Friday, January 23, 2009

HOT TOYS: JOKER - BANK ROBBER VERSION!



Last year the Dark Knight hit the theaters and I have to say I was floored! Dark and sinister, explosive and deeper than I imagined.


The shining star of course was Batman’s arch nemesis, the Joker. From the first few moments you knew this was not a kiddie superhero movie. This was gritty storytelling and actoring that was extremely satisfying.


CLICK IMAGE TO PLAY VIDEO!



Heath Ledger, in his final role before his tragic death was a marvel. Breathing so much life into his character, one could only stare at his image in wonderment.
During the opening sequence a group of masked villains rob a mob bank, each robber summarily shooting one another when their part of the job has been accomplished, leaving only the Joker to take all the spoils away in a stolen school bus.

Hot Toys had released a version of the Joker earlier in 2008, dressed in his purple outfit, but I was lucky enough to get the Bank Robber Joker. This figure did not disappoint!

Packaging:

The outer sleeve is adorned with clown white with a large image of the Joker bank robber mask and dollar bills with Washington’s eyes darkened and a large red Joker smile. The back shows a picture of MMS 079, the Joker Bank Robber version, and several pictures of product. The inner box is green and black and has a picture of a Joker with a line that reads: This Town Deserves a Better Class of Criminal! The back lists the names of the Hot Toys team, all of whom should take a bow. The flap opens to reveal a full color picture of the Joker figure with a small summary on the bottom of the flap. The window shows the product and all accessories.

Figure:



The Joker is dressed in his un-pressed gray suit, black belt and what appear like bowling shoes. He has a tailored print shirt and two sets of gloved hands. There are two heads supplied: one long hair and the other a slicked back- look for use with the clown mask.





The sculpts on the face are eerie. The eyes seem to gaze up and the glossiness of the finish gives the impression of moist human eyes, not just paint. The patchiness of the clown white is a nice touch as is the red lip paint, not too thick, but looking like Ledger’s hasty makeup job. The rubber mask is a dead-ringer for the one worn in the movie and comes with an elastic band for ease of application and removal.
The figure body has a full range of motion and is remarkably well balanced. Standing, kneeling, sitting, there is no problem posing the Joker. The gloved hands clasp the weapons, money and cards with equal ease and are extremely well detailed. Using the alternate hands can be useful in gripping the grenades as well.

Accessories:

The bank robbery required the Joker disguised in his rubber mask to pull grenades out of his blue case which is supplied with the figure. By removing the packing material and replacing with the die cut rubber foam insert inside you can arrange the grenades inside the case.



Velcro and zippers all work and the end flaps also come with working zippers.
Three smoke bombs and four grenades are part of the Joker’s arsenal.





There are two guns, a folding stock assault rifle and an nickel plated automatic with extra large magazine.



One of the coolest things is that both guns have spring-loaded actions and removable magazines with a painted bullet at the top.



Just another detail that sets this figure ahead of the crowd.
Taped onto the back of the plastic backer unit was the wad of dollar bills, printed on a single side and a deck of Joker cards.



Each card has a different joker picture printed on it. Another nice detail. (Note: there are pockets in the breast of the Joker’s jacket that can be used to hide or hold the bills and cards.)



Overall impressions:

I have to say that this has to be one of the best figures that I’ve reviewed from Hot Toys. I love the character, and the level of detail is once again second to none! The sculpt of the face was impeccable, and the accessories were movie accurate (save for the assault rifle.) If you are a Bat-fan like myself, you have to add this figure to your collection.
If you look long enough into that mad gaze you might just hear the Joker say:
“Why so serious?”



ADDITIONALLY:
This figure has be chosen as the Best 12" Male Action Figure for 2008 by the Editor and Columnists of Action Figure Times.




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Friday, January 16, 2009

TOY2R NEWS: FROZEN BART SIMPSON FOR THE NEW YEAR!

2.5 inch Qee Frozen Bart Simpson




Exclusive!

2.5 inch Qee Frozen Bart Simpson

the exclusive Holiday Edition of BART SIMPSON made just for FOX! it will be
one of those impossible figures to find and collect - but for those hard core fans - you
just might have the right contacts.

This is the first Bart to appear "frozen" but chances are - there may
be other editions waiting in the wings. So while you're starting off the year looking forward
to the new QEES coming from TOY2R - note some of the specials that are out there as well - time
to make some friends!!

Happy New Year !


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HAPPY 2009

Happy New Year! I hope 2009 is a great year fro all of you. I have a few things that I should have shown you before the end of last year but couldn't due to a very hectic schedule. I will have quite a few updates in the next 4 weeks of upcoming Toy2R product that you can and can't buy! Let's take a look at what is in the account for today.

First up are 2 Christmas 8 inch Qees. All decked out for the holidays!









Toy2R has another Dr. Bomb by Frank Kozik. This time it is flocked in black!







There were also 2 blind boxed set of toys. Mini Bombs and Potamus's.












Last but not least is a secret colorway that has just been revealed. It is the might Meaty Smash. Born in a universe far away, Meaty Smash comes to this planet to hunt down and crush crappy vinyl with his mighty fists! Meaty Smash, with his all one seeing eye, seeks out this sub par product and destroys it. His wavy blonde hair, armor, momo eye and all around coolness (LOL) are his weapons. If you make crappy vinyl he will seek you out.












