When it comes to high-end collectible action figures, there are few brands more recognized than Hot Toys. These ultra realistic figures have been highly sought after and are renowned for their detail and posability. All of which begs the question: just what are Hot Toys made of?
The short answer is that most Hot Toys are constructed using a base figure, with a combination of high-quality clay, diecast metal, fabric, paint and plastic. When assembled, the final product is a collection of unique materials that allow the designers and artists to each their unique look and feel.
The Six Elements Used to Make Hot Toys Figures
1. Base Figure
The key to any Hot Toys product is their base figure. These are essentially padded skeletons featuring articulated joints that the components made of clay, diecast metal and plastic are then assembled on top of. Typically these base figures are around 11 to 12 inches in height and have anywhere from 20 to 30 individual points of articulation. These are similar to the wooden drawing figures that artists sometimes use to create realistic poses of human anatomy. Of course, larger characters (such as the Hot Toys Thanos Infinity War figure) use bigger base figures, but underneath each Hot Toy essentially uses a similar articulated skeletal structure.
2. Clay
The heads, as well as arms and other appendages, of each Hot Toys figure are usually made from a high quality modelling clay which is sculpted by hand and then cured in a high-temperature kiln (for more about this process, see our blog on How are Hot Toys made). While it might not feel like a the same type of clay you’d find in ceramics or other products, this type of clay becomes extremely hard when heated and offers a perfectly smooth surface that’s ideal for painting.
3. Diecast Metal
In some cases, Hot Toys also uses diecast metal or alloys which they either manufacture themselves at their South Korean facility or outsource from other companies. Diecasting is a process by which metal alloys are melted and poured into a mold. This allows characters feature realistic metal exteriors, rather than having paint. Many of the Hot Toys Iron Man figures for example, are constructed of diecast materials that give an extremely lifelike armored look and feel.
4. Fabric
Many Hot Toys figures also include a range of clothing, such as cloaks, pants and other items (for example, the blue jean jacket on the Spider-Punk Hot Toys figure). Each of these items is constructed from a range of fabrics and textiles that are often sewn by hand and individually created for each figure. The end result, however, is an incredibly realistic look and feel that makes the figures truly come to life.
5. Paint
Each Hot Toys figure that’s made include a range of high-end paint that’s painstakingly applied by hand – a process that can take a skilled artist dozens or even hundreds of hours to complete. In many cases, this paint is applied in layers and used to achieve a range of effects, such a battle damage, scars and other minute details. The figure is also finished with a sealant coat to protect the paint and ensure the longevity of the toy.
6. Plastic
In many cases, Hot Toys figures are also made using a variety of high-quality plastics and resins. This is particularly true for many of the accessories that come with each figure, such as the webbing included with Spider-Man figures. In most cases, the Sideshow bases and so-called “flight poles” that are used to simulate flying or jumping, are also constructed out of durable plastic material.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it: the answer to the question: what are Hot Toys made of? In the end, these incredible figures are truly a labor of love and can take hundreds of hours to complete and consist of a wide range of specialty materials, many of which are often made by hand. For fans, however, Hot Toys are more than the sum of their parts. Instead, it’s the characters that are brought to life that are what really makes these figures so special.
More About Hot Toys
Learn more at the links below or visit our Hot Toys Collectibles Guide.
- The 4 Best Hot Toys Display Case Options
- What Are Hot Toys Made Of
- How to Display Hot Toys Figures
- How to Clean Hot Toys Figures
- How to Spot Fake Hot Toys
- How Much Do Hot Toys Cost?
- How Are Hot Toys Made?
- What Are Hot Toys Action Figures?
- Is Sideshow and Hot Toys the Same Company?
- Do Hot Toys Go Up in Value?
- Where to Buy Hot Toys Figures
- Why are Hot Toys So Expensive?
Hot Toys Reviews & News
Check out our latest reviews of new figures below or visit our Hot Toys reviews page.
- Hot Toys Boba Fett Deluxe Version Review
- Hot Toys Iron Man Neon Tech 4.0 Review
- Spider Punk Hot Toys Figure Review
- Hot Toys Cyborg Spider-Man Review
- Hot Toys Spider-Man Black and Gold Suit Figure
- Hot Toys Thanos Infinity War Figure Review
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