Issue 74 : Saturday 24th February, 2018
Welcome to #SatTOYday Issue 74, the 2nd half of our Toy Fair 2018 coverage. If you’re not familiar with This publication, then please let me introduce ourselves as The Mephitsu Archives, a UK based Action Figure news & review website with a focus on 6-7” figures from TV and Movies. Our Toy Fair coverage sticks (generally) to that focus area, so across the rest of the issue you will find details from Toy Fair from NECA, Hasbro, McFarlane, Funko and Mezco. There was a bunch of news announced pre-Toy Fair and that was all covered in Issue 73, so why not check back one issue to catch up on everything the companies couldn’t quite wait to tell you about. Feel free to join us on Social Media to tell us all about your favourite reveals, any disappointments from Toy Fair and what will be on your 2018 Action Figure shopping list… Before we go can we say a thank you to the following sites for their extensive toy fair coverage - Ultrazilla, The Fwoosh, ToyArk, Yakface and Figure.com Regards
Mephitsu
The Mezco team have shared a wealth of their own images and shots from Toy Fair 2018 which gives us a much better look at their offerings from New York.
The DC reveals were a lt slimmer than Marvel with a new John Stewart Green Lantern along with a look at the DC Movie Flash. Other figures on display have been announced or have been seen before including the Joker, Darkseid and the various Batman figures.
Black Panther, Thor, Hulk and the two Spider-Man Homecoming figures had been announced prior to Toy Fair 2018, and the Daredevil in his red/black suit was seen last year. While Punisher was a natural next release from the Netflix arm of the MCU, we hadn't expected another new Daredevil - now in his Season 1 early black suit.
Horror figures from Mezco look to be giving fans an alternative from NECA who appear to have cornered the market to date. These 6" versions from classic licences include Jason from Friday the 13th and Michael Myers - who NECA can't do at the moment due to licence issues. We saw more of the two zombies from Day of the Dead, who look great. And finally checkout Ash from Evil Dead, completed with his trusty chainsaw. Amongst the "others" we saw the John Wick figure announced just before Toy Fair. We got another chance to see the Ghostbusters as well as the Diabolik and Popeye figures.
Going back to Thor, Ragnarok and Hulk and Thor were displayed overlooked by a brand new Hela figure. Something doesn't quite look right about Hela perhaps the head is a touch big or perhaps it is the soft goods suit.
Finally Mezco are giving us two King Kong figures. 2018 will see the smaller 7" release, or you can wait for 2019 and pickup the fearsome 18" version who is truly a monster.
For comic book fans we got another look at Doctor Strange and then had figures confirmed for Cable and Blade.
Venom Wave
Within the Hasbro presentation on Day 1 was a large reveal of brand new Marvel Legend products. We will take a look at the MCU movie releases in a bit, but there was also slew of comic book based releases. The announcements completed waves we knew so much about already, and also shared brand new ones. They break down as follows
Another movie for 2018 that isn't technically attached to the MCU is Venom. Like Deadpool, Hasbro won't be making direct movie figures (as far as we know) but they are putting out a Venom comic book wave to coincide with the movie release.
Deadpool Wave Everyone's favourite merc with the mouth is back in his 2nd movie outing this year, and while the Disney/Fox deal doesn't look advanced enough to allow Hasbro to produce actual movie figures, they are going to maximise the hype the movie will bring with another Deadpool wave.
Venom and Carnage were announced pre Toy Fair 2018, however it was confirmed at the show that both will get alternative head sculpts
Already confirmed ahead of the show was the X-Men Deadpool, Omega Red and Lady Deadpool. It was confirmed that Headpool will be included alongside Lady Deadpool.
Joining the wave were "pant-less" Deadpool and Bishop. The build a figure is a very impressive Sauron. One slot does remain in this wave, and the strong indication is that this will be an X-23
The other figures in the wave are Scream, Poison - the recent addition to the Venom-verse and Spider-ham who will come with alternative Pork Grind head
X-Men Wave The majority of this wave had already been announced in 2017.
