Saturday 19th January, 2019
NECA's long awaited, and often teased, quarter-scale 18" Shredder from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle 1990 movie has finally been revealed. The figure shares several parts with the previously announced Foot Soldier from the same film. They are all scaled to complement the existing quarter-scale Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figures. We first saw the Terminator 2 John Connor action figure from NECA at SDCC 2018, although details at the time were sketchy. NECA have now confirmed on their Twitter page, that John will be an Ultimate release and come complete with his motorbike. This was after an image was found on the back of the Terminator Future War figures. The confirmation was soon followed with NECA issuing the official promotional image above. We would expect this to be a release for the 2nd half of 2019 and we expect more news at Toy Fair. While fans have speculated over the chances of now seeing Arnie as the T800 on his Harley, NECA have sadly quashed this with the confirmation that while it had been considered Harley Davidson were not onboard with making it happen.
NECA have shared the final packaged images of their Ace Ventura 8 inch action figure. Ace is due for a February release and is in the larger 8 inch scale complete with soft good tailored clothing. He will be packed in an Ace Ventura movie themed window box. Ace comes with three head options, a Monkey, a Parrot and a Dove.
"From the 1994 comedy Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, this clothed action figure is based on Jim Carrey’s hilarious performance as Miami’s best/only pet detective. Ace stands 8” tall and is fully articulated. He comes with plenty of accessories, too: swappable heads, monkey, parrot, dove and more! Window box packaging."
NECA have released these new atmospheric promotional images of their Guillermo del Toro collection Ofelia action figure from Pan's Labyrinth. Ofelia will be released with three different fairies figures, the key book and a stone pillar, complete with removable eye.
NECA have shared images of the Series 13 Alien figures in their blister packaging. The Series, due soon, is made up of Kenner inspired figures of Sergeant Apone, the Snake alien and the Scorpion Alien.
"NECA’s collaboration with renowned movie director Guillermo Del Toro brings select characters from Del Toro’s films to life in premium action figure format with deluxe added elements. From the dark fantasy film Pan’s Labyrinth, the young Ofelia stands approximately 5” tall, is fully articulated and comes with detailed accessories from the movie, including three different fairies, key, book, and a small pillar with removable eye. Collectible deluxe window box packaging." "Series 13 in NECA’s bestselling Aliens line is dedicated to the classic Kenner Expanded Universe Aliens of the early 1990s! Taking inspiration from those designs, our team has transformed these Kenner classics into modern versions with all of today’s detail and articulation. It includes the long-awaited debut of Space Marine Sgt. Apone as well as the frequently requested Snake Alien and Scorpion Alien. Space Marine Sgt. Apone stands approximately 7” tall and features an extraordinary bio-mechanical right arm and heavy-duty grenades on his back. The figure is highly articulated and comes with a rifle accessory. Snake Alien feature a 12″ long bendable tail and ball-jointed fingers for attacking its unlucky prey. Scorpion Alien has over 30 points of articulation. Both highly detailed figures measure over 9” tall. The clamshell packaging is an homage to the classic Kenner art, featuring custom illustrations and a color palette reminiscent of the toy shelves of the early ’90s."
"Create amazing diorama scenes with this long-awaited deluxe creature pack for Alien Movie UKs 3! The set includes frequently requested favorites from the movie and is perfectly in scale with our line of 7″ figures. Comes in window box packaging and includes: The Alien 3 monster pack from NECA has been in the works for a while now, and up to this week we knew the contents included the juvenile dog alien (Bambi Runner) and the concept figures of the Queen Facehugger and Queen Chestburster which were planned, but never made it to the final cut.
-Bambi Burster – fully articulated with bendable tail -Queen Burster – fully articulated with bendable tail -Queen Facehugger – bendable tail -Rottweiler (with Interchangeable Heads) – Ball-jointed neck
The confirmation of the set started when NECA changed their Twitter profile picture to this image of a new figure of Spike the dog from Alien 3. Spike was the pet of inmate Murphy in the original theatrical release and is attacked and impregnated by a Facehugger, hence the injury to his face. The Alien 3 Dog Alien would later emerge from Spike. The dog was replaced in future direct cuts with the original plan of an Ox type creature.
