Odds ‘n Ends > Beast Saga Vid, NECA does Half-Life & Prometheus, Nerf Intimidation, Figma Link

June 11, 2012 | Poe

  • Damn, I am way overdue for one of these. Right now my own toy collection is somewhat in chaos, as we’re packing for a move to our very first house. Still got some reviews coming, though.
  • What’s going on with ThunderCats? Pixel Dan asks the question, and TNI (sort of) answers it. Bottom line: Bandai still holds the master license, their product line is not canceled, and they are currently rolling out ThunderCats product globally in conjunction with the TV show being airing internationally. So those dreams of a Four Horsemen-sculpted, MOTUC-compatible ThunderCats line must remain in dreamland for now.
  • Here’s NECA’s Gordon Freeman from Half-Life 2. Evidently they’re also bringing us a Robocop with an opening thigh holster (possibly spring-loaded).
  • TakaraTomy has released a short promotional CGI video (narrated in English) highlighting their upcoming Beast Saga figures. The anthropomorphic warriors blast each other with fire and water from symbols on their chests. Kind of reminds me of the Care Bear Cousins, actually.
  • I missed this sketchy-seeming incident in which Hasbro and its lawyers tricked and then threatened an Australian toy blogger over his review of a pre-release Nerf gun that he bought online. If Hasbro offers you free toys for a giveaway and you’ve recently reviewed pre-release items, think twice about providing them with your personal information.
  • I seem to have been one of maybe five geeks who actually enjoyed Prometheus. Sure, the story was messy, but the visuals and atmosphere were amazing…anyway, NECA’s making figures, including what’s basically (mild spoiler alert) the “Space Jockey” pilot from the original ALIEN. I’ll be getting that solely because I’ve loved the look of that character since the original film.
  • There’s going to be a Figma Link (from Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword). I did not know this. Awesome. Now that we’ve got Link and Samus, when do we get a Figma Mario?
  • Packaged shots of S.H.MonsterArts Little Godzilla.
  • LuchaSharks are a thing. A thing in the process of being developed by Galaxxor creator Ben Spencer.

S.H.MonsterArts King Ghidorah Destroys Poe’s Objectivity

May 25, 2012 | Poe

I need to be honest with you, dear readers – I’m not sure I’m capable of being objective about the S.H.MonsterArts toy line. “Super-articulated Godzilla action figures” is the sort of thing I found at toy stores in my dreams, but the very idea of them existing in the real world seemed like pure fantasy. And yet, here they are. (True, I wish we could get some monsters from the 1960s and ’70s in addition to the current 1990s lineup, but to say I will take what I can get is an understatement.) (more…)

New S.H. MonsterArts Poll at Tamashii Nations

May 18, 2012 | Poe
Godzilla (S.H.Monster Arts)

Godzilla (S.H.Monster Arts) by Jova Cheung, on Flickr

I try not to ask favors of you, my readers. I write this site for my own enjoyment as well as yours, not to advance my own agenda.

But once in a while I may make use of this megaphone I have, and this is one of those times. If you’re a Facebook user, please vote in this S.H. MonsterArts poll. While I voted for all the Godzilla monsters, I don’t care who you vote for – just please vote! And maybe consider voting for Showa Godzilla and Mechagodzilla. Y’know, if you were wondering whom I might recommend or something.

Tamashii Nations Unveils “Comic-Con Explosion Godzilla” S.H.MonsterArts Exclusive

May 11, 2012 | Poe

Tamashii Nations has released information and pics about their S.H.MonsterArts exclusive, “Comic-Con Explosion Godzilla”!

Tamashii Nations’s Facebook page will also have a S.H. Monster Arts survey, starting today and running for one week, to help determine future releases and the direction to take the Monster Arts line.  There will be some Western monsters on the list including more obscure choices like Pokemon.

Box art by Yasushi Torisawa

TN will post more information concerning this year’s SDCC plans, including a number of un-announced prototypes for the various Tamashii Nations lines, on their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

More info on the exclusive after the jump!

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Odds ‘n Ends > AICN, Collector Gene, MOTU Fan Films, SHM Rodan

April 17, 2012 | Poe

  • PGPoA was mentioned on Ain’t It Cool News’ AICN Toys section yesterday in regard to my recent post about DCUC. Unfortunately, the quote they attribute to me is actually something I quoted from NoisyDvL5’s editorial on ItsAllTrue. I posted a comment to try and set the record straight.
  • It’s been a banner week for Power Pals. PPP Ben Leach, who comes from a whole family of collectors (toy and otherwise), have opened their own website, the Collector Gene. Here’s how he describes it:  “What separates us from a lot of collecting websites is a.) we own everything that we write about (and if we don’t, we clarify that), and b.) all four of us collect and are going to contribute to the website. Obviously, I’m going to write about the kind of stuff that appeals to your readers, but if your readers like shows like Antiques Roadshow or Pawn Stars, then I think they’ll appreciate everything on there. “
  • I’m not sure how many have heard of this, but there’s a group doing MOTU fan films. I haven’t watched them yet, but here’s their website. I suppose I owe it to you all to look into this further, so I will once I can get through some of my existing backlog.
  • At long last, Diamond Select is giving me the Mego-style Creature of the Black Lagoon I’ve been asking for since they created the line. It will be on my desk at work. Oh yes.
  • I’ve started using the PGPoA Facebook page more – primarily for stuff like recent purchases, random toy-related links, and news bits and other stuff on weekends. If you’re not on Facebook or don’t follow the site you won’t miss anything important, but for those of you jonesing for a more frequent PGPoA fix should keep an eye on it.
  • English page for S.H.MonsterArts Rodan. I’m such a mark for this line.
  • So, what sold out in yesterday’s Mattycollector sale? Thunder Punch He-Man, Tri-Klops, & the Voltron Yellow Lion. As of this posting, Draego-Man, Orko, and other figs are still there. I’m tempted to buy another Orko to see if I can get a Prince Adam without incredibly loose ankles, but does such a thing even exist?
  • This humor in this Saturday morning cartoon parody Starbarians is a bit tasteless, but the animation is well done – and the name and concept kick ass. How did every 1980s toy-and-cartoon producer miss “Starbarians”? This is the decade that created Dinosaucers!
  • Diamond Select had a prototype sculpt of a new Battle Beast grey retailer summit version of Vorin on display at C2E2.
  • Here are some new pics of the Play Arts Kai Mass Effect 3 figures. Now you can create your own ambiguous ending to Shepard’s saga!

More Little Godzilla Pics

February 6, 2012 | Poe

Bluefin Tamashii Nations USA updated their Facebook page with more pics of Little Godzilla from the Space Godzilla effects pack.

The crystals are pretty lame, but the figure is fairly large and articulated. It’s also ridiculously cute, but I’ll console myself and rationalize my purchase by thinking that my future child will like it. The crystals are rather lame, though.