[Joe Moore]

NECA Ultimate Ahab Predator Figure - Toyark Photo Shoot

[Dolemite]

Nice looking figure, but I'm passing because I'm not a fan of the overall Ahab design. It's not a character that appeals to me, that's all.

As for the QC issues, I think I'd rather the joints be super-tight than super-loose? But either way, it seems that NECA has a hard time finding that happy medium. And that's a bummer about the cables breaking.

I will say that I picked up Broken Tusk and Machiko, and their joints are all pretty much perfect. Not too loose, not too tight, both hold poses perfectly. Machiko's plasma caster was super-loose and refused to stand upright, however, so I had to remove it (used a toothpick to slide out the little peg) and I used the hot/cold water trick to tighten the joint before putting it back on (the plasma caster backpack is not removable). It's fine now. Also, watch out for her elbow joints, as the plastic around the pegs is thin. I haven't had a problem, but be gentle just in case.

[Tomax]

uhhh, i like that match up......Engineer VS. Predator......i think the Engineer would win

[xenofanlv426]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomax

uhhh, i like that match up......Engineer VS. Predator......i think the Engineer would win

You havent read the comic have you?

[xenofanlv426]

Joe, not to complain but how does he look without the cape?

[Gunathar]

Beautiful photos and setup Joe. Nice work.

Once I get my own Ahab, I'll also give the BFG to my lonely Engineer. That way he'll have a fighting chance against my Predator clans and swarm of aliens. Or die adequately equipped at the very least.

[Gunathar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

Nice looking figure, but I'm passing because I'm not a fan of the overall Ahab design. It's not a character that appeals to me, that's all.

As for the QC issues, I think I'd rather the joints be super-tight than super-loose? But either way, it seems that NECA has a hard time finding that happy medium. And that's a bummer about the cables breaking.

I will say that I picked up Broken Tusk and Machiko, and their joints are all pretty much perfect. Not too loose, not too tight, both hold poses perfectly. Machiko's plasma caster was super-loose and refused to stand upright, however, so I had to remove it (used a toothpick to slide out the little peg) and use the hot/cold water trick to tighten the joint before putting it back on (the plasma caster backpack is not removable). It's fine now. Also, watch out for her elbow joints, as the plastic around the pegs is thin. I haven't had a problem, but be gentle just in case.

Can NOT wait to get those. Thanks for the elbow warning Dolemite. Bummer about Machiko's backpack not being removable though that is certainly not a dealbreaker for me.

[AlanThCollector]

This is a nice enough “Ultimate” figure, but what would have really pushed it over the edge is if he came with an alternate roaring head sculpt so he he can pull off a true victory pose with the Engineer skull like in the comics.

I also wish they sculpted to the engineer skull more expressively with it’s mouth opened. As it looks now it appears as though they just scaled up a human trophy skull, though I could be wrong.



So far this is the first Ultimate Predator NECA has released that does not come with an alternate head sculpt which, I may be in the minority here, but I think is a bit of a letdown.

I would totally jump on an Ahab vs Engineer 2-pack that came with everything you see here plus an angry roaring head sculpt for Ahab and a properly scaled up Engineer with a new angry head sculpt. Make it happen pretty please NECA.

[Dolemite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunathar

Can NOT wait to get those.

There really are sweet figures in that wave. I was also tempted to pick up Hornhead, but for some reason he didn't grab me in-person.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunathar

Can NOT wait to get those. Thanks for the elbow warning Dolemite.

I did see one on the shelf where the elbow plastic near the peg was starting to split, so that got me worried. But again, just be gentle and all should be fine. I bent the elbows on mine carefully and I had no issues.

Another warning- Machiko's wristblades are delicate as fuck. Again, I had no issues pulling 'em out and retracting them, but as with the elbows, just be careful.

Quote:

Bummer about Machiko's backpack not being removable though that is certainly not a dealbreaker for me.

Yeah, that was odd to me...I really expected it to be removable, but it doesn't budge. But as you said, it's certainly not a dealbreaker...however, don't expect her to be able to turn her head much. The attached plasma caster combined with her long hair makes that difficult.

Overall, however, Machiko is a beautiful figure, and really looks awesome in a Predator display.

That said, I had ZERO issues or concerns with Broken Tusk. I did see one at retail that bizarrely seemed to have some sort of condensation (?!?) inside the plastic packaging, and parts of the figure literally appeared to be wet (?!?!?), but the one I grabbed is absolutely perfect in every way. Well, his wrist blades are a tiny bit loose and slide in and out of their wrist gauntlet fairly easily, but that's just nit-picking.

