Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Action Figure Review: Arsenal (Titans) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 


   Today I'm going to start a review miniseries of the recent Titans series of DC Multiverse figures from McFarlane Toys. Collect all four (Arsenal, Raven, Nightwing, and Donna Troy) and you can build a really cool Beast Boy figure. Nifty, right? I really like Roy Harper as a character and while this isn't one of my favorite outfit he has worn (I really liked his Young Justice and New 52 costumes), it's not terrible at all. It's still kind of a "too cool"/ frat boy kind of look, but it makes for a nice figure and fits the Rebirth era of Titans that the other figures in this set come from. Let's take a look at Arsenal after the break...



Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Action Figure Review: Shadow Weaver from Masterverse: Princess of Power by Mattel

 

   Who is ready for a Mastervers review? Today I'm checking out Shadow Weaver from the Princess of Power subset of Masterverse. When Shadow Weaver finally received her first action figure back in Masters of the Universe Classics it was such a big deal, and, while she's received quite a few figures since then, it's still pretty cool to see her in the line and at mainstream retail. She's actually part of series 8, which I reviewed most of earlier in the year, but it just took me longer to get my hands on her. Let's take a look at the Horde's Evil Mistress of Dark Magic after the break... 



Friday, May 26, 2023

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

 

   It's been over two years since I reviewed the original Masters of the Universe Origins Roboto figure based on the vintage toy but, since that one has become a bit scarce, Mattel has a new repaint out to recirculate the Heroic Mechanical Warrior. This time we've got a version of Roboto painted to look like some of his minicomic appearances where his coloring was different and his heart was more prominent. He's really just a repaint of the previous figure, sure, but he's pretty cool looking and he feels better mad than the previous Roboto. Let's take a look at Roboto after the break...


Thursday, May 25, 2023

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

 


   It's been quite a bit since I last reviewed a new Masters of the Universe figure, hasn't it? There's been a lot of new and cool stuff released lately and while I'd love to review it all, to do so would be too overwhelming. Currently I'm focusing my reviewing efforts on figures of new characters or characters who haven't appeared in toy form that often. Today I'm checking out Hypno, one of the Sun-Man and the Rulers of the Sun crew. Hypno isn't just new to Masters of the Universe Origins but he's actually new to Sun-Man. Well, at least in figure form. In the 1980s he only existed as a prototype, so Mattel making him is probably a pretty big deal to the hardcore Sun-Man fans out there. Hypno is a Psychic Hypnotist with lots of powerful gear to supplement his mesmerizing voice. He's one of the good guys and adds some magical power to the Heroic Warriors. Ready to check Hypno out? Then join me after the break...



Friday, May 19, 2023

Action Figure Review: Indiana Jones with Adventure Backpack from Indiana Jones: Worlds of Adventure by Hasbro

 

   Raiders of the Lost Ark is probably my favorite movie (it's tied with Ghostbusters) and as a kid I loved all things Indiana Jones that I could my hands on. I had the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles trading cards and books, a book and record set of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and eventually the SNES video game. Unfortunately, I was too young to have picked up any of Kenner's Indiana Jones action figures (though I somehow had a Toht, who I still have) so various G.I. Joe figures had to made do. In 2008, when Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was released I avidly collected the 1/18th scaled line which sadly didn't last as long as I hoped. I'm very excited for the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and while a new movie means new toys from Hasbro, I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed in their offerings as it all feels very half hearted, like toys they have to release to fulfill some kind of contractual obligation with Disney and Lucasfilm. I'd love some modern 1/18th scaled figures to supplement the 2008 line but those aren't in the cards; just some Retro Series figures (which I might actually pick up). Instead, we've got the 6 inch Adventure Series and the 2.5 inch Worlds of Adventure line. I don't currently plan on picking up any of the Adventure Series figures until Hasbro shows Mola Ram and Irina Spalko (unless I find them on clearance), so it might be awhile before I end up reviewing any of them. I did stumble upon this figure at my local bin store a few weeks back and, for $5 bucks, I decided to grab him. These are pretty similar to the Star Wars: Mission Fleet figures which remind me a lot of Mattel/ Fisher Price's Imaginext toys, and are definitely intended for kids. Today I'm checking out Indiana Jones with Adventure Backpack, a version of Indy without his jacket but with plenty of accessories. Let's check him out after the break...




Thursday, May 18, 2023

Action Figure Review: The Signal Duke Thomas from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 
  
 Back in 2017 I reviewed the We Are Robin version of Duke Thomas from Mattel's DC Comics Multiverse line. He was a cool figure but I was really looking forward to Duke as the Signal. Finally, about 5 1/2 years later, McFarlane Toys has delivered the Signal in DC Multiverse, and he's a stellar figure. It's always really exciting to add a new member of the Batfamily to the shelf as Batman, his allies, and his enemies are my main reasons for collecting this line. McFarlane did release Duke Thomas as Batman from Tales from the Dark Multiverse but that figure isn't recognizable Duke in the same way that this figure is. Ready to check out the Signal? Then join me after the break...




Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Action Figure Review: Mister Freeze (Victor Fries) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 


   Mr. Freeze started as a joke villain (Mr. Zero) in 1959 but he gained popularity due to his appearances in the 1966 Batman TV series and some serious depth and motivation due to his revised backstory in Batman: The Animated Series. Dr. Victor Fries isn't just one of Batman's deepest and most tragic adversaries but he's also ends up with some of the best action figures out there. I love Mr. Freeze toys and this is a great one. There's just something about the guy with his big armored suits, goggles, glass domes, and robotic aesthetic that makes him perfect for translating into plastic. This version of Mr. Freeze/ Mister Freeze doesn't really seem to be sourced from anywhere in particular; he's just a solid, standard comic version of the character. There was a Platinum version based on Freeze's Super Powers look released randomly through the McFarlane online store but that one was pretty much impossible to get. This one is still really nice, though, so let's check him out after the break...