Aries0083's Action Figure Blog

Toys R Us Buy 2 Get 1 Free Sale Till March 3, 2012

2012-02-27T20:15:00.000-05:00

Assemble your Avengers or complete your Transformers Prime armada

Halo Sales till March 10,2012

2012-02-27T20:02:00.003-05:00

OMG! The universe has delivered upon me the first Halo sale! (In stores)

First off is the Warthog Accessory Packs

Get your Rocket Launcher or Gauss Cannon now!

Next up is the Ghost!

A vehicle for the price of a single figure? Say it isn't so John!

And finally if you're lucky enough and need a Warthog..

Get one in the clearance aisle, only in select stores (Metropolitan Ave TRU in New York)

And finally Halo Anniversary 1in TRU for Rite Aid prices. Not exactly a sale in Target.

Well that's it for now. See ya in the toy aisles!

Halo Reach - Series 6 now in Stores!!

2012-02-27T19:51:00.000-05:00

This whole month I have been hunting for the Halo Reach series 6 figures, and after a month of looking and hoping... they have landed!

Well at Toys R Us at least...very interesting.

They only thing I found at this particular toys R Us in Valley Stream Long Island were these 2 box sets. At a whopping $45.99!

I can see changing that mush for the 3 packs. But as you can tell one set comes with 2 figures (which I want), and the other just has 1!! ( I will wait for a sale!)

Sadly, I had to pass on this. I mean it's too much! (By the way I will make another post regarding that.)

The next day I decided to visit the Toys R Us in College Point Queens. And I found the sing carded figures, except for the Brute and the Elite. But to my surprise toys R Us raised the price on these already 18 dollar figures to 19 dollars!

I decided to pass. I'm sure when Target gets these I would save at least 5 dollars. Today I decided to just do it and buy some of the carded figures. 3 in fact for a crazy total sum of 60 dollars.

But if you really wanted these, they are out there. I guess when McFarlane says Febuary they mean the end of the month. Anthony's Customs (The guy who reviewed the box sets) gave me the DCPI for these 2 sets. And Target had them in stock! Sadly when they finally brought them out (I had to wait at least 30 min!) what they had was the "Fearless Leaders" and "Master Chief Evolutions" sets.

But at least it was 30 dollars.

McFarlane Halo Reach Elite Zealot

2012-02-27T18:11:00.002-05:00

Not really a review but more of a look at the actual figure. For the official pics of the figure click here!

Halo: Reach Series 6 - OBJECTIVE ACCESSORY PACK - Video Review

2012-02-25T14:18:00.000-05:00

I don't think this set is worth the price. I'm gonna wait until I can get it cheap.Click here for the official pics!P.S. I have no idea what the skulls are for. If someone can explain. I'd appreciate it.

Halo: Reach Series 6 - INVASION 2 Pack - Video Review

2012-02-25T14:11:00.000-05:00

Not my review but it's the first Series 6 review I've seen on YouTube.You can see the official pictures here!

What the Puck!

2012-02-13T20:45:00.001-05:00

It looks like the New Marvel Universe Puck will have no elbow or knee articulation. I guess he'll be just like Rocket Raccoon and come in a Team pack. But if he's individually carded that's a big No No!

Halo: New York Toy Fair 2012

2012-02-13T20:33:00.002-05:00

Wow! I didn't expect much from McFarlane but I am impressed. Even though my toy heart was broken by the realization that Halo Reach ends with series 6 ( I expected an unhelmeted Emile and Noble Six? in Series 7) But as long as the scale of the new stuff sticks with Reach I'll be happy. If not I hope the quality control gets better.

Here's the stuff I'm excited for!

Flavor Text for Halo Universe From McFarlane's website:

HALO UNIVERSE

In addition to its all-new Halo 4 action figure line, McFarlane Toys is continuing its popular Halo: Anniversary series in fall 2012. Since the franchise's tenth anniversary has now passed, the line is being rebranded as "Halo Universe."

Halo Universe continues to bring fans the classic, fan-favorite characters from the earlier Halo games, and even includes "expanded universe" sources such as novels, comic books and the animated feature, Halo Legends. This series also continues the popular "build-a-figure" feature of our Halo: Anniversary lines, bringing collectors an extra bonus item such as the Difficulty Plaque or UNSC Logo.

Todd explains, "Halo 4 brings fans figures from the latest and greatest Halo video game. But Halo is a franchise with over a decade of incredible games, movies, books and comics. With our Halo Universe line, we can continue to offer long-time fans the classic characters they know and love."

Halo Universe Series 1 consists of five figures and one 6-inch-scale vehicle:

Frederic-104 (Halo Legends)
Romeo (Halo 3: ODST)
Elite Commando (Halo 3)
Brute Captain Major (Halo 3)
Spartan (Multiplayer)
ODST Drop Pod

Halo Universe Series 1 debuts in October 2012. Available at Walmart, Target, Toys "R" Us, GameStop, local comic book stores, drug stores, and other retailers. MSRP is $12 for figures and $39 for vehicles.

Halo Anniversary becomes Halo Universe

Build your own Halo ring!

In Scale Banshee! I hope it's $30.00!


In Scale Orbital Drop Pod! $30.00 also I hope!

		-
Halo Hunter

Hunter in Scale

HALO MICRO OPS
McFarlane Toys expands its long-running, best-selling line of Halo collectibles this fall, with the addition of Halo Micro Ops. This all-new series consists of miniature figures, vehicles, and locations from the entire Halo universe, at roughly 1:100/15mm scale.

Todd McFarlane, CEO and founder of McFarlane Toys says, "Halo is known for its massive, larger-than-life visuals. From the towering Forerunner relics, to the enormous military transports, to the Halo rings themselves, everything is designed to make your human character feel small and overwhelmed. That's awesome for a video game, but it's a challenge for toy makers! With our standard 6-inch action figures, we found we could release small vehicles like the Ghost and the Mongoose, and medium ones like the Warthog, but that was about as big as we could go. In order to be able to create anything larger—to really bring the rest of the Halo universe to collectors—we had to go smaller. Much smaller."

With its smaller size, Halo Micro Ops covers the Halo universe, from the tiniest Grunt to the largest Scarab. With such a wide range of product sizes to cover, Micro Ops is available in four different packages. Small carded sets include small vehicles like the Warthog and Ghost. Larger carded sets offer bigger vehicles such as the Falcon, or small buildings like the Bunker from the Halo 3 multiplayer map High Ground. Larger buildings, including the Tower or Gate sections of High Ground, are packaged in small boxes, while large vehicles such as the Elephant will be packaged in an even larger box.

"When you turn the scale down, you turn the possibilities up," Todd explains. "With Micro Ops, we're pulling the camera way back, and looking at a bigger picture. Our 6-inch figures are a great way to bring the individual characters of Halo to collectors—from Master Chief, to Noble Team, to the Elites and Grunts of the Covenant. But the Halo universe is so much bigger than that. Vehicles like the Pelican, the Falcon, the Phantom—they're all important pieces of the universe. Environments like New Mombasa, High Charity, or The Library; these are all as memorable and important as Master Chief himself. With Micro Ops, we can now begin to bring the full scope of Halo to fans."

Halo Micro Ops delivers the whole package, with all of the amazing detail and game accuracy that McFarlane Toys is famous for. With Micro Ops, Halo fans are able to collect the breadth of the Halo universe, with all the pieces perfectly in scale with one another, and without taking up too much space.

Recreate your favorite moments from a Halo campaign, multiplayer or firefight, or create your own custom scene. Collect your favorite pieces, or build a massive army and stage an epic battle for the fate of the galaxy. With UNSC, Covenant and Forerunner forces, the entire Halo universe is yours to command. The only limit is your imagination.

The initial Micro Ops lines cover the Halo trilogy, Halo 3: ODST, Halo Wars, and Halo: Reach. Later lines will add figures, vehicles, and environments from Halo 4 Series 1 includes:

Small Carded Sets

Warthog and Mongoose
Banshee
Ghost vs. Wolf Spider turret
ODST Drop Pods

Large Carded Sets

Falcon
High Ground Bunker with Shade turret

Small Boxed Sets

High Ground Gate with Warthog
High Ground Tower and SAM Launcher

Large boxed sets will be available in 2013.

Halo Micro Ops debuts in August 2012 and continues into 2013. Available at Target, Toys "R" Us, local comic book stores, and other retailers. MSRPs range from $8 for the small carded sets, $18 for large carded sets and $29 for the small boxed sets.

Building a little battlefield...

in the comfort of your living room

Micro Ops in Package

Depending on what the Halo 4 stuff looks like (I'm not liking the Master Chief) I might try that out. But I think by that time (end of the year) I might be back on the Marvel bandwagon.

And the last thing is Series 6, the end of the line. Oh well there's always Ebay!

Really looking forward to that white JFO

That's all for now. Toy Fair lasts untill Wednesday so there might be some more surprised on the Marvel and Halo front.

Aries0083 signing off!

Noble Six: Halo Reach-Series 1-McFarlane Toys Figure Review

2012-02-13T18:37:00.000-05:00

Where and How Much: (Version 1) Rite Aid $13.99, (Version 2 with Hologram) Target $26.98.

Also Available: (With Mongoose) Target $19.99

WHO: Noble Six is the codename of the of the character you control in the game Halo Reach. You can customize the figure to your liking but this is the default configuration of the character...Well sort of, as you will see in the review there are 2 versions of the same character in the toy line. No female version yet!

This is what Hyper-Lethal looks like!

THOUGHTS: Although this wasn't the first Halo Reach figure I picked up (that honor belongs to Carter) I was kind of 2 minds about which one I should get. There were 2 ways to get him out there. There is the one that comes with SPOILER and the mongoose and then there was the version that came with a quote on quote "hologram" which looks more like it's active camouflage if it wasn't for the little tint of blue in the torso.

That decision was made easy by the fact that I found the ODST Jetpack Trooper with the dirty mongoose. So I got the Hologram version.

