HiYa Toys Reveals Newborn and Predalien.

Posted on 17/10/2021 by windebieste

Hiya Toys have been busy announcing and releasing new ALIEN content in recent months and I haven’t been able to keep up. Latest reveals from the company include the Newborn from ALIEN Resurrection and the Predalien Hybrid seen in ALIENS vs PREDATOR: Requiem. These look like great little figures and are only the tip of the iceberg from Hiya in terms of their recent releases.

Both figures come packaged in a window box, are super poseable and stand around 5.5 inches (about 13cm) tall. They are now available for pre-order from Big Bad Toy Store along with other good fun things.

ALIEN Resurrection Newborn pre-order for US$19.99.
AvP-R Predalien pre-order for US$19.99.

While neither ALIEN Resurrection nor AvP-R rate well with many fans, both movies do have solid fan bases. The enthusiasm and appreciation for these movies is much greater than some people may realise. After all, the continued interest is evident when high quality product based on so called “unpopular” entries in the series such as these continue to be released. The market for tie in merchandise based on these movies – of which both are more than a decade old – is as solid now as it has ever been.

-Windebieste.

GG Alien Unleashed.

Posted on 22/09/2021 by windebieste

GG Alien said he had enough of this “Lockdown bullshit” and decided to go outside and get drunk, freak out some birds and scare the neighbour’s cat so it won’t set foot in my back yard for a month. Let’s talk about this curiosity for a bit, his name is GG Alien. “GG Alien” is a custom built figure using discared parts from multiple 1979 Kenner ALIEN toys. The custom made piece is inspired by the notorious American punk performer, GG Allin, along with numerous other punk bands of the 1970s and 1980s. This build was made about four years ago.

GG Alien isn’t solely a custom made figure, though. That would be ignoring significant work done elsewhere. He’s the result of a much larger effort of restoring many other Kenner ALIEN toys. GG Alien isn’t the end goal of the exercise, he’s more of a byproduct of other extensive activities. Continue reading →

Mezco One-12 ALIEN Figure Pre-Order.

Posted on 25/08/2021 by windebieste

Mezco have opened pre-orders for their upcoming One:12 Collective Alien figure. This 7 inch tall (1:12 scale) item features an all-new seamless body designed with a durable and highly posable internal skeleton armature.

Other features include, “a hinged pharyngeal jaw and interchangeable inner mouths, as well as an interchangeable chest plate pierced by the ASSO-400 Harpoon Grappling Gun, as seen in the final scene of the movie … other film-accurate accessories including a coiled Facehugger that can fit over the heads of most other One:12 Collective figures, an open Facehugger, a Chestburster, and an open and closed Ovomorph egg.” This sounds like a great package and a departure from Mezco’s more stylised items we have seen in the past. The internal armature based figure is very similar in construction to the Medicom Real Action Heroes ALIEN figured released way back in 2005. This figure is going to look great on display as no visible joins will spoil the presentation of the figure no matter what pose it is in. The current price is US$100 and is expected to ship First Quarter, 2022.

-Windebieste.

Nerf M41A Pulse Blaster Pre-Orders.

Posted on 17/08/2021 by windebieste

Hasbro are celebrating the 35th Anniversary of ALIENS by releasing a limited edition and functional Nerf replica of the M41A pulse rifle, capturing authentic details inspired by the equipment of the film’s Colonial Marine Corps. This item is now available for pre-order and expected to arrive sometime after October.Here’s a checklist of features this upcoming release will boast, “Captures the look of the iconic M41-A Pulse Blaster, with Power Loader inspired design and dual-blasting action. Features an electronic dart counter and movie-accurate blasting sounds. Measures over two feet long (28 inches) and comes fully assembled in premium packaging, perfect for display. Select from fully-motorized fly-wheel Elite or pump-action Mega dart blasting.” This sounds like a terrific item that should have been on toy shelves years ago. Then again, it’s probably taken Hasbro all this time to accommodate a product of this nature that primarily inspired by equipment featured in an R-rated movie. ALIEN is a property generally considered to be outside of Hasbro’s “family friendly” mandate. I’m hoping to see more ALIEN themed product from Hasbro. The acceptable discordance of product based on an R-rated series being marketed towards children is more intriguing and head scratching rather than concerning. Bring it.

-Windebieste.

Quantum Mechanix ZipperMouth ALIEN Plushie.

