(written from a Production point of view)
Quantum Mechanix Inc., abbreviated as QMx, is an American company that was founded in 2006 and is based in Los Angeles, California.
For the general public, QMx produces and retails high quality props, badges, figurines, jewelry, keychains, maquettes, artwork, blueprints, toys, and scaled vehicle models based on a number of entertainment franchises. These licensed properties include Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who, Galaxy Quest, and Star Wars, among many others. Some of its products were also retailed by Anovos, ThinkGeek, and Loot Crate.
Its QMx FX Cinema Arts division manufactures props and models for the film and television industry, in conjunction with production and restoration services for the public.
On 6 October 2023, the news broke that QMx had been acquired by its former American predecessor (from whom they had taken over the Star Trek and Star Wars licenses back in the mid-2000s), but now British owned and revived, (new) Master Replicas. [1]
Star Trek licensing[]
In 2009, QMx announced that it had acquired exclusive licensing to produce a number of products based on the 2009 Star Trek film. This licensing was later expanded to encompass other Star Trek properties from the "prime universe" and later "alternate reality" (Kelvin Timeline) films. Corgi's and (old) Master Replicas' licensing was abruptly terminated before the commencement of QMx's and eFX Collectibles' licenses.
Contest for the USS Enterprise Artisan Replica
QMx acquired licensing to build "Studio Scale" (36-inch), "Collector's Scale" (12-inch), solid metal "Metalworks" (8.5-inch), and "Mini Masters" (approximately 6-inch) starship replicas, along with high-end prop replicas. As of 2018, the company maintained licensing to produce Star Trek badges, flags, artwork, jewelry, key chains, plush toys, 1/6-scale figures, novelties, and "Q-Pop" figurines. To gauge public interest, the company showed prototypes of two new types of phaser replicas at the San Diego Comic-Con in July 2018.
The studio scale starship license was procured by Anovos by the end of 2017, terminating QMx's production in this area. Exclusive licensing for 1/6-scale figures was acquired by former QMx employee Schubert Tam in 2020 for the production of the EXO-6 line of figures. The production of replica insignia badges was largely supplanted by the efforts of FanSets, and Star Trek plush products were subsequently produced by Kidrobot. QMx's 2023 acquisition by the revived Master Replicas currently makes the continuation of many, if not all, of its product lines unlikely.
Star Trek (2009)[]
The Enterprise Project[]
Selection of "The Enterprise Project" artworks
To cross-promote the release of the 2009 Star Trek film and the USS Enterprise Artisan Replica, Paramount Pictures' "The Enterprise Project" commissioned twenty-four "graffiti, FX, and pop artists" to "design their own interpretation" of QMx's starship replica. Notable artists who contributed a design included director Robert Rodriguez, actor James Franco and comic book artist Jim Lee. The Enterprise Project's artworks were sent to tour cities around the world, commencing in March 2009.
List of artists[]
- QMx original
- Mr. Brainwash
- Duncan Lemmon
- Robert Rodriguez
- House Industries
- Ragnar
- Harry Knowles
- Michael Lau
- Bobby Dixon
- Jesús Díaz
- Amanda Visell
- Amy Vatanakul
- Olka Osadzinska
- André
- H5
- Turbokrapfen
- James Franco
- Will Lemon III
- Jeremy and Claire Weiss
- Afro-Punks
- Rafael Burgos
- Jeremy Kaplan
- Jim Lee
- David Rager
- Brandon Fayette
Star Trek Into Darkness[]
Props and models[]
"History of Starflight" miniatures
The QMx FX Cinema Arts division created fourteen "History of Starflight" production miniatures that appeared on-screen in Star Trek Into Darkness and were seen in Admiral Marcus' office as display models. [2][3](X) The entirety of Marcus' model collection, constructed out of mixed media, including resin and plastic, and painted with intricate hull detailing and lettering, turned up at Prop Store's June 2023 Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction: Los Angeles 2023 auction divided into four lots (1216, 1217, 1218, and 1219) of three or four vehicles per lot, and each estimated in the US$4,000 – $8,000 range. Only the middle two Starfleet-themed three-vehicle lots sold on 30 June, for US$6,250 and US$8,125 (with buyer's premium) respectively. [4] Still, the on that occasion unsold lots went up for auction again at Propstore's subsequent March 2024 Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction: Los Angeles 2024 auction as lots 1552 and 1553, this time selling for US$3,750 and US$5,000 (with buyer's premium) respectively, [5] each lot offered at a starting bid of US$100 without reserve.
