Review > Fearless Photog (Masters of the Universe Classics, Mattel)

February 24, 2012 | Poe

No discussion of Fearless Photog can be complete without first mentioning this article on X-Entertainment.com,* the seminal 1980s kids’ culture website by Matt Caracappa. At this point, anyone with even a passing acquaintance with Masters of the Universe knows the story: in 1985, Mattel held a “Create-A-Character” contest. Children were invited to send in their ideas for new characters, which were then voted on by fans via a phone number. The winner received a $100K scholarship, a trip to Disneyland, and best of all, their character would be made into an actual Masters of the Universe figure.

Only it didn’t happen that way. (more…)

Sponsor News > BBTS has TF, Portal, NECA, Marvel, 1/6, BBP & More!

February 23, 2012 | Poe

Here is a quick update from http://www.bigbadtoystore.com about a ton of new preorders, more cool new arrivals, and our latest sale!

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CLEARANCE SALE

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Several days ago we reduced pricing by 15% to 25% on 4000+ items that are a year or more old.  There are a lot of great older items available, please be sure to check out the menus found on this link:

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/list.aspx?list=7223

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NEW PREORDERS

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“THE AVENGERS” MOVIE MASTERPIECE NICK FURY
Hot Toys has announced a 1/6 scale Nick Fury figure from the upcoming “The Avengers” movie.  This figure comes with a Samuel L. Jackson likeness along with a suitcase with the Cosmic Cube, weapons and much more.  We have him listed at $174.99, $15 off the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HOT10385&mode=retail

KM-03 KNIGHT MORPHER CYCLOPS
Mastermind Creations has announced their newest release.  Knight Morpher Cyclops is done in a purple color scheme with his traditional head and an arm replaced by a gatling gun; he will measure about 10″ tall in robot mode and 15″ long in ship mode.  We have him listed at $159.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=MMC10005&mode=retail

PORTAL APERTURE STUDIOS PORTAL GUN PROP REPLICA
NECA is also producing a life-sized replica of the Portal Gun from the Portal games.  It has both blue and orange lights and is limited to 5000 pieces worldwide; we have it listed at $124.99, $15 off the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC11812&mode=retail

NEW THINKGEEK ITEMS – PORTAL, DEXTER, TREK, MORE
We have just listed a variety of items from ThinkGeek, like an Apron and Coasters from Dexter, Hoodies, Cookie Cutters, Bookends and Flashlights from Portal and iPhone cases from Star Trek.  Take a look at these great new items at the link.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=ThinkGeek

LEFT 4 DEAD BOOMER DELUXE ACTION FIGURE
This character from Left 4 Dead 2 is not only sculpted well, but can be taken in half to show his “after” picture.  We have it listed at $21.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC11818&mode=retail

MARVEL SELECT IRON MAN MARK VI – AVENGERS RELEASE
For those of you that missed out on this figure the first time around, it is now being rereleased in Avengers packaging.  It will include a display base, and is priced at $19.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=DMC11736&mode=retail

(more…)

Guest Review > Megator (Masters of the Universe Classics, Mattel)

February 22, 2012 | Doc Thomas

I collect nearly exclusively in the 1/12th scale. For me, it’s the perfect scale – translating to about a foot per inch, it’s the ideal size for strong sculpts with recognizable likenesses and meticulous paint detailing while also allowing one to have a bigger collection in a much smaller space than the average 1/6th scale collection.

That said, I am a huge fan of GIANT 1/12th-scale action figures, and rejoice at toys that are both large and in scale with the majority of my collection. I loved the Spawn movie boxed sets Malebolgia and Violator early in my collecting days, and when ToyBiz introduced BAFs into the Marvel Legends line I was ecstatic. (more…)

5 Questions With > Phil Reed of Battlegrip.com

February 22, 2012 | Poe


PHILIP REED
Real Name: Philip Reed
Base of Operations: Battlegrip.com
History: Philip Reed has worked professionally in the game industry since 1995 and has been a geek ever since he first encountered comics and action figures in the late seventies. He can often be found walking on the abandoned roads of America, head staring down at his BlackBerry as he answers e-mail while avoiding pot holes and spiked pits.

1.) First, the basics: what are your toy collecting credentials? What were your first toy(s), what were your favorite lines growing up, and have you been a lifelong collector or did you lose interest and get back into it at some point?

As a kid I was a fan of Star Wars, then G.I. Joe, and then Transformers. At different stages of the seventies and eighties I collected those toys, but it wasn’t until 2007 that my attention turned to designer toys. In late 2008 I had the idea of creating my own site dedicated to toys — www.battlegrip.com — and since that time my collection has exploded. I don’t really focus on any one line — or even type of toy — but instead grab whatever I think looks fun. (more…)

Odds ‘n Ends > A New MOTUC QC Issue

February 22, 2012 | Poe

  • Another day, another endemic MOTUC quality control problem. This time it’s a crack on Fearless Photog’s extending lens. Anecdotal evidence suggests three out of four Photogs may have it. Mattel says it wasn’t on the factory samples–which makes me wonder if the factory makes sure to do a good job on the samples, like a chef giving his best work to a food critic. Those of you with experience in such matters–are there any standard checks and balances to make sure that doesn’t happen?
  • So if you’ve got a Photog coming, will you go through the hassle of returning it for a replacement that has a 75% chance of also having the crack? I probably won’t, but this is yet another addition to that “Cons” list for signing up for the 2013 subscription.
  • How fast do you think McFarlane will push out a Jeremy Lin figure? I say it’s in stores in less than six months.

Poest Office > New Marvel Legends Sculpts a Cut Above?

February 21, 2012 | Poe

Today’s question comes from Poester TP:

Dear Poe: Do you know any of the sculptors for the new pieces in Marvel Legends 2012? It’s been all the gossip that this new wave of ML is really a cut above Hasbro’s old ML offerings, and I’d like to acknowledge credit where credit’s due. I’ve been collecting things by the 4 Horsemen in various lines for so long that’s it’s tough not knowing who sculpted the new Iron Man figure, for instance…

I checked with my contacts at Hasbro, and their response was, “We’re not set up for fan questions right now, unfortunately. We’re going to be relaunching the fan Q&A program soon, so keep an eye out! Sorry!”

So, I’m afraid I can’t answer your question quite yet, TP. Perhaps someone else out there already knows the answer?