Wasp Predator (NECA)

NECA Wasp Predator

The NECA Predator line keeps getting better and better with Predator figures each having their own unique features, outfits, and sometimes weaponry that almost have that "superhero-ish" type of vibe. Like if we look at something like a Boar Predator, its feature is far different from that of a Jungle Hunter or a Shaman Predator for example. Sometimes these Predators have their own themes like Nightstorm which has an Egyptian theme or Big Red which is inspired after a Samurai. All of which have their unique designs that keep fans intrigued and have them wonder what other stuff that NECA could come up with this toyline.














Predator fans may also influence this whole idea of variety. Like Big Red, the Wasp Predator is based from a fan made YouTube video, Batman: Dead End where you will see this dude standing side by side with Big Red and some unknown type of Predator during the closing credits. I really got no clue why they created such video; pitting Batman against Predators and Xenomorphs but whoever came up with this Wasp Predator concept should continue his/her contributions.

The black and yellow colour scheme worked! NECA did a fine job of translating this character into a 7-inch action figure. With colours resembling that of a real wasp, the Wasp Predator may deliver a stinging blow to its predecessors. Its bio-mask is strewed with brown and lower tones of yellow along with this black paint at the dome of the head that kind of forms the eyes of a wasp. In addition, it has this "camouflagic" look over its mask with all these streaks around. Wasp's skin pigmentation is nothing but typical. However, it has a brighter tone to it than the average. Its shoulder protectors, shin guards and gauntlets are just standard colours.

It's no surprise that they utilized Big Red's sculpt on Wasp, which is originally from the Jungle Hunter Predator. This body mold has been used over a dozen times and quite frankly, I got no issue with its sculpt. I wish NECA could have added the plasma cannon over its shoulder but I guess they have to be faithful to the video. Like most Predators, the wrist blades are housed at the right arm while around its shoulders are cables made of pliable plastic that bends as you move them.

Now the best part- the accessory! Having that sole purpose of annihilating all forms of Xenomorph life, the Wasp Predator means business. And by business, it means having a Xenomorph head mounted at the tip of a spear. This is probably the coolest Predator accessory I've ever seen. Adding the Xenomorph Warrior action figure into the mix creates a badass Alien vs. Predator scenario!

The articulation on Wasp goes the same with most Predator figures we had from this toyline. The neck is ball-jointed so the head can lean forward and back but with some major limits as well as with the rotation. There are no bicep swivels, only single-jointed rotating elbows and ball-jointed rotating wrists. I wish we would see an ab crunch someday with these figures but for now we will have to deal with the limited articulation on his torso. It got a T ball-jointed hips, upper-thigh rotations, double-jointed knees and hinged-ankles with no ankle rockers.

The Wasp Predator stands at the same height and scale with our Big Red Predator. What truly impressed me with this figure is its unique colour scheme that turned out very well. Some avid fans may not like it due to the fact that it strays from what we normally think of Predators but, again, this is probably recommended only for guys who are huge Predator collectors.

Bad Blood Predator (NECA)

NECA Bad Blood Predator

If you think the Enforcer Predator is wicked enough, wait 'til you see this one here! It's the black sheep of the clan; feared for hunting its own kind- the Bad Blood Predator! Being the Predator that preys on almost any living soul (including other Predators), Bad Blood is the main antagonist in a comic book storyline that's named after itself. Though it may not have a mask as awesome as that of the Enforcer, but Bad Blood's reputation is equally prominent with its nemesis. With NECA getting their hands on the Predator: Bad Blood series, we finally get to see this Predator come to life... in plastic! And holy crap... when it comes to sculpt, this is probably the most detailed action figure that I ever get to lay my eyes on.













It's claimed to have the most sculpted features and paint deco by NECA and indeed it shows. Bad Blood got a lot of things permanently attached to its body, ...like these trophies and stuff! One feature that can't be ignored is this Predator skull sitting on its left shoulder which indicate that this dude is mad. Looking on the right shoulder, you got this big spine looking like reefs. Further down to its legs, you can also see skulls utilized like kneepads. Everywhere you look, there's a lot of great sculpting you see.

