John Ary here with a look at some action figure lines that are making headlines this week... As always click on the photos for an embiggened version and for more pics follow the pre-order links...
Hulk from Hot Toys
To any stop-motion action figure artist reading this article, I have a huge favor. Can you please make a Youtube video of this Hulk fighting the Hot Toys Christopher Reeve Superman? Thanks in advance... The biggest, baddest Avenger of them all will soon get a new deluxe action figure. The Hulk stands 16.5 inches tall, features rolling eyeballs, a muscular body with detailed skin texturing and tendons, 20 points of articulation with built-in neck and arm joints, two pairs of interchangeable hands, and a pair of ragged shorts. He’s available for pre-order here or you can wait for him to ship in March.
Robocop from Hot Toys
Hot Toys unveiled several new figures at last month’s Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong 2012 convention including a new line of Robocop 1/6 scale toys. These are only the early prototypes, but as soon as we get to see the newer versions of Murphy and ED-209, we'll be sure to let you know. You can see more pics from the Hot Toys booth including new movie X-men figures, The Dark Knight Rises Catwoman and other fun items on ArticulationTimes.com.
Robby the Robot from X-Plus
1956's Forbidden Planet gave sci-fi fans one of the most iconic robot designs in history. Now that design has been translated into two new action figures and imported from Japan by X-Plus. The 12-inch version of Robby features 10 points of articulation and a black & white color scheme. It’s available here for around $135. The 9-inch toy has 5 points of articulation and a retro-style PVC body. He’s going for $70 here with an estimated arrival date sometime in December.
The Herculoids from X-Plus
Hanna-Barbara’s catalog of cartoon characters have recently been getting the action figure treatment in Japan. The second wave of these nostalgic toys will feature the duo of Tundro and his master Zandor. The ten-legged creature measures 8.25-inches long and is made of vinyl. The 3.75-inch scale Zandor will be sold separately. Look for him in November and Tundro in either January or February.
David from Prometheus by NECA
NECA recently released this pic of its new Michael Fassbender action figure. The image is meant to show off the removable dome helmet that will be featured on this and the Holloway figure. You can see the other figures in the upcoming line here. David will release towards the end of the year.
Watchmen from Mattel
A few weeks ago I showed you a pic from San Diego Comic Con of MattyCollector.com's first two Club Black Frieghter subscription figures. Here are two new images straight from the company of Dr. Manhattan and Rorschach. Would Alan Moore or Dave Gibbons approve? Who cares?! We're finally getting 6-inch comic versions of the Watchmen based on the same “shared part” system from Matty’s DCUC/Club Infinite Earth line. Look for 6 new Watchmen figures next year.
And finally this week, with the arrival of Expendables 2 to your local theater on Friday, let's look back at one of the worst toy lines ever for an action movie. The 90's were not kind to toylines featuring big blockbuster films like Demolition Man, The Shadow or Kevin Costner's Robin Hood (mostly made of recycled Star Wars and Super Powers molds). Maybe the most poorly received of them all belonged to Arnold Schwarzenegger's Last Action Hero. Here's hoping the Austrian Oak's long overdue return to the action genre is more Predator than End of Days.
That's it this week. Just a reminder, you still have time to get your pulp artwork in for a chance to win a deluxe 1/6 scale figure of The Shadow from Go Hero that we're giving away. Find out how you can win him here.
For more action figure news, you can follow my toy blog ArticulationTimes.com on Twitter and Facebook. Also, be sure to check out our AICN Youtube channel.
