Toys in San Diego… Make Mine Mattel!

Originally published 07/31/09 at geekinthecity.com

For me, San Diego Comic Con has always been akin to Christmastime. A plethora of sights and sounds, all exhilarating, unexpected and… shiny. Comic Con is a yearly pilgrimage for those who count themselves among the pop culture elite. A conclave of showmen (and women) from the comic book, movie, television and toy industries, the San Diego Convention Center transforms into a writhing biomass of glorious geeks.

After attending Comic Con for the past three years, I decided to take a year off. A geek (even one as feverish about his toy collecting as this one) must recharge the cells and this year seemed like the perfect time to do so. As I watched Comic Con unfold last weekend I realized that, like Mr. Donovan… I chose poorly. There were so many amazing toy announcements (the return of Battle Beasts!), prototypes on display (Venkman!) and exclusives sold (He-Ro!) that I embraced that most easily-accessible sin (envy!) with warp speed.

So then, in the spirit of Comic Con and all the things that I (and likely you) missed out on, here are some of my favorite toy announcements. This is by no means a comprehensive list of what was shown in San Diego, but more a selection of my action figure picks for the coming year…

Masters of the Universe Classics (Mattel)
Shocking, I know. This line has perfected the art of freeing $26 from my wallet on the 15th of every month. If you haven’t yet seen or purchased any of these amazing figures, this release schedule ought to do the trick. Mattel also announced the details of their new MOTUC subscription service, dubbed Club Eternia. Joining the Club will secure 12 months worth of figures. You will be charged for one figure each month on the 15th. The service does not include any of the the bonus figures, which are being scheduled to allow for potential delays in production and availability of the regularly-scheduled MOTUC figure. Club Eternia membership does include the exclusive figure “Wun-Dar” (complete with loaf of bread!) and a double-sided Eternia map / checklist poster.

MOTUC release schedule:

• Tri-Klops- August 17, 2009
• Webstor - September 15, 2009
• Teela (w/ Zoar) - October 15, 2009
• Zodak (2002 version) - BONUS FIGURE, October 15, 2009
• Scareglow - November 16, 2009
• King Randor - December 15, 2009
• Green Goddess (w/2002 chest piece, shield and axe)- BONUS FIGURE, December 15, 2009
• Princess Adora - January 15, 2010
• Battle Armor He-Man - BONUS FIGURE, January 15, 2010
• Trap Jaw/Kronis (w/ interchangeable heads and arms) - February 15, 2010
• Battle Cat - BONUS FIGURE, February 15, 2010
• Moss Man (flocked) - March 15, 2010

Movie Masters (Mattel)
One piece of news that I was most anxious about going into this year’s SDCC was the future of the stunning Movie Masters line. This series (sculpted to perfection by the Four Horsemen) was fraught with distribution and availability issues last summer. With the release of The Dark Knight, fans were initially unable to locate a Joker (Ledger version) figure, but found that later in the year that they were swimming in them! At New York Toy Fair, Mattel displayed prototypes of the next wave of figures in the TDK Movie Masters line. Luckily, plans to release these haven’t been shelved. Instead of a retail release, you will now be able to purchase each figure exclusively from MattyCollector.com. A new figure will be available each month, starting September 15th.

6″ Movie Masters release schedule:

• Bank Robber Joker - September 15, 2009
• Prototype Suit Batman - October 15, 2009
• Harvey Dent - November 15, 2009
• Jailhouse Joker - December 15, 2009
• Arkham Asylum Scarecrow - January 15, 2010
• Sonar Eyes Batman w/ Battle Damage - February 15, 2010
• Two Face - March 15, 2010

A surprise addition to the Movie Master line was the announcement of a 12″ Superman Movie Series. The series will feature vintage weapons, cloth costumes and a stunning likeness of actors from the films. The first figure in the series is Christopher Reeve as Superman, followed by Terence Stamp as General Zod. The line will be launched exclusively on MattyCollector.com in January.

DC Universe Classics (Mattel)
This juggernaut of a line rolls on with more amazing 6″ figures (sculpted by the Four Horsemen) and 9″ - 10″ Collect-And-Connect figures. Mattel will be introducing more exclusive two-packs (available online) as well as retailer-only multipacks. Also, a strong commitment was made to improve the distribution of the DCUC line, the flaws of which had many fans frustrated since the series first launched.

DCUC Wave 9:

• Black Adam
• Black Canary
• Classic Guardian
• Deadshot
• Green Arrow
• Mantis & Mantis robot variant (these will be evenly packed in cases)
• Wildcat (and rare chase blue variant)
• Collect-And-Connect Figure: Chemo

DCUC Wave 10:

• Beast Boy
• Batman (all black w/ yellow symbol, yellow belt & bat-laptop)
• Forager
• Joker
• Man-Bat (brown)
• Power Girl
• Robotman (with head-opening-brain-viewing action!)
• Collect-And-Connect Figure: Imperiex

DCUC Wave 11:

• Cyborg Superman
• Deadman (and variant version with fading translucent legs)
• John Stewart with Green Lantern constructs
• Katma Tui
• The Question
• Shark (Silver Age)
• Steppenwolf (Super Powes style and green armor version will be evenly packed in cases)
• Collect-And-Connect Figure: Kilowog

DCUC ‘Public Enemies’ wave (Target exclusive):

• Superman (and metallic suit variant)
• Batman
• Icicle
• Silver Banshee
• Black Lightning
• Major Force
• Collect-And-Connect Figure: Brimstone

- DCUC two-packs to be made available exclusively on MattyCollector.com: Yellow Lanterns Romat Ru & Karu-Sil w/ construct. Animal Man & B’wanna Beast.
- Wal-Mart exclusive Silver Age 5-pack: Batman, Two Face, Catwoman, Lex Luthor, Superman

Ghostbusters (Mattel)
Mattel’s announcement of a collector-centric Ghostbusters line became the absolute talk of this year’s Toy Fair International. At Comic Con, Mattel took advantage of the grandest stage of all to unveil new prototypes for their 6″ and 12″ figures, as well as a new and completely unexpected addition to the line! The Ghostbustes 6″ line will be released online (through… you guessed it, MattyCollector.com) and will launch this October. A new figure will be released every other month. The Ghostbusters 12″ line will be available once per quarter starting in January. The 12″ line will start with Ray Stanz, then will continue with Egon, Venkman and Winston.

Ghostbusters 6″ release schedule:

• Ray Stanz (with Ghostbusters logo ghost) - October
• Winston Zeddemore (with ghost trap and blue energy explosion) - December
• Walter Peck !!!!!! (with ghost containment unit) - February
• Peter Venkman (slimed) - April

Avatar:
The latest epic from James Cameron garnered quite a bit of noticed at this year’s Comic-Con, thanks in part to the life-size mech that sat on display in the Mattel booth. Avatar is clearly the hot license of the season, with a number of collectible companies jumping on board for a piece of the action. There wasn’t much information available (outside of Mattel’s amazing diorama setup) on upcoming Avatar products. However, Sideshow Toys confirmed that they will be producing character and vehicle maquettes as well as premium format figures based on characters in the film. Perennial favorite Gentle Giant also announced that they would be releasing a full line of Avatar mini busts.

The Four Horsemen:
I’ve made no secret of my undying love for all things sculpted by 4HM Studios. This crew of artists were behind some of the most popular and visually stunning figures in recent memory (Harry Potter, 202 Masters of the Universe) and can now be found rolling out the amazing DC Universe Classics line from Mattel. Of course, all this work doesn’t mean that the Horsemen don’t have a bit of extra time to play in their own universe! Enter the Seventh Kingdom, a fantastic playground for the Horsemen. Previous characters from the Seventh Kingdom include a minotaur, mutant, elephant swordsman and a rhino-warrior. These figures are designed through input from fans on 4HM’s website and are sculpted and released by the Horsemen themselves.

The most recent addition to the Seventh Kingdom is Queen Alluxandran of the Bluddmane Clan and her court. The various queens will soon be available through a number of online retailers.

• Queen Alluxandra (storehorsemen.com)
• Isadorra of the Ironspynne Clan (storehorsemen.com)
• Siliskk (storehorsemen.com)
• Raavia (Raving Toy Maniac)
• Akkuli (Action Figure Xpress)
• Kromius (The Fwoosh)
• Biggara (Big Bad Toy Store)
• Baddathir (Big Bad Toy Store)
• D’Zwirra (Wizard)
• Ccora (Corner Store Comics)
• Oktobria (October Toys)

The next group of creatures to be added to the Kingdom will come as part of the Gothitropolis line. The line will include The Raven (an amazing birdman warrior), Scarabus (a Tutankhamun-esque king) as well as various jackal/goat/bird warriors. There is no definite word on when these might be available, but don’t plan on seeing them until early to mid next year.

