Action Figure Review: Chris Jericho from WWE: Then, Now, Forever by Mattel

  Early last week I had to go to the dentist, which really sucked, but I did end up having some time early in the morning to run around and hit up some stores in a nearby town and boy did I have one heck of a toy run. The first thing I picked up while out and about is a figure from a recent Wal-Mart exclusive series from Mattel's WWE line called "Then, Now, Forever" (I actually picked up the DC Multiverse Aquaman that same day, but it was after I snagged Jericho). These are essentially "basic" WWE figures but they've turned out pretty nice. Plus, it's been a few years since there was a modern, Elite Chris Jericho and since he's been a pretty big presence over the last few months I decided to grab him. Plus, I'm totally digging the Highlight Reel accessory as it's been a major plot point again over the past few weeks during his feud with Dean Ambrose. Maybe we'll get a jacketed Dean Ambrose next year with an "Ambrose Asylum" sign and a Mitch accessory! How cool would that be? Anyways, let's take a look at this new figure of Chris Jericho shall we? Join me after the break ("the walls down")!

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

   Aquaman is not lame. You're lame if you think that. I love Aquaman and I get so tired of people bashing the character because of a few jokes that shows like The Big Bang Theory and Family Guy has made. If you didn't read the early issues of the New 52 Aquaman, you really should; it nicely addresses the issue of people misunderstanding Aquaman's powers and shows his true strength. Anyways, rant over and on to talking about this figure! Aquaman is included as part of the Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice subset of Mattel's new DC Comics Multiverse line which is pretty impressive for a character who appears on one of the posters for the film and yet only appears in the film for like 7 flipping seconds. Jason Momoa looks awesome in this role and I love the redesign but I really thought Aquaman might have a larger part in the film. Maybe they relied on him heavily in the posters and merchandising because they know that people love them some Khal Drogo and Warner Bros. wanted to get in on some of that sweet Game of Thrones money? Who knows? Still, while his appearance in the film is limited that doesn't really detract from my desire to own this figure. I've been looking for it for awhile and I managed to track him down earlier this week. I don't know how many Aquamen come to a case but if it's like any character in this line other than Batman, the answer is probably only one. Ready to go a little... deeper? Read this review and you'll think you're looking at Aquaman!

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

 I was very surprised last week to walk into the Toys 'R Us closest to my home and find the new Toys 'R Us exclusive Unmasked Batman from Mattel's DC Comics Multiverse: Batman v. Superman line. If you're trying to find any figures other than the basic Batman and the Armored Batman, you're going to have a tough time thus far. This guy was right there, though, so I picked him up. This is a pretty cool idea for an exclusive as it's actually rather rare to have an unmasked Batman figure in any toyline. I mean, Ben Affleck's portrayal of an over the edge Bruce Wayne was definitely one of the high points of the film, so it's nice to acknowledge him in some way (of course, as you'll see, this figure doesn't exactly look like Affleck). Want to take a closer look at an unmasked figure of the Caped Crusader based on Ben Affleck's portrayal? Then join me after the break...

More May the Fourth Be With You Madness!

Here's another picture of my Star Wars collection I took at some point. This is another one from early 1996. If you have an eagle eye (like me) you can see that the figures shown only go up to the second series of Power of the Force II figures as the TIE Fighter Pilot, Yoda, Han Solo in Hoth Gear, and Dagobah Training Fatigues Luke are absent. There are also some more vintage figures that I acquired at a local flea market, a BP Station that sold collectible figures, and through an online retailer (the first time I ever discovered you could order toys online or through the mail!).

Take notice of the couch in the background, too! This couch was the "family room" couch for many years when I was growing up and it is incredible! Later it got moved into my room (well, the love seat did- I can't remember where the couch was stores for a couple of years) and then my wife and I took it to our first apartment in 2005 when we were married. It was our couch until my wife decided it needed to be replaced, so I moved it into our spare bedroom. When that became my little one's nursery in 2013 it moved down into our new spare bedroom. It's still there and to this day it strikes me as a comfortable, beautiful piece of furniture.

Happy May the Fourth be with you! BTW, if you ever want me to do couch reviews, I'll do them!

May the 4th Be With You!

Happy May the 4th and May the Fourth Be With You! I didn't really prepare anything new for today but I did want to share a couple cool Star Wars things I've worked on in the past, most significantly this article I wrote back in 2013 about my first Star Wars toys. Check it out and have a great Star Wars Day!

(BTW, that nerdy looking kid in the picture above? That's your old pal Barbecue17 circa 1996 with my then very humble Star Wars collection.

Action Figure Review: Alicia Fox (Series 47) from WWE by Mattel

Alicia Fox has been with WWE since 2008 and this former Divas champion has had a few figures based on her likeness during her time with the company. Within the past year she joined in the Diva's Revolution as part of Team Bella and participated alongside Nikki and Bella. Things have been pretty quiet for Alicia Fox lately (honestly while the women's division has some incredible talent right now they have a tough time ever finding stuff to do for more than a handful of performers) but I found this figure on Amazon for retail price and decided to jump add to her to me display alongside Nikki and Brie to recreate Team Bella. She's currently part of team Total Divas and has had a handful of matches here and there. Of course, pick up this figure and you can put her in whatever matches you want? Ready for a closer look at Alicia Fox? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Sasha Banks from WWE by Mattel

Today I'm checking out another figure from Mattel's WWE basic line: Sasha Banks! Sasha Banks has been hanging out in NXT since the end of 2012 but she finally made her WWE debut last summer as part of the Divas Revolution where she certainly began to make a mark as part of Team B.A.D.. This is the first Sasha Banks figure Mattel has released and I was amazed that I managed to find her at my local Wal-Mart a week or so ago! That place has been sitting on at least eight pegs filled with nothing but Elite 32 Daniel Bryans and Elite 34 Bad News Barrettss so getting anything new in is a pretty big deal. Ready to take a break from watching RAW to check out this Legit Boss in her action figuere debut? Then join me after the break...