Number of figures: 28+
Produced by: NECA
Distributed by: NECA
Found at: TRU, other retailers
Package type: single, visible packs
Size: 1.75-2 inches
Material: painted vinyl
Gimmick: they hang on things
Tagline: "Colllect 'em. Hang 'em!"
At first glance, you think "Aww, cute."
Upon closer inspection, you realize: Man, these are dumb.
NECA seems to have put no thought into this toyline whatsoever.
1. There is no articulation. A figure with such a large head could have easily been jointed at the neck. That's all the articulation needed. One change could have created 360 degrees of displaying possibilities.
2. They are all facing the same way. This is different than point #1. If you are not going to give these figures movement at the neck, then please design them in pairs so that they are facing each other. Batman needs to be in a face-off with The Joker. To be more precise, they need to have their bodies positioned toward each other with their heads turned toward us. These should have been sold as 2-pack hero vs villain pairs: One has his head turned left, one has his head turned right.
3. They will hold onto almost nothing. The packaging says: "Hang 'em from headphones! Attach 'em to cables!" It goes on to suggest that you put them on lanyards, microphone cords, and shoelaces! Are you kidding me? Follow these suggestions only if you are 100% determined to lose your figures. Their hands will grip a string or cord just like any other action figure holds any accessory. There is no hook, clasp, or knot keeping them attached. Add movement and they will let go. I tried to hang one from my rear-view mirror, but it flew right off at the first turn I made.
4. The character selection is ridiculous. Four figures in, and we've already doubled-up on Batman? Did we forget about the current marketability of Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, and Harley Quinn? And why is Superman holding onto a rope anyway? Did he lose his ability to fly?
5. Speaking of Superman... what's with that face? I swear, he looks more like a South Park character than anyone from DC. Actually, it would have been hilarious if NECA had made The Coon, Mysterio, and Professor Chaos instead! The style of this toyline seems more appropriate for comedic animated characters. Respected and revered superheroes -- with presumed superpowers? Yeesh.
6. Not to mention how dirty they look just sitting around.
Man, these are so dumb.
The oddities continue:
1. There is a 2-pack that exists after all. Of course, the figures are positioned in the same direction as all the others. It's a SDCC 2014 black-and-white alternate paint versions of Batman and The Joker. Great, another Batman.
2. Then, there are 3.5-inch versions of both that same Batman and that same Joker. They look exactly like the 1.75 inch versions -- packaging and all -- except well, larger. They don't even have a unique name at this scale (like "Mega Scalers" or something like that).
3. Finally, for some unwarranted reason, they've also made a 12-inch "Jumbo Scalers" version of that same freaking Batman. Get ready to shell out $80+ if this figure is a must-have for you.
Other than Marvel and DC, these properties have also hastily been made into Scalers:
1. Alien
2. Predator
3. Godzilla
4. Jason Voorhees
5. Freddy Krueger
6. LOTR: Gollum
7. Gremlins: Gizmo*
8. Planet of the Apes: Cornelius
9. Pacific Rim: Knifehead
10. Pacific Rim: Gipsy Danger
11. TMNT: Leonardo
12. TMNT: Michelangelo
13. TMNT: Raphael
14. TMNT: Donatello
*Of all the Scalers (in all properties) Gizmo is the only one positioned in the opposite direction. Again, this makes no sense. If you somehow wanted to argue the aesthetics of consistency by having them all positioned the exact same way, well, there goes that notion due to this one figure.
Hopefully, all these properties that have only one odd figure will soon get a complimentary figure positioned in the opposite direction.
Hopefully, NECA is paying attention.
Answered
