Here it is. It doesn't matter how good or bad Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy does at the box office early next month. As long as I get my Hot Toys 1/6th scale figures of Rocket Raccoon and Groot, it's a win in my book.
Guardians of the Galaxy toys have started showing up at retailers across the country this month, putting a significant strain on my financial resources. I've already purchased the Rocket Raccoon Titan figure from Hasbro, two LEGO sets and a Rocket Raccoon plush. All I need now is the face mask for the wife, and this amazing two-pack from the fine folks at Hot Toys.
Hot Toys does a fine job with flesh-based figures, but a better job with armored individuals. Groot and Rocket fall somewhere in-between flesh and armor, giving the toymaker's sculptors plenty of texture to play with without having to actively try to recreate a movie star's face. The result is kind of sexy.
And pretty pricey as well. Rocket and Groot are available for preorder now through Sideshow Collectibles for $359.99, with a release target of March 2015. On the plus side, that's only $54 a month if you pay in installments.
This Hot Toys set is pretty much exactly what I wanted to come of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie. If I don't get one, all of that acting, directing, producing and marketing will have been for naught.