Odds ‘n Ends > A New MOTUC QC Issue

February 22, 2012 | Poe

  • Another day, another endemic MOTUC quality control problem. This time it’s a crack on Fearless Photog’s extending lens. Anecdotal evidence suggests three out of four Photogs may have it. Mattel says it wasn’t on the factory samples–which makes me wonder if the factory makes sure to do a good job on the samples, like a chef giving his best work to a food critic. Those of you with experience in such matters–are there any standard checks and balances to make sure that doesn’t happen?
  • So if you’ve got a Photog coming, will you go through the hassle of returning it for a replacement that has a 75% chance of also having the crack? I probably won’t, but this is yet another addition to that “Cons” list for signing up for the 2013 subscription.
  • How fast do you think McFarlane will push out a Jeremy Lin figure? I say it’s in stores in less than six months.

Poest Office > New Marvel Legends Sculpts a Cut Above?

February 21, 2012 | Poe

Today’s question comes from Poester TP:

Dear Poe: Do you know any of the sculptors for the new pieces in Marvel Legends 2012? It’s been all the gossip that this new wave of ML is really a cut above Hasbro’s old ML offerings, and I’d like to acknowledge credit where credit’s due. I’ve been collecting things by the 4 Horsemen in various lines for so long that’s it’s tough not knowing who sculpted the new Iron Man figure, for instance…

I checked with my contacts at Hasbro, and their response was, “We’re not set up for fan questions right now, unfortunately. We’re going to be relaunching the fan Q&A program soon, so keep an eye out! Sorry!”

So, I’m afraid I can’t answer your question quite yet, TP. Perhaps someone else out there already knows the answer?

Figure It Out #4

February 20, 2012 | Poe

Click for larger version

I received just two incorrect guesses for last week’s FIO, so no winners there. It was from Mezco Toys’ “Ajax” figure from The Warriors.

I’m still trying to find a good formula for these things. I’m thinking that maybe if I haven’t received enough guesses by midweek, I’ll post a hint.

Anyway, answers for this week’s Figure It Out are due to poe@poeghostal.com by Friday at 5pm Eastern Time. If I receive multiple correct answers, I’ll go with the person who provides the most information about the figure (name, line, manufacturer, year, etc.); otherwise I’ll choose a winner at random from among the correct answers.

How to Make a Monster (Photo, That Is)

February 20, 2012 | Poe

How to Make a Monster....

Last week, I ran this Pic of the Day by Ed Speir IV. Featuring Hasbro’s G.I. Joe Hazard-Viper and Zombie-Viper, I declared it one of my favorite POTDs ever.

Given its cinematic look and style, I asked Ed if he wouldn’t mind describing how he made it. –PG

Here is a brief description of how the “How to Make a Monster” pic came about. I have included three pics for reference as well.

First, we’ll start with the props. There are basically three layers to this shot. (more…)

Odds ‘n Ends > Funko POP MOTU?, a TMNT Preview, Rise of the Beasts

February 17, 2012 | Poe

  • On their Facebook page, Funko posted the following note on Wednesday: “Today, I just feel like, “I have the POWER”!!!” Could Funko POP Masters of the Universe figures be in the works? I think it’s a definitely possibility, for two reasons. First, we already know Mattel and Classic Media are making a big licensing push for the franchise’s 30th anniversary. And second, I suspect it might only require a deal with Classic Media for the Filmation cartoon rights to make the POP figures. I’m thinking this is happening. And I’m thinking I will buy them all.
  • Pixel Dan has an extremely early preview of Playmates’s new cartoon-based Michelangelo figure (not the Classic figures, just to be clear). I don’t think the figures themselves are due out until late summer.
  • PGPoA sponsor DinosaurToyVault has a big lot of G1 Transformers on sale. He’s going to be doing a big marketing push for these, so be sure to buy what you want now before the rush. And don’t forget, I’ve still got plenty of stuff at my own e-store. Ahem.
  • I was contacted by Plastic Dreams regarding a new Kickstarter project: Rise of the Beasts, a line of Battle Beasts-like  figures that will have movement at the shoulders and removable weapons. They look pretty neat, though I remain a cautiously wary of these indie projects that look so much like licensed toy lines. Best wishes to them, they all seem like great folks doing good work, but I’d feel better supporting something more original. (Yes, OMFG is very similar to M.U.S.C.L.E., but it’s not like there weren’t little PVC figures before M.U.S.C.L.E.–e.g., army men or Marx figures. These other lines are clearly inspired by the iconic designs of Crystar and Battle Beasts.) I’m much more interested in Backyard Legends’ plans for figure dioramas.