Friday, April 29, 2016

Action Figure Review: Renee Young from WWE by Mattel

 I've always loved toylines that release action figures of side or supporting characters. Yeah, you almost always get the main hero and antagonist, but how cool is it when a character who helps to make your toy universe seem more alive? Maybe they're not part of the action but their presence really helps to make a toyline feel complete. Renee Young is one of those figures. She's my second favorite commentator/interviewer for WWE right now (only behind Mauro Ranallo because that dude sells every freaking match he commentates) and I was thrilled to find out that Mattel was releasing a Renee Young action figure. As soon as I could track one down I ordered her. Well, let's let today's review be a bit of a lesson on why you shouldn't buy an action figure sight unseen. More details on this new WWE basic figure after the break...

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

A New Batgirl Review: Batgirl (Kresge Style Card) from World's Greatest Heroes by Figures Toy Co.

   Today's review is going to be similar to my last World's Greatest Heroes! Batgirl figure review in that I'm not even opening the figure. I own the standard version of this figure and I've reviewed the First Appearance Batgirl on here, so today I'm mainly looking at the packaging for this figure Fortunately, the packaging is pretty interesting in that it not only mimics a Mego vintage style but even mimics a vintage style of Mego retailer exclusive packaging. This style of card is referred to as a Kresge style card. Ever heard of a Kresge store? I have, although the only reason is that my father was a manager for Kresge stores during the 1970s and I've heard him talk about them over the years (they essentially morphed into K-Mart, BTW). Since I've talked about this particular figure in a number of different reviews, today I'm just going to briefly talk about the packaging while leaving the rest of the space in this review to let my father talk about Kresge stores and his experiences there, particularly in regards to stocking and ordering toys. Ready for something a bit different today that might give you a bit of insight into the history of toy buying? Then join me after the break...

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Happy Aliens Day! Better Late Than Never!

Happy Aliens Day! I didn't get a chance to put anything together today for Aliens Day but I did compile a few of the Alien themed reviews I've written over the past few years. Check them out!

Alien ReAction by Funko
Alien (with Metallic Flesh)
Kane (with Chestburster)

Aliens by NECA
Corporal Dwayne Hicks
Private William Hudson
Sergeant Craig Windrix
Xenomorph Warrior

Aliens/ Predator by Kenner
Alien versus Predator 2 pack
Series 1 Space Marines and the Power Loader
Series 1 Xenomorphs



Action Figure Review: Finn Balor from WWE Elite by Mattel

 I'm a WWE fan and I think Mattel is releasing some incredible action figures in their Elite series but, let's be honest, often the figures are just different men and women in different trunks and boots. There just aren't as many "gimmick" wrestlers as there used to be. Enter Finn Balor, AKA the Demon. Finn is an Irish wrestler who is currently part of WWE's NXT. Balor is an incredibly talented wrestler and has some amazing entrances when he shows up wearing his demon themed body paint and entrance attire. Finn Balor here is a figure that might just grab your attention even if you don't have much appreciation for sports entertainment due to his incredible paintwork and unique appearance. Ready for a closer look at Finn Balor, part of Mattel's WWE Elite series 41? Then join me after the break...

Monday, April 25, 2016

Action Figure Review: Undertaker from WWE Elite: Wrestlemania by Mattel

  I've been collecting WWE figures for a few years now but I haven't yet picked up an Undertaker action figure. The Undertaker is an insanely classic wrestler and probably one of the few wrestlers that even a non-wrestling fan with any cultural awareness can recognize. Mattel likes to release Undertaker figures pretty often and the figure I'm looking at today is from the new WWE Elite subset that's simply called "Wrestlemania." He's based on the Undertaker's match at Wrestlemania 31 against Bray Wyatt where the two horror themed superstars battled it out. It's pretty cool that this guy is match specific and based on a pretty recent event as well. Ready for a quick look at the Deadman himself? Then join me after the break...

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Action Figure Review: Lana from WWE by Mattel

 Lana actually made her in-ring debut at WrestleMania 32 a few weeks ago, so we'll see how that turns out. A year or two ago, Lana and Rusev had one of my favorite story lines in WWE. The bizarre Lana and Dolph Ziggler storyline from last summer just got really strange, though, and now that Rusev's part of the League of Nations I find him less interesting, too. That's a shame and I'm hoping things turn around for them. Anyways, this version of Lana was released in the basic series at the end of 2015 but, like most other basic female figures, she has the same level of articulation as the Elite releases. Lana was originally released in a battle pack with Rusev in a red dress so this is just a simple repaint but if you didn't want to get saddled with a spare basic Rusev, this is the way to go. Unfortunately, while I was looking forward to Lana, this just isn't that great of a figure. Read on and find out why it might be best to leave her on the shelf after the break...

