JND Studios 1/6 scale Heath Ledger Joker figure

[Wor-Gar]

But when we’re having petty arguments about extortionately high prices and value for money, we can’t say that InArt and JND both offer ‘haired’ Jokers as if it’s a comparable process.

I prefer saying ‘punched’ hair for the JND style anyways.

More accurate to say "glued" for InArt and "rooted" for JND, if you're gonna be picky.

 

[batfan08]

Yeah. I’m not even truly sold on rooted hair being a necessity at this point. Certain characters it’s cool and I want to get a couple just to see in hand for myself. Some things seem excessive just for the sake of being like: “yeah, we’ll look what we can do”.

I think, at some point, the law of diminishing returns will start to take hold, but I feel like that’s a long ways away. This is a weird hobby that’s almost like tech in terms of the weird turnover/planned obsolescence. I don’t think it started out that way, but I feel like it’s always been a hobby that needed to qualify itself to a large portion of its audience (just look at the number of dudes on these boards alone who’ve gotten triggered about them being called “dolls” or “action figures” over the years) and I think, with that, there’s always going to be that pursuit of perfection.

If there wasn’t, people would just collect whatever iteration of the character they found on display at Target and call it a day. It also comes down to what characters and IP are evergreen. Batman, Joker, Superman; Star Wars; some of these characters have been done and redone for the last 20 years and, even if 1/6th evolved to encompass the sheer mass of IP that Funko Pops are able to tackle, there are only so many licenses that are that marketable when it comes to sales. I had a hate boner for anything Iron Man when it was all that was coming out from HT, but the reality is that they wouldn’t be making it if there weren’t tons of people willing to fill detolf after detolf with the House Party Protocol.

We’re also in a weird place when it comes to new media that I think is inspiring all these companies to look backward. Marvel had its first, genuine bomb with The Marvels, DC’s pretty much in a state of self-imposed exile until Superman: Legacy and The Batman-Part 2 come out; even Star Wars is slowing their roll when it comes to output. It stands to reason that the lull in new “flavor of the week” stuff leaves a void they’ll try and fill otherwise. Do I think 3 consecutive Jokers from 3 different companies in such quick succession is the right way to do that? Eh.

Do I think such overt competition is only gonna be good for consumers, though? I think we’re already seeing that it is. The silicone stuff does seem gimmicky on paper, but if they can find a way to practically apply it, and keep it from deteriorating/tearing super quick, it very well could set a new standard for higher end 1/6th stuff. I feel like sticker shock’s a natural reaction to any 1/6th scale figures over $1K, but objectivity’s also warranted.

The reality is that less than 5 years ago rooted hair like IA is producing would cost you as much as one or, sometimes, two of those figures (and even more in some cases). Kojun, himself, probably was charging 5 figures for that silicone Vincent Hannah that cameoed in the announcement video for this. These things are expensive, but let’s call a spade a spade here, Hot Toys were the only game in town and they were more than willing to lube up collector’s fine fellows with $400 Iron Men that offered nothing new (certainly no silicone or rooted hair), so, $800 or even $1K for a fully silicone, rooted figure doesn’t seem like that hard of a sell, at this point.

It’s also produced some unexpectedly pleasant results: Honō Studios, for instance. I don’t think Hot Toys would’ve ever entertained getting into comic based stuff or starting a budget line had they not been humbled by IA. I think these Artisan prototypes are showing that it’s harder than it looks to operate on the level their competitors are without significantly overhauling their current business and honestly? Seeing Spidey and Wolverine released and teased back to back, with more releases inbound, and Wolvie at under $200 feels almost like HT taking an L and shifting focus a little bit. “We might not be able to beat them at their current game, but Mondo and Sideshow? Bet.”

Okay. That’s my TED Talk.

 

[Wor-Gar]

But as more of this tech is produced, the lower the cost. So in reality, one day, the silicone, hair, glass eyes will all be part of a basic HT set... and by then the average price for a 1/6th figure will be $450... the usual suspects will be gone and new suspects will have joined the hobby believing that HT figures circa 2015-2020 just weren't at the level they wanted.

And around we go again...!

 

[xXJ0kerXx1]

maybe I’m wrong but I believe the metal pipe is right in front of the base unless that’s something else

View attachment 677746

that is likely the magnetic eye control piece

 

[The Buffinator]

I think, at some point, the law of diminishing returns will start to take hold, but I feel like that’s a long ways away. This is a weird hobby that’s almost like tech in terms of the weird turnover/planned obsolescence. I don’t think it started out that way, but I feel like it’s always been a hobby that needed to qualify itself to a large portion of its audience (just look at the number of dudes on these boards alone who’ve gotten triggered about them being called “dolls” or “action figures” over the years) and I think, with that, there’s always going to be that pursuit of perfection.

If there wasn’t, people would just collect whatever iteration of the character they found on display at Target and call it a day. It also comes down to what characters and IP are evergreen. Batman, Joker, Superman; Star Wars; some of these characters have been done and redone for the last 20 years and, even if 1/6th evolved to encompass the sheer mass of IP that Funko Pops are able to tackle, there are only so many licenses that are that marketable when it comes to sales. I had a hate boner for anything Iron Man when it was all that was coming out from HT, but the reality is that they wouldn’t be making it if there weren’t tons of people willing to fill detolf after detolf with the House Party Protocol.

We’re also in a weird place when it comes to new media that I think is inspiring all these companies to look backward. Marvel had its first, genuine bomb with The Marvels, DC’s pretty much in a state of self-imposed exile until Superman: Legacy and The Batman-Part 2 come out; even Star Wars is slowing their roll when it comes to output. It stands to reason that the lull in new “flavor of the week” stuff leaves a void they’ll try and fill otherwise. Do I think 3 consecutive Jokers from 3 different companies in such quick succession is the right way to do that? Eh.

