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Introduction
10 - Connor MacCleod, Highlander, Sideshow, 2005
The Highlander was one of Sideshow's early successes, a figure collectors really loved. We didn't get a ton of figures though - I only remember five distinct (not
exclusive) versions: two of Connor, two of Duncan, and Kurgan. Connor was the star of many reviews for several years,
as I used him as a scale comparison with other figures, but he was also always a favorite. He hasn't aged well though, and an updated, modern release would be an
immediate buy for me.
Some of these were produced in very low numbers, even for back then, so it's a bit surprising that they aren't more expensive on the secondary market.
9 - Jeepers Creepers, Majestic Studios, 2003
Back in the early aughts, Majestic Studios was doing some very interesting horror stuff. They did the terrific Fly
from the Return of the Fly, the evil Zuni Warrior prop replica, and even Barnabas
Collins (who almost made this list himself). But the one that disappointed was Jeepers Creepers, a modern monster that deserves a second go around. The secondary
market prices
have actually risen more than I expected on this guy, potentially indicating a remake would be a wise decision.
8 - Trinity, Medicom, 2005
I swear someone is doing a new Neo...I swear it. But I can't remember who, and I can't seem to find any info...perhaps I'm merely hallucinating. Either way, everyone
would like a new one of course, but it's Trinity that I'm really missing. You'll notice that Scully is not on my list, and that's because ThreeZero is doing a Mulder.
No way, no how, are they going to do a Mulder and not do a Scully. It's simply unimaginable. But if we get a Neo, poor Trinity could be left out. It's possible. And I'd
be very sad. I love the character, I love the costume, and the old version just ain't cutting it.
7 - Edward Scissorhands, Hot Toys, 2009
In Hot Toys early days of licensed figures, they would occasionally produce a figure where they had the license for the brand, but not the actor. One of the best
examples is Edward Scissorhands, who couldn't look less like Johnny Depp if they tried. It was a little odd, since they'd already done the more accurate Jack Sparrow and would go on to do other excellent Depp likenesses with Sweeney Todd
and Ichabod Crane. We desperately need a new Ed, this time at the level of quality of the more modern releases. His secondary
market price
has also shot up, indicating a very real demand for the character.
And while you're at it, give us a Vincent Price Inventor as well.
6 - Planet of the Apes Taylor, Sideshow, 2004
We've gotten updates on the apes from Hot Toys, although I'd sure like more. Zira, Cornelius, and others would be nice. But if I'm just picking one, then I really
want a Hot Toys quality Taylor to go with the three apes they released a number of years ago. Sideshow gave us a bunch
of Taylors, but let's be honest - they don't hold a candle to modern standards.
5 - Dutch, Predator, Hot Toys, 2009
Hot Toys has done some terrific Arnie characters over the years, but I think their work on the various Terminators is the strongest. At the beginning of their
work on the Predator license, they produced a Dutch, and he was great - for 8 years ago. I think they could crush the character now, given the advancements in head
sculpt and production paint, and it appears the demand
is there.
4 - Spawn, Medicom, 2007
I've never been a huge fan of Medicom in general. The smaller bodies was an immediate turn off, and while the quality could be quite high, the prices were as
well. I'm also not a fan of the stylized look of the human characters.
I did love their Spawn however, perhaps because it was the only real option we got. Over time the appeal has wore off for me, due in large part to the heavy material used for the cape. He's not as posable as a sixth scale superhero should be, and I think modern manufacturing techniques would allow someone to produce a much better figure now. With the big push we see MacFarlane making into the market again in the 7" scale, perhaps he might be willing to license out his baby to one of the top end sixth scale manufacturers again?
3 - Davy Jones, Hot Toys, 2008
There are two great travesties surrounding the Hot Toys Jack Sparrow line. First and foremost is the lack of a Barbossa. C'mon! The guy steals every scene he's
in! Perhaps with them producing figures based the latest film we'll finally get a version, but I'd like it to be an earlier version, please.
The second travesty is Davy Jones, easily the coolest looking villain in the entire series. Hot Toys did a great job on the sculpt and paint, and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a nice figure...but...it's simply too damn short. We need an updated version properly scaled to the other characters. And, slight spoiler warning if you haven't watched the new film, perhaps we'll see Davy again on the big screen, giving Hot Toys the perfect excuse. This is another figure where secondary market demand is definitely there.
2 - Buffy/Angel, Sideshow, 2001
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is 25 years old now - it's hard to believe. I'm combining both Buffy and Angel here because, well, it just seems the right thing
to do. Sideshow did a pretty admirable job with the licenses back in the day, but we really, really need an update. I doubt any modern company will go as deep as
Sideshow did - Hell, we got Lorne in a pale yellow suit - but a fresh version of Buffy and Angel at least would
certainly be welcome.
1 - Colonial Marines, Aliens, Hot Toys, 2007
It's been a long time since these guys were first produced by Hot Toys. Since then, we've gotten lots of great Alien figures from them, but without a couple Marines to
kick ass, the display just isn't right. The portraits on the originals are weak, and with current quality standards, they could crush a set of these characters. I
never did buy Vasquez either, making it a great opportunity not only to upgrade but complete the set.
Conclusions:
As I was considering the various potential figures for this list, a completely separate thought hit me - companies just don't go as deep as they used to with licenses. Think about Sideshow's lines like Buffy, Universal Monsters, X-Files, etc. Do you think anyone would produce a similar number of characters these days? Even Hot Toys went deep into the roster with their early licenses, like Pirates of the Caribbean, Predator, and Batman Begins. Sure, they still go nuts with the releases for Marvel and Star Wars, but do you really think we'll get much of anything other than Jack Sparrow for the new movie? I like to hope, but I don't expect. And that's kinda depressing for a collector like me, who appreciates having a wide range of B-list characters on the shelf. Thank goodness for the little guys like Star Ace (who have given us a ton of good characters for Harry Potter) and Asmus (who look like they'll finally get us to a complete Fellowship).If you're enjoying this top ten concept of Captain Toy Picks or have a suggestion for a future list, drop me a line and let me know! I've added a section below with links to all the past Captain Toy Picks... features:
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Sideshow Sixth Scale Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Hot Toys Portraits - Male!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Robot Action Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Animal Action Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Action Figure Vehicles!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Television (Live Action) Action Figure Lines!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Movie Based Action Figure Lines!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Underrated Action Figure Lines!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Action Figure Play Sets!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Ten Smart Purchases!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Ten McFarlane Lines!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Ten Bad Action Figure Ideas!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Ten Toy Fair 2017 Reveals!
Captain Toy Picks...The Top Ten Unproduced Action Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...The People's Picks for Best of 2016!
Captain Toy Picks...Best/Worst of 2016!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Poppies Winners of the Past Ten Years!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten DC Universe Classics Action Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Christmas Action Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Joker Action Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Superman Action Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Animated Action Figure Series!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Toy Things I'm Thankful For!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Premium Format Statues!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Horror Sixth Scale Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Horror Action Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Sixth Scale Disappointments Over $100!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Sixth Scale Disappointments Under $100!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Palisades Muppets!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Wanted Licenses in Sixth Scale!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Batman Black and White Statues!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Masters of the Universe Classics Action Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Female Action Figures!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Prop Replicas!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Simpsons World of Springfield action figures!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Batman action figures!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Sixth Scale Grails!
Captain Toy Picks...Top Ten Sixth Scale Figures!
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