HorrorClix Rise from the Grave

By Nomad
September 14th, 2009

Wizkids seemed to JUST be getting things started with their HorrorClix line, having released Aliens vs. Predator, Hellboy and Freddy vs. Jason sets alongside all their original tiny horrors. Sure, the line had been pumping along for some time, but the addition of hardcore licensed baddies opened the possibility that you could pit any character from your favorite horror film against heavyweights like Michael Myers and Pumpkinhead in the not so distant future. Alas, Topps announced the demise of Wizkids and all hope was lost...until now.

NECA dropped an Easter Egg into their San Diego Comic-Con booth with the appearance of a little bitty figure of Marvel Comic's Thor riding a chariot. Now, NECA drops the bomb officially...

The National Entertainment Collectibles Association, Inc. (NECA) has purchased the majority of the assets of WizKids, Inc. from The Topps Company, Inc., including the award-winning Clix family of games, which includes HeroClix, ActionClix, HorrorClix and SportsClix. NECA will also acquire the WizKids brand, the Pocketmodel Game family of games, including the Pirates of the Crimson Coast, Pirates of the Spanish Main and Pirates of the Cursed Seas games, and the Mage Knight line of games.

The assets of WizKids that were purchased by NECA have been transferred to a wholly owned NECA subsidiary operating out of its offices in Hillside, New Jersey, which will operate under the WizKids name.

Clix pioneered the collectible miniature category and HeroClix has been the leading collectible game in the comic genre since its 2002 debut, due to its innovative game platform and deep collection of characters from the respective worlds of Marvel and DC Comics. NECA will continue the successful HeroClix product lines from powerhouse brands DC Comics and Marvel.

The Pocketmodel Game family of games includes the Pirates of the Cursed Seas Pocketmodel Trading Card Game, which is the latest in the successful line of Pirates card games that has run since selling out its first run in 2004.

“WizKids has created the best games within the collectible miniature and constructible genres and NECA is proud to help continue this great legacy,” said Joel Weinshanker, President and CEO of NECA. “The HeroClix engine is the envy of the industry and many companies have attempted to emulate it without success. We’re thrilled to deliver HeroClix to the gamers.”

NECA has hired Lax Chandra, who ran the WizKids subsidiary for The Topps Company, to be the President of NECA’s newly formed subsidiary, which will operate under the WizKids name. Former WizKids employees Chas Delong, Wade Sugiyama and Mike Elliott have also been brought on to help with the transition.

In the coming days and weeks, the new WizKids company will make further announcements about upcoming release plans.

- Nomad