Do you want to escape into the dark, violent world of a graphic novel? Do you want to act out its ghastly denouement with its last, grim death laugh? Try flipping a tiny switch and carrying out a miniature execution.
Death Row Marv, the rock-jawed anti-hero of the graphic comic, "Sin City," by Frank Miller (Dark Horse Comics, 1994), is the latest toy from McFarlane Toys.
Marv, who apparently needs no last name, is railroaded to the electric chair, condemned to die for what he regards as a justifiable revenge killing. The battery-operated toy, which is sold in specialty shops and music stores for about $20 and marketed for ages 13 and up, is not for the faint of heart: "Watch Marv convulse as the switch is thrown," say the words on the box, "then hear him say, 'That's the best you can do?"' His eyes "glow red as he fries."
The toy's typical buyer is the 15- to 45-year-old male.
"Our first production was completely sold out in pre-order sales, before we even shipped," said Beau Smith, director of marketing at McFarlane Toys, who did not provide production numbers.
Marv is half convict, half hero. He is the guy who never gets the girl because his face is a cross between Freddy Kreuger and Bluto; his body is a muscular mass that is as wide as it is long. To some, he is the loser they desperately want to see win. OK, he's an anti-hero with no charisma, good looks or any redeeming social value.
Batteries not included.