NECA BALROG NEWS!!

[Toy Warrior]

It looks like it should be out later this year, and possibly retail for $100.

From www.action-figure.com

Whilst NECA's Epic Scale Balrog wasn't on display at the US ToyFair, we did ask about it, got a lot to tell you and a few false rumors going around to smash...


OK, so there are a LOT of rumors going around right now about this figure. I'm gonna try and clear some of them up, and ask that if you hear anyone talking rubbish, you politely correct them or point them to this post

1) Some people are saying that because it wasn't on show the figure is cancelled. Wrong! The figure is a still a go.

The plan is for a release later this year. NECA are still playing around with things to get the price point down. They'd like to get it down to as low as $80, but you know, for something this large which is expensive to tool, be prepared that it could come in at $100. Personally I'd rather have it at $100 and be the best it can be, than $80 and lacking.

It's also gonna be pretty limited, and I think demand might slightly outweigh supply, but only time will tell. NECA's current plans is for a run of 5000 or so pieces.

Of course, things are still being planned, so things can change. In this industry I've known things change by the hour, so just be prepared that some things could change.

2) One news outlet wrote about the item as part of their ToyFair coverage and mislabelled it a statue. Of course some Lord of the Rings fans have been going nuts, cursing the very ground that NECA walk on. Now whatever your views on NECA, someone a lot wiser than me pointed out that they couldn't make it a statue, even *if* they wanted to (Sideshow has the statue license).

"So is it going to be articulated?" I hear you ask. Hell Yes. This is what is currently planned for the Balrog in the way of articulation:


Poseable Wings

Bendable Tail

Swivel Neck

Ball Jointed Shoulders

Bending Elbows

Swivel Wrists

Swivel Waist

V Crotch


Could this change? Yes. Everything in the toy industry is subject to change (I know I am constantly repeating this, but the world is full of idiots) NECA's also breaking a lot of the rules here. I have had people in the industry say (in genuine admiration) that they think NECA is taking a risk with The Balrog, because it'll be huge and it'll be expensive ($80 - $100) and that fans won't want it. It goes against those long standing traditional industry rules we all hate. I've always believed there is the market for the Balrog, NECA does also, and I don't want to be proved wrong (neither do I assume does NECA).

So as time goes on and more or updated information is released here or elsewhere, think before you jump into rant mode. I wanna see the Balrog do as well as it can, because first and foremostly, I and many of you want one for our own LOTR collections, and secondly because I love seeing things succeed that go against industry thinking (big pieces don't sell, female figures don't sell, villians don't sell, etc). Seriously, you guys are quick to question us in the comments when we post something you don't think is quite right, which is great and is part of the reason why we have the comments there. Likewise, you shouldn't always jump into a rant, because of one article out on the internet which accidently said Statue. Question by all means, but keep it intelligent.

We're lucky that more than ever we have toy manufacturers starting to listen to collectors like they've never done before (both here and elsewhere), from small companies right through to the largest in the world. We just need to keep a level head and keep the intelligent conversations going.

[Gareee]

Kinda makes you wonder what's been happening to him.. first they anounced a retail of $40, then $50, and now $100.

Maybe when he's released $150 is unreasonable?

I think they should go rotocast on him, and try to deliver him at the $50 pricepoint. And I don't need sound, but lights would be nice, and fer gawd sake, add a damned jack and switch to him, so I can plug him in, and just turn him on for the night.

It's gonna be hard to justify him for $100, after getting 18" superposeable spidey for $20...

[*PORTHOS*]

Yeah why aren't they making it rotocast?