Nerd (Un)Culture
Funko has announced their Action Figures: DC Heroes from the Classic Batman TV Series. These fully poseable action figures feature
nine points of articulation and are 3.75 inches tall. This series features classic Batman, Catwoman, Batgirl, King Tut, Mr. Freeze, and Bookworm. Also, look for a Mr. Freeze chase – a 1-in-6 rarity.
Diamond Select Toys has announced a number of new Vinimates and Minimates figures. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic Minimates 2-Packs Assortment captures the Turtles as they appeared in their hit 1990s animated series, with classic, instantly recognizable looks. Donatello takes on Shredder, Leonardo takes on Bebop, and Casey Jones and April O’Neil each take on a Foot Soldier. Each 2-inch Minimates mini-figure features 14 points of articulation and fully interchangeable parts and accessories. Each 2-pack comes packaged on a full-color blister card and sells for $9.99.
The Elf Movie Vinimates Vinyl Figures are based on the classic comedy film Elf. These 4-inch tall vinyl figures of Buddy and Jovie feature articulated necks for further posing options. Each comes packaged in a full-color window box and is available for $9.99.
The Alien: Covenant Movie Vinimates Xenomorph Vinyl Figure
Tonner Doll Company has announced several new projects that are currently in the works. Among those, there’s the Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman doll. That doll should be in production very soon and shipping from China in July or August of 2017. There’s Claire and Jamie from Outlander in development. There are also Jazz Jennings (I’m assuming the YouTube personality) and the the classic actress Mary Astor which should hit later this summer. And there will be some surprises in early Fall from Fantastic Beasts, The Wizard of Oz, and Gone with the Wind that should be revealed in summer 2017.
“The path to paradise begins in hell.” The newest iteration of Alien films – Alien: Covenant – will hit theaters on May 19th 2017. And Hot Toys is teasing the above image of their upcoming highly detailed Alien Xenomorph 1/6 scale collectible figure from the new film.
The April 2017 Loot Crate is all about the theme “Investigate”. We get our first glimpse of this with the themed investigative briefcase box. It features illustrations of everything you’ll need to start your very own forensic investigation. Also, the included LootCrate magazine looks like it includes the silhouettes of Dana Scully from X-Files and Jim Hopper from Strange Things. They might just be, since, inside, you get items from both licenses.
The t-shirt of the month in the May Loot Crate is a Stranger Things black tee featuring a homage to the cover of Uncanny X-Men #134. It features Eleven with the Demogorgon flaring up in the background and other characters in black and red on the sides.
Made by A Crowded Coop, the X-Files Pencils features four (maybe No. 2) pencils with various sayings from the show. There’s “That’s Why They Put The ‘I’ In FBI”, “I Want To Believe”, “The Truth Is Out There”, and “Trust No One”.
This month’s Loot Crate pin is basically a mini cassette recorder. I’m guessing most people under the age of 30(?) have no idea what one of these things are, but investigators used to take voice notes on these before iPhones were invented. Just ask Dale Cooper (Twin Peaks) who always spoke to Diane into one.
From The Dark Knight, who is a detective in his own right, the crate includes an Exclusive Batman Color-Changing Mug from Zak! Designs. Featuring the Gotham skyline, put a little hot beverage in this mug and witness the Joker’s gas and the Bat-Signal overtake the once peaceful cityscape.
Finally, there’s the collectible figure (some might say toy) that’s included in the Investigate LootCrate. It’s the Exclusive Marvel’s Jessica Jones Q-Fig from QMx. The head of Alias Investigations is kicking down walls in the Q-Fig as she’s all dressed up in her trademark scarf, leather jacket, and boots.
The Loot Crate subscription runs $15.99 for a single month; $13.25/mo for 3 months; $12.95/mo for 6 months; $11.95/mo for 12 months. Each Crate features over $45.00 retail value of collectible goods and gear.
