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As Alien Day got into full swing, Carrie Henn was given the opportunity to tease and eventually announce the arrival of herself in figure form as Newt from Aliens (1986) "I was given the honor of revealing pics & specs on my @NECA_TOYS action figure. Enjoy, more to come #alienday426" Following the first image, Henn went on to confirm that Newt would be coming with a Marine Helmet accessory that can be worn by the figure "I believe this is an accessory many fans have been asking for. @NECA_TOYS #AlienDay426" The final reveal was of the full set of accessories for Newt - the Helmet, a flashlight, Casey the dolls head and her 2nd grader award. However it then transpired that Newt will be an SDCC 2016 exclusive, putting her out of reach of many collectors especially those overseas and here in the UK. NECA have since tweeted to say that she will "mostly" be an SDCC exclusive and.... "rest assured we do a better job than anyone and if you want a Newt you will be able to get one" More details about Newt and her availability are due from NECA in due course... watch this space Update : an early packaged sample has now been teased by NECA, using the same clamshell design as the standard figures and employing a 30th anniversary logo that we would assume will also come on the Series 9 figures which we know will include Vasquez.

To celebrate Alien Day 2016 we asked NECA fans and collectors worldwide to choose their Top 3 figures from the NECA Alien range, up to and including Series 7 (AvP). Our Top 10 is now revealed, so scroll down to find out what made the Top 10 and what figure came out at Number one - as voted for by the fans & collectors. And if you want to see more images or read my reviews of any of the Alien figures, then check out our Alien Archives CLICK HERE Series 1-2 CLICK HERE Series 3-7 The Grid Alien was released in 2016 as part of Series 7, the first series to take the NECA range beyond the solo Alien movie’s and into the Alien vs Predator film from 2004. The Grid Alien is arguably one of the most articulated Xeno’s to date and 11% of our voters selected the Grid Alien in their Top 3. Corporal Hicks is our number 9 figure, with 14% of our voters picking him in their Top 3. Hicks has actually had two figures so far in the range, the single release from Series 1 and the helmeted alternative version from the 2-pack with a Xenomorph Warrior. Both were released in 2013. Series 6, 2015, saw NECA move from the Alien movie’s to the highly popular Alien Isolation movie. Along with figures of Amanda, the daughter of Ellen Ripley, they also released the Isolation Xenomorph. The Isolation Xeno was a cross between the original 1979 Big Chap and the 1986 Warrior and came with upgraded articulation. The Isolation Xeno picked up votes from 15% of our contributors Our countdown hits number 7, and it’s our 3rd Xenomorph. This time it’s the turn of the 1986 Alien Warrior who was originally released in 2013/4 as part of Series 1 (brown) and Series 2 (Blue). He also showed up as damaged versions in the Marine 2-packs. Even though the hip articulation is now dated and been heavily improved on the more recent Xeno’s, these 1986 Warriors are the ultimate army builder and essential for any hive. No wonder then that 17% of our voters picked this one in their top 3. It was 2014 and Series 2 when we got our hands on the original “Big Chap” from the 1979 movie - the Alien that started it all. NECA captured Geiger’s original design perfectly, and although fans may start to hope for a revisit on this one with the improved articulation we saw on the Concept version, the Big Chap obviously has a place in many collectors hearts picking up votes from 20% of our contributors. I almost combined the Grid and AvP Warrior into one choice in the vote, but decided against it - and it looks like that was the right decision as the fans obviously rate this newest figure from NECA really highly. The AvP warrior arrived in early 2016 as part of series 6 and shares the same mold and articulation of the Grid Alien. Where the Warrior has the advantage is the ability to army build him and to line a host of these up against the NECA AvP Predator’s who were released at the same. Our number 5 figure rocked in with votes from 21% of our contributors Not a figure as such, but the Power Loader from 2015 is a real beast and an absolute must for Alien collectors. Many have tried to replicate the Power Loader in the past, but NECA’s mix of diecast and plastic is pretty close to perfect. The details are amazing and the whole piece comes to life once you insert the pilot. The Power Loader found a place in the Top 3 of 26% of our voters. Was there any doubt that Ripley would make the Top 10? Perhaps more surprising is the fact that Ripley is only the 2nd human in our Top 10 - cementing how popular the Xeno’s are across the range. Ripley takes the number 3 spot, and specifically it is her 1986 Aliens figure that 31.98% of our contributors picked in their top 3 - miles ahead of the 1979 Flightsuit Ripley at 9% and Spacesuit Ripley at 6%. Ripley is pivotal to the Alien saga, and also to the NECA range being both a stand-alone figure in her own right, but also a companion piece to the Power Loader in any final showdown diorama. The Dog Alien, from Alien 3, hit collections in 2014 as part of Series 3 - and will soon be re-released (and most likely updated) as part of Series 7. The Dog Alien provides a significantly different look to the other Xenos in the range with his sleek black gloss dome, shorter and more sleeker stature and that brown and black colour scheme. The Dog Alien was a surprise in our Top 3 and sneaked in to the #2 spot in the final few days of voting, with 32.37% contributors picking him - a narrow margin of 0.39% over Ripley. Was there any doubt that our number one would be the “mummy” of them all. The NECA Alien Queen Deluxe Box Set hit stores in December 2014 and was a huge hit dominating Hive’s all over the world. From her massive working jaws to the articulated arms to that paint job with it’s bronze highlights and all over slimy sheen. The Queen came in top with an absolute landslide with a staggering 69% of our contributors picking her in their top 3. I suspect it will take some time until NECA release a figure in the Alien range who will come close to knocking her off top spot?

