Monday, March 18, 2024

Action Figure Review: King Grayskull from Masters of the Universe Origins by Mattel

 

   Today I'm taking a look at the Masters of the Universe Origins King Grayskull, an early backer bonus figure included with the Mattel Creations Eternia playset if you ordered it between October 12th and October 19th of 2022. Since I backed Eternia pretty early on, I was able to add this version of King Grayskull based on the Masters of the Universe: Revelation animated series to my collection. Interestingly, he arrived separately from my Eternia, showing up a week or so before I received the actual Eternia playset. So, yes, I do have Eternia, but it's so huge I'm not sure if I'm going to get around to reviewing it. Maybe at some point. For right now I'm having to figure out how to rearrange my Masters of the Universe museum room to display both the vintage and modern Eternias. The Origins Eternia is truly as large as the original playset and is definitely a very high quality product, though it still adheres to the aesthetics and design of the Origins line and knows that it's a toy first and foremost. King Grayskull is really getting to be a pretty hot item, though, and since their are fewer figures of him than there were Eternias produced, he's definitely got some rarity helping to build his hype. Ready to check out the Origins version of King Grayskull (who comes complete on a collector friendly Powers of Grayskull backer card)? Then join me after the break...

Friday, March 15, 2024

Action Figure Review: Shredder from Turtles of Grayskull by Mattel

 

   
   How about we check out the final figure from the second series of Mattel's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Masters of the Universe crossover? Today I'm taking a look at Shredder, the Evil Master of Ninjutsu! I have to admit that for some reason I find the Shredder to be a very exciting figure in this line. I think it's because the Turtles of Grayskull Shredder manages to both be a good version of the Shredder by himself and manages to capture a nice blending of TMNT and MOTU aesthetics. He just fits in here very well. Mark Taylor also designed most of the early figures in both lines, so that's an interesting connection that these properties have, too. So many of the TMNT mixed with other properties really feel forced (Stranger Things?) but TMNT and MOTU feel like an organic mix. Let's take a look at Shredder after the break...

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Minifigure Review: Killer Croc from DC Comics- Batman Tiny Mights by CultureFly

 

   I'm still slowly making my way through some of CultureFly's DC Comics-Batman Tiny Mights and today's miniature star is Killer Croc. Croc's usually a big boy and while he's a decent sized minifigure, he's smaller than any other Killer Croc toy that I own. These guys are so M.U.S.C.L.E.-like that it's near impossible to resists them, and Waylon Jones really captures the feel of that classic toyline. A wrestling crocodile man? He works great as a DC Comics mini, a M.U.S.C.L.E. wrestler, or even a Monster in My Pocket piece. I ended up with five different versions of him in the set I ordered from CultureFly, including the green glitter and glow-in-the-dark variants. Ready to check out Killer Croc? Then join me after the break...


Monday, March 11, 2024

Action Figure Review: Nightwing (Batman: Knightfall) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 


   I'd been looking for the Knightfall version of Nightwing for around a month, so I was quite glad when I found him at a Gamestop while out and about the weekend before last. With my Pro membership discount, my monthly $5 bonus, and my bonus points, I got him for far less than the $19.99 standard price. Knightfall is definitely one of my favorite Batman stories of all time, possibly my very favorite, and I'm really enjoying how McFarlane is filling out the roster little by little. Yes, I'd like them to move faster, sure, but they're at least putting out figures somewhat consistently. This outfit first appeared in 1992 as an upgrade/ replacement for the classic "Disco Suit" look, so it was Dick Grayson's new look right when Vengeance of Bane, Sword of Azrael, and Prelude to Knightfall were all beginning. Ultimately, it only lasted around three years, so it's definitely tied in with the Knightfall era of the early to mid 1990s. McFarlane Toys has made quite a few figures of Dick in various Nightwing outfits, so it's clear he must be a brisk seller on the shelves. Interestingly, this one shares a body not with any of those previous figures but with the classic version of Ted Kord as the Blue Beetle. How'd that turn out? Well, not as well as I'd hoped. Let's take a look at the Knightfall version of Nightwing after the break...




Thursday, March 7, 2024

Action Figure Review: Ray Stantz & Jail Jaw Ghost from Ghostbusters Kenner Classics by Hasbro

 

   The Fright Features versions of the Ghostbusters from Hasbro's Ghostbusters Kenner Classics line seem to be pretty well distributed at Target as I've seen all four figures multiple times at various locations. I believe they're exclusive to Target until late spring, then they should be making their way to other retailers and e-tailers. Today I'm looking at Ray Stantz, the heart of the Ghostbusters, and his companion Jail Jaw ghost. I found Ray and Peter Venkman at the same time back in early February and quickly picked them up (I have all four of the Ghostbusters now, but I'm making my way through them a bit slowly). I really think Ray might have been the first of the vintage Fright Features figures I had. I had them all but I see, remember getting Ray first, Peter and Egon together, and then finding Winston, who seemed to be more difficult to find. Considering these guys came out in very late 1987 and early 1988 when I would have only been four, my recollection might be a bit fuzzy, but I don't think I'm too far off. Let's check out the Fright Features Ray Stantz & Jail Jaw Ghost after the break...


Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Action Figure Review: Raphael from Turtles of Grayskull by Mattel

 


   I've reviewed a few Turtles of Grayskull figures so far but I've yet to review any of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles themselves, so let's change that today by looking at Raphael, the Hard-Headed Sai Specialist. Raph has been my favorite turtle for as long as I can remember and I'm glad he's the first one I managed to get from this series. While the turtles themselves are pretty standard, they have each adopted the look of various Eternian heroes. Donatello is wearing Man-At-Arms inspired armor, both Leo and Mikey have He-Man inspired gear (Mikey even looks to have a blonde wig), and Raph is sporting armor similar to Ram Man's classic gear. That's a great fit since Raph is a bruiser and a hot head who prefers to charge straight into a fight. Let's take a look at the Turtles of Grayskull Raphael after the break...



Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Action Figure Review: Blowback (Sniper DLX) from Action Force by Valaverse

 


   I've been very excited for the deluxe ghillie suit clad version of Blowback from Valaverse's Action Force and, since I've had him for a little over a month, it's time I go ahead and review him. A standard version of Blowback was released back at the end of 2022, but I skipped him. Some of the basic Action Force figures, especially the guys, look to plain to me and come off as a bit generic. This version of Blowback is pretty unqiue and I knew he'd be a figure I just had to have. Ready to check out Blowback dressed up for some sniping? Then join me after the break...