Saturday, December 31, 2022

Action Figure Review: SWARM Trooper from Action Force by Valaverse

   
   Valaverse recently released a Special Deployment Series at the beginning of the December that shipped to me before Christmas. I picked up lots of cool stuff, mostly accessory packs (including the super cool Crimson Shadow Arsenal tin with 98 weapons), but the only full figure I grabbed was the SWARM trooper. I can't completely remember why I skipped this guy the first time around but this reissue was back in stock and I snagged him, along with the SWARM Gear Pack. I received the SCARAB for my birthday a few months back and since I liked the design and color scheme so much, I opted to add the SWARM Trooper to the ranks. Let's take a look at this very cool army builder after the break...


Friday, December 30, 2022

Action Figure Review: B.A.T. (Python Patrol) from G.I. Joe: Cassified Series by Hasbro


   The standard Cobra B.A.T. showed up at the very beginning of 2022 (with a few sneaking out before then) and was a really impressive figure. B.A.T.s are always a hit and the Classified Series version, while adhering closely to the the vintage G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero design, was perfection. As part of Target's newest exclusive theme we have a Python Patrol version of the B.A.T., a variant of the android never released in the vintage line or any of the subsequent 1/18th scaled lines so far as I'm aware. It's a new variant and a pretty cool looking one at that. He's also been fairly easy to find. I've seen him on shelves at Target in droves and scored mine online. Is the distribution of exclusives actually improving? Let's hope so. Let's check out the Python Patrol version of the B.A.T. after the break...



Thursday, December 29, 2022

Action Figure Review: Apocalypse from Marvel Legends Retro Collection: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   My introduction to Marvel was through Toy Biz's Marvel Super Heroes and X-Men action figure lines, so these Marvel Legends Retro Collection release always give me some warm and fuzzy nostalgia. I have a pretty decent Marvel Legends X-Men collection but I never had the Apocalypse Buid-a-Figure and, while I like the Age of Apocalypse version of Apocalypse I have, I really wanted this classic version of the First One. While Apocalypse is an ancient mutant, he was actually a fairly new character when he appeared in Toy Biz's original X-Men line (his first appearance was in X-Factor in the summer of 1986). I'm pretty sure I got the original Apocalypse figure at a KB Toys and I distinctly remember his "extending" action and his weird staff with a hidden jewel inside. This one mirrors the classic colors and packaging of that vintage toy but the accessories are different. He doesn't grow, either. Let's take a look at Apocalypse after the break...


Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Action Figure Review: Serpentor & Air Chariot from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   I've had Serpentor in hand for about a month now and while I originally intended to have him posted for Christmas day, well, that didn't happen. You see, I received the vintage Serpentor figure on Christmas back in 1987. I was four years old and it might be the first Christmas I truly remember. Since my dad managed retail, we rarely went away for Christmas but that year we went to visit my relatives in Ohio. We spent Christmas Eve with my maternal grandma and grandpa ( I remember getting the Bionic Six Secret Headquarters) and then went to my aunt's house on Christmas day where my paternal grandma joined us. I remember her buying me lots of G.I. Joe figures, so maybe she thought it was some way to help connect me to my grandpa who passed when I was only two or so (my paternal grandpa, Pappy, was in the Army in World War 2 and the Navy during the Korean War), or maybe they just weren't as weird to her as the Masters of the Universe? Who knows. I remember getting Serpentor at my aunt's house along with Ecto-1. When we got home that night (we lived outside of Cincinnati at the time) I remember getting the Fright Zone, the G.I. Joe Mobile Command Center, and the original Nintendo Entertainment System, though that was more of a gift for my dad at the time I think. Anyways, despite being a key part of the Cobra legions (and a crazy part of the animated movie and the Marvel comics storyline), Serpentor first stands out to me as a Christmas gift. The Classified Series version of Serpentor is another figure with minimal updates; he's a snake themed armor clad warrior. He's not exactly outdated, so it works here. All of the detail is just upgraded. He does have better accessories than the original figure, however, so that's a huge plus. He was sold through Hasbro Pulse during the PulseCon 2022 and started shipping in November. Ready to ride with Serpentor? Then join me after the break...



Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Action Figure Review: Caustic (Geometric Anomaly) from Apex Legends by Jakks Pacific

 


   For most of the late 2010s it seemed like the only makers of traditional action figures on mass market retail shelves were Hasbro and Mattel. Over the past 3-5 years, though, it feels like a number of other companies have shown up, delivering toys to mass retail. NECA has dramatically improved their retail presence, McFarlane has reemerged with their successful DC Multiverse, and smaller companies beginning with the letter "J" like Jazwares, Jada Toys, and Jakks Pacific have been offering lots of solid toys, mostly based on video games. Jazwares has had success with Fortnite and Halo, Wicked Cool Toys with Pokemon, Jada Toys is getting ready to deliver some solid looking Street Fighter figures, and Jakks Pacific has been putting out lots of Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, and figures from Apex Legends. I've seen the Apex Legends figures on shelves for at leas a year and while they've always caught my eye, I've never snagged any. When I stumbled upon Caustic in his Geometric Anomaly skin at GameStop one day when there was a sale going on and I had some Pro rewards bucks, I picked him up. While he certainly looks like the character from the popular video game, I picked him up because he looks like he could make a good Cobra agent. He's straight out of the G.I. Joe Eco Warriors designs of the early 1990s. I'm not very familiar with Apex Legends but I'm always down for a good figure. Let's check out Caustic (Geometric Anomaly) after the break...


Monday, December 26, 2022

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

 
   Shortly before Christmas I received my Masters of the Universe Origins version of Camo Khan in the mail from Mattel Creations. I'm still trying to get a standard Kobra Khan but I've got this one to tide me over. Actually, this one is just a bit cooler due to having an extra head based on the Masters of the Universe Classic acid spewing head. The figure itself is based on a variant released by the Argentinian company Top Toys which was called Kobra Khan Camuflado. It's one of the most well known international variants and has a couple different variations, each with a different weapon. Mattel made this a more "deluxe" Origins offering with resealable packaging, two portraits, and two weapons to correspond with the two most well known of the three vintage variants. There's also a cool new story where Skeletor transforms Kobra Khan into Camo Khan and sends him back to Preternia to build an army. Of course, Since Koba/ Camo Khan is really loyal to King Hiss, shenanigans happen and Eternia is faced to deal with the rise of the Snake Men! Let's check out this key part of the Rise of the Snake Men storyline in Origins after the break...


Friday, December 23, 2022

Happy Festivus: Frank Costanza from Seinfeld by Culturefly

 



   Happy Festivus! No matter if you're celebrating this evening by hosting a dinner complete with the Feats of Strength and the Airing of Grievances and dining on meatloaf on a bed of lettuce with a side of peas or just sitting back and watching "The Strike," Festivus is a special day worth celebrating. No tinsel and no gifts, though. Today I'm checking out a very special figure: The father of Festivus himself, Frank Costanza. Culturefly has apparently made quite a few cool Seinfeld collectibles but this year's Frank Costanza (complete with an aluminum Festivus Pole) is a true Festivus miracle. Let's celebrate this Festivus for the rest of us after the break...




Action Figure Review: Ragsy from Fortnite: Victory Royale Series by Hasbro

 

   Last month I was at my local Bargain Hunt and found this Ragsy figure from Hasbro's Fortnite: Victory Royale Series for around $7 dollars, so I scooped her up. I haven't had much interest in any of Hasbro's other Fortnite figures but for $7 bucks Ragsy can make a pretty cool figure. Maybe she can even hang out with the Dreadnoks or be a Marvel Legends goon? I really liked Jazwares' Fortnite: Legendary Series but, to be honest, I just don't have any real attachment to the Fortnite brand. I sold most of my figures, kept the accessories and figures I wanted, and moved on. Ragsy was kind of an impulse pick up for sure, but she does offer me a chance to see what Hasbro is going with the line. Let's check her out after the break...