Star Wars:
It seems like almost a requirement that gratuitous Star Wars coverage be included with any mention of San Diego Comic Con. I suppose that’s true, though the general consensus from many older collectors is that the line (and perhaps even the universe itself) is beginning to fade into irrelevance. Sure, there was plenty of Star Wars product to be had at this year’s Comic-Con, but unless you were a 7 year old or were looking for another Yoda/Vader/Luke Skywalker variant, there was little that would have held your attention. There were a few items that seemed impressive, though the price tag on many (especially from Sideshow) will likely be enough to keep them out of reach from most collectors.

Sideshow Toys:

• Articulated C-3P0 Premium Format Figure
• Clone Wars Commander Cody 1:6 Figure
• Clone Wars Captain Rex 1:6 Figure
• Gamorrean Guard 1:6 Figure

Lego:

• Mon Calamari Cruiser
• Tantive IV

Hasbro:

• Mail-Away Nahdar Web (mon calamari jedi) figure. (December)
• Diamond/TRU exclusive McQuarrie Concept multi-packs. Re-releasing all 13 figures. (October)
• Wal-Mart exclusive Dewback & Stormtrooper. New sculpt on Dewback. (November)
• Target exclusive Wedge & X-Wing w/ red astromech droid. (September)
• Force FX lightsabers. Count Dooku (December), Asajj Ventress (September)
• The Titanium Series ends after end of 2009.
• ROTJ Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader “Funeral Pyre” set w/ flaming Vader - lights & sounds (this was a 2011 concept item and bore a sign from Hasbro saying “Should we make this?”)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NECA):
NECA continues in their efforts to keep this Eastman.Laird inspired line alive and were offering an exclusive April O’Neil (blue outfit) exclusive for sale at their booth. Earlier rumors of distribution issues for the line seem to be confirmed. NECA is unable to put their Turtles into Toys R’ Us due to a prior licensing aggreement that the store has with Mirage. In addition, international sales of NECA’s Turtles has been poor, in part due to the fact that overseas fans just don’t recognize the comic likeness of characters. NECA plans to relaunch the line with a single figure, April O’Neil. She will be available in green and yellow variants. If April sells well, the line will continue with the next figure being Shredder.

Finally, I leave you with this. Bif Bang Pow! takes my prize for the creepiest and most unnerving toy of this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Of course, this means that I absolutely MUST own one!

Shocker Toys Indie Spotlight SCUD - Toy Review

Originally published 06/18/09 at geekinthecity.com

Photo gallery available HERE

It has certainly been a long time coming for the Indie Spotlight series from Shocker Toys. The line, in all of its various forms, has been in production since early 2006. While Shocker has endured production delays, stiff competition from other toy companies and a heavy dose of internet skepticism, the full series of 6″ scale figures finally made it into store this spring. Indie Spotlight Series 1 consists of five “heroes” from a variety of somewhat-obscure but well-loved comic books. Katchoo, The Maxx, Shadowhawk, Kabuki and SCUD: The Disposable Assassin round out the eclectic selection of characters in Shocker’s inaugural series. In this review, I’ll take a look a the variant “SOL” version of SCUD: The Disposable Assassin.

Packaging:
Each figure in the Indie Spotlight series comes in a simple blister-style package. However, the plastic bubble and insert which holds the figure doesn’t actually attach to the cardboard backing. Meaning, it is an easy task to remove each figure from its plastic prison, all while retaining the packaging for easy storage and display. The cardboard insert is composed of durable heavyweight stock, meaning no creasing or bending will ruin the display for those collectors who covet their pristine packaging. The back of each card features a full-color image of each of the figures in Indie Spotlight Series 1, as well as a character-specific bio.

Sculpt & Likeness:
Adapting a comic book character into three-dimensional form isn’t exactly a new process. However, there is always a certain level of difficulty when a company makes an attempt at creating the first action figure of a specific superhero or villain. So it goes with SCUD, who sees his action figure debut with Indy Spotlight Series 1. SCUD is essentially a robot, which made the job for Shocker’s sculptors a bit easier. The 6″ scale figure is little more than a combination of cylindrical appendages and round joints. However, this in no means undermines the figure’s aesthetics, which are a spot-on match to SCUD’s comic likeness. The figure comes with two sets of detachable hands with one set featuring SCUD’s trademark dual pistols. The hands and pistols look great but are unfortunately sculpted as one piece, not allowing for the weapons to become detached. A minor gripe, but one worth noting especially since customizers might have enjoyed using these awesome looking guns with other 6″ scale figures.

Articulation:
SCUD has to be easily the most articulated figure in the Indie Spotlight series, and might certainly be one of the most posable 6″ scale figures that I have added to my collection. The figure has over 20 movable joints, allowing for SCUD to be bent and formed into almost any action pose imaginable. Since the figure is constructed of fairly lightweight material, most of these poses don’t cause SCUD to topple over. Its a well-balanced figure and one that that takes advantage of its articulation points better than most of the “super-posable” toys available in other toy lines.

Paint & Color:
The variant “SOL” version of SCUD is almost completely black, save for only a few white highlights on the figure’s joints and head. The black wash and subtle details are cleanly applied, but the color choice makes SCUD look less like a comic hero and more like a Battle Droid. However, his front and back sport comic-accurate decals (including SCUD’s trademark “Attention” label) and prevent the figure from looking too bland. The “SOL” version might be a better fit for action figure customizers, who will likely see the figure’s amazing articulation and plain color apps as a blank slate. SCUD’s standard version has the character in his more recognized yellow and red, which is actually my preferred version.

Overall Impression:
Given the well-chronicled delays that Shocker’s Indie Spotlight series has seen throughout its production, fans of the line should be ecstatic with the toys that they can now hold in their hands. Each figure in Series 1 also include a miniature ISZ figure (from The Maxx comic series), which is a nice and simple addition to the series. Each ISZ is different in color and sculpt, but doesn’t include any articulation. The SCUD figure is a great piece and will undoubtedly be a must-have for fans of the disposable assassin, or independent comics in general. The “SOL” variant appears to be available in fewer quantities, while the regular version (yellow/red) of SCUD is more readily available. The articulation alone makes SCUD worth the $15 - $18 you might pay to purchase him from your local comic shop or onlne retailer. Here’s hoping that Shocker has finally found their niche and that we can expect more Indie Spotlight figures from them very soon.

Review - Batman ‘Brave & the Bold’ Skiff Ripper Black Manta & Cyclone Spinner Red Tornado

Article originally published 04/09/2009 at geekinthecity.com

Photo gallery available HERE

Through my years as a toy collector, I have amassed enough action figures and vehicles to conquer a small nation… as long as it is guarded by tiny plastic men. I collect toys partially because I appreciate the precision work that goes into their construction. Artists, sculptors, painters - they all lend their skills to the creation of a good action figure. Of course, I also enjoy the nostalgia that comes with gazing upon a shelf loaded with brand new Stormtroopers. Action figures, in all of their various forms, have become a lifetime hobby that offers up more than just a geeky reminder of my various pop culture influences. They also provide a simple (call it juvenile if you like) form of escapism. There’s nothing like tearing open the package of a brand new Green Lantern figure or G.I. Joe vehicle to relieve one of their daily tedium. And when these figures have been set free from their plastic prison? Well, that’s when the epic battles truly begin.

After all, these are toys dammit… they are meant to be played with!

In the spirit of playable action figures, Mattel (who’s collector-goodwill seemingly knows no bounds these days) has launched a line of toys based on their successful Batman: Brave & the Bold animated series. The show, which is currently enjoying an extended run on Cartoon Network, features Batman teamed up with a new superhero (and tackling a new villain) each episode. These stylized figures and vehicles have become the perfect gateway product, allowing younger fans their first crack at pitting the Dark Knight against DC Universe villains both infamous and obscure. In this review, I’ll unleash one of each with “Cyclone Spinner” Red Tornado and “Skiff Ripper” Black Manta.

Packaging:
Mattel’s clear goal with the packaging of this kid-friendly line is to have it stand apart from the rest of the action figure isle. You certainly won’t be confusing these figures with the sterile decor of Hasbro’s Clone Wars line. The card and blister sport vibrant colors, matching the overall theme of the cartoon. These are cartoon figures and the packaging exemplifies this. Each package includes the character’s name, a small image of their animated counterpart and a badass image of the Dark Knight himself. The back of the blister card shows other figures and vehicles in the series. Not much else here… so lets rip these suckers open!

