Odds ‘n Ends

June 23, 2009 | Poe

odds_n_ends_09

Updates to the site might be a little bit sparser than you’re used to over the next few weeks–I’m feeling a bit burnt-out, due to a combination of things (this awful, endless Northeast weather being a big part of it). But OB1 and I are working on a way to add some user-generated content (like Show and Tell) more easily, so maybe some of you guys can pick up my lazy-ass slack.
In other news, Big Bad Toy Store apparently sent out an email informing those who had pre-ordered the Movie Masters series with Jailhouse Joker and Harvey Dent that the pre-orders were canceled, as Mattel had informed them MM would now be a Mattycollector exclusive. This is exactly what I’d expected would happen–Mattel has too much invested in the tooling for those figures not to try to get a bit more profit out of them.

Odds ‘n Ends

June 12, 2009 | Poe

odds_n_ends_09

I slaved over a hot Photoshop for hours to bring you today’s It Figures, so if you don’t like it, I’ll probably curl into a ball and cry.
Every ready for Hordak Day on Monday? And don’t forget Ultraman and Alex Luthor! I’m getting an extra of each for a couple Poesters who live locally, which I don’t mind doing at all, because it means I get to open my figures right away while using theirs for the packaging review photo later on.
Mattycollector posted a brief update on Facebook, basically saying they’re back on Facebook, as well as a few new photos of He-Ro.
Topless Robot is now full-time and wants your input, because apparently he can’t be bothered to run his site himself. But I kid the self-pleasuring, kitten-endangering guy!
Ordinarily, when I get an earworm, it’s just one song or part of a song (“Re: Yours Brains” by Jonathan Coulton drove me temporarily insane for a few days). But for some reason right now, Smashing Pumpkins’ entire Zeitgeist album is running through my head, song by song. Currently queued up to “That’s The Way (My Love is).”
I just finished playing Rainbow Six Vegas 2, which I picked up used a couple weeks ago. I want to play Wolverine now, but I’m going to have to wait until someone loans it to me or it’s cheap on eBay, because the next game I’m planning to buy new is Batman: Arkham Asylum (assuming the reviews are good).

Odds ‘n Ends

June 3, 2009 | Poe

I think it may be a relatively quiet day today here on PGPoA–I’m going to take a break after all those DCUC8 reviews and so forth.
Since the eBay Hong Kong resellers/thieves once again forced their hand, Mattel has officially revealed the Warrior’s Ring that will come with Tri-Klops.
I’ve got better photos of the DCUC Wildcat variant, but I’ve been asked to hold off on posting them until next week.
It’s difficult to describe how excited I am that this summer I’ll get not one, but two Monkey Island games–an Xbox Live Arcade special edition of the original game and a brand-new one, Tales of Monkey Island, from Telltale Games. The Secret of Monkey Island is easily one of my favorite videogames of all time–to this day, I’ll still respond to some insults with, “How appropriate–you fight like a cow.”
Other games I’m excited about: Metroid: Other M, Crackdown 2, Halo: Reach, New Super Mario Bros Wii.
In one of their Q&As from this past round, Mattel claimed they might have DCUC9 on sale on Mattycollector in July. Maybe for preorder, but there is no way DCUC9 will be out in July. I expect the first collectors to get their hands on them (not counting samples) in late August at the earliest. I mean, DCUC8 hasn’t even shown up at retail yet.

Odds ‘n Ends

May 11, 2009 | Poe

Saw Star Trek over the weekend. Review to follow anon. Short version: loved it. I’m glad the figures aren’t that great, or I might be way too tempted to collect them.
CornerStoreComics and ETC will begin shipping DCUC8 this week. I’m very proud to say I never broke down and got any figures–not even a single Parademon–off eBay or anything.
I’m surprised no one has taken advantage of my Most Wanted feature. Send me those submissions, folks!
I’m also going to start making the interviews a weekly thing, interviewing collectors as well as industry types. If you’re interested in being interviewed (and showing off some pics of your collection), email me.
On a random note, why hasn’t DC incorporated Space Ghost and some of the other Hanna-Barbara characters into the DCU now that Warner Bros. owns the H-B library? Seems to me Space Ghost would be a perfect fit for their cosmic books, and they already did the Space Ghost miniseries. I’d love to see SG face off against, say, Despero. And Space Ghost has way more name recognition than, say, The Shield.
Remember, Friday is Zodac Day, and the following Monday the subscription plan will go on sale. I’m very curious to see how quickly Zodac sells out compared to Mer-Man.

