a few of their upcoming Robocop vs Terminator figures, based on the Frank Miller comic book mini-series, including a display of the figures at San Diego Comic-Con 2017. The Endo-Cop and Terminator Dog 2-pack are released at the end of October 2017. And we now have the first announcement from the range the Future Robocop who will get the Ultimate treatment.
NECA have shared the following early design for the box packaging for their Robocop vs Terminator releases. The image is specifically for the Endocop and Robo-Dog, but we would assume the same design principle will apply to the Ultimate Future Robocop release.
The 7" scale figure comes with rockets, missiles, pistol and an articulated shoulder cannon. He will be packed in the Ultimate display box with opening flap. The release date for this figure is scheduled for December 2017
It seems likeness rights for movies like Aliens and Predator are not as simple as say an all encompassing licence like Star Wars, with companies having to negotiate not only with the licence holder but also with the individual actors. This is the main reasons we have not had many human figures in the NECA Aliens line to date. It seems one figure that has now got to the top of fans lists (after the eventual release of Vasquez) is her partner Drake.
NECA's next Ultimate Predator release looks to be shaping up as the Wolf Predator from Alien vs Predator : Requiem. This behind the scenes image has been shared by the team at NECA and shows the release with three head options and a plethora of weapon and accessory choices. Wolf will sit on the 2018 schedule and being a work in progress is subject to change at this stage. "It's been a while since we've had a #Prednesday let's make it a good one. Ultimate Wolf in the works 2018. Not final subject to changes"
From the 1992 Dark Horse comic book mini-series written by Frank Miller and drawn by Walt Simonson, Future RoboCop gets the “Ultimate” treatment! When fate reveals that the technology that built RoboCop will lead to the creation of Skynet, Alex Murphy must engage in time-twisting battle against both the murderous computer network and the human resistance fighters out to destroy him. This 7” scale action figure is loaded with rockets and missiles – he’s even got a shoulder cannon machine gun that’s articulated! Ultimate Future RoboCop features over 25 points of articulation and includes an Auto 9 pistol accessory. Comes in display-friendly window box packaging with opening flap.
While early exchanges instigated by fans on Twitter between actor Mark Rolston and NECA seemed fruitless, the following Tweet from Mark and reply by NECA have filled many Alien collectors with hope that we will finally add Drake to our collections in 2018.
NECA's Ultimate Ash, from Ash vs The Evil Dead, will be shipping in the US in October (hopefully into UK soon after). The packaging for this release has now been unveiled by NECA and it comes complete with a lenticular front cover. "Perfect for an October release, our Ash vs Evil Dead - 7" Scale Action Figure - Ultimate Ash will be shipping in just 2 weeks. Check out the finalized window box packaging with bonus lenticular cover below!"
After seeing the Diamond Select Kingdom Hearts figures at Toy Fair back at the start of 2017 they seem to have snuck up on us (me) without much noise or fuss and are hitting Walgreens stores in the US. The figures are going to be a two fold release, as is often the case with Diamond figures. The basic range - as pictured below - is exclusive to Walgreens in the US and is unlikely to get any release in this format outside of the States. There will then be a Select range which puts the same figures into the Select packaging with some additional accessories. The first wave of these will be Sora, Axel and Mickey & Pluto into Walgreens. In the Select range the first wave will be two three figure packs - Mickey, Axel and Soldier in one pack. Sora, Dusk and Shadow in the second pack. Pluto will remain exclusive to Walgreens in US and will therefore be the hardest to find for collectors outside the USA.
NECA have shared this image from the desk of sculptor Kyle Windrix. It is one of the upcoming Series 13 Kenner inspired Aliens, and the common consensus is it is NECA's interpretation of the Kenner Snake Alien. "Some incredible detail courtesy of Kyle Windrix."
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If this is a current image, it seems we may have quite a gap between Series 12 (on shelf) and Series 13 which would likely be in the 1st half of 2018. That would make sense considering the Alien vs Predator Video Game range that would provide a stop gap over the Xmas period.
Diamond have released this image to retailers for the upcoming 7th wave of their Ghostbusters Select series. From Series 6 through to Series 8, the range will switch to figures from the GBII sequel. Series 6 was confirmed as Ray, Louis in GB Uniform and Vigo. Series 7 will be Winston with Slimeblower, Yanosz and Egon. The final series will bring us GBII Peter, Winston and Ray with Slimeblower. Series 9 and 10 will then be based on the Real Ghostbusters animated series.
