New Old ALIEN Merch…34 Years in the Making!
1979 was a very unique time. Grace Jones released her third album, and the employees of 20th Century Fox’s Merchandising department thought it was a good idea to sell toys from their hard R-rated Sci-Fi/Horror blockbuster to 8-year-olds.
Prototypes for a line of action figures based on the film’s characters and its iconic antagonist were developed, but never manufactured for sale. Probably because someone realized that selling unadulterated nightmare fuel to kids was unlikely to be profitable.
But now, thanks to the toy company Super7, we’ll be seeing the line recovered from obscurity as part of their Retro-Action series of figures. The company have obtained the original prototypes and reference material with help from collectors and contacts in the industry, and in a rare moment of good judgment from Fox, they have officially authorized the production and sale.
In Super7’s press release for the products, they promise that each figure “is stylized exactly as items from the ‘golden age’ of action figures with approximately five points of articulation, accessories, and period-authentic blister card packaging.” [source]
At $19.99 apiece for a 3.75″ figure, these toys are likely targets for a serious collector or devoted Alien fan, however, supporting the efforts of Super7 here could very well lead to more delightful retro revivals in the future. A worthy cause, certainly.
If you’re fortunate enough to be attending this year’s San Diego Comic Con, pre-orders will begin there, with commercial release dated for August or September of 2013.
