Saturday, July 31, 2021

Action Figure Review: Dormammu from Marvel Legends Series: Super Villains by Hasbro

 


    Yesterday I reviewed the Hood from the recent Super Villains/ Xemnu series of Marvel Legends figures and today I'm reviewing the source of the Hood's hood: Dormammu! OK, so Dormammu is far more than just the source of the Hood's hood but it is a connection to the previous figure so I went with it. I was quite excited for the release of this Dormammu as the last Dormammu was a modern styled build-a-figure from the series of figures released with Doctor Strange back in 2016. Dormammu is one of the big bads of Doctor Strange (perhaps his primary antagonist?) and getting a classic version is a welcome addition to the Marvel Legends ranks. While I'm still waiting for a classic Doctor Strange from Hasbro a classic Dormammu helps to bring in some old school Marvel goodness. Let's see if Dormammu is a good bargain after the break...

Friday, July 30, 2021

Action Figure Review: The Hood from Marvel Legends Series: Super Villains by Hasbro

 


      I'm slowly making my way through the Xemnu/ Super Villains series of Marvel Legends figures and today for my third review from the set I'm checking out The Hood! There are a couple characters in this set who I wasn't aware of before the series was announced and the Hood is one of them. Created in 2002 by Bryan K. Vaughan, Kyle Hotz, and Eric Powell, the Hood is the name give to smalltime criminal Parker Robbins after he acquires a magical hood and decided to go big time. Even though he's been around for nearly 20 years at this point I can't recall ever seeing or hearing about the guy. I still picked him up, though, because I was planning on buying over half of the figures anyway and I wanted to build Xemnu, he was one of the first figures I found from this series back in late June, and he just seemed like a fun toy. The Hood has become somewhat of an action figure punchline lately because what do you get when you remove his hood and pistols? A screaming average guy. Need a regular criminal for your figures to fight? Why not the Hood? Want to represent an action figure collector ranting about exclusives or fighting with a Target employee about the release of G.I. Joe figures? here comes the Hood! He's far more versatile than you might think! Let's check out a rather interesting Marvel Legends Series release after the break...

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Action Figure Review: Asajj Ventress from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro



    New figures from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV have been very tough to find this year and somehow I managed to stumble upon Asajj Ventress when she was listed on Amazon at a regular price. While she's never appeared in any of the live-action films Asajj Ventress is a popular character with an excellent storyline spanning The Clone Wars animated series and some of the best books in the new canon, particularly Dooku: Jedi Lost and Dark Disciple. This is probably the most classic and recognizable look for Ventress and it was a great choice for her first Black Series figure (I'd love a Dark Disciple "hero" version of Asajj Ventress along with Quinlan Vos, too) and Hasbro did a pretty nice job with it. Let's take a look at one of the popular non-film characters of the Prequel era after the break...

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Action Figure Review: "Buzz Saw" Hordak from Masters of the Universe Origins by Mattel

 


   Buzz-Saw Hordak was released in 1987 as the third and final Hordak figure released in the vintage line. While he has a cool gimmick I've always found it kind of odd that Buzz-Saw Hordak didn't really look any different from regular Hordak. At a glance he's the exact same figure. That's the direction that the Masters of the Universe Origins version of "Buzz Saw" Hordak has gone in as well: He's very similar to the standard Hordak from the fourth series of figures but with a new torso and some new heads. "Buzz Saw" Hordak is one of the deluxe MOTU Origins figures which was definitely the right way to release him. Not only have the deluxe figures included lots of extra pieces and alternate heads but the figures also mostly have functioning action features. That's pretty cool! And, yes, it means "Buzz Saw" can actually launch saw blades from his chest. Let's jump in and see what all of the....buzz...is about after the break...

Monday, July 26, 2021

Action Figure Review: He-Man from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation by Mattel

 


   Ready for an all new He-Man review? Of course you are! I watched all five episodes of the first half of Masters of the Universe: Revelation with my family on Friday and while I am really enjoying the series so far I understand some of the reasons why it has been so divisive. It's a bold, interesting take on MOTU that draws from multiple sources and tries some new stuff. At this point I'm going to avoid spoilers as much as possible since the show hasn't even been out for a week yet. So, where to start? Well, this is He-Man from the new show. While the style is a bit different overall he looks like the He-man you remember, particularly if you're most familiar with the cartoons. There are some minor differences but overall he feels like a combination of the Filmation character design with some elements of the 200x style. I like the look of these Masterverse figures overall and am really enjoying the line. While I was watching MOTU: Revelation I kept seeing characters in the show and adding them to my mental wish list of figures I hope to see in Masterverse. Of course, who would collect this line without picking up He-Man? Let's take a look at He-Man after the break...

