POP! 8-Bit: Jason Voorhees (NES version)

Horror video games have a long, and often trashy history. For every Resident Evil, there’s at least three more crappy cash-ins that simultaneously typify the worst about video games and horror.

1989’s Friday the 13^th for the NES is one of the latter. It’s acquired a cult following, but it really wasn’t well-received at the time – or even afterwards*. Developer LJN was notorious for releasing terrible licensed video games for the NES (including a very so-so adaptation of A Nightmare on Elm Street), which have mostly been lost to history. Yet here we are in 2018 holding a piece of official Friday the 13^th video game merchandise – what a world we live in!

Part of Funko’s relatively new 8-bit subline, Jason is designed to look as though he’s stepped straight out of a mid-to-late 80s video game. However, his design isn’t strictly accurate; he appears to be an 8-bit version of his Freddy vs Jason self, with a jacket and stray hairs on the side of his head. But he is coloured to match the look of the NES game.

Now, you would be right in saying that purple and blue are not very “Jason” colours**, but the 8-bit era of gaming used plenty of idiosyncratic artwork. It’s just the nature of art meeting technology, with both often coming up short in the process.

I suspect its release is in large part due to NECA. Y’see, in 2013 NECA released a glow-in-the-dark version of Jason as a convention exclusive. As you might have guessed, that Jason was styled to look just like he does in the NES game. It was very well received by fans (eventually getting a slightly altered retail release) and sparked new interest in the game. There hasn't been a ton of merchandise since, but there's definitely been an upturn in what's been produced. Well done to Funko for riding this decidedly unusual trend.

While I’ve seen customs of the original Jason POP painted to match the game, this is not a figure I really expected to see mainstream release. It's great in or out of the box, a distinctive piece for your shelf that captures a fringe part of both Friday the 13^th fandom. My only real complaint is that he doesn’t glow!

*The Angry Video Game Nerd had quite a bit to say about it back in 2006.

**There’s also a version in regular colours, which seems to be the more widely available of the two. This NES version is a Gamestop exclusive in the USA. You can also get a Freddy in both regular and NES colours too. 

Minifigure Mini-Review #4 – Tartan Batman

Like most white Australians, my family background is closely tied to the British Isles. As a result, Scotland occupies a special (read: heavily romanticised) place in my heart. So when I found out there was effectively a Highlander Batman, I decided I had to add it to the collection.

Batman is dressed how we popularly imagine the people of the Scottish Highlands dressed in ye olden times. He’s wearing belted plaid, which he’s paired with tartan trousers. He’s also wearing a torc around his neck, which is a nice little touch. His cape and cowl are also rendered in brown, rather than black. Naturally, he’s armed with a claymore, though you would assume this be in contravention of Batman’s usual “no killing” rule.  

Though I have no doubt there are questions to be raised about the historical accuracy of the figure*, in truth he’d be a pretty great base for making Highlander Warrior custom. You’d just need to paint over the bat sigil and substitute in a different head. You could even trim the cape to fit if you wanted.

Now if you want to own him, Tartan Batman was originally packed in with a kid’s activity book called Chaos in Gotham City, which was one of the many merchandise tie-ins for The Lego Batman Movie. I have no idea what happened to my copy; I assume I just threw it in the recycling after getting this minifigure. It was published about a year ago, so you may still be able to get a copy – but I haven’t seen it on Sydney shelves in a while.

The face of a man who could not find a Tartan Batman.
Or severe constipation. Perhaps both.

If you missed out, don’t worry too much though. Tartan Batman is a fun figure, but he’s certainly not essential. As someone with a smattering of Scottish background, he’s pretty much been bought for sentimental reasons.

*Pro tip if you’re ever visiting Scotland – most of the locals weren’t really that fussed on Braveheart. If you would like some more advice on what to not say to Scots, you can click here.  

Sunday Afternoon Reader Part 7

Well, it’s been quite a while since the last instalment of Sunday Afternoon Reader – but here we are again! 

