silver by Johnson Cameraface
Review > Orko & Prince Adam (Masters of the Universe Classics, Mattel)
There are a few toys I distinctly remember getting as a kid, and one of them was Orko. I don’t remember where we found him, but I know we brought him back to my grandparents’ house on Burton Terrace, where I revved up his ripcord on the coffee table and sent him spinning around.
Even as a kid, I recognized the fact that most of the original MOTU figures didn’t look a whole lot like their cartoon counterparts. He-Man was far more muscled, and his face didn’t look anything like the friendly Filmation character. Orko, however, actually looked like his cartoon counterpart (no, not as much as the new one, but to a degree that was about standard for toys at the time). There was something really appealing about that.
It’s interesting that Mattel chose to pair Orko with Prince Adam, because I’ve always felt the same way about both figures: they’re interesting to me because they’re “story” characters whose toys were inspired by the cartoon, rather than the other way around. To me, Orko and Prince Adam made the cartoon more real in a way a lot of the other figures didn’t.
Some fans dislike Orko, some fans out-and-out hate him as representing the more childish aspects of their favorite franchise (which, just to remind you, is called “He-Man”). Others dislike Adam for similar reasons, preferring a more barbaric He-Man who never transmogrifies into the weak, Clark Kent-like Adam.
I love them both. (more…)
Toy Aisle Trolls > Plastic Manhandled
Toy Aisle Trolls is a feature highlighting acts of vandalism to in-store toy items. If you find a ruined package, a stolen figure, a swapped-out figure, or any other such acts, take a photo (cell phone photos are fine if they’re not blurry) and email them to poe AT poeghostal.com. Also, please note: I’m deliberately being over-the-top with my condemnation of these people–I don’t actually wish bodily harm upon them. Just severe mental anguish.
Poester The Flash III found this jackass’s magnum opus:
I was at Target today and noticed this new BB&TB set. There were 3 of them, but one seemed to be missing something. The package had clear indications on the sides that it had been opened, so I’m not sure if it was a return or someone just took old Plas and put him in his purse.
Pic of the Day
Neo Henshin Cyborg by Face Ache
Review > Young Eleanor & Little Sister (Bioshock, NECA)
Roger Ebert recently brought down quite a controversy on his head by stating his belief that videogames can never be art. It’s a surprisingly Grumpy Old Man position for someone who’s usually as reasonable as Ebert, but given his age, reputation and so forth, I guess he’s allowed a few of those.
If I were to attempt to refute his argument, though, I think the first exhibit I’d offer would be Bioshock. Created by 2K (formerly and now once again Irrational) Games and published in 2007, Bioshock is a first-person shooter that bursts the conventions of the genre by offering not just a great story (gamers had seen that before, i.e., Half-Life & Half-Life 2) and the usual great graphics, but by having an incredible, cohesive artistic vision and even introducing players to a little bit of philosophy. As I watched the opening intro to that game, and the bathysphere came up over the ridge to reveal the underwater city of Rapture, I knew Bioshock was going to be–ahem–a game-changer.
One of the game’s moral quandaries is whether to “harvest” or “rescue” the Little Sisters–corrupted little girls who have been transformed by mad scientists into living generators of ADAM, a sort of genetic mana that allows you to gain all sorts of superpowers. Protected by the iconic Big Daddies (cyborgs in giant diving suits), Little Sisters haunt the dying city of Rapture, harvesting ADAM from corpses and chattering mindlessly to their Big Daddy escorts. (more…)
MOTUC Bio Discussion #17: The Goddess
Inspired by He-Man.org’s Roast Gooble Dinner podcast, welcome to PGPoA’s latest MOTUC Bio Discussion!
Pic of the Day
Cyclope by EGmoller
Toy Aisle Trolls > White Out Whiteout
Toy Aisle Trolls is a feature highlighting acts of vandalism to in-store toy items. If you find a ruined package, a stolen figure, a swapped-out figure, or any other such acts, take a photo (cell phone photos are fine if they’re not blurry) and email them to poe AT poeghostal.com. Also, please note: I’m deliberately being over-the-top with my condemnation of these people–I don’t actually wish bodily harm upon them. Just severe mental anguish.
Poester Mysterious Stranger sends in this gem:
I was at Toys R Us last week, searching for the new G.I. Joe figures and vehicles. This particular store didn’t have the figures yet but they did have the vehicles. They had about 3 or 4 of each and this particular specimen was hidden behind some old DVD packs. Yeah, some dick took the figure (White Out) and replaced it with a Rise of Cobra Neo-Viper, and not even a complete one either, just the figure with no webgear or weapons. That’s just cold.
His punishment? Forced to wear a chastity belt lined with Icy Hot until he finds a woman who will love his Cheeto-stained soul.
–Mysterious Stranger
Review > Mo-Larr & Skeletor (Masters of the Universe Classics, Mattel)
I’m way behind on my SDCC exclusive reviews, so I’m going to make up for it with a full week of reviews! Not everything will be SDCC-related, but most of them will.
Where to start with Mo-Larr, Eternian Dentist?
As you can see above, Mo-Larr was created for a Robot Chicken sketch. And in a surprising move, Mattel decided to make an SDCC exclusive based on the skit.
I’m trying to think of more to say on the subject, but I can’t…so on to the review, I guess! (more…)
Happy Whiplash Day
Although part of me feels like I should really be saying, “Happy Trap Jaw Day II.” How many of you who missed TJ the first time around are going for him today?
Anyway, here’s the link to the all-in-one page.