Nerd (Un)Culture
One of my favorite book series – Stephen King’s The Dark Tower – is finally coming to movie theaters. Starring Idris Elba as Roland (The Gunslinger) and Matthew McConaughey as The Man In Black, we’ve seen some of our first film specific collectibles from Funko. The Pop! Movies: The Dark Tower series includes both The Gunslinger and The Man In Black. Also, there’s a posed Gunslinger that’s available exclusively at Barnes & Noble.
Mezco has announced that Doctor Strange joins the One:12 Collective with a comprehensively detailed outfit and unique character specific accessories. The figure is currently available to pre-order for $80.00 and is expected to begin shipping between November 2017 and January 2018.
So Bungie and Activision’s sequel to Destiny – surprisingly enough named Destiny 2 – will be released on September 8th 2017. To celebrate (or bide your time) Funko has announced the Pop! Games: Destiny series of vinyl figures. You can now add your favorite Guardians Cayde-6, Ikora, and Zavala to your Pop! vinyl collection. Or that bad guy Oryx. Look for Xur and Atheon only at GameStop. And Crota (with a glow chase piece) can only be found at Target.
Adult Swim and Kidrobot present the brand-spanking-new Rick and Morty Medium Figure. Featuring everyone’s favorite familial inter-dimensional travelers Rick and Morty, as well as a portal and bureaucratic bug, this pieces measures in at 7 inches tall (or, apparently, medium size). You can grab one for $49.99 (it’s almost worth looking at on Kidrobot’s site just for the product comments section – why all the hate?)
Disney’s latest iteration (the 5th) from their Pirates of the Caribbean franchise – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – will hit US theaters on May 26th 2017. And you know what that means…licensed toys! Hot Toys has announced an all-new Captain Jack Sparrow 1/6th scale collectible figure from their DX Series.
The head sculpt (with the likeness of Johnny Depp
Diamond Select Toys has announced Vinimates based on a couple of iconic 1980’s film properties. The first – the Back to the Future 2 Movie Vinimates Vinyl Figures – features Marty McFly and Doc Brown as they were dressed in 2015. These 4-inch tall vinyl figures are sculpted in a block-figure style, striking poses straight from the movie poster, and feature articulated necks for further customization. You’ll be able to pick up each figure for $9.99.
And there’s also the Ghostbusters Movie Vinimates Vinyl Figures Series 3 featuring three new 4-inch vinyl figures from the classic 1984 movie. There are blocky renditions of Mr. Stay-Puft, Slimer, and Gozer – sculpted in poses straight from the movie,.Mr. Stay-Puft and Gozer each feature articulated necks for further customization. (Slimer doesn’t have a neck). Each figure can be picked up for $9.99.
Funko has announced a new series of Pint Size Heroes: Science Fiction figures featuring characters from some of your favorite science fiction movies and television. The series includes the Martian from Mars Attacks, Neo from The Matrix, Leeloo from The Fifth Element, Predator, and many more. You’ll be able to pick up characters like the Facehugger, a Clear Predator, and Captain Kirk only at GameStop. Or a Mangalore, Bender, and Trinity, which are exclusive characters to Hot Topic.
Phyn & Aero is a new collaboration between Robert Tonner and Andrew Yang. The first character introduced – Annora Monet (designed by Tonner) – is available to pre-order. The Kadira figure (designed by Yang) will arrive later this year. as well as some other yet un-named characters. All have been created using some new techniques, both in the product development process and in production.
The above pictured resin ball-jointed figure (Annora Monet #1) is available to pre-order for $350.00 (LE of 100 pieces). The Deluxe Basic figure (left below) runs $550.00 and is a limited edition of 75 pieces. And the Strength Of Character ball jointed figure (below right) is a limited edition of 100 pieces is available to pre-order for $475.00.
Bob Conge (Plaseebo) will be represented at the 5 Points Festival by the Guumon Booth # 328. The show will take place in New York City on May 20th and 21st 2017. Bob will be sending along the Skinned Cyclops – X, the Bed Troll-X, and the Gnaw Dog.
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.