Thursday, December 22, 2022

Action Figure Review: Koska Reeves from Star Wars: The Vintage Collection by Hasbro

 



  Ready for another review of one of my bin store finds? How about the Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Koska Reeves for a little under $5? While Galoob's Star Wars Micro Machines and Kenner's Power of the Force 2 figures were my gateway into the world of Star Wars, for the past 10 years I've preferred the larger figures of the Black Series. Oddly enough, I do own the Black Series Koska Reeves figure but I didn't review her for some reason. At least I'll have some version of Koska Reeves on the site now, right? This TVC version is apparently a Target exclusive, but the bin store I frequent seems to get a lot of Target overstock, clearance, and returns, so it makes sense that they'd have her, too. The last time I reviewed a figure from The Vintage Collection was Doctor Aphra back in 2018, so I guess there hasn't been much that's caught my eye over the past three years. Koska Reeves sure did, though. Let's check her out after the break...


Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Action Figure Review: Demona from Gargoyles by NECA

 

     Lately I've been finding some real gems at a local bin store and today I'm checking out another great find: Demona from NECA's Gargoyles line. I absolutely remember Gargoyles being on but I don't remember watching it much. I was in fifth grade and definitely still was watching cartoon and playing with action figures (to be honest, I've never really stopped), but I guess I just never got too into it. I remember the toys being in stores and looking quite cool but I was probably more into Spawn, Stargate, Mighty Max, Iron Man, and Batman. I didn't realize until the last year or two what a fanbase Gargoyles still has and it makes me want to go back and watch the show on Disney+. NECA's Gargoyles action figures looked impressive but I didn't have any interest in picking them up. When I stumbled upon Demona for $12 or $15 dollars at a bin store, though, I couldn't resist. She's a very cool looking figure who can fit into multiple different places in my collection. Demona is one of the main villains from the show, she's a gargoyle, she hates humans, she was once partners with Goliath, and had a figure in the vintage Kenner toyline. That's pretty much everything I know about Demona, so let's check her out after the break....


Monday, December 19, 2022

Action Figure Review: Mr. T from WWE Ultimate Edition by Mattel

 


   Who's ready for Mr. T? I am a huge Mr. T fan and I was beyond thrilled to find this figure. It's been a couple years since I last purchased a straight up wrestling figure (though I did grab the Masters of the WWE Universe figures) but when I stumbled upon this WWE Ultimate Edition of Mr. T, I just knew I had to add him to my collection. I'm honestly considering popping his head on a spare G.I. Joe Classified Series body or on an Action Forcer body so Mr. T/ B.A. Baracus can join the Joe team, but wrestling fans should find a lot to like here, too. The WWE Ultimate Editions seem to be Mattel's current deluxe WWE offerings as they come with multiple outfit pieces, alternate heads and hands, and a dew accessories each. The prices seem to be all over the place but, from what I can tell, they retail for around $33 dollars. I didn't pay that much. I paid less than $5 bucks. Seriously, I love this bin store near me. It's like the old KB Toys bargain bins, but better. Less than $5 bucks for Mr. T? I pity the fool who'd pass that deal up! Let's take a look at this version of Mr. T from when he was Hulk Hogan's tag-team partner at the original Wrestlemania in 1985...


Saturday, December 17, 2022

Action Figure Review: Gorr from Marvel Legends Series: Thor by Hasbro

 




   I hadn't even heard of Gorr the God Butcher prior to his appearance in the trailers for Thor: Love and Thunder as I don't keep up much with modern Marvel comics, but from all I've heard he seems like a rather unique villain. Gorr first appeared in Thor: God of Thunder #1 back in 2013 and was created by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic. I liked Christian Bale's portrayal of Gorr in Thor: Love and Thunder quite a bit and I was almost tempted to pick up the movie based figure at some point to have a Gorr on my shelf but, fortunately, Hasbro put this figure up for preorder before I snagged the MCU version. Gorr the God Butcher is an Amazon exclusive and went up for preorder at the end of August. Originally his preorder arrival date was December 2023 but at some point it shifted to December 2022. That's a heck of a decrease in arrival time, right? 2022 was a big year for Gorr, so let's check him out after the break...

