We told you back in March (on Friday the 13th nonetheless) that NECA was hard at work at new toys based on Sean Cunningham’s Friday the 13th.

NECA shared plans for new figures based on Cunningham’s 1980 breakout slasher hit, while putting on display prototype heads for both Mrs. Pamela Voorhees (played by the late Betsy Palmer) and Jason Voorhies (Ari Lehman).

Part of NECA’s Mego-style clothed line, check out the completed first ever Jason in figure form, as well as Pamela Voorhees in all of her glory! Both will be available in a 2-pack at the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con. I wish I were going because this is a most own collectible for any Friday the 13th fans.

Here’s the first ever look that came with the following forward by Ari Lehman, also known the “First Jason”.

On Sunday afternoon, May 31, 2015, I received a heart-breaking text that our dear friend Betsy Palmer had passed away on Friday, May 29. The outpour of messages, texts, calls, and reports online that followed confirmed what I did not want to yet acknowledge. I recalled my first horror convention appearance at the 2004 Fangoria/Chiller Theatre Weekend of Horror at The Meadowlands. It was a huge event and I remember meeting Betsy Palmer, who played Pamela Voorhees, my mother in “Friday the 13th”. She immediately welcomed me and I discovered a new and lasting friend in her. She sensed in me a shared humor and enthusiasm for all forms of art, particularly music, theater (Tennessee Williams), and cinema. Since then, I enjoyed many occasions when we would meet, primarily at conventions, and spend time together, discussing concepts and exchanging ideas. She took interest in my music and acting, and became one of the earliest champions of my work and participation in the horror circuit. Betsy honored us all with a lifetime of superb work and dedication. In person she made everyone feel special and important, and she is my personal inspiration. No one could work a crowd like her. When she knew I was going to perform onstage she would always say, “Knock ’em dead, Ari, and leave ’em writhing in the aisles!” And she meant every word of it. I love her madly forever.

NECA’s “Friday the 13th” package is such a fitting tribute to this Great American Actor, whose powerful characters exuded a confidence that illuminated the screen and electrified the audience. Betsy Palmer will always be remembered for her brilliant portrayal of “Friday the 13th”‘s original protagonist, Mrs. Pamela Voorhees and the young Jason Voorhees in the iconic final scene have created such a lasting impression on movie-goers, that they are more like a form of American mythological characters nowadays.

NECA has memorialized these horror classic film figures with its superb craftsmanship and attention- to-detail – from its retro Mego-style treatment to the real fabric clothing- and brings together Pamela Voorhees as played by Betsy Palmer and the unmasked, young Jason once again, in celebration of the film’s 35th anniversary.

It is with great honor and pleasure that I played the first Jason Voorhees – and now reveal to you NECA’s “Friday the 13th” action figure package on the eve of Jason’s birthday.

Thank you, NECA for delighting the dedicated fans of “Friday the 13th” everywhere. Betsy would be pleased.
ARI LEHMAN