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Action Figure Review: Batman (Last Rites) from DC Comics Icons by DC Collectibles

  DC Collectible's new DC Comics Icons line actually came out near the end of 2015, but I'll be honest and just admit that I was suspicious of it. It's a new line from DC Collectibles that didn't initially feature any Batman related characters other than Bats himself, it was the start of a new true 6 inch scale for DC Collectibles, and it featured more comprehensive articulation which had me a bit nervous. After seeing so many good reviews of this series, however, and hearing about the cool things DCC has in store for this line, I decided to bite by picking up a Batman figure. Let me say that I'm impressed based on Batman's appearance in the Last Rites storyline after Final Crisis, you may (or may not) be surprised to know that this is not Bruce Wayne! It's Dick Grayson! Thinking about it more, that's a pretty cool action figure first as far as I can remember off the top of my very tired brain. While this guy has been out for awhile, it's never the wrong time for a Batman review is it? Join me after the break...

Friday, April 22, 2016

Action Figure Review: John Cena (Series 40) from WWE Elite by Mattel

 Well, I finally bought a John Cena figure. Admittedly I'm not a big Cena fan and I tend to cheer against him, but like him or hate him you have to admit that the guy puts on some awesome matches, has some mad mike skills, and genuinely seems like a pretty cool guy. Of course, the kiddos love him and thus Mattel has pretty much flooded the basic line with John Cena figures (they've been a bit more restrained in the Elite line) so it takes something special to make a Cena figure stand out. For me, the presence of the awesome United States Championship was the carrot that caused me to seek this figure out. It didn't hurt that I found him on an Amazon warehouse sale, either. Ready to take a look at the face that runs this place? Then join me after the break...

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Action Figure Review: Ryback (Series 41) from WWE Elite by Mattel

 Hungry for some more WWE review? Then let's take a look at Mattel's newest Elite version of Ryback from WWE Elite series 41. This is my first Ryback figure and he's sporting the Big Guy's colorful duds from Wrestlemania XXXI when he competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. He didn't win, though, but he did get somewhat of a push last year when he won the Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber and held it for 112 days until Kevin Owens defeated him at Night of Champions 2015. Sometimes I really like Ryback and sometimes he kind of leaves me cold. He's a solid mid-carder, I guess. Anyways, let's take a closer look at this figure, shall we? Join me after the break...

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Action Figure Review: Dean Ambrose (Series 41) from WWE Elite by Mattel

   6 months ago in my review of the WWE Elite series 36 Dean Ambrose figure I said that Dean Ambrose was without a doubt one of the most entertaining guys on WWE's roster. That still holds true today! You just can't help but love the out of control wrestler lovingly referred to as the lunatic fringe. Whether he's (literally) stealing WWE titles, driving vehicles into the arena, or passing out flyers for his new talk show, "The Ambrose Asylum," during a match, Ambrose is always bringing something crazy to the shows he's a part of. Today I'm looking at the most recent Dean Ambrose figure from series 41 of Mattel's Elite line of figures which features Ambrose in his ring attire from the May 25th, 2015 episode of WWE Raw when he drove a NYPD police vehicle into the arena to join Roman Reigns in a fight against Seth Rollins, Kane, and J&J Security. Let's turn up the music and charge into the ring, shall we? Join me after the break...


Tuesday, April 19, 2016

A New Batgirl Review: Batgirl #3 (GameStop Exclusive) from POP! Heroes by Funko

  Today I'm taking a brief look at an exclusive Funko POP! that was released last year as a GameStop Black Friday exclusive: Batgirl! Last year for Black Friday 2015, GameStop and Funko partnered together and released some mystery boxes that included an exclusive POP!, 2 ReAction figures, a POP! keychain, and two POP! pins for $20. It was a heck of a deal but you certainly didn't know what you'd end up with. I opted to only buy one box last year and ended up with a Gold Superman that's still sitting around (if you want to trade for a Gold Batgirl, let me know!). I finally snagged this version of Babs from an online auction and removed her from her box briefly to snap a few pics and log my thoughts. I have the original Batgirl POP! from a few years back and, since she has become so rare,it was cool to see Funko rerelease the sculpt. Ready for a closer look? Then join me after the break...

