Tag: Lanard Toys

A little bit of context

Lanard Toys Brings the Predator to Life with 12-Inch Action Figure

The Predator, that iconic extraterrestrial hunter with advanced technology and a penchant for collecting trophies, has been a mainstay in popular culture since its first film appearance in 1987. Now, Lanard Toys has brought the Predator to life with a new 12-inch action figure that captures the creature’s fearsome presence and deadly arsenal. But before we dive into the details of this awesome action figure, let’s take a closer look at the history and lore of this legendary hunter.

The Predator: A History of Hunting

The Predator, also known as the Yautja ¹, hails from the planet Yautja Prime ¹. These creatures are known for their advanced technology, exceptional hunting skills, and a code of honor that dictates they only target prey that can put up a fight ². Predators have been depicted in various movies, TV shows, video games, and comics ², often engaging in epic battles with humans and other alien species, most notably the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise ³.

Yautja Prime: The Predator Homeworld

Yautja Prime, the home planet of the Predators, is a harsh and unforgiving world with a hot, dry climate and dense, humid jungles ¹. The atmosphere contains comparatively little oxygen and more nitrogen, which explains why Predators need breathing devices to survive on Earth and can only stay for a limited time ¹. Despite their technological advancements, the Yautja primarily inhabit this single planet, maintaining a traditional, clan-based society with a strict hierarchy ¹.

The Predators evolved from simpler, reptile-like creatures over millions of years, developing a warrior mentality and a hunting culture deeply ingrained in their society ⁴. Their history is marked by a rebellion against the Amengi, an insectoid species that once enslaved them ⁴. This uprising, led by an albino Predator known as the Alpha, saw the Yautja seize the Amengi’s technology and adapt it for their own use, solidifying their warrior traditions and setting them on the path to becoming the fearsome hunters we know today ⁴.

Predator Physiology and Biology

Predators are large, sapient, and sentient humanoid creatures, typically standing between seven and eight feet tall and weighing over 500 pounds ³. Their reptilian-like skin is covered in intricate patterns, and they possess long, hair-like appendages on their heads that resemble dreadlocks ³. Their most distinctive feature is their mandibles, which they use for a variety of purposes, including expressing emotions, communicating with clicks and growls, and biting their prey ¹.

Predators are incredibly strong and resilient, capable of withstanding significant physical damage and shattering concrete with their bare hands ¹. They are also highly agile, able to climb and jump to great heights, giving them a strategic advantage in the hunt ¹. Their vision operates primarily in the infrared spectrum, allowing them to see the heat signatures of their prey ⁵. This thermal vision is further enhanced by their bio-masks, which provide various vision modes and allow them to see in different spectrums ⁵.

While formidable hunters, Predators are not invincible. They are vulnerable to extreme cold, and their cloaking devices can be disrupted by water or certain technologies ¹. They also possess a unique, luminescent green blood that has healing properties for humans but can be neutralized by the acidic blood of Xenomorphs ³.

Predator Technology and Weaponry

Predators utilize a combination of highly advanced technology and traditional weapons in their hunts. Their technological arsenal includes:

• Cloaking Devices: These devices render them nearly invisible, allowing them to stalk their prey undetected ⁵.
• Plasma Casters: Shoulder-mounted energy weapons that fire devastating plasma blasts ¹.
• Wrist Gauntlets: These gauntlets contain various tools and weapons, such as wrist blades, net launchers, and self-destruct devices ¹.
• Bio-Masks: These masks enhance their vision, provide various vision modes, and allow them to track and analyze their prey ¹.
• Medical Kits: Predators carry medical kits to heal themselves from injuries sustained in combat ¹.

Despite their advanced technology, Predators often prefer to use more traditional weapons, such as spears, nets, and the Combistick, a retractable spear-like weapon ¹. This preference reflects their warrior culture and their respect for the challenge of close-quarters combat ⁴.