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Action Figure Review: Evil-Lyn from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation by Mattel



   The release of Masters of the Universe: Revelation on Netflix is almost here and I am absolutely thrilled! I'm also pretty excited that Mattel actually managed to get the figures out in time for the show. I didn't have a hard time at all finding the first series of Masterverse figures and since it seems like they're reliably popping up in large display bunkers at Walmarts I'm guessing lots of you are having success as well. I'm super excited that MOTU:Revelation seems like it will do some pretty exciting things with the property while still being a semi-transitional MOTU show. While some of the characters look very traditional (He-Man and Battle Cat) others are getting some different looks that seem to signify new roles and directions for them. Today I'm checking out Evil-Lyn and of the four basic figures in the first series of figures I think she's the least traditional looking. I've tried to keep myself fairly in the dark about most story elements of the new show but I'm speculating that at some point Skeletor becomes so powerful that Evil-Lyn turns against him or attempts to usurp his power. It's a look for Evil-Lyn that retains some of her classic design elements while also offering up something new. Let's take a look at the Masterverse Evil-Lyn after the break...

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Action Figure Review: Arcade from Marvel Legends Series: Super Villains by Hasbro

 

   I'm back with another review from the Super Villains/ Xemnu series of Marvel Legends and this time it's Arcade! While Arcade has been plaguing the Marvel Universe since 1978 I remember him from the wicked cool artwork of the 1989 PC game X-Men: Madness in Murderworld (which I probably saw in some gaming magazines) and from the 1992  game Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcades Revenge which I recall renting for SNES as a kid. While he's just a dweeby guy in a white suit Arcade really stands out and makes for a very cool figure in this series chock full of super villains. Arcade and his Murderworld have challenged many heroes over the years but I'll probably be placing him on a shelf with my X-Men villains as that just seems to be who he has battled with the most. Let's take a look at Arcade after the break...

Monday, July 19, 2021

Action Figure Review: Battle Cat from Masteverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation by Mattel

 

   I am so excited for Masters of the Universe: Revelation this week and I think another action figure review from Mattel's new Masterverse line is in order to help us all make it through this week. Today I'm checking out the massive Battle Cat from the Masterverse line! Since the line is called Masterverse and "Masters of the Universe: Revelation" is listed as sort of a subtitle it seems that Mattel has plans to eventually add characters from different MOTU eras into the line. So far, though, everything seems to be based on the new animated series which is fine with me. I'm liking the new looks for the characters and the overall design of the show. Battle Cat is sold in an oversized window and so far seems to only be popping up at Target.com, which is where I found mine. Ready for a look at Battle Cat? The join me after the break...

Friday, July 16, 2021

Action Figure Review: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper from Masters of the WWE Universe by Mattel

 
   Need another evil warrior to run amok through WWEternia? Then let's check out "Rowdy" Roddy Piper! Roddy Piper is one of the greats of wrestling and a larger than life persona who made a name in mainstream popular culture so it's cool to see him make an entrance into this line. I actually am a Piper fan due to his starring role in John Carpenter's They Live and it's exciting that Mattel is actually making a John Nada figure in their WWE Hollywood line, but I'm also a big fan of Piper running around in the land of 1980s toys. Back in 2007 Rowdy Roddy Piper was made a member of the Iron Grenadiers from G.I. Joe and now he's in Masters of the Universe (kind of). Pretty snazzy! Let's check out "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and see if the Evil Hot Rod can keep changing the questions just when the heroes think they know the answers...


Thursday, July 15, 2021

Action Figure Review: A.I.M. Scientist Supreme from Marvel Legends Series: Super Villains by Hasbro

 

   At the end of June I stumbled upon a few figures from the Bring on the Bad Guys/ Xemnu series of Marvel Legend figures. Would you believe that this isn't the newest series now? Seriously, as I'm writing this I just got Ironheart in the mail. That's crazy! I cannot believe how fast Hasbro can put out Marvel Legends figures! Anyways, the second newest (as of this writing) series of Marvel Legends figures is all about the bad guys and features a nice mixture of villains from different eras. Hasbro distribution of Marvel Legends is usually pretty good and I've since completed Xemnu with all purchases actually being in physical stores (3 at Target, 1 at Walmart, and 2 at GameStop)! First up I'm checking out the A.I.M. Scientist Supreme. I'm not very familiar with this character and, to the best of my knowledge, the title has been held by multiple characters over the years. This guy seems like a more modern incarnation of the character, though. He's a unique looking figure and goes great with M.O.D.O.K. and the other A.I.M. figures so he already had a spot in my collection. Let';s check out the A.I.M. Scientist Supreme after the break...
 