Sculpt & Likeness:
Both Red Tornado and Black Manta stand around 5″ tall, allowing plenty of detail that might otherwise be missing in a smaller scale. They both feature a more blocky stylized look than what is shown in the cartoon. However, this isn’t much of a detraction as these figures are downright fun. Red Tornado’s shoulder armor, cloth cape and chiseled arms/legs give the figure the perfect “superhero” feel. Black Manta is the more detailed of the two, with the rivets and straps of his diving suit lending to a more dynamic looking figure. Manta and Tornado both came with surprisingly clean paint apps, especially considering they’re targeted for the mass-market rather than the discerning collector. This is especially significant on Black Manta, whose yellow eyes and red tubing could have easily skipped past Q.C. with little notice of smudging or discoloration. Kudos to Mattel for taking the production time to ensure that while these figures are certainly kid-centric, they will hold up to the more critical eye of us older Bat-fans.

The one (and likely only) point of contention that I’ll make with this line is the inclusion of hexagonal sockets on the sides and back of each figure. These are an advertised feature of the line and allows the “Snap & Switch” of multiple accessories or weapons. A neat concept, but I think that adding what amounts to seven large holes to each figure does little more than to just make it look bizarre… and not in a good way. I can understand the need to include a socket in the back (for weapon storage) or perhaps even one on each forearm, but seven seems a bit extreme.

Articulation:
Again, you have to take a step back from these figures and understand that they are not targeted for the adult collector… especially not one who might be used to the super-articulated” feature of the Marvel Legends or DC Universe Classics lines. Instead, Red Tornado and Black Manta have limited movement, but it seems to work fine within the confines of their smaller size. Both include neck, shoulder, elbow, waist and thigh joints, bringing their points of articulation to eight per figure. Manta’s head, while articulated, is slightly hindered by the tubes connecting it to his backpack. These tubes are made from what appears to be soft PVC and are very flexible, so you won’t have to fret about any unexpected breaks. A notable absence from both figures is a knee joint, which seems like an odd omission considering the articulated elbows. No matter, as I had no trouble getting Manta and Tornado in a few nifty superhero/villain poses. All that is required is a little imagination.

Accessories:
Both figures include a single “Snap & Switch” accessory/weapon. The “Skiff Ripper” Black Manta comes with a painful looking device with which he presumably uses to rip skiffs. Regardless, it is much cooler than Red Tornado’s captain’s wheel/spinning top/mechanical windstorm… whatever it is. The items can be grasped fairly easily by each figure, thanks to the flexibility of the plastic used for their hands. Both items have an attached hex peg, which allows them to connect to any one of the (unnecessary) seven sockets on each figure. Presumably, one could purchase seven toys from the line and connect the weapons to a single figure, creating an uber-accessories but ultimately functionless hero or villain.

Overall Impression:
My issues with the “Snap & Switch” feature aside, I’m a fan of this series. I’ve been able to find most of the figures in the current waves (which also includes Batman, Blue Beetle and Aquaman) in stores at around the $8.00 mark. Considering that you will pay a similar cost for purchasing the latest 3 3/4″ Clonetrooper, I’d staunchly recommend going with these larger, more playable figures. Mattel has also included vehicles in the Brave & the Bold line and will be adding more heroes and villains in later waves. Look for B’wana Beast, Despero, Gentlemen Ghost and the Joker to get the stylized B&B treatment later this year. For now, pick up Black Manta and Red Tornado (and Batman, of course!), sit down with a bowl of cereal and watch a couple episodes of the show on Cartoon Network. I dare ya to resist the urge to start a few epic battles of your own!

Watching the Watchmen Action Figures!

Article originally published 03/11/2009 at geekinthecity.com

Photo gallery available HERE

Review: DC Direct Watchmen Series 2 - Dr. Manhattan & The Comedian

Zack Snyder’s Watchmen is finally upon us and with it comes all the expectations and trepidations of over two decades of geek fervor. As with any superhero film, even one that so brilliantly deconstructs the genre, Watchmen is accompanied by the inevitable merchandise tie-in. Fans of the Alan Moore / Dave Gibbons graphic novel will acknowledge how tough of a sell Watchmen action figures might be to the average movie-goer. Converting the film’s cast of flawed characters (including a rapist and a god) into 7″ scale toys might seem like a marketing faux pas. However, never underestimate the (buying) power of geek anticipation. So, when it was announced last summer that collector-centric DC Direct would be tackling the duty of creating Watchmen figures, there was little surprise.

This was a chance for fans to get their hands on Rorschach, Nite Owl and the others while sidestepping the unpleasantness that might have occurred if the line had been picked up by mass-market-focused companies like Hasbro or Playmates. In this review, I’ll take a look at Dr. Manhattan and the Comedian from DC Direct’s Watchmen Series 2 and find out if the company’s long tradition of producing high-quality figures from the DC Universe is maintained with this license…

Packaging:
One thing I have always appreciated from DC Direct is the consistency in packaging across all their lines. From Kingdom Come to Long Halloween, the majority of DCD 6″ - 7″ scale figures have been released in the same style rectangular box. So it goes with Watchmen, allowing a more uniformed display for those collectors who prefer to keep their figures sealed and dust-free. The box features a window which gives a clear view of each figure, but obscures any accessories. This isn’t much of a deal for Dr. Manhattan, whose extra appendages they’re legs, sicko) probably don’t need to be seen in-package.

However, the Comedian’s trademark dual .45 pistols are hidden, which is a shame. Best that you open these figures anyway. Once you do, you’ll notice that the cardboard insert for each is reusable as a display backdrop. I had no problems removing the Comedian’s insert from its packaging, but Manhattan’s had a blister (containing the figure stand) glued to it, rendering it pretty much unusable.

Sculpt & Likeness:
Dr. Manhattan is the clear winner in this category, as he is every bit the chiseled god-like form that appeared onscreen. Considering that the character in Snyder’s adaption was essentially a computer-generated representation of Dave Gibbons’ drawings, the task for rendering Doc as an action figure was likely a simple one. No matter, as this figure is the definitive version of the comic/film character. Manhattan’s default pose of outstretched hands and his solemn expression make for an awesome centerpiece in this line. Another bonus is that the figure’s otherwise neutral body sculpt will undoubtedly provide a blank canvas for leagues of action figure customizers.

The Comedian is the more detailed figure of the two, making him the target of more scrutiny. He’s clad in the the field combat outfit that he wore during his on-screen ‘heroics’ in Vietnam and the streets of New York. The outfit itself is pretty stunning, with a varied array of buckles and armor plating. However, one significant issue I found was with his shoulder pads. For some reason, these pads are attached via a thin and brittle piece of plastic and when you raise the figure’s arms, this support piece bends almost to its breaking point. Its an obvious production error and you’ll likely end up gluing these back in place after they ultimately snap off. Another gripe is that this version of the figure comes with a head sculpt that leaves poor Eddie Blake with an uncharacteristically vapid expression. I’m not sure what DC Direct was going for with this figure’s head, as they clearly tried to incorporate a menacing-yet-somber look. I just doesn’t work. The post-Nam scar is a nice touch, but it doesn’t augment the fact that the Comedian should be SNEERING. I mean, he should be chomping on his cigar with an expression of sinister glee… not sucking on the damn thing like it was a lollipop!

Articulation:
I’ve read comments that fans shouldn’t expect much articulation from this line, considering that they were intended by DC Direct more as 7″ statues rather than figures. I disagree completely and was fully expecting at least some poseability with these figures. Dr. Manhattan has almost none, though this is forgivable considering the figure’s sculpt and the general nature of the character. I don’t need Doc in a kung-fu action stance, so this version of the character works fine. He has a ball-joint head as well as movable shoulders and elbows. Manhattan’s “standing legs” are jointed at the knee and hip, allowing for enough articulation to let the figure stand. His ‘floating legs’ have no articulation, which makes perfect sense.

The Comedian is the more articulated figure of the two, but he is still lacking. With a ball-joint head and movable shoulders, wrists, thighs, knees and calves, you’d think that a sufficient action pose would be possible. Instead, these joints (primarily the legs) are hindered by the figure’s blocky body style. The Comedian doesn’t need to be super-articulated, but a few additional joints (especially in the waist/thigh area) would have been a huge addition. Instead, all joints from the waist down are essentially only provided for the Comedian to stand properly, but don’t add any much to what should have been a high coolness factor.

Paint & Color:
Not much to cover here with Doc Manhattan, as a minimalist approach is all that was needed. Again, this figure excels in doing more with less. The Comedian’s paint is clean, albeit confusing. Again, this is a character who embraced every dirty, sadistic and greedy whim of being a ’superhero’. Why then is this figure almost cleaner than Doc Manhattan? Seriously, this version of the Comedian looks like he’s never seen a day of battle, save for some minor scuffing on his shoulder armor (which may have just been a product of my wrestling the figure out of its packaging). After watching his onscreen battles, one would think that at least a small amount of battle-damage on the figure might be in order. Instead, this figure sports shining armor, a freshly-laundered suit and hairless (creepy) arms.

