I'm a big fan of Mezco's One:12 Collective. It all started when I first got my hands on the prototype Dark Knight Returns Batman that kicked the line off. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the detailed, mixed-media figures, but once I held the aged Bruce, I knew this collection had incredible potential. The second release, Judge Dredd, was equally as impressive, but wasn't a must own for me. I loved the design, but felt I could forego this piece in lieu of upcoming pieces like the Flash or Superman. Then I saw the Black and White variant prototype of Judge Dredd at SDCC.

I'll put it plainly; I'm a sucker for black and white variants. It all started with NECA's Mirage-inspired Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles box set, and has continued through the years. There's just something more intriguing about a figure whose design has been whittled down to its most basic essence. Of course, where 2D linework can easily express a full figure, there's a true talent in being able to translate the simplified aesthetic into an appealing action figure. Even though the Judge Dredd Black and White NYCC variant doesn't quite have the same attention to line details as something like DC Collectibles' Blue Line Batman, its monochromatic scheme still catches my eye in a way the standard version doesn't.

There's nothing else different about this version of the figure from the initial One:12 Judge Dredd release. It will include the same fabric uniform, Lawgiver pistol, alternate hands, grenades, cuffs and more, only all of it will adhere to the new colorway. The explodey head, meant to offer an homage to the Tony Moore illustration (which is itself an homage to Geof Darrow's Hard Boiled work), doesn't appear to be part of the package, but does make for some cool promotional imagery. The diorama was on hand at SDCC, too, and made the figure that much more appealing. It really only does serve one particular purpose, so it makes sense not to include it, but it would have been cool to put that on display properly on a shelf in my own collection.

The Mezco One:12 Collective Judge Dredd Black and White NYCC variant will be available for pre-order starting on Sept. 16 for $65. These are considered separate from those being made available at the show itself, but knowing how quickly the SDCC Batman's sold out, you may want to think about the best course of action if you're hoping to lock one of these Dredd's down.

 

Mezco
Mezco
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Mezco
Mezco
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Mezco
Mezco
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