Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Action Figure Review : Catwoman from Batman: Special Legends Edition by Kenner



   
     Wait, didn't I just review this figure yesterday? Well, kind of but not really. The Catwoman I reviewed was a regularly released figure that was part of the first series of Kenner's Legends of Batman line in 1994. A few years later after that line ended Kenner made a few exclusive repaints available to collectors through Warner Bros. Studio Stores, a chain of stores selling Warner Brothers merchandise (similar to Disney Stores) that all closed in 2001. The packaging was different and featured a large image of Batman against a purple background. The defining title on the package was "Batman" with "Special Legends Edition" written above in smaller text so I'm choosing to list these as a separate line. The figures were essentially just repaints of previously released figures but since I've always had a fondness for this Catwoman figure I decided to pick this one up as well. Since the figure is simply a repaint, I'm going to reuse a good bit of material from yesterday's review. Deal with it. When you're ready, the review of Ms. Kyle is after the break....

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Action Figure Review: Dual Destruction Two-Face from Batman: Power Attack by Mattel



There is just too much Batman stuff out there for any normal collector to collect it all. To help me out, I've created a priority list to help me determine what I buy:

Tier One: Batgirl stuff- Figures, busts, autographs, etc. If it's based on Barbara Gordon as Batgirl (or Oracle) I'm on it like white on rice.

Tier Two: Batman, Villians, or Bat-Family members in the 6-7 inch scales: Basically any Batman figure, villains or other Gothamites from DC Collectibles, DC Direct, or Mattel.

Tier Three: Villains in any scale- This can be Batman: The Animated Series figures, Infinite Heroes, or older movie figures. I'm sort of picky with these and the more unique the villain is, the more likely I am to hunt them down.

Tier Four: Other Batman stuff- Legends of Batman, Imaginext, etc.

     Today I'm looking at the Dual Destruction Two-Face from the Batman: Power Attack line by Mattel. These are the current (well, they seem to be being phased out) evergreen Batman line that are targeted more towards kids than collectors. He's a Tier Three buy for me, which is why I only picked him up in a bargain bin for $2.99 at the Great Escape in Madison, Tennessee (shout out!). He's a pretty cool version of Two-Face and I like him a lot more than the previous Power Attack figure I reviewed, Attack in the Box Joker. Ready for a closer look? Let's do it!


Action Figure Review: Blast and Battle Batcave from Batman: Power Attack by Mattel


     Every now and then I buy something just on a whim. I was at Big Lots on Saturday and saw the Blast and Battle Batcave from Mattel's Power Attack Batman line on sale for $15. I said to myself, "What the heck?" At the very least I could use it for a backdrop when taking pictures for reviews. It's a pretty decently sized item and came with a Batman action figure. While the line seems to be ending in favor of Mattel's new DC Total Heroes, the Power Attack Batman line has been Mattel's evergreen Batman line for about the past year and a half. It's definitely designed for kids and features a very stylized look, but for this set I figured "How often do you get to buy a Batcave?" Batcaves have always been some of the most prominent and best playsets available, which is interesting because rarely does much combat occur in the Batcave (part of the reason why Kenner's six paneled Batcave playset is one of the best playsets ever). Still, Batcaves are awesome in general, so I paid my cash plus tax to the cashier and left Big Lots with the Blast and Battle Batcave. How is it? Read on and find out, chum!

Action Figure Review: "Attack in the Box" The Joker from Batman by Mattel

While I love to pick up multiple versions of various Batman villains, the main reason I snagged this guy was because he was $5. "Attack in the Box" The Joker is part of Mattel's basic Batman line (which seems to possibly be on the way out) and presents the Clown Prince of Crime in a very unique outfit that looks equal parts escaped convict/ urban gang member/ hipster clown. Sometimes it's fun to pick up a toy that's clearly intended for kids and not collectors, as seems to be the case here as the figure is covered in neon colors and features a giant accessory. Want to take a closer look at The Joker? Well come on in! Since so many people are terrified of clowns, I thought the Joker might make an excellent addition to our 31 Days of Toy Terror. Enjoy!

