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Duration & Mutation: DC Comics Marks 80 Years of Batman Personas

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Bat Bites, The Batman Who Laughs, from DC Collectibles’ Dark Nights Metal statue set.

Today is officially Batman Day, an 80th Anniversary event that has fandom fixated on the Caped Crusader. While the moving target choice of date is as enigmatic as the Dark Knight himself any excuse to celebrate DC Comics’ venerable octogenarian is OK with me.

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Toys & Collectibles

Bright Knight: Mezco One:12 Batman Unboxing

mezco toyz, batman, one:12 collective, dark knight returns, frank miller
Production line One:12 Batman is ready to join your collection.

To the Mez-Cave…
Mezco Toyz’ 2015 Pre-Toy Fair press event afforded us an unfettered look at their newest licensed and original collectibles. An icy journey to the Mezco sanctum sanctorum paid off as Ken Pierce (www.piercingmetal.com) and I, along with many other enthusiastic reporters, found ourselves surrounded by shelves filled with some astounding toys. Things you all are going to love.

The highlight of the reveal was an opportunity to unbox and inspect the first production line models of the One:12 Collective Batman Dark Knight Returns figures.

mezco toyz, batman, one:12 collective, dark knight returns, frank miller
Mezco Toyz’ one:12 Collective Batman production model.

Play and Display…
We’ve been tantalized by the images the company has teased out over the last few months, and impressed by the prototypes on view at New York Comic Con last fall, but actually handling the beautifully constructed Batman affirmed the exceptional fit and finish that the images suggested. Millenary work on the cloth costume is clean and classy. The weigh, balance, and firm articulation of the six inch figure make it addictive fun to pose.

Collectors will appreciate the impressive display box with it’s multiple slip cases and great graphics and molded compartments. It’s a well thought out design that allows for the toy to be removed for play, and easily returned between adventures. Accessories include a Bat Signal stand and an expansive array of swappable hands and weapons, plus neat unexpected details like the extra boot with ankle holster.

mezco toyz, batman, one:12 collective, dark knight returns, frank miller
There is excellent attention to detail in the One:12 Batman accessory set.

Penny Wise…
At its $65.00 price point One:12 Batman is quite a deal. It has the feel of a much more expensive item. It easily makes this a great gift choice for fans of all age ranges. Most importantly it’s a great TOY that deserves to be played and imagined with, not just perched on a shelf. So think “out of the box.”

mezco toyz, batman, one:12 collective, dark knight returns, frank miller
Newly announced One:12 Collective Mutant Gang Leader prototype.

Leader of the Pack…
Every good superhero needs a cause and a villain to thwart. Frank Miller’s Dark Knight was pitted against the Mutant Gang. Hot off the 3D press and ready to rumble with the caped crusader Mezco showed us the just approved prototype for that gang’s monstrous leader.

mezco toyz, judge dread, one:12 collective, DC universe
One:12 Collective Judge Dredd prototype with new motorcycle

SkeletonPete Says…
With One:12 Batman as the “proof of theory” Mezco has what I believe to be a grand-slam product line reaching well into the future. The already announced Judge Dredd, has added a sweet ride of a cycle, and the One:12 catalog gives us a hint of what is to come. They’ll be more DC Universe heroes, Universal Monsters, Mortal Kombat Klassic, Thundercats, Star Trek. It’s especially exciting is too see the logos for Hanna-Barbera’s Alex Toth designed Space Ghost, Thundarr, The Barbarian and – wait for it – The Herculoids listed.

Mezco showed us much more of their upcoming fare, with Chucky, Living Dead Dolls, Mortal Combat, Sons of Anarchy, a 24” classic 1940’s Bug Bunny, and I’ll be posting more as the days lead up to the 2015 New York International Toy Fair.

