Happy Bow Day! (+ contest)

February 15, 2011 | Poe

I have no idea what made me use this pic. Other than it obviously being funny, while not obviously riffing on the usual Bow-is-gay cliche. Which I don’t buy, by the way–look at that ‘stache. Dudes with his build and facial hair hanging around extremely hot chicks all the time screams “porn star” to me.

Oh Bow. Why can’t we all just leave you alone? (BTW, in that shot above, I can hear Bow making the Peter Griffin “purring walrus” noise.)

Anyway, it’s Bow Day, though it’s also Shadow Beast Day, Keldor Reissue Day, Tytus Reissue Day and Grayskull Stands Day. No non-MOTUC items this month. Here’s the link to the all-in-one page.

And hey, to make it interesting: I’ve got a MOC WWE Mattel Randy Savage for the person who guesses closest to the exact time Bow sells out (guess a particular minute of the day). Entries must be submitted by 12pm ET. Everyone’s eligible except me and my monkey. Good luck!

Toy Fair > Day 2 Coverage Coming Soon

February 14, 2011 | Poe

Apologies for the lateness of my reporting, folks. I’ll have more for you tomorrow. For now, feel free to peruse my Toy Fair pics and post your comments here. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about the toys, too–I’ll do my best to answer them.

Toy Fair 2011 Report, Day 1: Hasbro Collector’s Day

February 12, 2011 | Poe

At this moment I’m sitting in one of the tiniest hotel rooms in Manhattan, my laptop balanced precariously on a window ledge as I sit on a bed. The other side of the room–really a glorified closet–is about eighteen inches to my right.

I’ve just finished uploading about ninety pics from Hasbro’s Collector’s Event today, available on my special Toy Fair Flickr page. Hopefully you were also following my tweets. They’ll be the swiftest form of coverage over the next two days (hence the addition of the Twitter feed to the site–thanks to OB1 for putting that and the Flickr gallery together so swiftly).

And so–as for what happened today. I took the Bolt bus down from Boston; thanks to wifi, it was a relatively swift four hours to Manhattan. After dropping my stuff off at the hotel, I headed to the Times Center in Times Square, where none other than Optimus Prime himself sat parked outside. I spent about four years of my young life looking at cars and trucks and wondering if they’d transform; sadly, even though this was the likeliest moment for such a thing in my entire life, it was not to be–Optimus remained in vehicle mode, caring not how many people grinned as their friends took pics with him.
(more…)

Pic of the Day

February 11, 2011 | Poe

Jabberwocky

Jabberwocky by PlayStar Rocker

McFarlane Toys scores the Walking Dead

February 10, 2011 | Poe

Via MTV Geek (whom I now hate for all his exclusive scoops):

The first series of deluxe 6-inch figures is releasing in September 2011, includes four fan-favorite characters from the Image comic book including:

THE WALKING DEAD Series 1
Officer Rick Grimes
Michonne
Zombie Lurker
Zombie Roamer

The second series of deluxe 6-inch figures is revealed in November 2011 and introduces four figures based on AMC’s original drama including:

THE WALKING DEAD Series 2
Deputy Rick Grimes
Daryl Dixon
Zombie Walker
Zombie Biter

Each human figure includes multiple interchangeable accessories and several points of articulation for limitless possibility and customization. Each zombie figure features unique, gory, play action such as exploding heads and removable limbs. Figures are expected to sell for around $14.99 at retailers nationwide.

“I simply cannot contain my excitement over working with McFarlane Toys,” said Robert Kirkman, creator of “The Walking Dead” comic-book series.  “For nearly two decades McFarlane Toys have proven themselves to be leading the pack when it comes to making cool looking, innovative toys, and I’m thrilled that they’re going to continue to do so with The Walking Dead.”

There’s more information, including a quote from McFarlane, at the MTV Geek.

I’m disappointed. No articulation means no interest from me. Not that there’s anything wrong with a lack of articulation–some people are perfectly happy with that, and if you’re one of them, you’re probably going to love this line.

Oddly enough, I had heard–a while back–that a different toy company had scored this license, and had plans to do a fully-articulated 6″ line. (And no, this wasn’t a dream.) Either I was misinformed, or something happened in the interim.

Any questions for Toy Fair?