Medicom have been very active in their 1/12 Mafex line recently, pumping our promo images of a number of DC figures from the Batman vs Superman movie. The latest of these is the Nightmare Batman who will hit stores in December 2016. Nightmare Batman will come with a quantity of accessories, including swap out unmasked head and a "removed" cowl. There is also a pair of binoculars, pistol and machine gun. Batman will RRP at 5800 Yen, which on direct conversion is £36, but expect to be paying closer to £50 with import and delivery to UK. Also teased this week is the first Mafex figure from Suicide Squad, the Jared Leto Joker. There aren't many more details other than the images but it looks like Joker will come with two head options. Whether or not the coat is removable to show off Leto's Tattooed Joker is unclear.

NECA have confirmed the full details of their 2nd Terminator Ultimate figure based on the original movie. The Police Station Assault T-800 is a combination of the older Tanker Pursuit & Station Assault figures with upgraded articulation. There are 3 heads, 2 pairs of hands and an arsenal of weapons with which to arm him with. Ultimate T-800 Station Assault will ship in July 2016 Source : NECA.com "At last, a definitive collector’s version of The Terminator in his iconic look from the original 1984 movie! The ‪#‎Ultimate‬ Police Station Assault T-800 features a detailed, bullet-riddled motorcycle jacket and bears the likeness of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The deluxe 7” scale figure has over 25 points of articulation, 3 interchangeable heads, 2 pairs of hands, and SPAS-12 shotgun, AR-18 assault rifle, and Smith & Wesson Model 15 handgun accessories. Comes in deluxe window box packaging with opening flap. Starts shipping out to retailers this July!"

Monsterpalooza 2016, and Pop Culture Shock surprised many collectors by announcing their are expanding (or is that shrinking) into 7 inch range of figures. On display were some unpainted samples from The Thing and American Werewolf in London. The Thing prototype was of Kurt Russel's R.J. MacReady - and you would hope the monster would also be included in the range An American Werewolf in London were figures of the two protagonists from the 1981 classic - David Kessler and Jack Goodman. There was also a 2D cut out Werewolf itself, indicating this is also planned into the range at some point. All the figures were marked as pending approval, so are a far way off release. There will be a full press release in May 2016

The Good Smile Company have released images and details of two new Iron Man figures that will be released in their Figma range this year, hitting stores in December The Mark 42 and Mark 43 are a little "old news" considering that Iron Man Mk46 is about to hit screens in Civil War, but with 20 points of articulation, interchangeable hands and clip-on accessories as well as a flight base these will appeal to a lot of collectors. The converted RRP on these is around £50, but you will have to pay more once you add import & delivery.

Happy Sat-TOY-Day, and welcome to issue 21. There is some pretty nice images coming out of Japan this week with some promo images of the SH Figuarts Jango Fett, and a first look at a Mafex Nightmare Batman from Batman vs Superman. Over in the US and Mezco are giving Star Trek fans an exclusive 1/12 Spock figure and have also shown off some behind the scenes images of their upcoming Green Arrow. This week's reviews are a look at the Gotham Select Ed Nygma, and the Black Series Kanan Jarrus. There won't be any SatTOYDay news now for a couple of weeks as we are "away on assignment" - all will be revealed in due course. Do make sure you check back on the 26th of April for Alien Day and our big count-down of the NECA Alien figures. CLICK HERE for this week's issue.

