Arkham City Mr. Freeze

John from Robot Monster Space Superhero sent me this DC Multiverse Mr. Freeze a few months ago. Mr. Freeze is incredibly detailed for this 3.75" scale.

The DC Multiverse line can be a little inconsistent - some figures have accessories, some don't. Some are pretty plain, while some are beautifully sculpted. Mr. Freeze has got to be one of the line's best so far!

This is of course Mr. Freeze as he appears in the Arkham City video game. It's incredible how iconic the video game series and designs have become. They are now a deeply ingrained aspect of the greater Batman mythos.

Thanks again to John for this cool (get it? haw haw haw) Mr. Freeze!

Arkham Knight Batmobile :: Hot Wheels New for 2015

I don't follow Hot Wheels as closely as I used to, so I was surprised to learn of the recent release of the Arkham Knight Batmobile, and even more surprised to find it not long after hearing of it's existence!

Due to the delay of the game's release, we're seeing a lot of Arkham Knight relevant merchandise like action figures and this car months before the video game has even been played by fans.

There's really no 'jazz' to this vehicle, it's just another Bat-Tank. But it's a Batmobile, and it will be the first playable Batmobile in the Arkham video game series, so it should be pretty awesome. If I played with my Hot Wheels I know this one would be fun too. It isn't pretty, but it gets the job done.

The Arkham Knight Batmobile is part of the New for 2015 HW City series and is numbered 61/250.

I Hate Harley Quinn! :: DC Comics Multiverse Arkham Knight Harley Quinn

Man I am so sick and tired of Harley Quinn.

'Wah wah Mr. J wah wah true love wah wah wah!'

Oh just shaddup, get a tan and get over yourself you overrated two-bit Joker Goon!

April Fools! I love love LOVE Harley Quinn, ya' doofuses! And I always will!

Anyways, I finally found the Arkham Knight video game version of Harley Quinn in action figure from the DC Comics Multiverse toyline.

Batman: Arkham Knight's Harley Quinn looks pretty good in action figure form.

The quality of paint applications on her face can vary from figure to figure; fortunately there were two on the shelf when I found her so I was able to pick up the best one.

Harley Quinn comes with a character appropriate giant mallet - and on one side is molded the phrase 'Your Face Here.' It's nice that Mattel included this mallet, as they tend to scrimp on accessories across the board. It's even nicer that there are fun details on it and it isn't just a lump of generic brown plastic.

The opposite mallet face has three red diamonds embossed on it. Another nice, unexpected detail.

Sadly Harley does not have elbow articulation, so poses with the mallet are limited. She does have wrist articulation, which is surprising. She also has knee articulation, hip articulation, an upper knee rotating cut and neck articulation.

Harley Quinn has been on shelves for a few months now. If you are having difficulty finding Harley Quinn at retail (like I was), check your local Walgreens (like I did.) You might just get lucky!

I can't wait until the Arkham Knight video game comes out. Also available will be a Harley Quinn themed DLC wherein you can play as Harley Quinn herself in an attempt to break Poison Ivy out of jail.

Good times!

Batman Animated Harley Quinn from DC Collectibles :: Harley Qwednesday

DC Collectibles just unveiled a look at a slew of new action figures and statues coming soon (and to be displayed at SDCC 2014) but who cares about all that other junk - what's important is this upcoming Batman: The Animated Series / The New Batman Adventures Harley Quinn action figure! A thing of sheer beauty, I believe this Harley Quinn action figure is due out December 2014. This will be mine!

Also revealed, and relevant to our interests here, was the Batman: Arkham Knight  Harley Quinn action figure. The face isn't as cute as the source material, but I will probably still pick this one up anyways.

So that's your latest Harley Quinn action figure news - very late on a late Friday night. Because Harley Qwednesday isn't just a day: it's a state of mind!

Harley Qwednesday :: Funko POP Arkham Asylum Harley Quinn

I just discovered over at popvinyl.net that Funko has released an Arkham Asylum nurse costume Harley Quinn! The figure is currently a Hot Topic 'pre-release' exclusive, which means for a limited time you can only find her at Hot topic, and later you will find her at other POP vinyl retailers.

 

I'm going to have to hit up my local Hot Topic until I find this one!As big of a fan of Harley Quinn as I am, I do not have her in any form in her Arkham Asylum nurse outfit. It isn't one of my favorite looks for Harley, to be honest. But it works well as POP vinyl figure, and will look great next to my Hot Topic exclusive POP vinyl Harley Quinn with mallet.

