NECA gets lazy
I was very happy to see that NECA would be releasing classic King Features Syndicate versions of at least three of their most popular characters: Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Ming The Merciless. To date there have been three different versions of two of these characters (Ming and Flash), two versions of the Phantom, and only images of three other characters, Mandrake the Magician, Lothar, and Garax (which will apparently hit store shelves next month according to The Toyark). When the first line of figures (Defenders of the Earth) was released, I fell in love with them. All three figures were painted fairly well with just a few minor gripes here and there in my opinion. I’ve reviewed all three in previous posts. Then NECA released repainted versions of Flash and Ming on cardbacks based on their looks in the classic Flash Gordon Filmation series. I passed on both of these figures as I wasn’t impressed by either of them.
Next, NECA released a trio of repainted figures based upon the old King Features Syndicate comic strip versions of Flash, Ming, and the Phantom. I immediately snapped up a Phantom figure because it looked like the Phantom that I fell in love with many years ago. I have yet to open the box or review that figure. I don’t want to mess with it. I also wanted Flash, but wasn’t willing to pay full price for what was essentially a repainted figure with one different head and a cooler looking raygun than the Defenders version of the character. Poor Ming looks atrocious, and I have no plans to purchase him at all.
I eventually found Flash on clearance at a price that I was willing to pay. The figure features the same body as the Filmation version of the figure with an additional gun holster and a peg hole on the waist to attach Flash’s sword sheath. It also comes with a repainted version of the Filmation raygun, two blaster bolts (a short and long one), a sword, a second set of hands, and an additional head (the same mold from previous versions of the figure). It also features the signature stiff points of articulation that I’ve just come to accept as par for the course from NECA.
This figure, while cool to look at, has to be one of the laziest additions to the NECA Original Superheroes line. They used the standard body mold that they have used multiple times in this line already. The holster will not close while the gun is in it. The sheath looks nice when attached to Flash’s belt but it easily pops off of the figure. They also repainted the sword from previous versions of the figure. The only new thing is the Flash head with the aviator cap on it. Everything else is recycled.
The long blaster bolt broke while I was attempting to attach it to Flash’s blaster. Neither it nor the short bolt actually fit onto the tip of his raygun. The secondary head (the one without the aviator cap) also featured a splotch of paint on Flash’s cheek. It’s just very sloppy and recycled. If I paid full price for this thing I would not have been happy. I understand reusing molds to keep the price point lower, but NECA just doesn’t seem to care much about this specific line of figures.
Do I recommend buying this figure? No, unless you absolutely love the look of this particular figure and either haven’t purchased any of the previous versions. This figure was a huge disappointment for me and I will definitely be hesitant to purchase future figures in this line.
Thanks for reading my post. Let me know what you think of this figure in the comments section. See you again soon!
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