John Ary here with a SUPERSIZED look at a few toy lines that are making news this week. As always click on the photos for an embiggened look and for more information check out the preorder links. Let's start first with some San Diego Comic Con Exclusives:
SUPERMAN VS ZOD FROM MATTEL
If you hated the ending of Man of Steel, you may feel a bit apathetic towards this new two-pack from Mattel. The movie version of Superman gets angry while battling the upset Kryptonian general. Kal-El will feature light up eyes while Zod will come with a steel girder accessory. The Movie Masters set will run you $50 at the big con.
ORC COMMANDER AZOG FROM BRIDGE DIRECT
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be represented in action figure form at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Azog, the Orc Commander will come with interchangeable hands – the right hand that holds Thror’s head can be replaced with a hand capable of holding either his dagger or mace, and the left hand can be switched with the prosthetic spikes that replaced the hand he lost to Thorin’s sword. This 7-inch warrior will be available at The Bridge Direct / Weta Booth (#3513B) during San Diego Comic Con.
ALIEN REACTION FROM SUPER7
Based on the designs and molds of an unreleased Alien line of action figures from the late 70′s, Super7 has announced new plans for its upcoming wave of 3.75-inch toys. Taking the same approach Kenner incorporated with its first ever wave of Star Wars figures, Alien fans can purchase an “Early Bird Package” at San Diego Comic Con. For $100 you’ll get a display stage (including original artwork created in the style of 1970s packaging), Space Club Membership Card, photos, a sheet of Alien stickers and a promise from Super7 to ship the five figures (Ripley, Kane in a Nostromo Spacesuit, the Alien, Ash and Dallas) before the end of the year. Also the company will sell an unpainted two-pack of Kane and the Big Chap at SDCC for $40. It will come in faux-cancelled packaging.
THE WALKING DEAD FROM DIAMOND SELECT TOYS
With the third full series of Walking Dead Minimates in stores, Diamond Select Toys and Skybound will bring a new four-pack to this year’s San Diego Comic Con. They’ve titled the set Hershel’s Farm and it features Zombie Shawn, Lookout Duty Rick, a Barn Zombie and the owner of the farm. The Minimates come in a blister-carded four-pack, and each stands 2 inches tall, with a variety of interchangeable parts and accessories, including a pitchfork and a blanket. The set will be limited to a run of 3,000 and available at the Diamond Select Toys booth. #2607.
DOCTOR WHO RETRO TINS FROM BIF BANG POW!
The folks over at Bif Bang Pow! have a special San Diego Comic Con exclusive for both new and old Doctor Who fans. The First Doctor (played by William Hartnell) and the Eleventh Doctor (portrayed by Matt Smith) will get the 8-inch action figure treatment with a retro tin set. The First Doctor features a buttoned vest, black coat, black-and-white checkered pants, black shoes and his walking stick, while the latest iteration of the character sports his trademark bowtie, suspenders, white shirt, dark pants, brown tweed jacket (complete with elbow patches), shoes and a sonic screwdriver. The set will first sell at San Diego Comic Con with the remaining pieces shipped to customers who preordered via the Entertainment Earth website. Alright, enough with all the SDCC talk. Here are some new toys that won't cost you a plane ticket and a three hour wait in line to get...
WORLD WAR Z FROM JAZWARES
The new World War Z movie opens this weekend, but we’ll have to wait awhile for these action figures inspired by the film, that was inspired by the audio book, that was inspired by the Max Brooks novel. Jazwares will give us a 6-inch version of the story's protagonist Gerry Lane (played by Brad Pitt in the movie) and an undead medic in one set. In another two-pack we’ll get a soldier zombie and a running zombie. Look for these in August or you can preorder them here. If that isn't enough World War Z talk for you, check out my video review of the film here.
WOLVERINE LEGENDS FROM HASBRO 
The Canadian berserker and other members of mutant society will soon get a new 6-inch wave of figures. The Wolverine Legends line includes Logan, Cyclops, Emma Frost, and Sabretooth. Each character features a costume based on the comics and will come with an additional piece for the Puck build-a-figure. These will release in October with cases available for preorder here.
