Medicom

There are few superhero movies we here at ComicsAlliance are looking forward to more than Spider-Man: Homecoming. After years of trying, it seems like Sony and Marvel may have finally found the right combination of elements to make this franchise enjoyable again. Fortunately, that means any tie-in merchandise is actually going to be worth tracking down. Or maybe I should say it's unfortunate because my wallet is going to be feeling the pain if this new Medicom MAFEX Spider-Man is any indication the kind of amazing figures we're going to get for this movie.

Though Harley Quinn and the Joker have been making most of the Suicide Squad action figure waves (the latter despite only being in a portion of the film, and not a proper member of the Skwad), more of the cast is finally getting a moment in the sun. Now Will Smith isn't exactly known for giving his likeness rights to action figures, but it would appear some special exceptions have been made for his turn as Deadshot in the upcoming DC movie. While the mass market versions bare the same passing resemblance of his figures from past films, Medicom has gone all out to bring the real Fresh Prince to life.

With the Suicide Squad movie just a few months away, we're starting to see more and more collectibles popping up to tie into the film. Now that Batman V Superman's merchandising deluge has mostly subsided, it's on to the next big DC/WB event film. While we've seen a smattering of DC Collectibles and Mattel pieces set to tie into the upcoming action flick, there's been very little featuring one of the premiere squaddies, Harley Quinn. To this point, even DC is one of the only companies to even have shown off a Harley figure, save for Medicom, which finally unveiled its version of the character this week. Previously, Medicom announced a Suicide Squad Joker, but the rest of the film's actual major players were left to the sidelines. I understand that the Joker is a big mover and shaker, particularly when it comes to Medicom and its MAFEX line, but to make him the lead figure from that film strikes me as an odd decision given how much more prominent the likes of Harley Quinn, Deadshot or even Boomerang have been leading into the movie's release. We also know the Joker is but a mere guest in the larger scheme of that film, so putting him at the forefront just doesn't sit right with me. That's doubly true considering we'll have to wait until 2017 to see the second figure, Harley Quinn.

Though Medicom is far from the first company to show off a Knightmare Batman from this year's Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, it can count itself among very few to have a Joker action figure based on the upcoming Suicide Squad feature. Outside of Mattel's Toy Fair preview, there hasn't been much information on any Suicide Squad figures, but the MAFEX Joker looks to be miles ahead of anything else we've seen so far in the 6" form for DC's next movie.

There's a new Marvel movie on the way, so that means Medicom's timing for this all-new MAFEX Iron Man is on point. Well it would be if this Iron Man were based on the upcoming Captain America: Civil War incarnation. Instead, the company is just slightly behind the times with this Avengers: Age of Ultron MK XLV armor. Unlike the import competition, Medicom's decided to focus on the last iteration of Iron Man's armor, but given how few figures actually captured this suit from the final half of Age of Ultron, it's not all that disappointing. The MK XLV armor is one of the best-looking suits from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and affordable versions of this suit have been few and far between. While Hot Toys has had the market cornered on the high-end spectrum, only Figuarts has really devoted any attention to the AOU Iron Man in 1/12 scale. Medicom might be playing a bit of catch up with this release, but it might be the better of the two import options if the final release ends up looking as nice as this prototype.

It seems there will be no shortage of Wonder Woman figures joining the likes of Batman and Superman when the first Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice toys start hitting shelves. It's a good thing too, considering she looks like the only part of the movie that will have any redeeming qualities whatsoever. Sure, the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight throwing down will be fun to watch in a live-action movie (maybe?), but they've both had their chances with solo films, and the resulting action figures, before. The only question that remains is whether or not she'll get some goofy variants like Batman and Superman have in the past. That won't really be a concern for the Medicom MAFEX line though. That's more of a Mattel deal. Medicom strives for Figuarts/Figma-like accuracy, and we'll like just be getting the one Wonder Woman to join with the Batman and Superman figures already coming, as well as this new Armored Batman. Did you know Batman wears armor in the new movie? I know it's hard to tell considering you can't look at a promotion for BVS without seeing Armored Batman standing front and center.

If you're a fan of Medicom's MAFEX line, you know it's been doing some good things with the DC Cinematic Universe license. Well, at least as far as Batman is concerned. We've gotten a few different Christian Bale Batman figures, as well as a handful of Heath Ledger Jokers and a lone Anne Hathaway Catwoman to round out the group. The DC portion of MAFEX line will continue in 2016 with the just-announced Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice series, which brings the new, dour incarnation of the Dark Knight to life alongside his Krytponian nemesis, Party Time Superman. Seriously, have you seen the Man of Steel Superman this excited before? He can barely contain the joy of becoming a highly-articulated import figure. More importantly, this is exactly the kind of thing you expect a farmboy with such a wholesome attitude (and who probably calls soda "pop") to do in a situation where he's supposed to be happy. You could easily argue that Superman is meant to be showing off his strength in that picture, but the only thing he's raising above his head is the roof.

Seven years ago, Christopher Nolan tapped Heath Ledger to play arguably the most iconic comic book villain in his sequel to Batman Begins. As the Joker in The Dark Knight, Ledger made a lasting impression on the fanbase that's often remembered as one of, if not the, most memorable performance in a comic book film. At least part of that reverence comes from the fact that it was Ledger's final film role, but it's also due to the fact that his Joker was so different, strange and captivating. Since that film's release, Joker action figures have constantly been in the rotation from various companies, including Hot Toys, NECA, and recently, Medicom. The Japanese manufacturer has been slowly releasing figures based on the final two films in the past year or so, including a Batman, Catwoman and a purple-suited Joker. Next, Medicom's MAFEX line will introduce the Joker from his brief time as a bank robber in the earliest moments of The Dark Knight.

Though fans have access to Batman, Joker, Superman, Bizarro and Swamp Thing, Medicom's line of DC Comics sofubi figures will finally welcome two female characters in 2015 with Batgirl and Catwoman joining the soft vinyl fray. Befitting the line's retro toy nature, both Batgirl and Catwoman are outfitted in their late 1960s to mid '70s looks...

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