In May 2013, QMx announced plans to produce reproductions of some of these ships in two scales for commercial dissemination, [6] though only the USS Enterprise (XCV 330), Enterprise NX-01, and the USS Vengeance saw actual retail releases in the below-listed limited deluxe lines.
Starfleet Academy ring prop
The company created all of the Starfleet Academy rings that were used in the film, including the ring used in the Kelvin Memorial Archive terrorist incident. [7](X) Consumer versions were subsequently made available (see below).
In an alliance with Hollywood prop-maker Kenney's Custom Props, QMx also manufactured the phaser props used in the film. [8](X)
[]
USS Franklin premium
QMx produced a metal Star Trek insignia badge set and a to 5,000 copies limited edition Metalworks (metal) USS Enterprise model for inclusion in the specific retailer release versions of their respective 2009 Star Trek retailer exclusive Blu-ray gift sets. [9]
Metal QMx phaser premiums were included with the various limited Star Trek Into Darkness Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray Two Movie Set gift set releases in September/October 2013. QMx CEO Andy Gore has stated in regard to the phaser replica, "We refer to our line of Star Trek Into Darkness collectibles as "screen-authentic," because fans will be getting exactly what they see in the theater," [10] though a fair number of these fans begged to differ as they were less than enamored with the quality of the replica, to put it mildly. [11][12][13][14][15]
Seventeen centimeter-long QMx "Mini Masters" replicas of the USS Franklin were included with the Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and 4K Ultra HD limited releases of Star Trek Beyond in November 2016.
All limited editions were originally intended as Amazon.com exclusives only, the initial limited "Insignia Badge" release excepted. Some other foreign retailers though, such as the Australian JB Hi-Fi, also ran with the Into Darknes phaser gift set in particular. [16]
Artisan Replica "Studio Scale" starship releases[]
USS Enterprise Artisan Replica[]
USS Enterprise Artisan Replica
QMx released a 34-inch long Artisan Replica of the USS Enterprise in 2009, based on CGI models provided by ILM. The production replica featured LED lighting, sound effects, an illuminated mirror base, and was limited to an edition of 250. The standard model retailed for US$6,995.
USS Enterprise Refit and USS Enterprise-A Artisan Replicas[]
USS Enterprise Refit Artisan Replica
USS Enterprise-A Artisan Replica
QMx released 34.5-inch long Artisan Replicas of the USS Enterprise (refit) and USS Enterprise-A in late 2011. The 1:350 scale production replicas featured LED lighting, sound effects, a mirrored base, and were limited to a combined edition of 250. In either livery, the standard model retailed for US$6,995.
A copy of the refit-Enterprise went up for auction on 30 June 2023 as lot#1214 at Prop Store's aforementioned auction with an estimate of US$8,000-16,000, [17] selling for US$28,125 (including 25% buyers premium). As the highest selling Star Trek lot, it far exceeded the results achieved by the other, actually screen-used, Star Trek prop items sold in the auction, which ironically included QMx's own aforementioned "History of Starflight" display model collection as well, constituting a remarkable feat achieved by a non-screen-used commercially produced franchise product at auction. [18]
USS Enterprise-D Artisan Replica[]
USS Enterprise-D Artisan Replica
Introduced at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con, QMx released a 29.5-inch long Artisan Replica of the USS Enterprise-D in 2013. The 1:850 scale production replica featured LED lighting, sound effects, a mirrored base, and was limited to an edition of 50. The standard model retailed for US$9,995.
A copy of this release went up for sale as Lot #378 at the same June 2023 Prop Store auction as well, but became one that did sell within its US$10,000 – $20,000 estimate at US$15,000 three days earlier. [19] Similar same-scaled outings of this and the Enterprise-A Artisan line models were in 2023 announced by Factory Entertainment as more refined follow-ups at a much higher price point even still.
USS Kelvin Artisan Replica[]
USS Kelvin Artisan Replica
QMx displayed a prototype Artisan Replica of the USS Kelvin at the same 2012 San Diego Comic-Con as well. The 1:850 scale production replica featured LED lighting, sound effects, a mirrored base, and was like the concurrently introduced Enterprise-D intended to be limited to an edition of 50, [20] but has, unlike the Enterprise-D, not reached market ultimately.
Enterprise NX-01 Artisan Replica[]
Enterprise NX-01 Artisan Replica
QMx released a 23.5-inch long Artisan Replica of Enterprise NX-01 in 2013. The 1:350 scale production replica featured LED lighting, sound effects, a mirrored base, included Doug Drexler's signature, and was limited to an edition of 100. The standard model retailed for US$3,995.
