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Vampirella action Figures
Moore Action Collectibles created a range of Vampirella Action Figures
in the year 2000. Initially there were three variants, then a "show"
special and a few odd variants have cropped up since.
Regrettably MAC seems to have shut up shop and are no more. Which is
a real shame as their range of action figures were superb. There are rumours
that Clayburn Moore will be back in action, but they are only rumours
... so far.
Red "Standard" Figure
The first action figure in the range was the standard
"red" Vampirella.
Complete with a gun, a stake and a crossbow which
fitted into her left hand, and with moveable arms and head you could
pose your action figure as you wished.
Well sort of, the arms and head don't move that much
but the principle is there!
I am not sure I like the idea of Vampirella being
given a revolver. She doesn't have much of a history of using firearms,
and tends to eschew them in favour of her own natural weapons.
There are a couple of variants on the standard item.
You can get your action figure with Clayburn Moore's
signature (see top picture), or you can get one which is
back to front in it's packaging (see bottom picture).
The reverse or "butt" Vampirella figure
was touted by many sellers as a particularly rare item, though I
doubt this.
I believe it was just a packing error in the factory
- or some employee bored with sticking hundreds of dolls in the
right way round decided to break the monotony by packing the next
few hundred the other way round.
Either way, I don't think it merits the sometimes
extremely high "rarity premium" that some sellers added.
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Black Halloween Special Figure
Next on the list is the Halloween Special.
Again, there are a number of these which have been
signed by Clayburn Moore.
This version has Vampirella in a rather fetching black
and gold costume complete with a silver lined black cape.
There is a reddish golden moon in the background -
which explains why this version is often referred to as the "Harvest
Moon" version.
Vampirella has a few extra toys this time. This action
figure has the standard crossbow and stake, but the number of guns
has doubled (you now have a choice of a revolver or a semi automatic
pistol) and there are a couple of pumpkins thrown in for good
measure.
Sadly missing from the Red version, there is now a
bat that you can plug into a hole in the cross behind her.
Though Vampirella is not well know for varying the
colour of her costume, I have to say that she looks good in black.
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Julie Strain Limited Edition Figure
Back to the traditional red and gold costume, this
version was issued in association with Tower Records (presumably
as they "owned" Julie Strain at the time).
This is a really nice item which was modeled on Julie
Strain, and I think it looks a little better than the others
because the proportions are better.
Most cartoons, toys etc. are not faithful reproductions
of the human form. They tend to exaggerate various aspects of the
form/person to make it easier to recognise that person. Would you
recognise a picture of a Viking as being of a Viking if he wasn't
wearing a helmet with cow horns sticking out of it? Trivia:
Vikings didn't generally wear the horned helmets that fiction places
on their heads.
The paintings, drawings,
statues and action figures of Vampirella
are no different. But this action figure is a faithful reproduction
of a human form, Julie Strain's head and face.
Though the body is the same the shape and size of
the head makes all the difference.
Variants include a "signed by Clayburn Moore"
variant, and a variant signed by both Clayburn Moore and Julie Strain.
The Julie Strain signature is on a hologram sticker (so maybe
she only signed the stickers and these were added to the boxes later
- does it matter though?).
Vampirella's accessories include two pistols, a crossbow,
a stake, and a bat. |
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Gold Action Figures
This Special Edition was limited to only 2,400 - it
would be interesting to know how many of each of the other versions
were made.
These were primarily aimed at the Convention market
and were heavily touted during 2001. For objects that were only
available at conventions, it didn't seem too long before they were
available via other outlets.
The packing was different - a black and white cardboard
box instead of the colourful blister packs of the previous three
versions (click on the picture on the left to see the figure
and the box in new window).
As usual, there is a Clayburn Moore signature available
on the box for a small extra charge.
I have to admit that the "bronze" finish
to the action figure works quite well, and Vampirella doesn't look
at all out of place.
The bat has vanished, but the crossbow, stake and
a single revolver remain.
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Pink Custom Figure
According to the eBay auction blurb this is
"a 'one of a kind' pre-production sample of the Vampirella
5" Action Figure toy released by MAC and Harris Comics!
Let me repeat... this is the only Vampirella painted with
a pink outfit that I am aware of!!! This toy was produced
by the toy factory in China as a test shot (PPS) for MAC to
consider for production as an exclusive of some sort. MAC
decided not to use it, therefore it is 'one of a kind'. She
comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Clayburn
Moore as well as a bat, crossbow, base, and pumpkin".
I don't know how true this is, or if it is purely
a repaint of the Halloween/Harvest Moon variant. I'm sure
someone who knows will tell me
one day.
If I remember correctly, this item sold on eBay
for quite a good price - way beyond what I was prepared to
pay for it, anyway.
It seems odd to see Vampirella in a softer,
more feminine light in her pink outfit. Nice, though.
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Other "Custom" Variants
I can't be sure, but I believe that the Silver
coloured Halloween Special and Julie Strain variants (pictured
on the left) and the blue coloured Julie Strain variant
(below) came from the same eBay seller.
Either these are also "one-off pre-production
samples" as is claimed for the Pink variant above, or
someone is being a little creative with the truth and selling
off retouched stagnant stock.
I didn't buy any of the pink, blue or silver
variants, though I do like the look of the pink and silver
Vampirella figures. I don't think the blue quite works.
Whatever.
if you have any pictures of the "one-off
pre-production samples" they made in green, purple, yellow
or puce let me know!
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Action Figure Casting
Now this is a little gem I trawled from somewhere,
the base casting for the action figures.
The two heads confirm that the body is the same in
the Julie Strain version as in all the others, but it interesting
to see the number of separate parts.
As delivered to the customer, the action figures come
in three main bits (plus accessories). Usually you get the
base, the cross/moon and the Vampirella figure. In the pictures
of the casting the lizard, the tree trunk and a mushroom/toadstool
are all separate - presumably glued in place in the factory.
I don't know if these castings are available to buy
as "rare" items, but is is a little interesting to see
the figure in it's raw state. |
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