This follow up gallery confirmed Spike, and an alternate head, as part of the Alien 3 creature pack. Spike has a before and after head option with the second showing the signs of his attack at the hands of the facehugger. Eagle eyed fans noticed an obvious re-use here from the Devil Dogs included in a recent Nightmare on Elm Street Set. The set, now confirmed as including four figures and an alternative head for Spike is due for a May 2019 release.
Shipping Date: May 2019"
NECA have shared some new promotional images of their Alien Resurrection figures of Ripley 8 and the Xenomorph. The figures are part of Series 14 arriving later in 2019. These two figures will be packed in the standard blister format. Ripley will come with the weapon shown, and if the prototype has not been changed a basketball.
7″ Scale Action Figure – Series 14 Alien Movie UK Resurrection Assortment Series 14 of our bestselling Alien Movie UKs action figures is dedicated to Alien Movie UK: Resurrection, the fourth movie in the thrilling sci-fi series! It includes Ripley 8 and the Resurrection Warrior. Ellen Ripley Clone 8 stands approximately 7” tall, has over 25 points of articulation and features the likeness of Sigourney Weaver. She wears the clone’s futuristic ensemble and comes with Draco Double Burner and Lacrima 99 Shockrifle accessories, plus interchangeable hands and a basketball. The Resurrection Warrior stands over 9” tall and is faithful to the Alien Movie UK’s appearance in the movie. It features over 30 points of articulation, including a tail assembly which provides an additional swivel as well as having a bendable portion. Clamshell Shipping Date: Q2 2019
The third figure in the Series, the Newborn Alien, is having to be packed in a window box and more info and images for him will be revealed in due course.
packaging
NECA have released images for the packaging of their Ultimate Stripe Gremlin, due for release in mid-January in the US, UK collectors may have to wait until February if the usual form is followed. Ultimate Stripe comes in an Ultimate Series box which is fully enclosed, with the figure revealed behind an opening front cover. While the Ultimate Gremlin used the Gizmo in his box movie poster, Ultimate Stripe uses the same image with Stripe bursting through the centre of the poster and scrawling "We're Here" in red crayon.
Hasbro have released the packaged images of the 2019 X-Men wave of Marvel Legends, the Caliban BAF wave. The wave, coming in Spring 2019, is made up fully of comic book based X-Men Characters. These are Gambit, Blink, Beast, Forge, Jubilee, Weapon X and Skullbuster. Collect the parts that come with the figures to build Caliban. Parts are included with all but Gambit. The Cajun will be packed 2 per case to even out to 8 figures per box. Pre-orders for the wave are likely to open very soon.
"From the original 1984 Gremlins movie! Any fans of the Gremlins movies knows the rules: keep them out of sunlight, don’t get them wet, and never feed them after midnight. Follow them and you’ll enjoy a cute and friendly little Mogwai… Fail, and you’ll be faced with some pretty dangerous characters, like Stripe, the leader of the evil Gremlins. This Ultimate 7” scale figure (stands approximately 6” tall) features an all new head with Stripe’s signature white mohawk and an all new body with over 25 points of articulation, including ears and jaw. For maximum mayhem, he comes with chainsaw, skateboard with rolling wheels, saw blade, and interchangeable hands. Packaged in a collector-friendly window box with opening flap."
UK retailer Darkside Toys has shared new promotional images, courtesy of Hasbro, for the 3.75 inch Star Wars Resistance figures. The new card backs are very striking with a white card back and black Star Wars logo. The cards are also individual shaped on the right side where the character image is located. The figures, which are arriving in US stores as we speak, should hit the UK independents - including Darkside Toys - in late January. At this stage it is unclear if any of the Toy stores or Supermarkets will support the line.
Hasbro have shared an image of the packaged Star Wars Black Series General Grievous. Grievous will be released in the new larger size format and will retail around $30 in the US. Here in the UK previous larger figures like Moloch and The Gamorrean Guard have commanded a price around ÂŁ40. Grievous however should get a direct release via Hasbro UK as per the new focus on the UK market for 2019 onwards. Grievous pre-orders are thankfully opening as low as ÂŁ26.99 from some e-tailers.