Do I think such overt competition is only gonna be good for consumers, though? I think we’re already seeing that it is. The silicone stuff does seem gimmicky on paper, but if they can find a way to practically apply it, and keep it from deteriorating/tearing super quick, it very well could set a new standard for higher end 1/6th stuff. I feel like sticker shock’s a natural reaction to any 1/6th scale figures over $1K, but objectivity’s also warranted.

The reality is that less than 5 years ago rooted hair like IA is producing would cost you as much as one or, sometimes, two of those figures (and even more in some cases). Kojun, himself, probably was charging 5 figures for that silicone Vincent Hannah that cameoed in the announcement video for this. These things are expensive, but let’s call a spade a spade here, Hot Toys were the only game in town and they were more than willing to lube up collector’s fine fellows with $400 Iron Men that offered nothing new (certainly no silicone or rooted hair), so, $800 or even $1K for a fully silicone, rooted figure doesn’t seem like that hard of a sell, at this point.

It’s also produced some unexpectedly pleasant results: Honō Studios, for instance. I don’t think Hot Toys would’ve ever entertained getting into comic based stuff or starting a budget line had they not been humbled by IA. I think these Artisan prototypes are showing that it’s harder than it looks to operate on the level their competitors are without significantly overhauling their current business and honestly? Seeing Spidey and Wolverine released and teased back to back, with more releases inbound, and Wolvie at under $200 feels almost like HT taking an L and shifting focus a little bit. “We might not be able to beat them at their current game, but Mondo and Sideshow? Bet.”

Okay. That’s my TED Talk.

Welcome back, Victor! Does banfan08 know you're using his account?

 

[Gipetto0812]

that is likely the magnetic eye control piece

Could be. It does look a little out of scale to be the pipe. Just hard to tell with the blurry pic

 

[sj2106]

If it's close to 1k for a single figure how many collectors can buy more than one or two a year at that price? That's okay if your getting a large scale statue but a 1/6 figure? Give me that $160 Wolverine over this any day.

 

[Captain Clown]

 

[Gipetto0812]

There's definitely a lot of "ifs" going on with this figure/release I guess to convince ourselves to get one even at the higher price

I personally don't like that, just as with InArt, there's a part of the set we're seemingly forced into buying and that is the pair of rottweilers, much like the Jail dio. Those would stay in the box forever after checking them out to make sure there's no QC issues.

Second current annoyance based on what we can see from those two pics - Not seeing a lot of gloved hands: 4 on the ground, 2 on the coated figured and possibly none on the uncoated figure. Doesn't seem like quite enough gloved hands unless one of those pairs are bendable I guess.

I do see the value of 2 bodies with this more than the InArt since, with the whole neck/clavicle areas as one piece, you'd basically have to disrobe the figure every time you want to switch the headsculpt with just one body. Based on what we can see, with the super duper deluxe premium $1million set you get a WHOLE second figure including the blazer and purple coat and not just part of second figure; so you can have the other one primed and ready to switch displays fairly simply which I do like.

I also like the display stands AND that you get 2 for the dual set. If they're using magnets like it appears to be, hopefully they work better than the InArt ones.

So, IF this looks good, I could see myself going for the fancy shmancy set as it would hopefully be the TDK Joker set I've wanted for my collection that I had hoped the InArt would be. At this price point, I don't really want to be looking for another pair of shoes that are going to cost $200+, a shirt that's going to be $150+ or a coat that's going to cost $500+ etc. I would love to feel like this is it in the same way that others feel for the InArt

 

[Bleah]

Nice. Silicone dogs! I heard it is able to talk to the collector.

 

[Nick D]

Would be a nice touch if they found a way to implement real laces with this, similar to their 1:3 but with the accurate waxed purple laces.

 

[dominishin]

More than 2x price over the single pack seems dumb. Feel like the bigger packs should be a little cheaper since most of the stuff like the body and costume is reuse.

 

[Hologram AI]

Official images slowly coming out. 3 tiers confirmed.

 

[dominishin]

Man the blazer is completely wrong color again.

The outfit in general isn't really anything we haven't seen before.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Happy to see one head has a smile or grin!

Poor selection of relaxed bare hands.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

Looks cool. Not sure it's worth a million dollars. Also, how can three different companies have the rights to make the same character in the same scale? That's crazy.

 

[Gipetto0812]

Clothing looks to be a step above InArt especially with the better scaled buttons plus the removable grenade rig. Wonder if the pants have the suspenders or not?

Looks like @xXJ0kerXx1 was right about that one blurry item being the eye tool and not be pipe

Looks like they went with a more dirty look for both headsculpts. @Wor-Gar may be happy that they have what looks to be a smiling headsculpt

@Nick D looks like they heard your request for the detonator. Hope it has both keys as I think his particular detonator has 2 keys, one for each set of explosives.

Shoes may be better than InArt but hard to tell for sure.

Lack in the amount of gloved hands is still a major disappointment

 

[Gipetto0812]

Looks cool. Not sure it's worth a million dollars. Also, how can three different companies have the rights to make the same character in the same scale? That's crazy.

Hot Toys has the global license, InArt’s was region specific which is why we had to go through OSK and other retailers to get it. Anywhere in the US that carried it had to go through certain distributor channels to get it which is why places like SpecFiction were the last to get their allotment. Soon, we’ll find out what license JND has when theirs is officially up for PO at the end of the week.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I like the dogs more than I thought I would.

I'm probably in for the 2-head single pack. Another $500+ for another outfit just isn't worth it for me... but maybe the outfit is that good?

 

[Aybaig]

Maybe I'm wrong, but the 2nd sculpt looks like their take on that "hit me!" scene.