Although Diamond Select Toys will be releasing products based on the Hellboy and Alien vs. Predator films in 2004 as well as the perennially popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of the line will be made up of Marvel-based merchandise. DST's Marvel items include action figures, such as the Marvel Select: Ultimate ThorAction Figure, as well as limited edition busts, statues, and maquettes. DST will ship its first Marvel maquette in July, and it is only fitting that Spider-Man should be the first in this new line of artist-reference statues. Sculpted by Gabriel Marquez, the Spider-Man Marvel Maquette (MSRP: $99.00) stands eight inches tall and is limited to 5,000 pieces worldwide.
The Ultimate Thor Action Figure also stands nearly eight inches tall and also ships in July. The superbly detailed Thor figure features sixteen points of articulation. Sculptor Sam Greenwell is responsible for this plastic spawn of Odin, which comes with Mjolnir, his magical hammer, and perches on a base displaying the aftermath of Giant Man's battle with the Hulk as seen in the Ultimates #5. The DST Ultimate Thor Figure (MSRP: $18.99) will not be available in mass-market outlets.
Also shipping to retail in July is the Retro Black Cat Statue, sculpted by Clayburn Moore, who depicts the Black Cat in her original costume complete with realistic faux fur. Standing over 15 inches high, the Retro Black Cat (MSRP: $150) is limited to 3,000 pieces worldwide and includes a full color, hand numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
In August DST will release the Modern Era X-Men: Sabretooth Medium Statue (MSRP: $75.00), sculpted by Jeff Feligno, and limited to 3,000 pieces worldwide. The figure's Danger Room-styled base will connect to future releases in the series to form one massive diorama, or it can be displayed separately.
Also shipping in August is the Premier Collection White Queen 12' Statue (MSRP: $150.00), which is based on Greg Horn's breathtaking cover art created for Marvel's Emma Frost series. Sculpted by Clayburn Moore, the White Queen is depicted wearing the costume designed for her by fan favorite artist Frank Quitely. Standing over 15' high (with base), the Premier Collection White Queen 12' Statue is limited to 3,000 pieces worldwide and comes with a full color, hand-numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
DST is also planning an August release for the 1602 Thor Statue, the second statue in its 1602 line, based on the best-selling comic book series written by Neil Gaiman. The regular version of the 1602 Thor Statue (MSRP: 75.00) is limited to 2,500 pieces worldwide and comes with a full color Certificate of Authenticity. The Special Edition of the 1602 Thor Statue (MSRP: $110.00) is limited to just 500 pieces and features a different marble paint scheme for the base and includes a Certificate of Authenticity signed by series creator Neil Gaiman.
In addition to the statues and action figures DST and Art Asylum will release two more series of the compact and blocky Marvel Minimates figures in June. Series Six will include the following two-packs: New X-Men Wolverine and Jean Grey, Ghost Rider and Iron Man, and Gamma-Ray Hulk and The Leader. The specialty market exclusive chase figure for Series Six is Stealth Armor Iron Man. Series Seven of the Marvel Minimates also ships in June and includes the following two-packs: Silver Surfer and Thanos, Grey Hulk & The Rhino, and Ultimate Spider-Man & Chameleon. The specialty market exclusive figure for Series Seven will be J. Jonah Jameson (with removable mask). Each two-pack has an MSRP of $6.99.