The two new figures confirmed to complete the wave were the Uncanny X-Men Magneto and a classic Sabertooth, ready to battle the Tiger Stripe Wolverine also included in the wave.
Shortly after Toy Fair, pre-orders started to go up for this 2nd wave of Avengers 2018 figures confirming the other two figures as Black Widow and Thor with Black Dwarf (Cull Obsidian) from Thanos' Black Order as the Build-a-figure. There are no images of these three at present. This wave, in the UK at least, is down to ship in July so it will arrive after the movie is released.
Spider-Man Wave From right to left we have a House of M Spider-Man. Updated classic comic book Electra. Scarlet Spider which is apparently on a brand new buck body and comes with arm stingers. Cloak and Dagger, where Cloak can be stood on his own or combined with the Dagger body, Dagger will come with an fx piece to simulate her light dagger firing ability. The rest of the wave is made up of Psylocke, Multiple Man and Gladiator. The Build a Figure is a classic Apocalypse
Avengers Wave When the Black Knight was announced in October 2017 at the MCM London Comic-Con it was not clear where he would fit in terms of a release. An Avengers wave was mentioned at the time, and not long afterwards Hasbro did confirm that he would be part of a 2nd Avengers wave in 2018.
Joining Black Knight in the wave will be the movie figures for Ant-Man and the Wasp. Assuming there is no big costume change, these will work for both Infinity War and the Ant-Man & The Wasp movie later in the year. The fourth figure will be a repaint of the Malekith figure.
We get a brand new Doctor Octopus, and another new buck body is in use here. Daredevil is technically a repaint, now in the colours of his most recent comic book run - black suit with red trim. And the build a figure for the 6-figure wave is SP//DR the Mechanical Spider Suit piloted by Penny Parker in one of the alternative Spider-verse Earths.
Ultimate Riders Following on from the release of the first Ultimate Rider sets - Black Widow and Ghost Rider - the next figure and motorbike release will be Wolverine in his classic white vest and jeans.
Toys R Us will be getting a comic based Ant-Man 2 pack containing classic Ant-Man and his daughter in her Stinger Suit. They are also getting a Days of Future Past set containing Wolverine and a Sentinel. This was not shown at the show, but the Sentinel is apparently going to re-use 2011 Marvel Universe 14" Sentinel sculpt, which at the time was for the 3.75" line of figures.
And our final comic book exclusive, as previously announced, is a tweak of the comic Thanos build a figure who will be single packed as a Walmart US exclusive.
Exclusives Walgreens will continue their Fantastic Four themed exclusive releases by adding Thing this year to complete the FF4 and he will be followed by a Silver Surfer. Thing will come with two head options while Surfer has "glittering" effect paint work?
We were aware, thanks to leaks before Toy Fair, of a series of releases in 2018 celebrating 10 years of the MCU. While we had seen a couple of these before the show I don't think anyone realised how deep this celebratory set of figures was going to be. Essentially we have 10 sets coming in 2018 and these pretty much breakdown into one release per year of the MCU, so 2008 through to 2018. They range from single figures to three packs, and if you collect them all and display them side on in their packaging they make up a freeze celebrating 10-years of Marvel movies.
Within this we get to revisit some very sorely missed figures such as Ronan the Accuser and Yellow Jacket. We also get a welcome re-release of the Hulkbuster armour and some new Iron-Man armours such as the Mark 1, Mark 7 and the Mark 22 "Hot Rod". The Infinity War set still remains "unconfirmed" but there are strong indications from the artwork that Doctor Strange will be one figure, another potentially being Thanos - maybe in the armour he has been criticised as not wearing in the Avengers wave.
Product was also on display in the Legend series for Ant-Man & The Wasp. Figures of both the titular characters will be released later this year. Both have masked and unmasked head, and the unmasked Ant-Man head has a very "Scott Lang" expression. These will be packed within a 2nd Avengers wave later in 2018 alongside comic book figures of the Black Knight and repaint of Malekith. And as we mentioned earlier in our look at the comic book figures - the wave will also include Infinity War versions of Thor, Black Widow and a Cull Obsidian BAF.
