Marvel and Mattel unveil amazing X-Men ladies in SDCC: Storm, Dark Phoenix and Mystique

It is not uncommon for Marvel and other big companies to unveil new superhero dolls in SDCC - in fact it’s a given, even when they are not comic-con exclusives. So yesterday, during the event’s preview day, the three X-Men ladies everyone had been waiting for were unveiled. They celebrate Marvel’s 80-year anniversary.

From Mattel designer Bill Greening’s instagram - the SDCC stand of the Marvel Barbies

The three dolls use the same body as the Wonder Woman collector doll and will be available from today to pre-order exclusively from Gamestop.com and Barbie Signature. The release date is October and they will then be available in shops as well. Retail price $54.99. We know dealers have been able to pre-order them so contact your favourite dealer for details.

STORM: Born Ororo Munroe, Storm is one of the most powerful mutants on Earth. As a member of the X-Men team, she confounds enemies with her ability to manipulate weather and the atmosphere. Storm Barbie® doll is as electrifying as the character she emulates. This collectible Barbie® doll captures Storm’s iconic look in a shiny-black bodysuit, cape and thigh-high boots, all with metallic-gold trim. Gauntlets, a headdress and her signature gemstone brooch finish the fierce look.

The dolls are designed with their original comic book looks, no relation to their movie counterparts. I love how Storm looks here, although the lack of heels on her boots is weird for these feet. I know Storm hovers over the ground instead of walking on it when she’s on super hero mode but this does not work perfectly for a doll. Other than that, she’s perfection. It looks like she is using the Selma sculpt.

MYSTIQUE: This Super Villain is a mutant born with the ability to shapeshift. She deceives her enemies by mimicking the appearance and voice of any person. Mystique Barbie® doll is as beguiling as the character she emulates. This collectible Barbie® doll captures the Super Villain’s iconic look in a white dress with a double slit and belt of skulls. Details include white gloves, boots, and the signature skull detail adorning her forehead.

Great Mystique doll - I hope the hair will be perfect like this IRL. Love the scull accessories. She has the Louboutin sculpt.

DARK PHOENIX: Also known as Jean Grey-Summers, Dark Phoenix is an Omega-level mutant with telepathic and telekinetic powers. This beloved character, who has faced numerous deaths and rebirths, wrestles with her personal demons. Dark Phoenix Barbie® doll is as fierce as the character she emulates. This collectible Barbie® doll captures Dark Phoenix’s iconic look in a red bodysuit with shimmering gold details, including the gold phoenix graphic, thigh-high boots, gloves and a sash.

Beautiful Jean grey in her Dark Phoenix era, using the Mermaid sculpt. Again no heel boots, probably because she was not walking but flying all the time.

She-Ra exclusive SDCC Mattel doll - with a stolen design for her sword

It has been a few days since images of the exclusive San Diego ComicCon exclusive She-Ra doll from Mattel surfaced on-line, first in USA-Today and later in various websites and forums. She looks impressive and has a new body design that is somewhere between the Made-to-Move bodies and a superhero sculpt. She will retail for $75 and of course you can only get it if you visit ComicCon.

She has different outfits and accessories that are interchangeable, offering a variety of looks.

Some more photos:

The thing is that Mattel (or more precisely, the designer working for Mattel who did this doll) has copied the gold sword from a professional Greek comic artist, Yannis Rubus Rubulias, who had done a fan-art depiction of She-Ra back in 2011.

See what they did?

The resemblance is uncanny. It is not the first time we see this kind of copying in the doll world but a major company doing it is the icing on the cake. Whoever designed the doll should have contacted Yannis to ask for permission and copyright. What do you think?

All doll photos are by Mattel, art by Yannis Rubus Rubulias

San Diego Comic Con Jem And The Holograms IT exclusive: Twilight In Paris

Every year, Jem fans eagerly await the announcement of the Integrity Toys San Diego Comic Con exclusive Jem doll - much desired and sought after all over the world. This year's special release is a Quick Switch Jem/Jerrica doll (for me this is probably the reason this system was developed in the first place), in a special package, courtesy of the multi-talented Alain Tremblay from IT. Let's find out more about the doll:

TWILIGHT IN PARIS™ JERRICA BENTON/JEM Doll 
Ages: 15 and up
Approx. Retail Price: $149.99 US
($162.00 with California Sales tax included at the show)
Available at Hasbro's Booth #3329 at Comic-Con International in San Diego

This fully articulated, Special Edition Twilight in Paris™ Jerrica Benton/Jem doll stands 12.5 inches tall and features all of the components needed to transform the doll from Jerrica Benton into Jem via Integrity Toys' QuickSwitch system that allows users to easily pop the head sculpts on and off, as well as the corresponding clothing components.

