July 6, 2012 | John Harmon
Metron is one of Jack Kirby’s creations, first appearing in the New Gods comic book series. He’s from the same world (the Fourth World, to be exact) as characters like Darkseid, Orion, and Lightray. He’s meant to be a neutral cosmic observer, but he has been known to choose sides (not always Good), especially if something threatened the entire universe. He’s also the man who invented the “Boom Tube” technology which allows the people of New Genesis and Apokolips to travel great distances across the universe, and he holds the key to Darkseid’s Anti-Life Equation. Basically, Metron is not one to be trifled with. (more…)
July 6, 2012 | Poe
- It’s been a light week around here, primarily because DMG and I have been preoccupied with moving into our new house. Don’t worry, the toys were well taken care of during the move. Now maybe I can finally start opening and reviewing some of the MOC/MIB toys I’ve got laying around.
- DC Collectibles is doing a 3 ¾” DC superheroes action figure line!…that will only be sold at conventions. No doubt this is due in some way to DC’s licensing deal with Mattel. This despite the fact Mattel obviously has no interest in doing this scale right (or at all). I am thankful I do not collect 3 ¾”, because if I did, “apeshit” would only begin to describe my reaction. The best analogue for me would be Hasbro announcing a Marvel Legends-style 6″ Star Wars line that was only available at conventions.
- Speaking of DC action figures, IAT has a report on some EntertainmentEarth solicitations for “Batman Unlimited” and “DC Unlimited” 6″-scale toy lines. Could this be the future of DCUC? Maybe…? I’ll believe it when it’s announced at SDCC.
- While I’ll be getting the retro TMNT figures, I haven’t had much interest in the ones based on the new cartoon. That said, this SDCC exclusive Leonardo is beautiful and I want it.
- You knew it was coming – Square Enix is making Play Arts Kai Arkham City figures, starting with Batman and Catwoman. I really need to review the Arkham Asylum Batman one of these days…
- The already-somewhat-controversial documentary Toy Masters – about the development of the vintage Masters of the Universe line – will have a panel at SDCC, including some exclusive footage. The documentary attempts to answer the question of “Who created He-Man?” The panel will include former Mattel artist Mark Taylor but not, notably, former Mattel designer Roger Sweet, who in his tell-all Mastering the Universe (my review here) claimed sole responsibility for creating He-Man. Word is Sweet is already unhappy with the whole thing, or at least is “declining to participate further.” For the record, I’m on Team We-May-Never-Know-The-Truth.
- Shadowland Magazine has a special Masters of the Universe-themed issue, available right now from their website. Articles include an interview with minicomic writer Donald F. Glut, a retrospective on the controversial 1987 Masters of the Universe film starring Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella, and an in-depth overview of MOTUC.
July 6, 2012 | Poe
UPDATE: Hammer is on sale now!
Fans who were disappointed that Spy Monkey Creations never made another run of Chalybeous – the Hammer of War can now rejoice – toymaker extraordinaire Joe Amaro has come to your rescue with his beautiful new piece, the Mystic Hammer.
You can see Pixel Dan’s review here (I’ve got a sample on the way, but I asked Joe to wait until I had finished my move). The Hammer goes on sale today at Joe’s website for $20 shipped U.S., $25 shipped internationally. I’m not sure what time it will go on sale and the first run is extremely limited, so be sure to check the website frequently today!
Joe has said this is just an initial run to test the waters. I suspect they’ll sell out pretty damned fast.
July 6, 2012 | Poe
July 5, 2012 | Poe
July 4, 2012 | Poe
Collectors appear to be excited about NECA’s new TRU-exclusive Nightfighter Robocop (Pixel Dan’s review here, AFP’s review here). It’s a homage to one of my favorite childhood action figures, Kenner’s Robocop Nightfighter (Pixel Dan’s review here). The vintage figure was initially a mail-away promotion, though later it was sold on card. I’m proud to say that as a kid, I actually mailed away for mine.
Before I go any further, let me say I absolutely love NECA and everything they’re doing right now. I will forever owe them for the well-articulated Evil Dead 2 figures they’ve given us, and once I get a super-articulated classic masked Predator and the new Aliens warrior, my debt will be upgraded to full Wookie-life-debt status.
But… (more…)
July 4, 2012 | Poe
July 3, 2012 | Poe
July 2, 2012 | Poe
June 30, 2012 | Poe
“Mmff mffmrmff mffr!”
Where to start with the Mighty Spector?
As every MOTU fan’s long-suffering confidant knows, the Mighty Spector is the creation of Scott Neitlich, brand manager for Mattel’s Masters of the Universe Classics line. He’s t third release in the 30th Anniversary sub-line, which has already given us the somewhat controversial Fearless Photog by Nathan Bitner and the critically acclaimed Draego-Man by the Four Horsemen; Geoff Johns’ Sir Laser Lot will be arriving in August. Neitlich created the character when he was a kid, and once submitted it to Marvel Comics (for two in-depth interviews about Spector’s creation, go here and here). (more…)