And they are not apparently finished with Black Panther as an Everett Ross & Killmonger (unmasked) are going to Target (US) stores as an exclusive. Sadly Killmonger is not in his tribal mask from his early Black Panther scenes and is simply a re-pack of the single Killmonger with an unmasked Michael B Jordan head sculpt.
Hasbro held a full presentation panel on Day 1 of the show, combining announcements from all their major properties. The Star Wars element didn’t disappoint with a number of new reveals. As well as the Solo (A Star Wars Story) figures and the Porg 2-pack, the following figures were announced for 2018 Admiral Holdo, with soft goods Tobias Beckett from Solo (Woody Harrelson) Hoth Leia w/ goggles and hydro-spanner Mimban Stormtrooper from Solo (Walmart Exclusive) Commander Wolffe (Gamestop) Zuckuss (Toys R Us Exclusive) Droid 3 pack of R2-X2, R5-D8, R2-D2 (Amazon) Gamorrean Guard w/ articulated jaw (Target Exclusive)
Looking at the droid 3-pack we originally assumed the R5 unit was R5-D4. It has since been revealed this is actually R5-D8. If you checkout the legs you will see the blue is missing. R5-D8 was the droid used by Jek Porkins in the battle of Yavin. Also announced was number 3 in the Black Series Centrepiece collection. This one is Kylo Ren and is based on his attack on Jakku at the start of The Force Awakens where he stops the laser beam from Poe. While the first two statues had obvious "additions" in terms of existing figures you could add to the diorama, this one seems odd unless the intention is to add First Order Troopers behind Kylo - although there does not appear to be room? Further images from the Toy Fair show floor show what could be a similar option to the Hoth Centrepiece with two versions of the front “sand” area, one of these is then pegged for Black Series figures.
It is sad to see that over half of these are exclusives to US retailers, and especially when they aren't niche characters but big elements of the Original Trilogy like the Gamorrean Guard and Zuckuss. The biggest worry is the Gamorrean as the Target exclusives in the past have been the hardest to get into UK and this is a figure many will go big for Army building. We will now await Hasbro and what they can do to rectify the international availability.
We've added these into our Star Wars Black Series 2018 page for reference and await wave details. At this stage we are fairly sure Beckett is the mystery figure that had been codenamed Artemis from Solo. You can visit our extensive Star Wars Black Series archive by visiting us at www.mephitsu.co.uk
For vehicles we knew about the Hover Tank as pictured in the gallery above. What came as a huge shock was a 4ft $500 Vintage Collection Sail Barge - complete with Jabba and an Ithorian prisoner figure. There is a catch however, the release of the set is essentially dependant on a crowdfunding piece, done via Hasbro's new interactive collectors website Hasbro Lab (Haslab). They need a minimum of 5000 backers (orders) by Spring 2018 to start production on this monster. While the 3.75� Star Wars Vintage Collection was confirmed as returning last year, Toy Fair 2018 saw its first extensive showcase before the figures come back to store shelves in Spring 2018. The Solo figures are now added to the line up including Han Solo, the Range Trooper and Imperial Minban Stormtrooper with soft goods cloak Breakdown of figures for the first 3 waves are confirmed as follows Wave 1 Supreme Leader Snoke First Order Stormtrooper Hoth Rebel Trooper Sergeant Jyn Erso Kylo Ren Rey (Jakku) *apart from Snoke & Hoth Trooper these have all been released in 3.75" Black Series boxed packaging Wave 2 Combat Assault Tank Driver Han Solo from Solo (A Star Wars Story) Death Trooper (previously released in Walmart/Asda Black Series) Wave 3 Cassian Andor (previously released in Walmart/Asda Black Series) Luke Skywalker Exile (previously released in Walmart/Asda Black Series) Range Trooper Dr. Aphra Walmart (Asda?) Exclusives Rey (Island Journey) Mimban Stormtrooper
Following on from their 5.5" retro styled Mortal Kombat figures, Funko have announced two new licences in the line. The first is Thundercats, a classic licence that will translate well to the bulky 80's style. Lion-O and Mumm-Ra were present as full painted prototypes. We then had unpainted samples of further figures in the line including Tygra, Cheetara and Panthro. And villains Slithe and Jackalman.