[Tomax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenofanlv426

You havent read the comic have you?

no i havent, who won?

[AlanThCollector]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

Yeah, that was odd to me...I really expected it to be removable, but it doesn't budge. But as you said, it's certainly not a dealbreaker...however, don't expect her to be able to turn her head much. The attached plasma caster combined with her long hair makes that difficult.

Overall, however, Machiko is a beautiful figure, and really looks awesome in a Predator display.

That’s kind of a shame especially considering the package says that the backpack removable, unless it’s trying to say that it’s just an accessory, which it also isn’t since it can’t be removed.

[En Sabah Nerd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomax

no i havent, who won?

The Predator, hence the figure comes with the Engineer's skull and spine.

[xenofanlv426]

Now all i need is the engineer and i will be good.

[Tomax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by En Sabah Nerd

The Predator, hence the figure comes with the Engineer's skull and spine.

i looked it up, doesnt count the predator had help from the human guy plus the engineer didnt have his tech on him. Engineer would destroy predator. plus ahab is a veteran hunter and the engineer was beating him until he got help from the other dude...

[Harbinger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by En Sabah Nerd

The Predator, hence the figure comes with the Engineer's skull and spine.

Holy shit you mean a predator won a fight!?

[Jester]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenofanlv426

You havent read the comic have you?

Dark Horse and their now decades-old boner for vagina-mouthed alien Turok wannabes should be considered something of an unreliable narrator where the combative capabilities of the Space Jockeys are concerned.

[Tomax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

Dark Horse and their now decades-old boner for vagina-mouthed alien Turok wannabes should be considered something of an unreliable narrator where the combative capabilities of the Space Jockeys are concerned.

[Dolemite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanThCollector

That’s kind of a shame especially considering the package says that the backpack removable, unless it’s trying to say that it’s just an accessory, which it also isn’t since it can’t be removed.

No, technically the package doesn't say that the backpack is removable. It actually says:

However, I can see how the way it's worded can cause confusion. After all, if it's not a separate piece, why list it as if it was an accessory? But at the same time, it's an articulated plasma caster, and it's cool that she has it, so...yeah. Makes sense to list it, I guess.

[Gunathar]

It would be interesting to compare both Ahab figures, the SDCC one from a few years back and this Ultimate, side by side.

[AlanThCollector]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

No, technically the package doesn't say that the backpack is removable. It actually says:

However, I can see how the way it's worded can cause confusion. After all, if it's not a separate piece, why list it as if it was an accessory? But at the same time, it's an articulated plasma caster, and it's cool that she has it, so...yeah. Makes sense to list it, I guess.

That’s my point. And if they are trying to convey an articulated plasma caster they should say that instead of just backpack. If that’s the case, you might as well put that it features extendable wrist blades and a moveable head.

While Predator figures that don’t feature removable backpacks aren’t new, I was just hoping Machiko’s would have been given the design.

[SpasticPlastic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunathar

It would be interesting to compare both Ahab figures, the SDCC one from a few years back and this Ultimate, side by side.

Here's a quick one.

[Gunathar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpasticPlastic

Here's a quick one.

From Hell's heart, I thank thee...

From where I'm standing (I'm actually sitting, but who's nitpicking?) the actual differences between the two are... the number of accessories?

Unless it's the articulation?

[Joe Moore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunathar

From Hell's heart, I thank thee...

From where I'm standing (I'm actually sitting, but who's nitpicking?) the actual differences between the two are... the number of accessories?

Unless it's the articulation?

Ultimate uses a different body, different waist, different leg armor, etc.

[Dolemite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunathar

From Hell's heart, I thank thee...

From where I'm standing (I'm actually sitting, but who's nitpicking?) the actual differences between the two are... the number of accessories?

Unless it's the articulation?

Yeah, the new one features improved articulation over the old one. The Ultimate adds an ab joint, bicep swivels, and double-jointed elbows to the original figure.

However, it seems that they actually painted Ahab's facial scar on the SDCC figure, but didn't bother doing that for the Ultimate. Bummer.

[Gunathar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moore

Ultimate uses a different body, different waist, different leg armor, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolemite

Yeah, the new one features improved articulation over the old one. The Ultimate adds an ab joint, bicep swivels, and double-jointed elbows to the original figure.

However, it seems that they actually painted Ahab's facial scar on the SDCC figure, but didn't bother doing that for the Ultimate. Bummer.

Thanks for the details guys.

If the scar is the only downside, it can easily be remedied with a touch of paint, a steady hand and a nice glass of scotch. In that order (otherwise Ahab's scar will turn into questionable makeup)