Looking at the paint job, the rendition from its comic book counterpart is ...for the most part, accurate. And like the Enforcer Predator, it got that simplistic look with flat colours mixed with quite a few shaded ones. But what makes this a jaw-dropper are those splatters of blood sticking to its blades, hand, and a small portion on its chest, and it looked awesomely brutal! Also, the face looked brutal with its piercing stare, gnarly face and tribal symbol over its forehead.

And before we completely forget to mention, Bad Blood got THREE blades ...yyup, three of these pointy little blades installed inside its gauntlet as opposed to two like most we've seen. Another weapon it has is a spear that looked a little traditional and uncommon to a Predator's arsenal. Also, Bad Blood got a bloodstained machete which, again looked earthly (rather than otherworldly) but it looked so awesome! The only thing that boggled my mind is that gadget at the side of its hip that keeps the disc. I'm not sure why NECA bothered to include it when they didn't even give this figure its disc of destruction.

Along with weapons, Bad Blood comes with trophies that can be held or hanged around its waist or back. A severed head of a white guy and and a black guy shows that this Predator doesn't give a damn about people's skin colour! Moreover, it got two skulls of some kind of alien-race and a Predator hair strand, which means that it got a wide variety of guys on its hit list. Bad Blood comes with an extra right hand for holding and wielding all its weapons, which is a really a good improvement on the part NECA.

The only part which really didn't improve and got no changes or added feature at all is the articulation. Bad Blood Predator has the same amount of joints as with other Predators that precede it. One thing I hate about its articulation is that it got no bicep rotation, mid-forearm and mid-calf rotation, and double-joints at the elbows to help execute some dynamic pose. It got this ridiculous "elbow swivel" that serves a minor role. I'm not impressed with the articulation part.

To finally conclude my assessment on the NECA Bad Blood Predator, I must say that this is probably the most good looking Predator with the most ample accessories that I've ever gotten so far from this toyline. The articulation may disappoint you but its sculpt and feature will make you look at it with awe. It surely does makes a nice display piece. I would highly recommend Bad Blood to longtime collectors and even to people who are still hesitant of grabbing these NECA Predators.

Viper Predator (NECA)

NECA Viper Predator

Xenomorphs beware, this Predator specialize on exterminating your kind. Unfortunately, the Viper Predator doesn't exist in any comic books and/or movies that tell stories about Predators. Viper is NECA's very own creation that suppose to come with a bike-like vehicle known as the Blade Fighter- a Predator's own version of the Speeder Bike from Star Wars... but with claws! One can only imagine how huge that bike will be (when it comes out) the fact that you have to get this 7-inch action figure sit on top of it. But who needs the Blade Fighter when you already got a figure as menacing as the vehicle itself?














Yet still I imagine how this Xenomorph-hunter would look like on a bike especially every time I see both its hands designed to hold a handlebar. The Viper Predator has another pair of hands that looked exactly like the standard open-palmed hands for NECA Predators. Another accessory, which didn't really change much (in terms of design), is the Plasma Caster with the backpack that latches right unto its left shoulder.

One important accessory, which I really like the most is its removable bio mask. Now I know we've seen this before with our Nightstorm Predator, but Viper's mask (unlike Nightstorm's) covers the entire face. The only detrimental effect to it is that it made its head oddly big, and the reason for it is to accommodate the entire head especially those mandibles.

Viper wields two pairs of wrist blades to both its arms. Double-twin blades that extend or retract which may very well make Wolverine piss his pants. Behind its bio mask are sculpted technological designs which are impressive. The body mold is, not surprisingly, just a standard issue. It doesn't even have the "trophies" laced around its torso and/or waist like with most Predators we've seen. It's a shame that they added something yet they also removed something.

By this time, you've probably guessed why it's called the Viper Predator or... should you look at what a copperhead snake appears like? The paint work on its forehead with all those lines forming diamond shapes give Viper the snake appeal. The colour scheme is a combination of red and black painted over flesh. The armour and Plasma Caster, including its loin cloth are all painted with gunmetal with the wrist blades as the only thing different.