Odds ‘n Ends > Star Wars Day Edition

May 4, 2009 | Poe

Before anyone asks, no, I didn’t see Wolverine this weekend. And I probably won’t, because I see maybe three movies at the theater a year, and I’ve already seen Watchmen and intend to see Star Trek. Terminator Salvation is a toss-up for #3.
As many of you know, Big Bad Toy Store got an early shipment of DC Universe Classics Wave 8, as did a few other retailers who imported directly from China. The rest of us–including those who ordered from Enchanted Toy Chest and CornerStoreComics–must wait for the domestic orders to arrive, which will probably be around the end of this month. While I’m typical of most toy collectors in that I’m quite impatient and have a penchant for instant gratification, I’ve managed to hold off buying or trading for any of the figures from this wave ahead of time. Nonetheless, it’s a bit off-putting that no matter how pessimistically far ahead I predict I’ll receive my figures (I guessed May 20 this time), it manages to be a good deal later than that. (Of course, I’ll eat my words if they show up on or before the 20th, but that’s not a bet I’d take.)
Out of what could be construed as sheer despair for something to do this weekend, I finally tossed in the copy of Bioshock I borrowed from a friend six months ago. Of course I was immediately drawn in (despite how sick I am of first-person shooters). I’m not finished yet, but I’m already interested in the game’s upcoming sequel.
On a related note, it was with no little annoyance I saw that Batman: Arkham Asylum has been pushed back to fall. That game had better not suck. On the other hand, it sounds like the Wolverine movie game might actually be kinda awesome.
Today is apparently “Star Wars Day,” based entirely off the pun, “May the 4th Be With You.” According to Wikipedia this idea has been around for years, but it took today’s Twitter chatter to make me aware of it. Anyway, Happy Star Wars Day, I guess. Celebrate in your own fashion. I recommend burning incense and singing snatches of “Good Night, But Not Goodbye,” in honor of the late Bea Arthur.
So what’s up with you?

Odds ‘n Ends

April 21, 2009 | Poe

Mattel is supposedly going to post information about its MOTUC subscription service today. If/when it does, I’ll post it here.
My Mer-Man should arrive tomorrow. Review coming shortly thereafter.
I’m impressed by the fact we reached 200+ votes on the latest poll…what are the chances we can get to 300 before May 1, people? I’m also impressed that the purple Catwoman is in the lead–I almost didn’t include her on the list. Out of curiosity, what’s her appeal to people? Do many of you see her as the Catwoman you grew up with?
May is going to be a big month for geeks–Wolverine, Star Trek and Terminator: Salvation. Which one(s) will you see in the theater? I think the only one I might pass on is Wolverine, depending on reviews.

Odds ‘n Ends

April 14, 2009 | Poe

odds_n_ends_09

It’s the triumphant return of Odds ‘n Ends! At least for this week.

I downloaded Pearl Jam’s Ten: Legacy Edition off Itunes. It features the original album as well as a new mix by frequent PJ collaborator Brendan O’Brien. I have to say, the O’Brien mixes, while subtle, really give the songs a fresh sound. There’s a certain grittiness and immediacy to the album that wasn’t in the over-produced original mix. You can hear a lot more of Vedder’s vocal inflection (including a little bit of dialogue during the solo of Even Flow I’d never heard before), while the reverb has been brought way down across the board. Of course, my biggest draw was finally getting the studio version of the legendary Brother, a classic Ten-era unreleased Pearl Jam song.
After pushing back their release for two months, Mattel has finally put Ultraman and Alex Luthor on Mattyc0llector.com. And don’t forget, Mer-Man goes on sale tomorrow at noon EDT.
Last night’s Big Bang Theory was incredibly geeky. I can’t believe how specific and timely the comic debates were. I also can’t believe the comic book guy thought Jason Todd should be the new Batman. I hate Jason Todd. And Damian Wayne.
For Easter, Dr. Mrs. Ghostal gave me the re-releases of Bebop and Rocksteady. Now I’m on a whole kick to dig out my original TMNT figures and track down a few I lost over the years. I’ll probably nab the re-release Shredder when it comes out, too. Coincidentally, I gave DMG the re-release of April O’Neil for her female action figure collection.