Posted on 19/07/2021 by windebieste

Taking cues from the Marcel DuChamp school of improvised found objects to give new meaning to familiar objects that would normally never share any relationship, Quantum Mechanix have revealed their upcoming ZipperMouth ALIEN plushie.This is no ordinary purse. Well, it’s just easier to have the manufacturer spell it out for you.“The Xenomorph Zippermouth™ features individually-stuffed claws, embroidered detailing (Zippermouth™ never use print detailing), and decorative top-stitching and custom-dyed fabric that’s super soft to the touch. And, of course, all Zippermouth™ feature their trademark zippered smile. Just unzip to reveal the Xenomorph’s iconic inner jaw, complete with its own tiny zipper mouth!” Well aint that something! When I was a child, plush soft toys were a big feature in my life. Many of them were hand made by my mother (and father). They were great and I loved them dearly. I’m not sure about I’d feel about this thing as a child; but I do love it as an adult. Nonetheless I don’t expect my mother to make me one, now.

The Xenomorph Zippermouth can already be pre-ordered from Big Bad Toy Store for US$29.95.

-Windebieste.

Hachette ALIEN Build Update.

Posted on 06/07/2021 by windebieste

Do you remember that subscription based, 1.2m tall do-it-yourself part builder ALIEN kit that became available earlier this year by Hachette? Installment number 17 has been released and is now available in France. Good friend and fellow ALIEN enthusiast, Baptiste Coudert, has a detailed video of the current state of the assembly of the head. Most of which is now taking on the dramatic and familiar shape we expect to see.

Along with the unsubtle phallic shaped head, work on the limbs has also started as these parts are now being distributed. So far, this looks like a terrific and fun – and probably expensive – way to build your own 1:2 scale hostile space monster. At this point, the head alone is an impressive almost complete body part. I wonder when that dome across the top will become available? Thank you, Baptiste, for sharing your dedicated progress with us all on this unusual and unique product from France.

-Windebieste.

MEZCO Deluxe MDS Alien Pre-Order.

Posted on 24/06/2021 by windebieste

MEZCO TOYZ have revealed their Mezco Designer Series (MDS) Deluxe ALIEN figure. This little chap is a 7 inch tall, fully featured effigy of the Big Chap from ALIEN. It is fashioned in Mezco’s articulated styling, including accessories and interchangeable parts. The MDS Deluxe ALIEN figure is available now for Pre-Order for US$50. Just check out all the goodies that will be included.So many features will be appearing with this wicked little brute. Here’s what you can expect to find inside the display worthy window box when it arrives on your doorstep, “The hostile Xenomorph features a hinged outer jaw with a pop-out pharyngeal jaw inside and removable drool FX, interchangeable hands and legs and a posable tail. Don’t get too close! The included Ovomorph egg contains a posable Facehugger as well as an interchangeable top so the Ovomorph egg can take on both open and closed forms. If you couldn’t escape the Facehugger, you’re not gonna like what happens next. The infant form of the Xenomorph, the Chestburster, is also included and has a posable tail.” Too much fun to be had right there. Available next year, sometime in April.

-Windebieste.

POLYFUSION – Xeno Pony Resin Kit

Posted on 13/06/2021 by windebieste

Have you ever wanted your very own My Little Pony/Alien hybrid? I bet you do. While custom made “My Little Xeno” kit-bashed art objects are nothing new, these xenomorphic unicorns from Polyfusion look stylish, fanciful and somewhat concerning.

Cast in polyurethane resin and standing at a healthy 20cm high, these items are made in a limited edition of only 30 units. Finished in either black or white, each figurine will set you back a solid EU$80. Here’s some info from the manufacturer “Each piece is handmade and may vary from the one pictured. We try to minimize variations from piece to piece but it is a natural part of the handmade process. No two objects will ever be the same. First our sculptures are digitally sculpted, 3D printed and molded (the old school way). From that we create multiple durable casts.” Sounds like a great, fun piece to have in your collection. Thank you Ann Val for calling this wonderful item to my attention. I love it.

-Windebieste.

Daniel Yu – Custom Painted ALIEN ReAction Figures.

Posted on 04/06/2021 by windebieste

Custom toy figure painter, Daniel Yu, has produced some new, unique eye candy for us to enjoy. Once again, Daniel has applied his creative talents to some four inch tall ALIEN ReAction figures and the results have been impressive. Here’s a pair of uniquely painted Xenomorph figures released by Super7 in 2020 and based on creatures appearing in the 1986 movie, ALIENS. This is a pair of commissioned pieces. The blue, blood spattered Xenomorph figure displays traditional colours associated with the movie while the other figure is blessed with a more creative colour scheme. They’re both great pieces. The blue figure is fantastic but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about purple Aliens, women love ’em. So, this pair of custom painted pocket size art objects has an all ’round appeal. Check ’em out below.
Continue reading →

AustrALIEN Collectors on Facebook.