Monday, April 18, 2016

Action Figure Review: Justice Buster from DC Comics Multiverse by Mattel

 Looking back at Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's incredible 50 issue run on Batman, I think we've seen one of the strongest, most consistent Batman runs ever. I mean, Batman has typically always been a pretty strong title but Snyder and Capullo really elevated things to the next level. Someday in the future, I feel like this will be the run that future films, video games, and other comics will pay homage to. Not only did Snyder and Capullo tell some great Batman stories but they also introduced some cool new hardware into Batman's arsenal. Today I'm looking at Mattel's interpretation of one of those new pieces of Bat-gear from their new DC Comics Multiverse series: The Justice Buster! Appearing in the "Endgame" storyline, the Justice Buster is a suit of armor which Batman uses to counter a "Joker-ized" Justice League. It's like the Hulk Buster, but more versatile. The Justice Buster is the "Collect & Connect" figure from the first standard Multiverse series and you'll need to purchase six figures to assemble it: The Arrow, Earth 23 Superman, the Flash, Reverse Flash, Endgame Joker, and Zero Year Batman. I picked up all of those figures except for the Flash (I just ordered his part online) simply because I really wanted a Justice Buster. Since DC is getting ready to start Rebirth, who knows if we'll see any toys from the New 52 for awhile other than stuff already announced? Also, I was jonesing to complete a build-a-figure again since the last one I completed was in 2013! Ready for a closer look at the Justice Buster? Then join me after the break...

Sunday, April 17, 2016

A New Batgirl Review: Batgirl (Red Card Variant) from World's Greatest Heroes by Figures Toy Co.

 Today I'm not really doing a review as I don't plan on removing this figure from the package. Instead, consider this more of a "show & tell" of a cool Batgirl piece that I've recently added to my Batgirl collection. It's a variant version of Figures Toy Company's Batgirl from their World's Greatest Heroes line that is packaged on a red backer card. It's a limited edition of only 100 and is sold exclusively through Big K Toyz. I already owned the standard version of this figure but the limited run on this intrigued me. Ready for a closer look at another fun Mego styled offering from Figures Toy Company? Then join me after the break...

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Action Figure Revew: Silk Spectre II from Watchmen by Mattel

  We're now at the last figure I'm reviewing from Mattel's Watchmen series: Silk Spectre II, AKA Laurie Juspeczyk. The daughter of the original Silk Spectre, Sally Jupiter, Laurie has taken on the mantle from her mother and is thus a legacy character (similar to Nite Owl). Since this is the 6th and final figure from this series I'm going to make some statements about the overall line. This line was released in 2013 and thus is about 3 years old now, as is the tie-in series it was released along side of: Before Watchmen. I haven't actually read Before Watchemen yet but I'll probably be doing so in the next few months as just rereading Watchmen and picking up these figures has piqued my curiosity. Still, I think it's clear that neither Before Watchmen nor this series of action figures lit the world on fire upon their release. For this line, I feel that the reason it didn't excel was the reason a number of MattyCollector properties such as Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, and the DC Universe Signature Collection have failed: Matty's tendency is to over promise and under deliver. Rather than just making solid figures or striving to make incredible figures, Mattel makes average to solid figures and then bills them as high quality collectors items. Considering the incredible packaging and marketing, the Watchmen figures just couldn't cover the checks that MattyCollector's marketing department tried to write. Today's review of Silk Spectre II is the perfect example of Mattel's handling of these lines: A mixture of good, bad, strange, and lazy. Let's take a closer look at her, shall we?

Friday, April 15, 2016

Action Figure Review: Superman from DC Comics Multiverse: Batman v. Superman by Mattel

 I'm not usually that big of a Superman fan. I mean, I have no ill will towards the guy and certainly respect his iconic status while appreciating the Christopher Reeve films, but I'm rarely going to pick up a Superman action figure or collectible. Prior to the last week or two the only Superman figure I've purchased in years was probably one from DC Universe Classics. Heck, something from DCUC or DC Superheroes was probably the first Superman I ever owned, too. I've bought two Superman figures in the past week though: The Earth 23 Superman (which I reviewed yesterday) and this Henry Cavill Superman from Mattel's Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice subset of their DC Comics Multiverse line. What's crazy to me is that Superman is actually difficult to find in Mattel Batman v. Superman line. I saw a couple Supermans back in January when I purchased my Armored Batman figure and haven't seen any since just this past week or two. And Wonder Woman? Forget about it! Mattel is all Batman, all the time, baby. Anyways, I enjoyed BvS:DoJ (check out the 3 1/2 hour podcast I discussed this film on) and decided that I definitely wanted to add this version of Supes to my collection. Ready for a closer look at this figure? Then join me after the break...

