Kotobukiya Batman Arkham City Collectors Edition 14 cm (5.5") Statue is nicely detailed

The highlight of the Batman: Arkham City Collector’s Edition (released in 2011) was this custom Batman statue made by Kotobukiya, well known for their work on other movie, comic and video game figures. This Batman Arkham City Collectors Edition statue has a nice quality sculpt that has a great likeness to the in-game Batman model. The amount of detail on Batman's suit is amazing. All the divots, shadows and textures have been almost perfectly realized. As a statue the figure has no articulation and Batman remains set in his crouching, ready-to-pounce pose with a stern look on his face. But I LIKE it! Got it because it wasn't expensive :) cheap and good haha

This Kotobukiya Batman Arkham City Collectors Edition Statue is only 14 cm (5.5 inches) tall (including the round base of 10 cm / 4 inches diameter) but it packs a lot within a small area. I don't have a lot of statues on my collection, preferring to go for the 1/6th scale fully articulate figures with fabric outfits / authentic costumes but once in a long while, I'll pick up something I really cannot resist and this particular Batman statue caught my attention.

Picked it up at the flea market and got it because it wasn't priced the way statues are, mainly because this particular statue is not cast from stone but plastic. Anyway I liked it for its details. And Batman was the catalyst for my toy collecting journey. I started out collecting The Animated Batman Series action figures and then the collection just grew from there.

So I will always have a soft spot for Batman.

Related posts:
August 23, 2010 - "Batman: Black and White" Mignola inspired statue (pictures HERE). Awesome statue because they managed to make something that is three dimensional (3D) look two dimensional!
July 20, 2011 - T is also for Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns statue (posted HERE). The one that started it all and caused the revival and interest in Batman again!

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S is also for Star Wars and these are NOT your regular sized Star Wars Lego mini figures

From a post-apocalyptic future (see previous post) to a galaxy far far away...

Lego has ventured into making other products besides their little bricks. I've bought some Lego Star Wars boxed sets in the past but have since decided to focus on my 1/6 scale collection as I much prefer the articulation and ultra-detailed accessories, gear, uniforms and weapons. That said, I still have a thing for Star Wars and besides the 12-inch Star Wars figures, I do collect some of the Star Wars mini figures as well. Here's a picture I took recently of my Star Wars Lego figures standing alongside the Medicom Toys Kubrick Star Wars figures as well.

The Medicom Toys Kubrick Star Wars mini figures in the picture above are the two Imperial Stormtroopers on the right standing on either side of the Medicom Toys Kubrick Star Wars Darth Vader figure. I had posted pictures of the Kubrick Stormtroopers by Medicom Toys HERE as well as pictures of the Kubrick Darth Vader HERE and HERE

Besides the Lego mini figures (standing right in front), there are the Lego LED Key Light Star Wars figures and the much bigger Lego Star Wars Darth Vader Alarm Clock :) Scroll down to see more pictures

The Lego Star Wars Darth Vader Alarm Clock stands approximately 9.5 inches tall, has a alarm and snooze button activated by pressing down on his head and a light-up screen which has red illumination

One of the things missing from this Darth Vader figure is the cape / cloak. Darth Vader just doesn't look complete without it.

The back of the Lego Star Wars Darth Vader Alarm Clock is where all the buttons and battery compartment are. 2 x AAA batteries are required and they are provided when you purchase this clock.

This is my more recent purchase - the Lego Star Wars LED Key Light (batteries included). There was a sale where you could buy three for the price of two i.e. buy two and get the third free so I was tempted. Why not? since the price of each was reduced by one third.

All the Lego Star Wars LED Key Light figures comes with 2 x LED (light-emitting diode) which are activated when you press the button on the chest. It so happens that for the Darth Vader figure, the chest button is located where his control function panel / control chest-plate is. Unfortunately, the helmet is non-removable although you can see from the base of the helmet that it should because you can make out Anakin's scarred face under the helmet.