The 7" Diamond Select Daredevil, based on the Netflix TV series, is a bit of an enigma at present as to how he will fit in with the usual Diamond Select Marvel range, While technically an MCU character, these packaged images indicate he is being treated more like a comic book figure with a classic comic Daredevil side art panel and graphics in line with the comic book releases. The Netflix logo's are there, but the overall look is certainly more aligned to the comic book releases. Following on from Spider-Man, Iron-Man and Captain America, the next Marvel release in Tamashii Nations Manga Realization line will be this impressive War-Machine figure. The Realization line re-imagines our heroes but in a Feudal Japan setting. We therefore see War-Machine in Samurai inspired armour with contemporary weapons like that enormous over the shoulder cannon. The figure uses the base body of the Realization Iron-Man but has a new chest section, new paint job and the new weaponry. While the other Marvel releases to date, and the Star Wars releases before them, I have always been able to recognise whom Tamashii are re-realizing... with this one I struggled with an immediate recognition. While he does look cool, he doesn't instantly scream War-Machine. War-Machine looks like he will be a Bandai Webstore exclusive and will be released in March 2018 with pre-orders open now
As fans we felt a little disappointed by the removal of the unmasked Matt Murdock head from the set. But what is that I spy in the packaging, is that a little extra inclusion from Diamond by means of a black articulated display stand? Looks like the Devil of Hell's kitchen is going to be a similar design to comic book Star Lord with a plug socket in his back for the stand. This is going to lend itself to some pretty impressive dynamic poses IF the articulation meets our expectations. While the front and side of the pack scream Comic Select, the card rear is more aligned to what we see on the MCU releases. There is no "also available" which again indicates this releases hasn't quite found its place in the Select range.
Have a look at this promotional material for the upcoming Medicom MAFEX Wonder-Woman and Aquaman from the Justice League movie. First up is Aquaman who will come with two head sculpts - one neutral and one that appears to be an angry expression. He also comes with his trident and a motherbox
Mezco celebrated Batman day with the announcement of a special "black" version of their One:12 Collective Ascending Batman. The figure will be limited to 1939 pieces as a nod to the year Batman first appeared in the Detective Comic.
Medicom's love affair with the Dark Knight Trilogy opens another chapter with the announcement of this new 1/12 MAFEX figure from the movie. We've already had a couple of Joker figures, as played by Heath Ledger, but this is the Joker in the GCPD Police Officer disguise. It comes with a very impressive, and slightly disturbing, head portrait of Ledger - complete with removable hat. A rifle completes the look. But wait, there is more. This set will also include a new Joker headsculpt, and two shirted arms. These parts allow you to take your existing long coated joker, and create the jacketless look as seen in the movie when The Joker is in the GCPD Precinct. At present a May 2018 date is tentatively in place.
This variant comes with all the same gubbins as the standard release, but with an alternative all black outfit.
Wonder Woman also includes two head options and is well armed with her sword, shield and her Lasso of Truth - in fact the Lasso is presented as a wound version to hang from her belt, or an extended version that can be held with both hands. She also gets a Motherbox, and this seems to be something that MAFEX are going to include with all their Justice League releases.
You can pre-order Batman Day Exclusive Black Variant Batman now (in US) for shipping in early 2017 (Feb-April). He carries the standard $80 RRP. It is not clear if this version will be made available outside of US.
We now await pricing and release dates and how these fit in with the other Justice League releases that we saw at SDCC 2017. It is understood that these will probably land in April 2018.
introducing the Batman Day Exclusive One:12 Collective Batman-Ascending Knight: Black Variant. Paying homage to how Batman first appeared back in the 1939 Detective Comic, the design of this figure is inspired by his earliest look. The limited edition production run of 1939 pieces nods to his first year protecting the citizens of Gotham.
McFarlanes 7" range of The Walking Dead figures is growing even further in 2018 with the announcement of two new figures. First is Ezekiel, who will come with his cane (and it's hidden blade) as well as the usual format collectors stand. Ezekiel will be released in February 2018 A wise and theatrical personality, Ezekiel, often referred to as ‘King Ezekiel,” is the leader of the peaceful community known as The Kingdom. Flanked by his pet tiger Shiva at his side, Ezekiel has a reluctant truce with The Saviors, but makes sure to keep the security of his kingdom in tact.
New York Comic Con is on the horizon and exclusives are starting to be confirmed for what is essentially the 2nd biggest con after San Diego. McFarlane and Skybound are once again teaming up for the show with exclusive comic-book The Walking Dead Product. Up first is a two pack of Ezekiel and Shiva. Ezekiel will come with his cane with its hidden blade and a "real" chain to keep on a short lease. There will be a clean version of this pack and a "bloody version". This release is the 5" scale - so it fits with the existing Walking Dead line that is currently exclusive to Walgreens in the US.