Action Figure Review: Surf's Up Batman from Batman: Classic TV Series from Mattel


   
     While I do adore the 1966 Batman TV series, some of you might remember that I wasn't a fan of Mattel's Adam West styled Batman from the Batman: Classic TV Series line. While the headsculpt resembled Mr. Adam West in the cowl quite well, the body seemed too gangly and oddly proportioned. I honestly had planned to be done with the line (barring a future Yvonne Craig as Batgirl figure release, of course) but finding most of the basic figures on sale for about $5 changed my tune a bit. While these weren't $16 to $18 dollar figures to me, $5 seemed just about right. Today I'm looking at one of the wackiest figures from the line, Surf's Up Batman. Based on the third season episode "Surf's Up! Joker's Under!", this figure shows Batman as he engages the Joker in a surfing contest in his cool swimming trunks and full Batman costume. Ready for a figure that's weird, wild, wet, and wacky? Will I like this figure better than the previous Batman figure? Only time will tell, the time that it takes you to jump past the break of course....


Action Figure Review: The Riddler from Batman: Classic TV Series by Mattel


  
     I'm back with another review from Mattel's Batman: Classic TV Series line based on the 1966 Batman television show. If you remember, I really wasn't impressed by this line at all when it first came out. The only figure I bought was the standard Batman and I found him to be really awkward and sub-par. During the days leading up to Christmas, however, I managed to pick up all of the single carded figures for around $5 each. Honestly, I'm kind of an easy sell when it comes to action figures of Batman's villains and I decided I needed to snag these for a project I'm working on. I picked up Surf's Up Batman and was surprised by how much I actually liked him. Today I'm taking a look at my first villain from this series, the Riddler as portrayed by Frank Gorshin in the first and third seasons of the series, as well as in the film Batman: The Movie.

     Originally appearing in 1948, the Riddler is an interesting character who spent many years being sort of a Joker-lite. While he was more compulsively obsessed with puzzles and riddles than the Joker, both of them sort of had similar personality traits. During the 1980s, when the Joker's much darker personality really began to reemerge (the oldest Joker stories were pretty dark), the Riddler began to find his niche. Soon after, in Batman: The Animated Series, we saw the next development of the character as a brilliant, somewhat suave individual who compulsively felt the need to challenge Batman's intellect. While the Joker was Batman's equal in willpower, the Riddler truly was Batman's equal in brainpower. I always see portrayals of the Riddler as fitting in one of two camps: the laughing and goofy prankster or the cool, calculated mastermind. Gorshin's portrayal of the character might just be the definitive representation of the prankster version of the Riddler ever. Ready for a look at the figure? Then join me after the break....


Action Figure Review: The Penguin from Batman: Classic TV Series by Mattel


     First appearing in Detective Comics #58 in 1941 and continuing to harass Batman and Robin on numerous occasions, The Penguin has certainly cemented himself as one of Batman's A-list villains. While Penguin seems to be a divisive member of Batman's gallery of rogues (some fans just don't like him), there's no doubt that he's extremely well know. Much of the character's A-list status can be attributed to his appearance in the 1966 Batman TV show where he was played by actor Burgess Meredith. Meredith took all of the crazy elements of the character (the odd behavior, birdlike laughter, obsession with birds and umbrellas) and really crafted what might be considered by many to be the definitive representation of the Penguin. While I have a fondness for Danny Devito's portrayal of the character and consider Gregg Hurwitz'sPenguin: Pain and Prejudice to be the best Penguin story ever written, when someone asks me to think of the character Burgess Meredith is who springs to mind. What you might be noticing is that while I was initially very displeased with this action figure line (I didn't care for Batman) I've since come around on a few of the figures. Is Penguin going to be closer to the top of my list or closer to the bottom? Read on and find out!


