1990 Kenner Aliens Space Marine Drake (MOC): The Collector's Complete Guide

The Kenner Aliens action figure line, launched in 1992 (though often associated with the 1990-1993 production period), occupies a unique place in toy collecting history. It brought one of cinema's most terrifying franchises to children's bedrooms worldwide, wrapped in some of the most creative toymaking Kenner ever produced. Among the human marines in the line, Corporal Dwayne Hicks (Drake) stands as one of the most sought-after figures in mint-on-card (MOC) condition.

Actually, let's clarify the naming: The figure is specifically "Space Marine Drake" in the Kenner line, though the character's full name in the film is Private William Hudson... wait, Drake is a different character. The specific figure here is Drake, one of the Colonial Marines from the 1986 film, a character known for carrying the M56 Smart Gun and recognized by fans of "Aliens" as part of the core squad.

The Kenner Aliens Line: Background

Kenner acquired the Aliens license as part of their effort to capitalize on the sci-fi/horror film franchise. The figures are remarkable for a children's toy line because they included:

• Highly detailed alien creatures with multiple points of articulation and action features (slime, moving jaws, flip-out inner jaws)

• Colonial Marines based on film characters with accurate accessory weapons

• Various Alien types including the Queen, Bull Alien, Snake Alien, and more

• Spawn-able accessories with "egg" hatching gimmicks

The line ran from 1992 through approximately 1996-97, with multiple waves of both alien and human figures.

The Drake Figure Specifically

Drake (proper name Private Mark Drake in the film) was one of the "funny, quotable" marines from James Cameron's 1986 sequel. He's best known for wielding the M56 Smart Gun alongside Vasquez before being killed by alien acid blood spray.

The Kenner figure features:

• Articulated body in standard Kenner "marine" proportions

• Space marine armor with appropriate detailing

• Weapon accessories appropriate to the character

• Printed card backing with the Aliens logo and character art

• Bubble display protecting the figure and accessories

The card art in the Kenner Aliens line is genuinely good, featuring atmospheric painted artwork of the film's alien environments.

MOC Condition Assessment

For any MOC (Mint on Card) figure, condition breaks into two categories: the card/backing and the bubble.

Card Condition:

• Corner freshness: Are the four corners of the card sharp or rounded/crimped?

• Surface condition: Any stickers, price tags, yellowing, or water damage?

• Back art: The back card art (showing other figures in the line) should be bright and undamaged

• Punch-out hole: Original punch-out (unpunched) is preferred by many collectors; punched is acceptable but slightly less desirable

Bubble Condition:

• Clarity: Original bubbles yellow and fog with age and heat exposure. A clear, tight bubble is optimal

• Crush: Any flattening or denting of the bubble?

• Seal integrity: Is the bubble still fully adhered to the card, or has it lifted at any edge?

• Interior: Are figure and all accessories present and undamaged inside?

Current Market Values

Condition	Approximate Value
Loose, complete with accessories	$20 - $50
Loose, complete with accessories, excellent	$50 - $100
MOC, VG card/yellowed bubble	$60 - $120
MOC, VG+/NM card, clear bubble	$150 - $300
MOC, NM/MT overall	$300 - $600
MOC, graded AFA 85+	$400 - $900

Graded figures (AFA grading scale) command premiums for the same reason graded cards do: objective third-party certification of condition provides buyer confidence and comparability.

Why Collectors Pursue the Aliens Line

The Kenner Aliens line benefits from multiple collector demographics:

Nostalgia Buyers: Collectors who had these toys as children (they were produced in the early 1990s) form the emotional core of the market. This cohort is now in their 30s and 40s with disposable income.

Film Franchise Fans: The Alien and Aliens films have enormous continuing fanbases. "Aliens" in particular is considered one of the greatest action films ever made, and anything connected to it has built-in cultural capital.

Vintage Toy Collectors: Beyond franchise-specific buyers, the Kenner brand is itself a collectible quality mark. The company's 1980s-90s action figure output (Star Wars, Batman, DC Super Powers, Aliens) is broadly collected.

Quality of the Figures: The Alien creature figures in this line are genuinely impressive. The design work and action features hold up well, and many collectors acquire the full line simply because the figures are excellent toys by any standard.

The Full Aliens Marine Squad

Collectors building the complete marine squad set include several figures:

• Drake

• Hicks

• Vasquez

• Hudson

• Ripley (with specific variants)

• Bishop

A complete MOC marine squad commands premium prices as a set, making individual figures valuable both standalone and as components of completist collections.

Where to Buy

eBay is the primary marketplace for MOC Kenner Aliens figures, with Mercari and specialized collector marketplaces as secondary options. Photos are absolutely critical for MOC figure purchases, and sellers who provide multiple detailed shots of bubble clarity and card corners are more reliable sources. If possible, buy from sellers with long track records of positive feedback in vintage toys.

Convention floors (particularly horror, sci-fi, and toy conventions) can yield bargain finds from dealers who may price below current online market rates.

Final Thoughts

The 1990 Kenner Aliens Space Marine Drake MOC sits at the intersection of franchise nostalgia, vintage toy quality, and the enduring appeal of one of cinema's greatest sci-fi action films. For collectors focused on the Aliens universe or 1990s action figures generally, a high-quality Drake MOC represents exactly the kind of piece that's becoming harder to find in genuinely excellent condition as time passes and collections stay intact in private hands. If you find a clean one at a fair price, it's worth serious consideration.

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