Friday, December 16, 2022

Action Figure Review: Mighty Thor from Marvel Legends Series: Thor: Love and Thunder by Hasbro

 


   I don't usually pick up the actual movie based figures (I prefer the comic versions of characters who have appeared in the MCU) but a week or two ago I was at a local bin store and scored Jane Foster as the Mighty Thor for less than $5 bucks. Considering she's a pretty cool figure and it's based on buff Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, I snapper her up. Man, I've been finding some crazy deals at the bin store! I liked Thor: Love and Thunder. Tonally it was odd at times, jumping back and forth between abject silliness and some of the darkest moments in the MCU, but overall I enjoyed the ride. Natalie Portman's turn as Thor (or the Mighty Thor) was definitely one of the strongest parts of the film and a nice next step/ finale for the character. I didn't pick up any of the other Thor: Love and Thunder Legends due to having no interest in them and I passed on the Mighty Thor originally since I already own the previous comic version, but, again, this figure for less than $5 bucks was hard to pass out. Let's check out Jane Foster as the Mighty Thor after the break...



Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Action Figure Review: Bonebreaker from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   I was really into Toy Biz's Marvel figures as a kid, particularly the X-Men and X-Force lines. Throughout the 1990s Toy Biz cranked out characters from almost every corner of the Marvel Universe, paving the way for the eventual rise of Marvel Legends, but the X-Men universe definitely was the area of heaviest focus. Toy Biz often has some unusual character selection, so sometimes major characters were never made while characters who had incredibly brief appearances made their way into the line. Bonebreaker was a character I didn't know from much as a kid other than his appearance in the 1992 arcade game, but I thought he was the best. I mean...he's a tank guy. What's not to like about that? Bonebreaker has been one of my most wanted Marvel Legends figures and I was disappointed that he finally made his appearance in a series of figures that I wasn't overly interested in. When I first stumbled upon the complete set of six figures at the store, I couldn't bring myself to drop $150 plus on so many figures I wasn't interested in just to build him. Fortunately with some luck and patience, I ended up snagging Bonebreaker and four of the figures from the series for under $60 bucks. Not bad! I've been eagerly looking forward to reviewing Bonebreaker, so let's take a look at him after the break...



Action Figure Review: Havok from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 
  
   Havoc is part four of my little epic about how I ended up getting Bonebreaker on the cheap. Part 1 details how I found Maggott, Siryn, Vulcan, and Darwin for $10 bucks each at a bin store. I actually sold the Vulcan and Darwin figures to someone who just wanted the figures, so I scored the first four parts with two figures for $20 bucks. I then picked up Sabretooth for $18 bucks on sale, now netting me 5/6ths of Bonebreaker and 3 figures for $38 bucks total. Lastly, I went after Havok. I have the 2016 Havoc from the Juggernaut BAF series and the blue and yellow Havok from the 2-pack with Polaris, but this one is a much more classic Havok, plus I like his energy effects. I shopped around for his parts of Bonebreaker and ended up grabbing one for $19 bucks on Amazon. Guess what? When it showed up it was the 2016 Havok figure and accessories crammed into the new Havok's box with no BAF parts. Lame! A quick swap and I ended up with my new Havok but, most importantly, the parts to build Bonebreaker. Bonebreaker is coming next but first we have to check out Alex Summers. Join me after the break...



Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Action Figure Review: Sabretooth from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   It's time for part 3 of "How I ended up getting Bonebreaker even though I wasn't terribly interested in this series," so check out part 1 for the full setup. Anyways, after getting four of Bonebreaker's parts and the accompanying figures for cheap (I sold off Darwin and Vulcan) I had to decide whether or not I was going to try to pick up the remaining pieces individually or if I was going to pick up the final two figures. I found a solid deal on Sabretooth which was cheaper than buying the parts separately, so I went ahead and ordered him. I already have the Jim Lee era Sabretooth from the Apocalypse BAF series, but this guy kind of appealed to me and I figured he'd either make a nice companion to the first appearance Wolverine figure (even though they didn't battle then) or I'd just sell or trade him off. This Sabretooth is an interesting figure. He seems to be based on Sabretooth's earliest appearances in comics where he battled Iron Fist, Luke Cage, and Spider-Man, but his head looks more modern, like something from Wolverine: Origins. He's an interesting amalgam of different looks for Victor Creed that some folks will inevitably be frustrated by. He's a recognizable villain, though, so you can't blame Hasbro for using him (long with another Wolverine variation) to help anchor a wave of not as recognizable mutants. Let's take a look at this version of Sabretooth after the break...



