DC Direct Solicitation for items shipping in February 2006
*Update* The sizes listed below for the figures are the original sculpt measurements, which will have some shrinkage when manufactured. They will be in scale with existing DC Direct lines.
Action Figures
BATMAN KNIGHTFALL: AZRAEL AS BATMAN ACTION FIGURE
Donning a cape and cowl, Azrael — acting as Batman — struggles with the Caped Crusader’s mission while wrestling with his own inner demons. This figure features multiple points of articulation and a base. Packaged in a 4-color blister.
Advance-solicited; on sale February 15 • Action Figure • 7" H • PI
BATMAN KNIGHTFALL: NIGHTWING ACTION FIGURE
As Batman’s former ward, Nightwing returns to Gotham City during the absence of his mentor to carry on his crusade. This figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base. Packaged in a 4-color blister.
Advance-solicited; on sale February 15 • Action Figure • 7" H • PI
BATMAN KNIGHTFALL: CATWOMAN ACTION FIGURE
Following Batman’s absence, this cat burglar of unparalleled skill
joins Nightwing to fight for justice. This figure features multiple points of articulation, a display base, and a whip accessory. Packaged in a 4-color blister.
Advance-solicited; on sale February 15 • Action Figure • 6.75" H • PI
BATMAN KNIGHTFALL: BANE ACTION FIGURE
Bane unleashes anarchy upon Gotham City by releasing the inmates
of Arkham Asylum! With Batman drained from trying to restore order, the formidable Bane is able to defeat the Dark Knight by breaking Batman’s back. This figure features multiple points of articulation and a display base. Packaged in a 4-color blister.
Advance-solicited; on sale February 15 • Action Figure • 7.375" H • PI
BATMAN KNIGHTFALL: MASK OF TENGU BATMAN ACTION FIGURE
On the grueling road to recovery, Batman must relearn a lifetime of training his body and honing his martial arts skills with the aid of
Lady Shiva. This figure features multiple points of articulation, a display base, and a removable mask. Packaged in a 4-color blister.
Advance-solicited; on sale February 15 • Action Figure • 7" H • PI
Retailers please note BATMAN KNIGHTFALL: AZRAEL AS BATMAN, NIGHTWING, CATWOMAN, BANE AND MASK OF TENGU BATMAN ACTION FIGURES are intended for individual sale to consumers, but are sold to retailers in Inner and Master Case assortments. The MASK OF TENGU BATMAN Action Figure is only available to retailers in Inner and Master Case assortments. These products are being offered simultaneously beyond the comic-book specialty market.
Statues
SILVER AGE BATMAN AND ROBIN STATUE
Based on the art of Carmine Infantino
Sculpted by William Paquet
The Dynamic Duo is ready for action! The classic look of Batman and Robin is vividly captured in this statue! This limited edition, hand-painted cold-cast porcelain statue measures approximately 9.5" tall x 11.25"x wide 9.25" deep, includes a full-color Certificate of Authenticity and is packaged in a 4-color box.
Advance-solicited; on sale February 1 • Statue • $195.00 U.S.
BATMAN DELUXE VINYL STATUE BY KOTOBUKIYA
Under special arrangement with Japanese manufacturer Kotobukiya, DC Direct presents this deluxe 1:6 scale vinyl statue of Batman, the guardian of Gotham City! This statue stands approximately 11.5" x tall 11.5" x wide 10.25" deep and is packaged in a 4-color box. Only 3,000 of these hand-painted statues will be available for sale outside of Asia this year. Don’t miss your chance to own one!
Advance-solicited; on sale November 23 • Vinyl Statue • $99.99 US
WOMEN OF THE DC UNIVERSE: WONDER WOMAN BUST
Designed by Adam Hughes
Sculpted by John G. Mathews
First in a series designed and sculpted by the incomparable team of Adam Hughes and John G. Mathews! Wonder Woman
is renowned as the mighty warrior princess’ and no one depicts her beauty better than longtime cover artist Hughes. This hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain bust measures approximately 5.5" high x 2" wide x 2.275" deep and is packaged in a 4-color box.
Advance-solicited; on sale February 8 • Bust • $45.00 US
Posters
ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN, THE BOY WONDER POSTER
Art by Jim Lee & Scott Williams
The Dynamic Duo — two of DC's greatest heroes — protect Gotham City in this spectacular full color, 24" x 36" poster featuring the art of fan favorites Jim Lee & Scott Williams from the composite covers of ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN,
THE BOY WONDER #1!