The Predator Code of Honor

Predators adhere to a strict code of honor that governs their hunting practices and interactions with other species. This code includes:

• Targeting Worthy Prey: Predators only hunt creatures that pose a challenge and can fight back, avoiding those who are innocent, unarmed, or sick ⁴.
• Respect for Opponents: They show respect for opponents who display courage and fighting spirit, even in defeat ⁴.
• Fair Fights: Predators prefer to engage in fair fights, often discarding their advanced technology to test their skills in hand-to-hand combat ⁴.
• Avoiding Collateral Damage: They strive to minimize harm to those who are not their intended targets ⁴.
• Self-Destruction: As a last resort, Predators can self-destruct to prevent their technology from falling into the wrong hands, a testament to their commitment to their code and their warrior culture ⁶.

This code of honor sets the Predator apart from typical movie monsters, adding a layer of complexity and intrigue to their character. They are not simply mindless killing machines but disciplined warriors with a strong sense of ethics and tradition ².

Predator Hunting Culture and Traditions

Hunting is a central aspect of Predator culture, shaping their society, traditions, and individual identity. Young Predators, known as “Unblooded” or “Young Bloods,” undergo rigorous training to become skilled hunters ³. Once they prove themselves by killing a Xenomorph, they earn the title of “Blooded” and are marked with its acidic blood ³. The most skilled and experienced hunters become “Elites,” while “Elders” hold the highest respect within their society ⁴.

Predators use trophies to mark their kills, often taking skulls, spines, or other body parts as tokens of their victories ³. The type of trophy reflects the worthiness of the prey, with the most challenging opponents earning the most prestigious trophies. This practice is not simply about collecting souvenirs but about honoring the hunt and preserving the memory of their battles ³.

Types of Predators

While all Predators share certain characteristics, there are variations in their appearance, abilities, and social status. Some notable types include:

• Jungle Hunter: The classic Predator from the first film, known for its stealth and agility in jungle environments ³.
• City Hunter: Adapted to urban environments, this Predator is more aggressive and utilizes its technology more readily ³.
• Berserker Predator: A larger and more muscular Predator with enhanced strength and aggression ³.
• Falconer Predator: Skilled in aerial combat and utilizing a falcon-like drone to assist in its hunts ³.
• Super Predator: Genetically enhanced Predators with superior strength, speed, and aggression ⁵.

These variations showcase the diversity within the Predator species and their ability to adapt to different environments and hunting challenges.

Predator and Human History

Predators have been visiting Earth for centuries, drawn to the planet’s diverse and challenging prey ⁶. They have interacted with humans throughout history, sometimes observing conflicts, hunting dangerous creatures, or even engaging in battles with samurai warriors ⁶. In some instances, they have even formed temporary alliances with humans against common enemies, as seen in the Predator: 1718 comic where an Elder Predator, known as Greyback, teams up with a pirate captain ⁶.

Predator and Other Alien Species

The Predator’s most notable foe is the Xenomorph, with whom it has clashed in numerous films, comics, and video games ³. The Xenomorphs, with their acidic blood and relentless aggression, pose a significant challenge to even the most skilled Predator. Different types of Xenomorphs, such as Warriors, Drones, and Queens, offer varying levels of difficulty and require different hunting strategies ³. The Alien vs. Predator franchise explores this conflict in detail, showcasing the epic battles between these two iconic alien species ².

Predator in Other Media

Beyond films and video games, the Predator has made its mark in other media, including novels, comics, and even pinball games ². These expanded stories offer different interpretations of the Predator mythos, exploring their culture, history, and interactions with other species in more depth.

Predator’s Impact on Popular Culture

The Predator has had a significant impact on popular culture, influencing other films, games, and art forms ⁸. Its iconic design, advanced technology, and unique blend of terrifying and honorable traits have made it a recognizable and enduring figure in science fiction and horror. The Predator has become a symbol of strength, skill, and primal aggression, often representing the ultimate hunter or warrior archetype ⁸.

The franchise has evolved over time, exploring different aspects of the Predator mythos and adapting to changing audience expectations ⁹. The release of Prey in 2022 marked a return to the franchise’s core themes and offered a fresh perspective on the Predator, revitalizing its popularity and setting the stage for future installments ¹¹.