For articulation, nothing different or has changed with its hinges and joints even the fact that this Predator is suppose to be placed on a Blade Fighter seat. It's head is on a ball-peg that allows it to rotate and lean side to side but limited. It has ball-hinged shoulders but no bicep rotation. It has the elbow rotation merged with an elbow joint which I really hate. It got ball and socket wrists that aim and rotate. Viper waist rotation and T-joints at the hips, which can be crucial to being able to ride the vehicle. However, range of movement is limited. To its legs, it got rotation to the thighs, double-joints at the knees, and rotation at the ankles with the ankle rockers.

The question of whether the Viper Predator or any of these NECA Predators actually, would look awesome on the upcoming Blade Fighter remains to be seen. But if we look at this Predator action figure right now aesthetically, I'd say it looked fairly good. The articulation is a bit of a letdown but the accessories are quite impressive. The Viper Predator is passable and recommendable to anyone who's a hardcore fan of this franchise.

Boar Predator (NECA)

NECA Boar Predator

So here it is- a Predator action figure (finally) from NECA, and this is the first action figure from this toyline ever being posted in this blog. I'm not really into collecting NECA figures but I guess there is that little exception, especially if it's something you've always been a fan of... like the Predator! If you've never had any figures from McFarlane Toys or NECA, then you should know that in the sculpt and paint app department, they are unbeatable; not even my Marvel Selects could come any near to the enormous amount of details these figures have.














Though basically all these Predators looked almost the same, and perhaps use the same type of gadgets and weaponry, this Boar Predator (and I honestly don't know which Predator movie he came from) is my least favourite maybe because of the design on his mask and the way these spots around his skin are being placed. It's kinda funny how we can identify each Predators basing from their masks, and skin pigmentations or spots somewhat like fingerprints. Every Predator should wear mask different from one another; guess that's just part of their "Predator culture".

To start with, we always want to zero in right away on the mask 'cause this is what the Predator is famous for along with that Whoopi Goldberg-hairstyle. On its wide forehead, you see this bronze paint being applied on top of these two indented domes, which gives the Boar Predator his unique feature. Then you have these hair clips hanging all over his hair each painted with either silver, bronze or copper. His back is all covered with crimson down to the butt, but when you look at the front, this is where you see a variety of pigmentations. The Boar Predator has his armour and weapon (has only one), of course, all painted with metallic silver.

The sculpt is equally amazing as the paint! Holes, dimples and scratch marks can be seen all over this Predator's mask, shoulder guards, wrist bands and shin guards; looking like he has gone through rough hunting. That epic hair is made of a softer plastic, so it actually wiggles everytime you shake his head and it doesn't hinder with head movement. Like most Predators, he has this fish net molded and indented around his torso and legs. And with a well-proportioned body mold, this Predator can easily become one of those head turners on my display.

Moving on to accessories, some of these gadgets and paraphernalias are just less exciting and less playable, and I'm just bummed knowing that you can't remove the mask... and there's no shoulder cannon! Predators should have shoulder cannons- these are their bread and butter in every hunting field they're in. This dude only comes with the disc, which is, in my opinion, one of the coolest weapons ever created in Hollywood. Then, of course, you got the disc holster glued at the thigh, which holds his weapon as you latch it in. With an awesome weapon, comes "trophies" and this Predator is actually wearing them around his chest.

Surprisingly, the articulation on this guy is not as bad as I've thought. I must admit that I'm always geared to thinking that the more detailed an action figure is, the less they become poseable, and I was eating my words the moment I played with its articulation. This action figure got ankle pivots- ankle pivots that Diamond Select can't incorporate with some of their own action figures. To give a complete count, the Boar Predator has ball-jointed neck, ball-hinged shoulders, single-jointed elbows, ball-hinged wrists, waist swivel, ball-jointed hips, double-jointed knees and ball-hinged ankles.

So standing next to an average Marvel Legends figure, this guy is a little on the larger scale and neither Legends or Select would be compatible with this guy. But probably with other NECA toys, he'll be in perfect scale with them. Now should I recommend? Why yes, of course! With some decent articulation and a huge huge amount aesthetic details, I say grab this one and the rest of these NECA Predators.

