By JAMES BURRELL
Nowadays, it’s difficult to find an action figure line that isn’t based on a well-known film, TV show, comic book or video game property. So, it’s rare when a toy company can create their own original product line, and even rarer when it continues to go strong years after it was first introduced. Such is the case with Super 7’s offbeat in-house series of collectibles, which they’ve named ‘THE WORST .’ Comprised of villainous characters that would feel at home in any number of vintage monster comics or the horror, science-fiction and cult horror films of yesteryear, the line made its debut as a limited edition release at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con. Packaged inside coffin-shaped plastic bubbles on cards with stunning painted artwork by renowned album cover artist Ed Repka, the series consisted of retro-styled 3¾ inch scale figures of six ghastly characters: the suit and cape-sporting Batula, the reptile-faced Snake Tut, the scythe-wielding Robot Reaper, the armoured skeleton warrior Black Falcon, the mysterious masked, pistol-toting Gas Phantom and X-2 (The Unknown).
Featuring the classic five points of articulation (head, arms, and legs) seen on vintage Kenner Star Wars figures from the 1970s and early ‘80s, the creepily fun figures (which were initially released in unpainted, white plastic) featured various accessories, including weapons and a vinyl cape and skull-tipped cane for Batula. A hit for the San Francisco-based collectibles company, the figures were later released in painted versions and glow-in-the-dark variants. A second set of six far-out characters would be unleased in 2019, consisting of the skull-faced pirate Captain Deadstar (which comes with a cape and flaming sword), the leather vest-sporting Werewolf Biker (with miniature pool cue), part snake-part woman Shedusa, the fearsome combatant Red Tiger (with mini severed human arm accessory!), the chained, spectral Frankenghost and the ominous Cortex Commander. By this time, the figures were branded with the logo of Super7’s ‘ReAction’ retro action figure line. Over the years, Super7 would release different colour variants, figure and creature two-pack sets (called The Four Worstmen of the Apocalypse), and introduced additional characters, including the samurai armor wearing Killer Bat and the fantastically named King Hell.
In addition to the 3 ¾ inch tall figures, the company has issued a growing number of larger sized 7-inch scale offerings in their ultra-detailed and poseable ‘ULTIMATES!’ figure line, which to date includes such characters as Captain Deadstar and Batula.
Now, Super7 has released a brand-new wave for both figure formats. For the 3 ¾ inch line, the company has put out variant versions of the ruthless Captain Deadstar, Killer Bat and Werewolf Biker (with all three figures featuring paint apps that pay homage to The Empire Strikes Back) in a new wave called the ‘Scum Squad.’ More horrific in nature are the ULTIMATES! releases, which are comprised of the fantastic-looking Black Falcon in a variant dubbed the ‘Hellfire’ edition and the formidable Robot Reaper in ‘Frozen Death’ variant. Both 7-inch-tall figures are incredibly posable with numerous points of articulation and feature a slew of interchangeable parts and accessories.
The fearsome skull-faced knight Black Falcon features limbs and accessories (including a sword and shield) that have been cast in an orange translucent plastic and have been painted to give the appearance that they’re aglow with fire. The beautifully sculpted figure comes with two heads (one with a closed mouth; the other with an opened, cracked jaw), with each one sporting a helmet with horns (both regular and battle damaged), additional hands, gauntlet with flaming falcon, a medallion with chain and a high-quality, distressed red fabric cape with wire armature that allows it to be manipulated into various poses. The fantastically detailed and spiked suit of armor (painted to look like charred metal) is flexible to allow the figure a full range of motion and to be placed in numerous dramatic positions.
For the Robot Reaper, the figure has been cast in an icily blue translucent plastic and dons a sheer white robe with hood which allows the toy’s light blue and white painted ‘mechanical skeletal’ details to nicely show through the fabric. Accessory-wise, it comes with an additional head, three sets of extra hands, a fantastic looking blue-bladed scythe and – in a humorous nod – a miniature Gameboy and floppy disc (marked ‘FrozenDeath.exe’). Both beautifully designed boxes feature revised versions of the amazing Ed Repka artwork featured on the 3 ¾ inch figure packaging.
Fans of fun, classic horror and sci-fi movies and vintage comic mashups are sure to enjoy these figures. SRP for the 3 ¾ figures is $20 USD each, while the SRP for the ULTIMATES! figures is $55 USD apiece. For more information on these and other figures in the line, check out: The Worst – Super7.
*A thank you to Super7 for providing some samples for this piece.
