Square Enix has had a very successful run with their Play Arts Kai action figures based on the Batman Arkham Asylum/ City video games. Their introduction of the Caped Crusader in the super poseable, highly detailed figure format has earned them plenty of praise and a new league of fans. Square will be continuing their assortment of figures pulled from Arkham City with the addition of two lovely beauties: Harley Quinn and Posion Ivy. Harley, packing twin Mac-10s and a baseball bat, awes with some very intricate "tattoo" work on her midriff, while Ivy features bendy vines and a first for the Kai series: a display base. Her base will will feature bendy vines and a flower. Look for both this July priced at a SRP of $64.99. Square Enix told us that all future Play Arts Kai action figures will include a base of some kind - something that fans have been asking for and a great new addition to fully show off those incredible Plays Arts Kai poses. The upcoming Halo 4 Kai series, for example, will include Square's flight base with poseable display arm.
In other DC news, Square Enix will be introducign characters from the Dark Knight Trilogy. This new assortment will launch this March with Batman and Bane (SRP $64.99 each) and will continue on in June with the release of The Joker and Catwoman.
Announced, but not shown, was news that Man of Steel Play Arts Kai figure(s) are in the works. We know we'll at least get Superman, though I wouldn't be surprised if we saw General Zod produced as well.
Lastly, Square Enix shocked Toy Fair attendees with the unveiling of a new line tentatively called DC Universe Variant Play Arts Kai. As the name suggests, this series features new looks - as envisioned by Square Enix - for all the popular DC superheroes. A fusion of Western and Asian influences. Some of the characters, such as Flash and Batman, have a very mech/cyberpunk vibe, while others, like Green Lantern, featured more of a Final Fantasy "pretty boy" look. Some of the designs struck me as very fresh and appealing (Batman), while others were a little too foreign and extreme for my tastes (I wasn't feeling GL). Shown were Series 1 characters Wonder Woman, Batman, and Green Lantern, to be followed by Series 2 Batgirl and Flash. Many more characters are planned. It will be interesting to see how DC Universe Variant Play Arts Kai is received, especially by American fans raised on a particular character's look (New 52 aside).
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