Hey, kids, Action Figure Times has been nominated for the Clutter 2013 Designer Toy Awards for best blog. We need your help to push us over the top and hope that you all will register and vote for us, which you can do once every day. We’re up against some of the bigger names in toy reporting, so cast your vote and prove to our moms that we’re not just shut ins in her basement playing with “dollies” as she so sarcastically puts it.

Makie is a fully customizable  3D-printed action figure

Makie

Making custom designs with 3D printing is nothing new—in fact, it’s right with the spirit of the technology. However we aren’t all superb designers, and it can be challenging—or even impossible—to design something that you’re happy with. So if you’ve been thinking about 3D printing a custom action figure, you might want to check out Makie, by MakieLab first.

MakieLab is a London-based toys and games company that’s dedicated to creating “future-smashing” toys. What exactly that is, I’m not sure. The company’s creations feature a rare level of customizability and detail in both the models and their clothing, not to mention realistic glossy eyes, a design choice some might deem creepy, but that I prefer to think of as awesome.

There are several advantages to ordering a custom figurine from Makie, rather than printing one of your own. For one, the company uses a highly sophisticated 3D printer that bonds powdered plastic via lasers, so the print resolution is quite high. Also, Makie let’s you design figures using its online app, making it easy to customize the figure to look like you without too much effort. I tried out the app myself, and though they didn’t have my exact hair style (think Jesus), I did manage to create something I wouldn’t mind displaying in my living room.

Makie

Another interesting thing to note, is the fact that the figurines have hollow insides. This isn’t necessarily to save on material cost, but to allow intrepid hackers to insert electronics into the models.

The only downside is the price: it costs £99 (about $150) to order a figure. Makie compares the price to high-quality dolls you might find in a comic book shop or imported from Japan, claiming its figurines are slightly less expensive. But compared to mass-produced dolls, Makie’s offerings are quite expensive. The level of care and detail that go into the figurines and the high level of customizability,though, is definitely worth it to some.

Comic Con Season Has Begun!

The 2013 San Diego Comic Con is fast approaching, and it’s time to introduce our first SDCC 2013 Exclusive — The ALBINO PREDATOR!

Continuing in the tradition of the Big Red Predator from Predators Series 7, the Albino Predator SDCC Exclusive Action Figure comes to us from a fan film. Originally seen in Alien vs. Predator: Dead End, the Albino Predator now gets a much-deserved new interpretation as a special treat for fans headed to San Diego!

Take a look:

The Albino Predator

Albino Predator and Big Red

As seen in the classic fan film Dead End, the Albino Predator features more than 25 points of articulation, including ball-jointed hips and double knee joints.

Complete with exclusive albino paint and tribal deco, the Albino Predator is a one-of-a-kind and not to be missed at San Diego Comic-Con 2013!

Just the Beginning

San Diego Comic-Con 2013 is set to take place from July 18-21 and NECA will be at Booth #3145 all weekend long!

The Albino Predator has a $25 price point and is just the first of many exclusives to come. Stay tuned over the next couple weeks and months as we unveil even more NECA SDCC 2013 exclusive items from more of your favorite movies, games and more.

And of course, if you want to keep up to date with the very latest goings on, get behind-the-scenes exclusives and contests, make sure you check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

More to come!

From Las Vegas enforcer Joe Fixit to futuristic despot The Maestro, from the peace-seeking Barbarian Hulk to the rage-filled Composite Hulk, the four Minimates in this set represent the Hulk at his best and worst, and thanks to the Hulk’s unique psychiatric problems, each could be called a different character, and not just a costume change. (Although the Maestro does come with an interchangeable cape and helmet, while Joe Fixit has a interchangeable shirt and hair.)

Check out packaged photos below, and pre-order the set today at your local comic shop!

Visit comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest comic shop, and get regular DST updates on Facebook and Twitter!

The first is Aardman: Superman Action Figure designed by Rich Webber and sculpted by Phil Ramirez. Created by Aardman, the British brains behind “WALLACE AND GROMIT,” is their own unique take on the Man of Steel. He is based on the popular interstitial shorts shown during DC Nation on Cartoon Network. Aardman: Superman is approximately 6.5” tall and is priced at $24.95.

The second is a three-pack of Super Best Friends Forever Action Figures, designed by Lauren Faust and sculpted by Irene Matar. Super Best Friends Forever is also from the popular interstitial shorts aired during DC Nation on Cartoon Network and they are ready to take care of business! Meet Super Best Friends Forever: Supergirl, Batgirl and Wonder Girl, measuring approximately 6.5”, 5.45” and 6.8” tall, respectively. This three-pack is priced at $49.95.

The third, Batman Arkham City: Hugo Strange was sculpted by Sam Greenwell. The Hugo Strange Action Figure is based on the designs of the critically acclaimed video game from Rocksteady Studios and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Batman: Arkham City. He measures approximately 6.75” tall and is priced at $29.95.

The fourth con exclusive is DC Comics’ Superheroes of Green Lantern four-pack. Green Lantern Sinestro and Dex-Starr were sculpted by Robert Lynders and Arkillo and Black Hand were sculpted by Phil Ramirez. Make sure to put the universe’s most fearsome foursome on your must-have list for SDCC; you don’t want to cross this intergalactic quartet! This set is in the 3.75” scale and priced at $49.95. This is the latest in the popular 3.75” con exclusive action figure from DC Collectibles.

DC Collectibles’ con exclusives will be available for purchase at the Graphitti Designs booth so make sure to stop by!

Herobuilders looks to A Real American Hero Charles Ramsey for their new product line The Real Hero Action Figure Line.

“Charles Ramsey, the Hero of Cleveland who played a key role in the rescue of 3 women who have been held captive for more than 9 years, was the perfect candidate to launch our new product line,” said Emil Vicale President and Design Director of Herobuilders.com

The owner of Herobuilders says, “You don’t need to be Charles Ramsey to get an action figure of yourself for Herobuilders.com.” Herobuilders pioneered the custom action figure industry over a decade ago.

Herobuilders.com can make you an action figure with just two images. From the executive series to the everyman, Herobuilders can make any person a custom action figure. Emil Vicale the owner of Herobuilders said even tattoos are duplicated; we hand paint your tattoo to match your original. We have over 70 in stock outfits and accessories to make your figures dress and look even more.

Custom Action Figures from Herobuilders make the best birthday gifts ever; they make great corporate gifts, too. “You know you’ve made it in American when you have an action figure of yourself.”

Check him out.

Thanks for reading,

TG