Odds ‘n Ends > Star Wars Day Edition

May 4, 2009 | Poe

odds_n_ends_09

  • Before anyone asks, no, I didn’t see Wolverine this weekend. And I probably won’t, because I see maybe three movies at the theater a year, and I’ve already seen Watchmen and intend to see Star Trek. Terminator Salvation is a toss-up for #3.
  • As many of you know, Big Bad Toy Store got an early shipment of DC Universe Classics Wave 8, as did a few other retailers who imported directly from China. The rest of us–including those who ordered from Enchanted Toy Chest and CornerStoreComics–must wait for the domestic orders to arrive, which will probably be around the end of this month. While I’m typical of most toy collectors in that I’m quite impatient and have a penchant for instant gratification, I’ve managed to hold off buying or trading for any of the figures from this wave ahead of time. Nonetheless, it’s a bit off-putting that no matter how pessimistically far ahead I  predict I’ll receive my figures (I guessed May 20 this time), it manages to be a good deal later than that. (Of course, I’ll eat my words if they show up on or before the 20th, but that’s not a bet I’d take.)
  • Out of what could be construed as sheer despair for something to do this weekend, I finally tossed in the copy of Bioshock I borrowed from a friend six months ago. Of course I was immediately drawn in (despite how sick I am of first-person shooters). I’m not finished yet, but I’m already interested in the game’s upcoming sequel.
  • On a related note, it was with no little annoyance I saw that Batman: Arkham Asylum has been pushed back to fall. That game had better not suck. On the other hand, it sounds like the Wolverine movie game might actually be kinda awesome.
  • Today is apparently “Star Wars Day,” based entirely off the pun, “May the 4th Be With You.” According to Wikipedia this idea has been around for years, but it took today’s Twitter chatter to make me aware of it.  Anyway, Happy Star Wars Day, I guess. Celebrate in your own fashion. I recommend burning incense and singing snatches of “Good Night, But Not Goodbye,” in honor of the late Bea Arthur.
  • So what’s up with you?

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…)

Paul’s Peg > Terminator Salivation?

April 23, 2009 | Paul

Hey y’all, Paul here to talk a bit about the Terminator Salvation toys from Playmates. Since Poe is so awesome at reviewing toys, I’m just going to go ahead and give my two cents on the overall line as well as one figure I picked up. First of all, I think as collectors that the line overall looks kind of like balls. From the first pictures that published online, we all knew that this line wasn’t going to be the kind of quality in our toys that we’ve come accustomed to in the last few years. The human figures are laughable and only a couple of the robots look presentable. The other toys in the line that look passable are the T-1 and the HK, and perhaps the 6-inch endoskeleton if you’re desperate for more Terminator toy action. (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…)

Odds ‘n Ends

April 21, 2009 | Poe

odds_n_ends_09

  • Mattel is supposedly going to post information about its MOTUC subscription service today. If/when it does, I’ll post it here.
  • My Mer-Man should arrive tomorrow. Review coming shortly thereafter.
  • I’m impressed by the fact we reached 200+ votes on the latest poll…what are the chances we can get to 300 before May 1, people? I’m also impressed that the purple Catwoman is in the lead–I almost didn’t include her on the list. Out of curiosity, what’s her appeal to people? Do many of you see her as the Catwoman you grew up with?
  • May is going to be a big month for geeks–Wolverine, Star Trek and Terminator: Salvation. Which one(s) will you see in the theater? I think the only one I might pass on is Wolverine, depending on reviews.

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…)

Review > T-1 (Terminator Salvation)

April 17, 2009 | Poe

I’ll freely admit Playmates’ T-R.I.P. from their Terminator Salvation line is lackluster, particularly when compared to superb specialty market versions such as NECA’s.

And yet…I can’t explain it, but there’s just something appealing about some of these. Not the human/cyborg figures–they’re inexcusably bad. But I’ve become fond of the T-R.I.P., and pretty soon I realized I had to have a T-1 too. I mean, c’mon–it’s a robot with miniguns.

I suspect the T-1s are short-packed, but I found one at Target last night. This may be one of my fastest review turnarounds ever. (more…)

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…)

I’m looking for John Connor

April 15, 2009 | Poe

He and I are done professionally

…because apparently I won’t find him in toy store aisles.

Well, that’s not entirely true. A figure called John Connor will be available as part of Playmates 6″ Terminator Salvation line. But because the rights to Bale’s likeness weren’t secured at the time the line was rushed into production*, the John Connor figure is wearing a full helmet that covers almost his entire face. But it’s totally John Connor!

You can find Action-Figure’s full rundown here.

P.S. What’s with the red arm stripe? Makes him look like a freakin’ Nazi stormtrooper.

P.P.S. I totally know who’s under that helmet! It’s the Steel Brigade guy.

*Assumption on my part