San Diego Comic-Con 2012 : Toynami Exclusives

Remember how I keep saying any day now a mountain of exclusives and events news is going to drop on my head? IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET!! Honestly, the suspense is braking my cranium in two...but I'm kept busy by the steady flow of what is actually coming in...which includes Toynami's exclusives today! Toynami always have a wide array of licenses to pluck exclusives from and this year, they seemed to have gone with squishy over plasticy...but there is one action figure hiding in there. Sadly, it isn't from Futurama, as we had speculated the Shogun Warrior Bender might be this year's piece. Sorry Ramafans! Here's what is on tap...

Dark Knight Rises Mystery Figure Revealed

Three days til The Amazing Spider-Man drops and our appetites for geek movies is only slightly satisfied...as looming overhead is the film we here at Idle Hands are starting to get reaaaaally excited for.... Batman: The Dark Knight Rises!!! 1 metric dork-ton of merchandise is already languishing on store shelves for the film that has yet to open, but there is still more to come and within those legions lurks an untapped mystery. Mattel let it be known that a set amount of six, 6 inch Movie Masters action figures will contain allthe parts you'll need to build a working mini Bat Signal. Among them are Batman, Bane, Alfred and Catwoman, who are all out now. GCPD Officer John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) takes the 5th spot, but the 6th was being kept a mystery...maybe...until now. If you do not want this spoiled DO NOT read on, as the character has been confirmed as being in the film, so it isn't just a Fun-with-action-figure-assortments sort of thing going on like Iron Man concept armors or comic versions of baddies that never saw screen time. Not all of us read the movie news sites like dope fiends looking for a fix so...Spoiler Warning!

Nokia's Dark Knight Rises Trailer

Right now, a million nerds across the planet are clicking play, getting chills and then screaming OHHHHHH MYYYYY GOOOOOOOD!!!! They can't wait, and neither can I. Check this out...

Required Reading for Aspiring Dark Knights

Following Christopher Nolan's award-winning film The Dark Knight, Nolan will return to Batman's legend with The Dark Knight Rises-the final installment of The Dark Knight trilogy in theaters on July 20. Just in time for this epic conclusion, Bruce Wayne divulges key sketches, diagrams, observations, and other classified documents about the process of becoming Batman in The Dark Knight Manual from Insight Editions.

For the first time, the Dark Knight's secrets are revealed in The Dark Knight Manual, which details all of Wayne's cutting-edge collaborations with Lucius Fox at Wayne Enterprises. The Manual gives readers unprecedented access to Batman's amazing arsenal featuring numerous documents and items including: designs and upgrades for the Batsuit, the specifications of the Utility Belt, blueprints for the Batcave, detailed dossiers on foes and allies, plans for the Dark Knight's latest vehicles, and much, much more. All these, and a plethora of never-before-published materials, shine a light on how the mysterious Bruce Wayne operates as Gotham City's greatest protector.

The Dark Knight Manual: 112 pages, Hardcover, More than 35 removable insert items and dossiers. $40 will be available at retailers nationwide in June 2012. CLICK HERE to pre-order at a discount!

And since you'll be needing the tools to go with the talent, we present...

BATMOBILE: The Complete History is the story of the distinct, sophisticated, incomparable car. From its evolution in the pages of Detective Comics, to its unforgettable appearances on the big screen, this book explores each incarnation of the Batmobile with the detail such an extraordinary automobile warrants.

Author Mark Cotta Vaz uncovers insights and stories from creators and conceptualists that reveal the nuts and bolts of putting these dream machines together and explains the philosophies behind each design. With stunning gatefolds-including a large-scale panorama of the Batmobiles featured in film and television-and detailed specs, blueprints, and historical comparisons, BATMOBILE: The Complete History is an informational and visual delight for automotive and Batman fans alike.

BATMOBILE: The Complete History: 148 pages, Hardcover, More than 100 full color photographs and illustrations. $35 Also available June 2012. CLICK HERE to pre-order at a discount!