Birth School Metallica Death (1983-1991)

Paul Brannigan & Ian Winwood

Year: 2014

I fall into the classic metal cliché of loving Metallica’s first four albums and not wanting much to do with anything after that. I mean, the Black Album is a great hard rock album and all – but it doesn’t really typify what I like about them.

So it’s perhaps fitting that the first few chapters of Birth School Metallica Death are the best. Covering their formation and the recording of Kill ‘Em All. The book also provides a bit of an insight into the wider heavy metal scene of the time; it’s interesting to see how many names from that era have remained hallowed to the present day (Judas Priest) while others have sunk into comparative obscurity (Raven). Personally, it also served as a really positive reminder for me as to why I started listening to metal all the way back in high school.  

Unfortunately, the rest of the book doesn’t quite maintain this same level of engagement. Metallica have been an exceedingly well-documented band in the public eye, and so there aren’t any major surprises for those with more than a cursory knowledge of their history. There are also some notable omissions, such as their close friendship with Mercyful Fate.

Finishing on the eve of the release of the Black Album, there’s a second volume which covers 1991-2014…but I think I’ll be passing on that. Birth School Metallica Death is a very worthy read, but I can’t help but think that we could see a better take in years to come.

Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath

Tony Iommi & TJ Lammers

Year: 2011

Many rock “autobiographies” seem to consist of simply plonking the artist in front of a tape recorder, then having a ghostwriter piece it all together in some kind of chronological order. Iron Man is very much one of those books, but TJ Lammers has done a better job than most in making sure Tony Iommi’s tale is actually entertaining.

Though Ozzy is the bigger celebrity, Tony Iommi is the key figure in the Black Sabbath story. He’s the sole member to have stayed in the band the entire time, having kept at the helm during the difficult 80s and 90s. Every rock and metal guitarist playing today owes him a massive debt, whether they realise it or not. So when I came across a copy in London for only £2.50, it seemed churlish not to buy it.

Given the relatively condensed size of the book, there’s plenty of stuff that’s glossed over. He’s relatively philosophical about his own shortcomings, and full of interesting anecdotes – I had no idea he was best friends with John Bonham, for instance. But Iommi ultimately emerges as a likeable figure, who’s quite humble about his own place in the canon of rock history. This might sound like a given for an autobiography, but it’s not always the case.

Highly recommended for any metal fan, and a far better read than Birth School Metallica Death, if not as thorough.  

The Hellbound Heart

Clive Barker

Year: 1986

As I’ve noted on here numerous times, the original Hellraiser film is one of my favourite horror movies. Given my love for the film, I thought I should finally read the novella it’s based on, The Hellbound Heart.

Though the two share a common basic plot, The Hellbound Heart is more explicit than its cinematic counterpart in its approach to sex, occultism and violence. Clive Barker has a tremendous skill at making little details very uncomfortable to read, and that skill is used to powerful effect here.

There are numerous story differences, but the most interesting for me were the insights into Frank’s motivations. He’s still a highly objectionable character, but he earns much more of our empathy this time around. While the film suggests that Frank’s summoning of the Cenobites destroys him, the book spells out that he is actually dragged off to their realm – one of many human subjects who are “pleasured” (i.e. horrifically tortured) for eternity.

Ultimately, this is a rare case of the film being better than the book. While quite entertaining in its own right, I think some of the changes made for film really helped elevate it from good to great. Though it’s not the best of the small selection of his work that I’ve read, The Hellbound Heart is still a great example of why he’s such a big name in horror. For fans of the film, it’s well worth a read, and for new readers it will serve as something of a litmus test as to whether they like Barker’s style.

700 Sundays

Billy Crystal

Year: 2005

Well, here’s a change of pace. Billy Crystal is an American comedy icon, whom most Australians probably know best for hosting the Oscars for many, many, many years. He’s pretty funny in interviews, and I suppose I should finally watch City Slickers one day.  

