Tara McPherson Takes on Hellboy

With just over a year until the release of the highly anticipated sequel to Hellboy, the movie successfully adapted from the Dark Horse comic book of the same name, artistic cross-promotion is already being ramped up in the form of limited-edition toys.

And as just announced, the latest in collectible, high-end memorabilia has been designed by popular illustrator Tara McPherson, who is known for her forays into music posters, comic books, and vinyl figurines as well as her depictions of alt-ish females with minimal linework.

McPherson’s design of the red-toned demon, which Hellboy creator Mike Mignola requested, will be used on an eight-inch toy that will be available on August 15. It is set to retail at the steep price of $79.95, but with a limited run of 450 pieces, owners can at least be assured of its rarity.

The toy can be seen in person at 3 pm PT on July 27 at the San Diego Comic Con, a massive industry event where both McPherson and Mignola will be signing the figure.

A Hellboy video game, with voice over by Ron Perlman and creative direction by Mignola and director Guillermo del Toro, is also in production for Xbox 360. Del Toro will reprise screen-writing and directorial duties for Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, which is set for release in August of 2008.