July 23 Quicklinks: Kotobukiya | Miscellaneous Convention Pictures

Kotobukiya

Kotobukiya had a few new choice items that were on display at their booth at the 2009 San Diego Comic Con.  Most of which we had seen at Toy Fair in New York, but there were some things that were a little different.

ART FX + - The ART FX + line is Koto’s prime vehicle for the Clone Wars.  They’re 8” vinyl figures that are issued in themed waves.  A Jedi wave featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker & Ahsoka Tano is in stores now, and they retail for about $60.  Each of those figures includes a Build-A-Figure part that when combined will  build a Yoda figure!

The next wave is a set of Clone Trooper Commanders.  On tap are Commander Gree, Commander Cody and Captain Rex.  Each of these Clones also feature human heads that can take the place of their helmets. Their Build-A-Figure components will make a Clone Jet Trooper.

And reports of the demise of the third wave in this line are somewhat exaggerated.  It’s built around a Sith theme, and features Count Dooku, Asajj Ventress and General Grievous.  Each of those figures includes parts that combine to make a holographic Darth Sidious.

There is also an exclusive in the works for this line.  It’s due to hit retail some time around October.  And this will be Commander Fox.  We previously showed an unpainted prototype of Fox in our 2009 Toy Fair coverage.  This time around we have a painted sample to feast our eyes on.  And the folks at Koto inform us that like the other Clone Commanders, Fox will feature an alternate head with no helmet.

Koto also gave convention goers a glimpse at what may be in store for collectors in the future of ART FX + during a presentation with Lucas Licensing’s Chris Spitale.  The Sith are once again the subject of this set, but with more of a classic lineup.  This wave may feature a battle ravaged Darth Vader who has been struck by Force Lightning; Emporer Palpatine who is depicted casting Force Lightning;  and Darth Maul, whose design was inspired by Japanese wood paintings of demonic characters.


CHOP SABERS – In their uniquely Japanese style, Kotobukiya will be offering a series of Lightsaber chop sticks.  We saw early versions of these at Toy Fair, but they have since been altered.  The new chop sabers are translucent like lightsabers and closely resemble the lightsabers of some of the major characters in the Saga.  And each set includes a clear acrylic stand to set the sticks upon.

The lightsabers in the lineup include Luke Skywalker’s blue lightsaber, Darth Vader’s red lightsaber and Yoda’s green lightsaber.  The Yoda chop sabers are shorter than the other sets.  And the sets are sold in sets of two.  If you buy the Luke Skywalker set, you also get a Yoda set.  And if you get a Darth Vader set, that also includes a pair of Yoda chop sabers.

Miscellaneous Convention Pictures