Also available is Batman, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc and The Joker in POP vinyl Arkham Asylum form.

pic credit @Funko_mania

DC Multiverse Arkham Asylum Batman

I received this Arkham Asylum video game version of Batman from jboy of The Clawful Punch a few weeks back. Thanks John!

One can never have too many different versions of The Batman! This Batman is from the current 3 3/4" DC Multiverse action figure line, and it's hard to believe this is the first Arkham Asylum Batman to make his way into my collection. I always felt this Batman design suffered from a severe case of Pin-headedness. But the Arkham Asylum Batman is definitely an iconic representation of the Batman, due in no small part to the fact that the video game launched an all new media franchise that continues to influence all things 'Batman' to this day.

As for the figure itself, it's a good effort on Mattel's part to try and keep up with the Joneses (aka Hasbro.) I'm not going to become a Multiverse completeist by any means, but I will gladly pick up a few more figures from this line. I do look forward to the Keaton Batman from this Multiverse line, which people are apparently finding at retail already.

Batman: Arkham Knight Coming in October 2014 :: With Playable Harley Quinn! :: Harley Qwednesday

The latest (and reportedly last) chapter in the Arkham video game series, Batman: Arkham Knight was just announced, with a release date of October 14th 2014. Check out the incredible promotional video below:

As if that wasn't exciting enough, Harley Quinn will be available as a playable character if you pre-order the game from GameStop!

Many fans are excited that Rocksteady, the developers who started it all with Batman: Arkham Asylum (and followed up with Batman: Arkham City) is again in charge of bringing Batman and the rest of Gotham City to life. The catch? This game will only be available on Xbox 1, Playstation 4 and PC. Looks like I might have to update my game system this year!

Harley Qwednesday :: Injustice Harley Quinn Classic Costume 'Skin' DLC

Just revealed on the Injustice Gods Among Us Facebook Page is this DLC of Harley Quinn's classic costume!

I'm waiting for the game to have been out a while so I can get it on sale/used - I'm just not that big a gamer to need most games on opening day unless it's an 'Arkham' title - but when I do get it I'll be downloading this Harley Quinn costume that day! None other compare to the classic!

Ain't no party like a Wii U party 'cuz a Wii U party's got Mario. And free food.

This past Sunday my friend Jenny hosted a Nintendo Wii U party. She had been approached by Nintendo to host this party - in exchange they gave her a brand new Nintendo Wii U and catered the event. For free!

Clearly she is a very influential blogger. And if I can't be an influential blogger then at least I can know one and eat their food.

The event was mostly for the kids to play Nintendo and for parents to learn what the new Wii U is all about (and then run out and buy one). But the adults did get plenty of play time in as well.

Although I admit most of my playtime was seen through the amber haze of a beer bottle. That could be said about a lot of what I do, come to think about it.

Emceed by Nintendo's own Chris and Brian, the event introduced us all to the Wii U game system and it's features, playability and new GamePad component.

Our friends' son Elliot broke out his finest suit for the occasion. Which was balanced by the kid in the background who didn't wear a shirt at all.

We played family friendly games like Super Mario Bros. U and Sing Party. Elliot was clearly not impressed by our friend Chris' rendition of Katy Perry's 'Firework.' This dapper young lad's taste in fashion is clearly matched by his taste in music.

I was really hoping Nintendo would bring Arkham City along with them, but they were going for more family friendly and multi-player titles I suppose. Although if they knew MY family, they'd have brought some Batman!

Here everyone is playing Nintendoland. One of the 12 games included in this title is a tag type game wherein the GamePad player runs off and after a few seconds' head start the other four players chase them down and try to tackle them. This game was a lot of fun; when I played it I had the tagee in my sights, until the GamePad player grabbed a star and became invincible! No one told me they could do that!

At the end of their time with us, Chris and Brian gave away a few fun prizes. I won a gift certificate and my step-son won a Wii U cup. Other prizes won included Wii U games and a stuffed Wario.

All in all the event was great fun, and Nintendo's Chris and Brian handled the cacophony of what seemed like a thousand kids in one little room like champions. I'd have liked some time to play with the GamePad myself, but I have to say as a family/party system the Wii U is a blast! We have the standard Wii at home, and play head-to-head games like Mario Kart all the time, but don't generally game as a family or with large groups. Personally I enjoy games that I can play alone and decompress from the world around me long into the night. But if you're not as curmudgeonly as I am and are looking for a game system that brings people together, while still allowing you to play those single player titles (enhanced by the WiiU GamePad of course!) then you can't go wrong with the Wii U.

Special thanks to my newest Toyriffic intern Mary, who took the pics for this post (except for the pic of Elliot the music critic, which was taken by Jenny.)