Accessories:
I’ll give this section to the Comedian, as this figure comes with his signature pair of .45 pistols. Each features the vigilante’s trademark smiley face logo and fits nicely into the figure’s hands or thigh holsters. However, there ain’t much else that comes with this figure, which seems like a wasted opportunity. Considering that the Comedian’s hands are permanently sculpted into a “trigger finger” pose, I would have loved another weapon (shotgun!!) for him to hold. Either that, or a second set of hands that could be snapped in place once the .45’s were secured in their holsters. Dr. Manhattan’s lone “accessory” is his extra set of legs, which can be swapped out to allow the figure to be posed in a floating stance. These legs snap in place easily and stay secure thanks to a nifty keyed peg. Both figures include a stand that features interchangeable pegs. I had little success getting these stands to work properly though, as the pegs themselves don’t really offer much support and often came loose themselves. Your best bet might be to ditch these stands (or include them as a backdrop for another figure) and track down some of the more generic flat action figure stands that have been produced by DC Direct or McFarlane Toys.

Overall Impression:
The Comedian and Dr. Manhattan are certainly two of the most visually stunning characters in Watchmen, so it is unfortunate that these figures turned out rather bland. They are a decent enough representation and likely the best we will see in a 6″-7″ scale, but that doesn’t hinder what seems like a missed opportunity on the part of DC Direct. A small change to the paint applications, a few additional joints and an extra accessory or two would have transformed this rather pedestrian release to a couple of truly badass action figures. Instead, we get a Comedian that looks cool at a distance and a Dr. Manhattan who serves more as a statue than an action figure. At a price ranging from $15-$20, you might be best served with picking out a single favorite from the line and passing on the rest.

Full 2009 New York Comic Con & Toy Fair Wrap-Up

Article originally published 02/24/2009 at geekinthecity.com

Whew. We’re finally at the end of a whirlwind couple of weeks in the toy world. Now that New York Comic Con and Toy Fair International are behind us, how has the action figure landscape changed for frenzied collectors? Over the course of these two mega shows, we’ve seen announcements that have ranged from surprising (Mattel’s collector-centric Ghostbusters line) and inevitable (the cancellation of Mezco’s Heroes line). So, what plastic glory has this toy geek waiting with bated breath? I’ve done my best to summarize some of the toy highlights from both New York Comic Con and Toy Fair International. Read on for license announcements and product breakdowns, all with a healthy dose of geek snark (and pretty pictures at the end)…

HASBRO
At the start of 2008, there were few toy companies mightier than Hasbro. They were riding high on the new lease on life that their Transformers line received from Michael Bay’s onscreen adaptation. They were capitalizing on their long-standing Indiana Jones license, a move that was met with the banners and trumpets of geekdom everywhere, despite being long overdue. The company had reconnected with G.I. Joe fans through their amazing 25th Anniversary collection. Star Wars was… well, Star Wars. What a difference a year makes. Now that the Indy line has fallen victim to cancellation (thanks to poor distribution and a mythical “fourth movie”) and the 25th Anniversary of G.I. Joe is over, where can Hasbro turn to reclaim the fanbase that has diligently supported them? The unfortunate answer is that with two toy-themed movies coming out this summer, Hasbro probably doesn’t need to worry about the collector demographic. This is demonstrated by the sea of low-quality G.I. Joe and Transformers products on display.

This stuff looks terrible and while it may be an easy sell to the under-10 crowd, most collectors and older fans will likely shrug and continue onto the Mattel section of the toy isle. Here then is a look at some of the slightly-less-appalling items that Hasbro will be releasing throughout 2009.

• Mighty Muggs will become a Toys R’ Us exclusive line in the fall. Somewhere in the distance, scores of tiny misshapen urban vinyl figures dance for joy.

• Hasbro’s continued ability to make excellent 3 3/4″ scale figures was proven by their upcoming Marvel Universe line. With the Marvel Legends line suffering badly, fans can take solace in the knowledge that they can still find decent figures based on the Marvel universe… they’ll just be smaller.
• Star Wars
• The Droid Factory line continues, with each wave containing pieces to a previously-unreleased buildable astromech or communications droid. Look for a Wal-Mart exclusive wave to include a Dark Trooper Droid as its buildable figure.
• The Force Unleashed Stormtrooper Commander will see a re-release in a future wave this year.
• The Legacy Series 2 line will include a Concept Anakin Skywalker figure.
• The high-profile vehicle for 2009 is the Clone Turbo Tank from the Clone Wars animated series. This thing is huge and will accommodate up to twenty Clone Trooper figures (sold separately, of course). - Geek Note - All my West End Game peeps will recognize this Turbo Tank from the Imperial Sourcebook as the Juggernaut, the pre-AT-AT vehicles, still used in Outer Rim planets, natch - End Geek Note -
• Target will receive a line of remote-controlled 3 3/4″ astromech droids this spring. The line will include R2-D2, R5-D4, R2-Q5 and R5-X2.
• In celebration of the 10th anniversary of The Phantom Menace, a mail-away Qui-Gon Jinn & Eopie will be available in September. This is a re-deco of the original release of the figure/creature. Fans will be able to collect stickers that come individually packaged in Episode 1 wave figures.
• A new ’smiling’ X-Wing Pilot Luke Skywalker will be available as a San Diego Comic Con exclusive.
• New Mighty Muggs: Gammorean Guard, Ben Kenobi (EPIV), Scout Trooper, Hoth Luke Skywalker
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
• Constructicon Six-Pack: This is the premiere figure release from the upcoming film. The six vehicle-mode Constructicons (High Tower, Mixmaster, Scrapper, Rampage, Long Haul, Scavenger) will connect together to form Devastator. The Devastator figure will measure approximately two feet tall and four feet wide and will retail for around $100. The Constructicons in this set will ONLY be in vehicle mode… they’re not transformable into robot mode. (Check out my rant on Issue 6 of GeekintheCity Radio for more on this sucker).
• Leader Class Optimus Prime: This is a re-tooling of the same figure that was available with the first movie line. This latest version will feature more movable parts and two swords.
• The Human Alliance Bumblebee will come with a mini Shia figure who ill be able to remain inside the vehicle during transformation. Sounds messy.

MATTEL
Unlike their battered sibling, Mattel is poised to make 2009 a year of special significance for both kids and collectors. At last year’s San Diego Comic Con, Mattel launched mattycollector.com, a website devoted to delivering high quality action figures and rare characters into the hands of eager fans. After recruiting the Four Horsemen, a group of sculptors legendary for their long history in the action figure world, Mattel announced plans to bring back Masters of the Universe and broaden their DC Universe line. Through mattycollector.com, regular Masters of the Universe and DC Universe Classics figures were released… and subsequently sold out. Mattel’s passion for creating high-quality action figures coupled with their transparency in the production process (they provide fans with regular updates on Matty’s Facebook page) has returned the company to the forefront of the action figure market. Given all of this, what could Mattel possibly do to top last year’s amazing success? One word… Ghostbusters.

• Ghostbusters - Mattel’s acquisition of this license was leaked online a day before New York Comic Con. Rumors had surfaced that the company was working on a “secret collector-oriented line sculpted by the Four Horsemen”… and this was it. The license will allow Mattel to release figures based on all original four Ghostbusters (yes, including Winston!) and will also include The Real Ghostbusters animated series and the upcoming Atari video game. All figures will be available exclusively on mattycollector.com.
• 6″ scale - Will retail for $20 each and will be released every other month. Each figure will come with a different pack-in ghost. Line will debut at San Diego Comic Con in July 2009.
• 12″ scale - Will retail for $60 each and will include cloth uniforms, articulated accessories (ghost trap!) and light-up proton packs. The Line will debut in June 2009.
• Masters of the Universe Classics - He-Man, Skeletor, Beast Man and Stratos have all sold out! Each new figure is selling out quicker than the last.
• He-Man and Skeletor will be re-released online. Figures will come in new packaging that will indicate a second run. A re-issue of King Greyskull (2008 SDCC Exclusive) is also planned in the coming year.
• Upcoming figures in the line: Faker, Zodak, Mer-Man, Man-At-Arms, Hordak, Teela, Tri-Klops & Battle Cat planned for 2010!
• DC Universe - The Dark Knight Movie Masters will continue in 2009 with Two-Face, Bank-Robber Joker, Jail-Cell Joker and a 12″ scale Joker.
• Batman: Brave & the Bold line has become increasingly successful due to the popularity of the Cartoon Network series. New figures planned for the line include Plastic Man, the Joker, Green Arrow, Despero, Gentleman Ghost, B’wana Beast and the Batmobile. - Geek Note - If they introduce Haunted Tank or Detective Chimp, I might explode - End Geek Note -

DIAMOND SELECT TOYS

Since joining forces with sculpting powerhouses Art Asylum and Jean St. Jean Studios, Diamond Select Toys has risen from the status of “also ran” to “legitimate contender” on many fans best-of lists. The company has breathed new life in the Star Trek license (you listening Playmates?!) and delivered some amazing Battlestar Galactica and Stargate figures to some of sci-fi’s most hardcore fans. In 2009 all of these lines return, along with DST’s super-posable MiniMates, which expands into a host of new licenses.