700 Sundays is autobiographical, but it would be a stretch to call it an autobiography. It’s based on his one-man play (also named 700 Sundays) and it reads like a transcript. I get the suspicion that the two were developed closely in conjunction; presumably he started writing a book, decided it would be a better play, and then reworked the written material once he’d workshopped the show. 

The book takes us through the first 20 or so years of Billy Crystal’s life, mostly dwelling on the relationship he had with his father, Jack. Sadly, Jack passed away when Billy was only 15 – but not before passing down any number of valuable life lessons and audience-friendly zany anecdotes.

It’s overly sentimental and schmaltzy, in part because you’re reading the material on the page as opposed to seeing Billy Crystal’s delivery. But 700 Sundays is also charming and funny – and oddly enough, will be of great interest to those with an interest in jazz history. 

Non-essential, but a nice light read to break things up in between more substantial books.   

Minifigures Mini-Review #3 – Black Canary & Swimsuit Batman

Black Canary

Of all the figures in this series, Black Canary was the only one I had to have. She’s one of my favourite superheroines, but she’s tended to fly under the merchandising radar in comparison to Wonder Woman, Supergirl or Batgirl.

Originally debuting in 1947, Black Canary’s history has become inextricably bound with Green Arrow. Sometimes lovers, sometimes married and sometimes divorced, they’ve shown impressive longevity as a superhero couple throughout the decades. But she’s no shrinking violet; as well as doing stints in the Justice Society and Justice League, she’s a core member of the Birds of Prey, delivering STREET JUSTICE all the while.

Her outfit has undergone minor alterations since her debut, but with one notable exception has stuck pretty close to her original look – leather jacket, leotard, fishnets and boots. Curiously, this minifigure renders her outfit in dark blue. It may be based on a specific comic look, but it’s not one I can identify. Perhaps it’s just meant to mimic the way highlights on her outfit are frequently drawn and coloured. However, we may well see a black-suited version in a future DC set.

As an accessory, she’s got a microphone with stand. This is a nod to her current incarnation as a rock singer as well as a superhero. It’s okay, but I think a motorbike would have been better, if impractical. She’s also got two facial expressions, neutral and screaming.  

In spite of the odd colour choice, this is still an excellent minifigure. Highly recommended.  

Swimsuit Batman

Though I wasn’t a huge fan of it, one thing I did like about The Lego Batman Movie was its fearless iconoclasm with Batman’s super-serious image. So though I mentioned previously that I didn’t want to buy every single variation of Batman that was released, this one made me laugh quite a bit when I saw it.

This version of Batman sees him bedecked in a Speedo, and wearing goggles over his cowl. This cowl-piece is presumably a new mould, so it’ll be interesting to see if it pops up anywhere else in the future. He’s also equipped with a floaty dolphin (presumably come across from the Friends theme) and the same paddle board that came with the Female Lifeguard, all the way back in Series 2.  

But MOST importantly, Swimsuit Batman has ripped abs and is T H I C C. I don’t know all the ins and outs, but apparently Batman and Black Canary had a bit of a fling in recent comics. With buns like this, it’s not hard to see why.

Though at first glance, she wasn’t so impressed.   

With apologies to @FakeEyes22

Swimsuit Batman isn’t as essential as Black Canary, but he is fun. This one will largely be down to your personal tastes. 

The Lupine Record Club -- Part 1

So every now and then, I post an actual Lupine Book Club, in the form of the Sunday Afternoon Reader. At the suggestion of a friend, I’ve decided it’s time to do some to expand it to albums, and hopefully also to movies. It won’t usually be anything current, but it’ll give you an idea of what I’ve been up to – and hopefully also turn you on to some stuff you might not have otherwise checked out. So here we go with the first instalment of the Lupine Record Club!

