The time has come yet again for an all new Toy News Tuesday! We’re the one weekly column right here on ScienceFiction.com where we seek out all of the awesome news you need to know about any announcements and cool happenings in the toy industry and put them all in one easy to find place for you! January is almost over, and as the first month of the new year comes to a close, we already have so much great stuff being announced! We are still two weeks out from Toy Fair 2017, but there are already lots of big announcements hitting from some of our favorite brands like Diamond Select, Quantum Mechanix, and Funko! There’s always something for everyone in the Toy News for the week of January 24th, 2017!
If It Bleeds We Can Kill It
There are few sci-fi franchises that get quite the amount of love that the ‘Predator’ franchise does. This week the team over at AFI got an exclusive first look at the all-new Series 4 of Diamond Select Toys ‘Predator’ Minimates, and this new wave looks like is has some phenomenal surprises in store for longtime fans! The upcoming Series 4 of ‘Predator’ Minimates includes figures from all three of the main ‘Predator’ films, like Poncho with a Cloaked Unmasked Predator from ‘Predator’, Detective Lambert with a Cloaked Elder Predator from ‘Predator 2’, and Isabelle with a Predator Hound from ‘Predators’! There will even be a rare one-per-case variant set with Anna and a Cloaked Unmasked Predator (also from ‘Predator’) that you’ll have to be the ultimate hunter to track down! As always each Minimates figure sports 14 points of articulation, as well as removable accessories and fully interchangeable parts. These are due in stores this summer for a suggested retail price of $9.99 per pack!
This Week From Diamond Select Toys
It seems like every week our friends at Diamond Select Toys have a bunch of awesome new stuff available for us to add to our collections, so why should this week be any different? This week DST has some great new items including Beetlejuice Reelware, the latest DC Gallery PVC Figure, plus our first ‘Mallrats Select’ figures! Here are the full solicits-
Beetlejuice Movie Reelware Pint Glass
A Diamond Select Toys release! Troubled by the living? Is death a problem, and not the solution? Unhappy with eternity? Then pour yourself a drink in this movie-inspired pint glass, kick back and call Beetlejuice! This pint glass features the original advertisement that prompted Barbara and Adam Maitland to call the revered bio-exorcist in an attempt to reclaim their home, and kicks off a new line of merchandise based on the classic Tim Burton film Beetlejuice. Packaged in a full-color window box. (Item #AUG162571, SRP: $10.99)
DC Gallery Justice League Black Canary PVC Figure
A Diamond Select Toys release! The heroines of the DC Animated Universe are expanding their roster! As seen on Justice League Unlimited, this 9-inch scale PVC figure of the Black Canary depicts Dinah Lance unleashing a sonic scream at her opponent, wearing her classic, comic-inspired leather jacket and tights. Figure is in scale to all Gallery and Femme Fatales PVC figures, and comes packaged in a full-color window box. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item #AUG162555, SRP: $45.00)
Mallrats Select Action Figures Series 1 Asst.
A Diamond Select Toys release! They’re not here to shop, they’re not here to work, they’re just here! Finally, after 22 years, fully poseable action figures of the cast of Kevin Smith’s sophomore(ic) masterpiece Mallrats have arrived! Jay and Brodie are the first two in the series, each with character-specific accessories – sock full of quarters and baseball bat for Jay; chocolate pretzel and giant cookie for Brodie – as well as diorama bases depicting different stores in the mall! Each figure features approximately 16 points of articulation and the actor’s likeness. Packaged in display-ready Select packaging, with spine artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by Patrick Piggott! (Jay Figure Item #JUN162386, SRP: $24.99 / Brodie Figure Item #JUN162387, SRP: $24.99)
Marvel Select Odin the Destroyer Action Figure
A Diamond Select Toys Release! Prepare to be destroyed! The next 7-inch-scale Marvel Select action figure is the Destroyer, the massive Asgardian automaton that regularly menaces the Mighty Thor! Measuring approximately 9 inches tall with 16 points of articulation, this spiked powerhouse comes with the powerful Odinsword, as well as an interchangeable head, revealing the one-eyed face of the All-Father, Odin, from the times he has worn the armor in battle! Whether you choose to display him as the Destroyer or as Odin, he’s more than a match for your Marvel Select Thor, or Hulk, or even Juggernaut! Packaged in the display-ready Select packaging, with spine artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by Jean St. Jean! (Item #JUL162624, SRP: $24.99)
New Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Stuff
This week is London Toy Fair, so of course we’re getting a fantastic look at some upcoming ‘Doctor Who’ merchandise from Character Options! We can look forward to a decent mix of brand new products and some highly demanded re-issues of older pieces that have become increasingly hard to find, giving fans the chance to play ‘catch up’ and collect as much ‘Who’ as they can!
