Alien - BE@RBRICK
A classic from both the horror and sci-fi genres, Alien is one of the most recognizable franchises in the world. Fans love the tough, ground-breaking hero, Ellen Ripley, and the deeply disturbing alien antagonist. The namesake alien itself gets the Medicom Toys treatment in the "BE@RBRICK Alien 400%" and "BE@RBRICK Warrior Alien 400%" figures.
Alien and BE@RBRICK Collaboration Background
Medicom Toys released the first Alien BE@BRICK as part of their horror figure line in April 2016.
Collaboration Planning and Launch
In 2016, Medicom launched the BE@RBRICK Alien 400% and BE@RBRICK Warrior Alien 400% figures simultaneously. After one year, they released a 1000% size version of each figure. Due to the franchise's popularity, the 400% figures each re-entered production alongside the 1000% release.
BE@RBRICK Alien 400%
This 400% BE@RBRICK shows off the horrifying Xenomorph design from the 1979 Alien film. The bear's surface is covered with the skeletal appearance characteristic of Xenomorphs. On the face, the figure features horizontal, elongated eye sockets. The bronze gradient fades gently with stark white highlights, giving it a metallic appearance. Notably, the Alien's iconic double jaws are on display with the inner set visible through a row of sharp fangs.
- Product Name: BE@RBRICK Alien 400%
- Series: Alien
- Manufacturer: Medicom Toy
- Specifications: Painted & articulated plastic figure
- Height (Approx.): 280mm | 11"
BE@RBRICK Warrior Alien 400%
The warrior drones from the sequel Aliens make for a menacing BE@RBRICK figure from Medicom Toys. The figure features the striking black and blue color scheme signature to the warrior class alien. The contrast between the black backdrop and blue skeletal outline makes the intricate linework pop. The fangs remain white like the original alien, emphasizing the two jaws on the mostly blank face. The jaw placement, low on the face, gives the figure a menacing appearance and mimics the long Alien skull.
- Product Name: BE@RBRICK Warrior Alien 400%
- Series: Alien
- Manufacturer: Medicom Toy
- Specifications: Painted & articulated plastic figure
- Height (Approx.): 280mm | 11"
About the Alien Series
Alien is a 1979 science-fiction horror film and a cult phenomenon. The story centers on the crew of the commercial ship Nostromo. After answering a distress call from an alien ship, members of the crew encounter a horde of egg-like creatures. One creature latches onto a member of the expedition but quickly dies. Later, a larger alien creature bursts from the same crew member's chest and escapes into the ship. The leading Science Officer, Ash, discourages the crew from killing the alien, despite the danger it poses. Warrant Officer Ripley discovers that Ash has received word to bring the alien back to Earth with the crew viewed as expendable. The crew dwindles as they try to eliminate the alien and return home.
About the Alien
The Alien, also known as Xenomorph XX121, is a parasitoid extraterrestrial creature. In the Alien movie, it appears as a bipedal, biomechanical skeletal creature. Before reaching adulthood, the Alien goes through three forms: egg, facehugger, and chestburster. A queen adult Alien lays eggs that remain in stasis until finding a host. After finding a host, a facehugger emerges and latches onto the host's face. The facehugger implants an embryo and then dies. The embryo grows inside the host until reaching a state of independent maturity and violently erupts from the host's chest. Alternate Alien forms and expanded life stages appear in various films in the franchise.
Other Important Alien Characters
While the Xenomorph is the recurring antagonist of the franchise, the heroes and supporting villains flesh out the universe.
Ellen Ripley
Ellen Ripley is a lieutenant rank warrant officer and the protagonist of the Aliens film franchise. In the first movie, Ripley discovers Ash's plan to take the Alien back to Earth, risking the crew's lives. She is the only human survivor from the first movie. As the franchise continues, Ripley becomes an integral figure in protecting humanity from the Xenomorph race. Ripley frequently appears on best character lists for movies and science fiction.
Ash
Ash is the science officer of the ship Nostromo in the first Alien movie. He disobeys Ripley's orders and breaks quarantine by allowing Kane and the facehugger onto the ship. Eventually, he is revealed to be an android tasked with bringing the Alien back to Earth for study. His betrayal leaves Ripley with a deep distrust of androids that troubles her throughout the franchise. Critics focus on Ash's role as the secondary antagonist, the idea of otherness, and corporation as evil.
Jones
Jones is the ship's cat traveling with them in stasis from Thedus to Earth as a form of rodent control. Along with Ripley, Jones is one of the two survivors of the Xenomorph attack on the Nostromos. He becomes Ripley's pet once they wake from stasis on Earth in Aliens. While Jones' role in the films is limited, he appears in franchise novels and video games. His presence also made a splash among sci-fi fans, leading to Jones references in the Halo and World of Warcraft franchises.
Related Figures
Medicom Toys often collaborates with horror properties both in its seasonal and regular releases. A more comedic, titular villain stands out in the BE@RBRICK Phantom of the Paradise Phantom 400% figure.
Links
BE@RBRICK Alien 400%
BE@RBRICK Warrior Alien 400%
BE@RBRICK Series
BE@RBRICK Phantom of the Paradise Phantom 400%
BE@BRICK Label