There was one thing that stood out to me when I was gonna purchase the figure. The hologram version doesn't come with the knife! I thought it might have came of the figure and was in the packaging. But a quick look at the rest and I saw none of them had any knives.

Now, I wasn't collecting these when these figures first came out so I don't know if there was an uproar about the design of version 1 and the articulation problem it has. But fans do love to complain, so I imagine there was some uproar.

But I didn't care I had Noble Six.

WHY: I'm a collector, you see that blurb on the packaging that says "Collect Them ALL!" that's for me, not for the little kid that has an allowance, the same kid most collectors say that scalpers take figures from. (although the packaging does say 8+). I'm a completest. That's why I can only collect one toy line at the time. Just like my love affair with NERF, I think I'll stick with the line until I'm disenchanted with it.

My other reason was that he was a member of Noble Team, and I want to get them all, plus I like black.

My reason to drop the Marvel Universe line was mostly born out of my lack of finding any new product. By the end of December I decided to drop Marvel Universe when my brother suggested Halo mini figures for my nephew for Christmas. (I got him Minimates, but then I saw my nephew also had Halo Mega Bloks)

The next day I got Dutch from the Halo Anniversary line and I picked up the UNSC Marine from a Rite Aid. And I was hooked! I also noticed a difference in height.

I liked the fact that for a few dollars more you get a slightly bigger figure and a more heftier one. One that feels like it's made out of sturdier plastic with ratcheted joins and weapons that they can keep on their person (although the marine mold has no swivel elbows and can't hold the rifle with 2 hands). Add to that the ability to interchange armor between the Spartans of the line (Something I didn't realize with Carter). And you have a long living diverse toy line.

PRICE COMPARISON:
Marvel Universe 10.99-Halo Reach $13.99-$14.99

In a world where I've heard complaints about the extras that come with Marvel Universe (in Series 4 all you get is any accessories which is different from when the line began). This comparison in price is a good thing.

There is an incredible attention to detail thanks to the fact that this figures are sculpted from the 3D models from the actual game with a 3D printer (if you're a Gundam fan you know what this is) Amazing!!!

SCULPT: As illustrated in the videos above you get a perfect sculpt. A lot of reviewers love to complain that the hands are sculpted to hold a cup. I believe that's because the 3D model has the hands that way.

If you didn't have to move these figures they would be awesome statues. There is the addition of the combat knife later on, but the only difference between the figure is the head and the paint job. The rest is the same.

Version 1

Version 2

Side By Side Comparison

Paint makes a big difference!

ARTICULATION: I already had previous experience with McFarlane toys and their joints (Which wasn't good) There were issues of loose joints and pieces falling out (Dutch's hand came off out of the package)

So I was a little hesitant on going and collecting these figures. But as I read and watch various Halo figure review I learned that McFarlane Toys raised the quality control of their Halo figures. So older molds still have a problem whereas the new ones don't.

I for one am glad that the joints are made of sterner stuff. (Just like Optimus assumed.)

Word Assault 2 Electric Boogaloo!

When you have a lot of articulation sometimes it can be a bad thing. But the only joint I see as unnecessary is the mid foot ball joint. Ask any collector out there about getting his figures to stand, and you'll see that action figures in general can't stand well without any assistance. Most Transformers and Gundams can because of their flat robot feet.

Because of the hefty plastic these figures are made out of, they are a bit top heavy. But if you position the center of gravity just right you can get them to stand most of the time.

(Hmmm..maybe if someone came out with the idea of making cast metal feet on their figures, they would stand better! Stop the presses! I gotta go register this!)

There is some limitation in how much the knee can bend, and this has been corrected in later waves. Old Carter and new Unhelmeted Carter have different knee joints (But it's not much of a difference.)

Ver 2 to the left, Ver 1 to the right

The double ball jointed head allows for great movement, and interchangeability! Sadly on one of my Caboose figures The peg is a little tall and he has a long neck.There is also one of these dumbbell looking pieces in the figures thighs, which leads me to believe that they used the wrong one for the neck.

This thigh joint (which is double jointed also) allows for the figures to be able to sit well enough to ride vehicles. So they can spread their legs outwards.

FINAL VERDICT: I've quickly become a fan of McFarlane's Halo Reach figures. I've I haven't found any problems in the ones I have purchase yet (thank goodness!).

I have seen in various older written and video reviews that the Halo 3 figures had a lot of problems breaking as soon as they have gotten out of the package. They are not compatible with the reach figures so it's not a big issue for me.

I'm a fan of the armor designs of Halo Reach so I'm visually attracted to them. But people have different tastes, some people like the Crysis figures I don't. So it's a matter of taste. Me, I'm a design guy!

If you're interested in trying out the Halo figures I would suggest you get one you like that's currently in stores. I started with Carter, and I wasn't impressed. I regret that now because one of the figures I need is Emile, I saw him in Target around the time I got carter and held off on buying him and Jorge. But now I can't find him in stores.

In my humble opinion these figures are well made, good sculpt, all of them always have accessories (even if it is the same rifle/grenade combo as the other guy). They have enough articulation that they aren't statues and for now they are moderately priced in all the stores I've seen the in. (Except for Toys R Us which has these for $18.49) You can also find some of these on sale if you follow my blog.

Noble Six is on sale at McFarlane Toys store for $8.99 shipping will bring the price up to about $20.00, but as I have mentioned before I recommend getting one from the store. Jorge (unhelmeted) is warming Rite Aid store pegs and Carter (unhelmeted) is warming pegs in Targets everywhere.

Series 6 should be hitting stores later this month so you'll have more Spartans for the picking. And the Halo Reach line is currently available at Toys R Us, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Barnes and Nobles everywhere.

So Try it. I'm sure you'll like it.

Aries0083 out.

Halo Reach Sale McFarlane Toys Store Sale! Up To 50% Off!

2012-02-11T19:39:00.000-05:00

Click HERE for the sale, Halo Lover!

I hope to take advantage of this sale! By making a review of Noble Six soon. Keep your visors peeled!

Toys R Us Star Wars Sale! 30% Off! Feb 12-18

2012-02-11T19:32:00.000-05:00

To commemorate the new new release of Star Wars Episode I in 3D we get a deluge of new/recycled product and a sale! Enjoy.

New York Toy Fair 2012 Anticipation

2012-02-08T01:51:00.000-05:00

As most of you toy lovers are aware of next week is the New York Toy Fair, an event that is not open to the public. At that event a lot of companies reveal the new product that they have up to a certain point. The next point in the year is usually San Diego Comic Con.

Since my love for Marvel has diminished, (mostly because I burned myself out and the increase in price) my eyes gravitate this year to McFarlane Toys Halo line.

Walgreens Exclusive JFO for starters!

For once in my life I enjoy a toy property that my brother is also into.

Most of the Marvel Universe lineup has already been revealed here and here, What I expect at the toy Fair are actual photos of prototypes. And a few more announcements to top things off.

The Avengers line looks sucky. I heard that the articulation has been greatly reduced, and according to my inside source the G-Man, Loki will be short packed (I don't know if this is the 6 inch or 3.75 inch) and the toys will be release everywhere on Monday, February 27th 2012.

I know that Halo reach will start to disappear in favor of Halo 4 toys, so I expect to see the last of the Reach line which is sad because I really liked the design of the armor. But this will also ensure that I don't remain a fan way after Reach is done as a toy line. (That depends on the armor designs of Halo 4)

I'm also looking forward to the Halo Micro Ops stuff, if we get a miniature Noble Team I will be ecstatic!
I wonder if Series7 of Halo Reach will have an unhelmeted Emile and Noble 6 or a Thom for that matter. There was a Mark V [B] in his colors released early in the line but was never labeled as Thom.

Micro Ops 1

Micro Ops 2

Fans are still waiting the release of the Falcon and being an owner of the Warthog, I hope the price is in that range. ($30 dollars).

I expect more Marvel legends figures to be announced, at least another wave. And I'm sure Hasbro will have the G.I. Joe Retaliation and Transformers Prime figures out. But I'm not a big fan of those 2 lines. I can only collect 1 line at the time. maybe when my business gets of the ground and I'm a millionaire I will get into stuff like Hot Toys.

I would be surprised if Bandai tried to bring Gundam toys and model kits back to the states. Heaven knows they have tried.

Well that's it for now. Let me know what you guys are eagerly anticipating.

See ya in the toy isles!

Halo Mega Blocks Series Target Sale! From 2/5 - 2/18

2012-02-06T20:38:00.000-05:00

My very own first Halo sale!!! LOLZ

I'm not a Lego kind of guy. I don't have the time anymore to build Gundams. So I most definately don't have time for Mega Blocks. Even thought I think the vehicles are cool. I'm sure McFarlane's Micro Ops will fix that niche.

The bind packaged figures are cool and now uber cheap. I hate blind packaged stuff ( I used to collect Gashapon) But you don't need to be blind any more.

Here are some codes that can help you distinguish which figures are in the bag:

Mega Block Hero Packs series 3

Mega Blocks Hero Packs Series 4

So far I got a Brute, a Marine, an ODST and a Pilot Elite.

Like Mikey, you should try them you might like them. And with figures going up in price. This is a good way to collect and save.

Marvel Universe Price Hike! And Target Sale!

2012-01-17T11:57:00.001-05:00

After reading this, my eyes were suddenly opened to the weird price difference between Target stores. But now they are united on one front!

I might have mentioned that there was one Target where Marvel Universe figure were 7.99 while at the other they were 9.99. For the longest I would go there to get the lowest price, I still go there to get Halo Reach stuff because they have the figures 1 dollar cheaper. But just the figures, everything else is the same price.

So just this Sunday I go into my lucky Target and LO and BEHOLD!

They were just $18.99 a week ago!

But don't fret while the single carded figures are $10.99 Target is having a sale till February 11th on Marvel Universe single figures.

$7.89 as the regular price is a lie! Go scan on for yourself!

It's sad, but in a way I guess I left the line just in time to save! I will keep my eyes out for the occasional sale. But for now I'm Halo Reach all the way baby!

Hope this helps.