Mezco's One:12 Collective Flash 6 inch figure will go on US pre-order on the 18th April 2016, US price of $75. Like all Mezco pre-orders, they are US customers only at this stage - but UK specialists will be bringing these in and doing their own pre-orders. Expect to be paying £65 to £75 for these here in the UK. The Flash will ship in September 2016 Alongside the pre-order are a quantity of new promotional images for the figure, and the following information. This confirms Flash will come with two head options along with swap out hands, and snap on "lightning" accessories. The Fastest Man Alive. The Scarlet Speedster. The Crimson Comet. All of them are one man—The Flash. When police scientist Barry Allen is doused with chemicals during a freak accident, he finds himself transformed into Central City’s greatest crime fighter, The Flash. Having gained the ability to manipulate the Speed Force not only can he run, think and react at light speed but vibrate so fast that he is able to pass through solid objects as well. Meticulously developed to capture The Flash's heroic look, this figure is outfitted on our hyper-articulated One:12 Collective body. Featuring over 32 points of articulation, intricate sculptural work, incredible costume detailing, and tons of accessories, the final result is a seamless blend of a timeless icon with a "real world" look. THE ONE:12 COLLECTIVE FLASH FEATURES: 1:12 scaled, highly realistic fabric uniform with special silk screening applications, including logo and footwear. Hyper-realistic portraits Super articulated body with over 32 points of articulation WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Standard masked portrait Alternate mask, smiling portrait Sprinting hands (L&R) Posing hands (L&R) Fists (L&R) Speed Force lightning arm attachments Speed Force lightning leg attachments "Tornado" hand attachment Display base with posing post The Flash is packaged in a deluxe, fifth panel window box with character-specific slipcover. Designed for collector convenience, the packaging allows for both maximum protection as well as ease of removal for display. Source : Mezco Blog

Just tweeted from NECA "A closer look at the #alienday426 Kenner Ripley for #facehuggerfriday coming to TRU & Hastings on 4/26" The Kenner inspired Ripley will be available at Toys R Us and Hastings on the 26th of April (Alien Day). Obviously this is the US. Here in the UK we will have to await details of where we will be able to pick this one up.

Review : Kanan Jarrus (Rebels) Star Wars Black Series (Hasbro) Wave/Series : Figure #20 (Phase 3 Wave 6 / Wave 2 2016) Released : April 2016 Price : £22.99 It is a testimony to the success of Star Wars Rebels that the 6th wave of Black Series (phase 3) includes 2 characters from the show, beating lots of other fan favourites from the first 6 films to store shelves. Kanan has been a little overlooked in this wave to date, with fans clamoring for Ahsoka and with all the commentary that the Farmboy Luke is generating. Kanan kind of has nothing to lose and everything to gain in this wave, and as you are about to find out - he will most likely end up being the star of wave 6 when all the dust settles. Kanan is number 19 in the phase 3 numbering system and is one of the three new figures in Wave 6 (wave 2 2016). As well as Ahsoka and Luke, the rest of wave 6 is made up with a re-release of the Episode 7 Han Solo from wave 5, and a kind of re-release (if you can re-release a figure never released in UK) of the Episode 7 Snowtrooper who is packed two per box. The Kanan artwork on the box is the usual grey lined art, and is kind of based on the realistic version of Kanan we saw on the 2015 novel, A New Dawn. His bio, as always presented in 4 languages, is pretty cool when you read it as it talks about how Kanan survived the Jedi Purge of Order 66 and how he turned up years later as part of the Ghost crew and eventually took on Ezra for his Jedi training. Out of the box is at the taller end of the 6 inch scale, standing at 6 1/4 inch high and therefore suitably taller than his peers such as Ahsoka. It is difficult to say that the facial sculpt is accurate as it is not based on the animated Kanan and is more a mix of the New Dawn cover with element of voice actor Freddie Prinze Jr mixed in. Either way he looks exactly as I would expect Kanan to look in real life and fits in really well with the other Black Series figure. You certainly shouldn't sit there and think that he looks out of place in terms of being an animated figure in the Star Wars Universe. The head is painted neatly and doesn't have the glossy look that Luke in the same wave suffers with. There is no real detail in the skin tone but the eyes, eye brows and his beard are all neatly done with zero paint bleed. The hair is sculpted swept back and tied into his iconic pony tail and is painted a base coat of brown with almost ginger highlights swept through on a dry brush to bring out detail. I always like Kanan's outfit in the show - that mix of Clone Wars armour and Smuggler was a perfect fit for Kanan's character, and all of this has been faithfully represented here. The base shirt is textured and painted a flat sage colour. There is a colour variation between the chest area of the shirt and the separate stomach piece, but only noticeable up close. Over the shirt is a number of armoured panels with the larger shoulder armour over Kanan's right shoulder, and held in place with a large strap which is painted a flat black with metallic clasp - there is a bit of paint bleed on this strap. The Armour has a very nice metallic sheen, and the rebel symbol is painted in white on the shoulder pad itself, but done in such a way that it looks scratched and worn - not freshly painted. The armour continues down the right arm, with a lower forearm piece also with the metallic finish. The left arm is uncovered and is a two tone colour with the underside the same colour as the shirt and the upper half a darker green, similar to the armour colour but in Matt. Kanan's belt is black and silver and sits around the waist, and off this hangs a working holster for Kanan's blaster. The trousers, like the shirt, are textured and I detect the faintest of wash on these to give them a weathered look - but it certainly is very subtle. The outfit moves down to black knee pads and then knee high boots which like the sleeves are a two tone colouring. Kanan's articulation is really good and starts with the head which can move side to side and look down wards, although full movement is restricted a little by both the pony tail and the raised collars. The chest is jointed and the torso joint allows the top half of Kanan to rotate to either side, sadly there is no lean movement back or forth. Arms are ball jointed shoulders which move smoothly out to the side and up above the head on the left arm. The right is blocked a little by the armour but can still move out to the side and still gets fully above the head. The elbows are a single joint that also rotates. The elbows can only really bend to a 90 degree position, and that's enough for Kanan to hold his light sabre with two hands if you wish. There is a peg on the wrist, and this lets then hands both rotate and angle forward and backward within the cuffs of the shirt. The waist is fixed, so the next joints are the hips, which can move to quite a wide "splits" position and can also pivot forward to sit Kanan down or kneel him on one knee, albeit a little awkward looking. The holster has been attached to the belt with a flexible strap and this means that the holster moves with the leg and doesn't block any movement on the hips. The holster does however render the thigh swivel useless on the right leg. The knees are double jointed, with that joint hidden neatly behind the knee pad when locked straight. Ankles are the rotating joint, so Kanan's feet are easily planted flat in most positions - making him one of the easiest figures to stand that I have come across in the range. One very minor observation on articulation is that the hips feel a bit loose, this could cause issues down the line if they deteriorate any further and impact his ability to stand without sliding into the splits. Kanan comes with his blaster and his light sabre. The blaster is cast in dark grey and really well sculpted, and for vintage fans is the same blaster you used to get with the 3.75" Jedi Knight. The blaster fits into either hand, and then also slots into the holster when not in use. There is nothing on the packaging that indicates the light sabre is anything other than single piece - but take that leap of faith as not only does the blade detatch, but he hilt comes apart too - a feature we see prominently in the show. Once split, the larger piece slots into a hole on the back of Kanan's belt, and the smaller emitter into a section to his left hip - brilliant! Once assembled the sabre is quite long, but fits into either hand well enough. I would recommend Hasbro maybe want to shout more about these types of accessories as I suspect there will be fans out there that will never know it comes apart. Kanan is pretty much exactly what I want from the Star Wars Black Series. Well sculpted, well painted, good articulation and some thought around his accessories in terms of that light saber splitting up and attaching to the belt. You can almost forget the Ahsoka hype and look past the controversial Luke because Kanan has stolen the show for wave 6 for me, and I score him a perfect 5 out of 5. I now look forward to getting Sabine and then hope Hasbro has the ambition to push through the rest of the crew as a minimum and perhaps also the likes of Rex, Vizago and the Inquisitors. Buy from Amazon UK Buy from Amazon US