Advance-solicited; on sale February 22 • Poster • $7.99 US
JSA: GUARDIAN ANGELS POSTER
Art by Alex Ross
America’s original team of heroes comes together in this stunning new poster capturing Alex Ross’s striking image of the JSA, originally presented as the diptych covers for issues #68-69! This full-color poster measures 24" x 36".
Advance-solicited; on sale February 22 • Poster • $7.99 US
San Diego Comic Con Panels 2005
AFI is pleased to be able to announce the toy events scheduled so far for SDCC 2005. There are still a couple of "to be announced" slots open on the sculpting panel, which we shall know about shortly. Hope to see everyone there!
THURSDAY, JULY 14
12:00-1:00pm Action Figure Insider: Spotlight on Toy Biz
True innovators in the world of action figures are few and far between. The team at Toy Biz have brought articulation to American action figures in their ground breaking lines: Marvel Legends, Spiderman Classics, Lord of the Rings and other Marvel movie lines such as the Fantastic Four. Come hear the creative forces behind these lines talk about their future plans and upcoming releases in the new Marvel SuperHero Showdown, Figure Factory, Marvel Select, and Marvel Mega-Morph lines. Come prepared to ask questions and maybe even get some sneak peeks as upcoming releases. ROOM 8
Moderator- Julius Marx from ActionFigureInsider.com
Jesse Falcon- Director of Product Development
Damon Nee- Director of Product Development
Mike Mucci- Designer
Phil Ramirez- Sculptor
Eddie Wires- Prototype Painter
FRIDAY, JULY 15
5:30-7:00pm Action Figure Insider: Under the Knife
Action figure sculpting is pop art that is just recently coming into the spotlight. In years past, nameless faceless sculptors cranked out figure after figure of beloved characters, but today the sculptors are becoming better known among fans and the industry. In this discussion with some of the industry’s top sculptors we will discover the path that led them to many a “fan boy’s” dream job. Find out what tools and materials they use and where laser scanning ends and the sculptor takes over. We will discuss mold making, painting, scanning technology, find out their favorites, and what figure they would like to do over. ROOM 9
Moderator- Julius Marx from ActionFigureInsider.com
Digger- President and Founder, Art Asylum
Paul Harding- Sculptor, X-Plus USA, Toy Biz
Shawn Knapp- Associate Art Director, DC Direct
Ruben Procopio- Sculptor, Electric Tiki, Disney Feature Animation
TBA- Sculptor, Gentle Giant Studios
TBA- Sculptor, DC Direct
TBA- The Four Horsemen- Sculptor, Mattel, NECA
SATURDAY, JULY 16
4:30-6:00pmAction Figure Insider: Behind the Plastic
Action figure sales and marketing have changed radically since the days of walking down to your local discount stores and picking up your favorite MEGO or new Star Wars figure. The Direct Market, mail order and the Internet have all changed where and how you can find your favorite toys. Does Wal-Mart control what characters get made? Can a license without a media tie-in make it in today’s crowded market? Is the collectors market making a difference or is it still “all about the kids?” Come ask any burning question you’ve ever had about the action figure business and be a fly on the wall as some of the top names in the industry sit down together, as they only do once a year at this event, and talk toys.ROOM 5AB
Moderator- Julius Marx from ActionFigureInsider.com
Jesse Desanto- Product Manager, Jazwares
Digger- President and Founder, Art Asylum
Jesse Falcon – Director of Product Development, Toy Biz
Randy Falk- Director of Product Development, NECA
Jim Fletcher- Sr. Art Director, DC Direct
Eddie Hayden- Associate Brand Manger, Mattel
Mike Horn- CEO, Palisades Toys
Jason Horowitz- Associate Brand Manager, Mattel
Jerry Macaluso- President, SOTA Toys
Larry Marder- President, McFarlane Toys
Chuck Terceira- Diamond Comics
For more events and panels, go check out SDCC's programming page!
WANTED: Sirius Black!
Gentle Giant Studios sent us this little pre-SDCC tidbit to share with the Harry Potter fans:
"We've got a little something special for our Harry Potter fans for Comic-Con. Before the Sirius Black mini bust is released this September, get the chance to own the Debut Edition. This Wanted: Sirius Black mini bust is taken right out of the movie poster from Prisoner of Azkaban.
We've also tentatively arranged for a special Harry Potter-related guest to be present at our booth (#3513) on Saturday, July 16."