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Action Figure Review: Earth 23 Superman from DC Comics Multiverse by Mattel

 "It's a bird! It's a plane! It's...President Superman!" As part of the first full series in the DC Comics Multiverse line from Mattel we've received a Batman and Joker, two prominent heroes and a major villain from DC television shows, and one character that's definitely a bit more obscure: Earth 23 Superman! Yes, Calvin Ellis (Kryptonian name Kalel) is Superman on Earth 23. He's also the President of the United States. Originally appearing in issue #7 of Final Crisis, everyone just assumed that he was President Barack Obama (an according to writer Grant Morrison, he was) but he's made one new 52 appearance in Action Comics as well where more of his information, including his name, was revealed. While he's not a very prominent character, he's definitely an interesting choice for a figure and I'm glad that Mattel at least added one new character to the DC Universe with this series of figures. I found him in a brand new case of wave 2 figures a week or two ago which prompted me to pick everyone up so that I could build the Justice Buster. Ready for a closer look at this new DCUC styled figure? Then join me after the break...

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Action Figure Review: Reverse Flash (The Flash TV Series) from DC Comics Multiverse by Mattel

This intro is going to follow many of the same beats as yesterday's review of the Arrow: I'm a terrible TV watcher and so far as the new DC shows go, I've watched about 4 episodes of Arrow and 3 episodes of Gotham. I just have a hard time getting myself to sit down and watch TV even though I want to keep up with all of those shows. I am, however, a fan of most DC action figures and I really wanted to build Batman's Justice Buster, the "Collect & Connect" figure from this first series 6 inch of DC Comics Multiverse figures. I was in my local Wal-Mart a week or two ago and I found an unopened case of wave two of this series. I already had picked up the Zero Year Batman figure but I decided to grab Reverse Flash and Earth 23 Superman along with an Arrow that was on the shelf so I could build the Justice Buster. That's the power of build-a-figures, people! They'll make you pick up figures you were on the fence about! Ready for a closer look at the main villain of season one of The Flash, Eobard Thawne, AKA Reverse Flash ? Then join me after the break...

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Action Figure Review: The Arrow (Arrow TV Series) from DC Comics Multiverse by Mattel

 If you listen to any of the podcasts I'm on with ThEpic Review then you can tell I'm also not a great TV watcher. I really just have a hard time committing to a TV series, even if it's on Netflix or Hulu. While I've only watched a few episodes of Arrow my wife has actually kept up with it. And Flash. And Legends of Tomorrow. Honestly, I'm more familiar with Stephen Amell from his WWE appearances during his feud with Stardust last summer. I really wasn't even planning on picking this figure up but I decided that I really wanted to build the Justice Buster "Collect & Connect" figure so I picked up the Arrow a week or two ago when I was at my local Wal-Mart and found the rest of the second wave of series 1 as well as this figure. During the DC Universe Classics days Mattel kept those comic based figures and their Movie Masters figures in two distinct scale and two separate lines. While Mattel seems to still have distinct scales, they have put them together in the same line, and interesting choice to be sure. Want to take a closer look at this figure from the first series of Mattel's DC Comics Multiverse line? Then join me after the break...

Monday, April 11, 2016

Action Figure Review: Harley Quinn from DC Super Hero Girls (6 inch) by Mattel

  I was definitely sold on the Batman related characters in the 6 inch DC Super Hero Girls line from Mattel and while I managed to find Batgirl and Poison Ivy on my first trip to Target last month to hunt for this line, Harley Quinn eluded me. Fortunately, someone found her for me and now I've picked up this great Gotham trip from Mattel's newest DC action figure line. Considering that this line is focused on these characters as young super heroes and students at Super Hero High, I'm really curious as to how Harley Quinn fits in. Is she a villain? Does she cooperate with the heroes in this canon? Is she psychotic? Does she indiscriminately whack people with her giant mallet? Who knows? It's really cool to see that Harley Quinn, a character introduced during my childhood, has become so popular that she can even headline a toyline targeted towards kids. Pretty cool, right? Get a closer look at her after the break...

