Knight Models

In 2008, the miniatures’ world was rocked by the emergence of a new company based in Madrid, España formed by ex-Andrea associates : Knight Models.

Their stated objective is “to reproduce in miniature the classic characters from our favourite comics and movies, to share with you, as you are painting them, the good times we’ve all had reading, watching, living through their intrepid adventures in the eternal struggle between good and evil.”

To date, they have secured licenses from Marvel Entertainment, LLC and STAR WARS/Lucasfilm Ltd. The licenses in both cases are for two years, and renewable. And have they run with them!

KM's subjects are done in 1/27th scale: 65-70mm from heel-to-eyes. The miniatures are cast in white metal, resin, or mixed-media, depending on the subject. The figures come in an elegant metal box which is protected by a double-window, hanging (for retail display) cardboard boxed sleeve. According to KM, “This confers [upon] our products an aura of exclusiveness [sic] to which MARVEL and STAR WARS’s true fans will inevitably yield to.” Hard to argue save from the perspective of how much does the deluxe packaging add to the srp of the figure? Have we really distanced ourselves from the sound caveat regarding the judging of a book by its cover?

While on the subject of cost, the price point of these figures has been the target of the most oft-heard criticism. I am not necessarily in disagreement with this lament, but are they truly overpriced given the marketplace? I think not. They come in at just under US$1/mm; they are fully licensed (I assure you, not cheap!); they are a numbered limited edition; and then there is “the packaging”. In fact, their srp compares very favorably with Pegaso & Romeo 75mm foots which average US$70, give or take.

The 70mm figures of both series are limited editions (LE) of 500 issues ea. Four of the Marvel offerings—Iron-Man, Wolverine, Captain America, and Thor [UPDATE: add the Hulk to the list]—are sold out/closed at the source. I don’t for a moment believe that it is any coincidence that these are also the protagonists of cinematic releases past and to come. Curiously, ALL of the STAR WARS 70mm LEs are still available.

Inside the metal box, you will find the miniature sandwiched securely between two pieces of grey high-density foam, along with a brief biographical card (Spanish only) of the character which doubles as the edition certificate; and a small, black plastic pedestal, printed with the MARVEL or STAR WARS’s logos.

Hopefully this brief intro has piqued your interest sufficiently to warrant a visit to their site. . . and a return visit here for the hand’s-on review of Iron Man. . .