The Joker

So if you read my review of Hot Toys Iron Man (MK III) you already know how outstanding their products are. Hot Toys specializes in 1/6 scale poseable figures generally licensed from popular film, video games and TV shows. Based out of Hong Kong, Hot Toys is quickly becoming the “go-to” company for 1/6 scale collectibles.

Normal releases (if you can call them normal… attention to detail and accessories have always been top-notch and overly abundant) are released in their standard line, Movie Masterpiece Series (aka MMS) The Joker we are looking at today is the first of a new branch of the line MMS DX. What makes the DX line so special? Let’s take a look…

First the package. Some feel a box is a box. It’s something to put the product in and ship it out. However, Hot Toys really understands presentation and when you have a 5-star product you need to present it as such.

The box is a nice, heavy-gauge cardboard with a reflective sheen over it. If you look carefully you can make out a classic style Joker image embedded in the cover. It’s subtle yet effective.

It opens like a book with magnets holding the flap closed. Inside the cover is a text description about the Joker, describing his part in Christopher Nolan’s film The Dark Knight. Over the main tray is a lid with playing cards tucked into it. These look just like the props from the film. A nice touch.

Removing the lid reveals two trays stacked on top of each other. The top tray holds the Joker figure and an alternate head and costume ( I thought the Gotham Police uniform was a proper 2nd figure, it wasn’t until I took it out to shoot photos for this review that I realized it’s a hollow shell holding the costume and 2nd head.) The 2nd tray holds all the accessories. And he has a lot…

• Deluxe Stand – Features 2 LED lights that act as spotlights… 3xAAA batteries not included
• Grenade string
• 7 purple gloved alternate hands
• 2 white gloved hands
• Pistol (with movable chamber and removable clip)
• Switchblade (blade extends)
• Gotham Police Hat
• Gotham Police badge
• Rifle (moveable bolt with bullets in the chamber)
• Deck of cards (all Jokers)
• Black socks
• Dress shoes (for Gotham Police Uniform)

The main attraction in this box is, of course, the newly re-sculpted Joker…

While Hot Toys has previously done a Joker from The Dark Knight, this is a completely new sculpt and it shows. The previous head sculpt was nowhere near as accurate as this new one. When I compare this release to photos of the first release the difference is night and day.

The likeness to Heath ledger is uncanny.

The figure features over 35 points of articulation and will hold any pose you throw at it. An interesting (and different) feature are the feet and hands. Usually on a 12-inch scale figure the feet and hands are permanently attached in a doll-like fashion. This makes holding poses (especially with the feet) difficult sometimes. Hot Toys has these designed more like action figures, using a ball and socket style attachment.

If looking stunning and being well accessorized wasn’t enough Hot Toys has a new gimmick for their DX line of collectibles. The Parallel Eye Roll System (P.E.R.S.)

P.E.R.S. features translucent iris’s creating a much more life-like look. But it doesn’t stop there…

A lever is cleverly hidden inside the head to allow you to move the eyes in any direction you see fit. The back of the head comes off to gain access to the lever and is held in place by a magnet.

Such a nice touch especially if you’re the type that can spend way too much time tweaking poses on your collectibles till they’re “just right.”

Like I mentioned earlier in the review, a 2nd outfit is included with the set. A Gotham Police uniform.

Sadly I really do not want to deal with redressing my Joker figure so these pictures are the best you’re going to get.

However if you’re the type that would want to pose both outfits on display you could break down and pick up a 2nd body from Hot Toys separately (Prices range 25 to 30 dollars.) For me it will stay in the box but it is nice they included it and all the appropriate accessories from the scene it appeared in.

Yeah this is a no brainier, if you’re a fan of the Batman franchise this is the Joker you want to add to your collection. Hands down the best interpretation of the character made to date. Period. End of discussion.

HD Video embedded below for the curious.