All photos by Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
A Singaporean design studio is bringing superheroes from the screen and comic page to life with a collection of collectibles.
Hundreds of high-end, detailed and striking action figures are sold at XM Studios’ new store at Kitchener Complex, all ripped from the worlds of top comic and animation studios.
Collected in the decade since the studio was founded, the prized action figures had been stored out of sight in warehouses and are now viewable by the public in a 19,000 square-foot space on the mall’s third floor.
The studio bases its licensed models from studios including Marvel, DC, Disney, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Hasbro, Godzilla, Ultraman, and Sanrio. Figures sell for anywhere between S$199 to thousands of dollars.
They are organized by studio and franchise with sections for Marvel, Avengers, DC, Transformers, and Godzilla, with even a Batcave coming soon.
The DC zone houses the store’s exclusive Samurai line that features Batman Shogun, Joker Orochi and Catwoman. They are designed in collaboration with comic designers from Warner Bros.
The Marvel pod showcases fan favorites such as Professor X, Magneto, and Wolverine from the X-Men series, as well as characters from the Avengers. One of the store’s largest statues on display is of War Machine.
The Transformers section features XM’s latest Optimus Prime and Megatron busts that are almost a meter high and, at S$5,399 (US$3,980), among the most expensive items.
The space also includes a cafe serving coffee and gelato by 99. It has flavors such as Sorrel, Creme Fraiche & Yuzu Jelly, and the Dulcey Chocolate & Seasalt is topped with a shot of whiskey.
The store also sneaks never-before-seen collectibles such as ones from comic series Spider-Man–Absolute Carnage, the highly anticipated Avengers–Maestro series and DC’s Death Metal-Batman Who Laughs.
Beside boasting its collectibles, the space has an event space dedicated to hosting pop-ups, meetings, and product launches. Till the end of April, there will be a pop culture-inspired sneaker exhibition by street brand Culture Cartel, and Puma’s apparel collection of The Batman series.
FIND IT
XM Studios
Open 11am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm Saturday and Sunday
Level 3, Kitchener Complex, 809 French Road
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