Tangerine Dream – Phaedra

Those of you who know me in person or via any of my various social media channels, know that I love metal. But I actually listen to quite a bit of early electronic and ambient music too, particularly while I’m working on writing projects. I’m still a relative newbie to the field, but you can’t venture very far into ambient music without running across Tangerine Dream.

Phaedra is routinely touted as one of their best albums, and of the TD albums I’ve listened to (there are lots) it’s certainly my favourite. It’s also a good litmus test to determine whether you’ll enjoy their stuff or not. Droning early-70s synths, soundscapes rather than songs – it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but for me it’s fantastic music for zoning out and writing.  

Standout track: Phaedra

Napalm Death – Live Corruption

Recorded in 1990 shortly after vocalist Barney Greenway had joined the band, this is an absolutely crushing live set from Napalm Death. These guys are grind and metal legends for a reason – I was lucky enough to catch them in Sydney last year at the Factory Theatre, and they are still destroying a good chunk of the competition.

This record also serves as something of a “Best Of” for Napalm Death’s early years – it’s well worth tracking down, particularly if you haven’t listened to much of their stuff and you want a convenient starting point.

Standout track: Rise Above

Christopher Young – Hellraiser (soundtrack)

Much like ambient music, I find soundtracks useful for listening when I’m writing. And this particular beauty has been getting a thorough workout as I go through edits on my upcoming horror novella.

Originally intended to be scored by the experimental industrial group Coil, the powers that be declared that Hellraiser needed a slightly more…commercial…soundtrack. Thus, Christopher Young was recruited. And boy, did he do a great job – it’s a wonderfully ominous score, which matches the disturbing visuals of the film perfectly.

Standout track: Hellbound Heart  

Judas Priest – Unleashed in the East

Two live albums in one entry? WHOA!

Judas Priest’s continuing influence on heavy metal is almost unparalleled, and when you go back and listen to their early stuff it’s really not hard to understand why.

Now while there’s certainly some debate about how “live” this record actually is, there’s no doubt it’s a banger. Get the expanded edition if you can, as it also includes some bonus live tracks from the Killing Machine album.

Standout track: The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)

Minifigure Mini-Reviews #2 – Black Vulcan & Dr Hugo Strange

Time to look at a couple more minifigures from The Lego Batman Movie Series 2! Today we take a squiz at Black Vulcan and Hugo Strange.

Black Vulcan

Truthfully, I don’t know much about Black Vulcan. Initially I assumed he was a member of the Flash family, given that he has the same “helmet” as the other Flash characters, and comes with these power bolt thingies as accessories. But it turns out he’s a character that was originally created for the Hanna-Barbera Super Friends series, and rather than super-speed he has electricity powers. Kind of like another African-American DC character with electricity powers, you say? You would be correct.  Turns out that originally the plan was to have Super Friends feature Black Lightning, but there was a rights dispute, so an ersatz workaround was created.

I’m fairly ambivalent about Hanna-Barbera cartoons in general, but I know that they’re a big part of plenty of people’s childhoods. It’s nice that Lego is getting the Hanna-Barbera Super Friends characters out there, but this is the figure I’m least excited about in this series. The leotard look doesn’t work for me.

Hugo Strange

Possessed of the most famous neckbeard in comics, Hugo Strange has a much longer history with Batman than most might realise. He was originally introduced all the way back in 1940 as a mad scientist, yet I would argue that it wasn’t until the Arkham series of video games that he really entered any kind of mainstream consciousness in association with Batman. As a result of his appearance in the games, he’s become much more prominent in Batman media, most notably showing up in the Gotham TV Series, portrayed by B.D. Wong.    

It’s nice to see a “new” addition to Batman’s Rogues Gallery, I’m still fairly cold on Hugo Strange. He’s a genius, but he’s not as megalomaniacal as Lex Luthor, and he’s creepy, yet lacks the disturbing edge of someone like Professor Pyg. I’ve just never felt like I could care that much about why he does what he does. Nonetheless, it’s a solid rendition of the character and the shelf wouldn’t be quite complete without him.  

