The ABCs of 31 Days of Toy Terror: V is for Vampira from Vampira ReAction by Super7

 

   I actually struggled to find someone for V in my collection but fortunately I had two figures on the way, both which qualified. Vampira came in first so she wins the coveted spot in the countdown! It also is fitting that she arrived first because while the idea of a horror host is just a cultural staple and something of an archetype these days, Vampira was the first. Maila Nurmi created the character and the concept and everyone following in her footsteps owes her a lot of credit. Elvira, Joe Bob Briggs, Svengoolie, Penny Dreadful, Peter Vincent, Dr. Gangrene, Zombo, Coffin Joe, all of those fine folks and more have followed in Vampira's footsteps. Most modern goths, too. It's a real shame that she might be most well known for appearing in Ed Wood's Plan 9 From Outer Space or as being played by Lisa Marie in Tim Burton's Ed Wood rather than as the innovator that she was. Super7 has just released her as a ReAction figure so she can hang out with other horror greats on your shelf, particularly the large cast of Universal Monsters figures. NECA has a Toony Terrors figure of her out right now as well, so Vampira is getting quite a bit of attention at the moment from toy makers. Let's take a look at Vampira after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 3 3/4ths inches

Articulation: Swivel hips, swivel shoulders, and a (restricted) swivel head.

Accessories: None

Non-Scalper Price: $20 dollars

The Packaging:




* I don't keep these carded or anything but the ReAction figures are one of the few lines I can understand collecting mint on card. The art is really nice and the packaged toy just looks fantastic. 

The Positives:

* Vampira's look was inspired by the character from Charles Addams' art who eventually came to be known as Morticia Addams, but she obviously added her own spin and humor to the role. And of course, she made Vampira rather sexy. The ReAction Vampira walks the line between something that looks like a vintage Kenner inspired action figure and something that feels like a modern figure in the old school Kenner style. She's quite well sculpted, capturing Vampira's hourglassiest of hourglass figures (she once stated she had a 19 inch waist!). The paint is neat and clean and her pale skin (it's almost grey) look on point. 

* The portrait is quite good and captures Vampira's likeness. It might be just a bit caricatured, but she was quite a character, so it works. Honestly, the paint work is really good. Her lips are bright red, her gaze is hypnotic, and she has some amazing eyebrows. 

* Her nails are really cool. Very long, very sharp looking, and painted with bright red polish. 

* Vampira is wearing a long dress which reaches the ground, so her left leg is hidden within the sculpt. Her right leg is peeking out the slit in her dress, though, and the paintwork on it is pretty impressive. The painted pattern of her fishnets is really well done and she also has neat, clean paint applications on her shoes and on her crimson red toenail polish. This is another element might be a bit too modern for a vintage Kenner styled figure but it works really well here. 

* Vampira is a vintage Kenner inspired figure, so you should mostly know what to expect here: Swivel hips, swivel shoulders, and a swivel head. The swivel head is largely impeded by her long hair, though, so you won't get much movement from it. The plastic quality is really good, like all of Super7's ReAction figures I've owned, with a solid, sturdy feel like a vintage action figure.

   Vampira is a Great retro styled figure and quite nicely walks the line between being vintage and modern; she's a figure with a vintage charm but enough modern details to really capture the spirit and look of the character. Fans of Vampira, Plan 9 From Outer Space, or just spooky goth girls in general should really dig this. I'm really glad that Super7 has continued the horror based ReAction figures as there is just something satisfying about having a collection of horror greats in the same style. Have Vampira join the action or simply commentate on it. The choice is yours!

This is the first figure of Vampira I've reviewed on the site.