Odds ‘n Ends

March 24, 2009 | Poe

odds_n_ends_09

You thought I forgot again, didn’t you! Well, you’re right, I did.

Believe it or not, my case of DCUC7 may actually ship today or tomorrow. Then the clock will reset for DCUC8…and this time, I won’t break down and buy any of the figures ahead of time! Except maybe Hawkgirl. If I see her in a store.
The Fwoosh has an early review of Mer-Man. Looking good.
Entertainment Earth is offering the two different DCUC8 Parademons as a set.
Don’t forget to vote in the next round of FANtastic Exclusive. (Yes, I’m looking for filler today.)
Video that made me laugh my ass off while researching a freelance piece: The Sword and the Sorcerer
Books I’m reading: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck; The Death of Superman by Dan Jurgens (to be followed by World Without Superman and The Return of Superman).

Odds ‘n Ends

March 17, 2009 | Poe

odds_n_ends_09

Mattel’s Facebook page is back. It currently offers such goodies as in-package pics of Mer-Man and Zodac (along with Zodac’s new bio, which I think nicely ties together all the various incarnations of the character) and the Ultraman & Alex Luthor two-pack. Love the face sculpt on Ultraman, but seriously, does anyone really want that Alex Luthor? He’s sculpted well, but he just looks so…goofy.
Even I was surprised Faker sold out in a mere three hours. Mattel did warn that quantities were limited after NYCC, but nonetheless, that’s amazing demand for what’s basically just a repainted He-Man. While a lot of fans have been predicting that the increased production on future MOTUC figures will backfire, that’s not looking likely at the moment–at least, not with Mer-Man. Zodac will be the true test, since he lacks Mer-Man’s popularity, number of accessories, and alternate head.
The next review I write will be my 150th toy review. As such, I’ve decided to center a contest around it. Look for a post about that this week or next.
If you missed it, be sure to check out my overview of some of the action figure display stands on the market today. How did you guys like this article? Would you like to see more pieces like this?
Skeletor, much to his chagrin, is still taking your questions for round 2 of Ask Skeletor.
Loved How I Met Your Mother last night. The whole thing with the nightshirt was priceless. And I’m quite glad Laura Prepon is gone, because she was so obviously not the mother and I have no interest in sitting through yet another long-term relationship everyone knows won’t work out (a la Robin).

Odds ‘n Ends

March 10, 2009 | Poe

odds_n_ends_09

Pardon the late O ‘n E this morning, folks–had to take one of our guinea pigs, Tribble, to the vet. The good news is, he’s fine!

While my CornerStoreComics order has yet to ship, I have got my hands on the Flash and Captain Cold, thanks to Power Pals Paul and Pete, respectively. Keep an eye out for those reviews this week or early next week.
Speaking of CSC, there has apparently been some trouble with the credit card processing company they use. You should check your statements, online or otherwise, to see if there are any unusual charges on the card(s) you use to buy from CSC.
I know some of you have ordered figures from EE via my associate’s link (it tells me how many commissions I get, though not who or what they ordered), and I just want to say thank you, I really appreciate your support.
As I write this, I’m listening to The Best of Godzilla, 1954-1975. I just wanted you to know how incredibly nerdy I am.
I almost wish I didn’t get Faker so early…this is going to be a pretty quiet month for MOTUC. But for those of you who didn’t get a Faker from NYCC, he goes on sale on Mattycollector.com this Monday, March 16 at noon EDT.
You may have noticed that I’ve stopped doing the toy news roundups and brought back the link feed on the left. That’s because I found the toy news a bit too sporadic, but more importantly, the newsfeed allows me to post some geeky but non-toy-related links too. You can also add it to your favorite feed reader, if you so desire.