Action Figure Review: The Joker from Batman Classic TV Series by Mattel


  
 There is no villain in comics that is more recognizable than the Joker. While he's been a long term Batman foe, much of his continued popularity can certainly be attributed to Cesar Romero's portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime in the 1966 Batman TV series and the accompanying film. My guess is that for most fans of the 1966 Batman TV series who wanted action figures, the Joker and Batman were at the top of the list. While Romero's tone for the Joker was certainly a lighter, more whimsical approach to the character that was more in line with then contemporary representations of the character rather than the earliest representations, he certainly crafted an influential and lasting version of the Harlequin of Hate that has remained a fan favorite. I probably have more action figures of the Joker than I do of any other Bat character other than Batgirl and Batman himself, so how does this one stack up? Read on and find out, after the break....

Action Figure Review: Catwoman from Batman: Classic TV Series by Mattel


  
 Finally! I've come around to reviewing Catwoman from the Batman: Classic TV Series line by Mattel. This line has definitely had its ups and downs, but the more time I've spent with it the more I have grown to appreciate most of the work Mattel put into it. I don't think anyone who collects toys could seriously call this a high end collectors line but it's certainly more interesting than many mass market retail lines we see. Since three different actresses played Catwoman during the time (Eartha Kitt in season 3 and Lee Meriweather in the tie in 1966 film), it seems that Mattel chose the most recognizable actress, Julie Newmar, who played the character during the first two seasons. While Michelle Pfeiffer is hands down my favorite Catwoman ever, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Ms. Newmar is without a doubt the most gorgeous Catwoman we've seen. When you think about the list of actresses portraying Catwoman, that's high praise indeed. If you're interested, you can actually visit Julie Newmar's website and order a personalized, autographed picture of her as Catwoman for around the same price you might pay for this figure. Pretty cool, huh? Ready for a look at Batman's flirtatious and feline femme fatale? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Batman from Batman Classic TV Series by Mattel


  
  While we recently gave away one of these guys free in our Epic Grab Bag Contest, I still hadn't reviewed mine yet. I think it's safe to say that the Adam West Batman from the 1966 TV show is one of the most popular action figures of 2013. Everyone seems to have bought him. Really, other than the Family Guy figure (which I own) or one of vintage Mego products, this is pretty much your first chance to get an Adam West action figure so it's understandable why fans went nuts. I'm a big fan of the 1966 TV series (heck, I'm even a member of the Yvonne Craig Fan Club) so I was thrilled when the floodgates opened and merchandise from the series poured forth. I originally planned on being an ultra completest with this line...but then I bought this figure. Looking at most people's reviews I'm thinking I must be in the minority, but I'll just go out and say that I think this might be the most disappointing action figure of the year for me. Ready to hear me rant and rave? Well, follow me past the break and the ranting and raving will begin...

Action Figure Review: Killer Croc from Batman: Arkham Origins by DC Collectibles


    Arkham Week continues at ThEpic Review with a look at Killer Croc from DC Collectibles' Batman: Arkham Originsseries 2. Killer Croc, A.K.A. Waylon Jones, is one of the eight assassins hired by the Black Mask to kill Batman on Christmas Eve in Gotham during the events of Arkham Origins. Croc's appearances have always waivered between two looks: a more humanoid look with no tail and a more human face and a truer crocodile like appearance with a longer snout and a tail. While Arkham Asylum and Arkham City (which in continuity take place after the events of Arkham Origins)feature a more crocodile like Waylon Jones, Arkham Origins presents him in his more humanoid form. He's still massive and scaly with reptillian eyes, but he isn't yet the full blow beast that we know he'll become. Ready for a look at Killer Croc? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: The Joker from Batman: Arkham Origins by DC Collectibles


 I'm a little further in Batman: Arkham Origins than I was when I reviewed Black Mask earlier in the week, so I know that the Joker is involved with the plot. Typically I would mark that kind of reveal as a spoiler, but since the figure was released about the same time as the game and the character was features prominently in the marketing of the game, I didn't figure it was much of a surprise to anyone. I mean, is it really a surprise when the Joker shows up anymore? Still, that doesn't mean I'm not glad to see the old guy when he does show up to pester Bats and that's exactly what he's doing here, although for the first time (at least in the Arkham universe). In Arkham Origins the Joker is not voiced by Mark Hamill as in the previous games but instead by Troy Baker (who voiced Robin and Two-Face in Arkham City and Booker DeWitt in Bioshock Infinite). With better quality control than some of the previous DC Collectibles releases (see here) and sculpting by Gentle Giant Studios, this series of figures positions itself to expand upon the previous waves of Arkham Asylum and Arkham Cityfigures. Does it make the grade? Find out, after the break....