What IS Q-Type?
Hyperchild has been teasing the toy websites with mini posters hyping its latest Marvel Superhero line. While they haven't released any definite information about what type of line this is, astute readers fo the RTM Buzz found this text on Hyperchild's website:
"To go side-by-side with our Marvel Saga Collection pieces we are releasing a new line called MARVEL Q-TYPE - 4-packs of Marvel characters designed by HyperChild featuring the most powerful Marvel super-teams.
The first release will launch next month and will star a quartet of mutants that have really "astonished" readers over the last half-year with an amazing series. These will be 4" mini-resin collectibles, limited in quantity and packed in a special collectors box."
We'll keep you up to date as the story unfolds.
Happiness Chan Has Bloomed!
Were proud to unveil AFI's very own Darren "Dare" Chia's latest endeavor: Happiness Chan!
About Happiness Chan
Happiness Chan is the story of a little plush girl who goes on a quest of discovery.
Named after the only word that appears on her toy tag, she goes in search of the true meaning of her name, in hopes that it will reveal more about her origins. Along the way, she meets many interesting characters on her journey, and does her best to help them all find their own little piece of happiness. Will she ever find true happiness herself?
Featuring whimsical concepts and stories, the world of Happiness Chan can be enjoyed by both children and adults on many different levels. The character designs combine the classical poise of American animation with the cutting-edge, imaginative influences of Japanese anime. Good graphics are only as good as the stories behind them, and Happiness Chan has plenty to tell! Each story features unique characters and situations that tell tales that people of all ages can relate to.
More like a video game world than a webpage, the Flash-based HappinessChan.com breaks out from normal conventional design, combining elements from games, internet browsing and even blogging to create a holistic digital environment that will immerse the visitor in the world of Happiness Chan.
The ever-expanding website will be bursting at the seams with interactive webisode stories, games, downloads, contests and other activities that encourage visitors to be creative and just have fun! And just as our world grows and changes every day, so does the world of Happiness Chan. Visitors will journey with our little heroine, as her continuing exploits open up new features and activities online.
Discover Happiness today at www.happinesschan.com!
And perhaps, you may find your own little piece of happiness along the way.
About Kabutago (PuMpKiN TwiNs)
Once upon a time, there was a pair of twin pumpkins who were very alike in many ways, sharing all kinds of likes and dislikes. But most of all, they both loved creating stuff.
Darrink (that's the brother) poured his heart into drawing and animation, while Sharrink (that's the cute younger sister, of course) had a passion for stories and writing.
One day a little girl stumbled into the pumpkin patch where they lived. She asked them what happiness meant. While they were unable to answer, they were very intrigued by her question, and requested that she let them know if she ever found out.
She did.
Darrink and Sharrink decided to use their love for stories and animation to tell the little girl's story. They formed a company to do just that, and called themselves the Kabutago. Specializing in multimedia animation and design, Kabutago offers an innovative take on online publishing, aiming to break new grounds in online entertainment and the digital experience!
Happiness Chan is their inaugural project.
MATTEL'S JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED 3-packs Wave IV
In a happy turn, AFI is pleased to bring you this first look at the newest JLU 3-packs from Mattel. These were found at a Southern California Toys R Us, and should be hitting the rest of the country at any time. I'm packing for a move at the moment and the rest of my JLU are boxed up, but I'll have a follow-up with the full line up and variants just as soon as I am all settled in my new place.- Daniel (Julius Marx) Pickett
Superman, Aztec and Sinestro (No episode given)
Some new sculpting on Aztec- head, torso and arms. Looks like he possibly uses Martian Manhunter's legs.
Unfortunately, Sinestro does not have a ring painted on. But still, we got a Sinestro!
Flash, Hawkgirl and Waverider From Episode #451 "The Initiation"
Waverider has translucent hair. I'm not sure kids will know this guy, but fans of the late 80s DC Comics will like him.
Batman, Metamorpho, and Wildcat From Episode #451 "The Initiation"
Wildcat has the "arm hair/fringe" sculpted on his forearms. Metamorpho has painted details.
More to come!
Superhero Showdown! Captain America Preview
Thanks to a friend getting his hands on some Superhero Showdown stuff, we were able to take some quick pictures of the Captain America figure in anticipation of the line hitting shelves sometime in July. Look for more in depth coverage to come as the release date gets closer, plus we'll have all the latest news on the line at this year's San Diego Comic Con. For now, click here to see Cap!