Still a nice figure overall :)

And here are the Lego Darth Vader figures standing together with the Medicom Toys Kubrick Darth Vader on the right.

Here's the Lego Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper LED Key Light figure. When I had to choose three figures to buy as a set, this is a no brainer ;p You can't have Darth Vader without the Stormtrooper.

I still much prefer this Imperial Stormtrooper over the Clone Wars Phase I Clone Troopers as seen in "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" because I don't fancy the Phase I helmets.

Last but not least, I got the Lego Star Wars Darth Maul LED Key Light as my third figure. It was this or Yoda and in the end, Darth Maul won me over because he played a big part in making "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" watchable ;p

Ray Park as Darth Maul was excellent and I really enjoyed watching him show off his martial arts skills combined with gymnastics. Park was originally only a member of the stunt crew, and stunt coordinator Nick Gillard filmed Park to demonstrate how he envisioned the lightsaber battles. Lucas and McCallum were so impressed with the test tape that they gave Park the role of Maul.

Here are three Darth Maul mini figures standing together, two are Lego Darth Maul figures and the third is the Medicom Toys Kubrick Darth Maul figure with double-bladed lightsaber.

Close-up of the Medicom Toys Kubrick Darth Maul figure (on the right) with double-bladed lightsaber.

And here's a close-up shot / picture of the Lego Star Wars Darth Maul mini figure

Related Star Wars Darth Vader posts:
NOVEMBER 5, 2010 – Star Wars C-3PO and R2-D2 Electronic Talking Bank
NOVEMBER 6, 2010 – Star Wars Darth Vader Electronic Talking Bank with video embedded

Other Darth Vader related entries:
1. Struck by Lightning featuring Medicom Kubrick Star Wars figures (guess which ones?)
2. 2009 Top Ten Fave Countdown Number FOUR - Darth Vader and Stormtroopers (LOTS of them :>)
3. Posing Sideshow 1/6 scale 14-inch Star Wars ANH (A New Hope) Darth Vader with Sideshow Imperial Stormtroopers.
4. Sideshow Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi (their last duel from "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope")
5. Sideshow Darth Vader review HERE and HERE
6. Medicom Darth Vader pictures HERE
7. Comparison of the various 1/6 scale Darth Vaders released (all FOUR of them)

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H is also for Hades and Hermes 12-inch figures by Foxbox Studio "God Complex" line of figures

Gotta put them together – Foxbox Studio's pair of God Complex Hades and Hermes 12-inch figures. These are really one-of-a-kind sixth scale figures because they are not based on any movie franchise, nor military themed but they are drawn and inspired by the gods from Greek mythology.

In Greek mythology, Hades is the King of the Underworld and god of the dead and the hidden wealth of the Earth. His consort is Persephone and his attributes are the key of Hades, the Helm of Darkness, and the three-headed dog, Cerberus. Hermes is the god of travel, messengers, trade, thievery, cunning wiles, language, writing, diplomacy, athletics, and animal husbandry. He is the messenger of the gods, a psychopomp who leads the souls of the dead into Hades' realm, and the son of Zeus and Maia.

I've already reviewed both Foxbox Studio's "God Complex: Hermes" and "God Complex: Hades" separately but haven't put them together for pictures yet, until now :) Scroll down to see more pictures of this great pairing by Foxbox Studio.

A little backstory: Acropolis, Inc, the first corporation to distribute energy to the people of Hellenic Republic, was founded by primary Ruler, Zeus. Zeus has many sons and among them is Hermes. Although he is chosen to be among the big twelve in the company, he has never been Zeus' favorite. He is always the one doing most of the work even if the glory always falls on his brothers. Hermes is quick witted and he does not need physical prowess to get what he wants. Despite being born a Ruler, Hermes is a human sympathizer and he will be a central character in aiding the humans to rise against the Rulers.

