Good afternoon everyone! Hope you all had a great week and you’re ready for a sweet weekend as we all pretty much prepare ourselves for the restless nights of SDCC, which arrives in 2 weeks… and of course we can’t forget PREDATORS opens tomorrow! Let’s kick things off with a review of an older kit from Andy Escobar known simply as The Huntress.
This is a piece I acquired about 3 years ago from a producer that goes by the name Nosfera Toys, who has been selling this kit for a number of years and you can see his items on his eBay page by clicking HERE. This kit was initially sold through a company called Rat Factory but at some point the production rights and molds changed hands and Nosfera Toys began casting them. There has been some debate in the community about the legitimacy of Nosfera Toys producing this kit, but I have never actually heard from Andy (the sculptor) or Rat Factory say anything about it, and Nosfera has been selling this kit for about 4 years now. So if Andy or anyone else wants to confirm the rights, feel free to contact me.
As for the kit itself, she’s sculpted in a 1:6 scale format, although she is closer to a 1:5 scale at nearly 14″ in height in a crouched position. The interesting concept with this kit is that it can be purchased with options depending on your budget. The base, figure and extra weapons are sold separately, so you can just buy the bare minimum figure, or you can go all out and purchase all 3 options together as a package deal. When you contact Nosfera (do it through their eBay page), just tell them what you want and they’ll send you the pricing… I bought mine years ago so I imagine the prices have since changed.
SCULPT - Let’s start off by talking about the base, which is pretty huge at 12.5″ wide, 9″ deep and the stack of skulls reaching 4″ in height. I absolutely LOVE this base, the skulls are beautifully detailed and look awesome, and the ground texture is full of nooks and crannies and looks extremely realistic. The cool part is that you can actually buy JUST the base and use it to display any 1:6 or 1:5 scale kits, statues or figures. In fact you could use this base and display a couple of Hot Toys Predators on it and it would look kick-ass. So top marks on the base, it’s beautiful.
Next up is the weapons pack, which I love… the weapons are all bladed weapons that are a combo of metal blades and bone handles, and the cool thing is that you can build them in several combinations. For example on my kit, you see in her raised hand she has a double bladed weapon, but this could have been separated to be 2 daggers. The default weapons pack includes the following: 1 knife, 1 sword, 1 maul, 1 small glaive, 1 large glaive and 2 sheaths. You can request specific weapons or doubles of anything, just ask! And apparently these look awesome with Hot Toy Predators if you want some custom gear for your HTs.
Here’s a little close-up of the base, check out the details…
Now lets talk about the missus… she’s sculpted with a distinct P2 style flavor, with the obvious parts being the armor. The lower leg armor, back, and shoulders are all carbon P2 copies with a custom heavy duty metal bra for the girly parts. She’s also fully decked out the with usual hunting gear: wrist blades, cannon, medipack and the ol’ trusty netgun, which is also P2 style. Did I mention she also has a bubble butt? BOOYA!
Overall the sculpt is beautifully done and the castings are great quality, no pinholes and solid high grade resin that won’t destroy dremel bits. We all know my addiction to Super Edge and Narin kits, but I am really happy I strayed and tried something else because this kit does not disappoint. It’s always nice when you open a kit box and the two first reactions are “wow nice castings” and “wow this is bigger than I expected”. Minds out of the gutter fellas…
PAINT APPLICATION -Now what’s a kit without the expert touch of Joe Dunaway? This is one of the earlier pieces I bought from Joe and I was totally blown away by the hyper realistic skin he creates. He’s able to layer the veins and colors to create an amazing translucent effect that is so realistic it’s almost scary. The detail work in the armor is also mind blowing, he’s able to work in metallics, dents, armor paint chips and weathering in every area of metal, right down to the tiniest dot you can barely see without a magnifying glass. Time and time again, Joe proves himself to be a paint master and top of the class for monsters and is the undisputed champion of Predators. Joe has painted easily over 100 Predators at this point, and each one is unique and stunning and I will always be extremely proud and feel honored to have housed a collection of over 50 pieces created by Joe Dunaway.
This week I put together something a bit different in terms of video… rather than a single review, I decided to change up the format a bit and went with a news show style format by talking about the latest in the Predator world, SDCC, and included this product review. So rather than a quick review, we’ve got a 22 minute show that covers all kinds of cool goodies. Because of YouTube’s 10 minute video limit, I’vehad to divide the video in to two parts. The review itself is in the second video, but I welcome you to check out both parts for all kinds of interesting info as well as a contest for free swag! Please click the links: Video Part 1 of 2and Video Part 2 of 2. I would really appreciate your feedback on this new format, do you like a longer show covering multiple topics or prefer just single subjects at a time?