Update! The fantastic fellows at Fwoosh now have up a review of the Hulk/Wolverine Starter Pack, plus a first look at the Figure Factory Hulk from series two! Yowzah! Go check it out!
AFI Exclusive- the DC Direct 12" figure sculpted by Tim Bruckner
Since the 13" Batman Begins figure, the first of DC Direct's new 13" figure line is hitting stores today I thought it would be appropriate for you to see what was going on under the costume. While I was in New York for Toy Fair back in February I had the opportunity to stop by the DC Comics offices, and they had just gotten back the latest samples of the 13" figure from overseas.
As you can see the body is sculpted in such a way that the musculature will still be evident under the costumes and the articulation would not disrupt the look of the body for shirtless figures like Martian Manhunter and Hawkman. This is a completly new base body for a 1/6th scale figure line and was sculpted by Tim Bruckner. As you can see the final product can maintain some dramatic poses.
Also on hand during my visit was a 2-up prototype of the 13" body.
Thanks to DC Direct for giving AFI this closer look at the body of this new figure.
FOUR HORSEMEN ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR A NEW TOY LINE AND SAN DIEGO COMIC CON EXCLUSIVE!
Things will be heating up at this summer's 2005 San Diego Comic Con International!
Not only will Four Horsemen creations like Mattel's Catwoman action figure and NECA's King Randor 6" MotU statue be up for grabs, but the Four Horsemen will have their own exclusive action figure for sale at Comic Con as well!
The Four Horsemen's fledgling property, known as Magma C.O.R.P.S. will be making its debut with the Comic Con exclusive version of Magma C.O.R.P.S. team leader, Commander Argus.
Commander Argus is a roto-cast, fully articulated vinyl action figure with cold-cast and metal accessories. The production run on this figure will be limited to 1,000 pieces. Within this 1,000 piece production run there will be 100 randomly inserted paint variants utilizing the Four Horsemen logo. The price point for the 2005 San Diego Comic Con: Magma C.O.R.P.S. Commander Argus figure will be $20.00 each, tax included.
Here's how the Four Horsemen describe the property:
Aloha!
Welcome to Mercury City- birthplace of Magmakore! Erupting from beneath the surface of the Earth, Magmakore is a miracle fuel for man and machine alike. Magmakore has been refined into a fuel for living tissue through a series of medical breakthroughs and advanced cybernetics. Although this process is essentially flawless, there have been rare cases displaying mixed results. Unexpected reactions range from horrible mutations to incomprehensible mental and physical powers. Those bestowed with these extraordinary powers are known as Magmakks.
All too often, the temptation is to use these powers in a self-serving and sometimes evil way. Fortunately, others choose to use their newly acquired abilities for the good of those around them, and are often recruited into public service. One of the most elite and highly specialized examples of this is an all Magmakk unit of the Mercury City police force known as the Magma C.O.R.P.S.
By using multimedia "guerrilla" style marketing tactics The Four Horsemen are hoping to bypass some old-school industry roadblocks. Besides the toys themselves, the cornerstone of this approach is a fully interactive website with periodic "webisodes".
Jan-Michael Sutton (http://www.thedevbox.com), the main man behind the current Four Horsemen website (http://www.fourhorsemen.biz), is not only handling the design chores for the new Magma C.O.R.P.S. website (http://www.magmacorps.com), but he'll also be doing some incredible animation for each of the webisodes.
The Four Horsemen are also working hand-in-hand with ace designer Djordje Djokovic (known for spectacular action figure packaging designs such as Evangelion and Crouching Tiger/Hidden Dragon) on innovative and exciting packaging designs to be revealed at a later date.
Comic Con 2005 will be the official launching pad for all things Magma C.O.R.P.S., including the official launch date of the website. The Four Horsemen plan to continue to keep fans involved and informed with the Magma C.O.R.P.S. website and webisodes, going as far as soliciting fan input once they get things really rolling.
After the San Diego Comic Con the Four Horsemen hope to release single figures or small waves of figures on a regular basis. They see this as a long term, ongoing project so the possibilities are endless.
Stop by to see the Four Horsemen at the 2005 San Diego Comic Con International. They'll be selling the exclusive Magma C.O.R.P.S. Commander Argus figure at NECA's booth and they'll also be greeting fans, signing figures, and answering questions about Magma C.O.R.P.S. and any other Four Horsemen related items.
