Predator, Darth Maul are intricate models of terror

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Thanks to the proliferation of film, comic-book and cartoon characters, companies are bombarding consumers with an incredible selection of action figures. With tongue in cheek, let's take a peek at some of the specimens worthy of a place in...

Zad's Toy Vault

Elder Predator

The Hong Kong-based production house Hot Toys offers American collectors an incredible line of pre-finished action-figure model kits of some familiar movie characters in a 1:6-scale format. In addition to familiar icons such as Ellen Ripley ("Alien") and Robocop, part of its Hollywood Masterpiece collection focuses on the 20th Century Fox property "Alien vs. Predator" and offers multiple versions of the famed sci-fi film icons.

Figure profile: The humanoid species called Yautja have become the most feared warriors in the galaxy. These highly technologically advanced predators live for hundreds of years and use a cloaking device, body armor and sophisticated weaponry to track prey in ritualistic hunts that serve as both sport and rites of passage.

Considered the greatest Yautja of all, the tribal elder Predator is the most respected and honored of the clan. Its intelligence, strength and use of multiple types of fighting techniques have allowed it to survive countless hunts against the most ferocious of foes.

Accessories: Owners have some work after they open a massive box decorated with metallic foil and film images; they have to remove roughly 25 main Predator pieces from three tiers of plastic packaging.

This 14-inch-tall vision requires the assembly of a pre-painted body, a process that begins by attaching appendages and very carefully putting on a handmade body-netting suit. It concludes with the installation of about two dozen fine follicles for the face and forehead.

During this 90-minute construction odyssey, the Predator also gets body armor; a red fabric cape with metal clasps; a removable helmet to cover his ugly, crablike face; a ceremonial necklace; tribal trinkets; a chain of skull trophies of defeated opponents; two pairs of interchangeable hands; a display stand; and a full arsenal of weaponry such as the sharp combi stick (with telescoping poles), retractable wrist blades, a self-destruct device mounted to a wristband and a twin-bladed sword with leg-mountable sheath.

Additionally, owners need to read the instructions carefully and take great care not to force the pieces or crush or break off any of the intricate design work. They will be rewarded with a figure that boasts more than 20 points of articulation and an authentically detailed costume that would make Hollywood production studios proud.