Monday, December 12, 2022

Action Figure Review: Siryn from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   To get fully up to speed on this review, make sure to check out my review of Maggott! 

   OK, so long story short: I really wanted Bonebreaker from this series of figures but only kind of wanted Siryn and Havok. Everyone else was a pass, especially at the new $25 dollar price point. When I found four of the figures for $10 each at a bin store I jumped in and figured what the heck. I sold off a few of the figures I didn't want, kept the ones I did, and that's how I came to have Siryn in my collection. Thanks to the upcoming Banshee figure next year we'll finally have a great set of this father and daughter duo of super sonic screamers. Ready to take a look at Theresa Maeve Rourke Cassidy as  Siryn? Then join me after the break...




Sunday, December 11, 2022

Action Figure Review: Maggott from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   Where to start? Well, while the X-Men is one of the two major themes of my Marvel Legends collecting, I do have to admit that my X-Men fandom is mostly confined to X-Men comics from prior to the mid-late 1990s and characters I know from the films. That being said, the most recent X-Men series didn't really appeal to me that much. Most of the characters were folks I had plenty of (Wolverine and Sabretooth) or characters I wasn't overly familiar with (Maggott, Vulcan, and Darwin). The Build-a-Figure, however, is Bonebreaker, a character I love. Yeah, he's cool in the comics and all, but not a heavy hitter or anything. But that vintage Toy Biz figure? He was one of my favorites an the Legends figure seemed to be incredible. Still, with this series of Legends jumping up to the $24.99 price point and with a cast of figures I mostly didn't want, I skipped over these when they released and just waited, assuming that someday I'd get a Bonebreaker at decent price. One day last month we hit up one of those bin stores near us and I discovered they had some amazing action figures in stock at crazy prices. I walked away with Vulcan, Siryn, Darwin, and Maggott for $10 each. An acquaintance was glad to take  the Darwin and Vulcan figures off my hands for $10 bucks each, so I now had four of the six figures needed to complete Bonebreaker. I was going to sell Maggott but I'll admit that I liked the look of the figure. Honestly, the biggest reason I recognize Maggott is from him being announced as one of the X-Men Flying Fighters figures in ToyFare magazines and other fine action figure publications back in 1998. The series was cancelled, however and folks were pissed at the time. I figures that he looked cool and kind of gave me a nostalgic feeling as a "toy that got away" from back in the day, so I kept him. Here he is now for your review reading pleasure...



Saturday, December 10, 2022

Action Figure Review: Mojo from Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro


   Next up in this marathon of Marvel Legends Series figures is Mojo! Mojo was a hue surprise when he showed up on store shelves a couple months ago as it seemed like the only way to get him was to order the Hasbro Pulse exclusive Mojoworld 4-pack set. Coming at at $131.99, that set contains Mojo, Longshot, Dazzler, and a Wolverine "slug" figure. It definitely seemed overpriced but when it was announced late last spring it seemed like the only way to get Mojo and Longshot. When Mojo started hitting the shelves at Target it seemed like picking him up was a smart move as Longshot would probably be released on his own, too. Sure enough, Longshot is coming to the Retro collection and I already have two other Dazzler figures, so single boxed Mojo was good enough for me. Toy Biz released Mojo as a Build-a-Figure back in 2006 so it's about time that Hasbro revisited the guy. I always wanted the X-Force Mojo as a kid but never got him for some reason. Was he kind of tough to come by, perhaps? Anyways, now Mojo's mine. Let's take a look at Mojo after the break and see if he's a star...