I’ve had this collectible in my case for 3 years now but never took photos of the poor lass… so here’s a brand new round of photos of the Huntress I took yesterday for your viewing pleasure! Click the icon below to view the gallery:
Hop you enjoyed this review and the kit! If you have any questions or comments about Andy’s Huntress, feel free to contact me directly, or contact Nosfera Toys for purchase information. Just a heads up that the kit seen in this review is available for purchase! Contact me if you’re interested or stay tuned as this well be posted on eBay within a couple of days.
Don’t forget today is the big day! Predators the movie starts in theaters today, so please be sure to post your feedback if you’ve seen it! Reviews are streaming in on http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10012256-predators/and so far the tomatometer is at 68% and it seems people either love it or completely hate it, not much middle room lol! Personally as long as we see Predators kicking ass, I am a happy camper. Unfortunately I won’t be able to see the movie until early next week, so keep the spoilers to a minimum. And in case you didn’t see this, Sideshow has just announced 3 new Predators products just in time for the film release, check this out:
The Berserker Predator helmet
Sideshow is proud to partner with KNB EFX GROUP to bring you the Predators Collectible line from the 2010 film release. Each prop replica is an exact full-scale reproduction of the original on-screen prop, as created by KNB. The Berserker Mask Prop Replica is cast in fiberglass and features a light-up targeting site and the Berserker’s trademark animal jaw. Each piece is complete with a polystone stand that can be displayed on a desktop or shelf or mounted on your wall. This detailed The Berserker Mask Prop Replica is an incredible addition to any Predator legacy display, an outstanding beginning to Sideshow’s new Predators collectible line.
Product Size: 13.5″ H x 17″ W x 12.5″ D
Product Weight: 18.00 lbs
The Berserker Predator helmet – Check out all the details, photos or place and order by clicking HERE!
The Tracker Predator Maquette EXCLUSIVE EDITION
Sideshow is proud to partner with KNB EFX GROUP to bring you the Predators Collectible line from the 2010 film release. Each piece is individually painted and finished, each with its own unique quality and detail that is the trademark of a handcrafted Sideshow Collectibles product. Presenting a scaled full-figure study of the newly developed Predator and dog-like alien creature designs for the film by KNB, The Tracker Predator Maquette is an incredible and detailed addition to any Predator legacy display.
The Sideshow Exclusive version of the The Tracker Maquette includes a unique feature available nowhere else: Print of The Tracker design artwork
Product Size: 16.5″ H x 15″ W x 16.5″ D
Product Weight: 18.00 lbs
The Tracker Predator Maquette EXCLUSIVE EDITION – Please click here for all the details, photos or to place an order!
The Tracker Predator Maquette Regular Edition - Please click here for all the details, photos or to place an order!
San Diego Comic Con 2010
Don’t forget, SDCC starts in 2 weeks! Preview night is July 21st and then the doors open to all July 22nd to the 25th. We’ll have full coverage on Predatorstuff.com of course, and we’ll be hanging out in Sideshow’s SDCC chat, which opens same day as Preview night I am assuming (same drill each year). So if you’re not at the show, keep your eyes peeled here for full coverage of all the coolest goodies.
Ask Sideshow - Aliens / Predator / AVP Edition
Hey guys, thought you would like to check this out… it’s some of the more recent questions collectors have asked Sideshow Production regarding new products for Predator, Aliens and AvP. Not sure if you guys check this feature out at Sideshow, so thought I would share them here… enjoy.
Q.Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Things have been kind of quiet on the Alien front. Would Sideshow ever consider making life-size figures of the various alien creatures from the Alien films? What about the Predator for that matter?
Certainly; possibly continuing in the life-size bust line. We’ve had the ambition of making full-size creatures for a long, long time, and eventually will devote our energies to make it happen.
Q.Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Can we expect tons of newer product from the upcoming Predators movie?!
Yes, certainly. Roughly a metric ton of it. We’ve partnered with KNB EFX Group (the effects company who worked on the film) to create a very large range of products from Predators, and we’re eager to share them with you!
Q.Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
Is Hot Toys planning to make the Predators from the new movie coming in the summer? If so, will there be any Sideshow Exclusives to the figures?
Only time will tell, but we hope you’ll check back soon!
