Sideshow Collectibles Marvel collectible on the way!

From Sideshow Collectibles:

"The Devourer of Worlds is coming soon!"

Hot Toys - Interview with Kato on The Joker 2.0's Costume

From Hot Toys:

Referring to The Joker 2.0's costume, we know that some fans may want to know more about the details and how much difference he is going to have when compared with the original one. Here we are proud to have invited our costume artist Kato to talk about his insight and details of the costume. This shows that Hot Toys not only focuses on the likeness of the head sculpt, but also on the accessories, costume and every single detail that applies to the figure, so let's see how Kato talks about the details of the costume below.

1. Let's start with the origin. Being a 1/6th scale figure costume designer is not common, what made you get interested in it?

Honestly, I don't think that I would become an 1/6th scale costume artist before. However, because of an occasional opportunity, I got my first 12" figure of Medicom Masked Rider. I was very impressed by its actual likeness, so I started to purchase 12" collectible figures. However, I could not find any toy stores which offer satisfactory 1/6th scale figure costume at that time, so I started to custom-make some costumes for the 1/6th scale figures, with knowledge learnt from the Fashion & Clothing Technology in the Hong Kong Polytechnic Institute.

2. What is the most difficult step for the development of The Joker 2.0 costume? And why?

Throughout the process of the development of The Joker 2.0’s costume, I think researching and sourcing are the most difficult parts. For the research, it is hard to find some high resolution and accurate references from the movie company as The Joker’s costume in the movie was specially tailored. Also, there is less detailed information of the interior parts of the movie costume, so I need some imaginations for designing. For sourcing, I tried my best to source many different kinds of fabric materials which are as movie-accurate as possible, no matter the details, color, thickness and pattern, but some fabric cannot be found in the existing markets, such as The Joker’s printed dress shirt which is very detailed with patterns, so I needed to redesign the artwork with the help of my friend who is the specialist in graphic design and have them printed by factory.

3. As we know that you have put much efforts on the craftsmanship on pleated details in order to keep the aesthetics of The Joker as a whole, would you please tell us more about that?

Yes. We have put much efforts on the pleated details by applying the delicate pleated craftsmanship, so the costume can present The Joker’s aesthetics with our advanced tailored skill, but sorry that I cannot talk much about the details here.

4. How do you make it different from DX01?

Comparing with the DX01 figure, the most difference will be the silhouette of the suit. We have applied the softer and finer material to tailor The Joker’s outfit, so it won't be bulky after putting on all the clothes on the body as if it looks like the real costume. Also many people are not aware of some details such as The Joker’s tie. Unlike other products which are mostly using the fake one, in The Joker 2.0, it is a real tie using "Four in One Knot" to knot it, which is based on the same styling in the movie to make it as accurate as possible.

5. Any highlights of this costume that you would like to let our fans know more?

I guess it would be the best costume which fits his advanced body, with well tailored movie-accurate cutting and materials. We will make this costume like making real clothing for humans. Focusing on details such as the peaked lapel of the overcoat, the making of real shirt cuff opening, sleeve head tailoring and tiny edge stitching along the vest and shirt is very important.

6. How do you ensure the quality control of stocks to meet with customers’ high expectations?

I provide the technical support to the factory to maintain the high quality. Also, I have prepared a lot of production reference to workers so that they can follow the guidelines steps by steps.

7. Do you have any other projects that would like to collaborate with Hot Toys in the future?

I love to make 1/6th scale suit so much, so for every character that has a suit, I would like to make it such as those in Iron Man 2 - Tony Stark wearing Tuxedo, Black Widow in secretary look and Christopher Reeves Superman - Clark Kent in reporter look.

Sideshow Collectibles Catwoman is on the way!

From Sideshow Collectibles:

"Sideshow + Adam Hughes + DC Comics = MeeeeoooOW"

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to those of our Daddy bloggers/readers from Willy's Toys!

Hot Toys releases Avengers Iron Man Mark VII teaser!

The armored Avenger – Mark VII is landing soon! Stay tuned!

Sideshow Gives Us SDCC/DC Teaser!

From Sideshow Collectibles:

Join Us

on our journey to San Diego Comic-Con 2012!