• Star Trek - The Enterprise D as seen in ‘All Good Things’ is planned for the coming year.
• Borg Series: 6″ scale figures featuring some of the sexiest Borgs from the Trek universe. The line will include 7 of 9 (two versions), a Borg drone, Locutus and the Borg queen.
• Deep Space Nine: 6″ scale figures include Sisko in command chair, a Sisko/Gul Ducat 2-pack and a Worf/Gawron 2-pack.
• The Original Series: 6″ scale figures include a Romulan Kirk/Spock 2-pack, Salt Vampire and a ‘Voyage Home’ Kirk/Spock 2-pack.
• A full line of TOS prop-replicas are planned. These will include a full line of tricorders (medical, science, geological) as well as a ‘Wrath of Khan’ Communicator & Tricorder.
• Stargate: SG-1 Series 5 is coming this year and will include General Jack O’ Neil, Black Ops Samantha Carter, General Hammond, Horus Guard and Baal. The build-a-vehicle for the series will be a UAV Armored Recon Drone.
• Battlestar Galactica: Upcoming figures include a Leoben/Starbuck 2-pack, Apollo/Duala 2-pack, Admiral Cain, Admiral Adama and President Roslyn.
• Marvel Select: This pricey 6″ scale line continues with Kree Armor Captain Marvel, Sabretooth and two Wolverines (yellow & brown suit).
• MiniMates: This super-articulated line of stubby badasses expands to include characters from Ghostbusters. The figures will be sold in two separate box sets and will include all four Ghostbusters, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, Luis Tully and Dana Barrett.

NECA
Despite its rather cumbersome name, the National Entertainment Collectibles Association has cemented itself as a strong player in the collectible action figure industry. In fact, some might say that NECA has supplanted the once-mighty McFarlane Toys as the leader in movie and video game themed action figures. Their Cult Classics line saw some amazing additions in 2008 (Beetlejuice) and the company’s efforts to branch out into more video game (Street Fighter) and comic book (Ninja Turtles) licenses has been met with staunch approval. This year, NECA returns with more Cult Classics, Turtles, teenage wizards and even the Governator! (Diss is good).

• Terminator 2 - Line will include four different Arnold figures: T800 w/ shotgun, T800 w/ cybernetic arm, T800 w/ chaingun, battle-damaged T800 w/grenade launcher. The line will also include a re-release of the original Cult Classics T800 Endoskeleton. This re-release will have better tooling and new weapons. A new T800 Endoskeleton will be released later in the line.
• A 12″ T2 Arnold figure is also planned! (of course, Arnold always came in 12″ and things of this nature).
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The line is NOT dead. Series 2 is planned for a 2009 release and will include April O’Neil, Shredder (w/Krang), Foot Soldier, Elite Guard and a new Mouser.
• Cult Classics: New figures include an Exorcist box set (Regan in bed with spinning head!), Beetlejuice (in red suit), Chamberlain from Dark Crystal, Connor & Murphy MacManus from The Boondock Saints (but no Il Duce… WTF?!) and figures from the upcoming Tim Burton film 9.
• Player Select: The video game centric line will expand with new figures from Dante’s Inferno (upcoming EA game), Isaac Clarke from Dead Space (clean & bloody versions), a new Kratos from God of War 3 and three figures from Resident Evil 5 (Redfield, Sheeva, Executioner).
• NECA’s Street Fighter series gets expanded with Guild, Akuma and mega-thighs Chun-Li.
• Gears of War Series 4 will include Col. Hoffman, Ticker (with action feature), Locust Grenadier, Locust Flame Grenadier, Beast Rider and a Poison Lambent Locust. Series 5 will include a Boomer (regular), Mauler, Grinder and Butcher. A JACK robot has been sculpted and will be released. NECA isn’t sure if this will be available as a pack-in accessory in a box set or a build-a-figure for an upcoming wave.
• Street Fighter and Gears of War will both have San Diego Comic Con exclusives this year.

In addition to this bevy of toy goodness, Mezco announced that they will be canceling their Heroes line and that Series 3 and 4 will not be produced. I blame Jeph Loeb. He makes even tiny plastic versions of superheroes cry. Also, Kotoukiya unveiled a few nifty additions to their Marvel vinyl statue line. Fans will soon be able to get their mitts on Spider-Man, Captain America (new outfit), Nova, Scarlet Witch, Rogue and Winter Soldier. Rounding out the remaining blockbuster toy news from the past few weeks is Disney’s announcement that they have entered into a licensing agreement with Lego. That’s right… Lego will begin making Disney-themed sets in 2010. There is no ceiling to this license and I’m amazed that it has taken this long for the two uber-companies to join forces. (You listening Paramount? Trek Legos, NOW)! Lego will kick things off by rolling out building sets based on Cars and Toy Story. After that, they’ll work cooperatively with Disney to expand their empire… brick by tiny interconnecting brick.

Exclusive Interview With Action Figure Sculptor Jean St. Jean

Article originally published 04/15/2008 at popculturezoo.com

If you dig action figures, chances are you own something that was created by Jean St. Jean Studios. The sculpting house, founded by St. Jean himself, has grown since its creation in 2005 and now boasts clients such as NECA, Diamond Select and DC Direct. Jean began his career making dolls and preschool toys for Appollo-Juno, Inc but soon moved to McFarlane Toys, where he eventually rose through the ranks to become Sculpting Supervisor. A few years later, Jean ventured out on his own and eventually founded Jean St. Jean Studios, which has become one of the most popular and highly-regarded sculpting houses in the industry.

Jean was kind enough to answer a few questions about his career, what influences him and what may lie on the horizon for Jean St. Jean Studios.

PCZ: You’ve been in the sculpting industry for a number of years. After all the work you have done, what stands out as your favorite, or the project that you are most proud of?

Jean: There are two actually; The Tomb of Dracula Marvel Milestones for Diamond Select Toys and the 18” Pumpkinhead for SOTA. The Dracula in particular was something I had wanted for someone to make, let alone get the chance to design and sculpt it myself. The Marvel Dracula had been ignored for years and I’m very glad it was me that got to do the first statue. I put a lot of time into rereading the whole series and studying Gene Colan’s art, especially the face and body language.

Production issues aside, I love the Pumpkinhead; partly because I never thought any company would be nuts enough to do an 18″ action figure. Also because typically, I’m not the guy folks come to with monster jobs. Generally, I’ve been typecast as a realism and portrait sculptor, so when something like Pumpkinhead or the Day of the Dead figures for Amok Time come up, it’s a nice change.

PCZ: In the Diamond Select Stargate series, you were able to incorporate ‘build-a-figures’ such as the Stargate and MALP. How does your approach to sculpting these large-scale devices/accessories differ from a standard action figure? Do you prefer working on action figures or accessories?

Jean: The ‘build-an-accessory’ idea was Diamond’s and I think it is awesome. From a fan standpoint it allows us to make oversize accessories that are iconic elements of the shows. It also adds a buying incentive for collector’s to pick up the whole set. Having said that, they have to be sized and decorated within certain cost parameters to make them a reasonable addition to each of the blisters. These things are very expensive to produce so in order to get them out to fans, compromises have to be made.

There are plenty of examples of companies promising the moon on some insanely expensive product and then having it slip below the radar because of unrealistic costing for production. Within my team of artists I have guys that specialize in fabrication (or, a more mechanical form of sculpting) for vehicles, weapons and architectural elements. I’ve begun doing more of it myself, for instance the (DC Direct) World of Warcraft Gnome Mechanostryder as well as the weapons for my Warcraft figures. Figural and accessory sculpting each have elements which I enjoy doing, again because I prefer to have variety in my workload.

PCZ: Has there been an instance where the final packaged product has drastically differed from your original sculpt? What is your reaction to this and how much control do you have over the finished product?

Jean: Rarely does a final PVC toy look like a hand painted prototype. In fact, never does the final product nail the prototype. Concessions have to be made for cost and for practicality of reproduction. Because I understand this, I generally expect to be underwhelmed, though I’m mostly pleasantly surprised. That’s not negativity, it’s just practicality. However, McFarlane has made some amazing innovations in the production process that have completely changed the look of the average action figure. They have forced everyone else to pick up their game. The average collector is much more discriminating and savvy of the production process.

