Posts Tagged ‘diamond select toys’
A Little Help From My Preds: DST’s Horribly Handy Collectibles
June 26, 2015 | 
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Diamond Select Toys Unmasked Predator Vinyl Bust Bank
The Unmasked Predator Vinyl Bust Bank, shown here from its debut at New York Toy Fair 2015, was one of my favorite Diamond Select Toys reveals back in February. It’s the most detailed of bust banks so far, trumping even the cranial convolutions of DST’s Metaluna Mutant.
Eli Livingston also sculpted these DST Alien Egg with Facehugger and Cthulu Bust Banks.
As you can see, the predator sculpt by Eli Livingston is amazingly accurate (note shoulder blaster) and beautifully scary. Livingston has modeled several of the earlier bust bank series, including The Wolfman. Most recently he’s designed the Alien egg with face hugger and Lovecraft Cthulu banks recently released by Diamond Select. It’ll probably be no surprise to learn that the sculptor also worked with original Alien xenomorph creator the late H. R. Giger on several jewelry pieces based around Giger’s art. The Bomben Skull Ring is one of my faves which began as the volume and tone knobs for Ibanez Guitars’ H. R. Giger signature model.
At 8” high and under $23 the Predator Bust Bank is both shelf and wallet friendly. If you like big ugly things (aside from your bowling buddies) hanging around the “man-cave” and eating your spare change, this one’s for you.
A Little Left of Lidsville…
Now that summer is here, tracking prey can be exhausting and sweaty work. Whether you’re Count Zaroff playing a most dangerous game in fog hollow or a yautja hunter chasing Betty and Veronica around Riverdale, you could most likely use a cool brew. Unfortunately twist-offs aren’t de rigueur in all parts of the universe. No need to worry. The just released Unmasked Predator Bottle Opener is an impressive bit of kit from Diamond Select Toys will ensure you have the right weapon to get a quaff quickly.
Diamond Select Toy’s Unmasked Predator Bottle Opener (Photo Courtesy of Diamond Select Toys)
Though hitting the shelves this week, a wee bit late for Father’s Day, it would make a great conversation piece for collector dads at family picnics. Those who do not imbibe, or prefer cans and corks, can still enjoy its value as a beyond – the – ordinary refrigerator magnet, and a nice companion piece to DST’s Alien Xenomorph “church key” styled bottle opener.
SkeletonPete Says…
If utility is the order of the day for your continued collecting, then DST’s growing list of themed banks, pizza cutters, bottle openers, ice trays (and check out that Alien xenomorph Cookie Jar!) may be all you need to convince your spouse why this next purchase is must have for your household.
Posted in Toys & Collectibles | 
Tags: alien, alien egg, bust banks, church keys, collectible bottle openers, cthulu, diamond select toys, DST, eli livingston, facehugger, h. r. giger, lovecraft, metaluna mutant, new york international toy fair 2015, predator, refrigerator magnets, toy fair 2015, xenomorph, yautja | 
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It’s All About the Bats, No Trouble: DST’s TV Batgirl
Sculptor Clayburn Moore captures Yvonne Craig’s Batgirl for Diamond Select Toys’ new statue.
On a Bat Binge…
As with most “can’t haves” in life, the protracted nature of bringing ABC’s 1960’s Batman television series to the home video market produced a “must own” reaction in collector’s circles. Warner Brothers’ massive 120 episode Batman Box Set, released in November 2014, satiated some of that desire, but the high crave factor for bat-a-phenalia has spread well beyond the DVD’s to toys and collectibles. Each new product reveal becomes an event of its own and I think none have been more anticipated by “boomers” than Batgirl merchandise.
Of course TV Bat-fans know that Season 3 cast actress Yvonne Craig into the fray as Batgirl, making the dynamic duo a triumphant trio. Though not the only DC comics Batgirl, Craig is certainly associated with the best known incarnation. In fact the character was created at the behest of the TV program’s producers who desired to expand the appeal of their boy-centric show to an untapped audience of young ladies.
DC Comics’ Detective #359 re-introduced Batgirl to TV Batman fans.
The “new” Batgirl appeared in Detective Comics # 359 in January of 1967, less than a year before her television debut. The cover is splashed with the kind of hyperbole that you could imagine spoken by the TV show’s producer/narrator William Dozier. “Is she heroine or villainess?,” “What is her startling secret identity?” Artist Carmine Infantino and writer Gardner Fox spun up the tale of Barbara Gordon, daughter of the stalwart Gotham City Police Commissioner. That’s the same James Gordon whose backstory is the focus of Fox’s current TV series Gotham. Barbara thwarts an attempt to kidnap millionaire Bruce Wayne and finds her calling in crime fighting.
Diamond Select Toys’ Classic 1966 Batgirl Premiere Collection Statue.
