[HR][/HR]To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with Collectibles Insurance, the official insurance company of the Figures.com network. Say "Figures.com" to get 5% off your first term premiums.
For a great selection of action figures and pop culture collectibles, be sure to check out BigBadToyStore.com, RedfordFilms.com, Toynk.com, PastGenerationToys.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, and MonkeyDepot.com.[HR][/HR]
Hot Toys continues to impress fans and collectors both new and old with their impressive line of Deluxe Movie Masterpiece Series (MMS) figures, which feature more accessories and details than the company's regular MMS series. The latest 1/6th scale figure in the series comes courtesy of the 1989 classic Tim Burton film BATMAN starring Michael Keaton as the titular character and Jack Nicholson as his archenemy, Joker. Of course, the Hot Toys DX series includes both characters and many fans who purchased the previously released Batman figure have been waiting anxiously for Joker, who's unique in both look and style.
PACKAGING
Like many of the Hot Toys Deluxe MMS figures, Joker comes packaged in a beautiful silver flip cover box with an image of the character on the front. The box's flip cover features a magnetic closure to keep it sealed. The purple interior of the package features a circular "Joker" window which can be removed as well as a protective layer of foam in order to cover the figure and other contents inside. Each of the figure's accessories is sealed underneath the figure in a molded plastic tray which holds the accessories and figure base securely. Overall, the packaging is attractive while securely holding the figure and accessories.
SCULPT & PAINT APPLICATION
The Hot Toys DX08 Joker is nothing less than masterpiece-level artistry in action figure form. With a head sculpt by the super-skilled Yulli and paint applications and art direction by the brains behind Hot Toys, JC Hong, this is one of the finest likenesses ever captured by Hot Toys. The wrinkled forehead and neck, the high eyebrows, that devilish grin...each perfectly captured Nicholson's timeless appearance as Joker from the film in 1/6th scale.
The paint applications likewise make this a masterpiece; JC Hong's talent with a paint brush brilliantly capturing the character. The clown makeup is captured perfectly as is the green hair, blood-red lips, and pale white skin. Each detail helps bring the figure to life and gives it even more realism than one expects possible in a 1/6th scale figure.
Other sculpted portions of the figure include the Joker's gloved hands, of which there are eight total: one pair of open palms, one pair of relaxed palms, one right hand for holding the two pistols, one right hand for holding the remote control, one right hand for holding the cane, and one left hand for holding the walkie talkie. Each of these is accurately sculpted and painted as well. Overall, the sculpted and painted portions of the figure are outstanding; making the Joker one of the most accurate and impressive Hot Toys figures yet.
CLOTHING
The clothing includes the Joker's film-accurate outfit: a purple tuxedo, an orange shirt, a turquoise vest, a polka dot turquoise tie, a pair of purple and turquoise checkered pants with suspenders, purple shoes, a purple overcoat with turquoise scarf and poison orchid and - last but certainly not least - a purple hat.
Each of the individual pieces of Joker's wardrobe are finely fitted to the Hot Toys TrueType 12" body, which provides a great base for the figure. Due to the fitted nature of the clothing, the articulation is somewhat limited. However, considering the Joker isn't the most action-oriented character, none of the clothing should restrict any fan's posing possibilities.
The two jackets provide two very distinct looks from the film which die-hard fans will be thankful for as the overcoat, worn by Nicholson at the end of the film during the parade scene, makes for an awesome display with the long gun.
ARTICULATION
As the base body is the standard TrueType, Joker features over 30 points of articulation, including neck, shoulders, biceps, elbows, wrists, chest/abs, waist, hips, thighs, knees, and ankles. As previously mentioned, the fitted clothing - and specifically the jacket and overcoat - limit the figure's movement somewhat. However, this shouldn't be an issue for most fans looking to statically display the figure.
ACCESSORIES
What makes a Hot Toys Deluxe MMS figure differ from a regular MMS figure is normally the amount of clothing, accessories, and detail...and the Joker DX08 is no different. First, the figure features the Parallel Eyeball Rolling System (PERS), which is patented by Hot Toys and provides the figure with moveable eyes. This is one of the features of many DX figures which differentiates them from regular MMS figures. It's a cool mechanic which provides for a variety of posing options. Other accessories (as seen in the movie) include a long and short pistol, a remote, a magic stick (cane), a walkie talkie, a speaker (bullhorn), a set of chattering teeth, a gas mask, a Joker card, 4 piles of money, and a light-up display base with "Joker" nameplate, movie logo, and DX series title.
Each of these, along with the appropriate hand to hold them, helps make this figure film accurate. The variety of accessories provides a variety of display options. For those who liked the Joker's more malicious side, the chattering teeth are a favorite; for those who like the villain's more violent side, the long gun is always an option; and - of course - for those who want to display the hilarious side of the Clown Prince of Crime, there's the overcoat, acid flower, and cane.
COST & OVERALL IMPRESSION
With a retail price of $264.99, the Hot Toys DX08 MMS Joker figure is specifically catering to the die-hard Batman fans. For those who, like me, grew up watching Michael Keaton's Batman face off against Jack Nicholson's Joker, wishing they had 12" figures to play and display, this is a dream come true. So what if it's taken 22 years to make it a reality?
Overall, the figure features amazing sculpting and paint applications, two unique jackets, the always impressive Parallel Eyeball Rolling System, a plethora of accessories, and an attractive package. For fans looking to make their 2-decade old dream of owning the ideal action figure representation of Jack Nicholson's Joker a reality, look no further.
Hot Toys DX08 MMS Joker is available now wherever fine action figures and collectibles are sold.
- photos and review by Jess C. Horsley
- review sample courtesy of Hot Toys
[HR][/HR]