[Joe Moore]

Toyark 1st Look - Ash vs Evil Dead Series 1 by NECA

[Dolemite]

These figures are phenomenal. You're not kidding when you say that the head sculpts are NECA's best work yet. Seriously amazing, and highlighted with an equally amazing photo shoot, Joe.

You mention of the possibility of digital painting being used on these figures brings me to a question I've always had...exactly how ARE action figures painted in China before being shipped over here? By hand? By machine? A combo of the two, or some other method? Can you share any knowledge on the process, Joe? Figure paintjobs are just always something that I've taken for granted.

BTW, this pic made me legit LOL:

[Joe Moore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

These figures are phenomenal. You're not kidding when you say that the head sculpts are NECA's best work yet. Seriously amazing, and highlighted with an equally amazing photo shoot, Joe.

You mention of the possibility of digital painting being used on these figures brings me to a question I've always had...exactly how ARE action figures painted in China before being shipped over here? By hand? By machine? A combo of the two, or some other method? Can you share any knowledge on the process, Joe? Figure paintjobs are just always something that I've taken for granted.

BTW, this pic made me legit LOL:

Thanks for the kind words.

Paint applications depends on the company, really. Some companies, especially in the statue business, have people at the factory that hand paint entire items, specific parts or specific paint applications. These usually include weathering effects, eyes, small details, etc. Some companies forgo that and use computer controlled layouts and let machines apply paint apps. Tamashii Nations/Bandai have been using this digital method for their faces for a while now.

[Mastersteef]

These look fantastic, I'll definitely be picking up Hero Ash for sure. Was going to get Eligos as well, but since he's missing any kind of torso articulation then no buy for me. I understand the desire to keep the sculpt looking nice, but they should have done a soft rubber/plastic body with some kind of skeletal underlay.

[Joe Moore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mastersteef

These look fantastic, I'll definitely be picking up Hero Ash for sure. Was going to get Eligos as well, but since he's missing any kind of torso articulation then no buy for me. I understand the desire to keep the sculpt looking nice, but they should have done a soft rubber/plastic body with some kind of skeletal underlay.

I think one of the reasons is being able to recoup costs there. One of the reasons NECA can normally pack their figures with accessories and keep them below $25 is they can usually reuse many of those parts in other figures (see the AvP Predators), which spreads out the tooling cost. With Eligos, it's harder to find a reuse for his parts. He's a unique demon, and likely won't be seeing that design again. So designing the underlayer system drives up cost for a one time use figure. So they went with a really solid looking sculpt.

I'd love to have had some movement in the torso for sure, but I get why it's not there.

[En Sabah Nerd]

I've had this series' hero Ash on pre-order but the wait can't end soon enough. With this series and the ultimate figure having just come out there's a lot of good Ash out there right now.

[Dr Kain]

Shouldn't these have come out last year when Season 1 was relevant?

[Mastersteef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

I think one of the reasons is being able to recoup costs there. One of the reasons NECA can normally pack their figures with accessories and keep them below $25 is they can usually reuse many of those parts in other figures (see the AvP Predators), which spreads out the tooling cost. With Eligos, it's harder to find a reuse for his parts. He's a unique demon, and likely won't be seeing that design again. So designing the underlayer system drives up cost for a one time use figure. So they went with a really solid looking sculpt.

I'd love to have had some movement in the torso for sure, but I get why it's not there.

Thanks for the explanation, that does make a lot more sense now.

[En Sabah Nerd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Kain

Shouldn't these have come out last year when Season 1 was relevant?

The show is still relevant overall and season 2 is just around the corner. Plus we all know hero Ash will be the bestseller here and as his go-to look it'll be all over season 2. So yeah the best timing for Value Stop Ash and Eligos has passed but hey it's Evil Dead so who cares if it's late.

[Dr Kain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by En Sabah Nerd

The show is still relevant overall and season 2 is just around the corner. Plus we all know hero Ash will be the bestseller here and as his go-to look it'll be all over season 2. So yeah the best timing for Value Stop Ash and Eligos has passed but hey it's Evil Dead so who cares if it's late.

I just mean the designs from Season 1. They should be focusing on Season 2 or at least doing the two sidekicks.

[En Sabah Nerd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Kain

I just mean the designs from Season 1. They should be focusing on Season 2 or at least doing the two sidekicks.

Okay, I get ya. I can only guess that maybe they were kinda late to getting the license and that's why season 1 themed stuff is just now coming out.