Posted on 17/05/2021 by windebieste

Being a resident of Australia as I am means being isolated from the rest of the world. Especially as I am into ALIEN movie themed toys, action figures and other great stuff that is simply difficult to find in this country at best. Or in many cases, dismissive and impossible. For this purpose, a few of us living the lives of frustrated down under ALIEN collectors have banded together to form a group on Facebook dedicated to Australian ALIEN collectors. Naturally, we have provided ourselves with the obvious and catchy moniker, “AustrALIEN Collectors”.

OK. So it’s also a cheesy name; but we’re not fussed. I like cheese as much s the next domestic rodent does. Anyway, established just a few weeks ago on April 26 (ALIEN Day), we’re currently a small group of around three dozen members and slowly growing. If you’re an Australian (or New Zealand) ALIEN fan and interested in discussing the trials and challenges of being a collector fan in this country or just want to show off your prized (and not so prized) ALIEN goodies in your collection, please join us. Other international members are also welcome.

Buy, sell and trade activity is also welcome, as are all discussions relating to any ALIEN movie experience in this country. Come on, show us your collection of ALIEN movie tickets from Knox City cinemas. …or Darwin. We’d love to see what you’ve got. Got a question about the availability of a particular ALIEN product in Australia? We will know. Do you have rare and/or unique items you’d like to show us? Please do. Want to discuss ALIEN space monstery goodness merchandise of any kind from 1979 to present? We’ll talk.

Anyway, our philosophy is simple. Living in Australia isolates us from the rest of the world; but by setting up this Fan group, we believe our isolation may also be our biggest strength.

-Windebieste.

Lanard Toys – ALIENS Arrive in Australia.

Posted on 13/05/2021 by windebieste

After some indications on Facebook reporting that Lanard Toys ALIEN items were spotted in Toyworld stores, I decided to check out my local site. I could see the afternoon was clouding over, rain was forecast. Nonetheless, the closest store is an easy thirty minute walk for me. Entering the store and stepping up the counter, I did not have to venture far inside before I found proof Lanard Toys ALIEN items have indeed arrived in Australia. Here is proof. The Queen posing on the countertop, freshly removed from her packing case. So yes. The Lanard Toys ALIEN Collection line is now available in Australia. As this item was freshly unpacked from inventory that had just arrived, it lacks any pricing. The woman serving the counter was still unpacking what looked like a truck load of fresh stock that needed to be processed. I don’t think they were all Aliens. That would be awesome! She was busy but still willing to answer questions. At this point, only the ALIEN Queen had been divested from today’s delivery, and was yet to be entered into the store’s system. The woman at the counter was unable to provide me with any price as the item was not yet processed and not yet available for sale.

Not to worry. I am so happy these items have arrived in the country. I have been told recently that it would be another two months before we can expect to see them here. Obviously, the stagecoach has arrived early.

We now have ALIEN Lanard Toys in Australia. Great stuff! Yes this did make me happy. Was it happy enough to not worry about walking home in the rain? No. I took a bus.

-Windebieste.

HIDEOUS PLASTIC – ‘Phase 2’ Commences.

Posted on 06/05/2021 by windebieste

I recently completed adding the MPC ALIEN kit and all of its variants to HIDEOUS PLASTIC, which was a goal I’ve been wanting to achieve for a long time. It’s significant in other ways, too. This action completed what I always considered to be the final stage of ‘Phase 1’ of the greater HIDEOUS PLASTIC Project. I am now progressing to ‘Phase 2’.To celebrate the commencement of this effort, I’ve added some new banner images to the site. These will randomly display along with the already extant 1979 ALIEN banners. These do look neat and indicate the site’s transition of interest, and related content yet to be added.In all actuality, ‘Phase 2’ began a long time ago with various components now already in place. ‘Phase 2’ is intended to focus on ALIENS action figures, toys and model kits, specifically made and sold between the years 1979 and 2000. All of them, if possible. This will be a massive undertaking to say the least and I expect will take me years to complete. Some items of interest have already been added.

Items such as Kenner Prototypes and unlicenced/bootleg items already have a solid presence on the site. You can navigate to them easily from the Sidebar on the Right side of the home page or from the drop down menu just below the site’s banner. That’s a ton of work done right there, freeing me to now concentrate on adding officially released product to the site. I’m glad I took advantage of posting those items when they became available as they are rare and difficult to source. I do not have to hunt for them now. That would be be a nightmare. I will take this opportunity to thank everyone who made those pages possible. Images, content and information are all credited as appropriate wherever possible. Thank you, all.