One of the most anticipated movies for 2018 is Ready Player One and it seems Funko are the ones who will be bringing us the action figures. This four pack of what we assume are 3.75" figures was announced amongst Funko's enormous press release ahead of Toy Fair. While not quite Re:Action style, the figures do have that look about them and are similar to what Funko have been doing with the smaller Game of Thrones figures. The four pack is made up (from left to right) of Parzival, Art3mis, Aech and i-ROk, they will arrive in a window presentation box which is mocked up below.
The second is quite innovative and is titled Horror. It essentially takes icons of Horror and reimagines them as 1980's style action figures. The first figures will include Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Jason, Pin Head and Leatherface.
There will then be a line called Savage Lands which is essentially Conan the Barbarian. In the same scale as the Ready Player One figures, Funko will also be bringing IT figures to market in 2018 with these 3.75" Action Figures from the 2017 movie. There are three versions of Pennywise the Clown as well as the other main characters from the movie - Richie, Beverley, Eddie, Bill and Ben as well as Georgie in his yellow raincoat.
The Destiny line is getting bigger with a 3rd wave announced. Figures in the 3rd wave include Crucible Hunter, Parade Armour Titan and the Iron Banner Warlock. There is also a new 10" figure of Lord Shaxx
In the video game licence we have new Borderlands figures with a look at the new Tiny Tina figure. And over in The Walking Dead section we find a new 3 pack of the "allies", Daryl, Rick and Jesus.
As well as the official images of a 3rd series of single Stranger Things figures announced before the show (and covered in issue 73), McFarlane revealed two further Stranger Things releases. The first was the Ghostbusters 4 pack which has Mike, Will, Dustin and Lucas in their Halloween costumes. We saw this mocked up at the UK Toy Fair, but this full reveal is even more impressive. The other release is a two pack containing what will be the third figure of Dustin and Dart.
Diamond Select were showing off three full waves of their new Pacific Rim licence in their 7" select format. Wave 1 is due for release imminently and we were told about wave 2 a few weeks back. It seems wave 3 is also sculpted and finalised, and we await more details on these three new Jaegers While we await details, we can assume the three Jaegers in Series 3 are made up of November Ajax, Valor Omega and Scrapper. These Jaeger names are listed on Pacific Rim Wikipedia, but as yet there are no photos of which is which. Series 1 : Gipsy Avenger, Saber Athena, and Bracer Phoenix Series 2 : Obsidian Fury, Guardian Bravo, and Titan Redeemer Series 3 : TBC
While there was nothing on display to see at Toy Fair 2018, it was confirmed by Diamond Select Toys that they had acquired the licence to produce action figures from the John Wick movie. In a later tweet, Diamond confirmed the figures would be in the 7" Select format. "Just announced. No press release (yet) or pictures. 7 inch scale, Select scale" Diamond Select on Twitter THis is the second confirmation of John Wick figure after the Mezco One:12 announcement. With nothing on display we would assume this product from Diamond is very early in development and will be a 2019 release at the earliest.
Shartimus Prime has posted a video via YouTube revealing a brand new comic book based Beast figure from Diamond's Marvel Select line. The comic book Beast has been sculpted by Jean St. Jean who posted further images of the figure online over the Toy Fair weekend. "Marvel Select Beast! Finally my favorite mutant gets a Select, sculpted and painted by me, new danger room wall section to match up with my old Gambit and the other previous x-releases and a pair of alternate hands!" Jean St.Jean (Facebook) This was the only Marvel Select figure announced at Toy Fair 2018 with the rest of the display made up of the soon to arrive Thor from Ragnarok and the Black Panther movie figure.