PCZ: Not many fans know that you are also an accomplished musician with a degree in classical piano. To what extent does music influence your sculpting work (or vice versa)?

Jean: Over the last ten years I’ve traded one obsession for another. Where I used to practice (music) 16 hours a day, now I work those hours making toys and statues. I’ve gotten to sculpt a few of the musicians I listened to like the Kiss Alive Gene Simmons, Alice Cooper and the ‘Roid Rage’ Ozzy Osbourne for McFarlane. I also worked on the (Iron Maiden) Phantom of the Opera Eddie and Freddie Mercury in the yellow jacket. Both of these were for NECA.

PCZ: Can you tell us a little about what some of your upcoming projects are? Anything new with Diamond Select or are you working with other companies?

Jean: As far as I know (Diamond Select) is still rolling ahead with Stargate: SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis and Battlestar Galactica. On other fronts I’m working on Mezco’s Cinema of Fear (wave three was my first line), DC Direct AmiComi (Poison Ivy was the first) and Day of the Dead and other cool properties coming up for Amok Time.

PCZ: Have you ever worked on a project that required you to work with source material that you were unfamiliar with? Have any of your projects made turned you into a fan of a show/book/movie that you were previously unexposed to?

Jean: Actually, Stargate was a property I had only passing knowledge of before the Diamond gig came up. I started cramming to become immersed in the show, and thank God I ending up really liking it. I’m more of a horror guy than a sci-fi enthusiast but (Stargate) is a fun show with really well written characters and great casts. Plus… there are some cool aliens!

PCZ: You have mentioned in previous interviews that you got started in this business as a toy collector. What new toys keep you hunting shelves to add new items to your collection?

Jean: Indeed. An addiction worse than crack, I’d wager. Super Powers started it for me in my ‘20’s and I just can’t get clean! Right now I collect mostly anime figures and PVC statues. Just this weekend I picked up two of the Hasbro Iron Man movie figures and two of the Gentle Giant Hellboy figures.

PCZ: Have you ever worked on a line that didn’t make it though final approval with the licensor (for whatever reason)? Anything that you wish you had a second chance with?

Jean: The only thing that comes to mind is Samara from The Ring for NECA, but that had nothing to do with the sculpt; it was an issue of international versus domestic licensing rights. I’d love to attack that and other Japanese horror properties at some point.

PCZ: What’s on your short-list of musicians that you would want to turn into an action figure?

Jean: I think a Diamond Dogs, Aladdin Sane and Ziggy Stardust Bowie would be cool. Also, guitarists like Ritchie Blackmore and Michael Schenker or a line of metal screamers like Rob Halford, Tate Dickinson… and especially Ronnie James Dio.

PCZ: What are your long term goals in the sculpting industry? You are already the owner of your own company… where do you see yourself a few years down the road?

Jean: More of the same but with more capacity and efficiency. I’m constantly trying to improve on my own abilities. Maybe, eventually doing some of my own manufacturing.

PCZ: We here at PCZ are big fans of your work on NECA’s Highlander box set. What future do you see in kilted action figures? Do you think that it’s high time that Scotsmen were given their due in the toy industry?

Jean: I think the irrepressible engineer Scotty from Star Trek and Connor MacLeod are forced to carry the banner of the Scots alone. However, the kilted action figure allows for more range of motion for the ball joints (Nyuk! Nyuk!) and easy access for long wedgie-prone car rides. Personally, it took me eons to get out of black jeans and into shorts , so unless I’m an immortal like MacLeod and his ilk, it’s unlikely I’ll ever make the bold fashion statement of the kilt, where junk roams free and wedgies are a thing of the dark and distant past.

We want to thank Jean St. Jean for the time and patience (especially with that last question) he took in this interview. You can see more of Jean’s work over on his MySpace page. Or, run down to your local toy shop and pick up one of the many amazing figures sculpted by Jean St. Jean Studios!

Hasbro Signature Series Cloverfield Monster

Article originally published 01/07/2009 at popculturezoo.com

It was dubbed as “America’s monster” by producer J.J. Abrams. The creature that terrorized New York City on 1-18-08 was never given a name, but its rampage was chronicled to perfection in what was perhaps one of the best films of 2008. Cloverfield told a story that any self respecting geek has already seen, but with a new twist. It was the embodiment of the classic Hollywood horror movie, only shown from the perspective of the nameless masses who are blindly running from their lives. The Cloverfield monster’s destruction was seemingly purposeless, the actions of a creature who paid no attention to the buildings it toppled or the people it trampled… and it was truly an awesome spectacle to witness.

Capitalizing on the fevered success of Cloverfield, Hasbro unveiled plans at last year’s Toy Fair International to produce a large-scale action figure bases on the film’s beastie. A prototype was shown encased in protective glass and displayed on a scale model of the destroyed Big Apple. The response was… well, monstrous. Pre-orders were offered via hasbrotoyshop.com and fans eagerly awaited the figure’s release. Over the coming months, excitement over the film waned with the onslaught of the summer blockbuster season. The monster remained available for pre-order on Hasbro’s site, but rumors surfaced that production delays would push back the figure’s original Fall 2008 release date. Or even (ack!) cancel the figure altogether. By October, things weren’t looking to good for the Cloverfield monster. Thankfully, the rumors of the creature’s demise were greatly overstated. In mid-December, faithful monster fans were overjoyed to see a beast of a package appear on their front doorsteps. The creature had arrived.

PACKAGING:
When I spoke with Hasbro representatives at last year’s Toy Fair International in New York, I asked how they planned to deliver this massive 14″ creature in a means that would keep him both secure during shipping and allow for storage of the figure when not displayed. Even then (at the debut of the prototype) it was made clear to me that every aspect of the figure, including the packaging, would be tailored to collectors. Hasbro delivered on that promise in spades, as the packaging for the Cloverfield monster is more of a display diorama than cardboard prison.

The outside of the box is decorated with wraparound artwork from the Cloverfield movie poster. It also bears the signatures of both director Matt Reeves and producer J.J. Abrams, highlighting the figure’s inclusion into the Hasbro Signature Series line. When the box top is lifted, a base is revealed to contain a diorama of New York City, complete with gnarly battle damage. This diorama base is intended as the primary display piece for the figure, and allows sufficient room for a variety of skyscraper-smashing poses.

SCULPT & CHARACTER LIKENESS:
This is an interesting area to tackle when looking at the figure, as we never get a completely unobstructed view of the Cloverfield monster during the film. Large portions of the beast are shown throughout the movie, but Hasbro’s figure offers fans the first true detailed look at some of the creature’s more debated features (including the tail and mid-torso arms). So, drawing a comparison between what is shown in the film and what is included in the figure creates a bit of a dilemma. Luckily, this figure has been sculpted with every bit the painstaking detail that it likely took the animators who designed the creature’s celluloid version. The interchangeable heads are the undoubtedly the highlight of this figure and feature the monster in both a calm and enraged state. Beyond this, the various creases, folds and ridges that are included in the monster’s torso and limbs reveal aspects of the creature that were at times only hinted at in the film.

PAINT & COLOR:
Given that this is a 14″ tall creature (with limbs stretching almost twice that) which features a staggering amount of articulation points, the paint applications on the monster are surprisingly resilient. The majority of the creature’s body is colored in tan and serves as a slightly muted visage compared to the shadowy hulking beast as he appeared in the film. However, display him on the included diorama base with the right lighting and this monster comes to life. By contrast, the deep red and pink hues used in the creatures ‘angry’ face offer up a hint at the ferocity of the beast as he trampled through New York City.

ARTICULATION:
The Cloverfield monster is touted on Hasbro’s website as containing a whopping 70 points of articulation. Generally, when a standard action figure is marked as having a high level of articulation, it comes at either a sacrifice to the sculpt or hidden joints due to clothing. Amazingly, this figure suffers neither of these drawbacks. The articulated limbs, waist, neck and various other appendages (including a wire bendy tail!) are all functional and the multitude of joints do not detract from the overall look of the figure. The monster can be posed crawling, sitting or even standing with ease and is well balanced enough to allow the figure to stay upright in even the most abstract of skyscraper-toppling attack forms.

ACCESSORIES:
This monster is astonishing in its own right, but the fact that it comes with in-scale accessories serves as yet another reason that this is one of the best toys released this year. The incredibly detailed Statue of Liberty head and tiny Parasite creatures are really more bonus items than proper accessories, but they are a great addition to this piece. Fans of the film will appreciate the attention paid to the Statue of Liberty head, which comes in a severely battle-damaged state and will fit in nicely with a multitude of custom dioramas. The Parasite creatures (a total of 10 included) are less impressive and are small enough to be easily lost if you aren’t careful. Thankfully, Hasbro saw fit to include a secret storage compartment in the back of the monster’s ‘calm head’, where my Parasites will likely live out their days. The two interchangeable heads pop on and off the creature’s body with ease and once attached, are secure enough to allow for stable positioning.