● Spectacular likeness of Ezekiel taken from 3D scans of actor Khary Payton ● Figure includes Ezekiel’s Shikomizue (cane staff with sword) ● Cane staff features removable sword ● Designed with 15 points of articulation for dynamic posing ● Figure features a stylized The Walking Dead® branded display base and showcased in window box packaging
And we then have Saviour Prisoner Daryl. This is the second release of Daryl as a figure, but it looks to have a new head-sculpt rather than use the one from the earlier release. He comes with a mop accessory and display base. Daryl will also arrive in stores in February 2018.
There is then a single carded release of Beta. Again there are two versions one is a greyscale bloody version, the other full colour and clean. The figure comes with double knives. He is listed as a 6" figure, but will most likely be in scale with the 5" range the same as Ezekiel.
After Negan executed Abraham and Glenn in front of the other survivors, he instructed the Saviors to take Daryl hostage. Taking Daryl as an insurance policy, Negan informed Rick that he would comply with Negan’s rules, or else his prisoner, Daryl, would suffer dire consequences. ● Spectacular likeness of Daryl sculpted from images of the actor Norman Reedus ● Figure is featured in the Savior prisoner outfit worn by Daryl in Season 7 of The Walking Dead® ● Figure includes mop accessory ● Designed with 15 points of articulation for dynamic posing ● Figure features a stylized The Walking Dead® branded display base and showcased in window box packaging
Review : Sean Fifield Prometheus (NECA) Wave/Series : Lost Wave Released : July 2017 ÂŁ22.99 Pros : That Gruesome Head Sculpt Cons : Helmet will not fit without disassembling the head (and no instructions to do this) Our look at the Prometheus Lost Wave (or Wave 3) comes to an end with the most visually impressive figure - the disfigured Sean Fifield.
The rear of the pack starts with the starfield backdrop and the Prometheus logo and then a repeat of the character name, Sean Fifield, in larger text. We then see the backdrop blend to the hieroglyphics image we see on the front, on top of this is a paragraph about Fifields role on the Prometheus mission. A large image of Fifield's head and torso sits to the side of this text in a lighter blue triangle. Under this, in similar triangles, are the rest of the Prometheus range - both the 2017 releases and the original 2012/3 releases. As I have said on the reviews for Vickers and Shaw - this is a bit of a double edged sword in that while it keeps the packaging and the wave linked, despite the 5 year gap. But it may also be confusing for new collectors who won't be able to find any of the original figures in stores at retail, and will find the prices have skyrocketed on the secondary market.
Like Shaw, Fifield was first revealed in 2012 but would later be cancelled until NECA resurrected the wave some 5 years later. Like Shaw and Vickers, Fifield arrives in the standard NECA blister packaging. The backdrop are hieroglyphics inspired by the movie with a starfield header and an electric blue Prometheus logo.
Out of the packaging we are presented with Fifield, his helmet and the torch accessory. Your eye will obvious go directly to the head sculpt on the figure, which is particularly impressive - even for the level NECA work at on a consistent basis. The head does a great job of both looking like the actor, Sean Harris, while in full mutant make-up.
The backing paper, it's too thin to be called card, was the most bent and distorted of the wave on Fifield, as best illustrate on the centre image above. The blister was also mis-shapen at one side and had bulged and expanded at some point between being sealed and me unpacking it from the delivery. The same thin paper is used as an insert at the front of the blister. Here we get the character name in a similar light blue font on a starfield background. Unlike the majority of the wider Aliens range, there is no side art - but this was not used on the original Prometheus figures either which does make the Lost Wave consistent with the 2012/3 releases.
The skin is a textured and pock-marked with an enlarged cranium. The eyes are deep set, but painted well with clear defined pupils. The teeth and individually sculpted and sit behind the lips and what is left of Fifield's moustache. What remains of a beard and hair is draped over the head and round the chin. All of this detail is painted in a glossy flesh tone, with brown wash to bring out the scarring and pock-marks. There are red patches for blood and areas of black wash to represent the black liquid running down the face. Even the teeth and lips are painted, with my only criticism being a strand of hair that looks like it should be black and is in fact flesh toned.
