NECA's 2004 toy line combines high-end resin sculptures with high quality action figures based on some very popular cult movies and retro animated properties. NECA has produced action figure lines for 'R' rated movies such as Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, which clearly target older collectors, while many of the tamer licenses NECA has are from older movie and animated properties, which today's 25-40 year-olds remember from their youth. ICv2 has already covered some of NECA's cutting edge movie properties including Kill Bill (see 'NECA's Kill Bill Crazy 88 Figures'), Lord of the Rings (see 'NECA's 18-Inch LOTR Figures') and Freddy vs. Jason (see 'NECA Unveils New Freddy Figures'), but NECA has more movie-based projects underway including action figures and toys for Gremlins, The Crow, Hellraiser, Ghostbusters, and Pixar's upcoming The Incredibles. In addition to these movie properties, NECA also has product lines based on a couple of popular retro animation properties, Astro Boy and Masters of the Universe.
While NECA has a full line of Ghostbusters action figures and novelties, including a big, bad Stay-Puff figure, hitting the market in May, comic retailers may be more interested in NECA's new offerings featuring The Crow, which will be out in June. In addition to a 15-inch resin statue of James O'Barr's The Crow (MSRP: $180), NECA is also producing a Crow 2-Pack, which will have one Crow Action Figure (without makeup) staring at a fully made up version of himself in a special mirror package. The Crow 2-Pack will have a suggested retail price of $24.00. While NECA's Ghostbusters and Gremlins toys appeal to all ages, offerings such as The Crow and the macabre and gruesome Hellraiser figures are clearly aimed at older collectors.
Astro Boy
NECA has an extensive line of Astro Boy merchandise, which should arrive at retail starting in May. The lineup includes micro-busts, a statue, Head-Knockers (bobbing heads), lunchboxes, stationery and even 'toothpick holders' (or are those shot glasses?). Between Bandai America and NECA, retailers should have plenty of Astro Boy merchandise available this year -- if the property takes off.
Masters of the Universe
NECA's Masters of the Universe line of high quality resin statues is aimed at well-heeled collectors who grew up in the 1980s and have fond memories of MOTU. The superbly detailed mini-busts will retail for $48, while the full-size statues, such as the wonderful rendering of Clawful, will end up in the $240 range.