A promotional copy of the Enterprise NX-01 went up for auction on 30 June 2023 as lot#1214 at Prop Store's aforementioned Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction: Los Angeles 2023 auction with an estimate of US$6,000-12,000, [21] selling for US$23,750 (including 25% buyers premium). As the second-highest selling Star Trek lot, it far exceeded the results achieved by the other, actually screen-used, Star Trek prop items sold in the auction. And like the refit-Enterprise listed above, it constituted a remarkable feat achieved by a non-screen-used commercially produced franchise product at auction. [22]
USS Vengeance Artisan Replica[]
USS Vengeance Artisan Replica
In 2013, QMx released a 36-inch long Artisan Replica of the USS Vengeance, identical in size to the prop model built by QMx for Star Trek Into Darkness as outlined above. The 1:1600 scale production replica featured LED lighting, sound effects, an illuminated mirror base, and was limited to an edition of 100. The standard model retailed for US$9,995.
XCV 330 Ring Ship Artisan Replica[]
XCV 330 Ring Ship Artisan Replica
QMx released a 12-inch long Artisan Replica of the USS Enterprise (XCV 330) in November 2013. It was identical in size to the prop model built by QMx for Star Trek Into Darkness as outlined above, was limited to an edition of 25, and retailed for US$1,499.95.
USS Reliant Artisan Replicas[]
1:250 USS Reliant Artisan Replica
1:250 Scale[]
In October 2014, QMx released a 37-inch long Artisan Replica of the USS Reliant. The 1:250 scale production replica featured LED lighting, sound effects, an illuminated base, and was limited to an edition of 500. The standard model retailed for US$9,995.
1:350 Scale[]
1:350 USS Reliant Artisan Replica
In November 2014, QMx released a 27-inch long Artisan Replica of the USS Reliant. The 1:350 scale production replica featured LED lighting, sound effects, a mirrored base, and was limited to an edition of 250. The standard model retailed for US$4,995.
USS Enterprise Artisan Replica[]
1:350 USS Enterprise Artisan Replica prototype
QMx displayed a prototype of their USS Enterprise (TOS) Artisan Replica at the San Diego Comic-Con in July 2015. The 1:350 scale ship featured LED lighting, sound effects and a mirrored base. Many aspects of this ship (including the appearance of aztec paint patterning and blue LED lighting strips along the inside of the warp nacelles) were departures from the ship's standard appearance. It was displayed with a space shuttle Enterprise miniature. [23]
In essence, this was QMx's intended improved successor to Master Replicas' (from whom they had taken over the Star Trek license) highly lauded same-scaled USS Enterprise studio scale model.
USS Franklin Artisan Replica[]
USS Franklin Artisan Replica prototype
The company displayed a prototype of their USS Franklin Artisan Replica at the San Diego Comic-Con in July 2016 which featured LED lighting and a posable base.
USS Akira Artisan Replica[]
USS Akira Artisan Replica prototype at auction
It turned out that QMx had another Artisan Replica model under consideration as well which, however, had never been presented at Comic-Cons before. It was only at the aforementioned 2023 Prop Store auction that it was revealed that it had concerned a prototype model of the USS Akira. The proof-of-concept model was constructed out of resin and polystyrene and painted blue-gray with various blue-gray shades of Aztec patterns, dark gray and antique gold-color painted facets to resemble metal, and black paint fill for window slots, and featured acrylic nacelle inlays, decals of the ship's name, registry, Starfleet pennants, and escape pods. The 1:1000 scaled model came mounted on a black acrylic base, measuring 18"×12"×4.5" (45.75 cm×31.75 cm×11.5 cm). Offered as lot 1215 with an estimate of US$2,500-$5,000, it sold on 30 June 2023 for US$3,150 (including 25% buyers premium). [24]
Metalworks starship releases[]
USS Enterprise Solid Metal Replicas[]
A 8.5-inch long solid metal USS Enterprise (refit) desktop replica was scheduled for release as a "Star Trek Mission Crate" (subscription box) gift premium by Loot Crate in 2018. Nonetheless, after extremely lengthy delays and the withdrawal of all QMx products from Loot Crate's releases, it was never sent to subscribers, nor was an explanation or compensation offered.
