The Predator line from NECA is set to hit a special milestone, the release of their 100th Predator themed action figure! For this release, NECA wanted to offer fans not only a completely new figure, but one that hearkens back to the original film in a unique way. As many fans may know, the Jungle Hunter Predator that was seen in the film was not the original design. Initially, the Predator was thought of as a large insectoid creature, with none other than Jean-Claude Van Damme inside the suit. However, while filming director John McTiernan realized the design wasn’t working. It was too clunky, and was not as mobile as was needed to film the action scenes. Ultimately, Stan Winston was tapped to design the new creature, giving us the iconic Yautja design scene in the film.
To pay homage to this lost legacy, NECA has brought this original design into their story canon as the Amengi, a race of creatures that enslaved the much smaller, and weaker ancestors to the Yautja. After generations of evolution, and being bred to fight in gladiatorial style games, the Yautja were born. The largest, and strongest of the fighters had led an uprising, killing off the Amengi, and freeing his race from their enslavement. This new leader was known as the first hunter, and became the alpha Predator, wearing the near impenetrable skin of the Amengi (aka the unused Predator design), as his armor and mask.
Our friends at NECA Toys have sent over the Alpha Predator for an exclusive advanced look. After the jump, you can find my photo gallery and thoughts on the figure.
Pre-Order Links: Entertainment Earth • Megalopolis • HobbyLink Japan • Dorkside Toys (Currently Sold Out) • Big Bad Toy Store (Currently Sold Out)
Alpha Predator Ultimate 7″ Scale Figure by NECA
Pros
- Great nod to Predator history
- Excellent figure sculpt
- Good assortment of weapons
- Removable mask works well
- Plenty of articulation
- Nice paint work
- Poster, visual guide, and history of the Alpha Predator included
Cons
- None
Overall
The Alpha Predator is packed in a flapped window box. The front features artwork by Jason Edmiston. The back of the box has a brief story for the figure, and photos showcasing the features and accessories. The figure includes a removable mask, three sets of interchangeable hands, a spear, a shuriken, a blade hook, and two bone blades. A folded poster featuring the box art is included. The back of the poster features a new visual guide, showing all 100 Predator figures. Also included is parchment like paper, featuring a full story detailing the origins of the Alpha Predator.
The figure stands at 8″ tall, and has about 30 points of articulation. The Alpha Predator features mostly pearl colored skin, with dark armor, bones, and sculpted cloth wrappings to simulate ancient armor. The Alpha Predator basically wear the unused Predator design like a suit of armor, and you can see bits and pieces of that design throughout. The clearest example is the mask, which features the head sculpt of the unused design. The mask itself fits onto the Alpha Predator’s face, using the mandibles and sides of the head sculpt to snap into place. The chest armor is a flexible plastic, and has a rib cage style design over the Alpha Predator’s torso. The back of this armor houses multiple bone spikes that stick up, two of which are removable. The primitive bladed gauntlets are pieces of the Amengi skull. The left arms uses the top of the skull, while the right arm uses the lower jaw, with a spot to attach one of the bladed bones as a wrist blade. The skull on the left wrist can be removed when you swap out hands. The lower jaw on the right arm is attached to two ball joints on a hidden, retractable wrist gauntlet, complete with a hidden wrist blade. You can separate the lower jaw piece and combine it with the skull to for a full Amengi skull trophy, though the pieces don’t snap together. The mask can even sit on top of the skull. The hips, shoulders, and legs all feature their own pieces of the creature as armor, though none of those are removable. Around the waist is a soft plastic belt, with a space to attache the curved sickle blade.
Underneath all of the armor is the Alpha Predator himself. With the figure being more primitive than current era Yautja, it lacks most of the technological pieces that you may be used to seeing. So no shoulder cannon, now smart disc, no hidden blades, no netting. The figure also lacks the complex skin patterns of its modern brethren, featuring pearl colored skin, with little flecks of orange here and there. The head sculpt mirrors these features, with the same light coloring, even on the dreadlocks. The figure includes a curved sickle bone blade, a spear made of Amengi bones, a bone shuriken, and three sets of hands. Two of the hands are for holding the weapons, two feature open palms, and two are completely closed fists. The hands swap out with no issues. The grip hands hold the weapons well enough.
I didn’t run into any issues with the range of motion or any of the joints. The figure is packed with articulation, with double jointed knees and elbows, and a ball jointed torso. The only spot where the design hinders movement a bit is the shoulders. It’s no where near as restrictive as most Predator figures (since there are no wires connecting armor to the shoulder or a shoulder cannon). Paint apps are very clean and crisp. The pearlescent skin has a natural looking sheen to it, with a few slight ashes to bring out the details. All in all, there were any quality control issues on this sample.
The Alpha Predator is a figure a lot of fans have been waiting for. It’s a nice culmination of Predator history, while still feeling fresh and new. The look will certainly stand out on a shelf with other Predator’s, and there’s a nice variety of display options. Combine that with the extras like the included poster and story, and you have a great commemorative release.
