Sideshow Collectibles inaugural DC Sixth scale figure: The JOKER 12" figure preview pictures

"Stop me if you heard this one, it's a killer."

We interrupt our regular scheduled postings to bring you this killer update on Sideshow Collectibles’ inaugural DC Sixth Scale Figure – the maniacal villain of Gotham City, and Batman’s archenemy, The Joker!

Who would have guessed that Sideshow Collectibles is getting in on the Batman pie as well. Hot Toys have been releasing so many Joker figures I've almost lost count. But while the Joker 12-inch figures Hot Toys have released have been that of the late Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker villain / character in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" (plus the most recent 1/6 scale Jack Nicholson Joker from the 1989 Tim Burton "Batman" film), they have not released any Joker from the comic books yet. There have been teaser images of the Arkham City Joker figure from the video game but no comic book Joker. So I guess Sideshow Collectibles thinks that they have found a niche.

The regular and Exclusive versions of the The Joker Sixth Scale Figure will include the following: Two 1/6 scale Hand Painted Joker head sculpts, Playing Cards, Straight Razor, Dynamite, Lighter, Revolver with ‘BANG!’ Flag, Tailored Fabric costume Includes: Pants, Vest, Shirt, Tuxedo Coat with Tails, Trench Coat, Argyle Socks, and White Spats. Plus Cane with Jester Skull, Multiple Gloved hands including ‘Buzzer Hand’, Display base with ‘The Joker’ Artwork. Scroll down to see more pictures :) Be sure to click on the pictures for a bigger and better view

The two Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale JOKER head sculpts are shown in these two pictures - one scary and the other scarier haha. One has the maniacal smile without hat while the other Joker head has him smiling with his mouth open while still wearing his hat.

Inspired by classic comic portrayals, including his 1988 appearance in the fan favorite, The Killing Joke, The Joker Sixth Scale figure was designed and crafted with Sideshow's trademark attention to detail. Two heads are included, each capturing different eerie and unsettling expressions of the Clown Prince of Crime's deranged deviousness. Clothed in a perfectly plum, impeccably tailored and trademark suit, and accompanied by a vast array of diabolical accessories, Batman's arch rival is ready to wreak havoc and mayhem on the citizens of Gotham City.

With his pasty white face, toxic green hair, and a smile that's just to die for, the Joker is perhaps the most iconic villain of Gotham City's seedy underbelly. Whether he's throwing cyanide-laced pies, torturing Gotham's innocents with his Joker Venom, or paralyzing and murdering Batman's sidekicks, this clown stands high atop the list of the Dark Knight's true arch rivals.

The Joker's origin is quite peculiar, as no two accounts are ever the same. Stories range from him as a criminal mastermind known as The Red Hood, to a down-and-out chemist who has just lost his job. Perhaps no one tells the story better than the man himself. "Sometimes I remember it one way, sometimes another...if I'm going to have a past, I prefer it be multiple choice."

Despite being a tall, gangly, psychopath, The Joker has proven to be an agile fighter as well as a highly competent scientist. Boasting skills in chemistry, genetics, and even nuclear engineering, this clown always has an ace up his sleeve and a bone to pick with ol' Batsy. Ever the consummate showman, The Joker's symbolic face has graced a variety of comically deadly gadgets ranging from helicopters to herring, and everything in between.

Caught in a seemingly endless cycle with Batman, these two represent the twisted sense of balance within Gotham City. Chaos from order, joy from sorrow, laughter from pain. Simply put. There is no Joker without the Batman.

Sideshow Collectibles DC 1/6 scale The JOKER 12" figure will come with Multiple Gloved hands so that you can put Joker in various different poses, much more than what a statue because statues only come in one fixed pose and really cannot do much else. Yet they tend to cost an arm and a leg and for that, I would've thought there'll be more pose-ability. Click on the pics for a bigger and better view

And here's Sideshow Collectibles DC 1/6 scale The JOKER 12-inch action figure with all the accessories laid out so that you'll know what you are getting when you purchase this figure

The Exclusive version will also include additional accessories: A pair of Joker Fish!

Both versions of this figure, Exclusive and regular, will be priced at $189.99. When I first saw the price, I thought it must be a joke LOL Why is everything so expensive these days? Almost gone are the days of value-for-money products and figures. Nowadays, almost every company seems to be out to get you :( to find ways to burn holes in your pocket thus making the toy collecting hobby a lot less fun.

The Exclusive Joker Sixth Scale Figure will be available for Pre-Order in the weekly Sideshow Newsletter on Thursday, January 24th, 2013, which is typically published between 2PM and 3PM (PST), so don’t miss out!