Elder Predator - V2 (NECA)

NECA Elder Predator

With age, comes experience... along with the things that are old and hard to let go. Thus the Elder Predator with its ala-Pirates of the Caribbean motif combined with advanced Yautja technology. All it takes for this Predator is to put on a pirate hat to make it look like one of the crew of the Flying Dutchman. But the Elder Predator is the head honcho of the tribe making it the wisest and most respected Predator regardless of how it looked.

















Its 18th century flintlock pistol that you can snug behind its belt is merely a decorative item or "trophy". There is no way Elder has been using it as a weapon as far as hunting humans is concerned, although interestingly for this figure, it got an interchangeable right hand to be able to hold and grip the pistol. In addition, it has a cutlass (according to its package) that looked more to me like a machete that we saw wielded by the Bad Blood Predator.

Elder may not be as rich as Bad Blood in terms of sculpted features, but it is well sculpted enough to stay somewhere at the top. It got the sheath for its cutlass adorned with beautiful "pirate-like" designs. It got a man purse with its strap dangling across its body and trophies that are stringed together like beads at the other side across. And did I mention that this Predator got a piercing at a corner of its lip? Total badass! Also, you got those colourful hair clips glued to its gray tentacle-like hair.

Even its skin is kind of ash gray! The only part where you see some paint wash and colour shadings are its armour, weapons and a few other accessories. Standard to NECA Predators, the Elder got the Plasma Caster and the Wrist Blade which has this nice reflective finish of silver. Sadly, this Predator does not have a Biomask or an interchangeable head with the mask on it- a feature which I'd like NECA to consider.

Furthermore, NECA should at least add some hinges and joints that may be useful for executing some more dynamic pose. They need to replace that "rotating elbow-joint" with a double-joint plus a swivel at the upper section of its forearm where the edge of the gauntlet meets with its skin. Unfortunately, NECA is still using the standard issue and I don't want to go through all of its joints and movable parts again.

I wish I had the first of version of the Elder Predator to compare it with V2. I pressume this new version must be better than the first one that was released a long time ago. Probably the similarities with the two Elder Predators, and all these NECA Predators are their height and body mold. This Predator is highly recommended to someone who's dearly a fan of the Predator franchise.

Enforcer Predator (NECA)

NECA Enforcer Predator

Every human being knows they get sliced and diced, skinned and made into trophies as soon as they are being ambushed by a Predator, but the Enforcer Predator is a new deal. This Predator will kill a guy with a heart attack before it even uses its Plasma Caster, thanks to its otherworldly bio mask which made it 20% more intimidating. But with all that badassery surrounding this killer-E.T., the Enforcer is actually the "good guy" in a comic book series known as Predator: Bad Blood where it was hunting another Predator (probably a crazy one) to stop and kill it. Honestly, I got little knowledge of where some of these Predators came from but something tells me to buy these NECA Predator figures because there's always something great about them, let alone their cool looks and so... let's examine the action figure.











Starting with the packaging, you can notice some resemblance of it from our previous NECA Predator packaging especially how it's being shaped. The only differences are the artwork and the theme, in which here you can see that it's based from the comic books. In the middle, you have the Enforcer Predator looking so mighty and showcased along with its accessories. And with that hand separated and suspended in front of it, you can immediately tell that it got an interchangeable part.

With the exemption of the head/face, the sculpt and body mold of this Predator are all the same with the rest of the Predators in this toyline. However, the head/face sculpt really really made this Predator a completely different action figure. Although the funny thing is that it strongly reminded of Shredder, but NECA had done it perfectly that it made the big baddie from TMNT looked like a nanny.

What's unique and special about the Enforcer Predator is that it tries to capture that comic book-themed look through its paint job. Notice that the colours are simple and flat; not a lot of paint wash or shadings going on with this figure which is something definitely new to the eyes of someone who's been collecting them. Enforcer's wrist blades, gauntlets, disc storage and armour are evenly painted with silver gray. Its bio mask has this "flipped-Z" on it (some sort of Predator symbol) like we've seen in the comics.

