I have to admit that these Revoltech figures are my first exposure to Detroit Metal City. Detroit Metal City (or DMC for short) is a manga about a young man who leaves the farm for the big city to be a musician. He's kind of a nerd, who loves swedish pop music, but he somehow becomes the lead singer of the death metal band Detroit Metal City. Thus, the meek Negishi Soichi becomes Johannes Krauser II.

DMC is going to be released as a live action movie in 2008, and yes, that is Gene Simmons in the trailer:

The makeup of the band members are an obvious homage to the band KISS, and even the title is reminiscent of "Detroit Rock City", a KISS song.

With that understanding of DMC, these figures make a little more sense. Out of context, they are pretty weird.

Revoltech Johannes Krauser II is available at HobbyLink Japan.

Johannes Krauser II is the lead singer and lead guitarist of DMC. As such, the figure comes with a microphone and guitar. The guitar has a strap and there is also a peg on the body of the guitar. This is for when you replace the clear "motion hands" - you can secure one to the guitar.

The build is fine, the articulation is fine - typical revoltech. There are two swappable heads, and several option hands.

The cape is jointed and made out of four separate pieces.

Of course, included is the typical Revoltech stand. You kind of need it with this figure, the cape makes him very top heavy.

You may not know about DMC now, but with all the KISS references, it will no doubt be released in the US.

You can be ahead of the cool kids by getting your Johannes Krauser II at HobbyLink Japan.