Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

April 15, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Poe Ghostal reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-8 Grimlock figure. Excerpt: “… a superb tribute to one of the most popular Transformers ever.” (See also.)

Poe Ghostal reviews the Playmates Toys Terminator Salvation T-R.I.P. Resistance Infiltrator Prototype (Deluxe version) 6-inch figure. Excerpt: “… it’s nice to have an Endoskeleton in the 6″ scale.”

Michael Crawford reviews the Playmates Toys Star Trek Galaxy Collection Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Original Spock and Nero figures. Excerpt: “… what I’ve seen so far indicates the quality of the sets will be much higher than the figures.” (more…)

Toy Review Roundup (via Fanmode)

April 12, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Ocean Warrior Aquaman figure. Excerpt: “This is just an ugly costume, and they matched it quite well, meaning it’s an ugly figure too.”

Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Ocean Warrior Aquaman figure. Excerpt: “… because of the odd way Aquaman is hunched in the package, my Aquaman’s head was completely locked in a looking up” position.”

Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Booster Gold (modern variant) figure. Excerpt: “… one of the best-looking DCUC figures to date.” (more…)

You Sunk My Movie Themed G.I. Joe Vehicle

April 9, 2009 | Paul

You know what sucks about G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra aside from almost everything revealed about it so far? The fact that there’s all these new G.I. Joe tie-in products that have almost nothing to do with the Joes that I love. They’re filled with all this newfangled Joe movie stuff that certainly does nothing to bank on my nostalgia and therefore my insane desire to buy anything beloved from the days of my youth. Take G.I. Joe Battleship for example. It’s a cool update to one of my favorite board games of all time, yet there’s nary a classic vehicle or character on the box. Of course, there is the updated Night Raven, but it’s not THE Night Raven.

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Hot damn, now I know what it’s like to be one of those old guys who only collects the classic 12-inch Joes. It sucks.

Thanks to: Toy News International

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

April 8, 2009 | Poe

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Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Captain Cold figure. Excerpt: “… an interesting figure that will spice up your shelf or make those battle just a little bit cooler …” (See also.)

Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Nightwing and Robin figures. Excerpt: “Mattel — fix the assembly matter and then ship these things a bit more, okay?” (See also.)

Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Blue Beetle figure. Excerpt: “… the great paint applications …. make an otherwise average figure into an exemplary one.” (See also.) (more…)

5 Good (and 5 Not-So-Good) ’80s Toy-Based Feature Films

April 7, 2009 | Poe

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With the imminent release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra and the announcement that Tom Hanks may star in a Major Matt Mason movie, big-budget films based on toy lines are big business. The last (and first) time this happened was in the 1980s, when there was a slew of feature films based on the various fad toys of the era.

Here’s a look at some of the best and worst toy-based films of the 1980s. With one exception, all of these movies received a theatrical release. (more…)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

April 6, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy EVA Unit 4A reviews the Bandai Macross Origin of Valkyrie VF-1J Valkyrie (Ichijo Hikaru type) 1/55-scale figure. Excerpt: “I still love the Takatoku Toys 1/55-scale sets, and this VF-1J Valkyrie (Ichijyo ver.) is no exception.”

EVA Unit 4A reviews the Bandai Macross Origin of Valkyrie VF-1S Valkyrie (Roy Focker type) 1/55-scale figure. Excerpt: “While my 1990 reissue will remain a treasured founding piece in my own collection, the Origin of Valkyrie line allows me to appreciate the quality of the design once more from a collector’s standpoint.”

Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Blue Beetle figure. Excerpt: “This toy does Blue Beetle some of the justice he deserves by giving fans a little something to hold on to.” (more…)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

April 2, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Jin Saotome reviews the NECA Bionic Commando Nathan “Rad” Spencer, Ninja Gaiden Ryu Hayabusa and Castlevania Simon Belmont figures. Excerpt: “Ryu is a must-buy …” (See also.)

Michael Crawford reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Faker New York Comic Con and Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “If you want to charge the same price for this guy as all the rest, you need to get a little creative when it comes to the extras.” (See also.)

Nathan Newell reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Faker New York Comic Con and Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “This is a great figure, but Mattel just missed making another perfect figure.” (more…)

Toys You Can’t Live Without > Joker Squad

April 1, 2009 | Poe

Welcome to a brand-new feature here at PGPoA, Toys You Can’t Live Without! Each day, I’ll take a look at a few of some of the great toys available out there.

jokersquadeeFirst up is the Entertainment Exclusive Star Wars Joker Squad action figures! Based on their popular appearance in the Star Wars Legacy comic, the Joker Squad will make an excellent addition to your stormtrooper army!

The set includes six figures:

  • Lord Maleval, a Quarren Sith Lord, is armed with a red lightsaber and a lightwhip. Loyal to Darth Krayt, this villain features loads of articulation and a cloth robe with wires inside so you may pose it any way you see fit.
  • Sergeant Harkas, or “Hardcase” as his men call him, has uniquely decorated armor indicating his rank. This tough-as-nails trooper leads his men against the opposition in the name of the Emperor!
  • Anson Trask, fresh out of training, is the “noob” of the group. Having just been assigned to his 1st mission, this soldier is ready to fight alongside his squadmates against a worthy foe… a group of defectors!
  • Jes Gistang handles the heavy weapons in Joker Squad. She’s the 1st-ever female Stormtrooper in the Star Wars action figure line! With slicked-back red hair and a weapon nearly as big as she is, this amazing figure is all set to rain down the pain on her enemies!
  • Hondo Karr, rumored to be an ex-Mandalorian, is as proficient with his blade as he is with a blaster. Surprising for a Stormtrooper, this anti-authoritarian loose cannon is a bit of a mystery. Can he be trusted with the future of the Empire?
  • Vax Potorr was born on Coruscant, and through a life of hardship, he eventually found his way into Joker Squad. Ready to jump headfirst into battle, he has his eye on the enemy and his blaster aimed right at their heads!

Each stormtrooper has a removable helmet, and one of them is a chick! How cool is that? I think I can safely say, without hyperbole, that any Star Wars fan who doesn’t buy this set is a freedom-hating terrorist.

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Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

March 30, 2009 | Poe

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Artemis reviews the Diamond Select Toys Star Trek Deep Space Nine General Martok figure. Excerpt: “Qapla’!”

Updatedude reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Waspinator figure. Excerpt: “Unfortunately, Waspinator feels highly fragile and a tad unstable.”

Michael Crawford reviews the Triad Toys Black Wolffe International WITSEC (Witness Security Protection & Relocation) Agent Indigo 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “… great for various custom jobs.” (more…)