As a bonus, this highly sought after collectible is brought to fans intricately packaged in a custom souvenir box that turns into a 30" tall diorama of the Eiffel Tower to use as a background to display Jem And The Holograms. Doll stand and certificate of authenticity included. Following the convention, a limited number will be available on HasbroToyShop.com.

The outfit is based on a vintage 80's Flip Side Fashion, which was called "Like a Dream" back in the day, now paired to go with movie director Anthony Julian. Instructions are provided to help turn the package in the the Eiffel Tower Diorama:

As I mentioned in the introduction, the packaging was created by Alain Tremblay, The actual doll was designed by Vaughn Sawyers. Both guys are huge fans of the series and they keep on proving it with each successive release in this line.

The price of $149.99 announced above does not include California Sales tax, so the actual price at the SDCC show will be $162.00 tax included.

Important: This release is a HASBRO exclusive and neither the W Club or IT Direct will have any quantities available of this doll or have access to it in any way. IT will not be able to help anyone pre-order this exclusive either and does not have further information about timing or anything else at this time.

If you are curious and would like to view the entire "Twilight in Paris" music video, here it is:


HASBRO and its logo, JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. ©2015 HASBRO. All rights reserved.
All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2015 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

Glitter 'N Gold: The San Diego Comic Con Hasbro/Integrity Jem exclusives!

For the Jem and the Holograms fans, the San Diego Comic Convention surely is a high point as it is the place where exclusives are to be presented - and sold! So it is no surprise that Integrity Toys and Hasbro announced the dolls that will be available there. The original  Glitter 'N Gold was designed to be the bold new look of the second wave Jem and the Holograms collection originally released in 1987. So let's see how the new dolls following in those footsteps look! One is a Comic-Con exclusive and one is an IT-Direct exclusive. Read on!

Item #14044
Glitter 'N Gold Jem/Jerrica Benton™ Doll
The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ Collection
2013 SDCC HASBRO Shop Exclusive
Suggested Retail Price: $140.00 US
Estimated Ship Date: July 2013

This fully articulated 12-inch fashion doll features hand-applied eyelashes and pink and golden blond accented rooted hair, styled in Jem's signature look. As a tribute to the original doll from 1986, this themed mini gift set includes two complete looks:

The gift set includes the Jem doll, two outfits, two pairs of shoes, Jemstar earrings, the Glitter 'N Gold Award (with removable gold album), a new wireless microphone accessory, a limited edition Glitter 'N Gold vaccu-chrome plated doll display stand and exclusive certificate of authenticity.

Please note that the Wave 1 Jerrica Benton doll is not included and they used her as a model in the photo above to show off the second dress included in this set.

How to get it: The doll will be available for purchase in person only, directly from HASBRO at booth #3329 during Comic-Con International San Diego the weekend of July 18-21, 2013. Any remaining quantities will be available on-line after the show from the HASBRO Toy Shop. PLEASE NOTE: This doll is a HASBRO exclusive product and Integrity Toys will not have any quantities available for sale. The entire production run of this doll will be handled by HASBRO.

Doll specifications:
Body Type: Jem™
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan Tone
Hair Color: Layered, Duo-Toned Blond and Pink
Facial Screen: Brand New, with Side Glancing Eyes
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied
Package Dimensions: Approximately 9.5" X 15" X 3"

Let's see how the new packaging looks (lots of gold!):

Item #14045
Glitter 'n Gold Rio Pacheco™
The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ Collection
IT Direct Online Exclusive
Suggested Retail Price: $119.00 US + shipping and handling (based on your location)
Estimated Ship Date: July 2013

This fully articulated 12.5-inch fashion figure features dark purple fully rooted, middle parted hair styled in Rio's 80's" look. As a tribute to the original doll from 1986, RIO PACHECO's outfit comes complete with a golden jacket, white pants, a long sleeve shirt, bow tie, shoes and socks. Rio also sports an exclusive gold watch and comes complete with a miniature gold record, a rose for Jem and champagne! It also includes a limited edition Glitter 'N Gold vaccu-chrome plated doll display stand and exclusive certificate of authenticity. For adult collectors ages 14 &up. 

