I only recently discovered that NECA Toys has produced Marvel items in the past. The collectible toy industry is chock full of Marvel products, but it's always been from Toy Biz, Hasbro, or DST - with very few exceptions. But for early Marvel movie properties it makes sense that NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Association) would have an iron in the fire. Most other companies didn't focus on realistic movie merchandise back then, but it was NECA's specialty. Starting 2003, NECA ran the Marvel Collector's Club which offered unique Marvel statues and busts. An interesting note about this line is that I believe it offered no packaging design. Pictures online seem to indicate they all came in nondescript brown cardboard boxes, and this two-pack of mine continues that tradition. The Mystique and Wolverine set was released in 2004, about a year after the theatrical release of X2: X-Men United. The quality is terrific and I'm surprised I only recently discovered it. Let's check out Mystique below!
The sculpt on Mystique is great. The only issue I have is that she leans back at a really sharp angle, as if the base of the bust is not leveled properly. In most of these pics I have her propped up with a tiny ball of poster putty to look normal. But right out of the box she looks ready to topple backwards.
Her paint is great too. The gradients in the different shades of blue is subtle, but really makes the figure.
Mine has pupils that make her look a little wonky from certain angles, but not a big deal overall.
I mentioned above that this bust has no packaging. From what I can tell, the Wolverine and Mystique busts only came in a nondescript brown cardboard box with a protective styrofoam block inside. (Mine certainly did. But mine is also marked as an artist's proof, so I take the lack of packaging with a grain of salt).
Time for some Group and Comparison Pics!
Cheers!
The bust looks pretty good. Awkward at angles but still a good bust.
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