[Joe Moore]

They didn't even get the license until, what, last SDCC? It takes roughly a year to make figures. They couldn't exactly start making figures for season 2 when there was no season 2. Why start off with Pablo and Kelly when you had no idea if anyone is going to care about them.

[Comedian]

The first season just came out on blu ray. This is perfect timing. Any word the exact time for these to see release? I am freaking overjoyed for these. Any word on a second series?

[Joe Moore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comedian

The first season just came out on blu ray. This is perfect timing. Any word the exact time for these to see release? I am freaking overjoyed for these. Any word on a second series?

The NECA Calendar lists these shipping to retailers on October 3rd. So should be on their ebay store that day, if not sooner. Give it 2 to 2 weeks after shipping to begin hitting BBTS, Toys R Us, etc.

[SpasticPlastic]

I might have to get a couple of each, just to display with all the options. NECA is killing my bank account. But, in a good way.

[Dr Kain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

The NECA Calendar lists these shipping to retailers on October 3rd. So should be on their ebay store that day, if not sooner. Give it 2 to 2 weeks after shipping to begin hitting BBTS, Toys R Us, etc.

So if they say they are shipping in Oct, it means they will actually ship out in June of next year, right? :-p

[Joe Moore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Kain

So if they say they are shipping in Oct, it means they will actually ship out in June of next year, right? :-p

Considering I have the production figures in hand, I'm going to say that ship date is pretty accurate.

[Dolemite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

I think one of the reasons is being able to recoup costs there. One of the reasons NECA can normally pack their figures with accessories and keep them below $25 is they can usually reuse many of those parts in other figures (see the AvP Predators), which spreads out the tooling cost. With Eligos, it's harder to find a reuse for his parts. He's a unique demon, and likely won't be seeing that design again. So designing the underlayer system drives up cost for a one time use figure. So they went with a really solid looking sculpt.

I'd love to have had some movement in the torso for sure, but I get why it's not there.

One thing that strikes me about NECA is their ability to balance giving fans all the awesome geeky things that they want with a solid business acumen. They almost seem scientific with their figure/part choices...how to create extremely versatile bucks that can be used several times over for various lines with mere changes in cosmetic parts and accessories (such as Predator), how much articulation to give certain characters, which ones to give the Mego treatment, etc. They honestly seem to try to listen to fan requests while tempering that with sustainable business decisions. Occasionally that may result in some minor disappointments, such as the lack of a torso joint or a certain character not getting a figure, but in the long run, it's creating sustainability for NECA and ensuring that they'll be around for the long haul.

[Joe Moore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

One thing that strikes me about NECA is their ability to balance giving fans all the awesome geeky things that they want with a solid business acumen. They almost seem scientific with their figure/part choices...how to create extremely versatile bucks that can be used several times over for various lines with mere changes in cosmetic parts and accessories (such as Predator), how much articulation to give certain characters, which ones to give the Mego treatment, etc. They honestly seem to try to listen to fan requests while tempering that with sustainable business decisions. Occasionally that may result in some minor disappointments, such as the lack of a torso joint or a certain character not getting a figure, but in the long run, it's creating sustainability for NECA and ensuring that they'll be around for the long haul.

One figure to look at, showing some really smart tooling re-use, is their Commando John Matrix figure. Essentially, it's just a repainted Predator Dutch figure with some new accessories.

[Dolemite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

One figure to look at, showing some really smart tooling re-use, is their Commando John Matrix figure. Essentially, it's just a repainted Predator Dutch figure with some new accessories.

Exactly. Since Dutch and Matrix's outfits look pretty much exactly alike (aside from the vest), re-using the Predator figure for Commando was a no-brainer on NECA's part.

Sadly, ever getting a Bennett figure is far less likely.

[Monte Williams]

I gotta say, Joe Moore, I don't think anyone has ever done more with one photo shoot to persuade me to part with my money. I figured beforehand that I'd probably get Hero Ash, but having repeatedly studied your photos, I am in for the entire trio.

NECA owes you a debt of gratitude. Beautiful work, man.

[En Sabah Nerd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monte Williams

NECA owes you a debt of gratitude. Beautiful work, man.

They already gave him the toys man

[Monte Williams]

They got off light, I think!

[Joe Moore]

Ash vs Evil Dead On NECA Ebay and Amazon Stores - The Toyark - News

[Monte Williams]

Finally got mine! They'll be dominating my photostream this week!

Evil Fuckin' Dead by Monte Williams, on Flickr


Eligos by Monte Williams, on Flickr


Evil Never Rests... and Neither Do Name-Brand Savings by Monte Williams, on Flickr