Toy Fair is almost here, you guys! It is the season for new toy reveals, and it is also the time when I start wish-listing the heck out of my favorite lines in anticipation for what we might see at the show. NECA’s recent releases of their Ultimate G1 Gremlin and Stripe figures have reminded me that their Gremlins line is one of absolute FAVORITE collections, so, of course, I want MORE.
Yeah, NECA’s release pattern for these little green guys in their “Reel Toys” line is deliberately paced, and we have gotten used to seeing about one to two new figures per year. However, with the generic gremlin and Stripe already out, and the GameStop exclusive Gamer Gremlin on the way for this May, maybe we are seeing in uptick in the amount of releases we will get in any given yer. I would LOVE to see a new figure about once every quarter or so, I think that pace, for my own selfish wants would be about perfect.
Now, since we just got two new releases, I am not sure we will even see any new reveals at Toy Fair this weekend, but that is not going to stop me for making a list. I think the original movie is back in focus for NECA after concentrating on The New Batch for a few years, but I am going to keep my five choices balanced across both flicks. So, here is what I want to see the most…
GRETA GREMLIN
Honestly, I cannot believe we still don’t have her. NECA has a prototype and they have shown it off several times over the past few years, but she has been MIA for several consecutive shows. I am pretty sure she is highly desired by many collectors (including me) and her gender obviously makes her very unique in the sea of “little green men.” She has a great look that would stand out even in this diverse collection, so I am ready to buy as soon as she is available.
SKI MASK GREMLIN
Make no mistake: Stripe is the leader of the gremlins in the first movie, and by far the meanest and scariest of them all. However, while many gremlins from the pool batch are more naughty and fun-loving than the original bastards from the paint water spill, the Ski Mask (or mugger, burglar, or whatever) gremlin is DEFINITELY mean, and most certainly scary. Though his screen time at Dory’s Tavern was brief, it was impactful because he straight came at Kate with a friggin’ GUN. Not records, not beer mugs, not a flasher jacket – a gun. So, really, a new head is all we need, and even if NECA can’t release a gun with the figure, I have plenty of those, and this guy is needed for sure.
VEGGIE GREMLIN
Ever since the release of Daffy, George, and Lenny, the Veggie (or Salad Bar) Gremlin has been my most wanted figure from movie two. In a flick with all kinds of crazy gremlins designs (thanks, Christopher Lee!) Veggie still stands out with his grotesque garden vegetable visage. I know this guy is a bit tougher to do due to all fo the unique tooling required to pull him off, but I would adore this figure, and he would look great alongside the rest of his sequel brethren.
CAROLER GREMLINS
This is a bit of a cheat since it is more like four gremlins instead of one, but a few hat, scarf, and music page accessories added to the Ultimate Gremlin would get us an insanely awesome box set of four just in time for the holidays. Think about it, a four pack to release right around Christmas time? GIMME! The Gremlins reign of terror over Mrs. Deagle is one of the best parts of the entire original movie, and these carolers would be ultimate homage to that funny and frightening scene. P.S., Mrs. Deagle total got what she deserved.
BILLY PELTZER
Okay, okay, this is a weird one, I know – but hear me out. Billy is such an essential part of the Gremlins mythos, it would be a shame to not get a figure of him. I get it, these Gremlins figures are pretty big when talking about scale, but honestly, if NECA were to make a Billy figure in their 8-inch soft goods line, he would scale relatively well with the standard figures. Heck, give him his backpack with a little Gizmo accessory that is more in-scale to him and you would have a pretty darned solid release. I get it, it would not be PERFECT, but I would be very happy with something like that and I think it would add a whole other layer to a line that could support a human character to go with all of the gremlins and mogwai.
So yeah, those are my wants. Like I said, we might not even see anything new at the show, but I can dream, right? I think all of these would make great additions to the NECA Gremlins line, and I am here to give my full support.