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Action Figure Review: Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat from Masters of the WWE Universe by Mattel

 

   Ready for another Masters of the WWE Universe review? Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat is another of the series 5 figures I found at my local Walmart around a month ago. There's not a lot of subtlety in this line so Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat comes with an actual dragon. Yup! The packaging calls it "Dragon Blaster" which is absolutely a reference to the 1985 Masters of the Universe Dragon Blaster Skeletor figure. Too bad he didn't come with a steamboat too, right? Let's take a look at Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, the Heroic Master of Dragons, after the break...
 

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Action Figure Review: Skelegod from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation by Mattel

 


   The adventure begins again! Yes, I am indeed reviewing the first figure in a brand new series of Masters of the Universe action figures and this time it's from the Masterverse line which is actually sold at retail. In the past week or two I've actually managed to obtain all six figures released in the series so far from retail (the basic figures from Walmart and the two deluxe figures from Target.com) and I'm quite excited about the potential this series has. It seems that the the Masterverse line might encompass MOTU figures from various media sources but so far everything we've seen is focused on the upcoming Masters of the Universe: Revelation that will premiere on Netflix on July 23rd. I am super excited for the series and have high hopes for it. Mattel seems to be quite invested in it, too, as Walmart stores are receiving large bunkers that are filled with figures and adorned with awesome art. The first figure I'll be reviewing is Skelegod, an oversized figure who appears to be Skeletor after he acquires the Power of Grayskull. Skeletor has been after the Power of Grayskull since the earliest minicomics and he was even depicted possessing it in the 1987 movie. We've seen "powered up" variants of Skeletor in the modern DC Comics series as well (the Skeletor Unleased version from the DC Universe vs Masters of the Universe story comes to mind) so there's a bit of a history with this concept. Here Skeletor is referred to as Skelegod, though, which shows that he's definitely packing some power. Let's take a look at this figure after the break and begin checking out yet another MOTU toy series...

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Action Figure Review: "Macho Man" Randy Savage from Masters of the WWE Universe by Mattel

 
    I was really getting worried that I had missed out on most of series 5 of Mattel's Masters of the WWE Universe line. After finding Becky Lynch and most of series 6 almost three months ago I was really starting to fear that either under ordered series 5 or that Mattel had under produced the it but I stumbled upon the three figures I was missing at my local Walmart a couple weeks ago! Let's check them out, starting with "Macho Man" Randy Savage decked out in the colors of the hWo, the Horde World Order. While the Randy Savage figure from series 2 played tribute to the classic 1980s era Macho Man this one pays tribute to his WCW days with influence from his nWo membership and his time leading the stable Team Madness. The Macho Man with Horde imagery? Sounds good to me! Supposedly this figure is the Macho Man after he was attacked by the evil warriors of WWEternia and placed in the Slime Pit. Let's check out the hWo "Macho Man" Randy Savage after the break...

Friday, July 9, 2021

Minifigure Review: Man-At-Arms from Masters of the Universe: Micro Collection by Mattel

 

  
  I just reviewed the Masters of the Universe: Micro Collection He-Man on Tuesday so if you want the full story on these check out that review! Today I'm checking out Man-At-Arms from this budget friendly line that currently appears to be exclusive to Dollar Tree. While they're no substitute for traditional action figures I have always enjoyed minifigures, especially painted ones with minimal articulation. I spent hours playing with toylines like Guts!, Trash Bag Bunch, and the Mattel Mega Heroes Judge Dredd figures and these little guys kind of remind me of those lines. While there are many "mini" Masters of the Universe lines from Mattel, Super7, Mega Construx, and The Loyal Subjects, these have a very different aesthetic to them. Man-At-Arms is almost always one of the first figures to show up in a MOTU range and he's certainly making his appearance here. Let's check him out after the break....

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Action Figure Review: Hunter from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

 


   I'm a few episodes behind on The Bad Batch but I am absolutely loving it. Who knew that we needed a mash-up of The Clone Wars and the A-Team/ The Dirty Dozen? I've admittedly been left cold by Sequel Trilogy but there's been so much other incredible Star Wars stuff that I can just ignore that area of the Star Wars galaxy for now and focus on the stuff that's been outright amazing. While the figures have been tough to find and they haven't released all of the crew yet Hasbro did do a pretty good job of getting some of the Bad Batch figures out right as the show was kicking off. Today I'm checking out Hunter, the only Bad Batch figure I've picked up so far. Hunter is the leader of Clone Force 99 and is augmented with enhanced senses. Allegedly based on the design of Billy from Predator there definitely seems to be some inspiration from John Rambo in Hunter's design as well. He's probably my second favorite member of the team (Wrecker is hard not to love) and I was thrilled to get him in hand. Let's take a look at Hunter after the break...
 

