The Toyark was the website I followed for the preview night reveals last Wednesday, you can find their main NECA coverage here and here. While I've been aware of NECA for some time now, I haven't really been interested in purchasing their toys until the released figures based on the 1987 classic RoboCop. That film is among my top ten favorites of all time and the titular hero one of the most iconic characters in the history of cinema.
I've been quite happy with the two NECA RoboCop figures I've purchased, especially the one with the leg holster, but have been eagerly hoping for a battle-damaged, helmetless Murphy. No such luck on that one and while NECA didn't debut anything new for the Motor City Lawman, they did have ED-209 on display and he looks awesome!
BBTS has him available for preorder at $60. About twice what I hoped to pay, but he features sounds and dialog from the movie, so I understand why he's so expensive. I haven't locked down a preorder, yet, but will most likely purchase him at some point.
The first is a recasted "Jungle Encounter" Dutch in green translucent plastic with red and yellow paint deco to recreate the Predator's infrared vision. This one really wowed me and demonstrates the kind of fans the crew working on this series are. Simply a must-buy for me. The other Dutch figure will come in a two-pack with a fatally wounded version of the Jungle Hunter Pred. I'm not quite sure I'll grab that set, but it certainly is tempting.
The rest of the Predator display showcased the upcoming, Kenner-inspired hunters along with Wasp from the Batman: Dead End fan film. More on that later.
NECA's new Aliens series have already hit stores, but at SDCC they unveiled a new version of the monster from the first film in the series, affectionately known as "Big Chap" and he will be mine. I'm not a huge horror fan, but the Alien franchise has always peaked my interest thanks to it's Sci-Fi origins. I only recently picked up the newly released Xenomorph Warrior, but it was cool enough to get me to pre-order Big Chap and the redeco'd Xeno Warrior with blue highlights.
Also seen at SDCC was two new Marine/Alien two-packs featuring a Space Marine in combat mode against a battle-damaged Xenomorph. The display builder in me is already picturing an Alien-infested shelf in my home.
NECA also showcased products for several other licenses including Kick-Ass 2 and Pacific Rim. None of those really interest me, but they are releasing a replica of Batman's grapnel gun from the upcoming Batman: Arkham Origins videogame. It looks really badass and for only $35, I may have to pick it up.
So NECA truly impressed at the show and they're actually the only company who's SDCC Exclusives I purchased this year (so far): the Albino Predator and videogame Jason Vorhees. Albino Pred has already arrived and now that I have him and Big Red the only thing missing is Wasp who according to a tweet by NECA this past week should be arriving before the end of the year. Batman is f&@*ed!
I know I just mentioned I'm not a horror fan, but that's not exactly true. What I should have typed is "I'm not a horror fan, nowadays." When I was a kid I was a huge fan of the Friday the 13th movie series. Not enough to get me to buy NECA's Jason figures, but when I saw their old-school Nintendo-inspired exclusive, I had to have it. That game was pretty awful, yet I remember playing it (and getting slaughtered by Jason) when I was a kid. I'll make sure to post a review of each of these great exclusives soon.
Well, that's it for my thoughts on NECA's bow at SDCC. Look for another SDCC post soon!