Aries0083's Vlog 12-27-11

2012-01-10T21:39:00.000-05:00

Halo Reach For The Sky Partner!

2012-01-10T20:56:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas! Happy new Year and Feliz Reyes Magos to all of you! I'm still alive. Lolz. A new year brings a new passion for me. I call all my stuff "action figure" because I know I don't want to put myself in a corner.

I guess with all the Marvel universe hunting that I've been doing I got burned out. I saw Series 4 wave 1 at Target and I didn't even flinch. That's not to say that I won't get these. But It's really expensive to collect all the lines I love, and even harder to review. You have to make things work though.

I usually collect 1 line at the time and buying some halo minimates for my nephew this christmas I decided to dive into HaloReach stuff.

Note That I said "Halo Reach". I'm a design guy and I really like the look of the armors in Halo Reach. At first I was gonna get a select few figures. But my guess is that when I collect all the ones that I want I'll get what I can find. But I still do believe I won't get every single figure out there and their variants.

The price point is a little more expensive for each, but I hope that "the universe" will put some sales out there for me to take advantage of. (Like the Warthog for 28.99 at TRU!)

So if you like Halo Reach your in for a fun ride! If not you can always check for my sales report. By the wave when Marvel Universe is out for 2 for 12.99 I will pick up what I've missed.

Goodby Giant Friend!

Legendary Comic Book Heroes On Ebay!

2012-01-04T10:27:00.001-05:00

From out of the past and into your home! I'm putting these old toys up on ebay. Made in the Toybiz style.
I will be updating the blog soon. December has been kinda hectic.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/aries0083/m.html

That's just Prime! TRU Sale Dec 23-24

2011-12-23T12:21:00.000-05:00

I love Christmas! it's no longer a sad holiday because of all the new stuff that starts showing up!And the Toy Sales! Next week I expect a 2 for 11.99 sale. And I've been looking for the Mr. Sinister/Adam Warlock comic packs. But instead I found the Gladiator from the revision case. And the last of the Iron Man 2 figures! (whiplash, mandarin, etc).

Happy Hunting! And thanks to the people who have bought from my store.

These are a good place to start! And don't forget Starscream.

I want to be as lucky as this guy on Facebook!

Aries0083's 5 Dolar Off Sale!

2011-12-21T03:19:00.000-05:00

Just

TRU Friday and Saturday Sales Dec 16-17

2011-12-16T16:00:00.000-05:00

I've been out of it for a while. But I wish I can find some new figures in Toys R Us at this sale price.

3 Dollars Off Everything in the Store!! From Today Till Monday The 19th!

2011-12-14T13:40:00.001-05:00

Click on the Ebay box on this blog or follow the link!!

http://stores.ebay.com/Aries0083s-Action-Figure-Store

Marvel Universe Thoughts Part 2

2011-12-09T20:34:00.000-05:00

Marvel Universe Thoughts Part 1

2011-12-09T20:33:00.000-05:00

Aries0083's Action Figure Store 35 Percent Off Sale!

2011-11-26T11:15:00.001-05:00

3.75 Inch Action Figure Sale Toys R Us Nov,20-23

2011-11-21T20:32:00.000-05:00

Not the greatest of sales, but since there are none for Black Friday. You take what you get.

Toys R Us Doorbuster Sale Nov 18-19

2011-11-17T17:07:00.000-05:00

These are the sales I find interesting. But I'm not too excited about it.

Transformers 2 Toys R Us Black Friday Sale

2011-11-16T10:02:00.000-05:00

On their Facebook page Toys R Us (the one that says retail and consumer merchandise) revealed theBlack Friday flier. The only item of interest to me is this one.


Buy 1 get 2 Free. Transformers 2 and Spider-Man water figures!

The Spider-Men figure are garbage. But if you're a transformers fan now's the time to stock up on figures you left behind. Or figures for customizing. Be sure to show your support for Nightbeat and Swerve!

If you can't go to the store or miss this sale. I'm sure it will show up at least 1 more time before Christmas. Same thing happened last year with the G.I. Joe Rise of Cobra figures.

On another note Target has taken the incredibly pegwarming Dark of the Moon figures, and slapped 2 of them together as a gift pack. So you get 2 deluxe figures for 9.99!!

You can pick from:

Nitro Bumblebee and Mudflap
Nitro Bumblebee and Barricade
Sideswipe and Lazerbeak

Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

X-Men First Class Comic Pack For $8.90!

2011-11-14T01:29:00.000-05:00

This is only at Toys R Us Times Square.The only set I saw clearanced was the Marvel Girl Cyclops one. There was also the Shatterstar/ Cannonball Minimate pack for $3.90.

It's a shame we didn't see any more First Class Comic Packs like I would have wanted.

Transformers Toys R Us sale! Nov 13th-19th! Target Nov 13-Dec 23!

2011-11-13T13:38:00.000-05:00

Gotta love those dumb transformer toys. Can't get enough of bayformers going on sale. Meh. But if you like them knock yourself out.

Target's wasn't in the flyer, but in the store. Deluxe figures are $9.99 form the unwantable $14.99.

And if you're actually still reading this.

Marshalls and T.J. Maxx have the last wave of Reveal The Shield. Deluxes are $7.99 and Voyagers are $9.99.

Marvel Universe Toys R Us Sale Nov 11-12th

2011-11-10T14:48:00.000-05:00

Just 2 days! stock up while you can!!!

Marvel Universe Collector Figures With Light Up Base SD

2011-11-10T14:31:00.001-05:00

Toy Haul: Future Foundation and Guardians Of The Galaxy at Toys R Us.

2011-11-07T16:23:00.000-05:00

I had already picked up The regular (pegwarming) Fantastic Four Team Pack. So imagine my surprise when I went to the Times Square Store and Found these!

Future Foundation

And The Guardians of the Galaxy for the low price of $22.99

They also had the new Spider-Man figures. But I will pick those up when there is a sale....LIKE THE ONE AT TARGET!

The Cosmic Spider Man has a great design, but no articulation

And with the MacGargan Venom I could have done without the shoulder tentacles

I went to Midtown Comics and Forbidden Planet. Where I also did an long overdue comic run and picked up some reading material.

X-Men 1E Remastered

And Essential X-Men 9: The beginning of Jim Lee's run!

These stores both had the metallic Absorbing Man so I was right in saying that the Human Version is the Variant. Lucky Me!

Target Action Figure Sale! Nov 6-12th

2011-11-07T16:07:00.000-05:00

Wonder Man & Quicksilver/Bullseye & Daredevil Comic Packs At Hasbro Toy Shop!

2011-11-04T12:04:00.000-04:00

But buy the time they ship, I'm sure they will be in stores!

Star Wars Toys R Us 2 day Sale! Nov 4th-5th

2011-11-04T09:59:00.002-04:00

November Action Figure Sale!

2011-11-02T13:56:00.001-04:00

Toys R Us Big Book Action Figure Sale! Oct 30-Nov 23

2011-10-29T11:26:00.001-04:00

Hey look! I will eagerly stock up on the Avengers figures with base. They will come in handy when reviewing comic packs and 3 packs!

Series 3 Wave 5 (Wave 16) Marvel Universe Figure Review SD

2011-10-28T19:09:00.001-04:00

Star Wars 2 Day Toys R Us Sale! Oct 28-29

2011-10-27T10:04:00.000-04:00

Marvel Universe Wave 16 is here!

2011-10-26T13:33:00.000-04:00

I picked up the wave today. Expect a long review tomorrow.

I Picked Up The New Thor Figure With Base!

2011-10-18T05:34:00.004-04:00

I'm re-editing this post because the first time I did it, was through my phone, and some elements didn't appear.

This is basically the same Series 2 Thor, (who is also a pegwarmer) with some different paint apps. He's got black gloves and a gold line going down the center of his loincloth. The base lights up but not enough to illuminate the front of the figure.

At 20 dollars a pop, this is a no go. Just like the hall of armor I expect these to go on clearance in the future. But knowing TRU it will be a long time coming. BUY LOW!

I haven't seen any reviews on Youtube so that means the fans aren't biting. I wanted Hulk but he was sold out. Depending on the molds of the next figures this line will either thrive or die.

Target Action Figure Sale!! Oct 16-22

2011-10-16T09:36:00.000-04:00

I'm going to New York Comic Con, but that doesn't mean you can't get lucky either.

6.99 for basic figures

Includes Marvel Universe, Star Wars, Transformers. Don't know if G.I.Joes count.

Marvel Select Disney Store Exclusives

2011-10-14T12:05:00.000-04:00

If you're in New York City for Comic Con, I would recommend you visit the Disney store at Times Square. The store closes at midnight everyday so there is no rush!

Way prettier than the movie version

I have 3 Marvel Select figures that are unopened.

Juggernaut
Modern Thor
Gambit (short hair version)

I need one to go with Thor. I didn't like exclusive Cap and Bucky Cap has no ears. So I'm thinking either Hawkeye or Black Widow.

He has a flat head like Deadpool

Ol' Timey Thor has a flat head. It's the perfect width, but no depth. I prefer my modern "Fabio" Thor.

Earth's mightiest heroes plays in the reflexion!

One more day and I'll be at NYCC!

X-23: Marvel Universe Figure Review

2011-10-12T10:34:00.000-04:00

I know lots of you guys are asking, "Didn't you review this figure in that long video you posted?" and I would say "Yes, I did! But there are some people out there that would prefer reading my review, than spending 40 min watching one." I've decided that I will only take a look of the figures that I circled out on my check list before they were released. So from wave 15 we will be looking at X-23 and Commander Rogers.

Card Art by Simone Bianchi

Why Did I Buy This Figure?: We already had a failed attempt at a female Wolverine (Wild Thing anyone?). But what makes Laura unique is her lack of understanding of humanity. That and her dedication to the mission. So to complete my X-Force team I needed this figure. That and I wanted to see what the new female body worked like.

Background Info

Where Did I Buy This Figure?: I got this at Target for the low-low price of $9.98 (seems 10 dollars is the SRP for these). I was lucky enough to find the whole wave in one fell swoop. Since Christmas is close approaching I think it would be wise to get these figures before they are replaced by another wave.

