You Can't Keep A Good Slasher Down...
Everyone has their favorite Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th
films. Some fans enjoy the early "Sack Head" Jason from Part II, while
others prefer his Jason X appearance as an unstoppable cybernetic
killing machine. For me, Jason became a horror legend when he came back
from the dead as a zombie slasher in Jason Lives. This sixth
Friday the 13th film marked a major milestone in the series, a moment
right up there with Jason donning his hockey mask for the first time in
Part III. If Jason Voorhees was frightening before as a deformed serial
killer, now he was truly frightening as a monster. A monster that could
not be killed.
Some would say Friday the 13th "jumped the shark" with Jason Lives. I
see it as the point where the writers fully embraced the campiness (no
pun intended) of the movie series and dialed it up a notch. Let's face
it, there's only so many different ways to film teenagers getting killed
in the woods by a masked mad man. But killed by a zombie masked mad man? That's the start of something fresh and new. A monster movie slasher.
NECA revealed at San Diego Comic-Con that an "Ultimate" 7-inch Jason Lives action figure
is in the works, the undead Camp Crystal Lake psycho ready to take-down
some teens with improvised cemetery fence spear. Tombstone included.
That figure comes out this Fall, but in the mean time Friday the 13th
fans can own Jason Lives as part of NECA's newest 8-inch Mego-style
action figure line. I'm a big fan of both action figure formats, and
since this is my all-time favorite Jason Voorhees, I can never have
enough Jason Lives in my collection.
One thing I like about NECA's Mego-style figures is the premium clam
shell packaging they come in. Blister cards are all nice and dandy on
regular figure releases, but since I'm an action figure opener, those
packs get chucked into the trash quicker than Jason can take out a teen.
NECA's Mego-style figures, however, are collector friendly. By
carefully cutting around the three perforated sides, these unique clam
shells can be opened up and resealed for on the wall display.
Another packaging perk on these figures is the gorgeous art work.
Featured on a heavy stock cardboard insert, the amazing art can be
removed and displayed all by itself. This particular piece was done by
Jason Edmiston (LOVE his signature!) Killer work on Jason, Jason.
Awesome packaging and art work aside, another reason I love NECA's new
Mego-style figures is their slightly larger size (8 inches), massive
amounts of articulation, numerous accessories, and real-cloth outfits.
Unless we're talking hyper-realistic 1:6th scale action figures, the
thought of real-cloth outfits on a toy usually scares me. That's doll
territory, something many of us serious figure collectors frown upon
(they're action figures!). NECA, however, knows what they are doing.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, these Mego-style figures are
like deluxe versions of NECA's 7-inch plastic figures. Or like a 1:6th
scale action figure shrunken down to 8 inches. There's nothing hokey or
doll-like here. All the clothes fit really nice and combined with NECA's
incredibly sculpted head sculpts and accessories, these figures really
shine.
With Jason Lives, collectors receive two cool portraits to display:
Jason Voorhees wearing his iconic hockey mask, or maskless revealing his
new decomposing zombie face. What's neat here is that you can actually
insert Jason's included machete in the slash in the hockey mask, the
same place where he got killed in part four's The Final Chapter!
In addition to his trademark machete, Jason Lives includes his hunting
knife, as well as his makeshift spear. The latter comes packaged in two
pieces. This allows you to slide both halves into one (or both) of
Jason's hands and then reattached the parts for a better grip. I think
many fans will have him displayed with the spear as the weapon really
helps define this version of Jason. The good news is that if you decide
to go this route, Jason's knife and machete can be stowed on the figure
in their corresponding sheathes! I absolutely love it when a figure can
hold all his included accessories (even in its head!).
NECA is on a roll releasing Jason Voorhees in their newer Mego-style
figure format. We've already received Part 2's Sack Head Jason and Part
5's Jason imposter (aka Roy). Now we get Part 6's awesome Jason Lives.
What's next for the line? While not my favorite films in the series, a
more decomposed Part 7 Jason would really rock, as would a Jason X.
Heck, at this rate I think we'll get them all.
NECA's Mego-style 8" Jason Lives action figure is available now at many fine retailers, including BigBadToyStore.com where it is priced at $27.99.
To buy action figures, take a look at BigBadToyStore.com, TheToySource.com, Toynk.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, MonkeyDepot.com, EntertainmentEarth.com, Amiami, HobbySearch and Hobbylink
For hobby miniatures and all your gaming needs, visit MiniatureMarket.com.
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