Diamond Select Toys

Diamond Select Toys was founded in 1999 by sister company Diamond Comics Distributors to create collectibles for adult collectors, and has since licensed a variety of pop culture properties, including Marvel Comics, Star Wars, Star Trek, Transformers, Ghostbusters, Halo, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Indiana Jones, Battlestar Galactica, 24, The Muppets and Back to the Future. While they have made collectibles in numerous product categories, including action figures, plush, banks, busts, statues and prop replicas, many of their licensed properties are released in the form of Minimates mini-figures.

Pacific Rim: Uprising Action Figures (DST)

It's time for us to dive back into the Pacific Rim and explore some of the other offerings the franchise has produced. Namely, action figures!

Battle Damaged Gipsy Avenger

The Battle Damaged Gipsy Avenger stands roughly the same height as the Gipsy Avenger diorama we recently posted about if you take the diorama's base into consideration. That said the action figure holds up remarkably well in the detail and articulation department. With a limited run of only 250 pieces the Gipsy Avenger is willing to show its scars, but only to a select few.

With the scars of a Kaiju battle all over, she stands nearly 8 inches tall and features multiple points of articulation. Packaged on a blister card. Sculpted by BigShot ToyWorks. Limited to only 250 pieces.

Series 1

Diamond Select Toys actually made a respectable offering of figures for the film, broken up into three series, you can get an appreciation to the time and effort that BigShot ToyWorks put into creating the line.

DST is preparing for the apocalypse with a line of action figures depicting the film's all-new Jaeger robots! Gipsy Avenger, Saber Athena and Bracer Phoenix make up Series 1, each with a full range of articulation and each packaged in the famous Select packaging, with side-panel artwork for shelf reference. These specialty-exclusive versions include weapons and accessories not available at any other retailer! Don't let the kaiju onslaught take you by surprise! Sculpted by BigShot ToyWorks!

Series 2

While it might not have been enough to "cancel the apocalypse", (PRU only brought in $290,930,148 compared to $411,002,906 of the original) the figures from DST and BS TW try their best.

Three new Jaegers are joining the fight against the kaiju menace, and each giant robot is cooler than the last! The mysterious Obsidian Fury with his twin blades, Guardian Bravo with his mace, and Titan Redeemer with his whip each measure between 7 and 8 inches tall, and each features approximately 16 points of articulation, plus interchangeable parts that are exclusively available to the specialty market! Packaged in display-ready Select action figure packaging, with side-panel artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by BigShotToyWorks!

Series 3

If you are a fan of the the franchise and you have yet to join the uprising you can still find these figures for sale. I have been a fan of mech vs. monster since the glory days of Godzilla so when PR introduced us to the world of kaiju I was onboard and ready to set sail. Hopefully, they will revisit the property some day and our adventure can continue.

Three new Jaegers are joining the fight against the kaiju menace, and each giant robot is cooler than the last! Joining the six Jaegers in Series 1 and 2, November Ajax, Valor Omega and the Kaiju-infected Jaeger Drone each measure between 7 and 8 inches tall. Each figure comes with interchangeable alternate hands, and each features approximately 16 points of articulation! Packaged in display-ready Select action figure packaging, with side-panel artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by BigShot ToyWorks!

You can view all of DST PRU related memrobillia on their site.

Pacific Rim: Uprising Busts and Sculptures

Pacific Rim: Uprising while weaker than the first entry in the franchise was still a worthwhile contribution to the lore that is a cornerstone of any lasting property. The John Boyega lead film deviated very little, offering the same thrilling ride that made the PR a hit to begin with. The major difference was that it wasn't anything new (rogue Jaegers aside), failing like many movies to reinvigorate the action and offer audiences something different while retaining the core elements that made it popular in the first place.

Film makers don't have it easy job but fans do. For anyone who like Uprising like I did you will be pleased for this Jaeger alert from DST!

Fans of PRU will be pleased by the massive (14" tall) Gipsy Danger bust which is part of DSTs Legends in 3D series. They have continued to impress me with the solid work that they have been able to produce for the series.

The Legends in 3D line goes on the attack with this bust of Gipsy Danger from the first Pacific Rim movie. Measuring approximately 14 inches tall, this massive bust features incredible sculpted and painted detail, and is the ultimate cinematic collectible from the Pacific Rim movies. Limited to only 1,000 pieces, the bust comes packaged in a hand-numbered, full-color box with a hand-numbered certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Bigshot Toyworks!

I'm a bust sort of guy, many fans want more though, while dioramas can go either way this piece from BigShot ToyWorks hits all the right beats. One thing about that I noticed was that the diorama was smaller than I had hoped. The Gipsy Danger bust is 14" tall while the diorama peaks at 10", had they added an ich or two it would have made a more impressive Jaeger statue. Of course priced at only $45.00 (compared to $200 for the bust) it really is a minor detractor.

