OXFORD — A Connecticut-based company that makes action figures tied to current events has a new figure that bears a striking resemblance to Kaci Hickox, the Maine nurse who made national headlines recently when she defied an Ebola quarantine.
The Case E Ebola Nurse action figure’s look is intentional, says Emil Vicale, owner of HeroBuilders.com, the Oxford-based company that sells the doll.
“We try and follow the news trends,” Vicale said.
In addition to curly red hair similar to Hickox’s, the figure also sports a bandage over its right eye and comes with a certificate proclaiming it as an “Ebola free doll.”
Vicale said the doll went on sale Monday and that orders for it were strong throughout the day. He said they had sold about 100 of the dolls as of Monday afternoon.
“They are selling pretty quick today,” Vicale said. “Orders keep coming through.”
Vicale said the doll was inspired by another Connecticut-based company, Giantmicrobes Inc., that manufactures a plush toy modeled on the Ebola virus strain.
The doll sells for $29.95 and can be ordered through the HeroBuilders.com website. In the past, the company has made dolls based on everyone from George W. Bush to Pippa Middleton to Toronto Mayor Robert Ford.
Distributed by MCT Information Services