A wire-posed Demitri Maximoff cape is a black and deep red cloth cape for a 1/12 scale figure, with a thin 20-22 gauge wire sewn into the hem so you can bend it into swept, billowing shapes. If you want to buy a Darkstalkers Demitri Maximoff figure cape, expect about 1.2 in (30 mm) across the collar, 4.5-5 in (115-125 mm) from collar to hem, and a price of $39. It is cut for the Storm Collectibles Demitri Maximoff figure.
What You Get When You Buy a Darkstalkers Demitri Maximoff Figure Cape
The cape is a two-layer cloth piece: black outside, deep red inside, with the weave and the stitch lines in plain view. Look at a photo up close and you can count the threads along the hem. That is the point.
The wire runs inside the hem channel. It is thin, so it disappears when the cape hangs straight, and it takes over the moment you bend an edge. The result looks like cloth caught in a gust, sitting on a gothic shelf under a single warm light.
You can see the full piece on the Demitri Maximoff Cape 1/12 Scale product page. For other soft goods at this scale, browse our 1/12 scale action figure capes.
How a 20-22 Gauge Hem Wire Holds a Pose
A 20-22 gauge wire is roughly 0.64-0.81 mm thick, per the American wire gauge standard. That is thin enough to bend with two fingers and stiff enough to carry the weight of a 5-inch strip of cloth.
The wire holds a shape through plastic deformation. When you bend it past its elastic limit, it stays bent. It does not remember anything. Bend it a little, and it springs back a few degrees, so overbend by that much and let go.
One honest limit: metal fatigues. Bend the same spot back and forth many times and the wire work-hardens, then breaks. Reshape in new places instead of reworking one crease.
Black and Deep Red: Color and Fabric
Two tones do all the visual work here. The black outer layer swallows light. The deep red lining, closer to wine than to fire-engine red, only shows when the hem curls or the cape flips open.
Bright red reads as a costume. Deep red reads as Darkstalkers: velvet, candlelight, old blood. The contrast also helps in photos, because the red catches a side light while the black stays dark.
Expect visible cloth texture, not a smooth plastic sheen. Under a hard lamp the weave throws tiny shadows. Under a soft lamp it looks like heavy fabric.
Visible Stitching Is Part of the Look
A handmade cape shows its seams. Stitch lines run along the collar and the hem, and the spacing is not laser-perfect. Some collectors hate that. Others buy for it.
Here is what separates honest handmade work from sloppy work:
- Stitch lines that follow the edge and serve a job, such as closing the wire channel. - Edges folded or sealed, so nothing frays when you handle the cape. - Thread that matches the fabric, even if it glints under a lamp. - Wire ends tucked away, never poking out of the hem.
A stray thread now and then is normal. Snip it with small scissors. Do not pull it.
Darkstalkers Demitri Maximoff Figure Cape Sizing and Fit
A 1/12 scale figure stands about 6-7 in (15-18 cm) tall, and the distance from collar to ankle is roughly three quarters of that. That is why a 4.5-5 in cape reaches the ankles on a figure this size. Shorter looks like a cropped jacket. Longer drags on the base.
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 1/12 | About 6-7 in (15-18 cm) figure |
| Collar width | ~1.2 in (30 mm) | Sits across the shoulders |
| Length, collar to hem | 4.5-5 in (115-125 mm) | Ankle length on a standing figure |
| Hem wire | 20-22 gauge | About 0.64-0.81 mm |
| Colors | Black outside, deep red lining | Visible weave and stitching |
| Made for | Storm Collectibles Demitri Maximoff | Check fit on other figures |
To confirm the fit on your own figure:
1. Stand the figure upright on a flat surface with the arms at its sides. 2. Measure across the shoulders with a ruler or calipers. Anything near 1.2 in is a match. 3. Measure from the base of the neck to the ankle. You want 4.5-5 in. 4. Compare both numbers to the table above. 5. If you are off by more than 0.2 in, expect bunching or a gap at the collar.
Other broad-shouldered 1/12 gothic figures may take this cape. Slimmer figures will show a loose collar. We have not verified fit on figures outside the Storm Collectibles release, so treat those as a gamble.