The final two series of this second batch will be Real Ghostbusters based, and we saw all 6 releases for this in the flesh. The Ghostbusters are essentially re-using the movie figure bases with cartoon style heads attached and appropriate colouring on the suits. While this is OK, it doesn't scream animated for me and falls somewhere in between that doesn't feel quite right? They do have a nostalgia value, but whether they will be everyone's cup of tea remains to be seen.
One of the new reveals from the Diamond booth was the next few series of 7" Ghostbusters Select figures. With Series 6 about to hit stores we can now see Series 7 and 8 in the flesh, made up of figures from the Ghostbusters II movie. Series 7 will be made up of Janosz Poha and baby Oscar (not sure why the spelling is incorrect on the card), Egon in darker GB suit, Winston with Slime Blower. Series 9 includes Winston and Peter in darker suits and Ray with Slime Blower and alternative "possesses by Vigo" head. Egon and Peter look to be repaints from the first releases, with some amended equipment including Egon with the new PKE meter. Winston appears to have a new head sculpt.
We are also getting a Slimer figure. This looks to use the original body but includes three new heads with more animated styling particularly around the eyes. The final figure is brand new and is what appears to be a 8" (approx) Marshmallow Man. I am guessing this is a nod to the original Kenner toys where Mr Stay Puft was just a head or so taller than the Ghostbusters for play value. Whatever you think of Series 9 and 10 and the Real Ghostbusters styling, you will need to purchase all 6 of these figures to complete your Ghostbusters firehouse facade that runs as a build-a-diorama through series 6 to 10. The Real Ghostbusters figures are not expected until 2019 so we may see some more tweaking when they next roll these out for display at SDCC 2018.
While we all expected the reveal of the 2017 Pennywise the clown from IT, we certainly did not expect NECA to bring this one to the table - a 7" scale figure of Pennywise as played by TIm Curry in 1990. The figure is in the Ultimate format with four head options, monster hands and a noisemaker. Of course he also comes with a bunch of balloons as well as a paper boat to tempt you down into the sewers. Toy Fair gave us our first look at the NECA 7" scale Pennywise from IT. The figure had been teased ahead of the show, but here he is in all his glory.
The packaging will be the standard Ultimate closed box with the opening flap to reveal the figure. Pennywise will arrive in August 2018 and UK collectors should expect to pay between £26 and £30
IT - 7” SCALE ACTION FIGURE - ULTIMATE PENNYWISE (1990) IT - 7” SCALE ACTION FIGURE - ULTIMATE PENNYWISE (2017) From the acclaimed 2017 horror film IT Movie, drawn from the pages of Stephen King’s original novel, NECA presents the definitive version of #Pennywise in action figure form! Based on Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of the nightmare-inducing clown, this 7” scale figure has been painstakingly detailed to be as accurate to Pennywise’s ornate costume as possible. To recreate the most terrifying scenes from the movie, the fully articulated figure features three interchangeable heads, interchangeable hands, red balloon and paper boat. Comes in collector-friendly deluxe window box packaging with opening flap.
#NECA is thrilled to present one of our most frequently requested action figures of all time! From the revered 1990 horror mini-series Stephen King’s IT Movie, #Pennywise the killer clown takes action figure form. Based on Tim Curry’s portrayal of the terrifying clown, this 7” scale figure is faithful to his on-screen appearance and packed with detail and accessories. Pennywise is fully articulated and features a total of four interchangeable heads, plus alternate monster hands, noisemaker, bunch of balloons and paper boat. Comes in collector-friendly deluxe window box packaging with opening flap.