Minifigure Mini-Reviews #1 – General Zod & Jor-El

Series 2 of the Lego Batman Movie Minifigures have started hitting Sydney stores, and I was lucky enough to grab a few of them the other evening. Now, I’ve been pretty slack in reviewing the last couple of series of Minifigures, so I’m going to try something new with these Minifigure Mini-reviews. They’re in no small part (ha!) inspired by OAFE’s Mini-Mates reviews.   

Truthfully, my impressions of this series of Minifigures are a little mixed. These two figures are great…but I didn’t love The Lego Batman Movie, so I don’t feel the need to own every single version of Batman that appeared on-screen. With that said, the series includes a number of important, unusual and/or strange characters who might not otherwise see release in Lego format. So I plan to pick up maybe…half of the series in total? Time will tell. 

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the two Kryptonians featured in this series – General Zod and Jor-El.

General Zod

Clearly inspired by pre-Priscilla Queen of the Desert Terence Stamp’s take on the character, Zod is rather a plain minifigure at face value. He’s wearing his black pyjama garb, and his face is printed in a fairly neutral – if slightly irritated – expression. But this is appropriate; he’s had many different looks in the comics, but this is the one that the general public probably associates with him most closely.

He didn’t really need any accessories (Kryptonite maybe? Or a clear panel to serve as a Phantom Zone?). But he does come with a newspaper, with the headline “Kneel Before Zod”. There’s another part to the joke, which can be seen in the photo.

He’s also got two face options to pick from – spin his head around and you’ll see an angry face with heat vision eyes. Perfect for battling Superman!

Given that we’ve only had the Michael Shannon version of Zod in Minifigure form previously, this is a welcome addition to the collection. He’s a key villain in the DC Universe, and his addition to the line is long overdue.

Jor-El

Live as one of them, Kal-El

Discover where you strength and your power are needed

Always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage

They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be

They only lack the light to show the way

For this reason above all, their capacity for good,

I have sent them you, my only son.

Superman: The Movie is when Supes’ Jesus-like aspects began to become really heavily emphasised. And fulfilling the figurative role of "God" in this setting was Marlon Brando’s Jor-El. While this figure isn’t an exact replica of Brando’s look in the film, it’s very clearly inspired by it. He’s got the exact same hairstyle and similar robes, but it now looks a little more comic-y, thanks to the chest armour.

There has been a Jor-El figure previously, but it was based on Russell Crowe’s version of the character from Man of Steel. It wasn’t a regular release figure either, so it will cost you a comparative fortune if you go for it. This is an excellent substitute.

POP! Games: Resident Evil – Licker

While plenty of zombie-themed media is content to play it coy about why so many zombies are running around, that’s never been the case for Resident Evil. Biological weapons and human experimentation drive proceedings, which means the series isn’t “just” restricted to human zombies – it also opens the door to all manner of genuinely freakish creations.

Today we take a look at another – the Licker. First appearing in Resident Evil 2, Lickers are genuinely disgusting to look at in both their game and movie incarnations. With a sort of flayed/inside-out look to their skin, and a seemingly exposed brain on their head, they’re impractical for real-world biology but definitely fit the horror aesthetic. Indeed, even if you’re not a Resident Evil fan as such, the Licker could still work on your shelf as some kind of Cenobite hellhound for Pinhead.  

Funko’s rendition is a great-looking figure, doing an excellent job of being both cutesy and totally disgusting at the same time. Personally I think it would have been good to see some gloss paint on the exposed innards for an even grosser "wet" look, but I suppose that’s something I could always do myself if it took my fancy.

I was lucky enough to pick up this bad boy for a song, and he’d certainly make a great army builder if you’re so inclined.  The whole Resident Evil range was one of Funko's better video game offerings, and hopefully we’ll see it expanded in future. But in the meantime, this is a great buy.