The Spacesuit is designed really well and is consistent with the onscreen prop. It is made up of a blue undersuit, on top of which are panels to encompass the chest, shoulders, forearms, thighs and knees. Each panel has sculpted lines and detailing, down to intricate bolts and fastenings at the knees and round the belt. The blue suit is weathered and dirtied to quite an extreme level. There are then decals applied to the front of the torso for the Prometheus logo. To the rear of the neck piece is the Weyland Yutani logo. And to the side of the chest panel is a Spartan helmet logo in a red box. While each of these are very well applied and crisp in detail - they should be as dirty as the suit and have been applied after the weathering and not before..
Fifields body is the same as designed and revealed in 2012 and the articulation is consistent with that era - while Shaw and Vickers seem to be upgraded at some point in the 5 year hiatus. The body does pretty much all you would want it to do. The head rotates and will look up and down marginally until the beard blocks the movement. The arms are ball jointed at the shoulder so both move out to a right angle and they rotate. The elbows are a single joint and bend to 90 degrees. While the elbows have a rotate function, this is stopped by the panels of the space suit - this leaves the arms a little restricted and unable to come together. The arm articulation ends with ball jointed wrists and that gives each hand the ability to swivel as well as bend forward and backward.
What you can't get is the spider pose that the crew find him in with his legs wrapped around his head. The hips are an older type of T-joint and while they allow the legs to swing into a sitting position and out to the side, they are not overly flexible - they do also spoil the look of the figure when posed compared to the ball joints and flexible groins that we now see on NECA figures. The knees are double jointed, and just above them sits a thigh swivel. There is then a fairly stiff ankle rocker which rotates and moves back and forth. Standing Fifield is not an issue.
Accessory number one is the melted and damaged Spacesuit helmet. This comes separate in the pack, and within the helmet itself is a small baggie containing the helmet/shoulder camera. The helmet weathering is absolutely stunning - you would almost think it actually had been burned and melted. Even the broken glass edge looks sharp enough to cut you (it isn't of course). Now here comes my first gripe about this figure - and it is a big one I am afraid. It is impossible to put the helmet onto the figure over the head. I've tried numerous times - and having read other reviews it is not just me - every reviewer has found the same. The only way to get the helmet on is to pop off the head - which will need some warming up via hot water or a hairdryer to make it budge. Even with the head off the process isn't easy as you have to slot the helmet into the neck piece then work within the helmet confines to push the head back onto the plug. While I appreciate NECA re-used a lot of parts on this figure - there is no excuse for including a helmet that cannot be worn. There is not even any instructions on what to do, you are left to figure it out. I wonder how many non-seasoned collectors will be willing to pull off a figures head?
The chest and waist are articulated and with what feels like ball joints in each. This means you can bend Fifield's torso quite a way forward or backward in relation to his legs. This does mean a fairly satisfactory crawling pose can be reached if you want to replicate that portion of the movie as Fifield mercilessly beats his way up the Prometheus ramp. You will also be able to reverse this pose to have him laid backwards - all ready to be run over by that rover.
Once the helmet is in place and the head re-attached, the look of Fifield is now complete and replicates what we see in the movie. The head fills the helmet void and stares menacingly out of the broken glass. The blackened helmet actually enhances the sculpt and makes the paint pop against this darker background.
The Fifield figure, as we have alluded to through the review, is a direct re-use of the original 2012 David-8 body - with the helmet amended and a new head sculpt. The weathering obviously darkens the suit and dirties it, and NECA haven't included the tubing that they use on David-8 between the helmet and backpack.
The camera, that comes in that small baggie, is an articulated piece which fits on the prow of the helmet. It slots in easy enough and can be posed in terms of the orientation it points. It also fits on a slot in the shoulder. Again, neither operation is explained anywhere on or within the packaging.
Fifield is a visually impressive figure and in the Alien 7" world does that very unique thing of being a bad guy that isn't a Xenomorph. This makes him a nice change for your Alien Universe display. The sculpt cannot be faulted both the head and body are faultless and the paint is really well applied.
The final accessory for Fifield is very bizarre. It is the torch/data pad that came with the original David-8 release. Considering NECA's usually attention to detail, throwing in this piece feels lazy - particularly as other options already exist like the Hammerpedes which originally infect him in the Engineer's ship. The accessory itself is crisp and well cast in a black plastic. It has neat white panelling and a white lens for the torch.
The big issue lies with the helmet and the difficulty in getting it fitted. I also find the inclusion of the torch a bit odd? I am going to take a star off for these two concerns and award Sean Fifield an impressive 4 out of 5.
Checkout the alternative covers that didn’t make the front page this week
Issue 63 : Saturday 30th September, 2017