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Art Asylum

From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference

Real World article
(written from a Production point of view)

Art Asylum is a toy manufacturer that began production of several lines of Star Trek 7 inch action figures, 11 inch vehicles, 3 inch "Minimates" and life-size role-play accessories in late 2001.

TOS, Wave 1 and Nemesis, 7 inch action figure assortments

Contents

[edit] History

Art Asylum was among several companies to obtain new Star Trek product licensing intended to coincide with the release of Enterprise. It was the first manufacturer to pick up the toy line following the demise of the popular Playmates Toys line in 1999.

Art Asylum's toys differed greatly from those of its predecessor, using a computer scanning technology known as Gentle Giant to create highly detailed sculpts of props, costumes and even people. In its premiere line of Star Trek: Enterprise action figures, the company used the scanning technique in conjunction with a material known as Kreaton, called "space age" by the Art Asylum packaging. The rubber-like substance was used to cover certain too obvious joints such as the lower-torso and leg joints on the "Broken Bow" line and the elbows of the space-suited "Away Team" action figures.

While the first waves were widely available at many retailers, Art Asylum's Star Trek line has since become more difficult to find, often restricted to sales online and at collectibles shops. However, having recently joined with Diamond Select Toys, the action figures and accessories lines have recently rebounded with new releases coming in quicker succession.

Art Asylum and Diamond Select will continue to release Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation-themed action figures and vehicles through 2007, with further releases for the various other movies, including Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, also slated for that year.

[edit] 2001 releases

[edit] Star Trek: Enterprise: "Broken Bow", Wave 1

[edit] Trek Tech

[edit] Minimates: 3-inch Figures

[edit] Star Trek: Enterprise: "Broken Bow" Deluxe

[edit] Star Trek: Enterprise: Away Team, Wave 1

  • Jonathan Archer in EV suit
    • removable chest plate and helmet
  • T'Pol in evironment suit
    • removable chest plate and helmet
  • Hoshi Sato in environmental suit
    • removable chest plate and helmet
  • Charles Tucker III in EV suit
    • removable chest plate and helmet
  • Shran
  • Nausicaan Captain
    • phaser pistol
  • Dr. Phlox in EV suit (limited)(came boxed and carded)
    • removable chest plate
    • removable helmeted/un-helmeted head
    • extra hands

[edit] 2002 releases

[edit] Star Trek Nemesis

[edit] Borg Assimilation

[edit] Star Trek: Enterprise: "Broken Bow", Wave 2

  • Charles Tucker III (limited)
    • phase pistol
    • scanner (open)
    • extra hands
    • display base
  • Battle-damaged Enterprise NX-01 (limited)
    • lights
    • sound
    • display base

[edit] 2003 releases

[edit] Star Trek (TOS), Wave 1

Reportedly due to a manufacturer error, the Original Series line of action figures was off-scale, slightly smaller than Enterprise and Nemesis assortments.

[edit] Starship Legends

[edit] AVON 3-Pack

    • James T. Kirk in green wraparound tunic
      • type 2 phaser
    • Dr. McCoy
      • tricorder
    • Mr. Spock
      • tricorder
Figures available through 2003 AVON Christmas catalog

[edit] 2004 releases

[edit] Star Trek (TOS), Wave 2

  • "Mirror, Mirror" James T. Kirk
    • communicator
    • dagger
  • "Mirror, Mirror" Spock
    • type 2 phaser
    • communicator
    • dagger
    • extra hands
  • Montgomery Scott
    • type 2 phaser
    • tricorder
    • communicator
  • Pavel Chekov
    • type 2 phaser
    • tricorder
    • communicator
    • extra hand
  • Hikaru Sulu
    • type 2 phaser
    • tricorder
    • communicator
  • "Mirror, Mirror" Scotty (New Force Comics Exclusive)
    • type 2 phaser
    • tricorder
    • communicator
    • dagger

[edit] Starship Legends

  • Battle-damaged USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) (refit) (limited)
    • lights
    • sound
    • display base

[edit] Trek Tech

[edit] 2005 releases

[edit] Star Trek (TOS), Wave 3

[edit] Trek Tech

  • Type-2 phaser (white handle variant) (limited)
    • detachable hand phaser
    • lights
    • sound

[edit] "In a Mirror, Darkly"

[edit] "Trials and Tribble-ations"

  • Captain Benjamin Sisko (Tower Records Exclusive)
    • type 2 phaser
    • communicator
    • PADD
    • 2 Tribbles
  • Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax (Action Figure Express Exclusive)
    • communicator
    • cricorder
    • PADD
    • 2 Tribbles
  • Chief Petty Officer Miles O'Brien (New Force Comics Exclusive)
    • type 2 phaser
    • communicator
    • tricorder
    • 2 Tribbles
  • Doctor Julian Bashir (Musicland Group Exclusive)
    • type 2 phaser
    • tricorder
    • 2 Tribbles

[edit] 2006 releases

[edit] Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wave 1

With the release of TNG, Wave 1, Art Asylum/Diamond Select Toys' Star Trek action figures were released in waves of variants, rather than larger groups of characters. They were also produced in a slightly larger scale than previous waves.