Friday, December 9, 2022

Action Figure Review: Sleepwalker from Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro

 
   I originally picked up Sleepwalker on clearance somewhere thinking that I'd use him for 31 Days of Toy Terror 2022, but that didn't end up happening. I liked the look of the figure when I first saw him as part of the series of figures tied in with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessbut I didn't end up snagging him until I found him on sale somewhere as I wasn't familiar with him at all. He's a Sleepwalker (his real name is unpronounceable to we humans), a member of a race who live in the Mindscape and protect the minds of those who are sleeping from unspeakable horrors. Is he kind of like Sandman? He kind of reminds me of Sandman a bit. His face also looks like a Duros from Star Wars, though that's probably just me. Anyways, I picked him up because he seemed like he'd be a good fit for the Halloween season but in hand I really do like the figure. He hasn't done much in the Marvel Universe for the past 30 years or so, but who knows? He might pop up in the MCU some day and become a household name. You might see little kids dressed like Sleepwalker walking the streets on Halloween and folks at conventions for Sleepwalker art and customs. Anything is possible! Let's take a look at Sleepwalker after the break...

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Action Figure Review: U.S. Agent from Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro

 


   When it comes to Marvel Legends collecting my two main interests are X-Men related characters and comic versions of characters who have appeared in the MCU, so the last few months have added plenty of characters I really wanted to my collection. When John Walker appeared in last year's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier I started checking prices on the last version of U.S. Agent (from 2012) and decided I was going to wait, assuming Hasbro would get around to the Captain again. They did! The last few months have been a crazy time for Marvel Legends figures and while I've reviewed quite a few of them, including a few as part of 31 Days of Toy Terror 2022, but today starts a marvelous Marvel Legends mini marathon. Heck, it might just be a full on marathon. I picked up U.S. Agent back in late September, shortly before I reviewed his fellow series-mates Madame Hydra and Quake, but it's taken me this long to get around to him. Let's take a look at John Walker, U.S. Agent, after the break...



Wednesday, December 7, 2022

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

 



   Since so many of my vintage Masters of the Universe figures were acquired at such a young age (I wasn't born until 1983), I can't always recall when I received certain figures. I'm pretty confident I received Whiplash for Christmas one year, probably in 1987 or 1988, so after the line was already dead, but I was a kid and I loved them. I received the Fright Zone for Christmas 1988 and I'm pretty sure I received King Randor, Snout Spout, and the Slime Pit for Christmas in 1989, so Whiplash could have been either of those years. Whiplash was never one of my absolutely favorites, though. Despite being a walking crocodile man, he always seemed kind of dull to me. Man, you can tell MOTU is pretty wild when a walking crocodile man is viewed as a bit dull, huh? I love Whiplash's color scheme, though, and I'm thrilled that he's finally made it into Origins. Just counting action figures, all of the vintage series 3 figures have now been released in Origins (though I don't yet personally have Kobra Khan and Mekaneck), so that's kind of a big deal. I've really been hoping for a Masterverse Whiplash with his Motherboard cult outfit, but for now we've got this classic version. Whiplash is currently the last figure in this mini-marathon of Masters of the Universe Origins reviews so let's give this Caligar a few minutes of our time after the break...




Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Action Figure Review: Teela & Zoar from Masters of the Universe Origins by Mattel

 


   The Masters of the Universe Origins mini marathon continues today with a look at the Teela and Zoar two-pack. Teela and Zoar were paired together in a gift set in the vintage line, too, so this set pays tribute to that 1983 release. While Teela was originally released in the line in 2020, Zoar is new to MOTU Origins. Teela has a lot of new elements that make her more than just a repaint, however; she comes with new portrait, a new sword, and the updated knees that most of the newer female figures have had. Zoar is surprisingly very vintage to the vintage toy, based on the eagle from the 1970s Big Jim line. I was never a huge fan of the oversized Screeech and Zoar in the vintage line so I wasn't thrilled with Mattel replicating the vintage toy so faithfully here. We'll have to see if having this one in hand and messing around with it a bit changes my mind any. While this set is apparently a shared exclusive between Big Bad Toy Store and Entertainment Earth and thus won't be on a traditional retail shelf, the packaging is incredible and really shows off the toys well. It's very impressive and nostalgic. Ready to check out Teela and Zoar? Then join me after the break...