How to get the doll: This doll will be available on-line directly from Integrity Toys via the IT Direct shop starting Wednesday July 17th, 2013 at Noon EDT. The purchase of this doll will be open to the general public, however, W Club members will be given a special 24 hour priority pre-order window starting Tuesday July 16th, 2013 at Noon EDT. This product will be offered on the Integrity Toys site on a first-come, first-served basis and will be available until quantities last only. This product will be on-hand and ready to ship approximately the week of July 22nd. Payment plus shipping will be required in full and will be due at ordering time.

Doll Specifications:
Body Type: FR Homme
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Latino
Hair Color: Middle Part, Dark Purple
Facial Screen: Side Glancing Eyes
Eyelashes: No
Package Dimensions: Approximately 9.5" X 15" X 3"

Please note that the photos are of prototype dolls and subject to changes and modifications. Also note that the dolls are all sold separately.All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2013 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

Jem & The Holograms by Hasbro and Integrity Toys - Update!

Today Integrity Toys release more information for JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Special Edition Doll HOLLYWOOD JEM™, as the buzz generated on the web since the announcement of the new Integrity Toys/Hasbro collaboration was huge. Theannouncement generated lots of questions  about future plans for the brands and about the Special Edition: HOLLYWOOD JEM doll herself, so the W Club went to the source and asked the designers for a little more information.

This line has been created by the Integrity Toys design team in close collaboration with Hasbro and is destined to adult fans and collectors of JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS. It is not intended to be "play line", it is a high-end collectible just like Poppy Parker or Fashion Royalty. The dolls feature a brand new body sculpt seen for the first time on this new line. The new body has slightly larger feet and newly sculpted interchangeable hands, which are more in proportions and will allow the characters to hold accessories better and more realistically. The dolls will be able to share clothes with many other Integrity Toys dolls, but the shoes will be unique to this new body only.

The earrings on HOLLYWOOD JEM do not light up like they did on the vintage Jem dolls from the 80's. This was done to make the earrings look more like they did in the cartoon, but they are chrome plated in red for that extra burst of sparkle. The outfits are faithfully reproduced from looks seen in both the TV show and the toy line and are ultra detailed, just like any other Integrity Toys collectibles. Each doll in the collection will feature ultra detailed accessories, musical instruments, etc. including tiny miniature amp cables for the instruments and microphones that can be connected to the doll stand for better display possibilities and added realism.

Designed to be reminiscent of the vintage oval doll stands, the new doll stand created just for the JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS collection will work in two modes, both "saddle style" and "underarm style". Interchangeable connector parts will be included with each doll. The packaging was especially designed to keep a retro look, while being modern and more "collectible". Each characters will come with special mementos. For example, HOLLYWOOD JEM includes a miniature reproduction of the original Jem poster and a doll sized "Boulevard of Fame" star frame, which Jem received in the original "HOLLYWOOD JEM" episodes for her work on the movie "Starbright".

People on the design team of JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS are serious fans, so you can expect some cool surprises with every new doll in the line, they even created an instruction sheet printed in purple, in the same style as the vintage dolls - that's attention to details! Information about the next characters in the line, edition sizes and distribution details will be released in the near future. The Special Edition: HOLLYWOOD JEM Doll JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS COLLECTION is debuting at the San Diego Comic Con International 2012 as an Exclusive with a suggested retail price of $125.00 US  It will be available from Hasbro Toy Shop at booth # 3329.

If you want to find out more about this truly outrageous collaboration between Hasbro and Integrity Toys, the IT marketing team and Haute Doll have collaborated together to bring you the first ever SDCC exclusive cover variant of Haute Doll magazine, only available at the show itself for free in the Hasbro booth, #3329.

So lots more information about the new line of dolls. I wonder if this new body will make its way into their fashion doll lines. I love the poseability it shows. What do you think?