We've seen a few images of the smaller 3.75" scale Game of Thrones figures from Funko, most recently at Toy Fair in New York. Funko have now announced these officially via their blog, confirming that these figures will be hitting stores in June 2016. We also get a good look at the packaging, which is quite impressive albeit reminiscent of Hasbro's older Black Series cards. Each figure is only 5 points of articulation, so with that you would expect the price to be sub £10. These are not a Reactions line, and have much more detailed sculpt so may appeal to Game of Thrones collectors - although for those who invested in the 6" range it is a bit of a slap in the face. The first wave is almost predominantly based on The Nightwatch and The Wall. Should Funko go with themed waves it may take collectors a while to get the figures they wanted, and this may not work in Funko's favour Source : Funko Blog Game of Thrones – Funko Action Figures & The Wall Display Set In addition to the new Dorbz line, Funko is also introducing a new line of articulated Games of Thrones Action Figures that will let fans act out their favorite scenes from the series! Funko’s latest figures stand at 3.75” and have five points of articulation! The first wave features Jon Snow, Samwell Tarly, Ghost, Ygritte, Tormund Giantsbane, Rattleshirt (aka Lord of Bones), Magnar of Thenn, a White Walker, and The Night King! In addition to the individual figures, Funko is also releasing The Wall Display Set, which stands at 13” tall with 15” tall scaffolding to feature or interact with up to 25 Funko Action Figures! This display set comes with an exclusive Tyrion Lannister Action Figure! Collect the whole set this June!

We have been sent this image, which has originated in Italy, and is the first look at the Disney Elite Series Prototype Boba Fett in packaging. The packaging appears identical to the original releases - but check out the extra sticker that states "Star Wars Day". The figure will hit stores on the 4th May 2016, and whilst there is no news as yet of a UK release, the fact that this one has hit Italy indicates a worldwide release on Star Wars day.