Monday, December 5, 2022

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

 


   The Snake Men have finally arrived in Masters of the Universe Origins! Skeletor'ss crew has been very well represented and the Evil Horde has had over half of their vintage crew in the line, so now it's the Snake Men's turn! Series 11 introduces the first two Snake Men to Origins, Kobra Khan (who was first an Evil Warrior then a Snake Man) and Rattlor, and it's Rattlor who I'm checking out today. Rattlor (AKA the General, AKA Slltyo of the Rattlor House) was one of the first Snake Men and was King Hiss's second in command in the MYP animated series. He definitely seems like a pretty serious fellow and I'm happy to say that Mattel did a great job translating the vintage toy into the Origins line. Ready for a quick strike from Rattlor? Then join me after the break...


Friday, December 2, 2022

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

 


   Ready for another Masters of the Universe Origins review? Let's take a look at another member of the Sun-Man and the Rulers of the Sun cast who has been introduced into Eternia: Digitino, the Numerical Genius! I will say that out of all of the Rulers of the Sun characters, Digitino might look the most dull (it's either him or Holographo, but Holographo does have a beard and a giant Nerf looking sword). Other than having some numbers on a glow-in-the-dark vest, there's nothing about Digitino that really seems to convey the idea from his original origin story that he is Dr. Carlos Montanez, a scientist whose brain has been fused together with a computer. Dr. Montanez also receives a vision of Quetzacoatl and is charged with stopping a villain named Subtractus. Of course, in the comic included with this figure, Digitino is now a resident of Trefixa who seems to have a computer-like mind, kind of like how Sherlock Holmes was portrayed in the Robert Downey Jr. films. It's pretty cool in the MOTU Origins minicomic "Mind Over Matter" which is included with Digitino and the other figures in this series. Ready to check out Digitino and see how the figure turned out? Then join me after the break...


Thursday, December 1, 2022

Action Figure Review: Bolt-Man from Masters of the Universe Origins by Mattel

 

   Today I'm kicking off another mini marathon of action figure reviews and this time I'm taking a look at some of the newest Masters of the Universe Origins figures out there. Let's start with one that's really out of left field: Bolt-Man. Wait... you don't remember Bolt-Man? Well, neither do I. Few will since he was part of the Sun-Man and the Rulers of the Sun action figure line in the 1980s. Masters of the Universe fans largely seem to love figures based on concept artwork, bizarre international variants, unproduced prototypes, and "knock off" lines designed to be compatible to MOTU, so it's pretty neat that Mattel has been officially releasing Olmec Toys' Sun-Man figures as part of Origins. So, who is Bolt-Man? He's listed as a "Molecular Regenerator" but his real name is Joe Red Eagle. He's a Native American/ Indigenous person from the Apache tribe and comes from Iowa, according to a booklet included with the vintage figures. Bolt-Man's power comes the turquoise bandanna, given to him by his mother, and allows him to manipulate molecules, regenerating and restoring them. He's fast and he has the power to change into other great Native Americans that are part of his heritage. Now, looking at Mattel's copy for the version of the character, Bolt-Man is a healer and a warrior who can manipulate molecules. Is he a transplant from Earth like Queen Marlena now that he's a part of MOTU? In the minicomic he identifies himself as Bolt-Man of Trefix, so I doubt the Earth origin of the vintage pack-in will still be used. As part of the "Rise of the Snakemen" minicomic Bolt-Man uses his powers to help heal He-Man of King Hiss' poison, so he has a unique powerset to add to the crew. This guy is a modern recreation of a pretty rare vintage figure and he comes with blue lightning bolt weapons; that makes him kind of unique, right?. He definitely looks like someone who would ally himself with He-Man in the Filmation series, so let's take a look at Bolt-Man after the break and see what he brings to the table...