Action Figure Review: Firefly from Batman: Arkham Origins by DC Collectibles


   
     First appearing in Detective Comics #184 in 1952, Firefly is not one of Batman's more well known enemies. Honestly, I'd probably put him on the C-list. He's not completely obscure as he was featured in The Batman, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Justice League and played a pretty major role in the Knightfall and Batgirl: Year One, but it's still great to see him getting some more exposure through his appearance in Batman: Arkham Origins. While not the most recognizable of the eight assassins hired by Black Mask to kill Batman on Christmas Eve in Gotham City, I think I can safely say that Firefly ends up giving Batman the best boss battle of the game. I'm always excited to get a Batman villain who we haven't seen too often before (or at all) in action figure form. While a Firefly action figure was released in Mattel's The Batman and The Dark Knight lines (even though he never appeared in the film), this is the first time we've received this character in the 6-7 inch scale that most Batman fans collect in. Ready for a look at Firefly? Then join me after the break....

Action Figure Review: Deathstroke from Batman: Arkham Origins by DC Collectibles


   
     Another of the eight assassins hired by the Black Mask to take down Batman on Christmas Eve, Deathstroke makes his first Arkham-verse appearance in DC Collectibles' Batman: Arkham Origins series 2. This is not the first Deathstroke from Arkham Origins, however; back in November Mattel released Deathstroke and Batman based on their appearance in Arkham Origins as the final two releases in the Batman Unlimited line.  There have been quite a few Deathstroke figures lately, proving that Slade Wilson is a popular guy and fantastically designed character. I've reviewed the New 52 Deathstroke but never picked up Mattel's Arkham Origins version as I was holding out for this guy. How does he compare? Join me after the break and find out...


Action Figure Review: Deadshot from Batman: Arkham Origins by DC Collectibles


  
     Let's hope that this is just a fluke and not a sign that DC Collectibles is having widespread quality control issues again, but the left arm of my Deadshot figure was completely snapped off at the shoulder in the package. As some of you might remember from last year, I had some major breakage issues with both my Talia al Ghul and Deadshot figures from Arkham City series four as well as the Arkham Asylum Killer Croc arm breakage that nearly everyone had. Fortunately, later last year I was convinced that DC Collectibles had gotten QC under control and I ended up purchasing many of their products. They have lots of stuff that I'm looking forward to this year as well, so the fact that a breakage issue popped up again definitely concerns me a bit. Granted, I've now reviewed all of Arkham Origins series four and Deadshot is the only problematic figure I've encountered (other than Deathstroke's sword) so let's hope that this is just a fluke. I have a replacement figure on the way from Big Bad Toy Store, so I'll post an update when he arrives. Ready for a closer look at Deadshot here? Then join me after the break....


Action Figure Review: Black Mask from Batman: Arkham Origins by DC Collectibles


  
 If you've read my review of Talia al Ghul from DC Collectibles' Arkahm City series 4 then you know that I've had some issues with DC Collectibles over the past year or two. I haven't heard of too many problems lately, however, so I decided to give DCCollectibles another chance with their Batman: Arkham Origins line. Based on the recently released videogame Batman: Arkham Origins, the prequel to Arkham Asylum and Arkham CityArkham Origins tells the story of a Christmas Eve early in the Dark Knight's career on which the Black Mask has ordered a hit on Batman, drawing a number of mercenaries and hitmen to Gotham. I was at the midnight release of the game (first game I'd picked up at midnight sinceSkyrim in 2011) but I'm not too far into the game yet simply because I've just been so insanely busy with Halloween, work, and being out of town. While I've been tipped off that Black Mask is probably not the true antagonist of Arkham Origins, he still plays a very important part in the game's events so it's nice to have the character represented in the Arkham series' style.  Ever since his first appearance in Batman #386 in 1985, Roman Sionis has steadily become a more prominent villain in Batman's impressive gallery of villains. Ready to add this version to your shelf or should you look elsewhere? Read on and find out....