Fan’s of the Friday the 13th saga were not disappointed by the Jason reveals via the NECA booth at Toy Fair Friday the 13th - 7” SCALE ACTION FIGURE - ULTIMATE PART 2 JASON From the #FridayThe13th fear franchise, we present the definitive collector’s version of Jason as he appeared in Part 2 — featuring a 100% brand new Ultimate body! This deluxe 7” scale action figure has two interchangeable heads and over 25 points of articulation. It’s loaded with accessories, too: campfire, his mother’s severed head, machete and knife, pick axe, spear, and pitchfork. Packaged in a collector-friendly deluxe window box. Shipping Date: September 2018
Another new licence for NECA at Toy Fair 2018 is American Gods, based on the Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel and now a major TV series. The first figure is Laura Moon who is presented as she looked after being brought back to life. The figure includes swap out hands, feet and a detachable right arm and will ship in November 2018 American Gods - 7” SCALE ACTION FIGURE - LAURA MOON From the hit STARZ TV series based on Neil Gaiman’s best selling modern fantasy novel!
Friday the 13th - 1/4 SCALE ACTION FIGURE - PART 4 JASON Jason returns to #NECA’s quarter scale action figure line! This massive, all new 18” figure is based on his appearance in #FridayThe13 Part 4: The Final Chapter and features plenty of gruesome detail. You can even recreate his (not quite) fatal wound by sliding his machete into the side of his head. The figure has over 25 points of articulation and is packed with accessories: removable mask, two interchangeable head sculpts, interchangeable hands, knife, machete, and axe. Shipping Date: September 2018
Laura Moon returns from the grave as a 7” scale action figure. Based on her appearance after she is brought back to life by Mad Sweeney’s lucky coin just in time to kill the mob trying to lynch her husband, Laura stands approximately 6” tall and features the likeness of Emily Browning. The figure comes with interchangeable hands and feet and a detachable right arm.
While the Ash vs the Evil Dead have been doing well for NECA, it is the original Evil Dead 2 movie that provides the next installment of 7” goodness with this Ultimate Evil Dead 2-pack of Hero Ash vs Evil Ed, arriving 2nd Quarter 2018.
The next Predator release from NECA will be in the Ultimate format and is the Elder Predator. The character did appear in Predator II and often goes by the name of Greyback. This version however is based on his appearances in the Dark Horse comic series. As an Ultimate release, the Elder has three head options - two masked and one unmasked. There is the usual array of weaponry both mounted on the body and also in his hands like the vicious looking sword. Swap out hands are also included. As an Ultimate he will be packed in the opening window box with appropriate comic-book art. He will be shipping in October 2018 NECA have confirmed they are releasing an Ultimate Predator from the 2018 Predator movie. The figure is unable to be revealed until the movie release date in September - that seems to be contradictory to the shipping date of August?
In a first for the Ultimate series, NECA have announced an Ultimate Predator 2-pack made up of the Bad Blood and Enforcer Predators. Bad Blood comes with two head options, one unmasked and one with the Golden helmet in place. He has a swap out hand options and is armed with a spear and a machete. He also has a number of human heads to hang on his belt as trophies. Enforcer also comes with masked and unmasked head, spear, disc weapons and a swap out hand option.
#NECA presents our first action figure ever from Dark Horse Comics’ “Predator: 1718”! One of the most memorable moments in the 1990 film #Predator2 is when Elder Predator gives his flintlock pistol to Detective Harrigan as a sign of respect. “Predator: 1718” reveals the story of how Elder (whose coloration was more yellow in his younger days) originally acquired the pistol. It’s another #NECA first – an “Ultimate” action figure two-pack! We’ve upgraded our first action figures from Dark Horse Comics Predator: Bad Blood comic book series and given them new Ultimate bodies and new exclusive accessories (in addition to all previously released accessories). Ultimate Bad Blood and Ultimate Enforcer each have two interchangeable head sculpts: Bad Blood has a new masked head and Enforcer has a new unmasked head. Figures stand approximately 8" tall and feature new, less stylized deco and over 25 points of articulation.
