The first assortment of Toony Terrors 6″ Scale Figures are now available in stores. The series takes iconic horror characters and gives them an animated look inspired by classics toons like Scooby-Doo. Instead of a highly articulated release, these are designed with a specific pose in mind, with a bit of articulation added in for some variety in the display. This wave includes Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and the classic and modern versions of Pennywise. Future assortments will include Michael Myers, Leatherface, Pinhead, and Chucky and Tiffany, with even more in the works.
Our friends at NECA Toys were kind enough to supply the figures to check out. After the jump, you can see my thoughts and a full photos gallery of the Toony Terrors Wave 1 Figures. You can order them at the links below.
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Toony Terrors 6″ Scale Wave 1 Figures
Pros
- Fun concept
- Streamlined sculpts pack a lot of personality
- Great paint apps
- Each card back is its own diorama backdrop
- Jason is a perfect mix of funny and creepy
- Packaging makes for great in-package displays
Cons
- Freddy’s pose is a bit odd
Overall
Each figure is packed on a card back the features a movie theater entrance and marquee on the front and a simple backdrop on the back. You can cut out the backdrops for easy storage. Freddy includes a figure stand, Jason has a removable machete, classic Pennywise has a removable balloon, and modern Pennywise includes a removable balloon, and Georgie’s paper boat.
When these were initially announced, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of them. I kind of liked the idea, but the didn’t feel essential. That was, until I saw them in person and was able to handle them back at the NECA Fan Event. All grouped together and seeing the movie theater inspired packaging made the whole concept click for me. Plus, seeing them with the future releases gave everything a more complete feel. Having them in-hand, and messing with them for the review only made me enjoy the series more. The cartoon style look works great with the characters here. Everything is very bright and colorful, and the detailing very clean and streamlined. It’s a stark contrast to what I am used to seeing from modern NECA, and reminds me of the type of releases you would see in the early 2000’s in a Suncoast Video, mixed in with Adult Swim and Toonami releases. If you can find some scaled Scooby Doo figures, then that just completes the look (sadly, I could not).
The only real issue I had is some of the posing. For me, it’s mainly on Freddy, as he is very hunched over and has a bit of an awkward left hand. The bent legs force you to use the figure stand with him, and I do wish I could display him without it. It’s a minor quibble, and he blends in nicely with the rest of the line up. And the Jason Voorhees, who is selling really well by the looks of it, is the real star of this line. His creepy pose, elongated proportions, and the blank stare of the hockey masked head really scream classic Scooby-Doo.
Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention artist Travis Falligant (ibtrav.com), whose Lost Mysteries artwork has been a viral sensation more than a few times. I have no insight into whether NECA was directly or indirectly inspired by Travis’ work. But, if you just enjoy the overall aesthetic of the Toony Terrors, check out his website for some fantastic pop culture inspired art.
The Toony Terrors line is going to wind up being one of my favorites of the year. Even if you don’t collect them all, it’s worth picking up at least one of your favorite horror icons in the format. They’re both cute and creepy and can fit in not only on a pure horror shelf, but if you happen to collect stylized vinyl figures like Dorbz or Pops. Check out a selection of images below, and the full gallery after that.
NECA Toony Terrors Wave 1 - Toyark Photo Shoot
detailed sculpts and minimal articulation? MacFarlane, is that you? These are tempting
In-hand, the Jason figure is AWESOME. Yes, the articulation is limited but there's actually a wee bit more of it than i was expecting (movable wrists were a nice surprise, but elbows and knees would have been welcomed). And the paint on Jason so SO CLEAN. I own two of them and they're both perfect. No slop at all.
Plus Jason's sculpt is wonderful. The cartoonishly angry eyes, the bunched-up wrinkles on the neck, the exaggerated proportions...I really love this figure.
But the other characters, I feel, don't translate into 'toon form as perfectly as Jason does, especially both of the Pennywise figures (they just look like normal figures and not really "toony"). Freddy is decent, however, but as Joe said his pose is awkward.
And as for the whole Travis Falligant accusing NECA of "stealing" his designs thing...I don't think that a guy who mikes his living off of ripping off the intellectual property of others has much cause to complain if someone else makes something vaguely similar to his own copied work.
It seems kinda arbitrary for Jason to have hip articulation and not Freddy. Sure, you could use the excuse for the two Pennywise figures that it would break up the sculpt due to their baggy outfits, but Freddy is just wearing regular pants like Jason.
I especially like the look of Jason here, but I think I they would have worked better as 3 3/4" scale figures.
These remind me of the Disney Infinity game pieces.
Full Thread: Toony Terrors Wave 1 - Photo Gallery
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