Action Figure Review: Batman from Batman: Arkham Origins by DC Collectibles


   
Over the past week I've been cleaning and rearranging my world famous hobby room to make room for all of the new toys and action figures I've added to the collection since the middle of last year. It had been awhile since I rearranged my display shelves of 6-7 inch Batman figures and now I have two full shelves of Batman figures. Not two shelves of Batman characters like Joker, Robin, and Batgirl, but two shelves of simply Batman himself. Only in the 6-7 inch scale. Not including older Kenner and Mattel figures from the animated or movie lines. Yes, that might be obsessive. Anyways, when DC Collectibles released their Arkham Origins action figures based on the newest installment in the video game series I snapped up the villains in a hurry but left Batman. Did I really need another Batman? It turns out that I did. After seeing lots of great pictures of him online I figures that the Arkham Origins Batman was just too good to pass up. While the videogame Arkham Originsis a prequel to Arkham Asylum and Arkham City which covers a particularly catastrophic Christmas Eve from Batman's early years, there's nothing about this figure that makes Bruce look like a rookie. In fact, this might be one of the roughest, toughest looking Batman figures ever released. Ready for a look at the Arkham Origins Batman? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Bane from Batman: Arkham Origins by DC Collectibles



      I was simultaneously shocked and impressed when my Arkham Origins Bane arrived from Big Bad Toy Store- not only was he larger than the other figures in the line and packaged in a nice window box, but he also was sold at the same price point. Remember how DC Collectibles charged around 2 1/2 times as much for the Arkham City Mr. Freeze as they did for a basic figure even though he wasn't much larger than one? Well, it seems that DC Collectibles is really making a turn around. QC seems to be improving, character selection is fantastic, and while Mattel's 6 inch DC offerings seem to be winding down, the future seems really exciting for DC Collectibles. While Bane is a character that has received quite a few action figures in the past, this is a new look for him in the Arkham-verse. While the Arkham Asylum and Arkham City Bane represented a very roided out and mentally impaired version of Bane, the Arkham Origins version represents Bane as the brilliant and cunning criminal mastermind that terrorized Gotham and broke Batman in Knightfall and The Dark Knight Rises. It's a neat figure that's plagued by a few unfortunate problems. Ready for a look at one of the eight assassins hired by Black Mask to kill Batman? Then join me after the break?

Action Figure Review: Anarky from Batman: Arkham Origins by DC Collectibles


 

    If you want proof that DC Direct/ DC Collectibles' Arkham lines could be the greatest Batman action figure collection ever, just consider this: they've made Anarky. Not only am I impressed by the fantastic Arkham videogame series Arkham AsylumArkham City, and Arkham Origins (I'm totally looking forward to the upcoming Arkham Knight- check out the trailer) but I'm impressed by how deep DC Collectibles seems to be going with this line. While the first series for Arkham Origins included mainstays like Joker, Black Mask, and Bane, the second series has some truly interesting characters that don't often get made into toys like Firefly, Deadshot, and Anarky. Anarky has long been one of my favorite characters for Batman to interact with because he's like Bruce Wayne in his passion for justice, but he has totally different ideas about what that means. While he's still a vigilante, Bruce ultimately trusts law and order to solve society's problems; Anarky sees law and order as the cause of those problems. Created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle for Detective Comics #608 in 1989, Anarky is Lonnie Machin, a brilliant teenager who has read a few too many radical manifestos. While Anarky has appeared in far more comics than you would probably expect, he's never been one of Batman's A or B list foes. Due to his appearances in Beware the Batman and Arkham Origins, though, Anarky seems to be moving up in the world a bit. Ready for a look at this mighty cool figure? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Talia al Ghul from Batman: Arkham City by DC Collectibles