[edit] Starship Legends

[edit] Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wave 2

[edit] 40th Anniversary Star Trek

  • Type-2 phaser (copper handle variant)
    • detachable hand phaser
    • lights
    • sound
  • James T. Kirk (yellow shirt)
  • James T. Kirk from "Where No Man Has Gone Before"
    • Captain's chair
  • James T. Kirk from "Where No Man Has Gone Before" (Canadian Convention Exclusive (carded)
    • Tricorder
    • Phaser Pistol
  • Christopher Pike from "The Cage" (New Force Comics Exclusive)
    • Captain's chair
  • "Mirror, Mirror" McCoy (New Force Comics Exclusive, 2006 San Diego Comic Convention Exclusive)
    • type 2 phaser
    • tricorder
    • communicator
    • dagger
  • "Mirror, Mirror" Uhura (Diamond Select Toys Exclusive, 2006 San Diego Comic Convention Exclusive)
    • type 2 phaser
    • communicator
  • "Mirror, Mirror" Sulu (Action Figures Express Exclusive, 2006 San Diego Comic Convention Exclusive)
    • type 2 phaser
    • communicator
    • dagger
    • extra hand
  • "Mirror, Mirror" Chekov (Entertainment Earth Exclusive, 2006 San Diego Comic Convention Exclusive)
    • type 2 phaser
    • communicator
    • dagger
    • extra hand
  • "Mirror, Mirror" Marlena Moreau (limited) (Diamond Select Toys Exclusive, 2006 San Diego Comic Convention Exclusive)
    • type 2 phaser
    • tricorder

[edit] 2007 releases

[edit] Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wave 3

[edit] Starship Legends

  • Battle-damaged USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-E) (New Force Comics Exclusive)
    • lights
    • sound
    • display base

[edit] 40th Anniversary Star Trek

  • USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)
    • lights
    • sound
    • display base
  • USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) (gold-colored variant)
    • gold finish
    • lights
    • sound
    • display base
  • USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) Original Pilot ("The Cage") Version
    • lights
    • sound
    • display base
  • USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) Second Pilot ("Where No Man Has Gone Before") Version (Previews Exclusive)
    • lights
    • sound
    • display base

[edit] "Space Seed" 2-Pack

  • Captain Kirk in dress uniform and Khan Noonien Singh in Gold Tunic, from "Space Seed"
    • 2 phasers
    • communicator
    • tricorder

[edit] Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Wave 1

  • Admiral James T. Kirk
    • Phaser
    • Communicator
    • 2 Extra Hands
  • Khan Noonien Singh
    • Ceti Eel
    • Eel Babies in Bowl
    • Hemostats
    • Extra Hand
  • Captain Clark Terrell (Chase Figure)
    • Phaser
    • Wristwatch Communicator
    • Ceti Eel
    • 2 Extra Hands
  • "Double Cross Kirk" Variant (Previews Exclusive)
    • Open and Bloodied Starfleet Uniform
    • Phaser
    • Communicator
    • Spectacles
    • 3 Extra Hands

[edit] Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, San Diego Comic Con Exclusives

  • Leonard McCoy (SDCC 2007 New Force Comics Exclusive)
    • Communicator
    • Hypospray
    • Bottle of Romulan Ale
    • 2 extra hands
  • Montgomery Scott (SDCC 2007 Action Figure Xpress Exclusive)
    • Phaser
    • Communicator
    • 2 extra hands
  • Hikaru Sulu (SDCC 2007 Diamond Select Toys Exclusive)
    • Phaser
    • Communicator
    • 2 extra hands
  • Pavel Chekov (SDCC 2007 Toy Rocket Exclusive)
    • Phaser
    • Wristwatch Communicator
    • Ceti eel
    • 2 extra hands
  • Khan Noonien Singh with battle-ravaged wounds (July 2007) (SDCC 2007 Exclusive)
  • USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) (refit) (August 2007)
    • lights
    • sound
    • display base
  • Battle-damaged USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) (refit) (August 2007) (New Force Comics Exclusive)
    • lights
    • sound
    • display base
Note that this a clean repaint of the existing 1701-A and battle-damaged 1701 models with all-new paint and without the 'A' suffix.

[edit] 20th Anniversary Star Trek: The Next Generation

  • William T. Riker in TNG Season 1 Starfleet uniform (2007)

[edit] Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Wave 1

[edit] Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wave 4

[edit] Star Trek: The Next Generation, Previews Exclusive

[edit] "Star Trek: TOS" Mini-Mates, Wave 1

  • Captain James T. Kirk & Vina the Orion Animal Woman
  • Captain Christopher Pike as seen in the episode "The Cage" and Mister Spock
  • Scotty and Doctor McCoy
    • with a limited edition chaser figure of Dr. McCoy in dress uniform packaged one to a case.
  • Elf Spock - Holiday 2007 Release of Spock wearing a green santa/elf hat.
    • VERY RARE!

