February 19, 2009 | Poe
Michael Crawford reviews the Diamond Select Toys Ultimate Quarter Scale Han in Hoth Gear figure from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Excerpt: “… I had my hopes up that he’d be the ONE, the Neo of the line.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Mezco Toyz Cinema of Fear Jason Voorhees (hockey mask version) 7-inch figure from Friday the 13th (2009 remake). Excerpt: “Mezco has done a nice job packing in some useful weapons for Jason, as he hacks his way through your display shelf.”
Rustin Parr reviews the JUN Planning Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skellington figure. Excerpt: “While paint and sculpt put NECA’s to shame, the lack of thigh and especially bicep articulation really, really limit this figure.” (more…)
February 16, 2009 | Poe
Lots of news coming out of Toy Fair, especially from Hasbro. I’ve got someone working on a Hasbro update, but here’s some non-Mattel, non-Hasbro news I found interesting.
- According to NECA, series 2 of their Ninja Turtles line will be coming out later this year. Hallelujah! (Figures.com)
- NECA has also managed to hook me for their 7″ Terminator 2 figures. I have to get that shotgun-toting Arnie. (Figures.com)
- If you’ve never visited the site before, ASM Magazine always has some good Toy Fair coverage.
- OK, NECA…I know Chun-Li is traditionally depicted with big thighs, but this is ridiculous. (Cool Toy Review)
- A very Dick Sprang-style Joker is apparently going to show up on Batman: Brave and the Bold…maybe the season finale…? (Cool Toy Review)
February 13, 2009 | Rustin Parr
Note: the opinions of Rustin Parr do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Poe Ghostal.
With NYCC a few days behind us and Toy Fair a few days ahead, I find myself caught up in the tumultuous whirlwind of being a collector and fan of Mattel’s DC Universe Classics toy line. Wave 9 was revealed at NYCC, which is actually quite darn remarkable considering the series only launched little more than a year ago. However, despite its clear success, DCUC has been plagued by two issues almost from the get-go. In riffing on Toybiz/Hasbro’s Marvel Legends line, not only did Mattel come up with some inventively clever nomenclature (Classics vs. Legends, Collect-n-Connect vs. Build-a-Figure – “what marketing whiz came up with that one,” asks Mr. Seinfeld) they took up the mantle of poor Quality Control. And while I often must buy and return multiple figures before I get a decent enough paint job to open/keep, the real thing that’s got me going tonight is their so-called distribution. (more…)
February 1, 2009 | Poe
yo go re reviews the DC Direct Watchmen Rorschach figure. Excerpt: “This figure is only slightly above mediocre’ by 2009 standards …”
Jeff Saylor reviews the NECA Gears of War 2 Marcus Fenix vs. Locust Drone two-pack. Excerpt: “… the best Marcus Fenix figure ever released.”
Philip Reed reviews the Mezco Toyz HB II Hellboy San Diego Comic Con exclusive 3.75-inch figure. Excerpt: “As nice as some of the other Hellboy figures out there look, I really prefer this 3.75″ version …” (more…)
January 28, 2009 | Poe
I’ve got another new Daily List over at Topless Robot, in which I take Frank Miller to task for his often controversial depictions of women. For the record, my inspiration for the piece came from this Shortpacked strip.
6 Hints that Frank Miller Might Have Issues with Women
January 28, 2009 | Poe
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…)
January 27, 2009 | Poe
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.
January 24, 2009 | Poe
yo go re reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Green Lantern figure. Excerpt: “… Hal Jordan isn’t much of a character; this mundane action figure suits him perfectly.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Harley Quinn figure. Excerpt: “… this is one very impressive figure.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Flint (Cobra disguise version) figure. Excerpt: “… this is a good toy, even if it is everything we’ve seen before.” (See also.) (more…)
January 21, 2009 | Poe
Scott Rubin reviews the Toynami The Masterpiece Collection Robotech The New Generation VFB-9H (Rand version) figure. Excerpt: “The fighter mode does suffer from a sort of anti-kibble …” (See also.)
Corey Tincher reviews the NECA Street Fighter IV C. Viper figure. Excerpt: “… she’s actually a great action figure and solid first entry for NECA in the Street Fighter franchise.” (more…)
January 20, 2009 | Poe
- 2009’s FANtastic Exclusive: Round 1 is up! PGPoA endorses the Gargoyle!
- First look at Playmates Star Trek figures based on the upcoming movie. WTF happened here? Kirk looks like Dwight from The Office playing dress-up. What’s even funnier is Art Asylum’s far, far superior figures based on the original show are now available at Toys R Us. (TNI)
- Hi-res images of the Mallah’s Revenge Infinite Heroes 6-pack (TNI)
- Better pics of the Batman/Clayface two-pack. I would be all over this set if Batman weren’t covered in goo, but I’ll have to wait for the non-muddy version. (TNI)
- Dream Weaver Press to release Tall Tails “Silvermain” figure (AFI)
- McFarlane Toys’ Halo Points program kicks off (Spawn.com)
- First look at DC Unlimited Resistance 2 figures (Figures.com — who really needs to do something about its terrible loading times)
- 2008 Awards Central: Fwoosh, Figures.com, Michael Crawford
- DC solicits Blackest Night figures (spoilers!) (Action-figure)