Little People Trapped in Plastic Bubbles

Face Sculpt: I like the face sculpt and the plastic hair on this figure. Most female figures have wild windswept hair, or weird face sculpts but I like this one. Out of all the female figures I like her and Marvel Girl. the other women are workable, but not pretty. Remember kids there are no Clint Howards in comics!

Pardon my dust!

Hot-Chi-Mama!

2 Pronged Attack!

Accessories: Since her weapons are already attached to her arms, all you get or can count as an accessory is the base! I was thinking that maybe they should start incuding mini comics with the Marvel Universe figures. Like Mattel did with He-Man and Kenner with the Super Powers in the 80's

All Your Base Belong To Me!

Articulation: You get..

Ball Hinged Neck
Mid Torso Swivel
Ball Jointed Shoulders
Ball Jointed Elbows (A absolute feat of technology!!)
Swivel Wrists
Ball Jointed Hips
Swivel Thighs
Double Jointed Knees
Swivel Calves
Rocker Ankles (I've heard them called that I like that term)

Speed lines not included.

Who wants some of this!

Laura! Dinner!

Who forgot to put up the wet paint sign??!!

Final Verdict: I really like this figure. So much that I got another, and put one on Ebay to share the love. She's essential to completing one of the best X-teams out there. I like the silver paint, even if there is a bit of slop. The claws are very durable, and not bendy. She has a very feminine shape despite the breaks from the joints.

Should You Buy This?: Yes! Of course because it's a new female body. My reason behind that is when Hasbro uses it again, (and they will) you know what your expecting. The old female buck is still workable, but one point that a lot of Marvel Universe collectors don't like are the hip joints. After a while moving the legs you'll get them to work.

Then again like with Gladiator it also depends if you like the character or not.

The figure will be re-released in Wave 15 revision cases so she shouldn't be to hard to find.

See Ya In The Funny Papers Bub!

Toys R Us and Target Sales for the week of Oct, 9th 2011

2011-10-10T08:13:00.000-04:00

There you have it. Not my cup o' tea, but I'm sure somebody will appreciate the effort.

Power Man and Iron Fist: Marvel Universe Comic Pack Review

2011-10-09T08:27:00.001-04:00

Marvel Universe Wave 15 Revision List

2011-10-07T09:37:00.001-04:00

I love to share useful information, as long as it doesn't affect me negatively. So here is the first of my posts that share the revision information so that you're not doing what I did and call the "Bucky" or "Jean" waves.

Wave 15

When these burst onto the toy scene, we got Dr. Doom and Falcon to go along with it. Of course they warm the pegs, but I do love Dr. Doom. Too bad he doesn't come with a gun.

This case includes 12 action figures:
1x Falcon
1x Dr. Doom
2x Ultron
2x Darkhawk
2x Sub-Mariner
2x X-23
2x Steve Rogers

There is supposed to be a Darkhawk feathered variant but I have yet to see it. Or find a review about it. The bases have variants, like Sub-Mariner's saying "Imperius Rex" and I think Steve Rogers's says "Captain America." This wave is done. The next wave to show up is..

Wave 15 Revision 1

This case is to include the following figures:

1x Hulk
1x Iron Fist
1x The Thing
1x Electro
1x Guardian
1x Constrictor
1x First Appearance Wolverine
1x Cyclops
1x Doctor Strange
1x Darkhawk
1x X-23
1x Steve Rogers

The Darkhawk might be the feathered variant. But I'm really looking forward to getting Guardian and Electro. And blue pants Thing, if the pants are blue. This case is due in November, but I'm sure with Wave 16 showing up in Wal*Mart these will be approaching rapidly! Or they might not show up at all. And the last revision is...

Wave 15 Revision 2

This case includes:
1x Captain Marvel
1x Doc Sampson
1x WW Hulk
1x Spider-Woman
1x Cable w/ Baby
1x Scarlet Spider-Man
1x Ultron
1x X-23
1x Steve Rogers
1x Black Spider-Man
1x Bullseye
1x Modern Thor

The text says that Cable will come with the baby! There goes the aftermarket value on that figure! I haven't picked up Bullseye because I don't like the character. But whenever there is a sale I tend to pick up the ones I don't have to complete the collection. I'll be good to see Spider-Woman and Captain Marvel on the shelves. It' will be almost a year since I started collecting these. And I have fond memories of Series 3 Wave 1 (Wave 12?!)

By December we should be seeing the last wave. Each series has 6 waves in the year. (My nerd brain is good with patterns!!) When I get all the info on Wave 16 I will post the revision list. I always pick 2 figures from each wave as my favorites and I'll be putting up reviews on the blog.

Good luck and keep an eye on those case ratios, so you can get the figure you want before it dissapears!

Wave 16

Want Wolverine and Iceman

Wave 17: Want Psylocke and Patriot!

Hasbro Toy Shop Free Shipping On Orders Over $25

2011-10-02T17:46:00.002-04:00

Star Wars Toys R Us Sale-Sun Oct, 2nd -Oct 8Th

2011-10-01T21:21:00.000-04:00

Not my cup of tea, but I'm sure some of my readers out there are!

Marvel Universe Power Man & Iron Fist Review

2011-10-01T21:11:00.004-04:00

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Not my review &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;
This review was not done by me, but it will help fans know what this set has. I will do one when I get it eventually. And don't mind the error. :(

SDCC 2011: Hasbro Booth Tour

2011-09-26T15:43:00.000-04:00

Compound Hulk: Marvel Universe NYCC Exclusive

2011-09-26T15:24:00.002-04:00

Halleluya! An exclusive just for me!

It's Impossible, man!

On Marvel's Facebook page they announced this exclusive figure. And while it's just a repaint if the Red Hulk, it's not an exclusive that was lame like the Sentinel, or Marvel Legends Thor that eventually will see the light of a public release.

Fist bumping all NYCC Atendees

For $11 dollars, you can get this bad boy at the convention. Or later on, you can get it on ebay. :) My biggest fear is that since it was announced on Marvels' Facebook and not Hasbro's that this will be the figure you get for $11 dollars AFTER you sign up for a digital subscription.

An Homage to Composite Superman I'm sure.

Now don't get me wrong, my plan this year was to get the X-Force Archangel, which was also a stupid repaint, but was a cool one and of a rare character that is still appearing in Uncanny X-Force. I don't think this Compound Hulk is worth the subscription.

Another thing of note, is that the artwork on the card is done by Ed McGuiness. Which leads me to believe that the next series of Marvel Universe art will be done like him. Since he will be doing the Marvel Legends card art also. Like the Diceman says.."It's a beautiful thing."

So let me know do you guys like it or hate it? Is it worth a subscription?

It was also asked if you like Red Hulk or Green Hulk, I love Red Hulk. He reminds me of Mr. Fixit which is one of my favorite incarnations of the Hulk as well as the Smart Hulk. So who's your favorite and why? I'd love to know.

Marvel Select Disney Stores Exclusives In Hand!!

2011-09-26T03:58:00.000-04:00

I didn't buy any of them.But I saw these at the Disney Store in Times Square New York. After the jump, I'll tell you why...

Out of the 3 of them Hawkeye is the best. He comes with an arrow that has the wasp sitting on it. Why tiny people love riding his arrows is a mystery to be. It must be the breeze.

Anyways, Thor and Cap's heads are funny looking. Kinda like Magneto and Deadpool. Thor has the fat head like Deadpool did, and Cap has this weird expression on his face.

I didn't see the Black Widow. So the verdict is still out on her.

I own a few Marvel Selects but if there is anything that I look for in these figures is face sculpts. I picked up the Watcher and Thanos to put them with my Marvel Legends. I can still use Uatu with my Marvel Universe figures. I still want to get that old Black Cat. I heard her lady lumps were made out of squishy plastic. Hmmm Squishy.

So I recommend you look at these in person before you buy them if your interested.

Series 3 (Wave 15) Wave 4: Marvel Universe Figure Reviews

2011-09-23T11:43:00.000-04:00

Toy Haul: Marvel Universe Wave 15 found in Target!!

2011-09-21T11:29:00.001-04:00

Because today is Wednesday (comic book day) I decided to visit my local target, (the one I get lucky at) and see if they had the new wave of Marvel Universe.

And boy did Lady Luck show me her Lady Lumps!

Still Not Liking The Art!

Shiny Metallic Name!

Who's this guy?

Good Face, not so good leg.

X-Force is almost complete. Just need Archangel!

They just had to put Captain America on the package! Otherwise who would buy him?

The ones I was looking to get were X-23 and Steve Rogers. I picked up an extra one of each and threw them on my Ebay store as auctions. Good luck!

Classic Avengers: Marvel Universe 3 Pack Review

2011-09-19T17:39:00.000-04:00

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Alternate Reality

2011-09-19T05:10:00.000-04:00

Click To Really Enlarge!

While browsing the web, I came across this wonderful pic. It shows exactly why the show is one of the best out there. The writes know how to use the history of the characters and are able to give old characters new twists.

Season 2 is supposed to air this Fall on Disney XD.

Toy Run: Deadpool/Taskmaster..If you Missed it

2011-09-19T05:01:00.000-04:00

THERE ARE 2 DEAPOOLS!..said Picard.

Today I went to the Mall, and decided to check Target. Now, this is "Trench's" domain I know better than to go to this store because I rarely find anything here. But since I was going to the Applebee's that's in the same mall. So I said let me check. And to my surprise I saw this comic pack. This is the first time I've seen it in Target. But it's a good thing. Same goes for the Wolverine/Silver Samurai pack. So if you had trouble finding this comic pack in the past. Don't fret.

That's one of the things I love about the line, It doesn't matter when you get into the line you'll be able to find all the figures you need.

Target Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn

Marvel Universe Buy 2 Get 1 Free Sale! Sept 18-24

2011-09-17T10:06:00.000-04:00

Not as cool as buying 2 for the price of one, but anything to move that stock! Right TRU?!!
Good luck and happy hunting!!

Series 3 Wave 2 (Wave 13): Marvel Universe Figure Reviews

2011-09-15T20:48:00.000-04:00

Marvel Universe Wave 14 Revision 2 Now in Stores

2011-09-14T18:04:00.001-04:00

I went to Toys R Us Times Square on a whim, and to my surprise my eyes were assaulted!

I can't believe it hasn't been scalped! I took these pics at 2PM!

I hope that later waves will switch Marvels.

No Baby For You!

So Much Love!

But Wait There's More!

So if you Have a Toys R Us near you check it if you're missing any of these guys. The only down side was the price!

I saw "Trench" at the Target in Brooklyn earlier this morn. He left a WW Hulk and a Skrull Soldier. I'm glad I waited. And it looks like these were put out in the afternoon.

G.I. Joe Target Sale! $ 6.99 Sept 11th till the 24th

2011-09-13T18:04:00.001-04:00

As the title implies Target is having a Joe sale till the 24th of September. Each action figure will be reduced to the low low price of $6.99!

So far all I've seen are the "Pursuit Of Cobra" Figures, all of which were uncool (except for Low-Light, the Jungle Viper and Renegades Duke) But this is surely a move to make way for the new batch of Joe figures!

Happy Hunting!

Spider-Man & Captain Britain: Marvel Universe Comic Pack Review

2011-09-13T17:35:00.000-04:00

I also have to report that while I was shopping I also came across the Disney exclusive Marvel Select Thor, but his face was flat like Deadpool's, so I didn't pick him up.

This review also confirms my suspicions that indeed Power Man is in New York!

X-Force: Marvel Universe 3 Pack Boxset Review

2011-09-09T10:26:00.000-04:00

Rocket Raccoon!

2011-09-07T20:40:00.000-04:00


In Forbidden Planet!

I saw this in a store here in New York. I was almost tempted to buy it, since there are no reviews of this set on Youtube. But seeing how the raccoon is almost a statue. I couldn't justify spending 30 on this set.

I like Starlord's design, but not Drax. I check on Ebay and there are in fact people selling this set. Oh well I hope when I get my next paycheck the Fantastic Four and the Guardians are still there. Or in Target or TRU.

But check your local WalMart stores, you never know what you'll find. I hear the Fantastic Four set is the pegwarmer.

Is Power Man in New York?!!

2011-09-07T00:43:00.001-04:00

On Labor Day I went to the biggest Toys R Us in New York, Times Square!!

So to my surprise I found a Deadpool/Taskmaster comic pack, and I was surprised that I've been seening more of these in that store, given that they were so rare when they first came out. And then I saw this..

Entertainment Earth has these out of stock

I have seen a big amount of the Wolvie/Samurai, but I guess it's natural. My money is on the Spidey/Britain being the peg warmer, but seeing that this would be a new release I'm sure it will be hard to find both of them at first.
Oh well let me know if you find these. I will check Ebay and Youtube to see if anyone has found them.

SWEET CHRISTMAS!!

The Goblin Wave?!!

2011-09-07T00:25:00.000-04:00

In the past when ever I would find new figures, I would dub them waves (like Jean Wave, Bucky Wave) but I have seen the light! Well..I mean I know of the official designations of these waves as retailers know it.

Using the combined might of Big Bad Toy Store and Entertainment Earth I know reveal to you the new wave!!!

Wave 14 Revision 2!! Is in New York!!

How can I tell?

While looking for some stuff in T.J. Maxx and Marshall's (Gigantic Battles for $9.99!!) I went into a nearby Toys R Us and I saw Hulk and the Green Goblin. They were 9.98, so I decided to pass. But If I find Ms. Marvel and Thanos I will pick them up.

Carol Danvers I love you!!

So if you need any of these figures start checking your local Toys R Us. Good Luck!

Series 03 Wave 3(Wave 14): Marvel Universe Action Figure Reviews

2011-08-31T14:02:00.001-04:00

Transformers DOTM Toys R Ua sale!!! Aug 21-27th

2011-08-20T14:28:00.001-04:00

Finally a reprieve! For me at least, if you love Transformers you might be in for some twouble!

Star Wars Toys R Us Sale slipped right past me! Aug 14-20

2011-08-18T20:53:00.000-04:00

Don't know how much of a bargain this is since I'm not a Warsie. (?)

Riddle me This! Marvel Universe Collector!

2011-08-16T06:29:00.001-04:00

As many of you know, Target has a sale on their Marvel Universe Figures. But for quite some time all the Targets in Queens, New York have been plagued by the sight of Extremis Iron Man fulling the shelves like Iron Man was going out of style!

I was told by the G-Man some months ago that this was the work of a dastardly collector, who we know personally!

Yesterday I went to the Target in Flushing and took this pic. I also scanned the figure and it said there was more in the back!

Imagine my excitement, the prospect of getting the new wave of Marvel Universe figures at a bargain! (I'm starting to be like Secret wars and end every paragraph with an exclamation point!) So I decided to "give it a go" and ask an employee for help.

I got help and was told that there were no cases, but 32 individual units. I said Ok, but I'm not gonna buy them all. After waiting a while a female employee came out with one of those little carts that has like a shelf instead of a basket. But to my detriment all she brought out were Extremis and Team X figures. SMH (Shaking My Head)

I told her I was looking to get figures that weren't those two, to complete my collection. She was visibly upset, or bored. But I thought she was upset because she went through all this trouble and I wasn't buying.
I told her that I've been to all the Targets in Queens and I see these figures everywhere. She said that they were getting these repeat figures from their main Target distribution center. I told her I thought it was someones shenanigans. So I was stumped.

My question to you is, have you seen these figures flooding your local Targets? I think the girl (as pleasant as she was) has no clue and was just feeding me a line.

Target Sale week August 14-20!!!!

2011-08-14T17:43:00.000-04:00

Not to be outdone by Toys R Us's fantastic 2 for 10.99 sale. Target already dropped the price of Marvel Legends figures down to 6.99, and are now tempting every collector and scalper out there to flood their stores with this new sale.

This makes me incredibly happy because it means we will soon see a deluge of Marvel Universe in the coming months. (all that stuff that was listed as "available now" at SDCC)
Also if I can find the new series (Scarlet Spider, Falcon, etc) at this price I would be in heaven.
Plus 2 for 6.99 is way better than 2 for 10.99!!!

3.75 inch Toys R Us Sale Returns!!! From Aug 07-13th. Target till September!!!

2011-08-06T18:27:00.000-04:00

Just in time for my Vacation!

What's also interesting is that Target is having a sale on it's Spidey figures for $6.99. If you lucky in some store the Marvel universe line will also scan for $6.99, but unlike the Toys R Us Sale, Target's will last until September 3rd!!

Time to fill those holes in your collection maties! ARRGHH!!

Transformers Dark Of The Moon Movie Review

2011-08-04T19:06:00.002-04:00

I have heard a lot of bad things about this movie, but it was mostly fan speculation. Heck I even told the GF that in the trailer the new girl looked like she was a damsel in distress in every scene she was in.

I went to see the movie with the Silver Fox, and she fell asleep by the end of the movie (The building toppling scene).
I on the other hand did like it. It was better than the last movie (ROTF) but not as good as the first. Which it's element of a boy and his alien was the main focus.

This movie delivers with it's explosions and humor (I was amazed at the amount of times the audience laughed.) And it's a nice wrap up to the series. If Transformers does come back to theaters I see it as a reboot, like Cybertron, Energon and Prime.

We got some new character but I had no idea who they were. There was a red Car, and old robot with a bald spot and a little guy called brains. I knew who Roadbuster the Wrecker was because I've seen the toy on shelves (and if I find it cheap I'll pick it up.)And after seeing the GM trailer for Transformers, I liked what Bumblebee could do as a Transformer.

My review is a bit colored because I read a review on the blog called Kastor's Korner. But here we go!

Plot: Sam has a trouble finding a job. Meanwhile the autobots discover a crashed ship on the moon. Sentinel prime joins the crew and informs them of a cybertronian artifact that crashed with him.An autobot defects, several others bite the bullet and the humans and autobots work to stop the defector.

Once again Megatron hardly has a role in the movie.

So What's good and bad about the movie? I liked the humor of the movie, I was annoyed by Sam's tantrum at the NEST base.I don't know how Asians will feel about Deep Wang, but we all know that Michael Bay loves stereotypes. (Leo for the Hispanics and Anthony Anderson for the African Americans)

I had the misconception that Sam had joined the military since he's pointing a gun in the trailer.

The robot fights are more detailed and drawn out, so you know what's going on. Also they've all learned English (Remember Frenzy?) even Lazerbeak.

Sam's girlfriend has more lines than Mikaela ever did. I thought she would just stand around like she does in the trailers and poster. Hasbro gets major props for adding "based on Hasbro's transformers action figures" in the poster and the credits. The humans were funnier this time.I disliked agent Simmons in the first and second movies, but I actually liked him and his German assistant. Francis McDormand was overly bossy (those are my kinder words) and John Malcovich was hilarious. I liked Wheelie because I know he's voiced by Ton Kenny.

I was also very invested in the final battle which took a long time to happen, but it was a good payoff. Plus evaporating humans!!!!

My Final Verdict? This is a big summer movie, you're supposed to see in theaters to get the most of it. I'm not looking forward to owning it on DVD, but I enjoyed the movie more than Green Lantern.

My girl liked the Captain America trailer, but I hated the trailer to Apollo 18.

It's Paranormal Activity in space. :(

San Diego Comic Con Aftermath

2011-08-01T20:32:00.001-04:00

Hello Gents! SDCC has come and gone, and like I knew we would see some old stuff mixed with the new. It's always a good thing to wait, because you never know what will show up at the last minute. But thanks to various webzones, it was like we were there.

MARVEL UNIVERSE

There are things like Angel and Jubilee that weren't in the slideshow pictures that were later released, but it's clear that the line is still strong. And Puck, is a good reminder that Hasbro still wants to build Alpha Flight.