Alpha Predator Ultimate Figure by NECA - Exclusive First Look Photo Shoot





I like it when NECA makes up interesting backstories for these Predators like what they did to the Kenner-style Predators in the past.
THIS is what he was meant to do! THIS is his throne:


Great shots Joe. The lighting is spot on.
Definitely not a fan of the bony add-ons for the wrists, they just look too cumbersome, but otherwise a lovely piece!
I’m getting serious Dragon Ball Z Saiyan vs Tuffle/ Bardock the Father of Goku vibes from this story.
The only thing I don’t like about the story is that the Predators essentially had to steal their technology in order to become great. It’s not like people were able to create all the technology we know today because of more advanced creatures. But I guess in a way it stays true to the adaptive nature of the Predators.
I also think it’s cool how Alpha’s story kind of explains the variation between the Predators and Super Predators and why they are so similar yet distinctively different. They were essentially bred for different skill sets and eventually became different enough to war With each other even though they are the same species.
I’m also really digging the size difference between the Classic Predator body and the Alpha which I imagine will more than likely be reused for Super Predator Body mold due to the rough skin texture and lack of any body netting.
All in all this is a great looking Predator figure with an interesting back story. I hope to own a couple of these guys and the bone throne one day.
Does the NECA Predator stuff usually get restocked on BBTS?
I actually had NO interest in this figure...until now, thanks to this photo shoot. Wow, what an impressive-looking figure. I might just pick it up if I run across it in the wild.
The more pics i see of him the worse he looks... great figure- but that nipple revealing body armor makes it look like he has a big "frony" face on his chest. lol... I'll still end up buying him- it's a cool concept- but that torso face is really real bad
His backstory would make an awesome comic or something.
Forgot to say, but if anyone has specific questions about the figure, feel free to ask away.
Fantastic shots, beautiful gallery. This is a great concept for a Predator and a great looking execution. I like that it comes with a poster of the cover art which rules.
I want to buy it but with NECA I always get lemons, so I think I’ll pass.
At this point in time they could only steal what was available, but it’s not like they never figured out how this stuff works and advanced on their own from there.
First. As usual the pics here make me want the toy. I hope you guys get commission. Lol.
Second. I always found it hard to believe the predators created anything themselves. The fact they can barley see and the long finger nails seem to say to me that they are nothing more than primitive hunters, and science the have was found or stolen. Most scientists think the smarter a life form the more physically weak they would be. Predators having brain and brawn never sat with me.
Second. I always found it hard to believe the predators created anything themselves. The fact they can barley see and the long finger nails seem to say to me that they are nothing more than primitive hunters, and science the have was found or stolen. Most scientists think the smarter a life form the more physically weak they would be. Predators having brain and brawn never sat with me.
Second. I always found it hard to believe the predators created anything themselves. The fact they can barley see and the long finger nails seem to say to me that they are nothing more than primitive hunters, and science the have was found or stolen. Most scientists think the smarter a life form the more physically weak they would be. Predators having brain and brawn never sat with me.
If they have such disadvantages that would keep them from being able to build/ develop their own technology how could they begin to understand much less operate the technology of other alien species? The way I see it they they are just like humans except evolution has allowed them to be physically and mentally superior.
The Alpha’s backstory is neat, but I’m glad or at least hope it doesn’t become canon. Their are so many comic inconsistoes work the lore any way that I prefer to stick with what is established on the big screen. I think the Predators origins like many origin stories for franchises that never originally had them always end up being kind of disappointing like “Oh that was it? That’s okay I guess? Alien Covenant comes to mind.
In any case, My story for Alpha is much simpler:
“Alpha’s Predator’s tribe doesn’t use technology very much and they hunt creatures that are the equivalent of the JVC design and wear their corpses as trophy armor. The end.”
Maybe they are mostly blind only on earth or earth like planets.
I really don't like that his dreadlocks are inside a bone cage on his back and I have two reasons for this. The first, it completely destroys any head articulation the figure would have and two, it also makes no sense tactically for a predator to put his dredlocks/hair in such a way as to limit the predators ability to turn his head quickly and efficiently. Lastly, I don't like the backstory either. If you read any of the lore it makes no sense and the part about being enslaved by the insect race is backwards.
The Alpha Predator is coming to Predator Hunting Grounds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImnRmkqFVhA
He looks very impressive. I've not purchased a neca predator in a long time, but this one has my attention. I'll have to see one in hand to decide, but I'm loving how he looks in this gallery.
A fun, different predator design that pays homage to the failed original film design in a way that works. He looks like he belongs in a movie. I agree that the backstory is iffy, but that can be ignored and the figure can be used however you see fit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImnRmkqFVhA
Full Thread: NECA Alpha Predator - 1st Look Gallery
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