There is still a lot yet to be done. Documenting all the ALIENS toys, figures and model kits from the final two decades of last century is the next goal. That will take some time – I am looking at several years worth of effort to make the detailed entries I envision. This will all take time to accomplish. I will need help as it will be a significant challenge and there also exists a large range of potential content I am only vaguely aware of, at best. I hope I have the energy and perseverance to do so. Mind you, this site has come this far and been fun to manage, so I know it can be done.

“How far I can take this Project?” That’s a good question. It’s something I have been asking myself from the very beginning and been the underlying work philosophy dictating my approach right from the start, all the way back to 2015. It’s been six years since commencing the HIDEOUS PLASTIC Project and I haven’t given up yet; and indeed, the contrary is true.

I have succeeded with my efforts culminating in one book already published. That alone was a massive undertaking, featuring a set of challenges. If I take my time and maintain the plan, I may yet publish another book, Vol.2, sometime in the next few years or so. A book focusing on toys and figures based on the four ALIEN movies made during the twenty years spanning 1979 to 2000. That’s always been the plan. Well, let’s see how far along the process path we can go this time. In a sense, it’s like starting over; but with some significant advantages along with a fresh batch of challenges to go with it.

If this all works out, the longer range vision is to document similar ALIEN content that has appeared on store shelves between the years 2001 and 2020; or as I like to think of it, ‘Phase 3’. That’s not being given much consideration at this time, though. Nonetheless if I am still working on this Project in five years, I will be in a fantastic position to give it my focused attention.

That is all for now. I hope you can join me as I embark on this challenging new phase of HIDEOUS PLASTIC’s development. Thank you for your support. Have a great day.

-Windebieste.

Video Review: ALIEN-MAN.

Posted on 03/05/2021 by windebieste

More of an appraisal and exploration of the strangeness that is ALIEN-MAN rather than a review. Here is a great video from What’s in the box!?!? covering all you really need to know about one of the most unusual and widely known custom ALIEN art objects ever cobbled together. The incomparable ALIEN-MAN!

It’s all there in the video. It comes complete with information about the artist responsible, Xevi Solar, and how his now defunct website was populated by all manner of strange custom toys, things that should have been made but of course, were never intended to see life in the real world. Nonetheless, in his own way, ALIEN-MAN has survived the purge. He’s out there. Waaaay out there! He’s loose in the world, waiting for you bring him to life. Just like the instructions provided in this video, you too can own ALIEN-MAN and have him grace your collection – and confound others while you’re at it.

Thank you, Ian Berghammer, for taking the time to create this informative video.

-Windebieste.

NEXT STOP: ALIENS 35th Anniversary.

Posted on 29/04/2021 by windebieste

ALIEN Day 2021 is now behind us but the fun isn’t over yet. Not by a long shot. Following on the 2019 40th Anniversary celebration of ALIEN, this year will see the 35th Anniversary of its sequel, ALIENS. Released in US cinemas on July 18th 1986, ALIENS has arguably become the most popular movie in the entire series. It’s gearing up to be a fascinating year for ALIENS fans, we all know it. I am expecting a slew of new products, toys, collectibles and other goodies will be released by a wide range of manufacturers during the coming year. Why little to none of these items have been announced this past ALIEN Day is a mystery. Blame Covid, I guess. As usual, I’ll be very interested in what is released; maybe even post a review or two. That’s something that’s been somewhat lacking on this blog for about a year now. I have to find a way to rectify this situation. ALIENS 35th Anniversary may just provide the correct impetus to do so.

-Windebieste.

ALIEN Day: Funko POP! Ripley & Loader.

Posted on 27/04/2021 by windebieste

It looks like Funko have a new ALIENS POP! figure coming out soon. Here she is, Ellen Ripley with her rompin’, stomin’ bitch slappin’ powerloader, announced on ALIEN Day.It looks like this Super Size POP! item is intended to be a GameStop exclusive but it appears it will be available in all kinds of places. It is currently available right now as a pre-order and will probably become available at all places that sell Funko stuff (That is everywhere, really.) in June. Nice looking figure. Too bad the POP! stuff is a pass for me otherwise I’d be all over this item.

-Windebieste.

UPDATED – MPC ALIEN Kits.

Posted on 20/04/2021 by windebieste

A major new addition has been made to the already lengthy article on MPC ALIEN kits. Today, I added no less than thirty six images of constructed and customised model kits. These new images comprise the collection belonging to Japanese ALIEN fan, Naoto Okawa. You can now view the entire gallery of new images. This update adds significantly more content to the article.