Hades is the figurehead of the largest criminal organization in Hellenic Republic, Tartarus. While he is not exactly malevolent, Hades along with trusted gun, Cerberus II, strike mortal fear into people's hearts because Hades is not bound by any laws. Neither the Rulers' nor humans' rules meant anything to him. He judges based on his own creed and justice.

Here I've added a black overcoat for Hermes. You can see MORE pictures HERE in Review III: FoxBox Studio "God Complex: Hermes" 1/6 Figure

Check out my earlier reviews of FoxBox Studio "God Complex: Hermes" 1/6 Figure HERE (box and contents) and HERE (complete figure with accessories).

FoxBox Studio "God Complex: Hades" 12-inch Figure was reviewed HERE (box and contents), HERE (full figure) and HERE (hidden weapon).

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Review: Mattel Batman Power Attack Swamp Raider Killer Croc 6.5-inch/16.5cm action figure

This Swamp Raider Killer Croc is the only other action figure from Mattel's Batman Power Attack line that I got, other than the Power Attack Ice Blast Mr Freeze action figure which I reviewed earlier HERE.

Killer Croc, or Waylon Jones, is a criminal and nemesis of Batman. He was born with a medical condition called "Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis" as well as regressive atavism, which caused him to grow progressively more like a crocodile, hence his name.

In recent years, Killer Croc has been portrayed as being much more reptilian than in past incarnations. In Batman the Animated Series which was first aired on the Fox Network from 1992 to 1995, Killer Croc was more of a human with alligator-like skin and razor-sharp teeth and claws (see my post HERE). He had no tail and walked pretty much upright like a man, albeit a very large man. In this Batman Power Attack depiction, Killer Croc is now very much more reptile than man.

Mattel Batman Power Attack Swamp Raider Killer Croc action figure comes carded and his tail is separated in the pack but can be easily inserted once the toy is taken out of its packaging. Killer Croc uses toxic waste to create a mutated army of creatures until Batman shows up to stop him. Besides Killer Croc, the other Swamp Mission figures are Swamp Strike Batman, Toxic Takedown Batman and Mutant Assault Batman.

Here's the Mattel Batman Power Attack Swamp Raider Killer Croc 6.5-inch / 16.5cm action figure out of his plastic prison with tail attached. I like this Killer Croc toy more than the one from "The Batman" which I didn't get because the toy Mattel produced and released didn't do the character justice. In "The Batman" TV series which aired from 2004 - 2008, Killer Croc is pretty much reptilian in nature (like this one) and is capable of thinking clever ideas in order to obtain money.

This particular incarnation of Killer Croc has him enhanced with armor on his lower jaw, neck, back and armor spikes on his shoulders as well as back. He looks way more menacing then the one from "The Batman" toy line which is what I liked about this particular Killer Croc action figure.

As a side mention, I thought the Lizard in the new Amazing Spider-Man film that was shown recently looked less like The Lizard from the comics and more like Killer Croc in his earlier incarnation. It seems that a character from DC Comics will almost certainly have an equivalent in the Marvel Comics universe. So Killer Croc of DC has his match in The Lizard from Marvel.

Look at the size of this monster that is Mattel Batman Power Attack Swamp Raider Killer Croc action figure. He looks menacing even from the back with his armor and spikes plus powerful tail.

More turnaround views of Killer Croc from every angle / side to show off this fun toy :)

In the case of toys, size does matter and I like them chunky, bulky and huge when they are supposed to be. Killer Croc certainly gets the right treatment here and will make a fine foe for Batman to do battle with.