Click Any Image to Launch the Gallery

Batman: Dark Knight Returns One:12 Collective


Judge Dredd One:12 Collective Protoype

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Toys & Collectibles

Dredd Locked & Loaded: Mezco Reveals One:12 Street Judge

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Mezco Toyz Offers Judgement in One Twelve Scale. (Image Courtesy of Mezco Toyz)
Here Comes The Judge…
Hot on the heels of their One:12 Collective Dark Knight Returns Batman action figure Mezco Toyz keeps the gears grinding with the announcement of an equally stupendous Judge Dredd on the horizon.

mezco toyz, judge dread, one:12 collective, action figures
A Riot of Gear is Included with the One:12 Scale Judge (Photo Courtesty of Mezco Toyz)

mezco toyz, judge dredd, one:12 collective, action figuresThese Boots are made for Stomping…
Like the Frank Miller based Batman, the digitally sculpted character closely adheres to comic book portrayal and features a real fabric uniform with working zipper. Mezco lists a treasure trove of accessories and interchangeable parts to keep things interesting in play and on display.
Here’s their breakdown:
The One:12 Collective Judge Dredd features:
– Iconic helmet with translucent visor
– Real leather-like fabric uniform
– Equipment belt with working compartments for grenades and ammo magazine
– Boots with holster and knife sheath
– Boot knife
– Handcuffs
– Lawgiver pistol
– Lawgiver ammo magazine
– Daystick
– Two grenades
– One set of fists
– One gun/holding hand
– One open hand
– One pointing hand
– One choking hand
– Display base and posing post

The deluxe easy removal collector’s box gives you the best of both worlds for display and archival purposes.Pre-orders can be placed here.

judge dredd, rebellion, maga collection
Spruce Up Your Bookshelf with this Dredd Mega Collection from Rebellion.

Street Fighting Man…
For print fans, the UK’s Rebellion/2000 AD is keeping collectors knee deep in Dredd, with their upcoming Mega-Collection. Here’s how they describe it.

“With stories that have never before been reprinted, The Mega Collection will give a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the development of classic characters, scenes and storylines with specially commissioned feature content exploring Dredd’s world, interviews with the creators and previously unseen sketches and designs.

This is the definitive collection of Judge Dredd and his world, packaged in beautifully produced hardback editions whose spines, once assembled, form a special brand new image that will bring the law to any fan’s bookshelves.”

Gotham, on order…
We reported on the awesome Batman One:12 a while back, but here’s a few extra images from Mezco’s New York Comic Con booth to enjoy.

mezco toyz, one:12 collective, action figures, dark knight, batman, frank miller
The One:12 Dark Knight is Fully Equipped to Tackle Crime in Gotham City.

Click Any Image to Launch Gallery

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Toys & Collectibles

Black, White, and Red All Over: DST’s “Sin City” and Garden Warfare Collectibles

The Yellow Bastard Box Will Be The First 2 Inch Mini-Mate Sin City Set from Diamond Select Toys.
The Yellow Bastard Box Will Be The First 2 Inch Mini-Mate Sin City Set from Diamond Select Toys.

Hot Town, Summer in Sin City…
August 22 seemed forever away when I first spied it as the release date for Sin City 2 in Diamond Select Toys’ 2014 New York Toy Fair booth last February. Now it’s yesterday and the follow-up to Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez’ most graphic and novel of graphic novel inspired films is in general release.

Of the tie-in’s previewed by DST last winter, the three Sin City Select Action Figures representing Nancy (Jessica Alba), Hartigan (Bruce Willis) and Marv (Mickey Rourke) have already hit the shelves. Production versions I’ve seen look really good, with the 2005 film’s range of whites, grays and blacks rendered with subtlety over the Jean St. Jean sculpts. These display boxed “Select” models are each supplied with appropriate stands

Sin City's Nancy, as Portrayed by Jessica Alba,  "Select" Figure is Already Available.
Sin City’s Nancy, as Portrayed by Jessica Alba, “Select” Figure is Already Available.

The action figures will be followed shortly by two Mini-Mates box sets. The first – due momentarily – is the Yellow Bastard Box featuring Nancy, Hartigan, Senator Roark and YB himself. Box set two will arrive in the fall and feature Marv, Wendy, Kevin and Cardinal Roark. This set is based on Miller’s story “The Hard Goodbye.” Both sets include interchangeable parts, accessories, and what looks like a slew of weapons.


