Horror Toy Tuesday: Bank Robber Joker version 2.0

That's right, this week for Horror Toy Tuesday, it's not an actual horror product I'm talking about. Although some say that the Joker performed to perfection by the late Heath Ledger is in fact a horror character. Premium action figure company Hot Toys is at it again with yet another Joker! If you ask me, it's a bit ridiculous that another figure of The Joker is being made, especially since it's just a revamp of a previously released figure, same as the very last Joker they did. Fans who collect their line of action figures such as myself, have waited throughout the years for a Ra's Al Ghul from Batman Begins, and a Lucius Fox from any of the three films in the trilogy. I wouldn't mind a John Blake (Robin) action figure either, to be frank.

TUESDAY TOY REVIEW: Hot Toys' THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Catwoman/Selena Kyle

The Dark Knight trilogy is the greatest comic book based films of all-time, no question. They're the films that broke the mold into what comic book films could be. These three films changed the face of how we'll forever see comic book movies. I've actually got quite an obssession going for these flicks, and regardless of what anyone says, myself and many others agree that they aren't just the best comic films, but they're some of the greatest films ever made, period.

Luckily, Hot Toys was on their game and released figures from all three pictures. And, they're not done! This October, one of their greatest creations ever, in their 14 years of existence is going to be released: Batman's armory with Bruce Wayne and Alfred action figures included. Though the price is steep at $624.99 a piece, there's no denying that it's worth every damn penny!And needless to say, I've got mine ordered. For more info about the armory, click here.

Hot Toys has this mentality to disappoint the really eager and up-tight fans of collecting whenever they release a pre-order item. However, all of the moaning and groaning by annoying collectors is almost always put at ease once the figure is released. Both because A) Hot Toys listens to their fans and B) collectors are to quick to discredit Hot Toys. I guess the more popular you are, the more haters you'll have...

Take their Catwoman/Selena Kyle figure from the third film in the franchise, "The Dark Knight Rises" for example. Everyone complained about all sorts of ridiculous things, but in the end, it ended up being an amazing figure and stunned collectors across the globe. Now I hardly come across a bad word about it!

While a basic figure with not a lot of accessories, the look of the overall figure's quality is stunning and looks completely realistic. The suit, the likeness of Anne Hathaway, and the paintjob all knock the ball out of the park! She's so sleek looking, and it really works for the overall realness and look.

Her eye mask is totally functional, you can make the goggle lenses flipped up on her head, or flip them down and have her using them, just like in the film. Crazy.

Then, take into account that she has 28 points of articulation, seven sets of different hands, and a pistol, and a really nice base, and it's easy to see why this collectible is on par with the quality we've come to expect from Hot Toys. I bought the limited exclusive edition, so mine came with an empty Batman cowl.

Although the suit makes it hard to pose her in a lot of ways due to it's tightness and material, there's still a ton of great poses you can get out of this one. Honestly, when I recieved mine last summer, I just posed her in a basic position and was totally happy with her. But I'm glad that I'm doing these reviews because I get to take a chance and play around posing them for pictures, and in doing so with her, I found a really good final pose. Articulation is a very important quality, because the better the pose, the better the figure looks. The trick is not only in finding the right pose that suits you, but finding one that explains the character just by looking at it with one look.

For example: for Catwoman, the idea is to go with a fiesty/sexy pose that also allows her to look dangerous. I found that posing her with her gun helps add the danger element, so all you really gotta do is come up with a creative pose.

This is only the second female action figure I have (the first being Pamela Voorhees), and despite any worries I had of this coming out looking like a Barbie, it really doesn't. And I think that's what impresses me most. Despite having real hair and a thin female frame, you can stand her side by side with other figures and she looks natural, totally un-doll like.

Ultimately, those who have this figure intend to keep it. And those who missed out on it, tend to regret not buying it and remain hopeful of finding one in the future at a reasonable price. Needless to say, most of The Dark Knight trilogy figures sell out almost instantly.

I'm very satisfied with the end result, and plan on never off-loading it to anyone else. When I buy collectibles I intend to keep it for the duration of my life. And this will be one people will always notice and mention when they see my stuff. I guarantee it.

4 out of 5 stars

Next Tuesday's toy review

TUESDAY TOY REVIEW: Hot Toys' "The Crow" Eric Draven 1/6 scale figure

Now, although I do despise the crowd it's become appealing to thanks to stores like Hot Topic, "The Crow" has always been one of my favorite films. I'd say it's in my top four of all-time. I saw the film back in 1994 when it came out, and although I was rather young at my age to be seeing such a dark and graphic film, I fell in love.

Something that most people know about me is that I'm a big collector of movie stuff and high-end action figures. If you're gonna spend, might as well spend big, right? Well, after about 12 years of collecting, and finally a worthy figure from "The Crow" has been unleashed by none other than the mad people over at Hot Toys. So of course, naturally, I purchased it. If you knew me, you'd know how much I have to have this figure. This marks my 12th Hot Toys figure too!

Now, I heard some complaints around the web about things that some people don't like about this figure, some of which I can understand, some of which I don't, and disagree. You gotta understand that there's just some collectors out there who you cannot please. They think that because they're spending $200 on an action figure that it's going to be a clone of the person the figure is of. That is not the case. I expect high-end collectibles that are easy on the eye and worth the money, nothing more. And that is what I've got.

