Well this was a bit of a surprise. I knew Hot Toys- they have cornered the market on high quality, high price action figures- had branched out into vinyl figures with their "Cosbaby" line. But I had no idea there was an Aliens series in the line. More so when I chanced upon them on the shelf of my local Forbidden Planet. "Well", I thought, "it is an anniversary year. Get that Sigourney in!" So how does this vinyl figure float in a sea of Pop Vinyls?
If you've never heard of Cosbabys before, then it be a bit of a surprise that a company like Hot Toys would make figures of a cartoonish design. So you have to take your "adult collector" hat off, stop worrying about whether this toy captures Sigourney Weaver's androgynous looks, and put on your "I like toys" hat and accept this Ripley has the same large- almost care bear-like- eyes and "chibi" style proportions that all previous Cosbabys have. But that doesn't mean there's little detail.
As I said above, the face looks about as much as the live action Ripley as I do (FYI I look nothing like Sigourney Weaver) but the eyes are well done, printed on very clean with great little details, using more than one shade of brown. In line with the anime look of the line, the hair isn't an exact duplication of Weaver's hair, in the movie, but I do like the way it's sculpted to look wind-blown and tussled- as it looks when she rescues Newt- and beats the wet-look perm, the Pop Vinyl Ripley has. The only downside is the sculpt is clearly two parts, as shown by the whopping great seam line that goes across the top of her head. Ripley doesn't have the most elaborate of costumes, but it is instantly recognisable, even in this simple style. The pop Vinyl has more sculpted-on detail, and in the case of the grenades and the trousers, Funko got the paint correct as Cosbaby Ripley looks like she's wearing jeans. But the paint is of a good standard throughout. The Reeboks are painted well with clean lines and colour sepperation, the face really brings the figure to life, and the dowdy colours on Newt make a simplistic design instantly recognisable. But the paint isn't perfect; the black on the straps bleeds into the t-shirt in paces, and there's a couple of flecks of flesh tone on the pulse rifle. Nothing that ruins the figure, but for the price, I am slightly peeved, seeing as Hot Toys are renowned for their attention to detail and quality paint apps. As a figure itself, I really like the design. It's solid, even proportioned (compared to a Pop Vinyl), so I never worry about it falling off my shelf, and she comes with Newt! I originally though it was a detachable accessory, but she seems glued into her hand, so I guess she's part of the figure. She's realised in a very simple design- almost looking like a sad baby- but really makes the figure come to life. Withe the stern expression on Ripley, the assault rifle, and cradling Newt, you have a fun, little recreation of the classic poster.
As you would expect, the articulation is minimal. The head is on a ball joint, so you can rotate the head 360 degrees- although doing so will pop the rifle out- and can tilt slightly up, down, left and right which means you can replicate that awesome head tilt, Ripley does right before she torches the xenomorph nest., which is how I have her posed. And that's it. The right arm is fixed, with a clasping hand, only for holding the assault rifle. But it can also hold it by the handle, so there's a second posing option.
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| "Don't eat the yellow snow, wait...sorry, wrong film" |
There's only one accessory (seeing as Newt is permanently affixed to Ripley, she doesn't count), the assault rifle. Like the figure, it's designed with stumpy, cartoonish proportions with a surprising amount of detail. Not only is the trigger visible- amongst panel lines and vents- you can even make out the secondary trigger, that fires the grenade launcher. There's no shoulder strap, which is an omission I can take or leave, but some may feel let down because it's a lone rifle without the flame thrower taped to it. Bit of a blow if you were hoping for movie accuracy-something one can't help but think about when you see that Hot Toys label. Also, it's a right fiddle to get the handle in Ripley's hand, you have to slot it in sideways then force it in the right way. It holds in ok, but it doesn't take much to knock it out, so take care next time you hoover up near it. That metallic black and camo green is easy to miss on a dark-coloured carpet.
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| For some reason, my camera will focus on small objects if I'm holding them. It never ends. |
In a time where vinyl figures are abundant, you can afford to be picky- more so when this isn't the only vinyl figure of Ripley. Granted, the Cosbaby has better paint than your average Pop Vinyl- although which design is best is a matter of personal taste. It comes packed in with more than I would ever expect from a Pop, or any vinyl figure, but you are paying nearly twice as much as Funko's ubiquitous collectible. However, go into Forbidden Planet or any comic shop, and you'll be lucky to find some Pop Vinyls for less than £15, so the £19.99 cost of the Cosbaby isn't that huge a step up in price. But still, how many of you would throw down twenty quid on a vinyl figure?
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| With the Pop Vinyl Ripley |
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| With Neca's Aliens Ripley |
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| "Happy anniversary!" |
Ultimately, just like Hot Toy's regular line of 1:6 figures, this is an item for hardcore, Alien fans and adult collectors who don't mind paying above average for their toys. I'm both, so the price doesn't sting too much, but I did have to think it over. The overall design swung me round to buy it on impulse, and I may very well buy the Colonial Marine, and the Alien warrior. That's if they stay at the twenty pound mark. I really can't see myself paying more than that. But if I was forced to pick a Ripley vinyl figure, out of the Pop Vinyl, Cosbaby, or the Titans, the Cosbaby is the clear winner. It has a fun design, stands well, comes with Newt and a gun. game over, man. Game over
Company: Hot Toys
Price paid: £19.99
Bought from: Forbidden Planet
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