Batman: Arkham Origins Revealed!

Gameinformer magazine has just released information on the next installment of the Batman: Arkham Asylum and Arkham City videogame series.

Batman: Arkham Origins will be a 'prequel' to those games, and is set for release October 25th 2013 on all those video game systems you know and love.

Check out the video below for some story tidbits and concept art, and be sure to follow along with Gameinformer magazine as they continue to release more exclusive news over the next few weeks!

My only personal concern is that the game won't be developed by Rocksteady (the studio that released the first to Arkham video games) and will instead be produced by Warner Bros. Games Montreal. Will Batman: Arkham Origins be the 'X3' or 'Shumacher' of the series? Or will WB Studios be able to match (or dare I say it, top) what Rocksteady has done?

Only time will tell.

Poisunday Ivy :: Infinite Crisis MOBA

DC recently announced a new MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) video game: Infinite Crisis, and apparently Poison Ivy will be a playable character:

The graphics look pretty basic but the main draw is the huge online world you roam around in and interact with other superheroes I suppose. I've never played a MOBA game so I couldn't say if it really appeals to me or not, but I did sign up for the Beta, so we'll see!

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT UNVEILS

INFINITE CRISIS

First Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Game Based on DC Multiverse to Debut Fall 2013

Players Can Register Now for a Chance to Participate in the Beta

BURBANK, Calif. – March 25, 2013 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced Infinite Crisis, an all-new multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Turbine, the award winning studio behind free-to-play online games including The Lord of the Rings Online™. Infinite Crisis is a free-to-play game that features a deep roster of DC Comics characters and is scheduled for release in 2013 for the PC.

Infinite Crisis is a new entrant into the wildly popular MOBA genre that delivers a heart-pounding competitive player vs. player battle experience set in the legendary DC Multiverse - a world in which familiar DC Comics characters have been reimagined in startling ways.  Featuring a wide variety of DC Comics heroes and villains, Infinite Crisis puts players in control of twisted incarnations of their favorite characters throughout the Multiverse such as Nightmare Batman and Gaslight Catwoman, playing in league with well-known characters including Green Lantern and The Flash.

“We are thrilled to bring Infinite Crisis, a truly competitive experience featuring the DC Comics lore and characters, to the MOBA genre,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.  “Turbine is a pioneer in online gaming and combined with the amazing world of DC Comics, they are executing on a game concept that expands the MOBA genre.”

“The Turbine team is very excited to reveal Infinite Crisis to the world and extend the MOBA genre with new features,” said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer, Turbine.  “We are utilizing years of experience in the online game space to deliver innovations to the MOBA genre with a game that features fast-paced action, a major story arc, destructible environments, catastrophic events and a deep roster of iconic DC Comics characters.”

For more information or to sign up for a chance to participate in the beta visit www.infinitecrisis.com.

# # #

About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.  DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.  In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

About Turbine
Turbine, Inc. is a premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities. Turbine is wholly owned by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and has created some of the world’s most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Online™, Dungeons & Dragons Online®, and Asheron's Call®.  For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.
INFINITE CRISIS software © 2013 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by Turbine. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.  All rights reserved.
DC LOGO, and all characters, their distinctive likenesses, and related elements are trademarks of DC Comics © 2013.

TURBINE LOGO, WB GAMES LOGO, WB SHIELD: ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.    

Harley Qwednesday :: Injustice "Alternate Earth" Harley Quinn

It appears an 'Alternate Earth' costume will be available for Harley Quinn in the upcoming Injustice: Gods Among Us video game. No word yet on how you will access this costume (in game win, DLC, pre-order exclusive?) but as you can see from the in game image above and the concept art below, it is clearly inspired by Harley's Arkham City groove.

I dig it!

And here's a look at her 'standard' Injustice costume concept art, just for kicks.

Bane will also be getting an Alt. Earth costume inspired by Arkham City, but this is Harley Qwednesday not Banerday, so screw him. One can assume more heroes and villains will be getting alternative versions as well.

Pics via Shoryuken.com

Harley Qwednesday :: Injustice Cosplay

The fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us isn't even out yet, but cosplayer Jessica Nigri has been cosplaying Injustice Harley Quinn since...oh about fifteen minutes after the first images of HQ from the game were revealed!

And I'm pretty sure it'll not be done better by anyone ever!

For reference, here's a shot of Harley Quinn as she appears in the video game, which isn't due out until April 2013.

And here are a bunch of pics of Jessica...

For good measure, here are some pics of Jessica cosplaying as Lady Joker...

Follow all of Jessica's cosplay antics at Jessica Nigri's Facebook Fan Page.