A New Batgirl Review: Batgirl (Signature Series) from Batman: Classic TV Series Maquettes by Tweeterhead

 Just like I said in my review of Diamond Select's Premiere Collection Batgirl, we are receiving quite a few Batgirl statues in a very short period. Within the past twelve months we've received the Diamond Select Yvonne Craig Batgirl, Sideshow's Premiere Format Batgirl, the DC Collectibles Black & White Batgirl and the Designer Series Batgirl (I'll be reviewing her within the next week), and Diamond's Femme Fatales BTAS Batgirl and we've still got some more stuff coming out! Today I'm looking at a new Batgirl product based on Yvonne Craig's portrayal of the character from a company I was relatively unfamiliar with until recently: The Batgirl maquette from Tweeterhead. I preordered the Signature Series version of this item last year and was pleased to find that it arrived in the post just a week or so ago. Unfortunately, due to the passing of Ms. Craig last August, Tweeterhead was unable to deliver on these being actually signed by the real-life dominoed dare doll. Still, Tweeterhead did send along a letter to let customers know and there are some extra cool things they should be sending along to us such as a lithograph and a folder of pictures. I'll probably update the review when those arrive. Let's jump on in now and take a look at what might be the definitive Yvonne Craig version of Batgirl in statue form. Join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Dr. Herbert West from Monstarz: Re-Animator by Amok Time Toys

 A few weeks back I was checking out my blog feed and saw that Phantom Troublemaker over at Needless Things had just reviewed a new action figure I wasn't even aware of which I ordered immediately: Dr. Herbert West from the film Re-Animator.Dr. West is from Amok Time Toys' Monstarz range of products which seems to encompass products from a number of different licenses released in a variety of different styles.  Dr. Herbert West has a lot of similarities to a Funko ReAction figure in that his packaging and design is clearly inspired by vintage Kenner action figures. Of course, Herb is actually a more sophisticated figure than Funko's ReAction offerings. While I've been growing a bit disinterested in the ReAction styled figures as of late this one really interested me due to both the license and the really cool accessories. Plus, there's always a place for him alongside the H.P. Lovecraft inspired Legends of Cthulhu line. Ready for a quick look at this Lovecraft and 1980's horror inspired action figure? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Batman (Zero Year) from DC Comics Multiverse by Mattel

 DC Comics' divisive New 52 "reboot" has technically come to an end (soon to be replaced by Rebirth) and I have to say that I'm kind of sad to see it go. Of course, my experience is with the books related to Batman and the goings on in Gotham, which didn't seem to be as problematic as other areas of the new universe. I'm really not sure that the flagship Batman title has ever had a stronger, better run of solid story arcs than those we've seen delivered by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. One of the things that was rather bizarre about the New 52, though, was the timeline suggested for the new story. With the Batman timeline, Batman was supposed to have only been active for 5 years. Those must have been 5 extremely busy years considering that Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian all had been Robins during that time and then moved on to their other respective roles, as well as having Barbara be Batgirl, suffer an injury, and overcome it again. The point is that DC did a poor job with setting things up as for the longest time it seemed like many Batman books taking place prior to the New 52 were still canon. A couple of years back we were finally given an origin story for the New 52 Batman, though, through the year long series Zero Year. It turned out to not only be a great book but also nicely helped to define the New 52's Batman on his own rather than just as a continuation of the previous Post-Crisis Batman. In Mattel's recent DC Comics Multiverse series the first Batman figure chose for the new main line (and not the Batman v. Superman or The Dark Knight Returns) is the Zero Year version of Batman. DC Collectibles released a version of this guy a year or so ago but it's cool to see this really cool new design getting some more love. Ready for a closer look at the Zero Year Batman? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Luke Skywalker from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase III by Hasbro

  When you think about Star Wars action figures, most collectors who cut their teeth during either the vintage era or the POTF2 era will probably immediately think of Luke Skywalker in his classic Tatooine desert duds. The classic A New Hope version of Luke was probably the first Star Wars figure that many of us picked up, whether it was the smiling, happy vintage version with a yellow lightsaber or the hulked out POTF2 version that put He-Man to shame. Hasbro loves to release this version of Luke which makes it seem rather bizarre that this is the first time he's been released in The Black Series. I'm surprised that Hasbro was able to go nearly three years without this classic variation but I'm glad that we finally got him. Of course, this figure is definitely going to be a bit controversial as Hasbro opted to go with a soft goods tunic on him, a decision not everyone is in favor of. There have been a few figures in the Black Series that have utilized soft goods for capes, cloaks, and even scarves, but Luke's tunic is a little different as it's more of a fitted garment rather than something that hangs loose and free. Want to see how things worked out? Then join me after the break...

Happy Easter! Here's a Song for a Sunday Morning from Johnny Cash

If you celebrate, I think you'll find this song is filled with the ramifications of the phrase "Christ has Risen, Indeed!" If you don't, surely you can still enjoy some Johnny Cash!

Action Figure Review: Poison Ivy from DC Universe Signature Collection by Mattel

 If you think about it, Mattel's 6 1/2 inch DC lines went almost 10 years without making a Poison Ivy which is pretty crazy considering that she's one of the most prominent Batman villains out there. There was no Poison Ivy in their original 2003 Batman line nor the Batman and Superman driven DC Superheroes. DC Universe Classics also failed to deliver Dr. Pamela Isley and they somehow didn't work her into the Batman Legacy line. Finally, though, Poison Ivy made it into the first year of the DC Universe Signature Series. That's a long time to wait for one of Batman's most popular foes. I didn't subscribe to Club Infinite Earths when it was running and I've regretted not doing so because I've really wanted Ivy for a long time. Fortunately, a recent trade has finally allowed me to get my hands on this really cool figure. Ready for a closer look at Poison Ivy? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Sandman from DC Universe Classics by Mattel

 I have a soft spot for the older, more mystical DC characters and I finally decided to pick up Sandman from series 19 of DC Universe Classics. Based on the original incarnation of the character from the late 1930's, this version of the character (who is really Wesley Dodds, a masked crusader and a pulp hero) has been overshadowed by Neil Gaiman's version of Sandman. They're really, really different, but Gaiman did make some connections with the two. My wife is a huge fan of Gaiman's Sandman so when this figure arrived in the mail I asked her if she could identify it. It turns out she couldn't. I guess she wasn't paying fully attention while reading those Sandman Omnibus editions, huh? Anyways, Wesley Dodds here originally included the left leg of Series 19's Collect & Connect figure S.T.R.I.P.E. but since I picked this one up second hand the piece was missing. That's OK, though, as I'm not planning on building S.T.R.I.P.E. anyways. I'm more interested in having this guy chill with other older superheroes and pulp heroes. Ready for a closer look at Sandman? Then join me after the break...