Watching Heroes

NBC has announced that the much anticipated Heroes action figures will hit stores in June. The first set will include figures of Claire Bennet, Hiro Nakamura, Peter Petrelli, Mohinder Suresh and the villain, Sylar. The figures, manufactured by Mezco Toyz, will be available at specialty stores, major retailers, at NBCstore.com and other online retailers. Toys R Us will carry 2 exclusive figures, an alternate Claire and Hiro, in addition to the others mentioned.

A second and third series of figures are already planned. Word is they will release in September and November, respectively. The second series will include HRG, Matt & Molly, Linderman, Niki/Jessica and Future Peter. Planned series 3 figures are Hiro as Kensei, Nathan, The Haitian, Elle and Adam.

The complete press release can be found behind the cut:

NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group has teamed with Mezco Toyz to introduce the first set of collectible figures based on the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated hit series “Heroes.” Hitting shelves in June, the first of three sets planned for this year include five main characters and will be available in specialty stores, major retail outlets, online retailers and NBCstore.com, as well as the NBC Experience Store.

Included in the first set of characters are: “Claire Bennet,” the heroine cheerleader with incredible recuperative powers; “Hiro Nakamura,” the office worker with the ability to bend time and space; “Peter Petrelli,” the most powerful of all the heroes with the ability to absorb the powers of others; “Mohinder Suresh,” a genetics professor from India who truly believes there are people with super powers living among us; and of course, “Sylar,” a manipulative and murderous villain. Mezco’s award-winning artists designed the seven inch scale action figures, which boast highly detailed features and extremely accurate accessories. Mezco will also provide an assortment of alternate heads and variant figures for the “Heroes” collectibles.

“The drama and intrigue of ‘Heroes’ has captured the imagination of so many fans around the world and we are really pleased to be able to introduce these special collectibles as part of the growing ‘Heroes’ brand,” said Kim Niemi, Senior Vice President of NBC Universal. “We are certain that the loyal ‘Heroes’ fans will feel that these figures reflect the action and excitement of the series and we look forward to introducing additional characters in the months to come.”

“NBC has a rich and proud history and Mezco is very excited to become a part of that tradition,” said Mike Drake, Director of Special Projects for Mezco. “Having our first series of seven inch ‘Heroes’ action figures on display at the storied ‘30 Rock’ building in New York City is truly a dream come true for us and seeing the excitement of the ‘Heroes’ fans as they view the figures makes the dream all the more sweeter.”

“Heroes,” which will return to NBC in the fall for a third season, chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. In its first season, the epic drama was honored with a People’s Choice Award, an AFI Award, a Multicultural Prism Award and the TV Land Future Classic Award, as well as the TV Critics Association Awards’ Outstanding Program of the Year and nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, NAACP Image Awards, WGA Awards and Satellite Awards.

About NBC Universal Television DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. NBC Universal Television DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group manages all global ancillary television business endeavors for The NBC Universal Television Group, including third-party home entertainment distribution, consumer products, musical soundtracks, special market projects and the NBC Universal Online Store.

About Mezco Toyz
Mezco Toyz is a toy company unlike any other. Mezco combines humor and horror, with action and adventure to produce the most sought after collectibles and toys on this or any planet. Mezco Toyz is an experienced developer and manufacturer of action-figures, toys and collectibles and has created figures for such high-profile licenses as “Heroes,” “The Spirit,” “Hellboy 2″ “Hellboy 1,” “Cinema Of Fear,” “Family Guy,” “South Park,” “Animal House,” “Blues Brothers,” “Scarface,” “Under Dog,” “King Kong,” “The Goonies” and “Edward Scissorhands,” among others. Learn more at www.mezcotoyz.com