The world of Pacific Rim Uprising just got even bigger, with the first ever Gallery PVC Diorama from the hit sequel! Gipsy Avenger stands on guard against Kaiju (and rogue Jaegers) above a diorama of decimated buildings in this 10-inch sculpture, cast in high-grade plastic and featuring detailed paint applications. Packaged in a full-color window box, it was designed and sculpted by BigShot ToyWorks.

Disney's The Black Hole (DST)

Back when the original Star Wars was released nobody expected it to be a success. Seriously, why would it be a hit? It didn't have any of the hallmarks of a classic. It wasn't original from a film making perspective, nor was it visually appealing. Who would want to play with those action figures? Mego passed on the option. Well, we know how that went, history and more than 250 million Kenner action figures can speak for themselves.

Once Star Wars broke onto the scene everyone wanted a piece of the sci-fi pie. You got shows like "Battlestar Gallactica," films like "Flash Gordon" and a little known 1979 Disney entry, "Black Hole," which was their attempt at capitalizing on the genre in that traditional Disneyesque style.

Whether you're a fan of the film or the classic 70s aesthetic appeals to you, DST has something to sooth your cravings ... these Black Hole action figures.

Diamond Select Toys' Description:

The ultimate fan-demanded action figure line is here!

Featuring characters from classic Disney action films, this assortment of 7-inch-scale action figures includes robot V.I.N.CENT (with B.O.B.) and evil robot Maximilian from “The Black Hole.” Each figure includes multiple interchangeable parts, and the Black Hole robots each include part of a diorama base from the interior of the USS Cygnus. Each comes packaged on a blister card. Designed by Yuri Tming, sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios!

Of course these aren't the only toys ever produced for the space opera, Mego produced a series of figures, both in the 8" and now iconic 3 3/4" lines. Do you notice and inspiration for another popular line of figures?

Marvel Retro Daredevil (DST)

Diamond Select Toys known for producing high quality action figures for popular franchises like John Wick have produced other less known lines. One of those lines is the focus for today's entry into the Toy Keeper's Lair, their 8" Marvel Retro Daredevil dolls.

When DST produces a figure a lot of work and planning goes into it, when they take a stab at something they want to hit their mark and this addition to the Daredevil fandom is no exception especially if you are into retro action figures and can't find (or afford) the 70s originals. (Collector's note: Mego never produced a DD doll.) Much like the noteworthy work that Figure Toys Co. is producing, this line captures the retro 8" standard fabulously which was first popularized by Mego in the 70s.

Mego Corporation became known for this line once they started to produce licensed figures for film, television and popular culture. Now they are a piece of toy collector history and a genre noted for its unique vintage aesthetic.

The Marevel Retro Daredevil comes with his iconic red or original yellow costume as well as in a Matt Murdock variant.

Diamond Select Toys' Description:

Finally, the devil has come to the Marvel Retro line!

Never released in the classic Mego toy line of yesteryear, streetwise superhero Daredevil is the latest Marvel character to get the Retro action figure treatment from DST! This gift set features one classically-styled red-costume Daredevil figure, in a vintage-style box, plus two additional heads and outfits: his original yellow costume and his alter ego, blind lawyer Matt Murdock! With interchangeable heads, hands, costumes and accessories, you can display your Daredevil however you want! Packaged in a full-color gift tray with a booklet about Daredevil, retro-style figures, and the creation process! Designed and sculpted by EMCE Toys!

John Wick Chapter 2 (DST)

This John Wick action figure improves on Gentle Giant Studios' already phenominal sculpt work of the first figure. Combine that with the quality we've come to expect from DST and you've got the perfect combination of elegance and action.

Diamond Select Toys' Description:

John Wick is back with an all-new action figure inspired by the second John Wick film!

Based on his appearance in Chapter 2, this figure bears the likeness of actor Keanu Reeves and features the most articulation ever put on a Select action figure, for a wide range of poses. Wick comes with his nameless dog, an arsenal of accessories, and a blood oath marker. Packaged in display-ready Select action figure packaging. Designed by Yuri Tming, sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios.

John Wick Casual (DST)

Here is another amazing John Wick figure from DST with estimated availability in Fall 2020. Mr. Wick sports the casual look seen in Chapter 2 and offers a unique take on the character that isn't offered by manufacturers.

Diamond Select Toys' Description:

Even world-famous ex-assassins need to take a break, and John Wick kicks back in this new action figure based on his non-working look from John Wick Chapter 2!

Featuring over 16 points of articulation, this highly poseable action figure also includes a small arsenal of weapons, as well as some coins to pay for a night at the Continental. It comes packaged in Select action figure packaging, with side panel artwork for shelf reference. Designed by Yuri Tming, sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios.