Customer Reviews

Batman Dark Knight - The Joker 1:6 Scale

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just received this figure yesterday after waiting nearly six months for it to be imported by DC Direct stateside. I could've went the the eBay route and imported it earlier from Asia (namely the figure's origin territory of Hong Kong)but the shipping charges and the going rate would have put the price well over $230. So I waited patiently and was rewarded.

The figure comes in a four panel, velcro enclosed box with a heavy-duty matte slipcover. Every panel shows a unique pose of the figure or character, and is very easy to open. The figure is held down by six easy to remove twist ties. It comes with two extra hands for holding items, including a gun (not included, a set of joker playing cards (each with a unique picture) and jokerized $1 bills where the original Geaorge W's face has been made to look like the joker. He also has a very nice retractable knife.

Now, as for the figure itslef, you expect quite a bit for the almost $200 the figure costs. And you definitely get it. Let me just say first off that the figure looks much better in person than it does in photos. This is due to how light reacts to the exauisite paint job of the headsculpt and every detail in his clothing. While the headsculpt isn't the best representation of Heath Ledger, it looks absolutely fantastic on this figure. There is a slight "sheen" that makes the head look like it is perspiring, like what you saw in the film. The fact that it is made of polystone resin only adds to the naturalness of the detailing.

The real reason to buy this Hot Toys version over the Medicom or DC Direct version is the amount of detail given to the clothing. Wearing no less than four layers (the purple overcoat, grey sportcoat, green vest, and the hexagonal shirt) everything fits perfectly and lays very well. There is no bulking even when the figure is posed, unlike with the DC Direct version. The inside of the overcoat has a red lining, which makes the outfit pop, and his removable chain is fantastic. There are buttons where there should be buttons, and the much maligned velcro on the green vest seems to have been remedied in this newest version. And this is the only Joker you will see with the screen accurate colored socks.

The only negative of the figure is due to Hot Toy's truetype figure's design. While it is the best body available for posing and fit (outside of Takara's bodies) they just don't seem to stand very well, and a slight knock of a cabilet could make them fall. Luckily the stand that's included is very unobtrusive and keeps the figure upright without worry. Again, this is the only nitpick I can find and it's not a real problem.

Overall this figure is definitley worth the investment, and if you are a fan of the character or movie, you'd do well to have it on display. Please note that the Bank Robber headsculpt will fit on this body, so you can pick that head up on eBay if you desire.

What we have here is the first 1/6 scale 12inch joker figure that Hot Toys and DC Direct came out with. First of all, it really IS a great figure, but unfortunately, the sculptor who made the head for this figure made a generic head-scuplt, so this figure bears no resemblence to Heath Ledger, who played the Joker in The Dark Knight, aside from the clothing. The head does have light glasgow facial scarring, the green hair, the white makeup and the dark makeup around the eyes, but it just doesnt look like Heath. Hot Toys then came out with ANOTHER 1/6 scale 12inch Joker figure, the Bank Robber Version, featuring a remarkable, almost eeiry likeness to Heath Ledger's character. Now, the first figure is definately a great buy, but if you're looking for that perfect image of Heath's character, you have to go with the Joker Bank Robber Version figure. OR you could do what i did and buy this figure AND the Bank Robber figure and just switch up the heads, so you'll have the perfect head-sculpt with the ultimate joker outfit (purple trench-coat, goofy socks, etc.) There is also a Joker Nurse Costume available out there (check an auction website), so you could have all three costumes from the movie with 3 heads (bank robber version comes with two heads, one for the clown mask). that's what i did and let me tell ya, they all look really cool! totally worth the money! so yes, overall, i would rate this joker as a great figure to have. the outfit itself is amazing: he has a pocket chain, the cool socks you noticed during the jail scene, the tie, shirt, vest, jacket, trenchcoat, shoes, gloved hands, knives, cards, stand, etc. And the box he comes in is really cool, one box is inside a slip case and has a velcro door and window packaging. But keep in mind this is just a generic joker with no likeness to Heath Ledger, so i'd say ur really buying it more for the outfit than anything else.

I'll begin by saying that this Joker is easily a must-have for anyone who has the desire (and the money) to collect all of the Hot Toys' "Dark Knight" figures. Strictly in terms of Joker figures wearing the traditional purple suit/overcoat, this is arguably the best one out there. As expected from the Hot Toys line, the detail is simply outstanding, including his trademark socks and silver chain.

But despite my high praise, I'm not completely blown away by this Joker as I am by the Hot Toys' The Dark Knight: 1:6 Scale Bank Robber The Joker, for 2 reasons:

-this has a "generic" Joker head sculpt and doesn't look a lot like Heath Ledger. If this was just any Joker figure and was not associated with any particular movie it would be fine, but since this is a "Dark Knight" Joker I think a minor deduction is warranted. Sure, one easy fix is to buy one (or both) of the Joker Bank Robber head(s) off eBay and do a swap. But since this review is for this product as it is, one must judge it based on the head sculpt provided.

-this is probably a minor thing, but I wish the colors for his hair, vest and overcoat matched the colors shown on the sample figure on the Hot Toys website and even the Hot Toys official photo here, not to mention the photo on the box itself. To me, the green shade of his hair is a tad too dark, almost a spinach color...notice how it has more of a lime-green shade in the aforementioned photos. Same deal with his vest. And finally, the purple overcoat. Again, IMO the shade is a little bit too dark. I would have preferred a lighter, more "rich" purple. I suppose the same goes for his pants.

Ok, that's all the minor gripes I have with this Joker. I'll reiterate that all in all, this figure is awesome, and would make an excellent addition to any Joker or "Dark Knight" toy collection. I have a feeling that the Bank Robber Joker will probably be more valuable in the future since it seems to be the more sought-after Joker, but this one will surely be worth quite a bit as well.

One thing that i would like to point out is that Hot Toys made this figure before the film was released so they had very limited photos to work with,as a result if you compare The DX01 Joker and this one the head sculpt is very different and the DX01 sculpt is way more accurate.still it is a very good figure since the Bank Robber and the DX01 are sold out and are available at very high costs,so if you have enough money , go for the Bank Robber or the DX01 instead of this one.

If you don't mind spending a little more for a LOT more quality, then check out the DX version before buying this one. It is ok, to say the least, but it was developed before the movie was released and the artists had limited photos to work with. Since I already owned this when I got the DX, I salvaged the body and used it for the police uniform Joker.

high detailed figure and nice clothing ,it comes with a stand for displaying ... simply amazing

Bought this Joker for my boyfriend and he loved it. Cant believe the likeness & the details. Very well made.

I was very hesitant in purchasing this figure till Amazon made an offer I couldn't refuse about a week before Christmas. This figure and shipping for less than most merchants would charge for the shipping alone! It has been undeservedly maligned in many reviews for having a generic head that doesn't much resemble Heath Ledger. This of course cut demand and price. Upclose and in hand there is a strong resemblance to the Heath Ledger Joker with regard to various angles and short movie clips which is probably all Hot Toys had to work with at the time. The clothing detail,the socks,the shirt,the accessories are all exquisite. This is a work of art and surely a collector's item that will grow in value. It's limited. Pick it up while you can. You won't be disappointed, I'm not. Thank you Amazon!

Obviously this is a collectible so the most important thing is the value that the owner give it. For me is invaluable! You can't miss this action figure if you are a Batman fan (no matter if you like it in the comic books, movies, series, cartoons, etc).

I gotta say, this is one great figure. Although, I honestly HATE the head sculpt that comes with this one. What I did was I popped the head off my Bank Robber Joker and stuck it on this one. At that point... he looks PERFECT. I literally have a little Joker Shrine in my bedroom (background to it is a framed poster of Heath Ledger from Dark Knight) and I have this Doll in the exact same pose as in the photo standing with his machine gun and a clenched fist. Do yourself a favor, buy this doll then buy the bank robber Joker head sculpt off ebay (or just but the bank robber doll as well) and stick the head on here. Bank robber Joker comes with two heads, one with hair down (which is the one I put on this doll) and one with hair back so the clown mask can go can go on his head. So now I have my DC direct Joker standing with the knife on one side, Bank robber joker taking the mask off pointing a pistol in the center, and this joker on the right. This dolls clothes are vastly superior to the DC Direct Joker, however, unless you plan on getting the second head from bank robber joker, the DC direct's head sculpt is WAY better if your going for that Heath Ledger Dark Knight look.

Oh! and be careful when you buy this doll... My first one came with a broke leg :-(