I love the sheer magnitude of the characters in the line. Like Mr. Sinister, Psylocke, Winged Angel, The Beast, Kraven. I think this is something the Universe line has over the Legends line.

More characters less time. And the compatibility with the Thor ,Cap and Spidey lines.

I do wish they could fix the face on that MU She-Hulk. (The Marvel Legends one still holds 1st place for me.)

MARVEL LEGENDS

The return of the Marvel legends was another point in the presentation, I'm kinda iffy about the character selection and the Extremis mold (looks like an upscaled Marvel Universe figure). But the clincher is they're new marketing plan and the price point.

They did reduce the number of figures back to the good ol 6, instead of 8 like in the Blob Wave.

It's better than $24.99, but it's still as absurd as the DC Universe price. I know that in this day and age you can't expect a 6 inch toy for 10 dollars, but it doesn't make me want to scream running back to the line.

I do like the card art by Ed McGuinness. And it looks like the figures will come with an exclusive comic that is continued in another figures comic in the wave. They won't be regular sized comics, but the free comic was one of the things that gave value to the ToyBiz figures for me.

The only figures that interest me from the first 2 waves are:

Commander Rogers
Dakken
Terrax
Armin Zola

Thor, and..

Bucky Cap

The Avengers Movie Line

From the picture and the 3 figures that we saw I can only say that Thor and Iron Man look like retools and Captain America's chest and shoulders seem wonky to me. I also know that in the Avengers trailer Thor has bare arms.

The Amazing Spider-Man

I don't like the costume. It's too early to tell if the movie will suck. (I thought X-men was gonna be bad) My wish would be if they could do like every other movie line and put in a comic series so we can get stuff like the new Venom and Anti-Venom. Spider-Girl and Araña. But they have the regular line for that. RIGHT?

Mighty Muggs is crap. I went to Hasbro Toy Shop when the exclusives were supposed to go up and the Mighty Muggs were still there, while everything else was gone. Oh well, I'm sure I'll be able to pick up Thor at NYCC.

So in conclusion, I'm all over the Marvel Stuff. But the part that makes my heart pitter patter is...

When will I find this stuff on the shelves?

Laterz

Toys R Us Captain America Sale! July 24-July 30

2011-07-23T08:57:00.000-04:00

Just in time for the movie! I expect Target to do the same since they have those exclusive Captain America Comic Packs. I for one and getting the assault vehicle and the electronic figure! HO!

SDCC, The Place To Be!

2011-07-21T11:22:00.000-04:00

Last night I tried several times to make a preview post on my blog via my phone. But I had no luck. So here I am, all the previews spoiled. I feel like I came to a party just as it was ending.

But anyways what I wanted to say is that I'm excited for the new unknown stuff that would be shown at San Diego Comic Con. And boy o boy, did we get lots of new stuff!

Marvel Legends!

The first wave, the Terrax wave was finally revealed last night. And I feel "Meh" about it. For $24.99 I'm glad I do. So in this wave we get:

Ghost Rider (Modern)
Heroic Age Thor (Glad I don't need to get the exclusive!)
Commander Rogers (He has a weird head.)
Hope Summers (Does she have any importance as an X-Man?)
Klaw, Master of Sound
Extremis Iron Man (Looks like an upscale of the Marvel Universe one)
Constrictor (Straight out of Marvel Universe)

Now don't get me wrong even though I'm being nitpicky doesn't mean I'm a hating troll. For the right price I would scoop all these up because I like Hasbro. And I applaud them for not letting a good concept die. But I would only be interested in Terrax, Rogers and Thor. And maybe Hope because she looks like a decent looking female.

But beyond that I'm not interested. Let's see what else we have pictures of...

Marvel Universe!

Hot Diggity Dog! Wallet eat your heart out cause we aint gonna survive 2011!

I knew we would see a lot of the 2011 stuff on display, there was the stuff from Series 3, Toy Fair, and the stuff that was spoken of but not heard of, like Adam Warlock/Thanos comic pack.

So in the single carded series we get:

Beta Ray Bill! (I knew it had to happen, he was on my wishlist!)
Psylocke
Ages Of Thunder Thor (Take that Exclusive! Here's hoping for X-Force Archangel and Nick Fury!)
Astonishing Beast! (Even though I want him to come with the Iceman as shown)
Patriot
Kraven? (No label)
Iron Fist? (No Label)
Smooth Spider-Man? (With House of M backpack)
New Green Hulk? (No Label)

If you're wondering. I put (No Label) to the figures that don't have little signs near their feet. Because I don't know if they belong to X-Men First Class, Spider-Man or the Avengers Marvel Universe Line.

Also Magneto uses the Ghost Rider body. Sigh.

Next up Comic Packs!

I noticed that the Adam Warlock/Thanos and Mr Sinister/Gambit comic packs say they are available...NOW! NOW! NOW!

I spy with my little eyethe aformentiones Sinister/Gambit pack, and another one Unmasked Juggernat/Colossus! Way to cool!

So there you have it. I hope we see more stuff before then end of SDCC, but for now I'm happy with what I see.

Marvel Legends Returns! $24.99 NUB NUB!

2011-07-20T10:35:00.001-04:00

In one of my previous post I mentioned how the return of Marvel Legends wasn't such a great thing. Mainly because of the price and it's exclusivity to Toys R Us. We all know about the furiously exclusive Wal*Mart 6 inch figures that will be released this year,which I'm sure will retail around $14.99 because they are Wal*Mart. But all I'm saying is that I would welcome the return if they were cheaper and not exclusive to any store.

Enjoy this vids of Hasbro's SDCC Exclusives which I'm pretty sure will also be NYCC Exclusives. I might pick up Thor, but everything else doesn't interest me. (More money for fancy paint and packaging?!! Gimme a break!....Of that Kit-Kat bar)

Video Game - E3 2012 - AOTS Exclusive

Game Reviews - E3 2012 - AOTS Exclusive

Toys R Us Sale July 03-July 09

2011-07-02T12:27:00.000-04:00

Not the greatest of sales, but it's been a long time since we had one. Time to stock up on Stuff!

By the way I'm having a sale of my own at my Ebay Store. $5.00 off everything until July 4th! Click the link before the sale is gone!

Here Clicky, Click, Click!

Just The Captain I Was Looking For!

2011-06-25T10:48:00.000-04:00

Way back when Fantastic Four was gonna come out, I had spotted one of these picture books in a store in Penn Station. It's been a while since I've been giddy about books.

This first book just takes you through Steve's recruitment and eventual transformation.

This second sees Steve, confront Hydra for the first time.

I'm glad the original costume shows up in the film.

These books were 3.99 at Target, I haven't read them yet, but I will tonight. I will also keep an eye out for more picture books. Let me know where ya find them!

X-Men First Class Movie Review

2011-06-20T08:19:00.000-04:00

A few weeks late, but here's my video review.

Target Coupons For Dark Of The Moon

2011-06-13T02:09:00.000-04:00

If you like Bayformers and missed out on Toys R Us's sale last week, click the title of this post to be taken to Target's Coupon site.

I didn't even know that page existed.

Dark Threat Hydra Soldier is a Dark Threat to my wallet!

2011-06-12T06:40:00.000-04:00

Hooray! Wave 2 of the Cap movie figures is out in Toys R Us. So Far I have been picking these figures up from the Disney Store, for the elegant price of $9.95.

The regular figures are about the same price in Toys R Us, but if you're looking for a good deal try Target. But good luck finding anything that isn't..

This Guy

So on Toyark a member made a post that he had picked up the Dark Threat Hydra Soldier, and since I'm cool with The Universe I found him...and then I put him back!

Get this the price on the figure was $17.49. 17.49??!!! For a deluxe figure?!

I would rather pick up another First Class comic pack! (By the way they had the First Class minimates.)

I know that the cost of oil went up, but WOW! When it gets to expensive to collect these figures, I will be done.

By the way if you're interested Crossbones and the Red Skull are 1 per pack. But my favorite figures of the line are USAgent and Bucky Cap.

Good Hunting!

Thor Movie Review

2011-06-11T02:27:00.000-04:00

It's a month late, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Toy Topic: How much are your toys worth?

2011-06-09T03:12:00.001-04:00

I was out doing stuff today and I ran into a old friend.

Gasp!

I saw this figure at a Rite Aid, I was thinking that maybe this figure was discounted, to around $3.00 but nope. $13.99. I was thinking of buying it an putting it on Ebay since this is the "crown of lies" variant. But after some research I realized that this is figure doesn't go for much.

Think your collection is as much as you think it's worth? Think again.

I want to bring up the fact that a lot of people think of toy collecting in the same way that collecting comics blew up in the 1990's.

I for one collect based on the design and functionality of the action figure, there are times that I will pick up various figures because word on the Internet says that they are rare and worth money. But the value of these toys usually is for something that was recently released.

I can quote 2 examples:

Transformers movie Bumblebee (first movie)
Dark Knight Movie Masters Joker

Both of these figures at their time of release were very hot in the toy market. But years later, we have loads of movie bumblebee's (even though the new head sculpt is bug eyed) and I've seen Joker in discount stores.

My personal coda is:

"What you have is only worth as much as what someones willing to pay for it."

I've had various offers on YouTube from people that want to trade for stuff that I have. But I've never been offered anything interesting.

I've covered Toy Nostalgia in this post. But I think that there are things in my collection that I bought because it looked cool, and there are things that I bought because I found them cheap.

There is such a thing as sentimental value. I remember having a Gizmo from "Gremlins" when I was young, I would put it in my backpack and go out and play. But I have no desire to but the toy, it was in the past.

For a while after I completed what I could of the Cybertron line, I tried to get back into G1. I got some commemorative toys, but I also bought some beat up toys that weren't in the best condition.

If there are any toys out there that are worth the money it's the old toys from back before people started collecting them all. As with comics I believe the real expensive toys are the ones from the 60's.

Almost everyone on the web started their collecting in the 80's, and the technology at the time didn't allow for very cool toys.