This guy stands 12" tall and has over 30 points of articulation. So he's capable of just about any realistic pose you could want to put him in, which is always awesome. He also has three different sets of hands, a guitar, stand, and a crow that can either sit on him or be made to look like it's flying. And if you get the exclusive edition, like me, you get a weather vane as an accessory for if you wanted to pose him like he was towards the end of the film.

Fresh out of the box I was impressed! The outfit is spot on, and the Brandon Lee likeness is damn good. While I'll admit, and agree with others, it doesn't look as much like him as it could, we've seen better from Hot Toys. But still an impressive sculpt and paint job. And regardless, it's the nicest Eric Draven figure in the world.

I also like the crow itself. It's very rich in detail. There's very subtle things that make me enjoy this collectible, such as Shelly's ring on the necklace around his neck, and how it's actually sculpted. Up until now, all the toy companies were to lazy to actually sculpt her ring like Hot Toys did. Everyone else just puts a gold ring on a necklace, no attention to detail. And it's reasons like that as to why I collect Hot Toys.

Complaints would have to be that I'd like to have seen a more weathered look to his makeup, instead of it looking so fresh. But, I'm hoping that Hot Toys is saving that for a second figure release in the near future. Although the makeup looks fresh, the paint job is impeccable! A friend of mine who saw my figure was afraid to touch it for fear that he'd "rub the makeup off". So yeah, it actually looks like makeup, and it's applied well. I just think a more weathered look would have been great for more detail.

I also think that they could have gone bigger with his stand/base. Most figures nowadays get big diorama looking bases, and this one got the standard nameplate stand. Which again leaves me to believe that Hot Toys was just testing the water with this one to see how big the market is for a figure from "The Crow". It's funny, because I remember signing a petition for Hot Toys to make an Eric Draven figure years ago with a group of other collectors. And now here it is, in my hands. It's a cool feeling for the geek in me.

Anyway, if and when another figure is made, I'll be sure to grab it, just like I did this one. Hopefully they'll go a bit bigger next time. But until/if that happens, I'm just fine with this one.

For those of you interested in purchasing one of these, just click here.

4 out of 5 stars

Next Tuesday's toy review

Iron Man 3 Tony Stark by Hot Toys

Hot Toys proves again why they are the best high-end action figure company on the planet with their latest release. Every single figure Hot Toys does is a step up from the last and this Tony Stark is amazing! We all knew that with the success of their previous Iron Man stuff that there would be Iron Man 3 products. The likeness of Robert Downey Jr. is perfect and creepily realistic in this new collectible.

This bad boy comes with some exceptionally awesome accessories and an incredible base. I won't be purchasing this figure, not that I don't want it because I would love to have it. This hobby is simply too expensive to keep up with everything and if you don't have an unlimited budget you have to pick and chose what you collect and you don't. For me, it's easy, The Dark Knight Trilogy and horror, that's it. But if I had enough disposable income I would buy this in a heartbeat. Even if I can't buy it I can still admire it!

Hot Toys have done every Iron Man suit to date and this is their 2nd Tony Stark figure, and probably the best figure from their series of action figures.

You can order him here: https://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=4489&sku=902013&ref=home_new#HotToysItem

HOT TOYS RELEASES THEIR FINAL PRODUCT IMAGES OF THE JOKER

 Hot Toys has finally released the final product photos of their Joker masterpiece. Based after the late Heath Ledger's genius performance in 2008's blockbuster The Dark Knight, this figure is as realistic as they come. This is the one piece to own if you are a hardcore collector like myself, this figure is a must-own for any fan of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy. 

The figure features two realistic and beautifully sculpted likenesses of Heath Ledger's Joker and a crapload of accessories, such as the interrogation table that can also be used as the pencil trick table and multiple well crafted weapons and extra hands. The non-laughing headsculpt has a parallel eye rolling system (PERS) and this allows you to make his eyes look in any direction you desire. This figure goes for around $275.00 and I've had mine on order for months. He's due for release next month and can be found to order here:

http://www.sideshowtoy.com/?page_id=4489&sku=9018901#HotToysItem

"THIS CITY DESERVES A BETTER CLASS OF CRIMINAL, AND I'M GONNA GIVE IT TO 'EM."

HOT TOYS RELEASES THEIR FINAL PRODUCT IMAGES OF BANE

THIS, LIKE ALL OTHER OF HOT TOYS' PRODUCTS ARE NOTHING SHORT OF MASTERPIECES. I RECENTLY GOT THE BATMAN FIGURE AND IT'S AMAZING. NOW COMES THEIR EPIC BANE FIGURE DUE OUT IN MARCH. I'VE HAD MINE ON ORDER FOR MONTHS.

HOT TOYS IS A QUALITY ACTION FIGURE COMPANY BASED IN HONG KONG WHO SPECIALIZE IN HIGH-END QUALITY FIGURES. THIS BAD BOY IS GOING FOR $200.00

"I'M GOTHAM'S RECKONING. HERE TO END THE BORROWED TIME YOU'VE ALL BEEN LIVING ON."