Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

April 29, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Michael Crawford reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Mer-Man Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… my favorite of the series so far, and in hand, really impresses me with it’s quality and design … But in the end, it’s still tough to say it’s worth a whopping twenty bucks plus shipping.”

Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Mer-Man Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… the great sculpt, excellent accessories and interchangeable head make him a must-buy.”

Nathan Newell reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Mer-Man Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… another fantastic showing for The Four Horsemen and Mattel.” (more…)

G.I. Joe Resolute: Poe’s Review

April 28, 2009 | Poe

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(Note: this review contains mild spoilers.)

While I went through most of the other major toy fads of the 1980s–Star Wars, He-Man, Transformers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles–somehow I never got into G.I. Joe. I often joke that even at that young age I had a healthy distrust of the military-industrial complex, but I think the more honest truth was that I liked giant robots more than soldiers (and science fiction/fantasy more than action/adventure).

And so it was with no nostalgic investment that I took in G.I. Joe: Resolute on Adult Swim this weekend. For the five or six of you who don’t know, Resolute is an hour-long animated film commissioned by Hasbro to be geared specifically toward collectors, featuring more mature themes and–gasp!–actual combat deaths. It was written by popular comics writer Warren Ellis, who’s best known for mature-themed works such as Transmetropolitan. It was directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, whose credits include Justice League Unlimited and Avatar: the Last Airbender. (more…)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

April 26, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy yo go re reviews the Shocker Toys Indie Spotlight Kabuki figure. Excerpt: “… Shocker Toys did a better job on these toys than anyone expected they would.”

Michael Crawford reviews the Playmates Toys Terminator Salvation T-600, T-700, T-R.I.P and Marcus (Battle Damage version) 3¾-inch-scale figures. Excerpt: “These are quite a bit better than the 3 3/4″ Star Trek line from Playmates, also on pegs right now, and they’re a bit better than I’ve seen most folks giving them credit for.” (See also.)

Philip Reed reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe The Thing figure. Excerpt: “… if it wasn’t for The Thing’s articulation this would be a great action figure.” (more…)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

April 23, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Corey Tincher reviews the Shocker Toys Indie Spotlight ShadowHawk (variant) figure. Excerpt: “You’re … getting a character in plastic form that you would probably otherwise never see, so paying a little extra premium is more reasonable.”

Nathan Newell reviews the Shocker Toys Indie Spotlight Scud (Sol version) figure. Excerpt: “… a pretty solid figure.”

yo go re reviews the Diamond Select Toys Marvel Select Anti-Venom figure. Excerpt: “The Marvel Select figure isn’t as articulated as it could be, of course, but it’s still … more than acceptable …” (more…)

Whither the ML Nemesis wave?

April 21, 2009 | Poe

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PGPoA reader and all-around grand fellow Esbat wrote in to alert me to something I’d been unaware of–apparently the Walmart-exclusive Marvel Legends Nemesis wave is in some sort of weird limbo where it’s sort of been released, but sort of not. (more…)

Transformers: Complete First Season on DVD

April 20, 2009 | Poe

Press Release

OPTIMUS PRIME. MEGATRON. BUMBLEBEE. STARSCREAM. For 25 years an epic battle has raged between the heroic AUTOBOTS and the villainous DECEPTICONS. The ROBOTS IN DISGUISE have captivated children and adults alike, launching countless collectible toys, comic books, animated series and feature films beloved by legions of fans.

Now you can return to where the phenomenon began when Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc., unleashes the original animated TV series that started it all with THE TRANSFORMERS: The Complete First Season 25th Anniversary Edition DVD box set on June 16th. A must-have for kids and kids-at-heart, the set features all season one episodes in the order they were intended, remastered audio, a collectible AUTOBOTS magnet and special bonus content. THE TRANSFORMERS: The Complete First Season 25th Anniversary Edition DVD box set is priced at $ 29.99 SRP.

And for those who really can’t get enough of TRANSFORMERS, Shout! Factory, along with Hasbro, is developing THE TRANSFORMERS: 25th Anniversary “Matrix of Leadership” Edition Collector’s Set. Brimming with over 38 hours of content, including the entire original animated “G1” series, a bounty of stellar extras and special collectible book, this 16-DVD box set is another fan must-have. THE TRANSFORMERS: 25th Anniversary “Matrix of Leadership” Edition Collector’s Set is expected to be available in mid July. (more…)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

April 20, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Michael Crawford reviews the Playmates Toys Star Trek Command Collection Spock and Kirk 12-inch figures. Excerpt: “If I were going to limit myself to only one line of figures to collect from the new film, it would be these.”

Michael Crawford reviews the Playmates Toys Terminator Salvation Deluxe T-600, T-700 and T-R.I.P. Resistance Infiltrator Prototype 6-inch figures. Excerpt: “… the T-700 is worth picking up if you can find something to display him with. Skip the other two unless you’re a completist …”

Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Kid Flash figure. Excerpt: “… is he a ridiculously buff 12 year old … or a really short 17 year old.” (See also.) (more…)

There’s Another Transformers Exclusive…

April 17, 2009 | Paul

In addition to the Soundwave Hasbro is offering at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, they announced that there will be another Transformer available in the form of a Mighty Mugg. It’s Optimus Prime sporting a new metallic finish.

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Yeah, I’m not really that big into Mighty Muggs, so this doesn’t even blip on my radar as desirable. There’s a few Mighty Muggs that seem kind of cool, but Transformers make the worst transition to the world of these fake indie toys, due to the fact that Transformers are supposed to be blocky and not flattened out on round surfaces. Nevertheless, I’m sure I’m wrong because my wife said that Optimus here was, “adorable”.

Thanks to: Tformers

G.I. Joe: Resolute press release

April 15, 2009 | Poe

HASBRO ANNOUNCES ONLINE AND BROADCAST AIRDATES OF G.I. JOE: RESOLUTE ANIMATED SERIES

Episodes Of Highly Anticipated Series To Air Online Leading Up To Broadcast Finale On Adult Swim

PAWTUCKET, RI – April 15, 2009 – Hasbro announced today that G.I. Joe: Resolute, an adult fan oriented animated mini-series, will be broadcast via Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim on television as well as online.  Based on the classic G.I. JOE brand, Hasbro created 60 minutes of total content for this new story which will be presented as 11 episodes.

Beginning on April 17, fans will be able to see the first five minutes of the brand new, stand-alone animated mini-series on AdultSwim.com.  These episodes are broken down to ten 5-minute episodes and one 10-minute finale.  Following the first episode on April 17, subsequent installments will be posted on the Adult Swim website leading up to a full presentation of the entire series.   This finale will be broadcast on Adult Swim April 25 at midnight.  This televised event will not only feature all episodes seen online, but will be the first time fans can watch the final 10 minutes of the G.I. Joe: Resolute saga.  All episodes, including the finale, will be available to view online after this airing. (more…)