Sunday, March 31, 2019

Action Figure Review: Skeletor from Masters of the Universe Ultimates by Super7

    There are going to be quite a few Masters of the Universe reviews over the next week or so and today I'm looking at the counterpart to the Ultimate He-Man: Skeletor! Based on his appearance in the Filmation cartoon He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, this new Ultimate Skeletor utilizes the simpler, less detailed style of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe/ Club Grayskull toyline. Mattel originally released their Filmation Skeletor back in 2016 but that figure (along with a few others in the series) has gotten to be insanely expensive. Fortunately, Super7 is giving fans another chance to pick up He-Man and Skeletor. It's a smart move which probably will help longer term sales of Super7's Club Grayskull toys as well; no new collectors who just discover the line are going to be picking anything up if they can't easily get Skeletor or He-Man. Let's check out the gloriously evil Skeletor, one of the greatest cartoon villains of all time, after the break...

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Action Figure Review: Piranha Plant from Super Mario by Jakks Pacific

    Today I'm checking out the fifth and final figure in series 1 of Jakks Pacific's Super Mario series: The Piranha Plant. Definitely in the upper echelon of Mario villains due their long tenure with the series, the Piranha Plant is an instantly recognizable part of the Super Mario games. This figure is a great release for this line not just because of the strength of the enemy but also because the Piranha Plant was released earlier this year as a new fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch. That's timely, right? Jakks' World of Nintendo had a lot of repaints and variants so it's always exciting to get a new character/ enemy to grow the world. Let's check out the Piranha Plant after the break and see if Jakks has a green thumb for action figure creation...

Friday, March 29, 2019

Action Figure Review: He-Man from Masters of the Universe Ultimates by Super7

   Recently Super7 dropped quite a few new Masters of the Universe releases and I'm just getting started on my review of them. First up I'm starting with He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. A couple of years back Super7 released a series of redone versions of five of the most significant characters from Masters of the Universe Classics with multiple heads and weapons on a vintage styled blister card (He-Man, Teela, Skeletor, Ram Man, and Faker) and called them Masters of the Universe Ultimates. Unfortunately I missed those and they've gotten fairly pricey but I was able to grab the two newest Ultimates, Filmation styled He-Man and Skeletor. Based on the animation styled He-Man and the Masters of the Universe/ Club Grayskull line, these two are redone versions of Mattel's versions of the characters. Let's see how these turned out after the break...

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Action Figure Review: Shedusa from The Worst by Super7

 It's been almost two weeks since my last review of a figure from series 2 of Super7's The Worst but today I'm back with a look at another villain from this series: Shedusa! Offering up a new take on a Medusa styled figure, Shedusa is an interesting figure. She seems a lot more colorful than most other figures in the line and actually has a regular human face unlike any other member of The Worst. Ready for a quick look at this slithery archer? Then join me after the break...

Monday, March 25, 2019

Action Figure Review: Batman (Black and Grey) from DC Primal Age by Funko

    While last year's Amazon exclusive DC Primal releases were riddled with quality control problems, 2019's Target exclusive rerelease of series 1 fixed those problems. Heck, not only are the figures better but the presence of the tie-in DC Primal Age comic book and other merchandise along with the ability to see these figures, beasts, and the Batcave playset setting on store shelves was a major improvement for the line. While series 2 is just starting to show up, Target has one more surprise in store: An exclusive black and grey Batman. This is exactly the same figure as the standard release Batman except that he's in a darker color scheme this time. To be honest, I really never need much coaxing to buy another Batman figure, so Target had me sold on this one from day one. This guy has been showing up in stores over the past 2-3 weeks and usually seems to be found in the regular toy aisle along with the rest of the (very limited) Mattel DC offerings. When is a repaint more than a repaint? Let's find out after the break...

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Action Figure Review: Parabones from Super Mario from Jakks Pacific

   I've been slowly making my way through the first series of Jakks Pacific's Super Mario line, the direct successor to their World of Nintendo line, and today I'm on the fourth figure in the series: Parabones! I vividly remember first encountering Dry Bones in World 2 of Super Mario Bros. 3 and being very creeped out by them (I was young and they were pretty creepy back in the day). This version features removable wings and thus qualifies as the Parabones which first appeared in Super Mario 3D World. It's design is definitely based on the look of the baddies in newer games which definitely fits with the overall aesthetic of the line. Let's check out the Parabones after the break...

