The tension, literally etched on their faces as they eyeball their arch-enemies standing in front of them, can be cut with a knife, or a katana or a Batarang – take your pick.
But with each figurine, some as tall as a toddler, costing between RM7,000 to RM12,000, it would probably be wise to keep these superheroes and villains as far away as possible from the often soiled but curious hands of a child.
Or at least until a serious collector walks into Shioktoys at the Curve in Damansara and decides to splurge on his favourite comic character.
The outlet is no ‘Toy’s r Us’.
“It’s a gallery, a museum and a place for some quiet time to yourself,” its owner Kelvin Loke tells FMT Ohsem.
And this gallery, like the comic book or celluloid heroes that fill the room, has its loyal fans who have no qualms about spending an obscene amount of cash just so they can take home Iron Man, the Joker, Terminator or the Batmobile, among others.
Oddly or maybe even serendipitously, Loke’s foray into the business mirrors that of many reluctant comic book heroes, who chanced upon newfound powers that they initially fought against.
As did Loke.
A serious collector himself, Loke had in 2004 walked into a toy shop – similar to the one he now operates – to buy a new figurine when the owner approached him and asked if he was keen on taking over the business.
He initially dismissed the idea, stating that he saw himself only as a collector, not a businessman.
“But then I thought, it would make for a good retirement plan.”
Fast forward to 2015 and the opening of the Shioktoys gallery by Loke, who now has 300 regular customers – a majority of whom are men in their 30s or 40s.
“They grew up with superhero cartoons, comics and films. So when they see these figurines they are filled with the same excitement seen in children at a toy store.”
The response to his business has been great and now Shioktoys is the main distributor for products by Prime One Studio, a company renowned for high-end figurines.
The figurines themselves are made from Polystone, a type of material that gives a “stone-like” feel.
Loke says that only 3,000 figurines of a particular character are churned out by Prime One, which means everything in his shop are limited editions.
“The resale value is very high.”
Loke’s job can be a tad stressful at times – none of the figurines are kept in glass casings, which means eager shoppers often reach out and touch them. (They can of course, but only after they get permission, and although the figurines are insured, children are not allowed in the shop.)
Loke also pays special attention to the lighting in the shop, ensuring the figurines are bathed in just the right blend of light and shadow to best accentuate their features.
“But I’m happy. I relive my childhood every day.”