  Talia al Ghul, the daughter of Ra's al Ghul and Melisande, first appeared in Detective Comics #411 back in 1971.  Created by Dennis O'Neil and Bob Brown, Talia has proven over and over again to be an interesting and unique part of Batman's life.  While Talia is certainly not part of the "Bat-family," she isn't quite a traditional villain, either.  It has long been established that Batman and Talia both have an affection  for each other despite their differing philosophies towards crime and killing.  In the video game Batman: Arkham City, Talia (voiced by Stana Katic of ABC's Castle) plays a significant role in her father and Dr. Hugo Strange's plot to violently wipe out the criminal element of Gotham City.  I promise, I'll get to the figure after the break....

Action Figure Review: Solomon Grundy from Batman: Arkham City by DC Collectibles


  
      One of my biggest pet peeves is when a company only releases a few figures from a fantastic property or misses out on a major event for their most popular characters. I always felt like DC Direct/ DC Collectibles did this with so many of their various lines. There would be an awesome event or a classic Batman storyline and they would just completely pass it over. I really don't understand why DC Direct never just created an evergreen Batman line that continued to release new characters in a similar style. Instead, we had to cobble together Batman collections from here and there in  variety of artist specific styles. Heck, there are still plenty of significant characters like Batwing and Jason Todd as the Red Hood that we've never seen in action figure form (although DC Collectibles made sure that we had a Black Lantern Terra and Mattel made sure that we had Cyclotron. Thanks, guys!). Well, all that seemed to start changing when DC Collectibles released their first series ofArkham Asylum action figures. That wave was followed by another, and kept going through Arkham City and now Arkham Origins, delivering us plenty of great Bat heroes, villains, and other characters in a cohesive scale and style. Today I'm looking at Solomon Grundy who appeared in Arkham City as a boss Batman battled beneath the Iceberg Lounge. He's large and in charge. Ready for a look at this guy? Then join me after the break....

Action Figure Review: Dr Hugo Strange from Batman: Arkham City by DC Collectibles

  
     Dr. Hugo Strange is one of Batman's earliest villains and yet he rarely gets the same respect those other guys do. First appearing in Detective Comics # 36 in early 1940, Professor Hugo Strange was kind of a stereotypical mad scientist. Over time, however, he became a more cunning foe to the Batman; it is no stretch to say that Strange became obsessed with Batman. The only Hugo Strange figure we've received in the past has been from DC Direct's Secret Files line and featured Strange in the Batman costume he often wore around his home. It took Strange's appearance as one of the main antagonists in Arkham City and an opportunity for a SDCC exclusive to finally get Bat-fans a quite definitive Hugo Strange for their shelves. Released as an exclusive for SDCC 2013 by DC Collectibles as part of their Arkham City line, this figure fills a major gap not just in an Arkham collection but in any Batman collection in general. Ready for a look at Dr. Hugo Strange? Then join me after the break....


Action Figure Review: 1/4 Scale Michael Keaton Batman from Batman 1989 by NECA


 
     While I liked Batman as a kid and remember having Batman and Robin pajamas, I don't think the character really ever caught my attention until the 1989 film was released. That was huge. Maybe it just me looking back with Nostalgia Goggles but it seems like everything in the world revolved around Batman when that movie came out. Batman and the Joker were everywhere. Batman cups and cinnamon twists at Taco Bell? Batman cereal? Commercials for the film non-stop? There was nothing that existed that made me want to not see this movie. Well, except my parents. For reasons I can only speculate to my therapist, no one took me to see Batman. Oh, I had the trading cards and read them over and over (trading cards told stories back then), but I didn't see the film until either TV or video. Here's a list of lame movies my parents took me to in 1989 instead of Batman: Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Prancer, and She-Devil. Yup. At least we saw Ghostbusters II and Field of Dreams in theaters. Anyways, that's really neither here nor there; my parents certainly have made amends by continuing to buy me plenty of Batman toys, comics, and novelties every year for Christmas. My college graduation also had a Batman pinata. They also took me to Batman Returns. My parents and I are square now and I'm here to talk about NECA's 1/4 scale Batman based off of Michael Keaton's Batman in the 1989 film. Ready for a review of a behemoth of a figure? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Arctic Shield Batman from Batman by Mattel



