At Comic-Con International 2012 in San Diego, Diamond Select Toys launched their latest
original property, Battle Beasts, across multiple platforms, including toys, comics, animation and music. Each release of the weekend showcased a different aspect of the Battle Beasts brand that will make it a property to watch out for in the coming months.
The first Battle Beasts toys, utilizing Diamond Select’s popular Minimates mini-figure body, went on sale at Comic-Con, in the form of a two-pack featuring protagonist Vorin and a show-exclusive character, Zik. Additionally, 200 clear blue figures of Vorin were given out to attendees each day of the show, continuing DST’s long tradition of giving out promotional Minimates at every Comic-Con. The first full series of Battle Beasts, due out in December, was also on display at the DST booth.
Wednesday’s Preview Night also saw the debut of the first issue of IDW’s Battle Beasts mini-series, based on concepts and designs by Diamond Select. A variant cover depicting the San Diego Convention Center was exclusively available at the show, and writer Bobby Curnow and cover artist Ulises Farinas participated in a signing at the DST booth, where they gave out free posters and ashcan comics.
A drawing was also held at the DST booth for a custom Battle Beasts HP Special CG guitar by Peavey, as well as a matching airbrushed guitar case by Coffin Case. Both the guitar and the case featured artwork from Dan Brereton’s cover to Battle Beasts #1, and both were on display at the DST booth during the show.
The Battle Beasts launch got underway Thursday night at the Versus World event at San Diego’s famous Haunted Hotel. Co-hosted by Diamond Select Toys, Heavy Metal magazine, Coffin Case and Dig Deep Entertainment, the event also featured the debut of the first Battle Beasts motion comic, using the artwork of series artist Valerio Schiti and animated by Santino Ramos. (Link: http://youtu.be/IMdHXTmoG50)
