On DC Direct’s History of the DC Universe

October 21, 2008 | Poe

While the line’s existence was announced months ago, DC Direct raised a few eyebrows this week when it released the first photos of its upcoming “History of the DC Universe” line. Inspired by the 1986 book by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, the figures are based on Perez’s art. The figures appear to share certain body parts, such as torsos and limbs, resulting in the inevitable conclusion by some collectors that this is DC Direct attempting to cash in on the popularity of DC Universe Classics. (More pics below the jump.)

The figures appear to have at least the following articulation: ball-jointed heads, shoulders, torso and perhaps even hips; swivels at the biceps, forearms, waist, and calves; and hinged joints at the elbows, knees [and wrists – update]. That’s a lot more than your average DCD figure–the only one I can think of having anything close to that is the 2003 Superman figure. (more…)

Odds ‘n Ends > Dream Warriors

October 21, 2008 | Poe

ODD: I still can’t believe I found a Batpod on my first try. I still haven’t seen a single DCUC4 figure anywhere. I’m going to briefly interrupt the DCUC4 reviews for a Batpod review this week–BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT!!! And also to hopefully head off any other reviewers. (more…)

Intereview > Batman Beyond (DC Universe Classics)

October 21, 2008 | Poe

Welcome back to my week-long series of “intereviews” with the members of DC Universe Classics Wave 4. For those unfamiliar with the format, I basically pretend the figures are real and “interview” them, sneaking in my review in the process. Writing genius or borderline psychosis? You decide!

My guest today is Batman Beyond. BB, you’re an interesting choice for a DCUC figure, given that you were originally created for your eponymous cartoon and have only made a few brief cameo appearances in the DC comics universe. Why do you think you were added to the roster?

Well, I’m pretty popular among fans of the DC animated universe. And I did get a figure from DC Direct in their Superman/Batman line a couple years back, though it was a ‘roided-up Ed McGuinness version. And obviously there were tons of figures based on the cartoon.

But, if we’re going to be candid here, I suspect the real reason I got in is because I’m an easy retool. I’m the basic large male body with new head, belt, and forearm sculpts. (more…)

Intereview > Captain Atom (DC Universe Classics)

October 20, 2008 | Poe

Welcome to the first of a week of “intereviews” with the members of DC Universe Classics Wave 4. My first guest is Captain Atom. Captain, please tell us a little about yourself.

Certainly. I was originally created by Charlton Comics in 1960. I was working on an experimental rocket when it exploded, atomizing my body but giving me superpowers that allowed me to re-form my body, in addition to many other powers. After DC Comics bought the rights to the Charlton characters in the early 1980s, I was re-introduced as an Air Force officer in the Vietnam War who had been framed for a crime I didn’t commit–shades of A-Team, no?–and rather than being executed, I was allowed to participate in an experiment that threw me into the future and gave me superpowers, including the ability to grow this nigh-invulnerable silver metal shell and to control energy. (more…)

MM Batpod in the house

October 19, 2008 | Poe

After reading that the Movie Masters Batpod had been found in Connecticut, I decided to check around here. When a search of three different Targets proved fruitless, I was ready to give up and head home–until Dr. Mrs. Ghostal suggested we check one last one (the Quincy Target, just off 93 South).

After taking the wrong exit and getting lost, we finally managed to reach the Target–and you’ll never guess what was there:

Review later this week.

Post #322

October 17, 2008 | Poe

I’m working on a week’s worth of what I’m going to call “intereviews” (clever, no?) of DCUC Wave Four, so instead I’ll just point you to a few things I found interesting over the last few days. (more…)

New poll

October 16, 2008 | Poe

I’d like to direct your attention to the poll on the sidebar menu. Please take five seconds to answer it.

I’ve been considering a change in the way I put up posts here on the site–switching from a single daily, longer article-type piece to a more frequent series of smaller toy-related “dispatches” (with the occasional longer piece, such as an interview, essay, or review). For instance, rather than just listing interesting links down under “Sold Separately,” I could post a small blurb about them, with my own colorful commentary. (Sort of like Topless Robot, but with more of an emphasis on toys and the industry than pop culture in general.)

However, I know from experience this format can get annoying for some people if you tend to get your content from a feed.

As always, I’d welcome any thoughts you have on this. I will say there doesn’t really appear to be a dispatch-style toy-related blog out there, so it might be a good niche for this site to fill. On the other hand, judging from my site stats, people seem to really like reviews (though the X-Entertainment-like nostalgia articles get less pageview love).

Ask Matty > October 15 Edition

October 15, 2008 | Poe

POE: Now that Mattycollector.com is here, is there any chance we might see a Halloween or holiday-themed figure or repaint exclusives at some point (DCUC, JLU, MOTUC etc.)?

MATTY: That is a cool idea, but nothing is planned right now to tie into any specific holidays. It is a bit tough to do that since most fans want a traditional version of Superman. If there is enough demand for Batman with a jack-o-lantern and Superman with a Santa hat we could certainly look into it (but honestly, we’d rather spend the tooling dollars on all new characters).

Any new estimate on when the Target-exclusive Movie Masters 6″ Batpod will start showing up? (more…)

Review > Predator (AvP: Requiem, NECA)

October 15, 2008 | Poe

OK, I’m late to this party, but it fits the horror/Halloween theme I’m pushing this month.

Due to the fact that Predators don’t speak English and really don’t have any sort of defined culture or individual character, I can’t do the whole “interview” gag, so this will be a straight review.

There are some action figures I see and must buy. Usually they’re some sort of incredible combination of sculpting and articulation. For instance, I didn’t think twice about buying NECA’s Alien Warrior from the Alien vs. Predator colon Requiem line, because it was well sculpted and had great articulation and actually managed to surpass, in my estimation, the Aoshima Alien. The NECA Ninja Turtles are another good example.

Other times, though, I’ll see a figure and decide to pass on it for some reason. I forget about it and it sells out at retail. Then, a few months or a year or two later, I start looking at it again online. I start doing searches for it on eBay. And finally, at some point, I break down and buy the damned thing. (more…)