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Minifigure Review: He-Man from Masters of the Universe: Micro Collection by Mattel

 
   You've surely noticed that while I usually collect 6-7 inch action figures of properties I like, when it comes to Masters of the Universe I pretty much pick up whatever I can get. I just love seeing the different types of product out there. Recently Dollar Tree has become an unusually hot place for toy collectors with the pretty cool Final Faction line along with the budget G.I. Joe figures and now some very impressive Masters of the Universe minifigures. These seem to be very heavily based on the vintage toyline and they're called the Masters of the Universe: Micro Collection. These are actually made by Mattel and they're some of the best minifigures on the market. For $1 there is no reason not to track these down. I acquired my full set a week ago and it's pretty exciting to pick up a full set of MOTU figures for $5. The set includes He-Man, Man-At-Arms, Orko, Mer-Man, and Skeletor. Let's check out He-Man, the main man and most powerful man in the universe, after the break...

Monday, July 5, 2021

Action Figure Review: Scarlet Witch from Marvel Legends Series: WandaVision by Hasbro

 
     I've had Scarlet Witch for a few weeks now but I'm just finally getting around to reviewing her! The Shang-Chi and recent X-Men series of Marvel Legends have been relatively easy to find as I've seen complete sets multiple times. The Disney+ themed series has been pretty tough, though. Being mostly a collector of the comic themed figures, the only figures I was looking for from the set were Baron Zemo (whom I've already reviewed) and Scarlet Witch and I think I've only seen them at retail one time each. I liked Wanda Maximoff quite well after her appearance in Civil War (I thought she was a bit dull in Age of Ultron) but WandaVision absolutely made her standout as a character and really elevated my love for her. The fact that she finally became known as the Scarlet Witch and wore one of the best costumes in the MCU didn't hurt, either. Hasbro did an incredible job with this figure and I really think she's the high point of this series. While there's no Agatha Harkness for her to square off against yet I don't think that's keeping folks from picking her up. Let's take a look at the Scarlet Witch after the break and see if she's as magical as she seems...

Sunday, July 4, 2021

Action Figure Review: Orange Yoshi from Super Mario by Jakks Pacific

 
   I really don't think Jakks Pacific' Super Mario Line (a Mario focused continuation of their long running World of Nintendo line) has innovated at all over the past few years. That being said, they're still making the figures, they usually have fun, colorful sculpts, and their distribution seems to have gotten better. I ordered this Orange Yoshi from Big Bad Toy Store but I've been seeing lots of these figures at Walmart, Target, and GameStop (who has their own exclusive packaging). The classic green Yoshi was part of the first series of figures back in 2014 and has been repainted a few times over the years (we've gotten blue, red, pink, and black variants of Yoshi so far). This guy is a simple repaint, too, but I couldn't resist him. Originally in some earlier stuff there were brown Yoshis but the orange Yoshi has replaced that color (maybe the brown was originally intended to be orange?). My daughter and I both love Nintendo and we have fun collecting this line together. Let's take a look at Orange Yoshi after the break...

Saturday, July 3, 2021

Action Figure Review: Major Bludd from G.I. Joe Classified Series

 
   With the release of Major Bludd in the G.I. Joe Classified Series Hasbro has really covered the A-list Cobra members, haven't they? Sure, there's plenty of characters still left (Doctor Mindbender, Serpentor, Dr. Venom, Scrap Iron, i.e.) but Hasbro got the big guns out in less than a year. That's kind of something that most collector focuses lines avoid these days but I say good for Hasbro. I think they have some real confidence in this line now. They certainly put their all into every release it seems and the distribution problems are improving, too. Major Bludd is one of the Target Cobra Island exclusives and he's been much easier to find than the previous releases in the series. Major Bludd was available in 1983 as both a mail away figure and a single carded release and quickly became a major part of Cobra's evil operations. He's always had a strong design and Hasbro really didn't have to do much to modernize the guy other than spruce up the details of his armor and gear a bit. Let's take a look at Major Bludd after the break and see how successful they were...
 

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Toy Review: Battle Cat from Hot Wheels: Monster Trucks by Mattel

 


   The last time I purchased a toy of a Monster Truck was probably in the 1990s when there was some line of Monster Trucks that had MASK sized action figured with them. I had...Grave Digger, maybe? Anyways, I've never been much of a Monster Truck fan but I recently bought one because...well, because it looks like Battle Cat. And my oh my, how awesome is this? Hot Wheels has dome some pretty cool Monster Trucks mashed up with other properties (Nintendo, TMNT, etc.) but it was Battle Cat that caught my attention. It just works. Don't ask ask me to explain my love for this toy. It's crazy, over the top, and irresistible! Let's check out Battle Cat this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday! at Action Figure Barbecue.com. After the break...