There were some lines I was interested in back when I was a child:

M.A.S.K
Bionic Six
Transformers
Thundercats
Silverhawks
G.I. Joe

But I have no desire to seek out those lines and start collecting them.

The toys of the 90's didn't fare any better in my opinion.

So those Marvel Toybiz figures, I don't want them. I don't know who would.

But then again, I'm not your average action figure collector.

If I had to sell anything old from my collection on Ebay it would be my beloved Cybertron figures.

Transformers has a huge following in the U.S. More than G. I. Joe I believe. So I know that my old sigma 6 figures wouldn't sell for much.

But right now I have stuff on eBay and in the last month I've sold some gundam models and Marvel Universe figures. I have some excellent Joe and Transformer figures up there. But they haven't sold.

Not because they aren't good figures. But because the fans already have them.

So, in conclusion. Buy what you like, because you find it awesome. Not because it's a variant and it's price will go up in the future.

If you decide to go with the second route. Sell it now while it's hot!

So, what's the most YOU have paid for something in your collection?
Mine was the Marvel legends Walmart wave. I plunked $200.00 for all of them. Do I regret it.
Nope. I never saw them at retail. THANKS WALMART!

Transformers Dark Of The Moon TRU Sale!

2011-06-05T09:37:00.000-04:00

The picture says Cybertech, (which I think are the legends class figures) but the products are Mechtech. Here's hoping that this sale is on all the figures pictured.

I'm fond of Skyhammer and Roadbuster, so this might be a good time to get into BayFormers again.

X-Men Box Set Variant Is a Disney Store Exclusive

2011-06-03T12:28:00.001-04:00

Thanks to some info from the G-Man, I was informed that the X-Men Box Set Variant was a Disney store exclusive.

So I visit the closest Disney Store I have and LO!

Click To Enlarge!

I quickly compared both boxes, and the changes are translucent plastic on Nightcrawler, white highlights on Storm, and Colossus's yellow has been swapped out for gold.

The box set was 49.99, so I'm gonna have to wait. Out of 7 boxes in the store only one was a variant. If you're interested check it out. I still haven't opened my regular one, and I thought the price was too high.

I also found wave 2 of Captain America toys, got everyone except the surfer Cap.
They also had Marvel Select Juggernaut and Deadpool, which I plan on getting a few weeks from now.

Super Hero Squad on iTunes!

2011-05-24T18:23:00.000-04:00

If you've never seen the Super hero Squad you're missing out. If you live in the states you can watch episodes online here. But the newest episodes of the show haven't started airing the the United States, but they are on iTunes!

I was able to take some screen shots of the shows I did see. The show is very well done. And I can't believe how dark it can get despite being a kids show.

The first episode was a letdown with all the potty humor, but after getting to episode 2 it was all great from there.

The first season is on DVD, so you can play catch up there. So here are the screen caps of the episodes from season 2 I bought.

I love the face on the hammer!

We need a Marvel Universe Figure stat!

Mutant Hunting Machines, check!

Old Man Magneto

A tough Reptil

Not my favorite episode

Super Hero Squad Man Thing

Devil Dinosaur and Moonboy

Johnatan Frakes as the High Evolutionary!

2.99 isn't a bad price for these episodes, but I don't have an iPod so I don't know about investing any more money, I'm sure the show will come back to the Cartoon Network, I just don't know when.

Toy Topic: A Collector's Collection

2011-05-24T17:59:00.001-04:00

After my long chat with the G-Man I went to a fellow collectors toy lair, I asked for permission to take pics for my blog since I was impressed with the stuff he has amassed.

One day I'll have a lair like this...
after I get married..
and buy a house.

Because who wants to pack all this stuff up when it's time to move!

Pics after the break!

Velma and Daphne are impressed!

I'm still looking for Thanos

The G-Man Files: X-Men First Class TRU Exclusive?!!

2011-05-24T17:32:00.002-04:00

Say it isn't so, true believer! Well it isn't.

Last week I was able to have a long chat with the G-Man about several things, but the one that's most notable is the fact that X-Men First Class toys exist (duh!) but nobody wants them.

The fans want them, but not the stores.

It seems thanks to the low sales of Thor figures (thanks a bunch) major stores are iffy on ordering X-men and Captain America figures. The only guys that are willing to invest in X-Men is TRU and I'm sure it's not out of the kindness of their hearts. (especially with the prices they put on some stuff)

So I will tell you now, don't sleep on picking up any of those X-Men figures, if you want them that is. And show your support for the sub-line.

I also learned a few more things from the G-Man..

He also went on to talk about the politics behind what he does for a living. And boy is it sucky.

Some stores will help him move merchandise but others will not. And thanks to some jerk returning Extremis Iron Men to all the Targets in our area ( I know who you are) the likelyhood of seeing any new stuff in Target will only be after they sell all the Iron Men. The G-man has confirmed the stores have new stuff in stock, but there's no place to put them.

He went out to say how before he went on vacation he told his boss that the Time Square store didn't have any joes for the "Rise Of Cobra" premier, and the Brian Goldman was upset, and they called him back from his vacation to fix it.

He's also had problems with shelf space, companies war over where their product gets placed. The things Hasbro pushes the most are Beybalades and Transformers. And sometimes Target will put Backugan where the Beyblades go. It's a disaster!

He's been kicked out of 2 stores, one because he was helping a customer. The store manager told him "You're not here to help customers!"

And the other store was because he used a ladder in the stock room to get to some merchandise he needed. After waiting for help that never came!

He also said that the Target with the most sales is the one in Woodbury Long Island (Which I might have to check out). He doesn't know why but he speculates it's because of the sales tax.

He dislikes Trench, but needs him so that he can get some hard to find stuff. And he also hates the newly dubbed Trapster aka Paste Pot Pete for returning all the Iron Men.

Walmart already has it's sales planned for when the "Dark Of The Moon" movie comes out. I was like "really"?!!

I all goes to show that there's a lot going on in the toy world that we're oblivious to. I have a much greater respect for him now.

X-Men First Class Getting It's Own Action Figure Line?!!

2011-05-16T20:33:00.000-04:00

Heck Yeah!

This comic pack was recently spotted along with the Sabretooth/Wolvie one. (Click the title to see the thread) And if you look very closely you'll see that it says "X-Men First Class Comic Packs" on the packaging. Even the "M" on the top of the card back is an "X".

In the past we've had the "Greatest Battles" and Secret Wars" packs and they have been clearly labeled as such. This is a good thing. I'm sure we will see some X-Men from that poll I mentioned on my blog show up here.

Like the nerd said...
"It's gonna be a great year."

Giant Size X-Men Boxset!

2011-05-16T16:54:00.000-04:00

I finally got my grubby little scalper paws on the X-Men box set!

The retail price was $40.99, which if you calculate each figure at $7.99 would be $47.94. So I saved! well just a little bit. :(

There is a variant edition of this box set but, there were only 2 at the Toys R Us I went to, and I compared paint jobs between them and I didn't notice any variation. (But maybe Trench or Paste Pot got to them first?)

I'm wondering if I should even review this set, the figures all has cosmetic changes that can be visible through the little window on the box. I'm familiar with the articulation of all these figures. But I also want to do a side by side comparison for the gallery.

Should I open this treasure? Or keep it boxed? Let me know.

What the Marvel Specialty Store Looks Like

2011-05-16T16:53:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday right before seeing Thor, we decided to go into the Toys R Us in Times Square. That morning, and old toy hunter that I know told me that the shop was located near the girls section?

So I went and checked.

What I found was just the leftovers of the morning's aftermath.

Can you spot the pegwarmer?

I had no luck finding the Deadpool/Taskmaster Comic Pack. And the 1st Appearance Wolverine is reminding me that the new wave was there and I missed it!

The toys are located inside the circle

It's incredible that they constructed this in the store. Because I know that I've never seen it before. They had some new stuff. I was informed some Captain America stuff leaked early. But I had no luck finding any of it.

If you look closely you can see the new War Machine!

If you're in New York check it out. But me I'm gonna wait for a sale. Except when the new Cap figures come out on Sunday, or is it Monday? I know it's next week.

Cyclops and Dark Phoenix: Greatest Battles Comic Pack Review

2011-05-10T09:22:00.002-04:00

Jean has a bigger forehead in this package.

Fellow Blogger Iok already reviewed this item. I'm gonna have to disagree with him about the look this Cyclops has. I like it.

Ever since playing X-Men: Children of the Atom I have liked Cyclops. His Jim Lee costume is nice but odd. I always wondered how those straps on his torso work. I understand suspenders. But a suspender that is not.

I will cross that bridge when I get there. In the mean while lets take a look at this comic pack.

The Adjustment Bureau, run!

Why Did I Buy This Pack?: Face it buddy I'm gonna buy them all, just like Pokemon. I like Cyclops and Jean as characters, although Cyclops seems to be all emo when ever Jean isn't around.

I can understand the loss of a spouse/girlfriend, But he was emo in X-3, Wolverine and the X-men and now in the X-Men anime.
But I like that he's the team leader (some nerds were arguing that he was always the leader of the X-Men, but until Xavier left he was always team leader, which is different).

Jean has no other character development other than dying, or not since technically this isn't a figure of Jean, but of the Phoenix Force.

To put it bluntly I got this pack because I'm a huge X-Men fan, it's what got me into comics.

Where Did I But This?: Target $14.99. Target is the best place to get Marvel Universe figures. Most places have them for 9.99, not Tarje! $7.99! I got this back in December when I started getting into Marvel Universe.

Face Sculpt:
Cyclops: I like the big strong chin on this figure and the stern expression Slim isn't known for being a fun guy so the face says a lot about him. One of the things to look out for is the paint on the visor, it can get weird sometimes.

Dark Phoenix: I have 2 of these packs and I opened the one that had the most regular looking Phoenix. Incredibly the hairpiece on the other figure is kinda low, so she doesn't have the forehead this one has. And that's kinda curious. It makes me want to be in the factory and see how there are assembled. But Jean has a decent female face. She reminds me of Alice from the Honeymooners.