•Huge DC Comics announcements!

•Dozens of Sneak Peeks!

•Win a Trip to Comic-Con 2013!

For more info click here.

New Shirts Available Soon!

A few years ago we offered some shirts for people to show their toy collecting pride. Soon we'll be offering some shirts again. This time we'll be re-releasing the One Six tee that was available 2 years ago, and a classic Willy shirt. We'll let you know when their ready for purchase.

Hot Toys - The Avengers - 1/6th Scale Black Widow

Hot Toys is proud to present the 1/6th scale Black Widow Limited Edition Collectible Figurine from the smash hit The Avengers. The movie-accurate Black Widow collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Scarlett Johansson in the movie, highlighting the newly sculpted head, hair implantation, prominent body shape, highly detailed costume and accessories.


The 1/6th scale Black Widow Limited Edition Collectible Figurine specially features:
- Authentic and detailed fully realized likeness of Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in the movie The Avengers
- Newly sculpted head with movie-accurate facial expression and make-up
- Real fabric hair implantation in brownish red short curly hair
- Newly developed TrueType body highlighting her prominent body shape
- Approximately 28 cm tall
- Over 28 points of articulations
- Eight (8) pieces of interchangeable gloved palms including:
- One (1) pair of palms for holding pistols
- One (1) pair of fists with real-like tazer effect
- One (1) pair of fists
- One (1) right palm for posing on waist
- One (1) right palm for throwing discs
- Each piece of head sculpt is specially hand-painted


Costume:
- One-piece tight black colored jumpsuit with belts and holsters on thighs
- One (1) pair of black colored platform boots with buckles


Weapons:
- Two (2) pistols
- Two (2) discs with pouches
- One (1) alien rifle blade


Accessories:
- One (1) pair of stinger bracelets with multiple-bullet design
- One (1) pair of stinger bracelets with multiple-bullet design with real-like tazer effect
- Figure base with Black Widow nameplate and the movie logo

First look at in-hand pictures of Hot Toys Red Skull

The American release of Hot Toys 1/6th scale Johann Schmidt/Red Skull is right around the corner, but many Asian toy photographers already have their hands on this spectacular piece. Seriously, this is one fine collectible. The likeness is amazingly accurate, the paint and detail are truly top-notch. I honestly think this is one of Hot Toys' finest figures to date as far as detail and accuracy go. Enjoy these superb pictures...

For more pictures click here.

Hot Toys Batman Returns License

Since we were on hiatus, we never got the chance to say how happy we are for this upcoming license.

Batman Returns is one of my favorite Batman films and I've noticed that there's been a lack of toys/figures for this movie. It was almost impossible to find any collectible figures for this film. After Hot Toys' release of the Batman '89 figures, I decided to be patient because I had a thought, "If they release figures for '89 Batman, they HAVE to do '92 Batman Returns as well!" Luckily, I was right. I am extremely excited to see what they're going to do with Penguin, and I have no doubt that they're going to do a fantastic job with the very uniquely shaped character. While I've seen a couple custom 1/6th scaled versions of '92 Catwoman, I'm excited to see Hot Toy's version of her and her suit. And since we've already seen how great of a job Hot Toys does with Micheal Keaton, I have absolutely no doubt that this will be an incredible set that every hardcore Batman fan will want in their collection.

Up-close look at Superman's suit in "Man of Steel"

Zack Snyder's upcoming Superman film "Man of Steel" wont be in theaters until June 2013, but fortunately we get an early up-close look at Supe's suit. The film's story and screen play is written by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer which worked on all thee of Nolan's Batman films. In my opinion, this suit is the best looking one I've ever seen and it's got me excited for this movie. I'm thinking it'll have a more gritty and real feel to it thanks to Nolan & Goyer. Enjoy these pics...

NECA - SDCC 2012 Exclusives

With the San Diego Comic-Con 2012 right around the corner, companies of all types are released pictures of their Exclusives for the event. Last week NECA showed just a couple of their exclusive figures, but more recently several more have been shown. Here's some pictures of their new releases which are Gears of War 3 Elite Theron, B&W Comic Book Freddy as seen in The Dream Child, and Assassin’s Creed Eagle Vision Ezio.