With the big screen blockbuster season on the horizon, movie themed toys and collectibles stole the show this week with new pieces based on "Man of Steel," "Iron Man 3," "Alien," "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" and "Terminator." Of course, there were also plenty of other properties represented like the '66 "Batman" TV series, "The Walking Dead" and even something new from the Sailor Moon franchise!
MAN OF STEEL | The latest trailer for Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel" has taken the internet by storm, showing off more of what the director has in store for Superman. It makes perfect sense Kotobukiya would unveil their September-shipping statue based on Henry Cavill's portrayal of the character in the June 14-debuting film; the ARTFX statue stands 10.5 inches tall, comes with a posable cloth cape and stands on an S-shield base.
IRON MAN 3 | As the many different "Iron Man 3" armors start being revealed, the first thing many collectors thought was, "When do we get these toys?" Hot Toys answered that question with, '"Pretty soon!" The Hong Kong company showed off a trio of new entries: the Movie Masterpiece Diecast Heartbreaker armor, the Movie Masterpiece Igor armor and a Power Pose Redsnapper armor. Presumably all three suits play important parts in the film which hits May 3.
IRON MAN 3 | Speaking of variations on the Iron Man armor, Kotobukiya showed off the finished version of their "Iron Man 3" War Machine ARTFX statue. We got a look at this piece in the development stage, but this is the first viewing of the finalized piece thanks to a Facebook post.
BATMAN | Figures Toy Co. announced plans for two different lines based on Batman in the old school, 8-inch Mego style. First up, the company has a line based on the 1966 "Batman" TV series. The first wave includes retro cloth versions of Batman, Robin, The Riddler and The Joker, but as you can see from the image, Egghead is also in the works along with different versions of Batman, Robin and the Joker as well as The Penguin, Catwoman, Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne, King Tut, Mr. Freeze and Shame. FTC will also release those exact same characters, but this time made to be exact copies of the Mego line!
THE WALKING DEAD | People can't get enough of the undead these days. Diamond Select Toys wants to help with the zombification of the world by announcing the fourth wave of "The Walking Dead" comic-based MiniMates. This time around the 2-packs include The Governor and his lieutenant Gabe, Michonne (now with poncho) and Bruce, Lori with baby Judith and a flayed zombie and that same zombie with Dr. Alice as an alternative option. The figures are available this summer.
MARVEL MINIMATES | DST has more than just undead MiniMates in the works, unleashing two waves of tiny Marvel figures this week based on the Marvel NOW! initiative. First up is the 51st offering in the main series which includes 2-packs of Superior Spider-Man and Sam Alexander as Nova, Shanna the She-Devil and a Reaper, Nick Fury Jr. and a Heavy S.H.I.E.L.D. agent (with parts to make Steve Rogers) and a rare variant pack of Maria Hill with the same Heavy S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Meanwhile, Toys 'R' Us boasts its own batch of packs including Iron Man and Hulk, Wolverine and a Reaper, Captain America and Scarlet Witch and Phoenix Five Emma Frost and Colossus. Both series' are out in June.
CATWOMAN | Kotobukiya's line of New 52 ARTFX+ statues based on DC's line of characters is getting more criminal in October thanks to a new piece based on Batman's on-and-off-again squeeze and renowned burglar, Catwoman. The 8-inch tall piece features a shiny suit, removable goggles, whip and magnets in the boots for better displaying on the included base.
SAILOR MOON | Bluefin Tamashii Nations recently showed off a figure of everyone's favorite Sailor Scout from S.H. Figuarts. The now legendary character known for her long running manga and anime series inspired this new figure. While the size of the piece isn't posted, we do know it comes with three different faces, three left hands, five right hands, two Moon Sticks, Moon Tiara effects and Luna, her trusty talking feline! The figure debuts in the fall.
DOCTOR WHO | Back in 1971, the Third Doctor and his companion Jo found themselves facing off against a just-returned Master in a series called "The Daemons," which finds the villain trying to resurrect an alien thought to be the devil. Underground Toys plans to celebrate that series with a new action figure three pack featuring UNIT Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, the Master and a Daemon. (via The Doctor Who Merchandise Guide)
DARKSEID | "Adorably cute" usually aren't the words you'd use to describe an extra-dimensional godlike being who rules over his torture planet with an iron fist, but when looking at this behind-the-scenes image of Funko's in-the-works Darkseid entry in the Pop Vinyl line, it's hard to resist.
THE HOBBIT | The Bridge Direct wants Hobbit fans to know they have plenty of action figures in the works for the second movie in the series, "The Desolation of Smaug." A recent press release announced Radagast, Thranduil, Azog, Beorn and Gandalf are joining the 3.75-inch scale line of toys, while there will also be a series of box sets in that same scale called the Mirkwood, Thorin Oakenshield Adventure and Bilbo Baggins Burglar packs, each featuring five figures. The 6-inch scale line also adds Radagast, Azog and Legolas to its ranks. (via TheFwoosh)
ALIEN | Back in 1979 Kenner revealed a series of 3.75-inch figures in the prototype stage based on Ridley Scott's R-rated sci-fi horror classic "Alien." The actual toys were never made -- until today! Super7 scored the molds from the original prototypes and is offering figures made from them this summer. The line includes the "Big Chap" Alien, Ripley, Ash, Dallas and Kane in the Nostromo spacesuit. Preorders kick off at this year's Comic-Con International.
DC MEZ-ITZ | Mezco's mixing things up when it comes to the next installment in their DC Mez-Itz line of 2-inch toys. This batch is offered in blind box format, meaning you won't necessarily know which version of a character you're getting. You'll have a shot at walking away with Batman, Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Blue Lantern Hal Jordan, Classic Superman, Black Costume Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, winking Harley Quinn, smiling Harley Quinn and a yet-to-be-revealed, ultra rare version of Superman.
TERMINATOR | Sure, Arnold Schwarzenegger cuts am imposing figure in "Terminator," but it's really the machine underneath the man that intrigues us. Hot Toys is showcasing that aspect of the futuristic killing machine with their quarter scale Terminator Endoskeleton figure. The piece comes with a pair of guns and looks pretty posable in the myriad of pictures posted on the company's Facebook page.
TRANSFORMERS | Attention Transformers fans -- Hasbro wants you to help build an all new Transformer! Head over to the Fan Built Bot Poll section of the toy company's website and let your voice be heard. You can cast your vote in five different categories: Faction, Alternate Mode, Signature Weapon, Color Scheme and Personality. When all the votes are in, Hasbro will present the character as it will appear in the line of Thrilling 30 products, as well as an original comic story from IDW.