February 10, 2011 | Poe

Since I live to serve you, my devoted Poesters, I’m giving you a chance to submit your questions not only for Mattel, but several other toy companies. Just list your questions in the comments below (be sure to specify the company) and I’ll put them together and try to ask as many questions as I can. Here are the companies I’m scheduled to spend time with so far:

  • Hasbro
  • Mattel
  • NECA
  • Bandai
  • Mezco
  • Jazwares
  • The Four Horsemen

I’m planning to try and visit DC Direct and Diamond Select as well, though I haven’t set up a specific time with them. Feel free to submit questions for them, too.

Also, if there are any particular lines you’d like me to pay attention to (beyond the obvious like MOTUC, DCUC, Thundercats, etc.), let me know.

Pic of the Day

February 10, 2011 | Poe

TMNT Reissue Slash

TMNT Reissue Slash by Rayne Creations

Bastards of the Universe > “Deleted Scenes and Outtakes”

February 9, 2011 | googum


Man, I could watch 339/1 beat on that dragon all day. Donkey had a whuppin’ penciled in, but I couldn’t find where my Youngest son put that figure. Still, I wasn’t thrilled with this strip, so I was going to set it aside and come back to it; and instead just plumb forgot.

On a brighter note, 339/1 has been a joy to work with, a charmer and consummate professional…

Hmm. Let me get back to you on that one.

Submit your QC issues for Mattel

February 9, 2011 | Poe

As some other sites are doing, I’m willing to present to Mattel a list of common QC problems on their figures. For most of you I’m guessing this will be related to Masters of the Universe Classics and DC Universe Classics, but any Mattel product are welcome. Here’s Scott Neitlich’s note (this one was to AFI) about it:

I know you’ve been asking for a way to get more input into the DCUC line and I have a challenge for you (as a site community) that works well for a dedicated site like this!

Clearly there are a lot of design and engineering issues fans have requested reviewed over the last two years (and many many if not all have been). However, our design and engineering staff has less time to surf the boards and I can only explain so much without images and details.

So here is the challenge. As a website community, put together a one page letter (along with any needed visual photos of product) and I will deliver this to the engineering and design group. Outline in a straightforward way design issues you have or requests (such as weak ankles, bobble heads etc..) But try to keep it on issues that are relevant, not ones that have been resolved. Also, this is design issues only, not shipping or customer service related to Mattycollector.com or retail inventory.

Have a representative who will be at NYTF deliver 4 copies of the letter/visuals to me there at our fan night on Sunday the 13th at 3pm. I will bring it to design so we can all review (along with the Four Horsemen).

I’ll leave it up to you all as to who actually writes the final letter, but as a web site community lets hear what you have to say.

Remember, visuals help a great deal. Try to keep the letter to one page max but attach whatever visuals are needed.

Together we can work to make this line even better! Lets hear what you have to say.

So here’s what to do: just shoot me an email (poe AT poeghostal.com) with a couple of photos of any and all QC problems you’ve run into with a DCUC or MOTUC figure, and then also describe the problem. I’ll write up a letter, print it out along with all the photos, and present it to Scott at Toy Fair.

This is your chance to make a real impression on Mattel regarding this issue–let’s do it! The deadline is 7pm Friday evening.

Odds ‘n Ends > February 9, 2011

February 9, 2011 | Poe

  • Don’t forget, the Sword of Ages goes back on sale today at 1pm at Poe Ghostal’s Points of Acquisition. There is also a very, very small number of Dread Axes of Darkness.
  • Michael Crawford has released the results for the Poppies–here are the Judges’ Picks, and here are the People’s  Picks.
  • NECA posted some very interesting pre-Toy Fair tidbits on their Twitter feed yesterday. The Predator 2 and Duke Nukem stuff sounds great.
  • It was just about ten years ago that I helped originate “Armchair Toy Fair Coverage” at OAFE. And now, finally, my coverage shall be armchair no longer. I’m looking into some simple-but-useful site updates to make sure you get your news ASAP.
  • Blogger The Fight Nerd sent along this review of the Superman vs. Muhammad Ali statue. It gives a great rundown of this particular moment in comic book history, and he even asked some UFC and Strikeforce fighters who they thought would win the match.
  • PGPoA was featured in a list of the “Best 30 Action Figure Blogs” alongside many other familiar sites.