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…)

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…)

NECA TMNT series 2: just wind in sails?

March 24, 2009 | Poe

The TMNT & Other Strangeness Blog has an interview with Ninja Turtles writer Steve Murphy (who as of late has become depressingly doom-and-gloom about the world due to his belief that the environment is already screwed).

Anyway, here’s the relevant passage for those hoping for the second series of NECA TMNT figures.

Speaking of comic figures, do you have any clue what happened with NECA?

I can only hazard to guess that NECA lost interest in the TMNT, regardless of the happy talk they make to fan journalists and fan news sites.

You say NECA seems to have lost interest, does that mean that the recent news of series 2 finally coming out will not be coming true after all or is it all just a wait and see sort of deal again?

My opinion is that it’s just like that line from Devo’s “Jocko Homo” song: “I say it’s all / Just wind in sails.” In other words, nonsense, public relations, nothing substantial.

NECA wants us to open a certain distribution channel for them but we’re prevented from doing so.

Without that new avenue of sales, I doubt very much that NECA will release anything further.

My guess? NECA wants to sell these in Toys ‘R Us, but they can’t due to Playmates’ deal with Mirage.

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

February 23, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Koh Yong Qiang reviews the Medicom Toy Real Action Heroes Street Fighter Chun-Li 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “Medicom had sculpted all-new leg parts for her to recreate the Thunder Thighs’ that the First Lady of Fighting Games is so famous for.” (See also.)

Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Faker New York Comic Con and Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… he’s just a repaint …”

Michael Crawford reviews the Mezco Toyz Cinema of Fear Leatherface (stylised version) figure from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Excerpt: “There’s something goofy yet gruesome about the design, creating an almost cute look but without losing the basic gory concept.”

Rustin Parr reviews the JUN Planning Nightmare Before Christmas Pumpkin King figure. Excerpt: “… NECA’s really outshone JUN’s … Still, I cannot not love this figure!” (more…)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode), 2/18/09

February 19, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Michael Crawford reviews the Diamond Select Toys Ultimate Quarter Scale Han in Hoth Gear figure from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Excerpt: “… I had my hopes up that he’d be the ONE, the Neo of the line.”

Michael Crawford reviews the Mezco Toyz Cinema of Fear Jason Voorhees (hockey mask version) 7-inch figure from Friday the 13th (2009 remake). Excerpt: “Mezco has done a nice job packing in some useful weapons for Jason, as he hacks his way through your display shelf.”

Rustin Parr reviews the JUN Planning Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skellington figure. Excerpt: “While paint and sculpt put NECA’s to shame, the lack of thigh and especially bicep articulation really, really limit this figure.” (more…)

Toy news roundup, 2/16/09

February 16, 2009 | Poe

newspoeLots of news coming out of Toy Fair, especially from Hasbro. I’ve got someone working on a Hasbro update, but here’s some non-Mattel, non-Hasbro news I found interesting.

  • According to NECA, series 2 of their Ninja Turtles line will be coming out later this year. Hallelujah! (Figures.com)
  • NECA has also managed to hook me for their 7″ Terminator 2 figures. I have to get that shotgun-toting Arnie. (Figures.com)
  • If you’ve never visited the site before, ASM Magazine always has some good Toy Fair coverage.
  • OK, NECA…I know Chun-Li is traditionally depicted with big thighs, but this is ridiculous. (Cool Toy Review)
  • A very Dick Sprang-style Joker is apparently going to show up on Batman: Brave and the Bold…maybe the season finale…? (Cool Toy Review)

Toy reviews roundup (via Fanmode), 2/14/09

February 16, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Sanjeev reviews the Kridana Epic Ramayana Series Hanuman figure. Excerpt: “This particular toy holds a lot of meaning for me.” (See also.)

Michael Crawford reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Iron Man, Punisher, Black Panther and Wolverine figures. Excerpt: “Iron Man is the outstanding figure …”

Michael Crawford reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Silver Surfer, Human Torch, Spider-man and Daredevil figures. Excerpt: “The figures themselves, even with the leg articulation limitation, are really fun little toys.” (more…)

Toy news roundup, 2/13/09

February 13, 2009 | Poe

Happy Friday the 13th! Don’t walk under any ladders today, or go to any summer camps. Let’s see what’s in the news today…
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  • Topless Robot had a few things to say about the Jason X-like look of the movie Cobra Commander (spoilers, I guess). I kind of see what they’re going for–the plate-face Cobra Commander look, instead of the hooded one–but it doesn’t work.
  • Toy Fair 2009 starts tomorrow. We know there won’t be much, if any, Mattel news…anyone know if NECA will be there?
  • Does every single toy website have something going on with the new Mezco Jason figure this week? Was Mezco was shipping out review samples like crazy? If so, how about a little love for Poe? Heck, they even gave some to a museum. Oh, and be sure to hit this RTM contest for a chance to win your own Jason.
  • Vote on future Marvel Universe figures (Hasbro)
  • Mattel has posted most of the slides from their NYCC presentations on their Facebook page (although not the preview pic of DCUC Joker, in case you were wondering–he’s in this month’s ToyFare).

Vintage Month > Ten Things I Always Wanted Toys of

February 12, 2009 | Poe

dangermouse_02_200x250When I encounter something cool–a TV show, a movie, a book–I often end up wanting action figures from it. That’s not an unusual trait among toy collectors, but it’s something I’ve been doing ever since I was a wee tyke.

Here’s a list of ten things a young Poe always hoped to get action figures of, but never did. (more…)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode), 2/7/09

February 9, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Sanjeev reviews the Onell Design Buildman Ranic (Standard and Reverse versions) figures. Excerpt: “… equal parts action figure and building toy.”

Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Legacy Collection Clone Trooper (with Cip-Quad) figure. Excerpt: “… he certainly comes with an impressive piece of weaponry that goes way, way beyond the usual blaster pistol these guys tend to be issued.” (See also.)

Scott Rubin reviews the Mattel DC Universe Infinite Heroes Crisis series Starfire, Captain Boomerang and Raven three-pack. Excerpt: “… a diverse and motley mix of figures.” (more…)