From their long running 5.5 inch line, we’ve got three new figures and the return of a fan favorite playset! This year we’re getting The Tenth Doctor in a Tuxedo, along with two versions of The Twelfth Doctor in some of his Season 9 outfits (Hoodie with Checked Trousers & Hoodie with Black Jumper), as well as the long awaited return of the Ninth & Tenth Doctor ‘Tardis Control Room’ Playset!
If figures aren’t really your thing, but you’re still a big ‘Doctor Who’ fan, you may be interested in this upcoming prop-replica reissues! This year Character Options is planning to reissue The Tenth Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver, as well as The Journal Of Impossible Things that even comes packaged with The Master’s Ring!
These are all due out in late Spring 2017!
Hot Toys, Coming Through!
As always, the team over at Hot Toys has a number of spectacular new products coming our way! This month they seem to be on a roll with new stuff being announced every few days, so it’s hard not to get excited about most of these! In their 1:6th scale figure lines, they’ve just announced new figures of ‘The Joker’ from ‘Batman: Arkham Asylum’, plus another all new Harley Quinn from ‘Suicide Squad’! We’ve also got a fancy new 1:6th R2-D2 figure and a new series of Marvel Cosbaby figures coming up soon! Check out the full releases from Hot Toys below-
Batman: Arkham Asylum – 1/6th scale The Joker Collectible Figure
“Welcome to the madhouse, Batman!” In Batman: Arkham Asylum, the game title that jumpstarted the critically acclaimed Batman Arkham game series, Batman must do all it takes to stop The Joker’s elaborate plot to destroy Gotham City with the terrifying TITAN drug! As the game’s main antagonist and mastermind of the evil plan, The Joker is menacing yet captivated many fans’ “love” for this maniacal Clown Prince of Crime! Today, Hot Toys is delighted to officially introduce many fans’ widely anticipated 1/6th scale collectible figure of The Joker in Batman: Arkham Asylum!
The collectible figure is expertly crafted based on the appearance of The Joker in the game. It features a newly sculpted head sculpt with Joker’s iconic grin on his face, newly developed body, skillfully tailored costume, a number of detailed weapons and accessories including a pistol, injection gun, chattering teeth explosive, and a figure stand with specially designed backdrop. It is time to get the party started and add Bats’ nemesis to your Hot Toys collection!
Suicide Squad – 1/6th scale Harley Quinn (Prisoner Version)
“Come on, I’m bored… Play with me!” In the DC Extended Universe blockbuster Suicide Squad, Harley Quinn makes her entrance as a convict serving time in the Belle Reve Prison, where she is reluctantly enlisted in a secret task force doing dangerous dirty work for the government. Sultry but outright psychotic, the Queen of Gotham City is unmistakably the star in this ragtag team of supervillains, and today Hot Toys is excited to introduce an all-new 1/6th scale collectible figure of Harley Quinn in her prisoner outfit!
