John Ary here with a quick look at a few action figure lines that are making headlines this week...
Catwoman/Selina Kyle from Hot Toy
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Anne Hathaway will get the 1/6 scale treatment for her work in the film The Dark Knight Rises. This Selina Kyle figure features a newly developed head sculpt with eye mask and movie-accurate make-up, real fabric hair, a TrueType body with more than 28 points of articulation, 7 interchangeable hands, a jumpsuit with boots, pistol, goggles, and a figure stand. Some markets will sell the figure with a special edition Batman mask. It will release in March or you can pre-order her here.
Doctor Who from Big Chief Studios Limited
Over the weekend, we got a sneak peek at the latest Doctors to get the 1/6 scale treatment. The Tenth and Fourth doctors will join the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond in the series. It also looks like three new versions of the Eleventh Doctor (one with a fez and mop, a doppleganger and another in cowboy attire) are on the way along with a 12-inch tall Weeping Angel. We’re still waiting for more details on these upcoming releases. On a side note, if you have thought about giving the Doctor Who TV series a try, but you're not sure if it's for you, check out my recommendations for the top 5 introductory episodes here.
Left 4 Dead's Smoker from NECA
Do NOT let this action figure LICK you. The smoker is sort of the sniper of the zombie universe. In the game Left 4 Dead, this deadly walker uses his six tongues to attack players with from a distance. NECA just released these pics of it’s next zombie soldier and they’re fairly disgusting (in a good way). He features more than 20 points of articulation and poseable tongues. Look for him later this month or pre-order him here.
The Hobbit from Bridge Direct
Online retailers have begun to take pre-orders on the new action figures based on the upcoming Hobbit movies. To whet your appetite The Bridge Direct released three new packaged pics of the 3.75-inch box set, Kili & Fili two-pack and Balin & Dwalin two-pack. Other figures available for pre-order include 6-inch versions of Thorin Okenshield, Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, and a 3.75-inch two pack of Bilbo and Gollum. All of these officially release on October 1.
Marvel Minimates Series 48 from Diamond Select Toys
Welcome back to the Marvel Universe Human Torch. Johnny Storm was considered dead; that is until recently when he was found in the Negative Zone. To celebrate his return to the Marvel Universe, Diamond Select Toys decided to create a Fantastic Four-themed series of Minimate two-packs featuring Mr. Fantastic vs the Puppet Master, “Flame On” Human Torch vs Blastaar, The Invisible Woman and a Moloid, and Alicia Masters with a Moloid. Each Minimate stands 2 inches tall with 14 points of articulation. Look for this wave at comic shops and specialty stores. And finally this week, sometimes you just need to relax by grooving out to a mellow toon with a company of dancing action figures. Kudos to Ken Lockie Films for this bit of choreographed artistry.
That's it this week. For more action figure news, you can follow my toy blog ArticulationTimes.com on Twitter and Facebook and subscribe tot he AICN Youtube channel.