I love updating existing pages on the site with content like this. This particular addition was a real joy to present to the world and it expands the article on the MPC ALIEN kit to three pages. Fantastic stuff. Of course, this is all only possible with the kind permission of Naoto Okawa allowing me to do so. Thank you, Nao, for sharing your collection with us all. This is a genuinely remarkable and unique collection.

-Windebieste.

NECA Release TMNT Sewer Monster Figure.

Posted on 09/04/2021 by windebieste

NECA have released the latest in their range of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures. A new, fully articulated Sewer Monster is now available for purchase. There is no doubt the morphology of this character bares more than just a passing resemblance to an Alien. So much a resemblance, several years back, NECA released a re-coloured AvP-R ALIEN action figure mimicking this character, dubbed the “Sewer Mutation Warrior Alien”. Now, NECA have returned with a full and complete fresh take on the TMNT Sewer Monster.

This item is available now for US purchasers and if you are an international buyer, you are also being catered to. Here’s what NECA have to say about this fantastic item “This Ultimate Pizza Monster towers over the Turtles at 9″ tall, and includes its juvenile Pizza Monster form, pizza in box and a remote control device. Comes in collector-friendly window box packaging.” I have no interest in TMNT stuff. Well, not really; but despite it’s fully licenced status, I am sure one of these jaundice things would look right at home standing aside all the other weird ass bootleg, ring-in and knock off ALIEN toys and figures I own. One day.

-Windebieste.

REVIEW: Mexico Bootleg “X-Raptor” Toy.

Posted on 07/04/2021 by windebieste

There are some things I love. I mean really, REALLY LOVE. I love dinosaurs. I love Aliens. I love toys. I love surrealist art. I love weird stuff made in Mexico. I absolutely love it when all of these things are tossed into a large melting pot to craft a single object like this weird bootleg dinosaur/Alien hybrid toy made in Mexico. It doesn’t happen often enough and it can’t get any better than this; but that’s just my opinion.I also love writing reviews.So if you want to witness my totally biased and fully subjective opinion on this outstanding example of JURASSIC WORST, then you’re in luck!

It’s just been reviewed here on HIDEOUS PLASTIC.

-Windebieste.

UPDATED: MPC ALIEN Model Kits.

Posted on 24/03/2021 by windebieste

The page dedicated to MPC ALIEN model kits has expanded since first it was published little more than a week. So it’s time to announce an update. Response has been very good and welcome with some great samples of the assemble kit being added. Take this superb example by Rainer Engel:Yep. That’s the MPC ALIEN kit; and it sure has been put to some fantastic use. This item and others have been added to the expanding article; which is becoming lengthy and has now been divided into two separate pages.

Page 1 is dedicated to production variations of the kit.
Page 2 contains image galleries featuring assembled versions by various modelers.

I would like to thank the following people whose images appear in this article with their kind permission: Baptiste Coudert, JoAnne Esposito, Old Dogs Trading Post, Sabers, Ingo Siemon, Rainer Engel, Evan Wardwell, Lou Fusco and Terry Jones.

If you would like to see your assembled MPC ALIEN kit (regardless of your modeling skills) appear on page 2 of this article, please contact me. Credit will be provided.

-Windebieste.

Sigourney Weaver ODDA Magazine Shoot.

Posted on 17/03/2021 by windebieste

Back in January 2018, ODDA Magazine, a high end biannual international fashion publication, printed an issue dedicated to Sigourney Weaver in issue No.15. At least one full page photo in that issue captures her holding onto an ALIEN action figure. It’s a great photo, too. Featuring Weaver, looking as trim as ever and smiling coyly as she dangles the Alien by her side in a featureless room with yellow roses littered about her feet.

Enough about Weaver, though. lol. The figure in question used in this photo is of more interest to me. This item is Super7’s ALIENS Classic Toy Edition, released in 2017. Super7 released four different variants of this Kenner tribute ALIENS item. A facsimile prototype first appeared at San Diego Comic Con in 2016, the Classic Toy Edition in 2017 (The item in Weaver’s hand), a translucent green version merely weeks after the Classic Toy Edition became available was released in 2017. Finally a faux bronze finish figure known as the Marine Ambush Edition appeared in 2019. All of which have since sold out at the Super7 webstore. Details of these items can be found on this page.

ODDA Magazine is a “biannual fashion magazine replete with editorials and interviews propelled by brilliant artistry. Spanning men’s and women’s high fashion, the luxury markets of style and art, and the legacy of creative freedom, ODDA is a compendium of photographic beauty steeped in design culture.” Sounds posh to me; nonetheless, if you want a copy of this issue try Amazon or eBay. Do ODDA handle back issues? Maybe. I dunno. Click on the link in the link above in this paragraph and find out, I guess.

-Windebieste.