  Everybody freeze while we take the Action Figure Time Machine back to 2003.  Currently Mattel offers Batman figures in three lines in the 6 inch scale: DC Unlimited, Batman Unlimited, and through their Club Infinite Earths line.  Before that we had a line called Batman Legacy.  Before that, Batman figures were folded into the massive DC Universe Classics line. Before that we had DC Superheroes, which only gave us characters from the Batman and Superman comics.  And before that, in 2003, Mattel had a line that was simply called Batman.  Intended mainly for kids, the line focused on the "multiple Batmans" approach that Kenner had perfected.  Sure, there was a villain or two in the line, but most of the figures were of Batman.  Today I'm looking at one of those versions of Batman: Arctic Shield Batman.  Is he a cool variant, or should you just leave this figure on ice?  Read on to find out after the break.........

A New Batgirl Review: Steampunk Batgirl from Ame-Comi Heroine Series by DC Collectibles


   
     While I prefer Kotobukiya's Bishoujo line, DC Collectibles has also given fans a way to get fun, anime inspired versions of their favorite DC heroines and villainesses with ther Ame-Comi line. While I've tried to pick up all of the DC females in Kotobukiya's line, I've only been buying the Batgirl related figures in Ame-Comi and fortunately I now have another Batgirl to add to the shelf: Steampunk Batgirl. While the genre has been around for quite some time, steampunk seems to be getting more and more popular over the last few years, especially when it comes to cosplay. Look through pictures of cosplayers from any of the major conventions and you're likely to see a few versions of popular comic book characters that have been rendered in the popular steampunk style. Now DC Collectibles has jumped in and offered us a statue of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl in some very cool steampunk garb. Ready for a look at Babs in her neo-Victorian finest? Then join me after the break....

Action Figure Review: Tremor from Spawn by McFarlane Toys



  It would be impossible to discuss action figures from the mid 1990s to the present without discussing McFarlane Toys.  Known as Todd Toys at their inception, Mattel pressured them to change their name, believing that consumers would confuse the company with Barbie's little brother, Todd (I know that Ken's Steakhouse brand salad dressing has always confused me, leading me to purchase lots of disappointing birthday gifts for my little female cousins). In 1995 the company would become officially know as McFarlane Toys, and the age of the "Ultra Action Figure" would begin. Today I'm looking at Tremor, a character who first appeared in Spawn #25 and released in December of 1994 as one of the six action figures from series 1 of McFarlane's Spawn toy line.  I'm not a Spawn expert, so what I know about Tremor comes from the included comic book and a little bit of research: Tremor appears to be a former Mafia tough guy named Richard Masullo who was turned into an experimental bio weapon. Having held onto his conscience and failing to be the killing machine that Don Tony Twist wanted, Tremor escaped to become a thorn in the mob boss' side. Initially believing that Spawn was connected to the mob in some way, Tremor attacked the dark hero before learning that Spawn was also hunting down the mob.  The comic included with Tremor seems to have them partnering up at the end to hunt down bad guys together.  Now that the introduction is out of the way, let's take a look at Tremor.....

Action Figure Review: Overtkill from Spawn by McFarlane Toys


 
   Overtkill (also known as Overt-Kill or Overkill) is another modified mob enforcer used by Don Tony Twist to try and kill Spawn.  Released at the tail end of 1994 as part of the first series of McFarlane Toys' (then Todd Toys) Spawn action figure line, Overtkill has a special place in action figure history simply because he was part of that first line of "Ultra Action Figures." As a kid, the only Spawn figures I owned were Spawn himself, Violator, Clown, Spawn Alley, and Overtkill here. From that first series, I experienced far too many broken figures and pieces, so I think my parents just stopped buying me Spawn figures. It wouldn't be until the Spawn: The Movie line in 1997 that I bought anymore figures of Spawny guy. I remember really liking Overtkill as a kid, however. I was invited to a sleepover birthday party where a friend asked me for Spawn toys, so I got him Medieval Spawn and Tremor. I ended up being allowed to pick up Overtkill, too, for myself. I don't know what happened to my childhood Overtkill (probably sold him at a yard sale), but when I bought this figure just recently, I was still impressed by how heavy he was. Ready for a big dash of meanness straight from the 1990's? Then join me after the break....

