POP (and MOTU) Goes the Funko

October 3, 2012 | Poe

It’s been an open secret for some time, but Funko, makers of fine pop culture merchandise, have the Masters of the Universe license. They’ve already revealed some Wacky Wobblers, which look cool but I didn’t cover because I hate bobbleheads. No offense to Funko, I just think of bobbleheads as broken toys.

But now, finally, we get our first look at the POP-style MOTU figures. He-Man, She-Ra, Skeletor, Hordak and…Spikor? Works for me! I love Spikor. I will own them all.

The pic comes from the Dallas Toy Show and was taken by a friend of Power Pal Joe Amaro, whose incredibly awesome Manta Raider goes on sale October 17.

Batman Wants to Crush Your Cities, Learn How to Love

March 30, 2012 | Poe

I try not to shill too much on this blog, especially for specific products, but sometimes there’s something so awesome you just have to share it.

Somehow, Funko got it into their head to create a Shogun Warriors-style Batman. But it’s not just Batman, because that would be weird; no, it’s a giant ROBOT Batman. Meaning you can stand it alongside your Batman Brave and the Bold or BTAS figures as part of a display.

Standing 11 inches tall, this thing is available at Entertainment Earth for $36, which seems surprisingly reasonable for something of this size and degree of badassitude.

 

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.

Review > Creature from the Black Lagoon (Funko Force)

November 18, 2009 | Poe

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I love all the Universal Monsters, but none more than the Creature from the Black Lagoon, a.k.a. the Gillman. He has by far the most interesting design of the group, but also I just tend to like sea monsters and their ilk. I don’t have as strong a love for–or as extensive a collection of–Gillman merchandise as Michael Crawford, but I have picked up a few of the more recent toy-related Gillman products such as the Toy Island figure and, now, the Funko Force figure. (more…)