MTV's Dark Knight Rises Footage

Via ComingSoon! Thanks kids!!

Kotobukiya's Dark Knight Rises Statue

Is it a surprise to anyone that there are so many Batman collectibles hitting stores at the moment? No..because Batman has always been a little whore as far as merchandising goes. Whooooooore (say it like a 1950's southern woman. it's fun!) Oddly, this year, Spider-Man beat him with oddball products like a Spidey head that opens up to be a science lab, Spidey air hockey and numerous Spidey camping sets, but we'll have a "whose the biggest ho" contest another day! For now, Kotobukiya gets the spotlight...

A KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import! The Dark Knight is back! Kotobukiya is proud to present a new ARTFX Statue based on the upcoming film The Dark Knight Rises. The third part of a trilogy by Christopher Nolan, this summer’s “DKR” pits Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne against both Bane and Catwoman. To celebrate that release you can get the newest incarnation of the big screen hero for your shelf with BATMAN -THE DARK KNIGHT RISES-!

Featuring a beautifully detailed sculpt recreating Batman’s specific appearance in the new film, this new version of the character faithfully recreates the hero’s intricate armored bat-suit with cape and cowl. Standing ready for action, the world’s greatest detective oversees Gotham City from the top of a rocky landscape. Staring down his enemies with his trademark scowl, Batman holds his flowing cape in front of him with his left hand while his right wields one of his wonderful toys; with interchangeable parts you can display him with either a grapple gun or his EMP rifle. Sculpted by MIC, Batman The Dark Knight Rises towers over 15 inches tall (1/6th scale) on a rocky display base that includes a hidden light-up bat symbol.





















Click HERE to pre-order Kotobukiya's Dark Knight Rises ARTFX Statue! Release date is currently around December, 2012.

New Batman: Dark Knight Rises Character Art

Right out of the gate, Dark Knight Rises is winning the "Superheroes on Screen" battle in the categories of superior sculptures and now, killer teaser posters. Sure, there's no way in holy hell they can hope to top the Avengers box office, but I'm sure they'll take their wins where they can get em'! Yahoo Movies got the scoop on these individual character posters featuring Bane, Catwoman and Batman with some little bits of info dropped along side them like..

Christopher Nolan revealed that the mask that Bane wears is meant to deliver a pain-relieving anesthetic. He explained, "Bane is ravaged by pain from a trauma suffered long ago."













So what happens after "The Legend Ends"? Another reboot? It wouldn't be difficult to just pick up where this film leaves off with a new creative team, hoping beyond hope everyone at Warner Brothers has learned from past success that you should NEVER EVER PUT NIPPLES ON THE BAT SUIT AGAIN. Safe bet, no? I'd also like to beg that the next team consider a Batman with a voice modulator...not a growly voice. Lord, how I despise the growly voice.

Attack of the 500 Dark Knight Rises Batmen

...which is a far better title for an article than "Dark Knight Rises Action Figures Winging to the Pegs!" Cheeeeese. Point of fact, Mattel's The Dark Knight Rises action figures are hitting shelves across the globe with sightings from Australia to Florida, so lets take a look at all those Batmen you'll soon be able to add to your collections in every flavor of the Skittles rainbow.

"When Commissioner Gordon stumbles upon a plot to destroy the city from within, Bruce Wayne gets back into action as the BATMAN. Waiting for him is BANE, a lethal adversary on a crusade to tear apart Batman's legacy piece by piece."

So far we've got five different types of figures going on, so we'll list according to price points from lowest to highest.

4.5 inch basic Dark Knight Rises action figures include...

Batman (basic costume), Batman (grey and black costume), Batman (goldish colored), Batman (teal and silver) & Bane













Then there are 4.5 inch Dark Knight Rises action figures with accessories...

Stealth Vision Batman
Ultra Blast Batman
Batarang Bash Batman
Caped Crusader Batman
Final Assault Bane
And a Silver Armored Batman with twin bat axes whose name I can't track down


























4.5 inch Dark Knight Rises QuickTek action figures...

