Hidden Power Attack Spikes!
As we've been exploring the Kenner Aliens toyline, there are quite a few instances of both figure and packaging variants. Today we look at the Wild Boar.
*(I will not be diving into the full card back changes that correspond to series or wave changes, though I might refer to them. Nor will I be discussing any repaints/re-releases , like the KB repaints or the Euro carded versions, etc. Those are simply a separate series in their own right)*
Wild Boar Alien
Released in 1994 as part of Series 3 (the final series of the line), the Wild Boar was a nice addition to the line. It was released alone at the start of Series 3, but alongside the Series 2 Predators (Spiked Tail & Stalker). This is evident by it's cross-sell on the back; none of the other Series 3 figures are shown (Night Cougar, Arachnid, Swarm, or King Alien). The other Series 3 figures were late releases, in late 1994/ early 1995.
Its wonderfully sculpted and it's action spine feature is clever. It's color tones are cool as well; khaki and olive green really work. The orange on the head is sparingly used and adds a nice touch of color. When you look at the entirety of this toy line, it appears the Wild Boar follows a pattern Kenner uses with the rest of the creatures in this line, mainly that of quadrupeds. Only a few Aliens were bipedal - Scorpion, Gorilla, Mantis, Warrior, Queen and King. The rest were on all fours! (Or were insects, or a snake). I don't know how I would classify the Flying Queen...
It was prominently featured in the TV advertisement alongside the Queen Hive playset.
(See this commercial and others here: Aliens Dioramas Pt.3)
The figure itself has no variations. The variants relate to the card and packaging.
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| .00 version |
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| .02 version |
You can see that both versions are nearly identical and show no differences. But then look closer - warning or no warning? Not only that, but it gets odd with this sequencing; The early version HAS a printed warning on the bottom right corner, while the later version is MISSING it. I've re-read and re-written this part multiple times, but yes: the later version has the warning REMOVED.
Similarly, the previous two figures before it (Panther and Crab) have no printed warnings at all.
The two versions are ".00 & ".02", There's no ".01" as of this writing.
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| .00 version |
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| .02 version |
Also, if you look closer behind the ".02" figure there is a note about having an adult unfasten the figure from the packaging. Inside the ".02"/No Printed Warning version, it's not easy to see.
Weird they would remove the warning on front but add this inside behind the figure. Perhaps they decided to remove the choking warning and to instead put a note on the inside about removing the twist ties.
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| .02 version |
Other than the warnings & fastener note variations there are no other differences between the two card-backs.
Thank you for reading. Despite collecting for over 25 years, I'm still discovering new things with this toy line. Exciting!
Please keep following, as there will be more articles on Alien variants in the future.