I want to thank my friends Ben & Stephanie at: Tenacioustoys.com for thre Smash to customize. I also would like to suggest you check out thier site for ordering Toy2R and many other products! Tenacious Toys have great prices, quick shipping and fantastic customer service!

That's it for this withdrawl from the vault. Drop me a line...I have prizes.

Happy 2009!

TG



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TOY2R NEWS: OLD MASTER Q!

Toy2R @ Master Q 45th Anniversary Exhibition




To cerebration of Master Q 45th Anniversary, OMQ Zmedia Ltd. with MTR brings Master Q 45th Anniversary Charity Exhibition in Maritime Square. Toy2R was honored to participate in the event, and invited to design a custom 170cm tall Master Q.

Master Q 45th Anniversary Exhibition Opening Ceremony
Date: 3:00p.m. 11 Jan 2009
Venue: 1/F, Fantasy Island, Maritime Square, 33 Tsing King Road,
______Tsing Yi, N.T., Hong Kong

Master Q 45th Anniversary Exhibition
Date: 11 Jan - 8 Feb 2009

About Old Master Q
The first Old Master Q (OMQ) comic book was published in 1962 in Hong Kong and was immediately a huge hit. With its light-hearted graphic commentary on life, the comic books' popularity quickly spread to Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Singapore, many other parts of Asia and even the U.S. and Europe, bringing laughers to several generations of young readers growing up. Over 45 years and 20,000 comic strips later, OMQ comics remain the leading comics in Greater China. Being active in a dozen countries, OMQ has sold close to 100 million copies worldwide.

OMQ Comic
http://www.omqcomics.com

Maritime Square
http://www.maritimesquare.com/


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TOY2R NEWS: LESS FRUITCAKE BUY MORE ART OPENING!



TOY2R proudly announces the second POP UP STORE – this time in Philly
in conjunction with the group exhibit: GIVE LESS FRUITCAKE, BUY MORE
ART!, opening at T&P Fine Art on December 5th at 7:00pm. The exhibit
will include artwork by:

Andy B. Clarkson, Angry Woebots, Benjamin Soto, Bob Dob, Brandon Friend,
Brian M. Viveros, Chris Clark, Crazy Jake, Damion Silver, Dan May,
Daniel Elson, Dave Pressler, Deborah Brackenbury, Ephameron, Food One,
GALO, Isaac Pierro, Joe Grady, Joka, Kate Westerholt, Kevin Knight, Mad
One, Matthew Ryan Sharp, Mark Bodnar, Misha, Morning Breath, Nathan
Stapley, Parker Jacobs, Peter Chan, Rob Schwager, Sarah Folkman, Scott
Musgrove, Steven Cerio, and Urban Medium

While the exhibit carries on – T & P will also feature TOY2R products
by FRANK KOZIK and others. Figures will be on sale and display from
December 5th through the 28th! Time to ring in the holidays with great
art and some cool figures.

T & P FINE ART can be found at 1143 South 9th St. Philadelphia, PA
17147. Hours of operation: WED through SUN 3-9PM.

The show/store is going well, had about 300 people at the opening


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TOYQUBE NEWS: HAMMERHEAD SHARKY COMING TO NYCC!

Hammerhead Sharky by Keith Poon. First release will be at New York Comic-Con, more information to come. Stay Tuned!




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JOHNNY ACE STUDIOS NEWS: MADE BY MONSTERS AND JOHNNY ACE STUDIOS ULTRA LIMITED BLACKOUT FRANKENFINK!



To celebrate GWI gallery store grand opening and the successful sold out release of the original version FrankenFink, Made by Monsters & Johnny Ace Studio will be releasing an ultra limited blackout version. Only 50 pcs were made worldwide! These sick looking bad boys will be on sale at the last day of 2008. Catch one up if you can!! For further ordering info, please go to: info@garageworksindustries.com"

$225.00 USD

Keep up to date Garageworksindustries.blogspot.com




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CRAZY LABEL, SKULLSKIN, MONKS AND COARSE

Good afternoon and welcome back to the Shack. I'm a bit under the weather so you'll have to excuse the look of the place. Come on in and pull up a chair. This time around I have some really cool vinyl to show you.

First up is Treesome from Crazy Label. He's whimsical and cute.









Crazy Label also put out this strange but cool Monster Burp











You can go here: Crazylabel.com to find out more about this gret company.


Next up is Skullskin from Extended Play. I really like the angular look of these model type ladies. It gives it a different slant from the more round styles that are prevalent in the market place. I know you'll appreciate these.

































You can go here: ExtendedPlayz.com or Bonustoyz.com to find out more about these cool figures.


Crazy Label also produced these cool Shaolin Monks!
















You can go here: HouseOfLiu.com


Last up is PAW! by CoarseToys One of the cooler details about the packaging was that it was packed with letters that spelled COARSE! Cool detail. The packaging was nicely done as well.







You can go here:Coarsetoys.com to find out more about this figure.


That's it for this column. If you are going to be in the Pasadena area this Saturday & Sunday, make it a point to stop at the Vinyl Toy Network show at the Pasadena Convention Center on Green Street. October Toys is the producer of the show and there are always a lot of cool exclusives and product to gander at!

See you again soon,

TG






















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