Dark Horse Comics and Koto, Inc. (U.S. subsidiary of Kotobukiya Co., Japan, known by their brand name ArtFX) are pleased to announce the May 2001 release of a unique Hellboy vinyl sculpture based on designs by preeminent Japanese artist Katsuya Terada. This groundbreaking, co-branded project may be the first of its kind -- a collectible created between two internationally-known companies, planned for simultaneous release in Japan, North America, and the United Kingdom.

This exciting sculpture is one of the most ambitious figures ever produced in the soft vinyl format, according to Dark Horse Vice President of Product Development David Scroggy.

Mr. Terada contributed an outstanding pin-up illustration for the Japanese edition of Hellboy: The Right Hand of Doom (published by Shogakukan Productions), and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola handpicked that remarkable portrait as the basis for this project.

This durable vinyl figure stands 13 3/4" tall and depicts an enraged Hellboy grappling with a giant demon, his legendarily destructive right hand holding down the beast, while his left fist is cocked and ready to punch. The sculpture is exquisitely detailed, from Hellboy's rarely-seen cloven hooves and his serpentine tail to the bared and rotting fangs of the beast he's determined to destroy. While the figure is a stylistic departure from Mignola's original character, Mignola has been intrinsic in the creative process, approving each stage of the project, from the initial sketches to the final sculpt.

"As the goal was to fully recreate Mr. Terada's interpretation, we have wound up with a figure that is considerably larger and more expensive than previous soft vinyl figures," said Scroggy, "but we are confident that the price is more than justified by the finished product. Additionally, its size and incredible detail is closer to that of a statue than any preceding vinyl figure, so this is also a more affordable alternative to those expensive cold-cast models."

Yumi Hoashi, Vice President of Business Development for Koto, Inc. said this about the project: "It was a huge challenge for us to have Mr. Terada recreate a character that is as well-known as Mr. Mignola's Hellboy into a product that has incorporated Japanese sensibilities."

The Hellboy vinyl figure will be packaged in the same format for all markets, with text featured in both English and Japanese, adding to the exotic aesthetic of this project. Look for the Hellboy vinyl figure starting May23, 2001 for the retail price of $59.99.