The Hasbro Cloverfield monster is hands-down one of the finest toys released in 2008. Fans of the movie will appreciate the up-close look that they finally get with this figure and those who haven’t yet witnessed the greatness of Cloverfield will undoubtedly be compelled to do so at the sight of this 14″ behemoth. Hasbro clearly had a team of product designers working on this release who had a passion for both Cloverfield and monster movies in general. From the resourceful and imaginative packaging to the interchangeable heads, this beastie comes with everything you might want from a toy that has been the subject of a year’s worth of speculation and anticipation. Congratulations to Hasbro, Bad Robot and everyone involved in the production of this figure. They have created something truly special that will serve as the centerpiece of my toy collection for years to come.

ARCHIVE: McFarlane's Spawn Mini Trading Figures Series 1

Article originally published 06/14/2006 at figures.com

You love your Spawn figures. You have Spawn I thru VII, both MOC and opened. You’ve got shelves in your room lined with dozens of different likenesses of the character. From Mandarin Spawn to Ninja Spawn, Pirate Spawn to Manga Spawn… you’ve got them all. Every few months, McFarlane both excites and torments its Spawn-loving faithful with another series of figures featuring everyone’s favorite tormented soldier of Hell. As most Spawn fans can agree; the figures and their concepts get better and better. However, what does one do when there simply isn’t enough room to expand the collection? Simple… make them smaller! McFarlane Toys brings us the latest installment of their Spawn figure line with Series 1 of Mini Trading Figures. With three different paint variations on each of twelve individual figures, you can now build your own Spawn mini-legion. Pit them against your green army men. Create fierce battles with your Galactic Heroes. Or, simply display them in those little-used corners of your shelving units where the full-size Spawns just won’t fit.

PACKAGING:
Each figure is individually packaged in a pseudo ‘blind box’. I say pseudo as the outside of the box is actually marked indicating which figure is inside. However, you never know what version of the mini figure you are buying until you open the box. You could find one of three different variants of each figure. The most common of these is the normal paint version of a figure, which is helpfully printed on one side of the packaging. There is also a repaint variant and even a rare chase gold or pewter rendition of each mini figure!

SCULPT AND CHARACTER LIKENESS:
These are miniaturized versions of previously released Spawn figures. Thus, it is relatively easy to determine how close the McFarlane sculptors were able to replicate the detail of each character in the Spawn mythos. With McFarlane, detail and sculpt has never been in question. The primary concern of most collectors was this: would it be possible to maintain a high level of detail on a 3” scale? For the majority of these figures, the smaller scale has not detracted from the overall detail. Santa Spawn, Mandarin Spawn and Wings of Redemption Spawn are amazing exact duplicates of their larger counterparts. However, the amount of sculpted armor and weapons on such figures as The Curse, Gate Keeper and Zombie Spawn made them seem a bit cumbersome and bulky. With these figures, it is a bit difficult to determine a weapon from part of the character’s armor. These are minor distractions though, and the superb craftsmanship of the more basic Spawn figures makes up it.

PAINT AND COLOR:
For this review, I was only able to get a look at the standard paint scheme for each figure. So, I’ll be searching for the repaint and pewter/gold variants myself. Again, the paint scheme for each figure was taken from its larger regular-series counterpart. Paint apps on a 3” scale can be hit and miss. Either the figure will come out of the box with a surprising amount of detail… or it will look like poo. There really isn’t an in-between. I can say that these mini-Spawns definitely do not fall in the latter category. Paint apps on McFarlane figures are generally impressive, even when it comes to smaller accessories. It should make sense then that the 3” figures are as vibrant and detailed in their paint and color as any full-scale Spawn figure could be. Redeemer’s stunning violet cape, Mandarin Spawn’s crimson and gold robes, Wings of Redemption Spawn’s grey and white flecked feathers… each figure looks absolutely brilliant. I can’t wait to see the repaints!

ARTICULATION:
None. Zero. Zip. Nada. This is the only major knock on these figures. At a 3” scale, one would hope that McFarlane would add a few cut-joints to allow for more articulation. Sadly, these mini-Spawns are display pieces only. They look great standing in their pre-formed poses, but I was hoping for a little more playability out of these figures.

ACCESSORIES\BASE:
Each Spawn trading figure comes packaged with either a sculpted base or plane black pegged stand. This is extremely handy, as most of these figures would immediately shelf- dive without some kind of support. A few figures in the series (Mandarin Spawn, Spawn the Black Knight, Skullsplitter, Raven Spawn) actually include removable weapons. This is an odd feature considering that the figures can only hold their accessories in one pose. Keep this in mind when you are tearing open your trading figures. If you send these tiny pieces flying onto the floor they may be lost for good.

VALUE AND OVERALL IMPRESSION:
Not everyone will be purchasing a full set of these figures. The standard retail price point of around $5 each doesn’t make the purchase of a full set appealing. Plus, these are being marked as ‘trading figures’. So, buy a few and trade with your fiends to get the variants you want. Having each package marked with the figure it contains is a slick idea, and will help to ensure that your quest for a mini Mandarin Spawn doesn’t end with an unwanted Gate Keeper exiled to the back of your toy closet. Miniature Trading Figures is new territory for McFarlane Toys, but their initial offering is very positive and I’m looking forward to seeing what from the Spawn archives make into Series 2. My favorites out of Series 1 are the Santa Spawn, Raven Spawn and Redeemer. I still haven’t seen the repaints of these figures yet, so drop me a line if you’ve got some for trade.

ARCHIVE: McFarlane Toys - Pop Culture Masterworks, Led Zepplin 1

Article originally published 05/19/2006 at figures.com

This year, McFarlane Toys ventures once again into the world of popular music for a new line of sculpted products. However, unlike their previous efforts - which have produced an impressive list of music-themed action figures - the Spawn house has opted to recreate a number of classic rock album covers in amazing 3D form.

While this may seem like an unlikely choice, especially coming from an established action-figure company, it gives McFarlane Toys a chance to show the extraordinary depth of their sculpting staff. These 3D album covers are the first of a new line entitled ‘Pop Culture Masterworks’ which will also include sculpted movie posters as well and the first of the album covers to be released is Led Zeppelin’s landmark debut, ‘Led Zeppelin I’.

PACKAGING
This piece displays nicely in its standard McFarlane Toys clamshell packaging. Being only 7” by 7”, it sits fully revealed in the clamshell tempting the avid opener to keep it unopened and dust-free. The paper insert provides a brief history of Led Zeppelin’s monumental first album including the release date and song listing.

SCULPT AND CHARACTER LIKENESS
‘Led Zeppelin I’ is easily the band’s most recognizable album cover. The vivid black & white image of the Hindenburg disaster has served as a trademark of the band throughout rock history and, keeping that in mind, the sculptors at McFarlane Toys knew this would be the way to pay homage to this legendary rock band. Of course, nothing less than a seamless transition from 2D to 3D art would suffice and I can honestly say that as I pulled this piece from its packaging, I could not distinguish the 3D sculpture from the original 2D album cover.

The picture-perfect detail in this piece is truly amazing. From the three-dimensional zeppelin flying out of the base to the forced perspective of the multiple layers of smoke, every detail from the original source material has been included

PAINT AND COLOR
When you’re dealing with a piece whose primary colors are black and white, one would think that the paint applications would be fairly straight-forward. Not so with this 3D album cover. Special attention has been paid to the multiple layers of sculpted smoke. The different gradients of black & grey help to illustrate the flow of smoke as it rises from the doomed zeppelin and the airship itself is painted nearly solid black, which provides a stark contrast to the solid white background. This of course makes the ship jump out of the sculpture even more.

ARTICULATION
None asked for and none given. This is a display piece only and will look great on your desk or wall. Don’t expect it to have kung-fu grip.

ACCESSORIES\BASE
I absolutely love the multiple ways you can display this piece. The back of the album flips out to allow the piece to be stand as an easel. Peg-holes allow the album to be displayed proudly in your home or on your cubicle wall. Either way, you can show off your McFarlane Toys and/or Led Zeppelin I pride with this awesome sculpture.

VALUE AND OVERALL IMPRESSION
The line of 3D album lists for approx. $20.00, but you may be able to find it for a few bucks cheaper at your local specialty or record store. If you are a Led Zeppelin fan, this is a piece you will instantly fall in love with; for the casual rock fan, the higher price point may be a deterrent.

However, if you appreciate superior sculpting and a unique pop culture collectible, this is an item you’ll want to own and enjoy. And with more sculpted album covers - featuring Metallica, The Sex Pistols & Jimi Hendrix – coming fan’s way later this year, the McFarlane Pop Culture Masterworks line has a very exciting future.

