Batman: Arkham Asylum figures coming from DC Direct

April 9, 2010 | Poe

OK, so when it comes to videogame-based figures, DC Direct isn’t exactly gaining a reputation for striking when the iron is hot (their Mass Effect 2 figures are due out in August, while their God of War line drops in November). But still, the news that we’re getting an action figure line based on Batman: Arkham Asylum should make many a geek dance around in their vintage Underoos with joy.

From the Previews description for ToyFare #156, due out in June:

Heads up, game boys and virtual girls. The only thing better than toys and video games are toys based on video games, and ToyFare #156 is packed with all three! Get ready for the sequel to the best comic book video game of all time as we go inside DC Direct’s red-hot new toy line based on Batman: Askham Asylum. New figures will make their world debut and Arkham Asylum Batman will appear on one of our covers.

Incidentally, am I just way behind the curve on this? Was this announced at Toy Fair or something and I just spaced? Thanks to ActionFigurePics for the heads-up.

Like, Bat, man

March 16, 2010 | Poe

I try not to shill too often around here, even for my beloved sponsors, but this Detective Comics with Action Figures Boxed Set was too awesome not to pass along to you guys. While I’m usually more a Mattel than DC Direct fan when it comes to superhero figures, I can’t deny the appeal of this set, which comes with a 64-page collection of classic detective comics as well as action figures from the freaky-deaky psychedelic era of the 1950s and 1960s that Grant Morrison can’t stop playing with–including Bat-Mite, the lovable, omniscient scamp!

5 Questions With > Geoff Johns

November 9, 2009 | Poe

I’ve got a special treat for you Poesters this week. Comic scribe extraordinaire Geoff Johns, the writer behind DC Comics’s mega-popular Blackest Night storyline, has graciously agreed to answer a few questions for my little toy blog. Read on to find out which toys Geoff loved as a kid, what he collects now, and what’s it like having figures made of your own characters.

Sm-face-bug-ver-02
Real Name: Geoff Johns
Specialty: Comic book writer, toy collector
Base of Operations: www.geoffjohns.com
History: Geoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990’s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Coimcs. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time. His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid.

1.) What were some of your favorite toys growing up?

Super Powers, He-Man and the early McFarlane figures. I remember pouring over the He-Man characters because their backstories were so unique and the diversity was amazing (except that Moss Man was Beast Man only green and fuzzy). I vaguely remember the Remco Universal Monsters figures, which I loved. I had always been a big fan of the Universal Monsters so those were great. I also always wanted the vinyl Monster Cereal figures, but I never had them. I think Badrock was well-loved when I was a kid because there was so much plastic. (more…)

Show and Tell > DC Direct Cyborg Superman by Fengschwing

June 26, 2009 | Poe

When I decided to do Show and Tell, I immediately decided on the figure I’m going to review.

Subsequently I thought that it wasn’t interesting enough to write some kind of article about–the standard of the other articles was really good. I started to hunt through my collection for ever more obscure collectibles, but at the end of the day, if the house goes up in flames, I’m grabbing my DC Direct Cyborg Superman.

(more…)

Pic of the Day

June 22, 2009 | Poe

NOTE: It Figures will be switching to a Tuesday & Thursday schedule for the time being.

the bat by soyboy7

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

June 10, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Monkey Boy reviews the NECA Terminator 2: Judgment Day T-800 (Pescadero Escape) figure. Excerpt: “Despite the dearth of accessories and the lack of mobility below the waist, this really is a fine figure.”

Poe Ghostal reviews the NECA Terminator 2: Judgment Day T-800 (Pescadero Escape) figure. Excerpt: “NECA’s Kyle Tankman’ Windrix once again proves he’s one of the best in the business when it comes to detailed sculpting and high-quality likenesses.”

yo go re reviews the Diamond Select Toys Marvel Minimates Punisher War Zone Punisher and Jigsaw Toys R’ Us exclusive two-pack. Excerpt: “We normally try not to gush in our reviews, but this time, I just can’t help it.” (more…)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

May 28, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy NewtonGimmick reviews the Diamond Select Toys Battlestar Galactica Battle Damaged Cylon Pilot Toys R’ Us exclusive figure. Excerpt: “This is the Cylon toy I’ve wanted since I was 8 and it feels great to get him.”

Artemis reviews the DC Direct JLA Classified Classic Wonder Woman figure. Excerpt: “… not what you’d call a definitive Wonder Woman (I’d still give the Dodson-styled one that title) …”

yo go re reviews the Hasbro The Incredible Hulk Ironclad figure. Excerpt: “… as a villain we’ve never had before (and are unlikely to ever see again), Ironclad is worth picking up on the cheap.” (more…)