As I've mentioned, it got an interchangeable part- a left hand designed to hold its Combi Stick. The Combi Stick is non-retractable or non-telescopic which means that NECA has to take note on how to improve that. Another weapon this Predator has is the disc, which the Enforcer can easily hold through its fingertips. The only drawback to this nickel-sized disc is that it keeps falling off even if you push it intimately to that "storage thingy" on its right hip. I wish it is more secure! Last but not the least- the Plasma Caster, which you've probably seen in my Jungle Hunter review.

The articulation is pretty classic to what we've got from all NECA Predators. Nothing added to its 25 points of articulation. The Enforcer got the same amount of hinges and joints as with our Jungle Hunter, Nightstorm and Boar Predator which we have already seen in this blog. If you want to know all about its joints and poseability, then just go visit those reviews.

What apparently made the Enforcer stand out from the rest of all these NECA Predators is the head feature. Having it stand with the rest of your Predator collection almost makes everyone of them look plain and standard. Though the body molds of these guys are all alike, and it's true! But if you're a huge fan, you won't see it as a problem.

Gipsy Danger: Pacific Rim (NECA)

I'm gonna start this year with something BIG! Yes, this is the 18-inch Gipsy Danger action figure brought to us by NECA, and this is my first action figure review for 2014. If you have watched Pacific Rim and/or just a huge fan of big robots and monsters, then better check out this gigantamonious figure here! Buy it if you're amazed by it and believe me- it's worth every penny. NECA's 7-inch Pacific Rim line also offers some pretty good figures, but why settle for jaeger figures that are as tall as your average Marvel Select when you can have this badass towering at almost anything that exists in your room!? Definitely a must-have massive figure.

One of the things that made this figure truly impressive is its LED light up feature at the chest. The on-off button at the upper portion of its back is small and the colour kind of blends in with figure so you may at first have a little problem finding it. But once it's all bright and lit up, it will blow you away! Also, this tiny light bulb on Gipsy's forehead lights up together with its chest. Inside its upper torso are batteries which are concealed and secured with a screw that keeps it stable while maintaining every detail that is going around its back.

The sculpt is fantastic. NECA might have never missed out on every detail on its mechanical arms, legs and other body parts but the basic features are there. On top of that, you can find some dents and scratched marks sporadically distributed around its armour/plating looking like it had just battled a kaiju. Its legs that is probably the size of a wrist benefited heavily to the weight of this figure.

The paint application is accurate and faithful to the one in the movie with the right shade of blue alongside with this gunmetal paint at the joints and other corners. We can see these decals that say "34" printed on both its shoulders and this amazingly sexy yet almost microscopic artwork of a pin up girl located at Gipsy's chest. To add, there some beautiful streaks of white and red painted at the edges of its armour.

Gipsy Danger only comes with a couple of these chain swords that are about 8 inches in length. The way you place these swords at the wrists is quite an effort since the slots are kind of incompatible to the bottom of the sword when you try insert it. Nonetheless, you can still plug it in but the only problem is they aren't stable. Probably this is my only complain about this figure but a minor one.

Articulation junkies may be find this figure a little underwhelming, but as you know- less articulation means more amount to the details. Gipsy's head and neck are on a ball-joint, so supposedly it can move at any angle but it's hindered the surrounding parts. Both shoulders are on a ball-hinged. It got single-jointed elbows and ball-jointed wrists that flexes and rotates.

No bicep swivel and it doesn't any finger articulation or whatsoever. It got a diaphragm swivel that apparently left a huge gap across its torso. For the legs, Gipsy got T-jointed with hinges at the hips that lets it kick at any direction, it only have single-jointed knees and ball-hinged ankles. It got this "heel articulation" that moves up and down and hinges at these flaps around its back making this figure a little special so to speak.

My verdict is that this jumbo-sized figure is absolutely a thing to be treasured. Like I said, if you love big robots or action figures then this Pacific Rim jaeger is for you! Size-compared to the Marvel Legends Sentinel, Gipsy just dwarfs it by 6 inches. Gipsy Danger might have been part of my Top 10 if only I had posted it last year when it got released, but then I am happy about this acquisition.