ARCHIVE: TF08 - Transformers Movie Toys Showcased By Hasbro

Article originally published 02/10/2007 at figures.com

Get ready Transformers fans, a new wave of toys and collectibles are rolling your way! Hasbro unveiled their Transformers movie tie-in products at this year’s Toy Fair International. Included are a wide variety of action figures, role playing toys and interactive devices that will likely be on a number of want lists for the coming year. Hasbro’s intention with their new Transformers products are to both satisfy older G1 collectors and indoctrinate a whole new generation of Autobot and Decepticon fans.

There are a number of basic Transformers planned for initial release. These figures were on display but we were not allowed to take any photos. Basic figures on display at Toy Fair were:

• Megatron
• Barricade
• Wreckage
• Scorponok
• Brawl
• Optimus Prime (Proto Form)
• Bumblebee
• Jazz

In addition, two Transformers will be released in ‘deluxe’ form. Ratchet and Wreckage will be available as individually-boxed figures and will be larger scale than the basic series. Perhaps the crown jewel in Hasbro’s Transformers summer lineup is the Ultimate Bumblebee. This massive 14” Autobot includes electronic working headlights, voice chip, programmed battle moves, firing cannon and is fully transformable into the yellow concept Camaro from the movie.

Expect to see a revitalization of the popular Unleashed brand as Hasbro introduces their first Transformers figure into the line. Bumblebee will be available nationwide as an Unleashed figure and will be showcased in the same style packaging that was included with last year’s popular Star Wars Target exclusives.

For the kids (or at least the younger ones) Hasbro unveiled plans to roll out a full series of Robot Heroes, similar to their widely popular Galactic Heroes. These will be available in two-packs and will include fan-favorite Transformers characters. Be prepared to receive an entirely new form of transforming toys when Hasbro gives us, wait for it… plush G1 Transformers! These cute little retro-style buggers flip from robot to vehicle in one smooth (if not fluffy) motion. Included in the first wave of plush Transformers are Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

Have you ‘permanently borrowed’ the Darth Vader voice-changing helmet you bought your kid for Christmas? If so, you can finally return it in favor of the upcoming Optimus Prime Voice-Changer Helmet. Now you can shout ‘roll out!’ with all the emphasis and authority of the Autobot leader. Finally, Hasbro will release Optimash Prime, a Mr. Potato Head version of the Optimus Prime.

ARCHIVE: DST Stargate SG-1 Daniel/Anubis "Ascension 2-pack"

Article originally published 08/28/2007 at figures.com

Over the past year, Diamond Select Toys has enjoyed a great level of success with their Stargate line. Already three full series of figures into the Stargate universe, DST has hit their stride and is rolling out more characters for the die-hard fans of the show. Accompanying the latest series of Stargate figures is the first multipack of the line. The Daniel & Anubis ‘Ascension 2-Pack’ features the duo as they appeared in the SG-1 season six episode ‘Full Circle’. This multipack includes a variation of the previously-released Daniel Jackson figure. However, fans will be most interested in the figure debut of the powerful Goa’uld System Lord, Anubis.

PACKAGING
DST stuck with the standard SG-1 packaging for this set, including the two figures in a blister shell with a stiff cardboard backing. As with SG-1 series 3, the cardboard has been strengthened on the packaging. This is a nice upgrade, especially for the heavier 2-pack, and allows the figures to hang on the wall with little damage to the peg hook.

SCULPT
As with the rest of Diamond’s Stargate series, the Daniel & Anubis 2-pack is sculpted by Jean St. Jean Studios. The difference with this set lies in its simplicity. Unlike the more detailed outfits of the serpent guards or SG-1 uniforms, the ‘ascension’ robes featured on these two figures are sculpted in one piece. The folds of each robe and hood are nicely done, but the focal point of the set is the head sculpts. Anubis features an entirely new sculpt, highlighting the mysterious black skull of the half-ascended Goa’uld. On the show, Anubis’ face is never completely revealed, allowing fans (and the sculptors) to create a minds-eye version of what the alien may actually look like. Daniel Jackson’s sculpt is the same that was featured on the series 1 version of the character, but a difference in paint apps makes a vast improvement.

PAINT AND COLOR
Diamond opted to use the same body sculpt for the two figures, so the paint applications are critical to give each character definition. Again, at first glance these seem like very simple figures. Daniel Jackson’s robe is a mixture of two shades of brown while Anubis is almost completely all black. However, the apps on both head sculpts are very crisp. Daniel especially shines in this section, appearing to have a bit more clarity than his series 1 counterpart.

ACCESSORIES
Some may be disappointed that this set comes with no accessories. The hoods for both figures are removable and some of the shoulder wraps on Daniel’s robes easily slide off, but there are no true items included for these figures to hold or interact with. Although, the previous two Daniel Jackson figures both included the same piece of the SG-1 Stargate, so fans may be satisfied to not get yet another copy of the same gate piece.

OVERALL IMPRESSION
This is a nice episode-specific set that hardcore Stargate fans will surely pick up. It is on shelves now for around $25, which may put off more casual fans considering its lack of accessories. I love the ominous look to Anubis and the overall simplicity of the set. With the complexity and detail that DST has put into their previous Stargate efforts, the Daniel/Anubis 2-pack makes a nice background companion piece.

ARCHIVE: TF07 - Diamond Select Beams Down More Trek Goodness

Article originally published 02/11/2007 at moviemaniacs.net

Diamond Select knows when they have a good thing going. Last year, DST gave Star Trek the revitalizing jolt it needed by creating several series of highly detailed action figures. The plethora of Next Generation, Original Series and exclusive figures were enough whip fans into a speculative frenzy over what might be next. At this year’s Toy Fair International, DST delivered a new batch of figures that are certain to have Trekkies and Trekkers alike singing their praises.

Starting off with the next full series of TOS figures, DST plans to capture characters from the epic film ‘The Wrath of Khan’.

Included in the ‘Khan’ wave:
• Admiral James T. Kirk
• Khan Noonien Singh
• Captain Clark Terrell
• ‘Double Cross’ Kirk variant

As an added bonus, Diamond will be offering additional ‘Khan’ figures as exclusives at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. As with last year, DST will provide attendees with a punchcard that can be stamped as they purchase each of the four retailer exclusives. Once the card is full, it can be redeemed at the Diamond booth for an awesome ‘battle damage’ Khan figure.

This year’s San Diego Comic Con ‘Wrath of Khan’ exclusives:
• Cmdr. Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott
• Hikaru Sulu
• Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy
• Pavel Chekov
• ‘battle damaged’ Khan

DST will be continuing their 6” scale Trek line with the addition of Deep Space Nine figures. DS9 series 1 is currently slated to include Benjamin Sisko and Jadzia Dax. Odo will be added as a retailer exclusive. Also in the works are two figures to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Captain Picard in his captain’s chair will be produced as a follow up to last year’s Pike and Kirk. A new William Riker figure is set to be released as a companion piece to the Picard in captain’s chair.

When it comes to Trek, DST has figures of all sizes. Capitalizing on their popular MiniMates line, Diamond will be producing a number of TOS figures that will include a wide variety of characters. From the Orion Slave Girl to Spock displaying his trademark ‘live long and prosper’ Vulcan salute, Diamond has a full docket of MiniMates in store . As a bonus, we have been informed by DST that the aforementioned Spock will be the very first MiniMate to actually sport fingers! Check out our photo gallery for images of this monumental figure.

Adding to their growing collection of action figures, DST has more new Trek to release over the coming year in the form of starships and resin statues. The Enterprise will be made available in a number of film and episode-specific forms; including the versions featured in ‘Wrath of Khan’, ‘The Cage’ and ‘Where No Man Has Gone Before’. Diamond’s popular ICONS line of busts will be expanded to include the captains of Star Trek. Picard, Kirk and Sisco are slated to be released first with Archer and Janeway to follow. Two series of statues are in the works that combine the three main ‘away team’ characters from the original series. The ‘Amok Time’ set (due in August) includes Spock battling Kirk while McCoy watches nearby, recreating the classic scene from TOS season 2. The ‘Landing Party’ (due in July) set features the same three preparing for battle as they have arrived on a new alien planet. With both sets, each character will be sold separately and will include a connecting piece to the set’s base.

Lastly, Diamond Select will be celebrating Star Trek’s action figure origins when they release their Retro Cloth Figures. These Mego-style 8” figures are a new take on the 1970’s originals, featuring similar head & body molds, mono-color weapons and cloth outfits. The first wave of Retro Cloth Figures will be out this July and will include Captain Kirk and a Klingon. Additional waves will follow throughout the year and will feature a number of TOS Enterprise crew and aliens.