Questions are due by 11:59pm Friday, August 12.
Review > 4″ Tygra (Thundercats, Bandai)
The new ThunderCats cartoon is possibly the best revamp of a 1980s property yet–better than the 2003 Masters of the Universe, better than any of the recent Transformers series, even better than G.I. Joe: Resolute. It takes the elements of the original series and remixes them into a show that is both warmly familiar, yet has its own identity.
Those of us steeped in decades of geek culture (and let’s face it, that’s most of us) might notice borrowed sights and plot devices from The Lord of the Rings movies, James Cameron’s Avatar, Avatar: The Last Airbender and many other shows and movies, but the strong vocal cast and artistic style overcome any weakness of storytelling. What’s more, the show isn’t afraid to offer shades of gray, making it clear that the ThunderCats, as the dominant society, may be guilty of racism and repression.
One character who was rather significantly altered in the new show is Tygra. In the 1980s ‘toon, Tygra was Lion-O’s second-in-command. He was also, well, kind of boring. In the 2011 ThunderCats, Tygra (voiced by videogame and anime veteran Matthew Mercer) is Lion-O’s adopted older brother and rival for their father’s affection. Though more responsible and less hot-headed than Lion-O, Tygra is also more close-minded and tends to doubt Lion-O’s ability to lead (with admittedly good reason–Lion-O makes a childish misstep in the pilot episode that, handled responsibly, could have averted a terrible fate).
Bandai is offering the new ThunderCats in two styles: a 4″ line and a 6″ line (in addition to an 8″ collectors’ line based on the 1980s show). I haven’t found any of these figures at retail here in New England yet, but Bandai was kind enough to send along a 4″ Tygra as a review sample. (more…)
Toy Aisle Trolls > Skal(lox)ped
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.
Submitted by: WW
What It’s Supposed to Look Like: This
WW writes:
Long time reader, first time “caller”! I was in a Walmart in Catonsville, MD and I stumbled upon the attached example of a Toy Aisle Troll. As you can see, they stole the Skallox/Nite-lik Red Lantern body and replaced it with a *broken* Atom body. Atom’s broken leg was just free-floating in the package. The package rim was covered in tape, so it was obvious to anyone that it had been opened. Surprisingly, the Stel part was still there.
Pic of the Day > DSC05866 by ross9741
Bastards of the Universe > “Ooh, that’s going to bug me all day…”
I’m headed up to my ancestral homeland!…Montana. Yeah. I make the drive a couple times a year, and there’s a stretch on the road where I almost think, “This isn’t so bad. I could maybe live here again someday.”
Unfortunately, I still have a good half-hour to forty-five minutes of driving left at that point, so by the time I’m there, I’m like, screw that.
I usually have fun in Montana, then am thrilled to get back…not like it’s so great here, either, but you get the picture. Have a good week!
Pic of the Day > monstrous by Johnson Cameraface
Bizarro vs. Faker set now available on Toys R Us website
While supplies last! Here’s the link.
Toy Aisle Trolls > Lack Hand
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.
Submitted by: Poe
The Problem: The BAF piece is missing, and the Mattel Black Hand figure has been replaced with a DC Direct Black Hand.
What It’s Supposed to Look Like: This
Poe writes: Poester Sped and I came across this at the Toys R Us in Dedham, MA. Someone at TRU was evidently vaguely aware of the problem, as it’s got the reduced-price red sticker. But for all I know they just thought the BAF piece was missing–even Sped missed the fact it was a DCD Black Hand until I pointed it out.
Pic of the Day > The Creature by Ridureyu
Bandai’s MonsterArts Godzilla goes on a rampage
First off, all credit to Newton Gimmick of Infinite Hollywood for finding this.
This commercial was made entirely using Bandai’s upcoming Bandai S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla figure, which is Bandai’s answer to the Revoltech monsters like Baragon and Anguirus of last year. There’s also going to be a MonsterArts MechaGodzilla, but it’s the boring 1994 version. I dearly hope Bandai expands into some of the Showa-era monsters of the 1950s-1970s as well.