The figure comes with 3 different heads, alternate hands, trophy necklace, smart disc, shoulder cannon, sword that fits in a back sheath, and flintlock pistol that tucks through his belt. Golden Angel Elder stands approximately 8.25” tall and features over 30 points of articulation. Collector-friendly deluxe window box packaging with opening flap. Shipping Date: October 2018
After teasing their appearance in late 2017, NECA have confirmed the release details for their Capcom Alien vs Predator inspired Major Dutch Schaefer and Linn. The figures are stylised in the video game style and are modeled on the playable characters from the Capcom video game. Dutch will come with a mechanical arm which has an attachable fx blast effect, he also has a backpack and swap out hand options. Linn has her sword and gun and these fit into working sheaths on her costume.
NECA announced their Guillermo Del Toro signature collection at SDCC 2017 and two prototypes were shown for Pan's Labyrinth and the Devil's backbone. Fast forward to Toy Fair 2018 and NECA have revealed full detail of their Pale Man from Pan's Labyrinth. Not only do we get a figure of the Pale Man, but we also get a very detailed Underworld Throne. Both of which will be packed in window box packaging and will be released in August 2018
The figures will be presented in a 2-pack and will ship in October 2018
Alien vs Predator (ARCADE APPEARANCE) - 7” SCALE ACTION FIGURES - DUTCH & LINN 2-PACK Introducing a new 2-pack of action figures inspired by the classic Alien Movie UK vs Predator 1994 arcade game that actually predates the movie! Playable characters Dutch and Linn make their action figure debut with paint deco that re-creates the look of the arcade game. Major Dutch Schaefer comes with a detachable blast effect for his huge mechanical arm, plus backpack and interchangeable hands. Lt. Linn Kurosawa comes with sword and gun accessories that fit into working sheaths. They both have 30 points of articulation and stand approximately 7" tall. Window box packaging. Shipping Date: October 2018
GUILLERMO DEL TORO SIGNATURE COLLECTION - 7” SCALE ACTION FIGURE - PALE MAN (PAN'S LABYRINTH) The second release in #NECA’s new collaboration with renowned director Guillermo del Toro! The Guillermo del Toro Signature Collection brings select characters from del Toro’s movies to life in premium action figure format with deluxe added elements. From the dark fantasy film Pan's Labyrinth, the grotesque #PaleMan is super-poseable and comes with a detailed Underworld Throne. Collectible deluxe window boxed packaging.
NECA have confirmed that a Gremlin will be coming to the Ultimate series. At this stage it looks like the figure is a sculpted but unpainted prototype and the box is a mock up. That will likely indicate a 2019 release, maybe late 2018 if we are lucky. Options will be included in the box to display the figure in a number of different looks from the raft of Gremlins we see in the movie. Based on the booth images he looks to be coming with his beer glass and some other food related goodies. NECA are still working on the contents and are asking for some feedback on Twitter as to what should be included. They have also alluded to the possibility that an Ultimate Stripe may be in the works to follow this one if it does well? While at first glance this display in the NECA booth might well simply be showcasing their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figures, all was not as it seems as in this instance the figures were secondary to the diorama. This entire street scene will be sold by NECA, arriving Summer 2018, for collectors to use to enhance their displays. It appears to be a modular construction which may indicate sectional packs for different configurations.
It had been confirmed ahead of Toy Fair 2018 that the 13th series of NECA's Alien series would be Kenner inspired. We had also seen teaser images of the Xeno's in development. The final line up was confirmed and shown at Toy Fair with a Snake Xenomorph, Scorpion Xenomorph and a kenner inspired Apone. They will all come in Kenner inspired clamshell packaging and the figures themselves are painted in line with the Kenner line of the 1990's. They are due to ship in October 2018 which is pretty much a year's gap between Series 12 and this next wave.
The majority of the Multiverse releases unveiled by Mattel were comic book releases. But for film fans take a look at two gems that are movie based in the 6" line. The first is an early unpainted prototype of Penguin from the Batman Returns which looks brilliant. Fast forward to Batman Forever, and there is a Val Kilmer Batman. These bode well for a nice set of classic Batman (and potentially Superman) figures based on the classic movies. While these images of a Bandai Star Wars booth at Toy Fair 2018 does not reveal anything new, it is quite significant in that the Bandai model kit format is now being officially released into the US market, with prices on each kit in dollars. This product line had been restricted to sales in Japan only since 2015. This should also make availability easier in the UK with a possible slight drop in prices from the import prices we are currently paying.
