Intereview > Cyborg (DC Universe Classics)

October 24, 2008 | Poe

In the early 1980s, the New Teen Titans were DC Comics’ answer to Marvel’s enormously successful X-Men, and both series sold very well. One of the new Titans introduced during that era was Cyborg. After an accident in which Victor Stone’s mad scientist father accidentally released a gelatinous extradimensional horror that killed Victor’s mother and mutilated Victor himself, his father grafted a number of cybernetic enhancements onto his son to ensure his survival. Initially repulsed by his new appearance, Victor eventually learned to accept it and became a superhero. (more…)

Intereview – Wonder Woman (DC Universe Classics)

October 23, 2008 | Poe

Welcome to the latest installment of my week-long series of “intereviews” with the line-up of the fourth wave of DC Universe Classics. My guest today is the bold and beautiful Princess Diana, a.k.a. Wonder Woman.

WW: Thank you.

Thank you, Princess. And let me add that it’s great to finally have the third member of the DC Universe Trinity in a 6″ figure from Mattel.

WW: Yes, it’s been a long time coming. But they’ve done a great job, I think. (more…)

Review > Movie Masters Batpod

October 22, 2008 | Poe

Every knight needs his trusty steed–even a Dark Knight.

As I’ve related twice already, I had the good fortune to find the Target-exclusive Movie Masters Batpod over the weekend, just a couple days after the first few sightings across the country. I don’t think I can stress enough how unlikely it is to find a new mass market toy in Massachusetts this early–because we’re so far from where the ships from China arrive and the warehouses their cargo is stored at, we get everything dead last. Really, the only explanation I can think of is that the MM Batpod had a street date and had been sitting in the back rooms all over the country, waiting…waiting… (more…)

On DC Direct’s History of the DC Universe

October 21, 2008 | Poe

While the line’s existence was announced months ago, DC Direct raised a few eyebrows this week when it released the first photos of its upcoming “History of the DC Universe” line. Inspired by the 1986 book by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, the figures are based on Perez’s art. The figures appear to share certain body parts, such as torsos and limbs, resulting in the inevitable conclusion by some collectors that this is DC Direct attempting to cash in on the popularity of DC Universe Classics. (More pics below the jump.)

The figures appear to have at least the following articulation: ball-jointed heads, shoulders, torso and perhaps even hips; swivels at the biceps, forearms, waist, and calves; and hinged joints at the elbows, knees [and wrists – update]. That’s a lot more than your average DCD figure–the only one I can think of having anything close to that is the 2003 Superman figure. (more…)

Odds ‘n Ends > Dream Warriors

October 21, 2008 | Poe

ODD: I still can’t believe I found a Batpod on my first try. I still haven’t seen a single DCUC4 figure anywhere. I’m going to briefly interrupt the DCUC4 reviews for a Batpod review this week–BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT!!! And also to hopefully head off any other reviewers. (more…)

Intereview > Batman Beyond (DC Universe Classics)

October 21, 2008 | Poe

Welcome back to my week-long series of “intereviews” with the members of DC Universe Classics Wave 4. For those unfamiliar with the format, I basically pretend the figures are real and “interview” them, sneaking in my review in the process. Writing genius or borderline psychosis? You decide!

My guest today is Batman Beyond. BB, you’re an interesting choice for a DCUC figure, given that you were originally created for your eponymous cartoon and have only made a few brief cameo appearances in the DC comics universe. Why do you think you were added to the roster?

Well, I’m pretty popular among fans of the DC animated universe. And I did get a figure from DC Direct in their Superman/Batman line a couple years back, though it was a ‘roided-up Ed McGuinness version. And obviously there were tons of figures based on the cartoon.

But, if we’re going to be candid here, I suspect the real reason I got in is because I’m an easy retool. I’m the basic large male body with new head, belt, and forearm sculpts. (more…)

Intereview > Captain Atom (DC Universe Classics)

October 20, 2008 | Poe

Welcome to the first of a week of “intereviews” with the members of DC Universe Classics Wave 4. My first guest is Captain Atom. Captain, please tell us a little about yourself.

Certainly. I was originally created by Charlton Comics in 1960. I was working on an experimental rocket when it exploded, atomizing my body but giving me superpowers that allowed me to re-form my body, in addition to many other powers. After DC Comics bought the rights to the Charlton characters in the early 1980s, I was re-introduced as an Air Force officer in the Vietnam War who had been framed for a crime I didn’t commit–shades of A-Team, no?–and rather than being executed, I was allowed to participate in an experiment that threw me into the future and gave me superpowers, including the ability to grow this nigh-invulnerable silver metal shell and to control energy. (more…)

MM Batpod in the house

October 19, 2008 | Poe

After reading that the Movie Masters Batpod had been found in Connecticut, I decided to check around here. When a search of three different Targets proved fruitless, I was ready to give up and head home–until Dr. Mrs. Ghostal suggested we check one last one (the Quincy Target, just off 93 South).

After taking the wrong exit and getting lost, we finally managed to reach the Target–and you’ll never guess what was there:

Review later this week.

Post #322

October 17, 2008 | Poe

I’m working on a week’s worth of what I’m going to call “intereviews” (clever, no?) of DCUC Wave Four, so instead I’ll just point you to a few things I found interesting over the last few days. (more…)

New poll

October 16, 2008 | Poe

I’d like to direct your attention to the poll on the sidebar menu. Please take five seconds to answer it.

I’ve been considering a change in the way I put up posts here on the site–switching from a single daily, longer article-type piece to a more frequent series of smaller toy-related “dispatches” (with the occasional longer piece, such as an interview, essay, or review). For instance, rather than just listing interesting links down under “Sold Separately,” I could post a small blurb about them, with my own colorful commentary. (Sort of like Topless Robot, but with more of an emphasis on toys and the industry than pop culture in general.)

However, I know from experience this format can get annoying for some people if you tend to get your content from a feed.

As always, I’d welcome any thoughts you have on this. I will say there doesn’t really appear to be a dispatch-style toy-related blog out there, so it might be a good niche for this site to fill. On the other hand, judging from my site stats, people seem to really like reviews (though the X-Entertainment-like nostalgia articles get less pageview love).