Lanard Toys Predator 12-Inch Action Figure

Now, let’s get to the main event: the Lanard Toys 12-inch Predator action figure! This figure, designed for ages 7 and up ¹², is a fantastic way for fans of all ages to bring the Predator home and relive their favorite moments from the franchise. It’s a detailed and highly poseable representation of the iconic creature, offering a more affordable and accessible option for fans compared to some of the higher-end collectibles on the market ¹³.

Here’s what makes this figure so awesome:

• Removable Helmet: The figure comes with a removable bio-helmet that accurately captures the Predator’s distinctive headgear ¹⁵.
• Articulated Mandibles: The Predator’s fearsome mandibles can be moved, allowing for a range of expressions and poses ¹⁵.
• LED Light-Up Feature: The figure’s shoulder-mounted plasma caster lights up with the push of a button, adding to the realism and playability ¹⁵.
• Wrist Blades: The figure’s signature wrist blades are faithfully recreated, ready to strike down any prey ¹⁶.
• High Poseability: With 25 points of articulation, the figure can be posed in a variety of dynamic stances ¹⁷.

Variations

Lanard Toys has released several variations of the 12-inch Predator figure, each with its own unique design and accessories. Here’s a closer look at the different versions:

Where to Buy

You can find the Lanard Toys Predator 12-inch action figure at a variety of retailers, both online and in physical stores. Here are some of the places where you can snag this awesome figure:

Mass Retailers:

• Walmart: Walmart is one of the primary retailers for Lanard Toys products, and you can often find the Predator figure in their toy aisles or on their website ¹⁸. The 7-inch figures are priced around $9.84, while the 12-inch figures are around $19.87 ¹⁹.

Online Marketplaces:

• eBay: eBay is a great place to find new and used action figures, and you can often find the Lanard Toys Predator figure listed by various sellers, sometimes at a lower price than retail ²⁰.
• Poshmark: Poshmark is another online marketplace where you might find the Lanard Toys Predator figure, often sold by individual sellers ²¹.

Specialty Retailers:

• Sears: Sears also carries the Lanard Toys Predator figure online, although their selection may vary ²².
• Amok Time: Amok Time is an online retailer that specializes in collectibles and action figures, and they carry the Lanard Toys Predator figure among their selection ²³.

The Future of Predator and Lanard Toys

The Predator franchise is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with two new films slated for release in 2025. Predator: Badlands, a standalone film starring Elle Fanning, will take place in an alien wasteland and involve two sisters who uncover a horrifying past ²⁴. This film promises to offer a fresh and exciting take on the Predator mythos. Additionally, an untitled Predator film is rumored to be an animated anthology, potentially exploring different eras and encounters with the Predator ²⁵. This could be a great way to expand the lore and introduce new Predators and storylines.

The success of Prey has demonstrated the enduring appeal of the Predator and its ability to captivate audiences with its unique blend of action, science fiction, and horror ¹¹. With these new films on the horizon, the future looks bright for the franchise.

Lanard Toys, known for its affordable and action-packed figures ¹⁴, is also likely to continue expanding its Predator line. Based on their past releases and the upcoming films, we can expect to see more variations of the 12-inch figure, potentially based on new Predators from the films or classic designs from the comics and video games ¹⁹.

The gaming world is also getting in on the action. Predator: Hunting Grounds, the asymmetrical multiplayer game, is getting updates, balance improvements, and releases on next-gen consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S ²⁶. This continued support for the game suggests that the Predator’s presence in the video game world is also set to grow.

And who knows, maybe we’ll even see another Alien vs. Predator film in the future, bringing these two iconic creatures together for another epic clash ²⁷!

Conclusion

The Predator has captivated audiences for decades with its unique blend of science fiction, action, and horror. Lanard Toys’ 12-inch action figure provides an excellent way for fans to bring the Predator home and relive their favorite moments from the franchise. With new films, games, and potentially new figures on the horizon, the Predator’s reign as a pop culture icon is far from over. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the hunt, there’s never been a better time to immerse yourself in the world of the Predator.

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