BATuesque…
This summer Diamond Select Toys will bring you back to those Silver Age comic days with their Premiere Collection Classic TV Batgirl Statue. Having recently seen the prototype in person at the New York Toy Fair I can happily report that it wonderfully captures the karate kicking crusader seen on the screen. In the hands of master sculptor Clayburn Moore we get a spectacular representation of Craig in her role, fully approved by the lady herself. Moore’s choice to fan out the cape adds a kinetic element to the classic pose known from publicity photos of the time. His work on the facial features is delicate, instantly recognizable as Ms. Craig, and conveys the self assured nature of the character.
Measuring approximately 12 inches tall, the statue emulates the psychedelic and op-art design of the show. The eye-popping purple sparkle of the costume is perfectly emulated and offset against the yellow accent of the cape. The base’s green swirl is capped by the TV logo. It is going to be a standout on any fan’s display shelf.
Craig On Craig…
In addition to playing Batgirl, Yvonne Craig’s career features a unique selection of memorable roles that include being a “Kissin’ Cousin” to Elvis, “Ski Party”-ing with Frankie Avalon, and as the slinky green siren Marta in the original Star Trek episode “Whom God’s Destroy.” Her autobiography can be purchased at her official website, and she has noted a limited return to the fan convention circuit this year based on the wealth of 1966 Batman licensed products.
Clay On Clay…
Clayburn Moore’s “Sculpting with Clay” blog, though not recently updated, is a excellent repository of information and images for those interested in the process of creating these collectibles. He takes you from wire frame to finished product views on many projects. His studio home site, will give you a full view of his creations, including a range of DC Entertainment pieces.
Diamond Select Toys expands Batman The Animated Series Bust Bank selection.
To the Bat Bank…
Hmm, maybe the Bat-Credit Card will be necessary as DST continues to fill out it’s selection of busts, banks and Femme Fatale statues with depictions of Batman, The Animated Series characters. They’re all really sharp renderings of the 2D cartoon personas. The Harvey “Two-Face” Dent bust is my favorite but you’ll have Batman in Classic and Dark Knight flavors, Catwoman, Batgirl, Phantasm, Harley Quinn, The Joker and Poison Ivy to choose from as well. Check the photo gallery below for a close-up look at those.
SkeletonPete Says…
As much as I love DST’s 3/4 busts, I believe the company was very smart to commission a full length Premiere Batgirl statue as well. As the first piece of licensed Batgirl merchandise I’ve seen it sets the bar very high for those who follow. Diamond Select’s upcoming product sheet reveals a Julie Newmar as Catwoman, also sculpted by Moore, will join the Premiere Statue Collection in Fall 2015.
Posted in Toys & Collectibles | Tags: 1966 batman, 3/4 busts, adam west, batgirl, batman, batman box set, batman the animated series, burgess meredith, bust banks, carmine infantino, cat woman, cesar romero, classic tv batman, dc comics, diamond select toys, elvis, femme fatales, frank gorshin, gardner fox, gotham, harley quinn, harvey dent, julie newmar, kissing' cousins, poison ivy, premiere collection statues, ski party, star trek, the joker, the penguin, the riddler, two-face, warner brothers, whom god's destroy, William Dozier, yvonne craig | No Comments »
‘Til Death Do Us Part: DST “Kill Bill” Mini Homage
DST’s “Kill Bill” Masters of Death MiniMates
Diamond Select Toys continues their roll-out of Quentin Tarantino Movie collectibles with my favorite package so far, The Kill Bill Volume I & II Masters of Death Mini-Mates Box Set.
The Blood Spattered Bride…
This 10th Anniversary homage finds assassin Beatrix Kiddo AKA “Black Mamba” AKA “The Bride” (Uma Thurman) and her various sensai well armed and ready for action. If the heart stopping five finger death punch isn’t in your bag of martial arts maneuvers, the well-honed samurai sword or array of battering sticks and pistols should do the job.
Diamond Select Toys new “Kill Bill” box set of deadly martial arts masters. (Image courtesy of Diamond Select Toys)
The Art Asylum designed figures include Pai Mei (Gordon Liu), Hattori Hanzo (Sonny Chiba) and – you guessed it – “Snake Charmer” Bill (David Carradine). Swappable body parts add variety to the 14 points of articulation on these mini mentors.
A Royale Duo. Jules and Vincent get small.
Die-Namic Duo…
My other favorite in the DST Tarantino series are Pulp Fiction’s hit-men duo Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson). Vincent also comes ready to Batusi with Mia in the “night out” box set.
SkeletonPete Says…
Diamond Select’s licensed Mini-Mates properties continue to grow as do my smiles at the ingenuity used to take the simple concept to new levels. Mind you, “mini” does not denote any lack of detail as DST gets these tiny titans correct right down to Lucy Liu’s freckles and Samuel L. Jackson’s jheri curls.