Check out the huge claw-like hands of Killer Croc

Close-up shots / pictures of Mattel Batman Power Attack Swamp Raider Killer Croc 6.5-inch / 16.5cm action figure with his iron jaws and armored neck, shoulders and part of his back

NEXT: MOnsters Inc. and I don't mean the Disney kind ;p

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Review: Mattel Batman Power Attack Ice Blast Mr Freeze 6.5-inch / 16.5 cm tall action figure

This is the Mattel Batman Power Attack Ice Blast Mr Freeze action figure which is approximately 6.5 inches / 16.5 cm tall . I don't like the 3 3/4 inch figures because I find them rather small. They are good for putting into vehicles but not great when they stand alone. I was attracted to this Mattel Batman Power Attack Ice Blast Mr Freeze figure because its size stood out and caught my attention. Plus I cannot resist a good looking Mr Freeze action figure :)

Mr Freeze, real name Dr Victor Fries (surname pronounced "freeze"), is a scientist who must wear a cryogenic suit in order to survive, and bases his crimes around a "cold" or "ice" theme, complete with a "cold gun" that freezes its targets solid. In the most common variation of his origin story, he is a former cryogenics expert who suffered an industrial accident while attempting to cure his terminally ill wife, Nora.

The Mattel Batman Power Attack Ice Blast Mr Freeze 6.5-inch / 16.5 cm tall action figure comes carded and is a part of a set of four arctic mission figures from the Batman Power Attack line of figures. The other three figures in the set are Blizzard Buster Batman, Thermo Attack Batman and Battle Gauntlet Batman. Scroll down to see more pictures of this very COOL (pun intended) Mr Freeze action figure.

The back of the card says "Mr Freeze turns a desert town into his frozen base until Batman shows up to thwart the icy villain's evil plans!" Mr Freeze tells Batman to "Chill out!"

Mattel Batman Power Attack Ice Blast Mr Freeze 6.5-inch / 16.5 cm tall action figure out of his plastic prison. Free from the confines of his plastic bubble cage, Mr Freeze is now free to roam and have his pictures taken :) I am not one to keep the figure in the box / card. For me, the toy is meant to be taken out and played with, even if it's just to be posed with and have its pictures taken.

IMHO You cannot really appreciate the action figure / toy until you take it out of the confines of its box / card (otherwise known as plastic prison) and examine it from front to back. In most cases, you never get to see the back of the toy / action figure because it is concealed / hidden from view.

Mr Freeze always grabs my attention because of the cryogenic suit he wears in order to survive. It makes the figure appear bulkier and the clear dome over his head gives Mr Freeze the futuristic sci-fi look. Each interpretation of Mr Freeze is always interesting and I always love to see what the designers come up with, as is the case with this Mattel Batman Power Attack Ice Blast Mr Freeze action figure

I like the blue-and-black look of this Mr Freeze and the very cool looking blue translucent arms. The chest area is also translucent and shows off Mr Freeze's rib cage.

The Mattel Batman Power Attack Ice Blast Mr Freeze doesn't have his cold gun but he does wield a large ice sword. They are actually two pieces which snap together.

The ice sword can be stored on Mr Freeze's back when he's not using it

Another look at Mattel's Batman Power Attack Ice Blast Mr Freeze 6.5-inch / 16.5 cm tall action figure with ice sword stored on his back and looking ultra cool in his cryogenic suit.

Scroll down for more turnaround views of Mr Freeze, covering all sides (not possible if kept on the card)

Another close-up of Mattel's Batman Power Attack Ice Blast Mr Freeze 6.5-inch / 16.5 cm tall action figure in his cryogenic suit. The vacuum tight suit maintained his body temperature at 50 degrees below zero and tripled his strength.

Close-up of the translucent blue dome that covers Mr Freeze head

Bonus feature: the dome on Mattel Batman Power Attack Ice Blast Mr Freeze action figure can be removed to reveal the true appearance of Mr Freeze without his helmet.

Freeze looks just as cold without his helmet / dome on. Does the cold stare send chills down your spine?

Other Mr Freeze figures posted on TOY HAVEN so far:
MARCH 1, 2010 - Mr Freeze from "The Batman" animated series (2004-08)
APRIL 24, 2011 - V is for Victor Fries aka Mr Freeze (from Batman The Animated Series)
AUGUST 8, 2011 - Animated Mr Freeze we saw in "Cold Comfort", the third episode of "The New Batman Adventures"

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