The next size down will be a 6 inch / 15cm size assortment of Kaiju. We will have both Rodan and King Ghidorah in this format and they come with a break-apart building accessory and a vehicle - Rodan with a jet and King Ghidorah with a helicopter of sorts. BEWARE this article contains spoilers for the 2019 Godzilla King of the Monsters movie Details are being released and confirmed for the Jakks Pacific line of Godzilla King of the Monsters movie figures for release in 2019. Up first is an enormous 20 inch long Godzilla. He stands nearly 12 inches high and is articulated at the shoulders and hips for leg and arm movement. Looking at the packaging the tail will be a separate item clipped on when unpacked
While this 6 inch scale looks good you have to hope there is a Godzilla in this scale also to face off against the Kaiju, otherwise we will have a very unmatched set of scales in the line with Godzilla only as a giant figure. "Godzilla King of the Monsters Monster Action Figure Packs! RODAN and KING GHIDORAH: 15 cm Assortment of 4 action figures. Each figure stands approx. 15 cm tall and comes with diorama accessories in a window box"
"Officially licensed “Godzilla� action figure. From head to toe he stands 30 cm tall, but head to the tip of the tail this figure is a whopping 51 cm long. Godzilla has several points of articulation."
Finally the smallest scale which is 9cm. These will be double packs with two Monsters matching up against each other. Godzilla comes in all three packs - one against Rodan, one against Mothra and one against Ghidorah. The Mothra package is not shown here due to spoilers. And yet there is an even bigger Godzilla with this articulated 24 inch Godzilla. With the tail attached he will be an impressive 43 inches (109cm) long. This is the biggest Godzilla figure produced to date.
These figures include a background scene of sorts and a clip to stand it in. This looks far too small vs the two figures included? "Godzilla King of the Monsters Monster Matchups Action Figures 9 cm 2-Packs Assortment, each containing two action figures and a backdrop diorama. Each figure stands approx. 9 cm tall. Window box packaging."
McFarlane Toys have released full galleries for their first four 6 inch scale Game of Thrones action figures. We've seen each of these figures revealed over the past couple of months, but these images give us an all round look at the sculpting and paint of each figure. This first wave is due in April when GoT returns to our screens. There are no more details at this stage about wave 2. These may be confirmed at the New York Toy Fair? It is worth noting that Viserion the Dragon is not in scale with the figures and is the first in a new line of McFarlane Monster releases. If you haven't watched the latest season (I know it was a while ago) please note there are spoilers in the following product details.
Arya Stark is the third child and second daughter of Lord Eddard Stark and his wife, Lady Catelyn Stark. After narrowly escaping the persecution
Jon Snow, born Aegon Targaryen, is the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, the late Prince of Dragonstone. A decorated individual Jon has been chosen Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, and helped lead a successful raid in overtaking Winterfell from House Bolton restoring House Stark’s reign over the North, in which Jon was proclaimed “King of the North.”
The Night King is the master and the first of the White Walkers, having existed since the age of the First Men. He also serves as the supreme leader of the Army of the Dead. “The true enemy won’t wait out the storm. He brings the storm.” – Jon Snow (about the Night King)
of House Stark by House Lannister, Arya is trained as a Faceless Man at the House of Black and White in Braavos, and uses her new
Along with his brothers Drogon and Rhaegal, Viserion was raised since birth by Daenerys Targaryen, however, after being fatally wounded, and then Queen Daenerys Targaryen, is the younger sister of Rhaegar Targaryen and Viserys Targaryen and only daughter of King Aerys II Targaryen and Queen Rhaella Targaryen, who were both ousted from the Iron Throne during Robert Baratheon’s rebellion. Among the most popular characters on the show, Daenerys is also the “Mother of Dragons” having rule over Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal.
resurrected, Viserion has now fallen under the command of his new master, the Night King. Under the Night King, Viserion would blast away the Wall in Eastside with his now blue flame, allowing the Army of the Dead to enter the Seven Kingdoms.
