Today’s Teefury shirt is so awesome, my head bulged momentarily from near-explosion. While I go see a doctor about that, you order this. It’ll be gone in thirteen hours, so order soon!
Happy Bow Day! (+ contest)
I have no idea what made me use this pic. Other than it obviously being funny, while not obviously riffing on the usual Bow-is-gay cliche. Which I don’t buy, by the way–look at that ‘stache. Dudes with his build and facial hair hanging around extremely hot chicks all the time screams “porn star” to me.
Oh Bow. Why can’t we all just leave you alone? (BTW, in that shot above, I can hear Bow making the Peter Griffin “purring walrus” noise.)
Anyway, it’s Bow Day, though it’s also Shadow Beast Day, Keldor Reissue Day, Tytus Reissue Day and Grayskull Stands Day. No non-MOTUC items this month. Here’s the link to the all-in-one page.
And hey, to make it interesting: I’ve got a MOC WWE Mattel Randy Savage for the person who guesses closest to the exact time Bow sells out (guess a particular minute of the day). Entries must be submitted by 12pm ET. Everyone’s eligible except me and my monkey. Good luck!
Toy Fair 2011 Report, Day 1: Hasbro Collector’s Day
At this moment I’m sitting in one of the tiniest hotel rooms in Manhattan, my laptop balanced precariously on a window ledge as I sit on a bed. The other side of the room–really a glorified closet–is about eighteen inches to my right.
I’ve just finished uploading about ninety pics from Hasbro’s Collector’s Event today, available on my special Toy Fair Flickr page. Hopefully you were also following my tweets. They’ll be the swiftest form of coverage over the next two days (hence the addition of the Twitter feed to the site–thanks to OB1 for putting that and the Flickr gallery together so swiftly).
And so–as for what happened today. I took the Bolt bus down from Boston; thanks to wifi, it was a relatively swift four hours to Manhattan. After dropping my stuff off at the hotel, I headed to the Times Center in Times Square, where none other than Optimus Prime himself sat parked outside. I spent about four years of my young life looking at cars and trucks and wondering if they’d transform; sadly, even though this was the likeliest moment for such a thing in my entire life, it was not to be–Optimus remained in vehicle mode, caring not how many people grinned as their friends took pics with him.
(more…)
McFarlane Toys scores the Walking Dead
Via MTV Geek (whom I now hate for all his exclusive scoops):
The first series of deluxe 6-inch figures is releasing in September 2011, includes four fan-favorite characters from the Image comic book including:
THE WALKING DEAD Series 1
Officer Rick Grimes
Michonne
Zombie Lurker
Zombie RoamerThe second series of deluxe 6-inch figures is revealed in November 2011 and introduces four figures based on AMC’s original drama including:
THE WALKING DEAD Series 2
Deputy Rick Grimes
Daryl Dixon
Zombie Walker
Zombie BiterEach human figure includes multiple interchangeable accessories and several points of articulation for limitless possibility and customization. Each zombie figure features unique, gory, play action such as exploding heads and removable limbs. Figures are expected to sell for around $14.99 at retailers nationwide.
“I simply cannot contain my excitement over working with McFarlane Toys,” said Robert Kirkman, creator of “The Walking Dead” comic-book series. Â “For nearly two decades McFarlane Toys have proven themselves to be leading the pack when it comes to making cool looking, innovative toys, and I’m thrilled that they’re going to continue to do so with The Walking Dead.”
There’s more information, including a quote from McFarlane, at the MTV Geek.
I’m disappointed. No articulation means no interest from me. Not that there’s anything wrong with a lack of articulation–some people are perfectly happy with that, and if you’re one of them, you’re probably going to love this line.
Oddly enough, I had heard–a while back–that a different toy company had scored this license, and had plans to do a fully-articulated 6″ line. (And no, this wasn’t a dream.) Either I was misinformed, or something happened in the interim.
Submit your QC issues for Mattel
As some other sites are doing, I’m willing to present to Mattel a list of common QC problems on their figures. For most of you I’m guessing this will be related to Masters of the Universe Classics and DC Universe Classics, but any Mattel product are welcome. Here’s Scott Neitlich’s note (this one was to AFI) about it:
I know you’ve been asking for a way to get more input into the DCUC line and I have a challenge for you (as a site community) that works well for a dedicated site like this!
Clearly there are a lot of design and engineering issues fans have requested reviewed over the last two years (and many many if not all have been). However, our design and engineering staff has less time to surf the boards and I can only explain so much without images and details.
