San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Square Enix Batman: Arkham Asylum Exclusives

There is one topic (beyond My Little Pony, Monster High and Winx Club...who knew?) that rocks my rankings at the merest mention on new merchandise, it is THE BATMAN!! And among the Batman merch that gets the most interest is anything for Arkham Asylum or City. Yep...you sure do love playing those video games...and so it came as no surprise when Square Enix announced their two SDCC 2012 exclusives would BOTH be from Arkham Asylum.

Michael Jackson Planet To Dwarf Our Moon

Your dreams have come true. That's no moon...THAT'S A MICHAEL JACKSON PLANET!!

We've all been sitting here wishing that we could live out the rest of our days as a character from a Michael Jackson video, be it the shy but flesh hungry Thriller Mikey...or the rebellious young thugs who dance fight better than anyone...or even the Webster hugging Mikey who turns into a Panther and chases MannyMo through the streets. IT IS NOW ALL POSSIBLE!!


SEE Virtual Worlds™, an entertainment company developing a virtual reality universe of connected planets tied to licensed franchises, today announced a collaborative deal with the Michael Jackson Estate to publish Planet Michael™, a massively multiplayer online virtual world set to launch in late 2011. Planet Michael will offer fans around the globe an innovative, first-of-its-kind interactive gaming and social experience that truly celebrates Michael Jackson’s extraordinary life as an artist and humanitarian.

The new planet, currently under development and slated for launch next year, will be an immersive virtual space themed after iconic visuals drawn from Michael’s music, his life and the global issues that concerned him. Entire continents will be created that will celebrate Michael’s unique genius in a way that underscores his place as the greatest artist of all time. Michael’s longtime fans will feel at home as they find themselves in places that seem familiar and yet unknown at the same time, and new generations will discover and experience Michael’s life in a way never before imagined. At its core, Planet Michael is a massive social gaming experience that will allow everyone, from the hardcore fan to the novice, to connect and engage in collaborative in-game activities with people worldwide.

Planet Michael is one of the first themed-planets that will be published by SEE Virtual Worlds for the Entropia Universe, a vast dynamic 3D environment created and provided to end users by MindArk PE AB. The Entropia Universe features several existing planets and combines a revolutionary cash economy with cutting-edge graphics. Although Planet Michael is a free-to-download world without monthly subscription fees, the real world in-game economy features gameplay monetization that allows players to take on dozens of different occupations and in certain instances, contribute to a charitable cause at the same time.

“When we first approached the Estate and talked about creating Planet Michael, one of our primary goals was to build an interactive environment where fans from all over the world come together to affirm Michael’s life-long dedication to fostering global friendships,” said Martin Biallas, CEO of SEE Virtual Worlds. “In building a space worthy of those global connections, we envisioned a magical, enjoyable place that will capture that zest for fun and life that was at Michael’s very core. Throughout his extensive career, the King of Pop was well-known for his visionary contributions to music, dance, fashion, entertainment and philanthropy, and it was critical that we somehow incorporate all of those elements into the game.”

“No artist unified the world like Michael Jackson, so it is fitting that in Planet Michael his fans will be able to join together in such a unique way online to celebrate his music, his artistry and his devotion to helping those in need,” said John Branca, co-executor for The Estate of Michael Jackson. “Michael was always exploring creative new ways technology could enhance the experiences of his fans, and for that reason we are thrilled to be working with SEE Virtual Worlds to build a global interactive experience that befits an artist as innovative as Michael Jackson” added John McClain, co-executor of the Estate.

Four words. Captain Mother Fucking Eo. DONE. At time of print, Corey Feldman was not, as yet, involved in the project.

Pics above represent the seedy Billy Jean part of town and the Thriller graveyard. For game updates and to register to become a part of Planet Michael, please visit:
www.planetmichael.com

Arkham Asylum Video Game Figures...Series TWO!!

DC Direct know what you desire. They saw the overwhelming response to their Batman: Arkham Asylum Video Game Action Figures and immediately put series 2 into production. Joining the series 1 characters Joker and Scarface, Scarecrow, Batman and Harley Quinn are..

BANE: 6.75" high Action Figure, features multiple points of articulation and include a display base. Character-appropriate accessories are also included.











POISON IVY: 6.5" high Action Figure, features multiple points of articulation and include a display base. Character-appropriate accessories are also included.



ZSASZ: 6" high Action Figure, features multiple points of articulation and include a display base. Character-appropriate accessories are also included.









ARMORED BATMAN: 7" high to the top of his ears, features multiple points of articulation and include a display base. Character-appropriate accessories are also included.

Look for the Arkham Asylum Video Game Action Figures Series 2 February 2, 2011.

Official Pics of Batman Arkham Asylum Video Game Action Figures

Waaaaay back at the end of April, we announced that Arkham Asylum Video Game look action figures are on the way and posed the question of WHOOOO would make the cut for series 1? Now DC Direct have dropped images on series 1 so..without further ado, series 1 will include...

The Joker with Scarface
Harley Quinn
Batman
Scarecrow

We've also got a look at the packaging for the line. Start putting those pennies away and if you really need them, get a pre-order down at your local comic shop to assure you get what is sure to be a highly requested figure line! A January 12, 2011 release date should give you plenty of time. Here's the official announcement...

It's a madhouse … and the lunatics are running the asylum!

After arriving on Arkham Island, Batman is greeted by Warden Sharp and security personnel. Although The Joker is securely strapped to a handcart for transfer to the deepest bowels of Arkham, he escapes nonetheless. This is going to be the worst night of Batman's life. With The Joker free, inciting unrest among the inmates, Batman faces a riot from a cadre of Gotham City's most wanted: killers and psychopaths who are screaming for vengeance and out for blood. Batman's blood. His mission? Stop The Joker – and his accomplices – at all costs.

Welcome to the asylum. Arkham Asylum.

BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM SERIES 1 ACTION FIGURES are based on the game designs of the "Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever."

The Joker and Scarface figures stand at 6.7" high and , 2" high respectively, feature multiple points of articulation and include a display base. Character-appropriate accessories are also included. All figures come in 4-color clamshell blister card packaging.

The Harley Quinn figure stands at 6.5" high and features multiple points of articulation and includes a display base. Character-appropriate accessories are also included.

The Batman figure stands at 6.75" high, features multiple points of articulation and includes a display base. Character-appropriate accessories are also included.

The Scarecrow figure stands at 6" high, features multiple points of articulation and includes a display base. Character-appropriate accessories are also included.

Arkham Asylum Video Game Figures Coming

From the evil bastards at DC Direct and hopefully sculpted by Jean StJean his holy self, we'll be getting Arkham Asylum action figures in the not so distant future! No pics just yet, just the solemn promise that it is happening and we'll probably see protos at San Diego Comic Con, so we'll take this opportunity to vote for the 4 figures we want in wave 1 and maybe another 4 in wave 2...unless they roll out more for AA2! Here are your voting choices...

Harley Quinn
Joker
Bane
Killer Croc
Mr. Zsasz
Scarecrow
Batman
Catwoman
Hush
Poison Ivy
Mr. Freeze
Two Face
Riddler

There are more characters in the game, but these are the ones I think DCD will focus on. Place yo bets!!