Posted in Toys & Collectibles | Tags: action figures, beatrix kiddo, black mamba, david carradine, diamond select toys, gordon liu, hatori hanzo, john travolta, jules winnfield, kill bill, lucy liu, minimates, pai mei, pulp fiction, quentin tarantino, samuel jackson, sonny chiba, uma thurman, vincent vega | No Comments »
Quack, Quack, Waddle, Waddle: Diamond Select’s 1966 Penguin Bust
DST’s perfect Penguin mini-bust is due spring 2015.
Umbrella Fella…
While I’ve enjoyed nearly everything about the Gotham television series’ first fall season, especially Robin Lord Taylor’s scenery chewing portrayal of the young Penguin, there will always be a special spot in my heart for Burgess Meredith’s version. His emotive squawking got many an imitative 6th grader, myself included, in hot water at school but it was irresistible to mimic.
Color My World…
In 1966 my family was the first on our block to have a color TV which automatically designated our living room ground zero for every friend on Wednesday & Thursday evenings at 7:30. Along with the pop art biffs, bangs and pows, Penguin’s psychedelic purple top hat and tie were the most eye popping things to behold on that fresh CRT.
A Rogues Gallery of Diamond Select Mini-Bust Prototypes. Licensor Approval Pending.
Busted…
Keeping “Boomer” generation collectors enthralled (we waited ages for this franchise to license goodies)Diamond Select Toys has announced a late spring 2015 release for their latest Batman related mini-bust. It’s a spot on sculpt of the Burgess Meredith Penguin right down to the monocle. It will join the already released Adam West Batman, Burt Ward Robin, Ceasar Romero Joker, and soon to be available Frank Gorshin Riddler (January 2015).
At NY Comic Con back October, DST was also showing yet to be authorized prototypes of Julie Newmar as Catwoman and Otto Preminger, the blue skinned Mr. Freeze. Yvonne Craig in Batgirl guise would clearly be a welcome addition to the mix.
The mini-busts average six inches tall and share a base that features bat-signal/city-scape artwork from the classic show’s opening credits.
Diamond Select’s Batarang and Batman Logo serve double duty.
If you are expecting Santa to slide down your chimney with the 1966 Batman DVD box set, you could do worse than add DST’s Batarang bottle opener to your stocking stuffer wish-list. It’s gonna take a raft of six-packs to get you through 120 episodes.
Posted in Film & Television Series, Toys & Collectibles | Tags: adam west, batman, batman 1966, burgess meredith, burt ward, caesar romero, catwoman, dc comics, diamond select, diamond select toys, frank gorshin, gotham, julie newmar, king tut, mr. freeze, otto preminger, robin lord taylor, robin the boy wonder, the joker, the penguin, the riddler, yvonne craig | No Comments »
Re: Animator – Diamond Select Toys Halloween Treat
Diamond Select Toys just unleashed a sweet treat for your Halloween bag in the form of an animated video featuring their line of Universal Monsters figures. Created by Alex Kropinak, the man behind the madness of the Marvel “What The …..?” series, the short follows a trio of Halloween candy hunters to some surprising doorways. In just over a minute we get a slew of cute vignettes of which I especially love the Metaluna Mutant conjuring up a giant candy corn on the old interocitor.
Scripted by Kropinak and DST Marketing Supervisor Zach Oat, the film nicely displays the expanded articulation of DST’s newest additions to the line, Son of Frankenstein and a beautifully revamped Creature from the Black Lagoon. It also affords a cameo appearance to their first original concept Van Helsing character.
SkeletonPete Says…
Thanks to the Diamond Select gang for this excellent surprise. Having spent a healthy chunk of my early teen years creating backyard “jungle” adventures using a collection of 12 inch G.I. Joes, I’m always appreciative of a nice piece of stop motion animation like this one. The miniature sets are an inspiration for us toy photographers and Kropinak utilizes a touch of CGI for the atmospheric effects. This truly makes me pine for a proper animated version of Ray Bradbury’s The Halloween Tree.
Word is Diamond Select will continue it’s Universal Monster line next year. A super articulated Wolfman would be awesome, but I’d be just as happy to see them do something left-of-center like a Henry Hull Werewolf of London. I’m also really curious to see what their next original creation will be.
DST will launch it’s “Nightmare Before Christmas” Mini-Mate Series with Jack Skellington.
Additionally Diamond Select will kick off their The Nightmare Before Christmas Mini-Mates series via shops participating in Halloween ComicFest, with a great Jack Skellington figure that was on display at New York Comic Con a week ago.
Posted in Toys & Collectibles | Tags: action figures, alex kropinak, collectible monster figures, creature from the black lagoon, diamond select toys, dracula, DST, halloween comicfest, jack skellington, marvel what the...?, metaluna mutant, nightmare before christmas, ray bradbury, son of frankenstein, stop motion animation, the halloween tree, trick or treat, universal monsters, van helsing, wolfman, zach oat | No Comments »