Victory Garden…
If you prefer more color in your collector life, DST will accommodate with a selection of zombie whacking flora and their undead foes based on the insanely popular Plants Vs. Zombies Garden Warfare game from Popcap and EA. The aptly named “bloom and doom” roll out will begin in September and there are a number of standard, specialty store, and Toys “R” Us permutations.

A Wonderful Selection of Plants Vs. Zombies Characters is Coming From DST in September 2014.
A Wonderful Selection of Plants Vs. Zombies Characters is Coming From DST in September 2014.

Here’s the breakdown directly from Diamond Select:
Each set of two 5″ scale action figures will include one plant and one zombie[…] The assortment includes:
– Gatling Pea with Scientist Zombie
– Camo Cactus with Foot Soldier Zombie
– Chomper with Engineer Zombie
– Shadow Flower with All-Star Zombie


Additionally, two box sets of Minimates mini-figures will be available in early September, one at Toys “R” Us stores and one at comic shops and specialty stores. Those two sets include:

Toys “R” Us set:
– Foot Soldier Zombie, Scientist Zombie, Chomper, Sunflower, and two Pea Shooters

Comic shop/specialty stores set:
– Engineer Zombie, All-Star Zombie, Cactus, Sunflower, and two Pea Shooters.

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Books & Graphic Novels Toys & Collectibles

The Highly Articulate(d) Crusader: Mezco’s One:12 Collective Batman

Peter Keehn's Emulation of Frank Miller Art Highlights the Highly Poseable Nature of Mezco's One:12 Collective Figures
Peter Keehn’s Emulation of Frank Miller Art Highlights the Highly Poseable Nature of Mezco’s One:12 Collective Figures

Going Batz…
It could not be more appropriate during a week that began with a night of dodging real bats in Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, during an Atlas Obscura Society H.P. Lovecraft event, to wake up to the news (thanks to Ken Pierce) that it’s Batman Day. Yes – the Arkham connection is not lost on me.

Mr. Mezco Risin’…
Not to let the occasion of the 75th year since the publication of Detective Comics #27 go by unheralded, I’m happy to share with you Mezco Toyz just announced Batman: The Dark Knight Returns action figure. This is the vanguard reveal for Mezco’s newest collector toy line called the One:12 Collective that will offer fans 6” clothed and highly articulated representations of some of their favorite characters. In addition to Batman, the company has plans for other DC Universe heroes, Universal Monsters, and specifically Judge Dredd. They’ve also hinted at a few surprises as the series evolves, with several models planned to hit the shelves during the year, starting in fall of 2014.

Black and Blue Cowled Variants and lots of cool weapons and tools for Mezco's Dark Knight (Photos: Peter Keehn/Courtesy of Mezco Toyz)
Black and Blue Cowled Variants and lots of cool weapons and tools for Mezco’s Dark Knight (Photos: Peter Keehn/Courtesy of Mezco Toyz)

This digitally sculpted, highly detailed, figure has the great brawny look of Frank Miller’s Dark Knight, and an array of weapons to fight crime throughout Gotham. Surprising for it’s 6” scale the product features 32 points of articulation and offers “40,000 possible poses” according to Mezco. This and the precisely tailored garb are at the heart of the One:12 Collective initiative. Company president “Mez” Markowitz explains, “I think we are offering a fantastic product that both satisfies the customers desire for articulation as well as the ability to hide it all in a extremely realistic way. Another great aspect to the line is that we are striving to present high quality product that is in line with 1/6th scale (12” figure) collectables while taking up far less display space and at a much more reasonable price point.”

Photo: Peter Keehn/Courtesy of Mezco Toyz)
Photo: Peter Keehn/Courtesy of Mezco Toyz)

Skeletonpete Says…
If you’re attending San Diego Comic Con this week seek out Mezco’s booth (#3445) for a first hand look at the One:12 Collective DKR and all of their other awesome products and exclusives. Otherwise enjoy photographer Peter Keehn’s evocative images courtesy of Mezco Toyz.