[edit] "Star Trek: TOS" Mini-Mates, Wave 2

  • Captain James T. Kirk (battle ravaged) and Gorn
  • Mister Spock as seen in the episode "The Cage" and Uhura
  • Chekov and Sulu
    • with a limited edition chaser figure of Sulu as seen in the episode "The Naked Now" (There will be one package with the limited Sulu per case and three packages with the regular Sulu per case.)

[edit] "Star Trek: TOS" Mini-Mates, Wave 3

  • Captain James T. Kirk in dress uniform and Khan from "Space Seed"
  • Captain James T. Kirk from "Bread and Circuses" with Kor the Klingon
  • Ambassador Savek and Spock in dress uniform
    • with a limited edition chase figure of Spock as seen in the episode "Spock's Brain" (There will be one package with the limited Spock per case and three packages with the Dress Uniform Spock per case.)

[edit] 2008 releases

[edit] Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Wave 2

  • Admiral James T. Kirk in Away Team Excursion Jacket
  • Captain Spock
  • Lieutenant Saavik (Chase Figure)
  • Commander Uhura (Previews Exclusive)

[edit] "Amok Time" 2-Pack

  • Captain Kirk in torn shirt with chest scar
  • Spock with waistband
    • 2 battle axes
    • hammer
    • ceremonial chimes

[edit] Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan "Death of Spock" 2-Pack

  • Admiral James T. Kirk
    • extra hand
  • Irradiated Captain Spock
    • 2 extra hands
    • 2 protective gloves

[edit] Star Trek: The Motion Picture 2-Pack

  • Admiral James T. Kirk
  • Commander Spock
    • Phaser

[edit] Star Trek: The Next Generation, Wave 5

  • Beverly Crusher in Star Trek Nemesis Starfleet uniform
  • Chief Miles O'Brien in TNG Season 7 Starfleet Uniform
  • Nurse Alyssa Ogawa in TNG Season 7 Starfleet uniform (Chase figure)
  • Ensign Ro Laren in TNG Season 7 Starfleet uniform (Previews Exclusive)

[edit] 2009 releases

[edit] Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Wave 2

[edit] Worf and Gowron 2-Pack

[edit] Star Trek (TOS), Wave 1 (Re-Issued 2 Packs)

The figures in these two packs are identical to those released in wave 1, aside from slight tweaks in the uniforms and McCoy's face. Kirk and Sulu's shirts are now a matching color, McCoy's facial expression is altered slightly and his rank insignia are brighter, Scotty and Uhura's uniforms are now the same red, and there are variations in phaser colors.

[edit] Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Kirk & Spock 2-Pack

  • Admiral James T. Kirk (July 2009)
  • Mr. Spock in Vulcan robe
    • communicator
    • phaser
    • extra 'Vulcan salute' hand

[edit] Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Captain Sisko and Defiant Command Chair

[edit] Star Trek (TOS), Wave 5

  • Dr. McCoy in short-sleeve uniform from
    • handheld medical scanner
  • Nurse Christine Chapel
  • Yeoman Janice Rand
  • Salt Vampire

[edit] "The Trouble with Tribbles" Kirk and Command Chair

[edit] "Mirror, Mirror" Kirk and Command Chair

[edit] Romulan Kirk & Spock 2-Pack

[edit] Date TBA

Displayed at 2007 conventions, but never released


Displayed at 2009 conventions.
To be released exclusively by ToysRus in 2009.


[edit] Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Kruge and Maltz 2-Pack

  • Kruge
  • Maltz
    • Kruge's robe
    • Klingon weapons
    • Targ, Kruge's pet beast
Released for pre-order in May 2009, put "on hold" shortly after.

[edit] Background

Above: Art Asylum's phase pistol. Below: Phase Pistol set to overload in (ENT: "United")
  • While Art Asylum had intended to release the entire crew from Star Trek: Enterprise in standard uniforms as well as EV suits, poor sales led the company to skip ahead to Star Trek: The Original Series action figures. This left several figures unreleased. In 2002 a standard "Trip" Tucker action figure was released as an exclusive through online retailers, however neither figures for Dr. Phlox nor Hoshi Sato were ever released in their standard "Broken Bow" outfits.
  • Similarly, poor sales led to the premature discontinuation of Enterprise's "Away Team" line, leaving Reed and Mayweather EV suit figures unreleased.
  • The Enterprise NX-01 vehicle was initially shown in advertisements including Archer and T'Pol figures, however, the figures were dropped before the product reached stores.
  • Vehicle toys were originally planned to be "interactive" and to scale with one another. Art Asylum production staff had also hoped to produce alien vessels from Enterprise.
  • The battle-damaged Enterprise refit toy features packaging labeled Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, yet displays damaged inflicted not only in that film, but the following film, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.
  • Molds for Art Asylum's "Trek Tek" phase pistol were so accurate, the toys were used in the production of Enterprise as stunt, or background props.
  • Worf, Riker and Reman soldier action figures were planned for release in the Star Trek Nemesis assortment, however they were dropped when Paramount Pictures rushed the line to market.
  • As of TNG Wave 3, transporter display bases were not included.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Art_Asylum"
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