Q.Monday, July 5th, 2010
Can we expect a bigger Alien Newborn than the polystone statue? Maybe as a Premium Format or, better, a life-size bust or from your future Legendary Scale Bust line?
Possibly, but we feel that there’s quite a bit of ground to cover for the Alien and Predator species products, and we’re more likely to concentrate on purebloods rather than half-bloods for the moment.
Q.Monday, July 5th, 2010
Any chance of an “ELDER PREDATOR MASK” life-size, please???
We have a very healthy line of new Predator bio masks planned for release through 2010, 2011, and beyond. We think you’ll be pleased.
Q.Sunday, July 4th, 2010
Any chance that we will see a Predator – from any movie – in the Premium Format line?
That’s tough to answer. Yes, we are likely to bring a new Predator to life in roughly 1:4 scale, but we don’t know whether it would be a fit for Premium Format or remain a Maquettesort of special release.
Q.Friday, July 2nd, 2010
In all reality, so we can put this to rest, could, would, will there ever, be a day when Sideshow will produce a 1:1 or even a 1:2 scale Queen Alien Bust from James Cameron’s Aliens?
It’s difficult to imagine that many collectors have the space for a true 1:1 Queen Alien bust or that we could safely ship one, so we’ll go ahead and say no, it’s VERY unlikely. A 1:2 scale piece could be very interesting, and it’s something we’ll give more serious consideration moving forward.
Q.Friday, July 2nd, 2010
I’m wondering in what direction you will be going with the Predator species in the near future…I have to say that I have been very disappointed that you guys have only released one true Predator maquette so far, and only two Predator busts (Predalien is more alien). Will you guys be producing more Maquettes and Life-Size busts at a steadier pace any time soon? Also, is there any chance you guys will visit the Lost Hunters from Predator 2?
Very good question. We’re very keen on bringing some new visions of the Predator species to life, both film-accurate and more imaginative. The new Predators film will have us busy for the remainder of 2010 and into 2011, but we’ve also started work with Steve Wang on some very interesting work. In short, you will see much more of the Predator species from Sideshow moving forward.
Q.Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
Please make the ALIEN maquette a standing pose. The crouched pose is getting old!
We will pass that comment along to the design department.
Q.Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
Can you please suggest (firmly, if possible) to Hot Toys to re-release their AVP merchandise? They must still have molds. Even if not, business-wise, it’s a solid idea. They can be priced at $200, and hundreds would pay that price, including me! I bought an Hot Toys Celtic Predator last night, only to find he was actually sold out. This really broke my heart.
Not a problem. We have an open line of communication with Hot Toys, and we will relay your thoughts and represent your request as friendly and diplomatically as possible.
By the way guys, check out my two videos that I posted earlier in this article for additional personal comments I made on this Q&A if you’re interested… just me adding my two cents where it’s not wanted! You can find more Q&A on all kinds of topics on the Sideshow site by clicking HERE!
CONTEST TIME!
Did you know one of the best ways to help support this site is by using Predatorstuff.com as a referrer when you buy your collectibles? For example, when you click on an item from this site that takes you to the Sideshow Collectibles site and you purchase something, I make a small commission off that sale. That commission is what pays for the site, server, prizes and products for reviews. My advertising and referrals are critical to keeping this site alive and I am VERY grateful for all of you that use me as a referrer. So to reward all of you, I am going to keep track of all your referred orders from now until September 12th (my birthday) and then I will draw 5 random names and each person will win a cool mystery Sideshow prize.
So let me explain what this referrer thing is… let’s pretend you went to THIS ARTICLE about the new Sideshow products from Predators. While browsing the article, you click on the photo of the Berserker helmet and that takes you to the Sideshow site. Sideshow knows that you just came from my site, so if you buy that helmet or anything else from their site, I get a bonus from Sideshow for referring you to them. So if you place an order, with Sideshow at this point, you will receive a T order number and a confirmation that your order has been placed. On my end, I receive a confirmation that someone has just purchased something after being referred to me and I also see that T order number.
So, if you do place an order after clicking on a link from my site and you want to enter this contest, all you do is contact me and send me your name, address and your T order number. I will verify that your T order is a legit referred transaction and your name is in the hat. If you make 10 purchases from now to September 12th 2010, then your name is in the draw 10 times! And this applies to all Sideshow orders, be it for an in-stock item or for a pre-order item.
If for some reason there is any confusion about how this works, just post a comment below by clicking the comment button at the end of this article and I will answer ASAP.
So that’s it for tonight gang, have a great weekend and hope you dig the movie!
Take care,
Dan
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