While no company can escape it NECA seems to have come so notably far because (I blame McFarlane) American adult collectible companies are kinda expected to suck at QC. Funko's legacy line recently is a great example of being plagued with issues that they gradually improved upon with each new wave but overall you still heard plenty of complaints. This really only stings because like I sort of said previously NECA had tangibly gotten better lately. These past couple of years were pretty much a winning streak for them and most new figures are on par but Spiked Tail here (I can't comment on the rest of series 16) is the toenail in my porridge, sure I can fish him out and enjoy the rest but I'll always know he hurt my breakfast goop.

Maybe I'm just used to this as I review and photograph so many NECA pieces, but I can't stress enough, have a hair dryer handy. Pick up a shitty one at Target, Walmart of 5 Below. It will save you so many breakages.

With them adding so much paint and clear coat to their figures, they have a tendency to fuse joints. The moment I notice a joint won't easily budge, I turn on the hair dryer and lightly heat up any joints I need to. It will loosen up paint locked joints, and soften the plastic enough to move with ease. I've been fortunate enough to not break a joint since 7" Ledger Joker & Reeves Superman.

I just got mine in the mail yesterday. A hair dryer wouldn't have helped the issues I had with spiked tail and I didn't even open the package yet. The chest plate was separated on one side and the center piece was an off color. It didnt match the rest of the armor in color. It is disheartening because I just saw one on Friday in store that looked great color was excellent, I just didn't expect to have the issue like that upon arrival.

I have a hair dryer I just didn't think I'd need it for Spiked Tail since none of my previous city hunter based preds had any issues. Last figure I had to use it on was a SDCC Locust I picked up and before that was indeed Chris Reeve Superman just because I'd seen other people's breaks online and I was taking no chances.