A to 5,000 copies limited edition Metalworks USS Enterprise from the Kelvin timeline was released in 2009 as a home video premium for the Amazon.com retailer exclusive, as indicated above. Coming in at a weight of over a pound, this model too was 8.5-inch long and made out of solid metal with chrome, textured steel and pewter finishes without any plastic parts. The same CGI files as employed for the actual film were used for the model design. QMx CEO Andy Gore had emphasized, "We wanted to really raise the bar on metal work for this one, and we turned everything up to 11." [25]
Collector's Scale starship prototypes[]
This was to become the smaller-scaled version of the above-listed Artisan line, but neither of the two in 2013 introduced prototypes managed to evolve beyond the prototype stage.
USS Kelvin Collector's Scale Replica[]
USS Kelvin Collector's Scale Replica prototype
Photographs of a 12-inch USS Kelvin prototype were shown by QMx in April 2013.
USS Vengeance Collector's Scale Replica[]
USS Vengeance Collector's Scale Replica prototype
A 12-inch USS Vengeance prototype was shown in May 2013.
Mini Masters starships[]
Mini Masters starship prototypes[]
Mini Masters prototypes
Five to six-inch long USS Enterprise (TOS) and USS Enterprise (refit) models were shown by QMx at Toy Fair 2016 and were slated to premiere in the fourth quarter of 2016 but were not released. [26]
A USS Defiant NX-74205 model was also planned.
Mini Masters starship releases[]
Mini Masters USS Enterprise-D
A USS Enterprise-D model premiered as a Loot Crate and QMx release in March 2018 and was available one month later at other retailers.
A USS Franklin miniature was released in 2016 as a home video premium, as seen above.
Qraftworks Star Trek PuzzleFleet[]
First eight 2023 PuzzleFleet releases
After an absence of half a decade on the Star Trek collectibles market, a line of papercraft starship models started to become released in January 2023, having been announced a year earlier in February 2022. [27] Each 8"–12" model needed to be constructed from double-sided, highly-detailed gloss paper sheets which encapsulated a layer of thin foamboard, and ranged in complexity from about 55 to 85 pieces. Eight starship models from all over the franchise were released in the first batch of releases. [28] Remarkably, the line was, aside from the usual retail outlets, also concurrently sold through the webstore of (new) Master Replicas (until then mainly known for selling the remainder stock of the bankrupt Eaglemoss Collections), which in hindsight was not all that surprising, considering their October 2023 takeover of QMx.
Mini Master figurines[]
In March 2018, the first Mini Master Latinum Edition 1/12th-scale figurine premiered as a Loot Crate release and became available at QMx's webshop and general retail in the following month. Two more 1/12th-scale figurines from the series were released in 2018 and 2019 via Loot Crate and directly through QMx. Aside from the Qraftworks starships, Master Replicas started to sell these figurines through their webstore as well in the months leading up their acquisition of QMx.
Phaser replicas[]
Insignia replica releases[]
![Terran Empire magnetic badge[1]](/wiki/File:QMx_TNG_Mirror_Universe_Magnetic_Badge.jpg "QMx TNG Mirror Universe Magnetic Badge.jpg (39 KB)"){kind=icon}
Jewelry and Apparel[]
Replica Starfleet Academy rings from Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness were only offered in one size - US 10.5.
Q-Pop figurines[]
Stylized vinyl figurines similar to Funko POP! figurines. Each Q-Pop comes with a display stand and white-board-like markable placard to write on with included, themed markers.
Plushes[]
Master Series 1:6-scale figures[]
Director of the Master Series product line, Schubert "Nanjin" Tam, continues to produce 1:6-scale Star Trek figures under the new EXO-6 brand.
| Figure | Series/Film | Accessories | Initial release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk
|
TOS |
|
2016 |
|
| Spock
|
TOS |
|
2016 |
|
| McCoy
|
TOS |
|
2017 |
|
| Picard
|
TNG |
|
2017 |
|
| Khan
|
TOS |
|
2017 |
|
| Captain's Chair FX Replica
|
TOS | N/A | 2017 |
Lights and sounds powered by 3x AA batteries (not included) or a USB plug (cord not included) |
| Scotty
|
TOS |
|
2019 |
|
| Sulu
|
TOS |
|
2019 |
Art prints and posters[]
Other Star Trek releases[]
Footnotes[]
- ↑ On the QMx website the Mirror universe Terran Empire badge is described as originating from "Star Trek: The Next Generation's infamous mirror universe," which is strange considering the Mirror universe never featured in that series. The actual packaging makes no such series-specific claim and instead labels this item a "Terran Empire Combadge".