Expanding on the universe set up in Prometheus, Dark Horse Comics published Fire and Stone. This was a multi-part story arc that pulled together their Alien and Predator comic series. The story arc explored what happened on LV-223 after the Engineer ship crashes at the end of the film, after David and Shaw leave to find the Engineer home world. Ahab, a battle-hardened Elder Predator looking to hunt an Engineer, is pulled into a larger conflict between humans, Xenomorphs and assorted hybrid creatures created by the left over black goo of the Engineers ships. Armed with traditional Yautja weapons, years of experience, and unlikely allies, Ahab proves to be worthy of his Elder title and finds there’s more to the hunt than just collecting his trophies.
NECA originally released Ahab Predator as part of their San Diego Comic-Con 2014 Exclusives. The figure proved to be an instant hit with fans. When NECA introduced their new Ultimate body types for the Predator line, fans had hoped they would revisit the Ahab figure. Earlier this year, they did just that with the reveal of the Ultimate Ahab Predator 7″ Scale Figure. We picked this figure up from sponsor Entertainment Earth. After the jump, check out our full gallery and review.
Related Entertainment Earth links: NECA Ahab Predator, NECA Bad Blood vs Enforcer Predator, All NECA Predator Items
Fire and Stone – Ultimate Ahab Predator 7″ Scale Figure by NECA
Pros
- Excellent sculpt
- Greatly improved over original release
- Nice accessories
- Swap out bladed gauntlets
- Removable mask
- Great articulation
Cons
- Overly tight joints
- Armor wires quickly broke
Overall
The Ahab Predator comes packed in a collector friendly flapped window box. The packaging features excellent artwork from the Dark Horse comics series on the front. Throughout the sides and back, the design takes inspiration from the comics. The back showcases a comic panel style layout, with multiple photos of the figure and its accessories. There are two plastic trays inside the box. The main tray houses the figure, with a secondary tray holding some of the accessories. Ahab includes a cape, a spear, swappable wrist gauntlets, a smart disk, an Engineer gun, an Engineer skull and spine, interchangeable hands, a Plasmacaster (shoulder cannon), and a removable mask.
Out of the box, Ahab is an incredible looking figure. By using the updated, and more articulated, body style, the figure is a huge update over the initial release. Double jointed knees and elbows and a fully articulated torso add some great range of motion. There’s a ton of intricate details sculpted in, especially on the armor and head sculpt. NECA also has a newly sculpted waist, which looks to be more accurate to the comics. There are additional updated details throughout, which help to separate it from the earlier release and keep them both fairly unique. The skull necklace looks to be mostly the same as the original. It’s large and free flowing, and makes a great addition to the design. Paint work is quite nice as well. The sculpted netting is fully painted, which is always welcome. As with all of their Predator figures, there’s great transitional paint work on the exposed skin, with darker tones on the back, fading into the lighter tones on the front. I do wish there was a small bit of wash over the scarring on his face, but it’s a minor gripe. The armor work and mask all have a nice worn look to them, with multiple dark paint washes over a metallic base.
As I mentioned earlier, the figure features a full Ultimate Predator body, with more articulation than the previous release. I have really enjoyed that added range of motion in the past, but ran into a few issues here. On my figure, the joints were extremely tight and almost locked in place in some cases (hips and shoulders). It took quite a bit of heating with a hair dryer to loosen this guy up enough that I felt comfortable posing him. The same needed to be done when trying to swap hands. The connection is extremely tight and the hand began to pull away from the peg if I tried to swap them out without a bit of heat. Also, the wires connection the armor pieces together didn’t last long. The one holding his chest armor to his right should plate broke at the shoulder plate when I first tried to move the arm. The one on his Plasmacaster’s back broke as well.
Once I moved past those issues, I was able to enjoy the figure. The included accessories are excellent. I love the design and execution of the Engineer gun, which looks great with Ahab, or even one of the Engineers. Removable masks for Predator’s are always welcome, and it functions nicely here. The other unique feature is that you can swap out the top of the bladed wrist gauntlet for two different blade types. The first has two retractable blades, while the alternate ones include three retractable blades. It’s nicely executed, and the pieces swap out quite easily. His other wrist gauntlet does open to feature the self destruct mechanism.
If you can grab a figure where the joints aren’t locked (and can avoid breakage on the wires), then you are in for a great release. I love the overall look, and the addition of a cape is a great touch. The included weapons and accessories are outstanding, and make for some great display options. Check out soem select photos below and the full gallery after that.
For those wondering, the backdrop comes from NECA’s Red Alien Queen.
NECA Ultimate Ahab Predator Figure - Toyark Photo Shoot
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.
uhhh, i like that match up......Engineer VS. Predator......i think the Engineer would win
Joe, not to complain but how does he look without the cape?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Now all i need is the engineer and i will be good.
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.
It would be interesting to compare both Ahab figures, the SDCC one from a few years back and this Ultimate, side by side.
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.
While Predator figures that don’t feature removable backpacks aren’t new, I was just hoping Machiko’s would have been given the design.
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?
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?
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?
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.
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.
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)
Full Thread: Ultimate Ahab Predator - Toyark Photo Review
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