Posing the Cape: 5 Steps
A cape that took 30 seconds to hang can take 10 minutes to pose well. Work in this order:
1. Fit the cape to the figure and let it hang straight. That is your baseline. 2. Lift the bottom hem on one side and curve it up and back. Keep the other side lower for asymmetry. 3. Add an S-curve to the hem so the red lining flashes on the turn. 4. Pull one edge forward over the arm for a battle pose, or spread both sides wide for the classic vampire hover. 5. Step back, look from the camera angle, and adjust the last 10 percent.
Avoid sharp 90-degree folds. They crease the cloth and stress the wire. Round curves look better and last longer.
Care: Light, Dust, and Wrinkles
Light is the enemy of dark dye. The Canadian Conservation Institute notes that light damage, including fading, is cumulative and cannot be reversed. Keep the display away from windows.
Dust with a soft, clean paintbrush. Skip compressed air, which drives dust into the weave. Steam wrinkles from about 6 in (15 cm) away on low heat. Do not iron; the wire leaves pressure marks.
Store spares flat, not rolled. Rolling kinks the wire.
Where to Buy a Darkstalkers Demitri Maximoff Figure Cape: Price Comparison
At $39, this cape sits in the middle of the market. The ranges below are approximate and reflect typical listings, not a formal survey.
| Option | Approx. price | Poseable? | Look | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molded plastic cape | $10-25 | No | Flat, painted folds | Thin parts crack when bent |
| Unwired cloth cape | $20-30 | Drapes only | Good texture | Cannot hold a swept shape |
| Wire-hem cloth cape (this one) | $39 | Yes | Visible weave and stitching | Wire fatigues if overworked |
| Custom tailored cape | $50-80 | Yes | Best fit | 2-4 weeks lead time |
If you want the wire-hem version, go to the Demitri Maximoff Cape 1/12 Scale listing. To build out the rest of the shelf, see our Darkstalkers collection and 1/12 scale accessories.
The series itself is worth knowing. Darkstalkers is Capcom's gothic fighting franchise, and Demitri Maximoff is its aristocratic vampire, so his silhouette depends on the cape. Official information lives at Capcom.
Who Should Skip This Cape
Honestly, if you want a display you never touch, skip this and use a molded cape. Cloth collects dust, and a wire hem invites fiddling. Fiddling wears it out.
Also skip it if your shelf sits in a sunny window or a damp room. Dark dye fades. Damp cloth smells. Neither is fixable.
Buy it if you photograph your figures, like a bit of mess in the stitching, and want the red to flash on the turn. Cloth. Wire. Patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wire-posed Demitri Maximoff cape?
It is a black and deep red cloth cape for a 1/12 figure with a 20-22 gauge wire in the hem. The wire lets you bend the edge into swept poses that hold their shape.
Will this cape fit the Storm Collectibles Demitri Maximoff figure?
It is made for that figure, with a collar width of about 1.2 in and a length of 4.5-5 in. Measure your shoulders first to confirm.
How much does a Darkstalkers Demitri Maximoff figure cape cost?
The wire-hem cape is listed at $39. Molded plastic capes run about $10-25, and custom tailored pieces about $50-80.
How does the hem wire hold a pose?
Bending the wire past its elastic limit deforms it permanently, so it stays where you put it. Expect a few degrees of spring-back, and avoid re-bending one spot many times.
Are visible stitches and loose threads normal?
Yes. Handmade capes show stitch lines along the collar and hem, and an occasional loose thread can be snipped with small scissors.
Can I use it on other 1/12 vampire or gothic figures?
Possibly, if the shoulders are within about 0.2 in of 1.2 in. We have not verified fit outside the Storm Collectibles Demitri, so measure first.
How do I keep the cape from fading or wrinkling?
Keep it out of direct sunlight, dust it with a soft brush, and steam wrinkles from about 6 in away on low heat. Store spares flat.
Where can I buy the cape?
You can buy it from The Figure Vault on the product page for $39. Browse more action figure capes if you want alternatives.
The Short Version
A wire-posed cape turns a standing figure into a scene. Black outside, deep red in, stitches showing, hem bent like a gust just hit. If that is the shelf you want, buy the Demitri Maximoff cape here and measure your figure first.
