Among all the hassles of moving house, I’ve also had to reinstall Windows 10 due to a Windows Update fail. Thank you for the inconvenience, Microsoft. As always, it’s a pain in the arse to have to endure your rubbish but this time your failed update process happened at the tail end of a project I’m working on; plus, moving house added up to more bullshit I could care to deal with. Fortunately, I keep back ups of all my stuff.

The only thing I have lost is information as to where I downloaded these images of NECA’s upcoming Space Marine Drake action figure. This is a new tribute item inspired by Kenner’s older Drake action figure of the 1990s. I don’t have any other details of this item handy, right now. At this stage, I’m grateful it’s all I’ve lost. So far, so good. Fingers, toes and eyes are now crossed. Continue reading →

It’s Facehugger Friday again and you know what that means, Kiddies?  That’s right! It means NECA shares some goodies with us!  Today we have been blessed with images of likeness sculpts of both Kane and Ash as part of NECA’s 40th Anniversary line of ALIEN action figures.

These two items will comprise part of Wave 3 and while the compression suit wearing Kane has been previously released in NECA’s REEL TOYS line, this is the first time we have seen John Hurt’s actual likeness used by NECA.  Ash (played by Ian Holm) is the first time this character has been released by the company.  NECA has recently displayed these figures at New York Toy Fair.  Unfortunately, I’ve been too busy moving house to post News, so we’ll just have to let that important event pass on by. Such sacrifices we make. I may post some updates later.  Anyway, here’s what NECA have to say about these 2 very welcome additions to the 40th Anniversary ALIEN line up: “We can finally say that every member from the Nostromo has or will have their own action figure.”  Nice. No release date or pricing is yet available.

-Windebieste.

Just taking a quick break from packing boxes, moving house and pulling up carpet and I see NECA have released a gallery of images of what we can expect to see in Series 2 of their continuing range of ALIEN 40th Anniversary figures. This wave will feature a set of 3 characters Nostromo’s technician Brett, engineer Parker and bloodied version of the Alien. It looks like a great set of figures – and this is NECA’s first reveal of their blood spattered version of the Alien.Brett and Parker are must have characters, but do I really need another Alien? ….hmmm… maybe not; but it does look like this messy faced little bugger is an alternate version of NECA’s earlier 40th Anniversary figure. Only this time he’s in need of a good face wash and maybe use some dental floss to remove the sticking detritus of Brett and Parker’s brains from between his teeth. Continue reading →

Here’s NECA’s upcoming 40th Anniversary action figure of Ellen Ripley, complete with all of her accessories. Some nice items in this lot, originally posted on Facebook, is this week’s Facehugger Friday special announcement for all things NECA and ALIEN. Ripley with her new high tech printed face holding her flamethrower is accompanied by an assortment of new accessories. The motion tracker on the left and catbox on the right are new items entirely and have never previously appeared in NECA’s long running line of REEL TOYS ALIEN figures. Jones the cat on the far right will be his third appearance as an accessory in a NECA Ripley pack. The catbox appears to have a hinged front so it can be opened up and Jones can be roughly stuffed inside. Get back in yer box, Jones. You little shithead. Continue reading →

Robot Kingdom have posted a set of 8 images on Facebook of what appears to be the first set of three items in NECA’s upcoming range of 40th Anniversary ALIEN 7 inch figures. This first round (of 3, totaling 9 figures) includes the translucent concept Alien suit, Ripley and Dallas in compression suit.

Each of these figures have previously been released by NECA but these offer fresh attention to detail, not least of which will be the faces printed onto the characters rather than painted on. This updated detail alone should be phenomenal. Other than that, we’ve seen ’em all before. Here’s some more info from Robot Kingdom’s online store, “Neca Alien – 7” Scale Action Figure – 40th Anniversary Assortment 1 set of 3 (Ripley (Jumpsuit), Dallas (Compression Suit), Big Chap (Concept)).Photos for reference only, exact product appearance is subject to manufacturer final confirmation. Preorder. Available in April 2020.”  It appears like a potential ALIEN Day release to me and the price looks set to be US$69.90 for this set of 3 figures.

I must say, that motion tracker looks neat.  Actually, they all do, but other than the tracker and the new Jones cat box accessory these characters are all repeats! When do we see Brett and Parker get released?  Those 2 characters are definitely anxiously anticipated by fans.

