Halloween After-Party (NECA Universal Monsters)

 Happy Halloween!  Two weeks late...

You know, I could use the magic of blogging time travel and set the post date to be Halloween, where it would sit in that chronological spot. You might believe that you just missed it the day it came out.  But that would be dishonest.

And it would conflict with the details surrounding my latest work-in-progress shelf:

Behold! A modest collection of NECA Universal Monsters.

There are 10 figures here:

1. The Wolf Man (B/W version) - purchased at Walmart on an impluse for $25 (new price down from $35).

2. The Invisible Man (pajama version) - purchased via Best Buy on sale for $18 (down from $35)

3. Frankenstein Monster from Bride of Frankenstein (B/W version) - purchased from Target for $25 using a 25% coupon (down from $35)

4. The Creature from the Black Lagoon &

5. The Creature from the Black Lagoon (B/W version) - purchased together in an eBay lot for about $60 total - brand new - current prices are around $50 each, but originally $35 each.

6. Dracula

7. Frankenstein Monster (first film)

8. Frankenstein Monster from Bride of Frankenstein with Chair - original price $60 - current aftermarket price around $120.

9. The Bride

10. The Mummy

#6 - #10 were purchased together for around $125 from eBay in a loose but excellent condition lot (no boxes).  Only the bat pole was missing (declared).  Total cost new, including the Frank-n-Chair would've been $200.

Bonus: Picked up the Mummy Accessory set for $35, when it retails between $40 and $50.  Expensive for a piece of plastic, but boy, does it add to the atmosphere!  I'm interested in getting Ardeth Bey* from the Mummy (since he's the actual star).  I could've picked him up for $18 at Best Buy too (during a sale), but I was vainly trying to get Cushing's Van Helsing for the same price (it was out of stock despite still being on their website).

Approximate Cost: ~$288

Retail Cost: ~$415 to >$500

Savings: at least $125+

Was it worth it?  Yeah, it really was.  I've been eyeing these figures for years, and they're Hot Toys level of detail (but more sturdy) at half the size and 1/12 the price!  Each figure comes with a bevy of accessories and alternate heads and hands, etc.  Although I had to warm them up in hot/warm water to switch them out.  I spent a good deal of time yesterday determining the best look I wanted for them long term.  Most of these I got after Halloween as I was late getting started on my annual monster movie watching.

I also bought a figure stand (that I need a screwdriver to set-up) for one of the Creatures so he can be in a swimming pose.

And now some detailed pictures.  Forgive the graininess of some of them - they looked great on the phone when I took them:

*Did you know Darth Vader's choking scene from Star Wars was ripped off/homaged from The Mummy?  See if you don't agree.

I wouldn't mind getting the B/W version of the Bride. I like the "black" hair look better.  Both versions come with the full bandaged look and the screaming get-away-from-me head.

I also want to get the American Werewolf in London two-pack with Jack and David one day.

But we're really missing the gore-geous damsels from the films (Jenny Agutter - please!), and we could use a Victor Frankenstein.

Hope you enjoy, my latest shelf expression!