Articulation:
Cyclops: Cyclops has a decent amount of joints and here the peg hips work well. I like ball jointed hips. The only problem I have with peg hips is sometimes they tend to be stuck more than ball hips do.

Dark Phoenix: This is the average female body, there is nothing new in terms of articulation about this figure. If you've seen one you've seen them all. I also can't say that I would like to see an improvement in the articulation. it's got it where it counts.

Accessories: I would count the "Optic Blast" hand and the Comic book (Uncanny X-Men #136) as the accessories. LOL. These come with nothing, not even stands. I'm sure this is a cost cutting measure. If you look at guys that do come with accessories it's usually part of who they are. (Well except for Doctor Doom)

Final Verdict: Marvel Universe is an awesome line. If you are a fan of this era of the X-Men it's very easy to pick up a Sunfire, an X-Men Origins:Wolverine Colossus, Kitty Pryde, and Nightcrawler. (You can pick up Storm with the mohawk, Cyke did wear this costume when they fought for leadership of the X-Men) And you're complete.

But Hasbro already knew this already and they put most of them into a box set.

So pick it up if you're a fan.

Should You Buy This?: No. (What?! You love this line.) If you're not a completest of a fan of the Dark Phoenix, I would recommend you save your pennies for the upcoming box set. You won't get any extras there either. But at least you'll have a team.

You might ask yourself. "Didn't you say you had 2 of these?" And that's because I'm giving Jean away to my current girl. So you'll be seeing Cyclops around a lot. Since I have an extra one. he'll be doing size comparisons and all that.

Let me know what you guys think.
"Yea, I'm getting this!"
or
"I say thee nay! I'm not getting this!"

Captain America Wave 1 Review

2011-05-07T02:53:00.002-04:00

Blog kastors Korner has recently reviewed the first wave of Cap Figures. Give it a look see!
Wave One
International Patriots

Galactus is Coming!

2011-05-07T00:36:00.000-04:00

Ethos! Lucen! Ethos! Dominus!

Toy Topic: Is Mattel Out To Get Me?

2011-05-04T04:22:00.000-04:00

In my "Things That Toy Buyers Do That I Hate" article, I briefly touched on "Getting Matteled" in my point about convention exclusives

I don't know why it is, but I don't like Mattel as a toy company. My gut reaction is one of negativity. I don't know, maybe it's all the bad things that I've heard about there online store and breakage of toys.

Granted, Hasbro has it's share of problems when it comes to paint applications and stiff joints. But I've also heard that Mattel has problems with it's distribution.

It's not that I've never purchased a product form them. I was collecting the DC Super Hero figures way back, and the last one I got was Clayface. I also picked up The Flash, Power Girl and Blue Devil a few months ago.

One of the reasons I did this was because of their low price. I know that when Marvel Legends returns next year we'll be seeing the figures go for about the same price as the DC Universe figures do (unless you get them from Hasbro Toy Shop), but I find it ludicrous that 6 inch figures cost nearly 20 dollars or more (I'm looking at you Ghostbusters!)

So price is one issue I have with them. I guess the other would be execution?

The DC Infinite Heroes come to mind. I can readily pick up some of these figures for cheap. But here price is not the issue. It's the way the toys were built.

I'm a fan of articulation. I think the most articulated figure in my collection is the 15 inch Spider-man from Spider-Man 2 with 67 points of articulation. You don't need the articulation, but just having it is good enough.

These Infinite Heroes lacked articulation. Sometimes it was knees, sometimes it was elbows and sometimes it was hip joints. I guess the world agreed with me and these guys started showing up on clearance.

I don't get it! Mattel is the number one toy maker in the states. Their product comes out to be inferior to Hasbro's. You can accuse me of being a hasbro fanboy, but I only have an allegiance to great product. And Mattel hasn't delivered.

Another issue is their online exclusives. Which it's not their fault that the company who runs their store sucks. If you have an employee who isn't doing their job right you let him go. For Mattel this is a non issue.

I'm upset at the fact that they have exclusives on their store and how difficult it is to buy them when their web site's on the fritz. Hasbro does this also, but the only problem you get is the item being out of stock.

Maybe it's just me. But Mattel has a bad rep in my eyes. I'm not saying boycott the companies products. I'm just saying that I'm iffy on investing any money into any of their products. Unless the reward is greater than the risk.

There have been Q and A's with the staff about problems and the like. I realize that they can't control the whole process. But I do know that they can make it right. There is a crack in the chain somewhere.

So let me know what you think. Am I right? What has been your experience with Mattel, their products and their website. Is Hasbro or Bandai better? Mcfarlane perhaps?

The All-New Marvel Store!

2011-05-04T02:53:00.000-04:00

Click the link of the post for the website. It's about time Marvel started selling their own stuff. They don't have much but theose Secret Wars Comic Packs sure look tempting. Shipping to my location is about $4.95 which is decent. Don't know if they would charge me tax.

Check it out! There might be something you want. Hint, hint...

Toy Topic: Stuff Toy Buyers do That I hate

2011-05-01T02:33:00.010-04:00

After being semi accused of being a scalper, or whatever that was. I started to think of the things that I associate with scalpers.

And I realized it's not the fact that they get to the merchandise before me. Or that they take all the good figures. Like I said, you got to play to win. No one wants second place. Like the great Sean Connery said..

It's the messed up stuff that they do to the rest of us. I already talked about toy returns and swapping merchandise but in this post I guess I will compile it all together. "Ok here we go. Kamen Rider Agito!"

Unnecessary Toy Returns: After you read the above link about toy returns I'm gonna add an addendum here. The thing that bugs me about returns is when it's done unnecessarily. I believe when you buy a product it's for keeps. Unless something happens to it. I don't like the idea that people buy something to return it when they find it for a better price. It can be done. But I don't like when people do it. Especially when you are returning a bunch of peg warmers. At least return something that will sell. Also this will mark you in a bad way with the employees. (Uh oh here comes Returny Returnerson) and eventually they will catch on to your tricks.
Toy Swapping: I already talked about this. There is a link above. This is stealing plain and simple. A deranged toy collector can try to justify this as "sticking it to the man" or "it's not really stealing because nothing is missing." The fact of the matter is that any person who knows better will never buy it. Some poor sucker who doesn't will. And if it doesn't sell it will be marked as DDR (Destroyed Damaged Returned) So no one wins.
Make A Mess: I can understand that on big holidays the store is a mess, between the kids and the abnormal amount of customers stuff will get messy. But when your the first guy in the store and you start making a mess of the Hot Wheels. I won't like you, and neither will the employees.
Harass Employees: As a former stock boy, I understand that the purpose of the store is to sell. But if you don't see something on the pegs, and you ask me to get something and for whatever reason I tell you there aren't anymore. Don't harass me. Just like you can't force a girl who doesn't want to kiss you to kiss you. You can't make a stock boy get more stuff from the back, just because you believe he's lazy or you're at Wal*Mart. Like they say "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." So be nice, and the next time they will gladly help you out. The customer isn't always right, the store just wants you to think you are.
Overprice Regular Toys at Conventions: I've talked about this in my Toy scalper post. But the fact is as a New Yorker I can eventually find what I want for a good price. But if you are in a small town and you go to a convention chances are you will have to fork over 30 dollars for that clear Vision. Toy stores have the advantage that they can clear out a store of all their "rare" and "variant" figures. So that upsets me. The funny thing is when you see a peg warmer going for ridiculous prices. (Extremis Iron man I'm looking at you!)
Hide Items in other parts of the Store: Look, if you can't buy something now don't think that hiding something in the other isle or another section is gonna keep it secure long enough for you to come back later and buy it. Every night stores get their isle fixed, and things that are out of place get put back where they belong. All you're doing is denying that child the toy you're hiding. (Or that scalper.)
Take all The Variants and Chase Figures and the 1 per case figures: If you get there first you win! And I'm OK with that. But if you are looking at the bottom section of the Marvel Legends wall, don't get in my way when I go for the top. Or if we both co-operate to get the stock guy to bring more toys down, you know I want some variants or rare figures. Don't take them all and leave me with the rest.
Take Toys out of a Crying Baby's Hands: I've heard horror stories about this one. It's rare to see kids in a store early with their parents. But I've seen it. Especially at the Times Square Toys R Us. Kids don't have the disposable income that we as adults have. So if you see a kid hovering around some rare figs. Wait till he leaves, so you can do your "collector thing."
Sell Items to people at the same venue after they've bought it: This would only be a convention thing and it's new to me. I haven't seen it yet because at the conventions I went to I was into Gundam at the time. And trust me when it comes to variant and rare in the Gundam community it's fairly easy. And it consists mostly of metallic versions, cleat versions and repaints. You can read one toy review site's plight here and here. Companies have to be more organized with their exclusives.

I'm sure we have seen or done some of these things to an extent. I've heard that tiny car collectors are the worse, or the "Hot Wheels Guys." Due to the inexpensive nature of the cars, they're easy to collect.

"See no evil , hear no evil" I don't care what you do as a toy collector. As long as I don't know about it. I'm sure as I type this some collector is returning a peg warmer he got cheap to a store and getting the full price. But these are the things that toy buyers do that I don't like. And what comes to mind when I call someone a "scalper." Don't be that dude.

New Stuff For "The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes" Cartoon

2011-05-01T01:26:00.001-04:00

While watching the special features on the Avengers DVD's they announced new looks and new characters for the series, which is awesome!

I like the series and the way they tackle stories for the Marvel Universe. The Ultimates line of comics did the same thing, but somehow they got it wrong. These guys got it right.

Modern Look For Thor

Ultimates Look for Captain America

Hulk gets strechy pants (It's for fun.)

Ms. Marvel

The Vision

Nick Fury goes all Samuel L. Jackson

Guardians of The Galaxy (look it's my girl Phyla!)

New And Returning Heroes

Dr. Doom

Contrary to what I thought, the last episodes of Season 1 are not mentioned as Season 2. So sometime in the future Disney has to show those episodes. Unless they never going to air in the states.