-Windebieste.

It’s Facehugger Friday and we all know what that means, right Kiddies?  Right!  NECA revealed on Facebook today images of the packaging for their upcoming 7 inch REEL TOYS 40th Anniversary ALIEN action figures.  Much like their recently released 22 inch figure, these are themed along the same retro package design of the original Kenner ALIEN box as it appeared on toy store shelves in 1979.NECA have also provided us with a shot of their upcoming Brett figure facing the Alien.  Complete with Jones in the background.  I wonder if Jones will be an accessory to the Brett figure as much as he was an accessory to his murder.  Anyway, here’s what NECA have to say about this release of figures, “The Alien 40th Anniversary collection is coming. 3 series of 3 figures each. Some amazing figure debuts! New accessories! Printed facial deco! Special packaging! Limited editions!!” Continue reading →

It’s Facehugger Friday, and we all know what that means, kiddies. Today on Twitter, NECA revealed the packaging their upcoming Rhino Alien figure will appear in.

We saw the artwork of the creature to be displayed on the packaging just last week so here it is applied to the box. This brutish fiend is the latest in NECA’s line of Kenner tribute ALIEN action figures. Here’s what NECA have to say about this image “We can’t forget #facehuggerfriday here’s your first look at the Rhino packaging…sweet sweet nostalgia.” Sweet sweet weird junk, if you ask me.  I’m game and can’t get enough of it. No release information or pricing details are available just yet.

-Windebieste.

TOYARK have posted a full review and image gallery of NECA’s 40th Anniversary 7 inch Ultimate Big Chap action figure due out soon. They seem to like it. This version of the figure features updated sculpting, improved articulation and some accessories such as the egg, facehugger and chestburster. It all comes packaged in a nice, neat ALIEN poster themed gatefold box with a window displaying the figure when opened. Look, I think it’s just easier if you go read the review, alright?

Thanks for the appraisal, TOYARK. I’ve always loved your work.

-Windebieste.

For today’s Facehugger Friday reveal, NECA released some images on Facebook of  mock up packaging of their upcoming tribute to Kenner’s 1993 Rhino Alien figure.

NECA had this to say about this item “The Rhino is massive and his beautiful packaging is being worked on now.” I must say, I am expecting a larger than usual figure for this item to scale appropriately in NECA’s 1inch REEL TOYS range of figures.  This thing will be a brute! Rather than being packaged on card or in a clam shell, the Rhino will be in a box.

-Windebieste.

For Christmas NECA have revealed on Facebook their package tray mock up of their upcoming 7 inch Ripley action figure.  Here’s an unpainted test shot with a few accessories.

Accessories with this item look like a great range including a flamethrower, cat box, motion tracker and a space marked “cat”, which could only be Jones.  Of course it’s Jones.  Here’s what NECA have to say about this item, “Incoming: new accessories, a new head sculpt, photo real printed face deco, kenner homage packaging & more.” I will be interested in seeing which of the Kenner themes they will adopt for this packaging.  I’m guessing it will be another blue box as this is still the 40th Anniversary of the release of ALIEN along with the original Kenner product line; but possibly with a gatefold.  Nice stuff.

The new cat box and motion tracker look super neat, too. I’ve always loved the icecube tray stuck to the side of the tracker and it’s obvious here. lol. The “printed face” feature sounds like it will be an upgrade over previous painted figures.  Photographic realism on an action figure?  It sounds like a trip down uncanny valley to me.  I’m hoping this technoloby is also applied to NECA’s upcoming Parker and Brett figures as well.  Am I looking forward to this release?  Yes.  I am.  Merry Christmas NECA.

-Windebieste.

NECA’s Facehugger Friday released new versions of their ALIENS Visual Checklist.  NECA has had a long running annual tradition of updating this guide for ALIEN characters in their popular 7 inch REEL TOYS ALIEN range during the week leading up to Christmas.  This checklist only lists ALIEN figures in this scale.  NECA have made more ALIEN product than is documented in this image – a LOT more, actually.  Further more, this guide can’t be considered complete as it lacks multiple creature and arsenal packs.

Here’s what NECA have to say about this updated digital Christmas present to the world “We’ve got more Alien​s! We’ve updated our visual guides to include all announcements & releases to date. Both versions include all figures, with the second showing the updated card backer art! Each is available as an extra-large, 300 dpi JPG.”