While not Action Figures as such, we thought these images captured by Ultrazilla in the SD Toys booth were pretty cool. After all who wouldn't want a Chuck Norris or Scarface Tony Montana diorama figure display? The pieces had no RRP or release date and are likely early in the solicitation process to retailers.
There was more Pacific Rim goodness over at the Bluefin booth, the US distributor for Bandai / Tamashii Nations. The Bandai Pacific Rim product are closer to a 5" - 6" scale and are not under the SH Monsterarts brand, but rather the Robot Spirits line. The packaging still holds some Far East influence, but has obviously been tweaked for the US market, Figures from Uprising include Gipsy Avenger, Bracer Phoenix, Titan Redeemer and Obsidian Fury. There are also Jaegers from the first movie including Crimson Typhoon and what appears to be a Gipsy Danger from the first movie, complete with the enormous boat they use as a weapon. Also being released is a boxed Kaiju figure. Image credit to Ultrazilla Toys
After announcing they will be producing human faces in their 1/12 Plastic Model Kit range for Star Wars, starting with Han & Luke in Stormtrooper armour, Bandai are looking to tweak their current Vader kit to include an unmasked version.
It looks like fans of Aliens and Predators can look forward to Figma releasing product from the two classic licences in the near future. Revealed at the Winter Wonderland Festival were prototypes of the first 6" figures including a Predator and an Alien. The Alien is a standard Big Chap as seen in the 1979 Alien movie. The Predator looks a little more stylised ad comes with masked and unmasked heads.
On display as a prototype at the Winter Wonderland Festival 2018, the kit uses the existing kit body but adds an unmasked head with an excellent likeness to Sebastian Shaw. The cloak also appears to have been tweaked. We await more details now from Bandai as to the release date and price for this figure. It is positive to see that the Bandai licence for selling these kit figures has been expanded and US distribution will begin soon with some older kits. This will have a knock on effect for UK market. That means this figure "should" be easier/cheaper to obtain in the long run
Over at the 2018 Winter Wonder Festival the Medicom team have confirmed they are releasing Kingsman figures in their 1/12 MAFEX line of figures. Gary "Eggsy" Unwin, as played by Taron Egerton, is the first confirmed release and was on display at the show - complete with handgun. He won't be out for purchase until December 2018 and has a Japanese RRP of 8424 Yen, which is quite high for a MAFEX release. At that base price in Japan expect to pay around $70 or ÂŁ65 once he is imported over to UK and US.
Pre Orders have opened in Japan and with that the promo images which confirm the figure will be armed with a pistol and a machine gun. He will also have swap out feet with hidden knife blades. And most bizarrely will be the inclusion of one of Gazelle's artificial legs.
Boxed images have been revealed for the majority of the first Solo wave of Black Series figures, wave 16. For Solo (A Star Wars Story) we get a good look at packaged Han Solo, Lando and The Range Trooper from the new movie.
We also see the other two figures of the Jawa and Death Squad Commander who are repacked from the 2017 40th Anniversary carded wave. Whie the Jawa looks to be a simple repack, the Death Squad Commander has been demoted to Death Star Trooper - but seems to have got himself an updated head with what looks to be the new face print technology.
Check out this image of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Legends 2-pack of Erik Killmonger and Agent Ross from Black Panther. Now checkout the spare pair of legs in the centre of the packaging and the build-a-figure logo top right. And is it me or does that say "Stan Lee" We await more details, but adding in BAF parts to the 2-packs certainly adds extra value and it is about time that Stan was imortalised in the Legends 6" line. One rumour that this seems to confirm from last year is that the other packs will include Tony Stark & Dr Strange (Infinity War) and Winter Soldier and Falcon (poss. Infinity War). Alongside this rumour was talk of a Stan Lee as Captain America which would be a retailer exclusive in the US We will now have to wait to see if any of these turn out to be accurate.