Just call me Aerath. Went out looking at some new toys today. Just trying to get some ideas of what is hot out there. Three figures stood out for me: the Bratz Couture Collector's Series Porcelain Dolls (Anyssa & Daphne); The Dark Knight 12" Bruce Wayne figure (a TRU Exclusive) and the new Dark Knight Joker 12" Figure (also a TRU exclusive).First i want to talk about the Bratz. Love 'em or hate 'em you have to admit they were a bold statement in the play doll market when they first hit back in '02. Their run to the top, quickly surpassing the leader at the time Mattel's Barbie was the stuff of fairy tales (if you're a toy maker). If it weren't for a small issue of intellectual property rights, as Mattel claims, the Bratz would continue to "drink Mattel's milkshake" for the foreseeable future. Clearly, with the help of the courts, Mattel has eliminated a competitor for no real reason other than to, well, eliminate the competition.
But back to the Couture Dolls, i am really impressed with not only the design of the outfits each doll wears, but also with the paint application. The paint around the eyes and cheeks is impressively done. The dolls seem to be quite expressive, as if they are enjoying a private joke. I think you can toss aside the notion that the dolls include "Swarovski crystal elements". Who know what that really means anyway. That does not take away from the impressiveness of the dolls themselves.
Even if the Bratz future is very limited (I suspect they will be gone forever by the end of this year - already MGA is marketing their new Moxie Girls doll line Bratz replacement) my guess is they will continue to be collectible. Especially some of the earlier figures like the original 4 Bratz girls.
Next up: The Dark Knight Bruce Wayne 12" Figure. What an excellent job Mattel has done with this figure. Although not up there with my top two 12" action figure (Hasbro's Ultimate Jango Fett Action Figure and the Target Exclusive Star Wars Speeder Bike with 12" scale Scout Trooper) it is still very impressive. The head sculpt of Christian Bale and the accessories including a removable belt make this one worth having. Too bad it came out overpriced and is just now going on clearance at TRU (if you can find it).
Equally impressive is the TRU Exclusive Dark Knight Joker 12" Figure by Mattel. Although the body style takes on the exaggerated style of almost caricature the head sculpt is definitely all Heath Ledger. Maybe not as impressive as the Hot Toys sculpts (then again, considering the price of those figures, you can see why) it is still an excellent figure. The glowering stare and passive-aggressive stance they give this figure makes it all the more creepy. If only they had opted for a cloth suit coat rather than stiff plastic, it would have been a winner. Also, the $40 price tag is just plain ridiculous but i suspect we'll see it at clearance prices by the end of the year.
I want to bow out with another kudos to the creators of PC-tees: Crunkwear for the ages. They've added some new designs as they continue to do from time to time. Particularly impressive is the "Big Wheel Hook and Slide" vintage design shirt. Brings back memories from back in the day... You can check them out at www.pc-tees.com. Right now the are having a sale that includes free shipping. Tell them Aerath sent you! Talk again soon. Ciao!
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