So here is the challenge. As a website community, put together a one page letter (along with any needed visual photos of product) and I will deliver this to the engineering and design group. Outline in a straightforward way design issues you have or requests (such as weak ankles, bobble heads etc..) But try to keep it on issues that are relevant, not ones that have been resolved. Also, this is design issues only, not shipping or customer service related to Mattycollector.com or retail inventory.
Have a representative who will be at NYTF deliver 4 copies of the letter/visuals to me there at our fan night on Sunday the 13th at 3pm. I will bring it to design so we can all review (along with the Four Horsemen).
I’ll leave it up to you all as to who actually writes the final letter, but as a web site community lets hear what you have to say.
Remember, visuals help a great deal. Try to keep the letter to one page max but attach whatever visuals are needed.
Together we can work to make this line even better! Lets hear what you have to say.
So here’s what to do: just shoot me an email (poe AT poeghostal.com) with a couple of photos of any and all QC problems you’ve run into with a DCUC or MOTUC figure, and then also describe the problem. I’ll write up a letter, print it out along with all the photos, and present it to Scott at Toy Fair.
This is your chance to make a real impression on Mattel regarding this issue–let’s do it! The deadline is 7pm Friday evening.
“Badass” MOTUC?
Here’s an interesting tidbit. DeviantArt artist Noxious1 has posted this Masters of the Universe Classics art, evidently commissioned by Mattel for use in an internal presentation. Later in the comments, he writes:
It was for internal presentation uses. I was basically commissioned to take the characters and their designs from the newly released “Classics” line and make them (and I quote) “BADASS” so I tried and I think it turned out pretty swell. If it were up to me I would redesign most everyone but for these costumes I got to do what I wanted with them. Very pleased with the outcome 🙂
So here’s my question…why did Mattel want to make MOTUC “badass”…? Please begin speculating wildly…NOW.
Edit: Lemonjuice McGee makes a good point–this may have been part of a pitch to a potential licensing partner. Perhaps they’re trying to interest THQ (or the brand managers and THQ are trying to interest Mattel higher-ups) in a MOTUC videogame?
Bandai’s 8″ Classics Lion-O unveiled
Toynewsi has what appears to be a rough but large scan from promotional materials of the 8″ Thundercats Classics Lion-O. The article adds that the figure will have 18 points of articulation and come with a with long Sword of Omens, short Sword of Omens, and ThunderClaw glove.
I have to say, the sculpting on that figure is pretty darned good…I wonder whose it is. Anyway, while I’ll be passing on the 4″ line, I’m in for this one.
Mezco is also doing Thundercats figures, apparently
Really big ones. From MTV Geek (by PGPoA Pal Lemonjuice McGee):
Mezco Mega-Scale ThunderCatsâ„¢ Lion-O
ThunderCats Ho!
Straight from the ThunderCats’ Lair on Third Earth, it’s Lion-O and the legendary mystic Sword of Omens.This mega-scale figure measures over 20 inches tall from the tip of his upraised, extended sword to the soles of his Thunderian boots.
Featuring 7 points of articulation this mega figure is superbly detailed, perfectly capturing not only the iconic look of Lion-O as he appeared in the classic television series, but the essence, of Lion-O as he proudly raises the mystic Sword of Omens towards the heavens and roars out “Thundercats, Ho!” He comes complete with his impressive Claw Shield and a removable mystic Sword Of Omens.
Lion-O is packaged in a collector friendly window box that allows him to be displayed while remaining Mint In Box.
To preorder, visit:
http://www.mezcotoyz.com/store/default.aspx
The preorder page seems not be working as of this posting. That, or it’s already sold out.
Sy-Klone’s packaging & bio revealed
Mattel has revealed Sy-Klone is all his packaged, be-bio’ed glory. (Via Facebook)
Sy-Klone’s Bio:
SY-KLONE
Heroic Fist-Flinging Tornado
Real Name: Sy-Klone Son of Dy-LexProtector of the Legacy Stones and the Last Defender of Anwat Gar, Sy-Klone joined the Masters of the Universe after the Stones were destroyed and his mission completed. He wears the last remaining TECH vest Armor created by his Gar ancestors to terrorize Eternia after the Great Wars. Its built-in wind rockets allow the user to create powerful vortexes of spinning energy as a defensive weapon or to fly through the air. Sy-Klone has upgraded his armor to also include cosmic radar which lets him sense the physical presence of evil long before others. Sy-Klone’s wind Powers and radar chest make him combat ready!
“Terrorize Eternia”? Were the Gars bad guys in 200X?
Anyway, it’s awesome we got the lenticular chest emblem and an ab crunch.
Poe Goes to Toy Fair
For the first time ever, Poe Ghostal will be attending Toy Fair this year.
More later.