- Manufacturer: Super7
- Released: 2018, San Diego Comic Con, Exclusive.
Super7 have had some great success with their series of 3.75 inch range of ALIEN ReAction figures and this release of the popular Alien character was an Exclusive at San Diego Comic Con in 2018 and the recent years have seen the figure released in various waves of blind box editions but this is the first it has been released in classically packaged retro themed blister card arrangement in 4 years.
The figure itself is a celebration of Kenner’s first known prototype of the Alien in 1979. The prototype itself was kit bashed inhouse by Kenner using one of their own Star Wars action figures, the Hammerhead Alien. The color scheme of this Super7 tribute item is directly connected to Kenner’s Star Wars figure, colored as it was with a contrasting brown and blue scheme.
Other than the color scheme, this Alien figure itself is no different to previous versions already released by Super7. All articulation throughout, including the slider for the tongue under the clear carapace, is duplicated with this release. Nonetheless, the return to card backing brings other notable features with it. For the first time, Super7 has packaged the Alien with an accessory; and in this case, it’s a collectible coin. The coin features head and tail details mimicking a similar coin accessory appearing in Kenner’s Star Wars Power of the Force range of action figures. The obverse side of the coin features Super7’s logo, ALIEN title, slogan and other trademark information; while the reverse features a 1990s stylised image of the Alien itself. It’s a nice accessory that also helps to further tie the figure to its Star Wars roots.
As this Alien ReAction figure has multiple connections with Star Wars – of which none are overtly stated on any packaging – it has become a highly sought after collectible item across multiple Collector communities. As a result, attempting to acquire one now at a decent price (under US$50) is becoming a challenge. This command of high price is probably the figure’s worst drawback as Super7 no longer stock this item and the mercy of eBay vendors is your next best chance to buy one now. Other problems, notably omissions, also detract from what could have made this a fantastic item rather than the otherwise over-rated and average figure it actually is.
Ostensibly missing from any packaging is any information or description as to why this figure is brown and blue. To any casual observer it’s just an odd Alien figure – just one of many that have been released to date and the lack of any description on the card denies its greater meaning and historical significance. Super7 don’t possess the licence to permit any mention of Star Wars on their product but any details would have helped to alleviate this lack of connection. A single line obliquely stating this figure is “Based on the movie character figure used to create the very first 4.75 inch ALIEN prototype!” would have been more useful and given it much needed substance. Sadly, such omission wears heavily on the release – it’s almost meaningless unless you understand the design language that’s been purposefully employed here along with the history of (almost) 40 year old toys. It’s more than just a colorway that matches the original Hammerhead figure Kenner made more than four decades ago – but that significance is absent.
Also of some disappointment is the use of the photograph of the figure on the card front. Previous ALIEN ReAction figures have used still photos from the actual movie – this carded figure completely foregoes such niceties and duplicates an image of the actual figure itself. Once again, a wasted opportunity as this portrait space would have been an ideal area to display an image of the original Kenner kit bashed prototype Alien figure this item was inspired by. Sadly, this visual connection is not made and the figure’s significance is once again rendered meaningless beyond a being a dramatic recolor. It is reduced to being yet another Super7 ALIEN ReAction figure on a blister packed card; and while the image of the figure itself is decorative, it’s potential for genuine significance is wasted.
The card’s retro design and themes immaculately match Super7’s earlier Wave 1 and 2 releases from years gone by and does not look out of place when displayed along side them. This consistency is very welcome. Conversely though, this also means the black card is out of character with other similar carded convention Exclusives making it the only ReAction ALIEN figure released at a convention mounted on black rather than blue card.
One fine feature of the card is its back. The reverse side of the packaging depicts all 8 characters appearing in Super7’s recently released ALIEN ReAction Wave 3 packs.
There’s a lot to like about this release, it’s a nice looking figure with some great connection to the original prototype Alien Kenner made almost 40 years ago. It’s just a shame that no real connection to the old Kenner presentation piece is documented here in any form. None exists in any way, indirectly or implied. It’s just another Alien release from Super7 that is being given much more value than it really deserves. In this regard, it feels incomplete and where such information is needed, it’s just not there. Robbed of this significance, it falls substantially short of being the remarkable and special item it is intended to be.
SCORE: 6/10
An overall neat little package but the missed opportunity to unconditionally celebrate the origin of ALIEN ReAction figures sadly makes this item meaningless when removed from its packet as much as it is while still safely secured in its blister. It’s just a blue and brown ReAction figure Alien, made to appeal to the Star Wars collector fan base; with a coin and a lost connection.
More about the curious history of this figure in Kenner’s Pocket Size ALIEN Legend.
Read more HIDEOUS PLASTIC reviews.