Expertly crafted based on Margot Robbie’s appearance as Harley Quinn in the film, this movie-accurate collectible figure features a newly sculpted head, a newly developed specialized body with enhanced leg articulations, finely tailored prisoner costume, a variety of accessories she enjoys as a “privileged” inmate, and a specially designed figure stand with character backdrop and a removable prison cell mattress. It’s up to you to rescue her from the lockup and bring her home to your Suicide Squad collection!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens – 1/6th scale R2-D2
“R2-D2, you’ve come back!” In the epic Star Wars: The Force Awakens, fans’ favorite Astromech droid R2-D2 has played a crucial role in the film when it wakes up from low power mode and presented the last piece of the map leading to the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker. Today Hot Toys is pleased to officially introduce the 1/6th scale collectible figure of this beloved droid based on Star Wars: The Force Awakens!
The astonishing collectible figure is specially crafted based on the appearance of R2-D2 in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It features a highly detailed mechanical construction with weathering effects, meticulously crafted diecast metal dome, touch LED light-up functions, and remote controlled sound effect function featuring 12 iconic R2-D2 sounds! Don’t pass up the chance to add this stunning Astromech droid to your Star Wars collection!
Marvel’s Daredevil Cosbaby Bobble-Head Series
Marvel’s Daredevil has been a major success with TV audiences and critics alike. The TV-MA rated Netflix hit show follows the daring exploits of Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer in the crime-ridden neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen in NYC, who is secretly the masked vigilante known as Daredevil, the Man Without Fear. Now Hot Toys has created a new Cosbaby series based on the Marvel television production for fans of the acclaimed show and its characters.
The lineup includes Daredevil, Punisher, and Elektra, all modeled after their appearances in Season 2. Each Cosbaby stands approximately 9.5cm tall with bobble-head function. Also available is a highly collectible set featuring Punisher, Elektra, and the exclusive Battle Damage version of Daredevil as seen in the memorable stairwell fighting scene. Gotta enlist the Hell’s Kitchen ensemble in your Cosbaby collection!
“Damnit Jim, He’s A Toy Not A Doctor!”
Last year marked the 50th Anniversary of one of the most iconic series in science fiction history, ‘Star Trek’! The team at Quantum Mechanix has been releasing their beautifully crafted 1:6th scale ‘Star Trek’ figures to celebrate this momentous occasion, and it looks like they are planning to continue the trend well into 2017 as they have just revealed their all new McCoy 1:6th scale figure! Check out the full rundown from QMX below-
Continuing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek™: The Original Series (TOS), Quantum Mechanix adds your favorite curmudgeonly old doctor to their Master Series articulated figure line!
Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy was the chief medical officer of the starship Enterprise for her five-year mission. This sixth scale figure re-creates this iconic character in exquisite detail. Standing approximately 12 inches tall, every element, from his 23rd-century tunic to his custom black boots, is authentically reproduced. The original portrait sculpt of DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy has an authentic, hand-painted likeness.
He comes with his away medkit, phaser, tricorder and communicator and a variety of hands for hundreds of display options. A Star Trek Delta symbol display base will support the good doctor in a variety of poses.
The Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy Sixth Scale Articulated Figure includes:
Fully Articulated Body: More than 30 points of articulation allow the figure to be displayed in multiple dynamic poses
Realistic Portrait: Lovingly rendered by a top artist, this is a perfect likeness of DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy
Each head sculpt is specially hand-painted
Starfleet Duty Uniform Tunic: Meticulously researched, this duty uniform tunic matches the pattern, fabric and color of the original costume down to the last stitch
The sleeves are trimmed with accurate and detailed braid insignia
Starfleet Standard Issue Black T-Shirt: This regulation black tee is worn under the tunic
Starfleet Duty Uniform Pants: This faithful replica of the pants worn by the Enterprise crew in Star Trek™: TOS and features the characteristic bell-shaped leg
Magnets sewn into the pants allow the magnetic phaser, medkit and communicator to be worn without the belt
Boots: Using leather-like material cut in the original style of the footwear worn in Star Trek™: TOS, these boots zip up on the inside
Star Trek Delta Symbol Display Base: A custom display base featuring the familiar Star Trek delta symbol will hold up the figure and allow more extreme posesAccessories:
Med Kit: A doctor needs his medicine bag for away missions, and this authentically styled medical kit fastens to McCoy’s pants with a magnet. It comes equipped with a hypospray, medical scanner, and medical sample vials
Phasers Type 1 & Type 2: The pistol-grip type 2 phaser is the weapon of choice for any landing party expecting hostile aliens. The smaller Type 1 phaser can be removed and used separately. Both have magnets allowing either to be worn on the utility belt or directly on the pants as they were in the 3rd season
Communicator: This accurately styled communicator features a real metal flip-up
Tricorder: No self-respecting medical officer would be without his personal data sensing, analysis and recording device. This replica rotates open at the top and has an opening front door. Dr. McCoy can wear the tricorder over his shoulder with the leather-like strap
Utility Belt: Used in the first season of Star Trek™: TOS by landing parties to hold their accessories, this cloth belt has metal plates allowing the magnetized phaser and communicator to be worn as they were on the show
This fine collectible figure is a perfect rendition of everyone’s favorite country doctor and a great addition to your Star Trek™ 1:6-scale figure collection.
Super7 Recruits The B.P.R.D.
While release date details are still scarce, the teama t Super7 have revealed new in-package images of their upcoming ‘Hellboy’ themed wave of ReAction figures! Super7 recently became the sole producer of the ReAction brand and this is one of the first series they’ve done on their own, leaving many fans highly anticipating these new figures! The first ‘Hellboy’ wave of ReAction figures includes Hellboy, Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman, and Lobster Johnson.
Titan Hits You In The Nostalgia
If there is one thing this generation of collectors is notorious for, it’s our weakness for nostalgia. The team at Titan Merchandise figured this out a while ago, and now they’re going after our wallets again with an all new wave of blindboxed vinyl figures based on classic Cartoon Network animated series of the late 90’s and early 2000’s! The new ‘Cartoon! Cartoon!’ wave of Titan blindboxed figures includes characters from ‘Ed, Edd, & Eddie’, ‘Courage The Cowardly Dog’, ‘Clarence’, ‘Adventure Time’, and more! The full wave is shown below-
The Funko Forecast
Get ready for the Funko Forecast! This is where we’re going to be showcasing all of the cool new announcements and reveals from Funko! With all of the awesome that consistently seems to be flowing out of those guys, it shouldn’t be hard to keep this section alive each and every week!
Funko Drops The Bomb
This February Funko is going to be adapting DC Comics hit ‘DC Bombshells’ series into a new wave of POP! Vinyls! We alreayd know about the Hot Topic Exclusive Joker figure, but this week Funko revealed a whole wave including Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Katana, and special Black & White versions of Harley (ThinkGeek Exclusive) and Wonder Woman (Chase Variant). These are due in stores in just a few weeks!
DC Exclusives Coming To Walgreens
Ever since Walgreens burst onto the ‘exclusive figures’ map, their relationship with Funko became almost symbiotic. We’ve gotten a massive amount of fantastic Funko exclusives at Walgreens in the last few years from brands like Marvel and ‘Star Wars’, but now it looks like it’s DC Comics turn! DC Comics fans can start hunting for Green Lantern John Stewart and Black-Tuxedo Joker in Walgreens stores in February!
And with that, we bring this week’s Toy News Tuesday to a close! What do you think about the new items announced this week? Do you plan on picking up anything we mentioned in this week’s column? Are there any lines or brands you’d like to see more coverage of? Let us know in the comments section below!
Jordan is a Toy Columnist & Staff Writer here at ScienceFiction! Journalist, Musician, Toy Collector, and Overall Awesome Guy! For more on Jordan’s thoughts, toys, and wacky adventures, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