Action Figure Review: Clown from Spawn by McFarlane Toys


 
 I've already said it in many other reviews, but I think it's impossible to overstate the influence McFarlane toys had in action figure history.  Like a more ultra-detailed Helen of Troy, McFarlane launched a thousand ships of other small companies who wanted to get into the action figure industry.  While Spawn.com lists the figures as being released in December of 1994, they really began to hit shelves in mass in 1995.  1995 was a year when Spawn toys were out proclaiming the birth of the Ultra Action Figure, Toy Biz was really starting to diversify and expand their Marvel offerings, and Kenner released Star Wars: The Power of the Force 2. Despite whatever age the package might have suggested, action figures were starting to not just be for kids anymore. Just take a look at the Clown here. He's an evil clown that can shape-shift into a demon. Not exactly standard kids fair, huh?  Let's take a closer look at another figure from Spawn series 1....

Minifigure Review: Skuzbeast from Trash Bag Bunch by Galoob Toys

 Who?

Skuzzbeast, one of the villainous Trashors from the Trash Bag Bunch by Galoob

What?

      Created by Mel Birnkrant (of Outer Space Men and Colorforms fame) and released by Galoob in 1991, the Trash Bag Bunch had two things going for it: An environmental theme and a cool gimmick. Skuzzbeast is a solid plastic minifigure of a vicious evil creature that stands just a hair shy of 2 1/2 inches tall. Unlike many minifigures, he's also fully painted. More, after the break...

Minifigure Review: Bio-Degrador from Trash Bag Bunch by Galoob



     One of the best things about the internet is having the chance to connect with fellow collectors who also have a love for toylines that you're pretty confident no one else remembers or cares about. For me, one of those toylines is the Trash Bag Bunch. Created by Mel Birnkrant (of Outer Space Men and Colorforms fame) and released by Galoob in 1991, the Trash Bag Bunch had two things going for it: An environmental theme and a cool gimmick. Like many other toys from the early 1990's such as Captain Planet, G.I. Joe ECO Force, and the Toxic Crusaders, the Trash Bag Bunch had an eco friendly message that trumpeted values such as reducing, reusing, and recycling and denounced such nasty things as littering, toxic waste, and smog. Interestingly, the Trash Bag Bunch was inspired by a real life battle Birnkrant had with the State of New York centering around their desire to put a landfill right next to his home. The second cool thing about the toyline was that they were sold in little biodegradable trash bags. When you dropped the bag in water (I remember my parents filling up the sink for me) the green trash bag dissolved and an effervescent tablet inside fizzed, revealing your plastic minifigure. Would you get an evil Trashor or a heroic Disposer? Who would it be? Today's figure is Bio-Degrador, one of the Disposers. He isn't from my original collection; I obtained him secondhand recently as I'm working to complete my collection of the original 36 figures. Ready for a closer look at this crazy cool minifigure? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Stealth Tech Raphael from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Playmates


 
 On a recent trip to Toys R Us (initiated not by me, but by my wife surprisingly), I happened to stumble across the majority of the newest wave of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures. All of the Stealth Tech Turtles were present, as well as Rat King.  The only thing I couldn't find was the Cockroach Terminator, so I'll just have to be patient on that one.  Anyways, when I first started collecting this line I hadn't planned to buy all the Turtle variants.  When the Ooze-Tossin Turtles came out, I wasn't overly impressed. Eventually due to a sale at K-Mart I bought Raphael since he was my favorite turtle, but I wasn't overly impressed with him.  The Stealth Tech Turtles, however, captivated me. Any figure dressed in tactical styled spy gear automatically registers on my action figure radar, so these guys ended up in the armful of TMNT figures I purchased last week.  Ready for a look at Stealth Tech Raphael?