Get Your Kicks on 426…
Tag: h. r. giger
2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the release of the 20th Century Fox space shocker Alien. It’s hard to describe what it was like seeing that film in a theater for the first time, no preconceptions, no spoilers, no a clue as to what was ahead. I’m still trying to retrieve bits of the skin that I jumped out of. The spectacular H. R. Giger bio-mechanical designs for the facehugger, chestburster and the original xenomorph were all brand new to the horror genre, like the first time the Frankenstein monster stepped into view in 1931.
The Unmasked Predator Vinyl Bust Bank, shown here from its debut at New York Toy Fair 2015, was one of my favorite Diamond Select Toys reveals back in February. It’s the most detailed of bust banks so far, trumping even the cranial convolutions of DST’s Metaluna Mutant.
As you can see, the predator sculpt by Eli Livingston is amazingly accurate (note shoulder blaster) and beautifully scary. Livingston has modeled several of the earlier bust bank series, including The Wolfman. Most recently he’s designed the Alien egg with face hugger and Lovecraft Cthulu banks recently released by Diamond Select. It’ll probably be no surprise to learn that the sculptor also worked with original Alien xenomorph creator the late H. R. Giger on several jewelry pieces based around Giger’s art. The Bomben Skull Ring is one of my faves which began as the volume and tone knobs for Ibanez Guitars’ H. R. Giger signature model.
At 8” high and under $23 the Predator Bust Bank is both shelf and wallet friendly. If you like big ugly things (aside from your bowling buddies) hanging around the “man-cave” and eating your spare change, this one’s for you.
A Little Left of Lidsville…
Now that summer is here, tracking prey can be exhausting and sweaty work. Whether you’re Count Zaroff playing a most dangerous game in fog hollow or a yautja hunter chasing Betty and Veronica around Riverdale, you could most likely use a cool brew. Unfortunately twist-offs aren’t de rigueur in all parts of the universe. No need to worry. The just released Unmasked Predator Bottle Opener is an impressive bit of kit from Diamond Select Toys will ensure you have the right weapon to get a quaff quickly.
Though hitting the shelves this week, a wee bit late for Father’s Day, it would make a great conversation piece for collector dads at family picnics. Those who do not imbibe, or prefer cans and corks, can still enjoy its value as a beyond – the – ordinary refrigerator magnet, and a nice companion piece to DST’s Alien Xenomorph “church key” styled bottle opener.
SkeletonPete Says…
If utility is the order of the day for your continued collecting, then DST’s growing list of themed banks, pizza cutters, bottle openers, ice trays (and check out that Alien xenomorph Cookie Jar!) may be all you need to convince your spouse why this next purchase is must have for your household.
Ripley, Believe It Or Not…
According to recent news Fox’s Alien franchise is poised to gear up again. This fifth installment will feature first Alien protagonist Ellen Louise Ripley as the lead character and apparently ignore the plot lines of Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection. It’s a maneuver by director/writer Neill Blomkamp (Chappie, District 9) that will surely cause controversy in the fan communities for its wholesale revisionism. I personally hope it will finally give the Ripley character a definitive and satisfying third act. Most importantly, actress Sigourney Weaver has just verified taking the lead again. It’s a role that has proven to define the female action hero for several decades and it’s good to know it will be in the hands of its original creator.
In tandem with this exciting news comes NECA’s announced Alien Series 4 action figures. This wave includes Nostromo Captain Dallas (Tom Skerrit) and none other than Ripley herself, based on Weaver’s likeness for the first time. It’s something collectors have been clamoring for and worth the wait as the figure debuts in two different versions. One Ripley dons the distinctive Nostromo spacesuit – what I call the “samurai goalie” look – the other is garbed in her jumpsuit, armed with flame thrower. Spacesuit helmets can be removed, but beware those of ornery face huggers. There are even two versions of Jonesy the Cat, one calm and the other with his hackles up.
NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Association) never fails to amaze with their New York Toy Fair sales booth displays. This year the highlight was a huge diorama with Ripley in the P-5000 Power Loader that NECA prevued last year. She’s prepared to battle the monstrous xenomorph Queen Mother. Half of the android Bishop (Lance Henriksen) watches helplessly in the midst of a hatchling swarm of scurrying face huggers.
The queen is quite a showpiece. NECA has captured the sleek, angular, and wiry essence of the creature with its regal crest and slavering jaws. The deluxe figure has 30 points of articulation, stands over 15 inches tall and 30 inches long to the tip of its highly posable tail. A stand and two sets of inner jaws are included.
Tall Cool One…
NECA also displayed a prototype of their 1979 Alien. It’s a quarter scale replica of the suit worn by 6′ 10″ Balaji Badejo for his sinuous and balletic performance. Born out of the late H. R. Giger’s nightmarish artwork, this lone creature was plenty enough of a scare on his own in the original film. Even in its unpainted state it’s clear NECA has a fine representation in the works. It’s scheduled for a June release.
SkeletonPete Says…
I was fortunate to have viewed the original Alien in its first theater run, probably its first week. In 1979 there was no chance of internet spoilers, no speculation from decades old fan bases, just a pure experience that was quite a fright ride. Second and third viewings were equal fun, especially watching the popcorn fly in the midst of unsuspecting first timers. I only knocked the edges off the experience once I could run it on VHS at will. It is that kind of audience familiarity and the since proffered Prometheus backstory and Predator interpolations that Neill Blomkamp will have to overcome in his quest to make his new installment of a piece with the first two and offer that kind of impact.
Oops, You Blinked…
Congratulations to the Dark Horse Comics team whose inaugural issue of Fire and Stone: Prometheus sold out in the wink of an eye. It’s an exceptional start to a series that promises to eclipse even Dark Horse’s long running Stars Wars books. The F&S series represents a massive franchise culling, century hopping, set of tales which are bound to keep followers of the Alien and Predator mythos enthralled and fandom discussion boards thriving.
Four By Four Plus One…
They’ll be four issues in each Fire and Stone series, Prometheus, Aliens, Predator, and Aliens Vs. Predators (AVP,) with a final standalone story produced to pull the whole shebang together. I think it’s easy to predict the final works being offered in one nifty Dark Horse hard cover edition down the road.
(Xeno) More 4 U…
Be forewarned the first issue of Fire and Stone: Aliens, arriving on September 24th, is likely to disappear into space just as fast and no one will hear you scream. The first issue features xenomorphs up the wazoo in a tale hinted at in the first issue of F&S:Prometheus. The second printing of Prometheus #1 is expected on October 8, 2014, the same day that Aliens Vs Predators: Fire and Stone #1 drops.