Fools Paradise is currently taking pre-orders for their latest Batman inspired at piece. The Last Hire features Bane with a melting ice cream cone. He’s staring at a Camouflage Batmobile Tumbler coin-operated ride with a Harvey Dent coin box. Limited to a run of 398 pieces, the vinyl/ABS/resin.fabric figure is available for pre-order until May 25th 2017. It will begin shipping around Q3 of 2017. You can currently pre-order The Last Hire for $295.00 plus $30.00 for global shipping.
A collaboration between Kidrobot and Clutter Studios, the OctoDunny will be released today (Friday May 12th 2017) at PIQ Grand Central and PIQgifts.com. This 5-inch tall resin Dunny is triple cast, featuring a solid green interior covered in a glow-in-the-dark interior skin and a blue tinted exterior cast. The glowing interior octopus design was sculpted by Josh Kimber.
Funko has announced another cuddly plush series – the Galactic Plushies: Star Wars Classic Series 2. These 7-inch to 8-inch tall plushies include Star Wars favorites such as Wicket, R2-D2, Yoda, Luke Skywalker and a classic Stromtrooper.
Super7 has announced that Mega Man – everyone’s favorite video game – comes to life in the classic M.U.S.C.L.E. 1.75-inch form. The 12 figure Wave 1 series comes in four 3-packs ($6.00 each) or as a set ($24.00).
Pack A – Mega Man, Ice Man, Sniper Joe
Pack B – Mega Man Firing, Fire Man, Metall
Pack C – Doctor Wily, Cut Man, Guts Man
Pack D – Doctor Light, Bomb Man, Elec Man
Justin Alan Volpe, creator of POPprolific, will release The Prior of Chaos resin figures at PIQ Grand Central Terminal on Friday May 12th 2017. These 5.5-inch tall clear resin blue-glow figures are the result of a decade of sculpting, collecting, and casting. Using an over-sculpting technique Justin creates figures with recognizable elements that merge into new characters. The glow-in-the-dark Prior of Chaos figures have removable custom robes in three pieces with Swarovski crystals. They’ll be available only at PIQ Grand Central and PIQgifts.com.
The OYOsports team has announced a new series of collectible mini-figures based on IndyCar IRL drivers. Each figure includes an authentic team fire suit with team and sponsor branding as well as a water bottle. There are currently 15 different drivers available. You can pick them up for $9.99 each.
It was a little while ago that we showed off Kosrobot’s prototype photos for his Daft Punk Thomas Bangalter figure. Well, now it’s completed and available for purchase. Inspired by an old photo, this figure stands 6 inches tall, has an articulated neck, is hand casted, and comes carefully painted in limited numbers. it’s currently available at store.kosrobot.com for $50.00.
Guy Manuel De Homem Christo is on his way to pair with Thomas later this year.
Conspiracy theorists claim to have spotted an “alien soldier” on images returned from the Mars Curiosity Rover. Artist Andy Kurovets studied the infamous photograph, looking at figure lines, proportions, details and design 3d model. And based on that analysis, developed the sculpture based on the image called Martian Predator. Now, he’s looking for funding on Kickstarter in order to produce the figure in resin.
Fresh Monkey Fiction is proud to announce another Kickstarter campaign for their retro-inspired action figure line Amazing Heroes. The Amazing Heroes Wave 2 collection features a selection of creator owned characters: Mike Baron and Steve Rude’s Nexus, Mike Grell’s Jon Sable, a cosmic version of Michael Allred’s Madman, Dean Haspiel’s The Red Hook, Vito Delsante and Sean Izaakse’s Stray, Joe Staton and Nicola Cuti’s E-Man, Ray-Anthony Height’s Midnight Tiger, and Mark Verheiden’s The American. This will be the first time many of them will be available as action figures. Each retro-inspired Amazing Heroes figure stands 4.5″ tall and includes collector friendly interchangeable backer cards.
Artist Paula Cristina Rodriguez is currently working on a Kickstarter project to help launch her Quirky Cowfish plush keychain. Created by Squishables, the Quirky Cowfish plush keychain is based on a real fish found in both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. This lovable plush is 4 inches long. You can currently grab one at the $10.00 funding level.