QuickTek : Scientifically engineered by Wayne Tech Industries, QuickTek offers the most advanced arsenal with instantly transforming technology. Deploy Battle Armor, get ready to battle and armor springs into action!

Deluxe Combat Claw Batman
Deluxe Flight Strike Batman
Deluxe Missile Armor Batman
Deluxe Tank Blaster Batman
Deluxe Venom Menace Bane
Deluxe Fist Fury Bane
Deluxe Air Attack Batman
Deluxe Saw Strike Batman
Deluxe Drill Cannon Batman
Deluxe Cyber Glider Batman





































































4.5 inch action figure 2 packs...

Swing Shot Bane VS. Stealth Vision Batman
Caped Crusader Batman VS. Final Assault Bane



6 inch Dark Knight Rises Movie Masters Action Figures with Build A Projecting Bat-Signal pieces. The first three hitting now include...

Alfred Pennyworth
Bane
Batman











Up next are Detective Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Catwoman and a secret third figure. It is worth noting the last waves of the Green Lantern movie masters series were a no show in the majority of stores across the country, so many of us are left without the full Build-A-Parallax. Just something to think about if you are going for a full, working Bat Signal.

10 inch Batman The Dark Knight Rises Ultrahero Action Figure : In "The Dark Knight Rises," Batman™ comes out of retirement to face one of the greatest threats ever to descend on Gotham City! The fight between Bane and Batman™ becomes the stuff of legend, and you get to re-live the story with incredible figures like this. Highly realistic, and with detailed articulation, too!

Use tech, brawn and brains to defeat villains / Comes with four accessories, including an "EMP" gun / Get the Bane 10" figure to recreate their epic battle!

And a Batman is nothing without the vehicles! Here's the rundown...

The Bat with Launch and Attack Batman : THE BAT, the new air attack vehicle featured in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, is brought to life with launching projectiles, spinning propellers, easy-grip flight handle, battle sounds and a Launch & Attack BATMAN foam figure that launches up to 10 feet with the press of a button! Includes 1 vehicle, 1 foam glider BATMAN figure and 2 projectile missiles. Ages 4 and older.



































QuickTek Attack Armor Bat-Pod : With instant transformation features, this BATMAN™ THE DARK KNIGHT RISES™ QUICKTEK™ Attack Armor BAT-POD vehicle can take on any villain in GOTHAM CITY. The ominous vehicle features an aerodynamic design, fat tires and weaponry on the front axles. But kids can quickly armor up the iconic BAT-POD into an even more aggressive attacking machine sure to keep criminals on their toes and on the run! Just attach the Attack Armor pieces, press the button and watch the armor wrap itself around the vehicle. One touch transformation! Deploy attack boosters! Fire Bat-Missile! Includes one 3.75-inch BATMAN™ figure. Ages 4 and older.























Also on tap...

QuickTek Combat Bustertank
QuickTek Gunship Hoverjet
QuickTek Turbo Jetcruiser
and a second Bat-Pod with a non-removable Batman action figure at the controls.

NOTES: We know the Alfred Movie Masters figure doesn't exactly look like the prototype we showed you some time back, but we've seen other pics posted as folks find the figure for sale, and he does look slightly better than you might think. It's all in the angles. On another note, while it is laughable that 98% of the Batman figures do NOT feature the man in the costume from the new movie, as a collector for years, we are used to this. I've seen caramel colored, day glow green and silver vac-metalized Batmen in my time, so pink, teal and gold Batmen are not shockers at all. It is all about repaint and slap on new accessories to sell a new figure to the kiddies! Whether the line is a success or not comes down to what each line will cost on the pegs. Soon enough, we'll have the answer! Will you be tripping over Batmen in the coming months? Certainly looks like it.

CLICK HERE to see the 6 inch Movie Masters action figures from Toy Fair 2012!

CLICK HERE to see the Alfred and John Blake Movie Masters action figures!

Some pics by Plaid Pants & Steve's NW Collectibles on Ebay