Review > Adam Strange and Starfire (DC Universe Classics)

January 30, 2009 | Poe

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Starfire and Adam Strange might seem an unlikely couple for Mattycollector’s first exclusive DC Universe Classics (DCUC) two-pack. Other than the fact one’s an alien from outer space and the other one spends a lot of time in outer space, what do they have in common? Turns out they both hung out a lot in DC’s 52 maxi-series. That’s about it. (more…)

Pic of the Day

January 30, 2009 | Poe

Cuthroat [sic] by vader9900

Poe’s note: Apologies for the lack of a POTD yesterday. I…forgot, basically. Had the day off and was running errands.

5 Questions With > JDP Design

January 29, 2009 | Poe

A few weeks back, I reviewed an Action Figure Display from JDP Design. I was so intrigued by the concept, I asked the boys at JDP to chat a bit about how the product came out and their own experiences with toy collecting.

bio-card-pictureCode Name: JDP Design
Real Name(s): Dan and Jeff Phillips, co-owners
Base of Operations: www.actionfiguredisplays.com
History: Our company creates Action Figure Displays, which are detailed, themed environments that give your toys a world to live in. We have always loved action figures and enjoy displaying our collection. We created Action Figure Displays because we wanted a way to more effectively display and photograph our figures. Years of developing our product has resulted in quality displays that include a wide variety of themes that can accommodate almost any type of action figure.

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Toy news roundup, 1/28/09

January 28, 2009 | Poe

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  • Skeletor is sold out. Damn, that was fast. Bodes well for MOTUC, though. (Mattycollector)
  • Go Hero is making a Commando Cody 1:6 figure, which I find interesting mostly because CC was featured in a number of Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes. Incidentally, where the hell are my MST3K figures, world?! (Figures.com)
  • More pics of Terminator: Salvation toys by Playmates…that thing with the treads will look great next to my 1988 Kenner Ed-260. Y’know, I feel kind of bad for picking on Playmates, since they produced the excellent and beloved TMNT line and the popular Simpsons figures, but these are inexcusable in this day and age. (Figures.com)
  • Diamond Select Toys’ latest Q&A. (Art Asylum)
  • Dude, this Star Wars horror novel’s cover totally ripped off my Odds ‘n Ends pic. Ha ha! Okay not really. (Topless Robot)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode), 1/27/09

January 28, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Michael Crawford reviews the Hot Toys Predator 2 Lost Predator 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “… you won’t feel like you got some sort of steal, but you’ll know why you spent that much money.”

Jeff Parker reviews the Hot Toys Alien 3 Dog Alien 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “You couldn’t describe it as a bargain, but the work lavished on it certainly makes it fair …”

Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Skeletor Mattycollector exclusive figure. Excerpt: “While I think this is a great sculpt, there’s no question it’s lacking in a lot of the traditional hallmarks of what is often considered great action figure sculpting …”

Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Deluxe class Generation 1 series Smokescreen and Beast Wars series Dinobot figures. Excerpt: “(Re: Dinobot) I think this design team is just not Beast-compatible.” (more…)

Pic of the Day

January 27, 2009 | Poe

NECA – Aliens 03 by Ed Speir IV

Poe’s note: Despite some QC issues, this is probably my favorite Alien-related action figure ever made, which is saying something. Watch for a review of this figure by yours truly at OAFE.

Odds ‘n Ends

January 27, 2009 | Poe

odds_n_ends_09

Welcome to another weekly installment of Odds ‘n Ends. I’m your host, Poe Ghostal.

  • PGPoA now has a fan page on Facebook–become a fan today! I’m thinking about ways to make it worth your while, such as Facebook-exclusive content or contests and such forth.
  • February has always been “Retro Month” at OAFE, and this year PGPoA is getting in on the fun (but totally not just ripping it off) with Vintage Month. Look for a few design tweaks and a focus on classic toys from back in the day.
  • It’s been a rough week for Mattel. There’s no question the DCUC Wave 6 issues are a major problem, but at least Mattel did finally admit fault and absolve online retailers of any blame. Now bring on wave 6…I need me a Hawkman.
  • I still owe you a review of Adam Strange and Starfire. I have a question for you all: do you often read multiple reviews of the same figure? Time and again it’s been made clear to me that people love reading reviews on this site, but it sometimes feels like a waste of time when, say, Michael Crawford or Articulated Discussion has already done a good review of the figure.
  • While I don’t follow Marvel comics these days, I have to say the Hulk Vs. direct-to-video movie looks great. I’ll be checking that one out for sure.
  • Dr. Mrs. Ghostal and I have gotten through B:TAS, Justice League, and just last night, Batman Beyond. All we have left now are the final season of Justice League Unlimited and a few of the movies, like Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker and Superman: Doomsday. I’m a little surprised DC hasn’t been trying to mine the DCAU further with more direct-to-video titles based on those series. While the original productions, like New Frontier and the upcoming Wonder Woman, are great, I still think some direct-to-video films based on Justice League Unlimited and so forth could only help the brand.