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Action Figure Review: First Order Snowtrooper from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase III by Hasbro

 Ready for an insanely short review today? Well, that's what you're going to get as I look at the First Order Snowtrooper from The Force Awakens. Want to know why this review is so short. Well, basically Hasbro already released this same figure last year with an extra orange pauldron as the First Order Snowtrooper Officer. It was a Toys R' Us exclusive that was released a few months ahead of this figure. It turns out that all you really need to turn a basic Snowtrooper into an officer is the extra pauldron, so this guy is the same figure some of us already own, just with one fewer accessory. Still, that is accurate to the film so it's tough to knock Hasbro's decision to release both figures even though they're both exactly the same. For a fully detailed review of this figure, check out the older review. To see a few pictures of this version and some thoughts on it, continue on after the break...

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Action Figure Review: Uncle Sam with Doll Man from DC Universe Signature Collection by Mattel

 Last month I completed a trade with someone at The Fwoosh and found myself the proud owner of 12 new figures: All 6 of Mattel's Watchmen figures and 6 figures from the DC Universe Signature Collection series. Today is the last figure I'm reviewing from that trade and it's another odd, semi-mystical character from the DC Universe: Uncle Sam! Well, technically this is a two-pack because Doll Man also gets billing on the package. Whether you want this figure because you're a fan of the DC Comics character or just a big fan of the United States of America and apple pie, Uncle Sam definitely doesn't disappoint! Let's talk more about him after the break...

Friday, April 8, 2016

A New Batgirl Review: Batgirl from Batman: Classic TV Series by Figures Toy Co.

 Series 5 of Figures Toy Co.'s Batman: Classic TV Series line has finally added Batgirl into the line. Remember that the deal for Yvonne Craig's likeness rights was actually handled much later than everyone else, so we're finally seeing companies get product based on her portrayal of Batgirl to market.  Batgirl is part of the fifth series of figures and has just been released alongside Barbara Gordon, Chief O'Hara, and Batman with a removable cowl. I've reviewed quite a few figures and statues based on this particular version of Batgirl over the past month or two so it's interesting to see how they differ from each other. Let's take a closer look at this figure, shall we? Join me after the break...

Thursday, April 7, 2016

A New Batgirl Review: Barbara Gordon (Surf's Up Joker variant) from Batman: Classic TV Series by Figures Toy Co.

 Before every early 90's sitcom did a "beach vacation" or Hawaii themed episode and before Fonzie jumped the shark on Happy Days, Batman had to best the Joker in a surfing competition. As crazy as it sounds, "Surf's Up! Joker's Down" has become one of the most well loved episodes of the classic 1966 Batman TV series and ever since the licensing rights became available for the series various companies have been eager to release product based on it. Figures Toy Company has based an entire series of four figures on the episode and today I'm looking at the one I picked up: Barbara Gordon! Yup, this is essentially just Yvonne Craig in the black swimsuit she wore in the episode, but that's a pretty random variant I don't think anyone ever expected to see, eh? Let's take a closer look after the break...

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

A New Batgirl Review: Barbara Gordon from Batman: Classic TV Series by Figures Toy Co.

  If you've spent any time reading my reviews, you've probably caught on to the fact that I'm a huge Batgirl fan. I guess you should more accurately say, though, that I'm a huge Barbara Gordon fan. I like Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain but I don't collect stuff featuring them unless they're figures I'd pick up as part of my regular DC Universe/ Batman collecting. If it's Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, or Oracle, or just as herself, I'm absolutely going to pick it up, though, which is why I'm beginning a series of reviews based on some Mego style Barbara Gordon/ Batgirl figures from Figures Toy Co. Figures Toy Co. is without a doubt the most prolific company working in this style and scale and their Batman 1966/ Classic TV Series line is really extensive and their fifth series of figures has just introduced Barbara Gordon into the mix. Today I'm looking at the standard Barbara Gordon figure from the line, which is pretty exciting as I really can't recall any other action figure line releasing just a Barbara Gordon figure. The closest would be the DC Secret Files Unmasked Batgirl/ Barbara Gordon from DC Direct that was released a few years back, but it only captured Babs without her cowl, not in her civilian attire. Ready for a closer look at Barbara Gordon? Then join me after the break...

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

A New Batgirl Review: Batgirl (Stewart & Tarr) from DC Comics Designer Series by DC Collectibles

   If there's a character who can claim to be the "winner" of the New 52 era, it might just be Barbara Gordon. Over the past five years in the comics Babs has regained her ability to walk, headlined an excellent book that received it's own successful soft reboot, had at least two well received costume changes, and is now entering the Rebirth era with two titles to her credit (Hope Larson and Rafael Albuquerque's Batgirl and Julie Benson and Shawna Benson's Batgirl and the Birds of Prey). Also consider her inclusions in Arkham Knight and DC Super Hero Girls and the flood of 1966 Batgirl merchandise and you have a character who has truly experienced a renaissance. One of the most interesting points of this era was the redesign and soft reboot for Batgirl that has been dubbed Batgirl of Burnside. Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, and Babs Tarr did something unique with the character during their limited time with the book and it seems that elements of that will follow Barbara into the rebirth era. In the meantime, though, DC Collectibles has released another statue of this particular look under their DC Comics Designer Series banner. Ready for a closer look at this 1/6th scale colorful Batgirl of Burnside? Then join me after the break...

