Today, McFarlane Toys announced they are teaming with Activision to bring action figures based on the Guitar Hero license this November. Personally, I love McFarlane Toys. They have some of the best sculpts, and I find myself purchasing more and more of their figures. This decision, though, has me baffled. While McFarlane has delved into gaming figures before (Metal Gear Solid, Halo), I just don’t understand what the appeal is for figures based on Guitar Hero personalities. It’s not like Guitar Hero is a game where you get attached to characters you control a la Metal Gear.  Anyway, the first series will comprise of:

Johnny Napalm

Axel Steel

Lars Umlaut

and the God of Rock. You can find the full press release below.

McFarlane Toys announces a partnership with Activision to produce action figures inspired by the No. 1 hit video game franchise of 2007, Guitar Hero. The first series of figures is expected to hit store shelves in November, in tandem with the new Guitar Hero video game release.

The Guitar Hero franchise has become a cultural phenomenon, selling more than 14 million games and earning more than $1 billion. The series has used a range of both licensed and independent rock music tracks from the 1960s to the present, and include master tracks from the original bands.

Guitar Hero's most popular characters will be represented in McFarlane's first line of action figures:

JOHNNY NAPALM
'I love the smell of napalm in the morning.' Whoever said that never met Johnny. Up all night thrashing and partying, there is no sleeping for Johnny, just blacking out.

LARS ÜMLAUT
After an overwhelmingly warm debut a year ago, Lars needed time to cool off. Ready the longboats and crank up the metal. Lars is prepared to reverse the effects of global warming with his icy world tour.

AXEL STEEL
After attaining genuine superstar status, Axel retreated to hometown bonfire parties and barnyard jam sessions. Now he's back in the limelight and looking to destroy anyone and anything dull enough to stand in his path of headbanging destruction!

GOD OF ROCK
Once human, the God of Rock has ascended to the highest level of rocking and plays nightly in a small pub on Mount Olympus. Occasionally, he finds time to guitar battle with mere humans. He also is credited with inventing the lute.

Each figure will have 15-18 moving parts. A unique removable guitar is included with each character, and is interchangeable with the other figures. Each figure also comes with a sculpted Guitar Hero logo base.

Personally, the only figure I would even consider thinking about maybe possibly pondering whether or not to purchase is the God of Rock. The other figures just don’t do anything for me. In fact, this whole line does nothing for me. Guess I’ll stick to spending my money on NECA’s Gears of War figures this fall.

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