Whither modern Red Tornado?

Modern Red TornadoThe only official variant announced by Mattel for DC Universe Classics wave 1 (DCUC1) was a modern version of Red Tornado (a character I, admittedly, know practically nothing about–but I like his action figure). But though the line has arrived in comic shops and retailers across the country, the mythical modern RT has yet to be found. Since I know little about the character anyway, I was hoping to get the modern version.

Some background: initially, modern Red Tornado was going to be the main figure, and the “classic” Tornado–with big gloves and buccaneer boots–was to be the variant. But fans on the major collector sites (Fwoosh/AFI) expressed far more interest in the classic version, so Mattel adjusted their case ratios to reflect that. From what retailers could tell, there would be two case types–one that would have one of every regular figure and two Batman figures, and one that would have one of every figure and two Tornados. The assumption among fans was that the latter would contain one modern and one classic Tornado, but so far, all we’ve got is classic.

So, the question is: what’s the deal, Mattel? Will we see the modern Tornado in later case pack-outs or alongside a future wave, or is he destined to become an exclusive or, worse, never see the light of day at all?

Coming up this week: My long-overdue comments on The Transformers movie (which I saw for the first time this weekend) > Cleatus, the Fox Sports Robot > Michael Crawford and the Poppies > and at last, my review of DC Universe Classics Wave 1 > Plus: PGPoA’s very first contest!

Shortpacked! > Welcome to Fandom

This Shortpacked! strip takes a shot at the online action figure community, a topic I just wrote about. It’s targeted specifically toward Marvel Legends collectors. While I admit they’re a rambunctious bunch–particularly since the Hasbro takeover of ML–the journalist in me wonders whether Willis was feeling a little defensive about the makers of his favorite toys (Transformers).

Another thing…I’ve always assumed that the online community of action figure collectors was no different than geeks in any other geekdom–movie fans, Tolkien fans, science fiction television fans and so forth. But this strip makes me wonder if action figure collectors don’t have some unique characteristics aside from their preferred topics and vocabulary. Is there something about the character of your average adult action figure collector that is different from, say, a comic book geek? A videogame geek?

(PS. I’d intended to write a more substantive post today, but I was sidetracked by six hours of Mass Effect. I offer no excuse, just sincere apologies.)

(PPS. I’d be remiss if I didn’t post a link to my favorite Shortpacked! strip of all time.)

(PPPS. I hope Butterbur sends this promptly. A worthy man, but his memory is like a lumber-room: thing wanted always buried. If he forgets, I shall roast him. And now back to Mass Effect…)

Batman, circa 1990

 

Stained


I dug out this old Kenner Batman a few days ago. I really liked this figure, and the way the cape fell around his shoulders, so I took this pic (some Photoshopping to fill in the rock, but the stained glass and steps are really there).

DCUC 3 variants

Action Figure Insider has posted the first pics of the variants for wave 3 of DC Universe Classics: an unmasked Deathstroke and Sinestro in his “Sinestro Corps” uniform.

These variants continue the DCUC trend of not particularly interesting me. If I got the Sinestro Corps variant, I’d probably keep it, but I wouldn’t deliberately track it down. I’d trade the unmasked Deathstroke for the regular version.

I’m kind of glad there isn’t a Robin variant with the earlier Tim Drake red/green costume…it saves me from having to buy two Robins and then agonize over which to display.

Sinestro

Deathstroke

IMotherBoxPod

Finally came up with a caption I liked for this pic.

IMotherBoxPod

“Dammit! Infinite processing power and I still keep getting that damned sad face! DESAAAAAAD! Come fix this!”

2007: The Year in Haulage

Happy New Year! I’m working on a very big review of the first wave of DC Universe Classics figures, but in the meantime here’s a quick post to tide you over.

Inspired by Googum, I’ve decided to try and post a list of all the toys I bought or received in 2007. I can’t go into quite as much detail–I don’t have dates and I certainly don’t have receipts (and part of me doesn’t want to know how much I spent). This is mostly from memory, so there are undoubtedly a few holes–I’ll update as I remember things.

Looking it over, it’s pretty clear I became a fan of (read: obsessed with) DC Superheroes.

DC Superheroes/DC Universe Classics

  1. Quickfire Joker
  2. Bane (international variant)
  3. Scarecrow
  4. Mr. Freeze
  5. Blue/gray Batman
  6. Azrael
  7. Bizarro (purple)
  8. Supergirl (blue)
  9. Lex Luthor
  10. Darkseid
  11. Brainiac
  12. Man-Bat
  13. Cyborg Superman
  14. Mongul
  15. Two-Face
  16. Clayface
  17. Catwoman
  18. Gray/black Batman
  19. Classic Detective Batman
  20. Red Tornado
  21. The Penguin
  22. Orion
  23. Etrigan the Demon

Hellboy

  1. Abe Sapien (Mezco)
  2. Hellboy Animated (Gentle Giant Best Buy Exclusive)
  3. Abe Sapien Animated (Gentle Giant)
  4. Movie Hellboy (Gentle Giant)
  5. 12″ Movie Abe Sapien (Sideshow)

TMNT

  1. Leonardo
  2. Donatello
  3. Raphael
  4. Michelangelo

Legendary Comic Book Heroes

  1. Savage Dragon
  2. Judge Dredd
  3. Ripclaw
  4. Ann O’Brien
  5. Marv
  6. Judge Death
  7. Star
  8. Madman
  9. Witchblade
  10. Superpatriot
  11. Conan
  12. Wraarl
  13. The Darkness
  14. Stryker

Marvel Legends

  1. Tiger Stripe Wolverine
  2. Blackheart
  3. Wolverine/Sabretooth Face-Off
  4. Hydra Soldier
  5. Silver Surfer (Hasbro Comic F4)

Halo (Joyride Studios)

  1. Brute
  2. Spec Ops Elite
  3. Master Chief (series 4)

Nightmare Before Christmas (NECA)

  1. Santa Jack
  2. Santa Jack II
  3. Cyclops
  4. Experiment Jack

Miscellaneous

  1. Street Gear Clubber Lang (Rocky III)
  2. 7″ Indiana Jones (Disney parks exclusive)
  3. Fox Sports Robot
  4. Frosty the Snowman (Round 2)
  5. Godzilla 1975 (Bandai)
  6. Identity Crisis Batman (DC Direct)
  7. Hush Joker (DC Direct)
  8. Special Forces Accessory Packs (Resaurus)
  9. Jonathan Papelbon (McFarlane MLB)
  10. Creature from the Black Lagoon (Toy Island)
  11. Pig Cop (Duke Nukem – Resaurus)
  12. Grimlock (Transformers Titanium 3″)
  13. Snowman (Twisted Christmas – McFarlane)
  14. Alien Warrior (Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem – NECA)
  15. Ramathorr (FANtastic Exclusive)