Monday, April 4, 2016

Action Figure Review: Red Snaggletooth #70 from POP! Star Wars by Funko

 * Today I'm looking at the second exclusive POP! figure from the March 2015 Cantina themed Smuggler's Bounty mystery box: Red Snaggletooth. Well, I guess you could debate whether this is the second or the third exclusive as each crate includes either this figure or the rarer variant Blue Snaggletooth. Based on the character released in the vintage Kenner line in 1979 that had two very distinctive variants (short red Snaggletooth and tall blue Snaggletooth) Funko decided to pack these with a ratio of 1 blue Snaggletooth to every 5 cases, making this red version much more common. Ready for a closer look at this Snivvian patron of Chalmun's Cantina? Then join me after the break...

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Action Figure Review: Rorschach from Watchmen by Mattel

 I don't know about you, but this is the guy I've really been waiting to review. Rorschach might be an uncompromising, violent, right wing, unpersonable, mentally ill vigilante, but darn if this guy just isn't one of the most interesting characters in comics ever. Seriously, if you've never read Watchmen you really just need if for no other reason than to read Rorschach's inner-monologue. He's a truly amazing character and the clear favorite of most Watchmen fans. Rorschach was the first figure released in Mattel's Watchmen line back in early 2013 and was kind of used as a litmus test for how well the line might do. Sadly to say, Mattel reported that when Rorschach didn't sell as well as they had hoped the future of the line expanding beyond the basic cast pretty much just fell away. That's sad because I love Watchmen but even with a figure like Rorschach, you can see some of the weaknesses in the line. Let's take a closer look at this guy, shall we? Join me after the break...

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Action Figure Review: Red Hood from DC Universe Signature Collection by Mattel

 I'm just going to throw this out here: Out of all of the folks who have held the title of Robin, Jason Todd is my favorite character. He's without a doubt the most flawed but he's also had the most interesting character arc. It's crazy to think that up until just a few years ago if you wanted an action figure of Jason Todd, your only real choice was to pick up the Batman Returns Marlon Wayans painted white version of Robin that was based on early production work (the background sounded more like Jason Todd's than Dick Graysons') or pick up the Toy Fare exclusive Dick Grayson as Hush figure (who was actually Clayface in disguise). While I can't think of any 6-7 inch Jason Todd as Robin figure, there have been a few figures over the past couple of years from Red Hood and the Outlaws and Arkham Knight. Still, those had not yet been released when announced a Red Hood figure appearing in the second year of the DC Universe Signature Collection Club Infinite Earths, so it's pretty natural to imagine we'd get either Jason Todd in his most recognizable Red Hood garb: Brown leather jacket, body armor, and a form fitting red mask. Well, we got this costume instead. Now that I have a couple of decent Red Hoods on my shelf, I think I can appreciate this more than collectors who purchased this back when it was first released. This outfit appeared for a very brief period of time and was Jason's way of trying to create his own superhero brand to get under Bruce's skin. Ready for a closer look  at another Gotham vigilante? Then join me after the break...

Friday, April 1, 2016

Action Figure Review: Ben Kenobi #99 from POP! Star Wars by Funko

 Today I'm looking at the first of two figures from the most recent Star Wars: Smuggler's Bounty box which featured the theme "The Cantina." I'm not a diehard POP! collector by any means but I do enjoy picking them up every now and then and I absolutely love the mystery box concept. Of course, considering that it's all Star Wars stuff inside I know that either myself, my wife, or my little one will typically have a use for every item. The first of two POP! figures in this month's set is Ben Kenobi #99. Wielding his lightsaber, this POP! represents the Jedi Master during his conflict in Chalmun's Cantina with Ponda Baba and Dr. Evazan. I know there has at least been one other ANH Obi-Wan Kenobi POP! released which featured him with his hood up. This guy is exclusive to the Smuggler's Bounty box, though, so he's going to be a bit rarer. Ready for a look at Master Kenobi? Then join me after the break...