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Action Figure Review: Mario with Super Star from Super Mario by Jakks Pacific

   I don't remember if I mentioned it in my previous reviews from the new Jakks Pacific Super Mario figures but I actually preordered a whole set of series 1 figures. While these are technically a new line, the figures pretty much feel like a continuation of the long running World of Nintendo series. I'm not sure of the reason for the change in name (I'm assuming that overall Jakks just wasn't interested in releasing anything but Super Mario based figures) but I'm not overly concerned. While World of Nintendo relies heavily on repaints and reuse, series 1 of Super Mario features some straight up repacks. Basically, for ordering a complete set of series 1 figures I've ended up with some figures I didn't really need. Let's take Mario here: He's basically the same as the original 1-1 Mario and the 2-4 Mario. I was really hoping for a new Mario to kick off the new series, but that's not what we got. Let's take a quick look after the break...

Friday, March 15, 2019

Action Figure Review: Werewolf Biker from The Worst by Super7

    I feel like you couldn't even begin to enjoy this review unless you imagine Werewolf Biker being in a sleazy grindhouse styled trailer with the old fashioned movie trailer narration. Because that's exactly the vibe I get from this figure: Werewolf Biker is a vicious, brutal, bad guy that audiences root for despite him being Hairy Hell on Wheels. I like to believe that in some alternate reality there is an Earth where Werewolf Biker was a long running series of over the top 70s and 80s films that have now became legendary as cult classics. In the (early) 1990s there was even a revival TV show on USA and an attempt at a kids cartoon called Werewolf Riders. You just gotta look at this figure from Super7's The Worst line and the infinite possibilities start to flow through your mind...

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Action Figure Review: The Joker from DC Primal Age by Funko

    It's taken me a couple of months but I'm finally getting around to finishing my reviews for Series 1 of Funko's DC Primal Age. I'm going to be reviewing the Target exclusive black and grey Batman soon as well but, with the Joker here, all of the standard series 1 figures, vehicles, and playsets have been covered. While I purchased most of the series 1 figures at the same time the Joker took me a little longer to track down. The Target closest to me didn't have any Joker figures even though their shelves were quite full so I had to check other Target stores until I tracked him down. While I know not everyone digs the faux retro lines and the Masters of the Universe styled aesthetic of this line, I sure do. I'm really impressed with Funko's work here and I really hope they at least continue this line past the second series. To be honest, I think I would have liked to have seen what might have been if Funko had been awarded the main DC license for action figures. I'm curious what McFarlane is going to do but I think Funko could have produced great stuff. Hopefully fun stuff like this is still possible for them after this year! Anyways, let's check out this very cool swords and sorcery rendition of the Joker, shall we? More after the break...

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Action Figure: Cortex Commander from The Worst by Super7

    While we don't know much about the leadership structure of The Worst, I believe we can say with confidence that Cortex Commander is the .... brain of the operation. OK, bad joke! I really like The Worst. Super7 really does a good job with most of their ReAction figures and the idea of a line consisting solely of absurd villains is just too fun. Today I'm checking out Cortex Commander from Series 2, a villainous military officer billed as the Ruthless Mastermind of Chaos! These figures are really fun amalgams of all sorts of villainous tropes and Cortex Commander is one of my favorites. He reminds me of a character from a Mike Mignola comic, particularly one of the villainous Nazis from Hellboy, or perhaps a villains from The Tick. Let's check out this cool new addition to The Worst after the break...

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Action Figure Review: Wonder Woman from DC Primal Age by Funko

    I'm currently on a roll trying to review the rest of series 1 of Funko's DC Primal Age toyline and I'm finally getting around to checking out Wonder Woman. The fourth of the series 1 heroes, Wonder Woman is actually one of the coolest figures in the line. Since Princess Diana is already a magical/ fantasy based character who tends to wear armor and use a sword and shield her redesign isn't as drastic as some other characters in the line. Still, it works and we've received another really good Wonder Woman figure. Ready for a closer look at this incredible barbarian/fantasy version of Wonder Woman? Then join me after the break...

Monday, March 11, 2019

Action Figure Review: Red Tiger from The Worst by Super7

 Ready for another review from Super7's The Worst? Today we're getting another figure from Series 2: Red Tiger, the Brutal Champion of Carnage! Mixing together elements of an old school wrestler and a man-eating tiger, Red Tiger adds a bit more savagery to the villainous ranks of The Worst! Initially I wasn't thinking that Bronze Tiger would be one of my favorites from the series but having him in hand I really like him. He's crazy, over the top, and a true bad guy if you've ever seen one. He does bear an uncanny likeness to Bronze Tiger, though Bronze Tiger is by no means an actual tiger nor does he eat people. Let's check out Red Tiger, a humanoid tiger who does eat people, after the break...

