Figures Toy Company Harley Quinn Mego Style Action Figure :: Harley Qwednesday

Knowing how important Harley Quinn is to us here at Toyriffic, Figures Toy Company sent us their new Official World's Greatest Heroes Harley Quinn dolly retro action figure in Kresge style packaging! I also conducted a brief interview with Figures Toy Company's Chief Marketing Officer Chris DePetrillo, but first let's take a look at Harley herself:

Harley Quinn comes packaged in the Kresge style clamshell packaging which can be opened up and resealed. So you can keep your figure minty or take her out, or take her out and put her back in ad infinitum! I cut off the zip-tie that would have kept her completely sealed before the photo shoot so mine is of course not pure mint, but I like the option of placing her back in the clamshell for safe and dust-free display.

My intern is also very impressed, because she knows she can reseal the package and I will never know she has been playing with my Harley Quinn!

Harley's cardback also shows other Figures Toy Co releases Mary Marvel, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Batgirl and Catwoman.

If you've ever owned a Mego you know exactly how Harley is constructed. Figures Toy Company has religiously recreated the style and if she weren't so fresh and new (and if Harley Quinn had existed in the seventies) you might be convinced she was of that original toyline!

These Kresge packaging versions are limited to 1,000 figures - not sure if Harley Quinn will be released in later packaging but I have to assume she will. I got #0845 - whatta coincidence, that's my lucky number!

Like the original Megos before her, Harley's outfit is removable. I did not makey her nakey, but her leotard has velcro down the back so I think it a safe assumption. Her headpiece is not removable and could probably have used a bit of glue on the front, as it has the tendency to pop up high on her forehead and make her look bald (which she is under her her headpiece.) If I knew anything about doll customization I might be inclined to give her hair, or at least some bangs. The jester 'ears' have a metal armature in them, so they can be posed too, but I fear moving them too much as I don't want them to break.

Of course Harley Quinn is in exact scale with her original Mego counterpart Joker. Her head/face does look a bit more modern than his though.

If you're a fan of Harley Quinn and Figures Toy Co and Mego, you pretty much need this figure (she can be ordered direct from Figures Toy Co website.) She's the most retro Harley Quinn figure out there, (even though Harley Quinn as a character isn't old enough to be considered retro, at least in my mind!)

Definitely true to the essence of Harley Quinn in design and execution, this figure will be a focal point of your Harley Quinn collection and will fit in great with your old Megos or your new Figures Toy Co retro figures.

Now on to my interview with Figures Toy Company's Chief Marketing Officer Chris DePetrillo, who was kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions about Figures Toy Co, Harley Quinn and their DC line in general:

Toyriffic:
Other than the obvious answer of ‘why not?’ Why Harley Quinn?

Chris:
Harley is one of DC's most popular characters, one with one of the strongest followings. Obviously when we think of DC we immediately think of Batman, Superman, and those synonymous with the brand. Harley may not be what's considered a legendary character, but she is definitely one of the essential, core characters of the modern era.

Toyriffic:
Figures Toy Co focuses primarily on retro characters and themes. Harley Quinn made her animated debut in 92, and her first action figure wasn’t released until 1997. I’m no spring chicken to be sure, but I shudder to think of the nineties as ‘retro’. Is Harley the most modern comicbook character FTC has made to date?

Chris:
At this time Harley is the most current character we've offered as part of any of our DC Comics toy lines.

Toyriffic:
Is Harley the harbinger of more Batman Animated designs? Or perhaps Batman: The Brave and the Bold, which was itself very retro?

Chris:
We don't have any "cartoon specific" plans for a Batman series, but we are definitely looking to include as many famous characters from the Bat-universe in our lines as we can.

Toyriffic:
What has been your most popular figure or line so far?

Chris:
The Batman 1966 line has a tremendous following. It's the perfect blend of fans who love Batman comics, and who love the TV show coming together to collect these items. Plus if you're a fan of popular culture, it's also a draw to collectors to see the likenesses of these famous actors and actresses that have been on the show. Adam West, Burgess Meredith, Vincent Price, and so on. So many factors have made that into our most beloved line.

Toyriffic:
Were you into Mego figures as a kid?

Chris:
I was born at the tail end of Mego, but I did have a few. In fact, I still have my original Mego Incredible Hulk, which was the first toy I can remember being given. Anthony, the owner of Figures Toy Company, was into Mego figures as a kid, and it's been his love for the Mego line and the retro style of action figures that led to us pursuing DC Comics and other licenses for this format.

Toyriffic:
What toy or toyline made it's biggest impression on your younger self?

Chris:
I've always collected Incredible Hulk merchandise, dating back to getting that Mego Hulk as a kid. I've been a huge fan of the Marvel Legends figures since they debuted. Also, as a wrestling fan, I loved Hasbro's WWF figures in the early 90's. Looking back on them now, they're something that I think collectors would enjoy today. With their action features and small stature, they're the perfect "quirky collectible", along the lines of Funko's figures.

Toyriffic:
Has FTC toyed (get it haw haw haw) with the idea of any modern series or character costumes? Like the Flash TV show, Arkham video game costumes, or upcoming Suicide Squad movie designs?

Chris:
At this time the figures will continue to be based on the retro comic designs of each character. We have many figures coming out that are tied to the modern day (our upcoming Flash series, for instance), but the figure designs will be based solely on the DC artwork that collectors know and love.

Toyriffic:
Well Chris, thanks a ton for the Harley Quinn figure and thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions! Before you go, can you give us any hints on which famous Gothamites we might see in the near future? Poison Ivy, perhaps?

Chris:
Ra' Al Ghul and Commissioner Gordon are two names that will be out soon, and '66 fans will be getting their long awaited Batgirl and Barbara Gordon figures too. As for Poison Ivy or other famous faces from Batman lore, you'll just have to stay tuned to see what we have up our sleeve!