High resolution versions of the Visual Checklist are available from NECA in 2 different flavours. Here’s a link to download the standard version. Plus another link to download an alternate version featuring packaging art from each series.  Have fun with these!

-Windebieste.

It’s Facehugger Friday! As part of the continuing 40th Anniversary of the release of ALIEN, NECA have released packaging images of their upcoming Ultimate ALIEN action figure on Facebook.

It’s a nice looking, black gatefold box with the iconic ALIEN egg logo on the front and a mirrored image of the figure inside the gatefold.  This 7 inch scale offering includes an open egg, a facehugger and a chestburster set of accessories. This looks excellent! Not a great deal of information as to when it will be released other than “early 2020”.  Not long now either way.  Here, have some more images of the box.

-Windebieste.

It’s Facehugger Friday; and everyone knows what that means, right?  On Facebook today, NECA revealed packaging for their upcoming quarter scale ALIEN figure.  This box is very much a tribute to the box the original Kenner toy was released in 40 years ago.  So much awesome.

Here’s what NECA have to say about this item “The final packaging for our Quarter Scale Alien Big Chap is a tribute to the 1979 Kenner Alien figure. You can look forward to this figure shipping out to retailers on November 20th!” 

No price is available just yet but this does look fantastic. It’s even packaged with the wire core tail coiled between its legs.  At around 2 feet tall, it will be larger than the original Kenner item by around 20-25%.  I wonder if there will be a poster included like the Gentle Giant figures from a few years ago had; and what’s the age rating on this item?  I bet it won’t be rated AGES 5 AND UP.  That would be bold, hilarious and probably illegal now. And the fantastic use of the logo featuring the figure’s head is great, too.  Just like the original – except with the ‘gruesome details’ uncensored this time around.

Here’s some more images.

-Windebieste.

It’s Facehugger Friday and today NECA have revealed on facebook the packaging for their upcoming Classic Series Neomorph figure.  It appears NECA have brilliantly adopted and utilised the classic Kenner theme of mounting the figure on a blister covered card.  This looks amazing to say the least.

The emulation of the card, both front and back is a terrific homage to the Kenner ALIENS toy range released during the 1990s.  Details of how the extending jaw works revealed on the back of the card is very welcome information.  We now know the operation of the mouth is controlled by the manipulation of the right arm.  Of course, the card back also reveals previous NECA tribute items of figures originally released by Kenner in the 1990s.  Here’s NECA’s statement on this item “The final packaging photos for the Alien and Predator Classics are in. The Berserker and Neomorph are expected to ship out on November 20th!” Continue reading →

After today’s full reveal and pre-orders announced of their tribute Kenner Rhino Alien figure (see below) NECA have released this image on Twitter of another upcoming Kenner tribute item, smartgun wielding Space Marine, Drake.  Here’s the new NECA item compared to the older, original vintage Kenner release from the 1990s. NECA have this to say about the upcoming Drake figure, “I think we need some new Kenner inspired Marines to help fight that Rhino. How about you?“.

No other information, release date or pricing is currently known but it’s simply a matter of time before Drake joins the already released Space Marine Apone and Space Marine Ripley in their eternal battle against weird shaped things (xenomorphs) with lots of teeth from outer space!   Oh, it makes my head giddy just thinking about it.

-Windebieste.

Big Bad Toy Store has announced pre-orders are now open for NECA’s upcoming figure based on the figure Rhino Alien, a classic Expanded Universe toy Kenner released in the early 1990s.

Here’s what BBTS have to say about this item “Inspired by the classic Kenner Expanded Universe of the early 1990s, prepare to be bowled over by the Ultimate Rhino Alien from Neca. Neca’s team took inspiration from the original design, and then transformed it into an all-new modern behemoth featuring all of today’s detail and articulation.Rhino Alien measures approximately 10″ and has a massive ramming horn for attacking its unlucky prey. The packaging is an homage to the classic Kenner art, featuring custom illustrations.”

This brutish creature looks ready to bowl over Ripley and Apone! It’s estimated release date is May 2020.  The recommended retail price is US$39.99.  You can wait until May next year if you like; or can Pre-order this item right now and receive a 13% discount. It can be yours for only US$34.99!

-Windebieste.