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Action Figure Review: Scarecrow from DC Primal Age by Funko

    The second series of DC Primal Age figures are starting to show up online in a few places. Will I complete reviewing the first series before the second series arrives? Let's hope so! Today I'm checking out another villain in the series and this time it's the villainous Scarecrow! Do you think the master of fear fits well within the DC Primal Age line? I definitely do! He's really cool as he kind of brings the same vibe as Skeletor and Scareglow while also bringing his own unique and terrifying charm. I'm always down for a Scarecrow figure as he is one of the Batman villains who often gets a very unique makeover whenever he shows up in a new toyline. Let's check out the DC Primal Age Scarecrow after the break!

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Action Figure Review: Captain Deadstar from The Worst by Super7

    While you may have thought the faux Kenner action figure trend was over, it is actually still moving along with a number of figures still being created by Super7, who now has the ReAction brand name. Interestingly, even Hasbro is getting in on the genre by re-releasing vintage Kenner Star Wars figures and sculpting at least one new figure, too. While Funko's time with the ReAction brand seemed to be kind of a "throw everything against the wall and see what sticks"), Super7 is much more intentional about what licenses they pursue and develop product for. One of my favorite brands from Super7 is The Worst, a series of random in-house villains done in the Kenner style with glorious card artwork from Ed Repka. Super7 just released the second series of these so I ordered them and they just arrived in the mail this week. Let's check out the first one, Captain Deadstar: The Cosmic Ghoul Renegade! More weirdness after the break...

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Action Figure Review: Mister Freeze from DC Primal Age by Funko

 Last month I reviewed the Ice Mode version of Mister Freeze that was given out free at NYCC 2018. I really liked that guy so today I'm checking out the normal version of Mister Freeze from Funko's DC Primal Age line. Like the rest of the figures in the series, the early shipments released through Amazon in 2018 were prone to breakage so Funko completely released a second run of these through Target in January. These seem to be selling well as the classic DC Comics characters blend together quite well with the 1980s barbarian fantasy style of the classic Masters of the Universe toyline. Let's check out Mister Freeze after the break...

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Action Figure Review: Bizarro from DC Comics Multiverse by Mattel

 Me is Bizarro Barbecue17. Me not like DC Comics action figures. Me hate Batgirl, Masters of the Universe, and carbonated water. Me not find new Bizarro figure at Walgreens last week. This not a short review of Bizarro from Mattel's DC Comics Multiverse line....

OK, sorry, I can't keep that up that long! Yes, this is the DC Comics Multiverse Bizarro that is exclusive to Walgreens. I found it a week or so ago on a quick trip there while picking up some Chinese food next door and boy did it pay off! New DC Comics Multiverse figures have been hard to come by and Bizarro has been what I've really been looking for. He's a great classic version of the character and it's been well over a decade since Mattel last gave him a new sculpt (although his last repack release was in the MOTUC vs DCUC Faker vs.Bizarro set). This guy came at a great time as just a few weeks ago my daughter brought home one of the kids DC storybooks from school and it was a Superman and Bizarro story, so she's been really interested in Bizarro lately. This one was a hit! Let's check him our after the break...

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Action Figure Review: King Shark from DC Primal Age by Funko

  I've been slowly working my way through the DC Primal Age toyline and today I'm checking out another one of the series' villains: King Shark. King Shark is a pretty cool addition to the line and provides a nice counterpart to Aquaman in the line. While DC Primal Age has the usual complement of Batman foes and A-list DC villains like Bizarro and Lex Luthor (coming in series 2), King Shark is a nice lower tier villain to add some flavor to the line. A giant, savage shark man fits in perfectly with the barbarian fantasy aesthetic of the line, doesn't it? Let's check this guy out after the break...

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Action Figure Review: Dryden Vos from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase III by Hasbro

   Today I'm checking out another figure from the newest series of Star Wars: The Black Series figures and this time it's the public face of the Crmson Dawn crime syndicate, Dryden Vos. Played by Paul Bettany after the original actor couldn't be present for the Ron Howard directed reshoots (Michael Kenneth Williams originally played the role with the intention of Vos being a motion captured character, possibly a Lasat), Vos provides Han Solo a charming yet menacing introduction to the true nature of the criminal underworld. Since Bettany joined the cast later it took longer for Hasbro to get us an action figure of him. Where's a decent Qi'ra now, huh Hasbro? Anyways, Dryden Vos is one of the two Solo characters in this series. Let's check him out after the break...