Over the last couple of months I’ve been taking a look at a selection of statues and action figures that I’ve purchased recently. But before I return to looking at comics I have one more one toy to look at: this week it’s the turn of Unbox Industries Nemesis the Warlock vinyl figure, designed by Pete Fowler.
Released by Hong Kong-based toy collective Unbox Industries in 2012 this vinyl toy features a graphic and chunky representation of comic book anti-hero Nemesis the Warlock. Created by Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill in 1980, Nemesis first appeared in Prog (issue) 167 of weekly British science-fiction anthology comic 2000AD. The character was an demonic looking alien who was locked in battle with the evil Torquemada, the fascist leader of the future human race. The strip was humorous, subversive, and anarchic — in other words classic Mills. And the early stories were wonderfully realised by artist Kevin O’Neill at his gleeful, irrelevant best.
This Nemesis Artifact figure measures 15cm in height, and is made from study vinyl painted in shades of orange and brown. The non-articulated figure ships in a blister pack and is based on a design by Welsh artist and DJ Pete Fowler. The figure originally shipped in six different colours: chrome, blue, green, orange, glow-in-the-dark and ‘wood effect’.
The figure is sturdy and eye-catching, and is very much in Pete Fowlers artistic style. The orange is bright and the colour shading is well done. However I do have one major criticism with this figure: due to its arms being too long it won’t stand up unaided, which is frustrating to say the least. If you want to display the toy you’ll either have to use copious amounts of Blu Tack, or leave it in its original blister packaging (I’ve plumbed for the latter option).
This is the third 2000AD figure I’ve purchased from Unbox, the other two being a Judge Dredd statue based on the artwork of Mick Mahon, and a Judge Death statue based on the work of artist Brian Bolland. Although Fowler’s interpretation of Nemesis isn’t quite up to the same standard of those two statues, it’s still a fun little addition to my collection, its inability to stand unaided notwithstanding.
Although the figure was released seven years ago Unbox still have a few copies in stock, which can be purchased from their website, although they’ve sold out of some of the colour options. They sell for $16 each (£13) plus P+P and mine set me back about £17 in total which, to be honest, is about the most I’d be prepared to pay for it. Definitely a must for Nemesis and Fowler fans alike (just have some Blu Tack handy).
'TAIN'T THE MEAT... IT'S THE HUMANITY! 