ARCHIVE: Weta Miniature ManMelter Raygun

Article originally published 08/15/2007 at figures.com

Great Scott! What wonder is this? Those magnificent and imaginative chaps at Weta have done it again! Not satisfied with merely unleashing their first original line of Rayguns upon an unsuspecting planet, these blokes have added a Lilliputian marvel to the mix. At this year’s gathering of wayward entrepreneurs and vagabond enthusiasts known as the San Diego Comic Con, Weta made a rare and generous offering of 500 miniature ManMelter 3600 ZX Rayguns. These palm-sized marvels became the talk of the show and were snapped up by many an eager thrill seeker and adventure enthusiast. By their graces, the fine gentlemen at Weta saw fit to bestow upon this reporter one of these pint-sized pistols. Continue on, dear reader to marvel at the detail and become stupefied at the brilliance of this tiny testament to armament!

PACKAGING
Collectors and replica enthusiasts will love the box that the mini ManMelter comes in. The book-like package holding the Raygun features a magnetically sealed flap. The top of the box opens to reveal the gun resting behind a removable clear plastic cover. Even with the cover removed, the ManMelter still sits secured in the bottom tray. This allows the entire piece to be safely displayed in the package. The artwork on the box is equally great. The cover sports what appears to be a blueprint-style drawing of the Raygun. The inside cover shows a photo of the full size ManMelter (for comparison) and the back of the package gives a photo of the mini version along with a brief introduction to the buyer. Even the box’s spine is decorated, featuring a head-on sketch of the gun along with the Rayguns logo.

SCULPT
When it comes to products made by the wizards at Weta, sculpt is never an issue. Both the ManMelter and its base are a testament to die-cast miniatures. The gun is beautifully detailed and lives up to the package’s exclamation that it was ‘diminished in size by one of (Dr. Grordbort’s) arcane wonder machines!’ While there are no moving parts on this die-cast miniature, all of the switches, dials and triggers are included and look as dynamic as they do on the full-sized ManMelter. The gun also includes a plastic base which looks great and securely holds the heavy die-cast weapon

PAINT AND COLOR
The ManMelter 3600 ZX sub-atomic disintegrator pistol has an antiquated look, hinting that it has likely seen its fair share of action. Thus, it is has been given a primarily dull and weathered look. This fits the piece, lending a sense of authenticity to the weapon. It has been washed almost completely in metallic brown paint but also features a few hints of copper. The Raygun’s base is dark brown and also sports a weathered look, even showing signs of metal fatigue and rust in places.

OVERALL IMPRESSION
I have to admit, I’m in love with Weta’s Rayguns series. The ingenious original concept aside, I think that fans will really dig the 1950’s B-move style of these pieces. So, the miniature ManMelter was the perfect way to whet my appetite for the full-sized version. Plus, Weta has hinted on their website of possibly continuing with more die-cast miniatures of their Rayguns. For those of us who can’t afford the $700 full-scale version of the ManMelter, this miniature is a perfect alternative. This piece was made available as a SDCC exclusive for $30 and was limited to 500 pieces. However, the Raygun’s popularity was such that Weta sold out of the full run by the end of Comic Con. Since then, prices for the mini ManMelter have come close to reaching the century mark on the secondary market. So, locating one of these gems may take a bit of work. The full-scale ManMelter is currently available for preorder on Weta's website, along with two other Rayguns – the F.M.O.M. Industries Wave Disruptor Gun and the Goliathon 83 Infinity Beam Projector.