Action Figure Review: Stratos from Masters of the Universe by Super7

    I'm almost finished with my reviews of series 4 of Super7's neo-vintage Masters of the Universe line and, sadly, it doesn't seem there will be a series 5 (for the time being, anyways). Super7 is having to out the brakes on things do to the upcoming Masters of the Universe Origins line from Mattel. Now don't get me wrong, I'm very excited for MOTU Origins, but I really like what Super7 has been doing with these Filmation inspired vintage styled figures. Things started off a bit rough, particularly with the He-Man/ Skeletor/ She-Ra/ Hordak series, but Super7 has really improved these. Interestingly, when I first received this set in the mail Stratos was kind of a treat as I had never owned a vintage Stratos. Between getting this figure in the mail and writing this review I did manage to find a vintage Stratos at Retro-Toy Con in Greenville, SC (I also met Pixel Dan there, too). Stratos has never been one of my favorites. I guess it's possible it's simply because I never owned him as a kid, but I tend to think that he's less interesting because he doesn't have a unique weapon of his own. Fortunately, Super7 fixed this by giving him two accessories he can interact with so he's not just standing around with empty hands. Let's check Stratos out a bit more closely after the break...

Minifigure Review: Series 1 (Flesh) from Run-A-Mucks by Last Resort Toys

    Ready for another group of crazy little minifigures? Then check out series 1 of Run-A-Mucks from Last Resort Toys. Run-A-Mucks was a Kickstarter funded project from earlier this year that arrived in my mailbox a week or two ago. Like so many other great minfigure lines in recent memory, particularly O.M.F.G., Run-A-Mucks uses designs from multiple different sources all sculpted in a somewhat uniform aesthetic. They're all very unique, but they "feel" like they belong together. Most of the figures in the set also seem more elaborate than many other M.U.S.C.L.E. styled lines out there, making these some incredibly impressive minis to look at. Let's check out the first series of Run-A-Mucks after the break...

Action Figure Review: Shadow Orko from Masters of the Universe by Super7

    I've now covered all of the uniquely sculpted figures from Super7's most recent series of neo-vintage Masters of the Universe action figures but that doesn't mean there aren't a couple of variant left. Today I'm checking out the first of the two color variants from series 4: Shadow Orko! In episode #73 of She-Ra: Princess of Power, Shadow Weaver ends up stealing Orko's shadow, along with his magic. It turns out, though, that Orko's shadow ends up acting on its own! This really isn't Shadow Orko; it's Orko's shadow! I love Orko and I'm not sure I could get sick of Orko variants. Well, I'm sure at some point but for now I think this turned out to be a pretty cool variant of Orko, which Super7 released in series 3. Let's check out Shadow Orko after the break...

Road to the Rise of Skywalker: Luke Skywalker (Yavin Ceremony) from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase III by Hasbro

 Two days ago I reviewed the exclusive Luke Skywalker (Skywalker Strikes) figure which features Luke in his snazzy yellow jacket and comes loaded with accessories. That figure was based on Luke's appearance in the first six issues of Marvel's Star Wars comic series that started in 2015. Today I'm checking out the standard release of this figure which is called Luke Skywalker (Yavin Ceremony). OK, actually it's called Luke Skywalkwer. Yes, Skywalkwer. With a typo. This is the 100th numbered standard figure in Phase III of the Black Series and Hasbro misspelled Luke's name. That's pretty crazy, right? Anyways, this figure is nearly identical to the exclusive/ deluxe release although the accessories are different: The Skywalker Strikes version comes with all kinds of cool stuff while this version only comes with Luke's Defender blaster pistol and Luke's medal from blowing up the Death Star. Let's check this guy out and see out he fares after the break...

Action Figure Review: Xenomorph (Ice Blue Metallic) from Aliens Action Vinyls by The Loyal Subjects

 Ready for yet another look at a mighty cool stocking stuffer? Today I'm checking out another impressive paint variant of the Xenomorph Action Vinyl from The Loyal Subjects! This one is Ice Blue Metallic, baby! Recently The Loyal Subjects sent me some Action Vinyls and I've had a great time reviewing them. I reviewed lots of the Masters of the Universe Action Vinyls earlier this year, but now I'm getting the chance to check out a few of their other properties, such as Game of Thrones and Aliens. There's a list of retailers for these little guys but I've also been seeing them at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has recently added a collector section to many of their stores in electronic where they are carrying many figures from NECA, McFarlane, Funko, and now the Loyal Subjects. I was in a Wal-Mart yesterday that had just gotten a brand new case of the Aliens and Masters of the Universe Action Vinyls. These guys are getting easier to find, hopefully, so make sure to keep an eye out for them when you're out doing your shopping! Let's check out the Ice Blue Metallic Xenomorph after the break...

Action Figure Review: Shadow Weaver from Masters of the Universe by Super7

    Today I'm checking out one of the most exciting releases in Super7's Filmation inspired continuation of the vintage Masters of the Universe line: Shadow Weaver. I'm willing to bet if you calculated which He-Man or She-Ra character had the most screen time in the cartoons while still not having an action figure in the vintage toyline, it'd probably be Shadow Weaver (Madame Razz and Broom would be my second and third guesses, respectively, followed by Queen Marlena and Scorpia). Shadow Weaver was such a major part of the Evil Horde in She-Ra: Princess of Power that it's baffling as to why she never had a toy in either the MOTU or Princess of Power lines. Having an official release in this scale and style definitely feels like a major victory for fans of the vintage line. While it was fun getting Filmation inspired versions of vintage characters in the line, Shadow Weaver feels like the kind of figure this line was made more. I'm quite happy with her! 2019 has been a big year for Shadow Weaver, so let's check out another cool toy based on the Evil Mistress of Dark Magic after the break...

Road to The Rise of Skywalker: Luke Skywalker (Skywalker Strikes) from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase III by Hasbro

    Does anyone feel like having an opinion on Star Wars one way or the other is like wading into a minefield these days? Sheesh!
   That being said, despite not liking The Last Jedi very much, there's still quite a bit to like about the Disney era of Star Wars with one of the best things being the steady stream of quality comic books from Marvel. I really love the ongoing Star Wars series from Marvel set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back (which is getting ready to reset its numbering since it will not cover time between Empire and Return of the Jedi) as they absolutely remind me of the stories I imagined as a kid playing with my Kenner POTF2 figures. When Kenner finally released Luke Skywalker in his slick yellow jacket, he became my go to Luke. I was thrilled that Marvel used this outfit for Luke's default look in the new comic series, too. Hasbro has released two versions of this figure in the Black Series and today I'm checking out the deluxe version that is based on the comic appearances (the other version is referred to as Yavin Ceremony). This guy is referred to as "Skywalker Strikes" and he comes in a cool display box that is loaded with accessories from the comic series. Let's check this version of Luke out after the break...