I was fortunate to have been granted permission by Hot Toys to take photos of their upcoming The Dark Knight busts. I took shot these at Toy Hunters, which is Hot Toys' retail outlet in Mongkok (Hong Kong). These photos actually do not give justice to these beautiful pieces. One must really see them up close to admire the quality sculpting Hot Toys has been known for.

Also upcoming from Hot Toys are 1/6 scale Batman and Joker figures, also based on the movie The Dark Knight. The prototypes aren't officially ready for public viewing until next week. But I was told that Batman will have a different costume from the Batman begins version Hot Toys produced 3 years ago. Additionally, the figure will come with 2 heads - masked and unmasked. The figure will also include several gears and accessories.

Stay tuned for more news and photos from Hot Toys.

Whenever I get the chance to visit Hong Kong, I try to make it a point to visit some of the must-see toy spots in Mongkok - one of which is the ever popular and perpetually crowded CTMA Centre.

I came across one of the stalls which had a window display of various trinkets (like most of the other shops there). What caught my attention with one shop was their display of finely sculpted miniature figures with photos of real people placed next to them. It was a display for a company called Mini-You.

The concept is quite simple - you provide them with clear photos of somebody special and they’ll custom sculpt a minaturized version of that person in polyresin. The turnaround time is around 8 working days after you make a full payment. Prices vary depending on the package you select. These are absolutely unique gifts as no 2 pieces are exactly alike.

For more information, check out their web site at www.mini-you.com.

Following up on his recent review of the GX-01R+ Mazinger Z, Goldrich Castillo now gives us his views on the Soul of Chogokin Godmars along with tons of great photos.

Take it away, Gold…

Background story

Set in the far flung future of 1999 (the show aired in Japan in 1981) The Emperor of the Planet Gishin, Zule, sees the Earth as a possible threat to his expanding empire and sends his Science Minister’s infant son to the planet Earth with Gaia, a robot loaded with a powerful explosive to destroy it when he grows up. The Science Minister betrays Zule and sends five other secretly constructed robots after Gaia to protect his son (he is subsequently executed after launching the Six Gods).

Upon arriving on Earth, the infant is adopted by a loving family and is given the name Takeru Myoujin. He discovers his true lineage seventeen years later. He develops unique ESP powers (he can even shoot strands of his hair out as projectiles LOL) and has since grown to love the Earth and is a valuable member of the Crusher Team. He then vows to protect the Earth from the invading Gishin Empire.
(Read on …)