Opinions on Dencomm Cat and Rabbit - essential add-ons?

[ManInJapan]

Hi All,

Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and peaceful 2026.

I'm a Brit monster kid, vintage 1963. That means I came to the original Aurora monster kits a generation late (all I remember are the square box, 'glow in the dark' reissues) and the sole Monster Scene to ever make it to my local toy shop was 'The Hanging Cage'.

Then, somehow, I managed to completely miss the Moebius repop of Monster Scenes around 20 years ago and subsequently ended up paying a small fortune for sealed examples of each of the four main figures and, later, Doctor Jekyll and Dracula from Monarch.

Imagine my joy when I found out these kits were getting another release this year by Atlantis. I thought "Now at last, I'm going to finally get hold of all eight original kits and build the warped, twisted dungeon and torture chamber I dreamt about all those decades ago!!!"

But ah, here's the rub (there's always a rub).

Apparently, these kits are a limited edition (around 1500 of each) which means that few of them - if any - may reach me over here in Japan.

So, I decided to take no chances and have just paid another arm and a leg for sealed Moebius kits of the Pendulum, Hanging Cage and Giant Insect plus Dencomm's kits of The Animal Pit and The Dungeon. That just leaves me with the Pain Parlor, Gruesome Goodies and new version Vampirella to get from the US in a pinch. However, if the kits do somehow make their way over here to Japan, I'll pick up one of each anyway.
Dumb, I know.

Last, I now also unexpectedly have the opportunity to get the Dencomm 'Feral Cat' and 'Saber Toothed Rabbit" - but I admit I'm hesitating. Whereas the dungeon and animal pit were from original Aurora moulds discarded in 1971, the cat and rabbit are much later 'add-on' kits and I'm not entirely sure if they match the whole cool 'vibe' of the originals.

Could anyone who has these kits please tell me what they think of them?

[tay666]

I have them, but have not built them yet.
I think they are kinda cool, but then again, I got them cheap when they were getting cleared out (like less than $10 each)

[ManInJapan]

I have them, but have not built them yet.
I think they are kinda cool, but then again, I got them cheap when they were getting cleared out (like less than $10 each)

Many thanks for weighing in there Trevor!

Price is another element that's putting me off as it would cost me over $50 for the two kits now. I don't mind paying out for the classic models as they are part of my childhood but not so much for two (very small) afterthoughts.

[bucketfoot-al]

ManInJapan - Good to hear from you again good sir and to see that you are well!

I had wondered why you stopped posting as I thoroughly enjoyed our exchanges (and your poetry that you shared).

Don't be a stranger - we'd love to see some of your kit builds - in progress threads are a great way to show your method.

Best regards - and a Happy New Year 2026!!!

[ManInJapan]

ManInJapan - Good to hear from you again good sir and to see that you are well!

I had wondered why you stopped posting as I thoroughly enjoyed our exchanges (and your poetry that you shared).

Don't be a stranger - we'd love to see some of your kit builds - in progress threads are a great way to show your method.

Best regards - and a Happy New Year 2026!!!

Hello sir!

Please accept my sincere apologies for taking so long to get back to you! The only computer I possess nowadays is an iPhone and so I tend to log onto forums and websites much less frequently due to my increasingly bad eyesight.

However, I also greatly enjoyed our conversations and very much regret not being more interactive online. Truth be told, I finally retired from teaching and consequently found myself retreating from the modern world somewhat, as it became a much crazier and darker place.

I'm glad to be back here now and I'll definitely try to contribute more - although I can't promise more poetry!

All the very best,
Simon

[Squidy53]

Don't be a stranger - we'd love to see some of your kit builds - in progress threads are a great way to show your method.

ManInJapan, it's good to hear from you again. I appreciated your contributions to 'Fritz's Painting Guide.' And your poetry, though I didn't reply as B-A did. B-A's definitely the champ at that here and a great ambassador for The Clubhouse.

I think most of us here can related to your observation that the modern world has "become a much crazier and darker place." I can only say that The Clubhouse is, at least for me, a refuge from that. Folks here for the most part recognise it's a haven and protect and foster it.

Simon, I repeat B-A's encouragement for you to stay connected here, share your hobby and your other gifts. Unlike other corners of the Internet I have found 'The Clubhouse' rewards involvement rather than exploits or ignores it. Not only can you interact with "your tribe," but it provides a vital means of expression for someone who clearly has things to say as you do. Talking to the teacher here, The Clubhouse works so well because it actually takes care of Maslow's Hierarchy.

After an accident last year my eyesight is not great either. While I'm fine with a phone, using a computer has certainly helped hugely with access. Using dark mode (viewtopic.php?p=1475073#p1475073), specifically Dark Reader, has helped a lot too.

Best wishes for 2026 and here's to seeing a lot more from you. We will all benefit from your involvement.

P.S. Can't help you with the kits though.

[bucketfoot-al]

I second everything that squiddy said, and would just encourage you to think of buying a cheap computer, just for the purpose of being able to truly enjoy websites like this one.