For the 30th anniversary of Aliens, NECA has been releasing and re-releasing an assortment of figures to commemorate the iconic film. While we’re now onto the 31st year since the release of the film, a few newer items are still making their ways to stores. Among them is the Aliens Hicks and Hudson Colonial Marines 2-Pack. This set features re-released versions of the Hicks and Hudson figures with updated paint apps, new skin colored plastic and swappable head sculpts.
Toyark sponsor Dorkside Toys sent along the set. We have over 45 photos and a full review of the figures. Read on to check them out.
Related Dorkside Toys links: Alien Queen Reissue, Ripley and Newt 2-Pack, All NECA Aliens
NECA Aliens Hicks and Hudson Colonial Marines 2-Pack
Pros
- Second chance at two fan favorite characters
- Lots of accessories
- Nice tight joints
- Includes head sculpts from single and original 2-pack releases
- Updated paint apps on the armor are a nice improvement
- Hicks head sculpts really benefit from new skin colored plastic
Cons
- Hudson’s original painted unhelmeted head sculpt looks a little better
Overall
As someone who only owned one version of the original Hicks and Hudson releases, I was looking forward to getting this 2-pack. Swappable head sculpts and more Colonial Marines accessories are always welcome. Getting all of that for two figures in a single release is even better. The Colonial Marines 2-pack includes slightly updated versions of the Hicks and Hudson figures. The figures include the head sculpts from their original single figure releases as well as the head sculpts that were included with the Marines vs Aliens 2-packs. The set includes pulse rifles, motion detectors, shoulder lamps, welding torches, a shotgun and a shotgun carrier for Hicks. The figures are packaged in a blister card similar to many NECA 2-packs.
Fans have long requested for re-releases of both Hicks and Hudson. Releasing them in a 2-pack made a lot of sense. Adding the alternate head sculpts and all of the accessories essentially makes them feel like Ultimate versions of the characters. Using the skin tone plastic for the figures has its positives and negatives. The translucent look gives a very life-like appearance to the head sculpts. Hicks really benefits from this, as the head sculpts now showcase the likeness far better, especially in the helmeted head sculpt. Hudson, though, I feel looked a little better in the original release. I only have the original unhelmeted version in hand, but that versions seems to look more like Bill Paxton to my eye. Regardless, the head sculpt is still detailed and unmistakable Hudson.
Overall, the sculpts and paint work are still great, with a lot of nice details. The figures have some updated paint apps throughout the armor. These updates are more minor refinements than additions, making lines cleaner, adding depth to the sculpt and helping to differentiate them a bit from the original releases. What really helps to sell this set is the accessories. Here you get pulse rifles, shoulder lamps, trackers and welding torches for both figures. Hicks also includes his shotgun and a holster for it. The weapons are cast in a harder plastic, greatly reducing the chances for them warping or bending.
Long time fans who own both of the original releases may not see enough here to upgrade. Those who jumped into the Aliens line a little later will absolutely find this set worth picking up. Check out some highlight photos below and the full gallery after that.
Sector 09 backdrop by Extreme Sets.