10-INCH DARYL DIXON FROM McFARLANE TOYS
McFarlane Toys has a new version of TV’s Daryl Dixon on the way. This time, the company has decided to put out a 10-inch tall figure based on a full 3D scan of the actor Norman Reedus. He will feature his iconic angel wings stitched biker vest and a removable poncho, hunting knife, and crossbow. This lonewolf will hit the streets in November or you can preorder him here.
PREDATOR SERIES 10 FROM NECA
Awhile back we showed you the Nightstorm Predator from NECA’s upcoming set of Kenner-inspired 7-inch figures. Now his two buddies have joined the wave. Series 10 features the red Lava Planet Predator, black with gold armor Nightstorm Predator, and the blue Hive Wars Predator. Each figure utilizes a different body sculpt, over 20 points of articulation, unique accessories and special blister card packaging that pays homage to the classic card art of the 1990′s. Look for this wave to release in October or you can preorder the trio here.
PORTAL 2 ATLAS AND P-BODY FROM THREEA TOYS
ThreeA Toys brings the greatest comedy duo since Abbott and Costello into the realm of deluxe action figures with these two robotic releases. The stars of Portal 2's multiplayer campaign, Atlas and P-Body, will soon get the sixth scale treatment complete with light-up optical sensors, multiple points of articulation, and their own handheld portal devices. High five! These two subjects of the Cooperative Testing Initiative go into service in December or you can preorder Atlas here and P-Body here.
BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS FROM MATTEL
We've already talked about DC Collectibles line of Batman: Arkham Origins 7-inch scale figures already. Now it seems Mattel will also have a separate line as well. Batman and Deathstroke will stand 6-inches tall. No word yet on shipping dates or other additions to the wave.
MARVEL SELECT SILVER SURFER FROM DIAMOND SELECT TOYS
Art Asylum is showing off its new 7-inch scale galactic titan originally designed by the incomparable Jack Kirby. Silver Surfer will come with his fabled board, a dynamic display base, energy blast accessories for his hands and the Infinity Gauntlet while sporting 16 points of articulation. He’ll fly into your local comic shop or specialty retailer in December or you can preorder him here.
JUMBO SCALE HAN SOLO FROM GENTLE GIANT LTD
Digitally scanned from mint 3.75-inch tall Kenner originals and reproduced at a 1/6 scale, this The Empire Strikes Back Han Solo is fully articulated and comes packaged on a 1980s Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back-inspired blister card. He’s up for preorder here with an arrival date of April.
PLAY ARTS KAI CAPTAIN HARLOCK AND KEI YUKI FROM SQUARE ENIX
Meet Captain Harlock, a space pirate who has starred in a variety of TV shows and films over the years, including an upcoming feature film. He will soon get the Play Arts Kai treatment from Square Enix. Both him and his fearless crewmate Kei Yuki will feature swappable hands and weapons with a release date slated for November.
SLENDER MAN FROM NEVERMORE TOYS
Slender Man (a.k.a Slenderman) is a mythical creature often depicted as a tall, thin figure wearing a black suit with a blank face. According to the legend, he can stretch or shorten his arms at will and has tentacle-like appendages protruding from his back. Depending on the interpretations of the myth, the creature may cause memory loss, insomnia, paranoia, coughing fits (nicknamed “slendersickness”), photograph/video distortions and can teleport at will. Now you can have your own cute and cuddly version of this mysterious creature with the Slender Man plush doll from Nevermore Toys. The company has started a Kickstarter campaign that will allow you to preorder your own 32-inch tall plush with a ship date sometime in January.
AND FINALLY THIS WEEK, I got my hands on the new deluxe action figure based on 2005′s King Kong from Bandai. It has some nice articulation, excellent sculpting and a special swappable hand with a miniature Naomi Watts. Let's take a closer look...
Kong should ship out by the end of the month or you can order him here. Special thanks to the guys over at Bluefin Distribution and my friend Chris for hooking me up with this figure. On a side note, Chris recently directed his first horror short Transcendence. You can check it out here. That's it for this week. For more action figure news follow my toy blog ArticulationTimes.com on Twitter and Facebook and subscribe to the AICN Youtube channel. YouTube - Videos from this email
