Westeros

Back in November, we shared the news that Dark Horse—best known by many for their comics, but also a top-notch producer of collectibles—had received the license from HBO to create collectible items for Game of Thrones. And now the first product has been unveiled.

Per their original release, Dark Horse’s license extended to, “statues, busts, and action figures; prop and jewelry replicas; and barware, stationery, and other collectibles.” I guess we know what they went with first. The bust has already been unveiled at the International Toy Fair, will be appearing for pre-order in the March Previews (the leading catalog for the direct market), and will subsequently be released on June 20.

You can find the full press release below.

MILWAUKIE, OR, February 14—Dark Horse Deluxe is proud to announce, in partnership with HBO, a forthcoming limited-edition Game of Thrones sculpted bust. This beautiful collectible depicts the popular character Daenerys Targaryen (portrayed in the series by Emilia Clarke) with a newly hatched baby dragon on her shoulder, recalling the striking closing scene of the first season of the acclaimed HBO television series.

"We worked hard to capture the essence of Daenerys and the dragon," noted Dark Horse’s VP of Product Development, David Scroggy. "We worked closely with HBO to develop these details, and other aspects such as the base design, which is an elaborate tapestry element from the opening sequence designed to mimic old carved wood material."

The bust will be revealed to the trade at International Toy Fair in New York, February 12—15, 2012. It will subsequently appear to the collector market as a solicitation in the Dark Horse section of the March 2012 issue of Diamond Previews and other venues. The bust is scheduled for in-store release on June 20, 2012.

Sculpting was executed at Gentle Giant Studios in Burbank, California, an industry leader in prototyping three-dimensional works for the film, toy, and collectibles fields. Both Dark Horse and HBO Licensing supervised the work in progress daily. The piece took three months to complete, moving from concept through sculpting and painting. It will come forward as a hand-numbered limited edition, edition quantity to be determined. The bust is 7 inches tall and approximately 8 inches wide.

Based on the best-selling fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones debuted on HBO in April 2011, and the second season will premiere on April 1, 2012. In a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime, trouble is brewing. From the scheming south and the savage eastern lands, to the frozen north and the ancient Wall that protects the realm from the darkness beyond, two powerful families are engaged in a deadly cat-and-mouse game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. As betrayal, lust, intrigue, and supernatural forces shake the four corners of the Kingdoms, their bloody struggle for the Iron Throne will have unforeseen and far-reaching consequences.

About Dark Horse Comics

Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists.  In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, Will Eisner, and best-selling prose author Janet Evanovich, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and the Occultist. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan the Barbarian, Mass Effect, Serenity,and Domo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the United States and is recognized as both an innovator in the cause of creator rights and the comics industry’s leading publisher of licensed material.

About HBO Global Licensing

HBO Global Licensing officially licenses the HBO® brand for the development and merchandising of innovative product lines inspired by the network’s award-winning programming. With products created around classic series like The Sopranos® and Sex and the City® to current hits like True Blood® and Entourage®, items include fashion apparel, jewelry, digital and CD soundtracks, games, books as well as exclusive, premium collections in partnership with upscale, designer brands. Merchandise can be purchased in retail stores nationwide, at http://store.hbo.com, and at the groundbreaking HBO retail hub, the HBO Shop®, located at 42nd and 6th Avenue in New York City. HBO Licensing & Retail products are also sold internationally across Europe, Asia and Australia.