Mania Grade: A
Reviewed Format: Mini-Busts
Manufacturer: Palisades Toys
Retail Price: $45 each

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Mini-Busts: ALIEN and PREDATOR UNMASKED

Years ago, the word "bust" had a very different meaning for comic and sci-fan fans. Y'see, there was the whole "Bad Girl" craze going on where just about every company and their brother was putting out a comic, action figure or statue of some grossly disproportioned super hot chick. Fan boys drooled and shelled out big bucks for busty babes. That is, they did, until like most crazes it just... well, popped.

Nowadays, if you mention a bust or mini-bust to collectors, there's an entirely different -- and much more respectable -- meaning. In just the past few years, some great companies have come forth to put out killer collectibles for your mantelpiece. Bowen Designs outdid itself with some unbelievable mini-busts based on classic Marvel characters (yes, even the MAN-THING!), M.A.C. joined in the fun with mini-busts of VAMPIRELLA, KABUKI and the BUFFY gang, and even DC Direct's given BATMAN, ROBIN and SUPERMAN the mini-bust treatment. But there's also other great ones like Sideshow Toys' MUPPETS mini-busts and Palisades Toys' upcoming G.I. JOE mini-busts. Cheaper than full-sized busts, and more detailed than ever before, mini-busts are now all the rage. And Palisades' two newest editions -- ALIEN and PREDATOR UNMASKED are clearly no exception.

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Limited to just about 2,500 pieces each, both of Palisades' human-killing critters quickly sold out. And for good reason: they're gorgeous. Well, as gorgeous as horrific bone-snapping, acid-dripping, alien hunters can be. If you've got other mini-busts warming your shelf, you may wanna warn them about these two.

Let's start with the ALIEN. If the freakish shape and metallic black/gray color doesn't get your hair to stand on end, then the details surely will. From the long creepy fingers (with white fingernails ready to tear your skin to shreds) to the pipe-like protrusions jutting out if its back to the clear head bubble displaying the merged alien and human skull beneath, this sucker means business. But there's one other thing that's sure to have you quickly joining the Insomnia Anonymous Club: its pose. That cheesy-yet-vicious "I'm-going-to-feast-on-your-entrails-and-enjoy-every-minute-of-it" grin is resting right above two perfectly posed hands. Heck, it's downright unnerving.

If you're still looking to be shaken up, then point your eyes over at the PREDATOR UNMASKED mini-bust. Sure, with his helmet on, this alien hunter's just a vicious killing machine. But with his helmet off, he's a vicious killing machine with a ridiculously horrific face. You get the feeling that even his mother couldn't love a face like that. Knowing ol' Preddy here, he probably killed her too.

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Anyway, another fantastic sculpting and paint job make this one a keeper as well. The black dreadlocks, black-and-tan skin and pink inner mouth truly bring the ferociousness forward. There's some sweet details on this mini too, from the bone necklace around his neck to the alien markings on his back, this hunter's ready to take aim. Well, that is, he would if he had any arms. And if you weren't creeped out enough, just peer into his peepers, which glare up at you with the eyes of... well, a true hunter.

Whether you're an Alien and Predator fan, a mini-bust collector, or just a fan of some kick-ass collectibles, you'll want to hunt these two down fast. Hey, it's either that, or they'll hunt you down...