NECA Toys is now offering the highly anticipated release of their Predator Series 18, which includes a Hornhead Predator, Broken Tusk Predator and Machiko Noguchi figures. This wave is inspired by the classic Dark Horse Comics Predator series, and has become our personal favorite Predator line-up of the year.
NECA’s longest running action figure line continues with an entire series dedicated to Dark Horse Comics Predators! Series 18 features three action figure debuts that are some of the most requested by fans: Hornhead, Broken Tusk and our first female Predator, Machiko!
Hornhead made his first appearance in Predator: Life & Death, and is a great companion piece to the Ultimate Ahab Predator, also from the currently running comics. He utilizes the new Ultimate Predator body, and comes with a removable mask and sword accessory that fits in a sheath on his back. Broken Tusk originates in the classic 1990s Aliens vs Predator comics, and his epic story arc also includes Machiko Noguchi, a human colonist who performs the incredible feat of earning his respect and joining his tribe. Broken Tusk utilizes the new Ultimate Predator body and comes with gun and bladed weapon that measures over 12” in length! Machiko has a removable mask, extra interchangeable hands, and rifle accessory.
We’ve paid close attention to detail to make these as accurate to the comics as possible. Hornhead and Broken Tusk stand 8” tall; Machiko stands 6.5” tall. Each has between 25 and 30 points of articulation. Blister card packaging.
Thank you to NECA Toys for providing their Predator Series 18 figures for review.
Availability: November 2018
NECA’s new Predator line-up is surely one you have to own as the figures in this assortment are comic inspired as they appeared in Dark Horse Comics. The packaging is inspired by the classic comic book series, and features artwork and a brief bio on back. Each of these figures includes a modern sculpt and includes accessories.
Machiko Noguchi is a human that survived the devastation of her colony by the Yautja and Xenomorphs, and ultimately joined the Yautja after earning their respect and became one of them. This figure resembles how she appeared in the comics after joining the Yautja, and includes a removable mask, armor on her body, a shoulder mounted cannon and wrist blades. The head sculpt is nicely done and is braided just like that of a Predator’s, and the shoulder mounted cannon is non-removable and the blades are non-retractable. The armor is nicely detailed and is painted in dark grey with a slight silver and blue wash. The blue is also used on the cannon and blaster that fits in her left hand. Her belt is painted in a gold with a black wash over it, and her gloves are painted in two shades of brown, with the darker part of the brown used on the top part of the boots that looks like leather and is strapped over the armor. The mask is different than what has been seen before and fits over her face perfectly, and includes orange eyes and a black wash over the grooves and edges. Included is an interchangeable right hand and a blaster.
The Broken Tusk Predator is based on the 1990’s Predator vs. Alien comic series and is sculpted in armor that is painted in dark green with a black wash. It also has spikes sticking out that are going in a variety of directions. The armor also features sculpted texture and some lines and patterns sculpted on. The figure features a computer on the left gauntlet and a retractable blade. The chest armor features the head of a Xenomorph with a hold circle and a red lightning bolt at the center of the forehead, and there is some techno parts such as tubes painted in silver. The console on the gauntlet includes the Yautja language as seen in the comics and movies. The detail on the chest is the primary focus of the figure, and NECA has done an excellent job showcasing it here. There is also a skeleton trophy on the piece of armor below the head, which appears to be part of a human spine. The detail on the skin is also nicely done, and some parts of it has sculpted texture and nicely done paint applications. The fishnet over the skin is painted in green, as opposed to black that is commonly used on a Predator. The head sculpt includes a non-removable mask and black hair out the back. The mask is painted in gold, with the circle and lightning bolt logo on his forehead.
Included with the Broken Tusk Predator is a blaster with a strap on it that can go around his torso, and a spear that can break apart at the center and become two weapons.
Hornhead Predator was first featured in Predator: Life & Death, and is a great companion piece to the Ultimate Ahab Predator. His head sculpt features horns on the top of the forehead, and above that are details of the skeletal structure that is made up of some great sculpting and deco. The mouth is covered by the long sharp looking teeth that are inclosed around it, and the details on the eyes are nicely done. The armor is painted in silver with a light blue wash over it, which makes it stand out. On the sides of the hips and lower legs are a detailed pattern in the armor that is nicely sculpted, and the blue deco helps to showcase this pattern by being washed in-between the grooves. The skin has some nicely done painted flesh tones that are light and dark, and the fishnet over it looks as good as other figures. This figure features the newly sculpted body that has recently been used, and works well for him. Around his torso is a strap with a sheath for his sword on back, which has some nicely sculpted details and strong paint applications. The sword fits perfectly inside, and can also fit in his left hand. Also included are four long blades that plug into the gauntlets. The blade of the sword and blades on the gauntlets are painted in silver with a wash over it.
Overall, Predator Series 18 is one of the nicest looking waves that NECA has ever done in this line, which should say a lot right there. Each of the figures have a great likeness to the comic book and the sculpting, deco and detail all came out great. Predator fans won’t want to miss out on this wave.
Purchase:
Megalopolis: City Of Collectibles
Hornhead Predator – eBay, Amazon
Broken Tusk Predator – eBay, Amazon
Machiko Noguchi – eBay, Amazon