Welcome to our review of the 6 inch Star Wars Black Series Val in her Vandor-1 outfit from Solo : A Star Wars Story. Val is part of Wave 19 of the Black Series, released in late 2018. She is number 71 in the phase 3 red packaging. Packaging 5/5 The phase 3 box for Val follows the usual trend, but with a more detailed than usual Gregory Titus illustration of Val in the bottom right corner. Unusually for the Black Series she is specifically named as Val with the bracketed subtitle (Vandor-1). This places this release specifically on Vandor-1. And yet the other Solo figures like Beckett and Chewbacca are simply listed with their character name only. Paint & Sculpt 5*/5 I have been saying for a while that the execution of female characters in the Marvel Legends line using the new face print technology is exemplary. Figures like Gamora and Scarlet Witch are absolutely nailed on with the actor likeness, at a time when the male versions can be hit and miss. Hasbro are now bringing this female likeness expertise over to Star Wars, first with the recent Leia figures and then with this Val figure.
The side panels remains standard wit the bold red on one side with the bold black number 71. Then the black side with the slight window panel wrap around. Here the character name is shown in small red text, and a blown up version over the top.
The likeness to Thandie Newton is spectacular with such subtle skin tones of light and shadow as well as hyper realistic eyes. There is a slightly glossy lip tone on lips sculpted in a slight smile, and even a touch of blusher on the cheeks.
The rear of the box includes a repeat of the Val illustration, over which is a short piece of background text taken directly from the StarWars.com database. "A no-nonsense and occasionally prickly woman who is a crack shot with a blaster rifle, Val may be the most even-headed and capable member of Tobias Beckett's ragtag crew of scoundrels Val slides out through either the top or bottom box flap sitting in the red inner cardboard tray. The figure is then slotted into the clear plastic tray within. There are no twisty ties or bands in use.."
The outfit is a work of art too with a basic black ensemble. On closer inspection you can see the various textures and shades of this outfit. And then there are the more visual details like the goggles hanging around her neck, the fur trim to her jacket and the variety of pipes and ropes that represent her climbing gear on Vandor-1. If you want to talk about attention to detail on a figure, then look at Val's gloves and those tiny metal components on two of her fingers.
Accessories â…— Val has one accessory, a blaster. This is not quite the blaster we see Val use in the movie as there is no grappling accessory or rear sights. This might mean it is based on a pre-production blaster. It is a shame as this takes the shine off what so far has been a wonderful figure.
Painting is spot on with no obvious errors or bleeding. There are also numerous colours in play from the red of the ropes to the brown of the strapping and the silver of the buckles and clips. Round the back is a section of flexible brown rubbery plastic as a skirt section. This concludes the outfit, but as we will see doesn't impede articulation.
Said unspecified blaster is cast in grey plastic and has some pretty decent cast detail up close like ridging along the barrell and panels above the trigger. The only paint application is a light bron that covers the grip and a further section between trigger and barrel.
Articulation 5/5 Val has the usual 16 points of articulation. And while you may worry the piping and ropework would impede movement, it has all been really well thought out. The head and neck is a ball joint with pivot, and that allows you to both turn, tilt and even cock Val's head to the sides adding more character to that wonderful head sculpt and decor. Arms sit with ball jointed shoulders, single rotating elbows and a pivot wrist. Both arms move fully with the red piping being flexible enough to move with the arms as they are raised or bent. There is a torso joint build into the chest, hidden behind the fur scarf which hangs over the top. This too is fully mobile for rotating the upper torso or leaning the figure in and out of poses.
Legs are ball jointed at the hips, and the skirt section and climbing ropes are flexible and positioned well enough to allow the legs more or less full motion. Under the hips are thigh swivels, double jointed knees and ankle rockers. All of Val's joints are tight and robust and she stands perfectly well in a number of poses.
It is designed to slot into Val's right hand, and while it does go it looks a little oversized with the trigger finger not quite getting into the trigger fully. Thanks to the articulation, two handed poses look much better with Val cradling that lower segment of the blaster with her left hand.
Summary Val is probably the best Black Series figure from the Solo movie in terms, and possibly the best of 2018. She looks brilliant with the best face print likeness we've seen to date in the Black Series line. Her outfit is really well designed and articulation is sufficient and not at all impeded by those pipes and climbing gear - she is really well thought out.
The blaster takes just an edge off the shine as it's not quite screen accurate and a little dull for such a brilliant looking figure. Had Hasbro replicated the grappling gun and maybe given her one of her bombs, we'd be adding Val to our very exclusive 5* club. Instead I am going to rate the Val (Vandor-1) Black Series release a 5 out of 5.