Toy review roundup (via Fanmode), 2/18/09

fanmode-copy 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…)

Toy reviews roundup (via Fanmode), 2/14/09

fanmode-copy Sanjeev reviews the Kridana Epic Ramayana Series Hanuman figure. Excerpt: “This particular toy holds a lot of meaning for me.” (See also.)

Michael Crawford reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Iron Man, Punisher, Black Panther and Wolverine figures. Excerpt: “Iron Man is the outstanding figure …”

Michael Crawford reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Silver Surfer, Human Torch, Spider-man and Daredevil figures. Excerpt: “The figures themselves, even with the leg articulation limitation, are really fun little toys.” (more…)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode), 2/11/09

fanmode-copy Jeff Parker reviews the Enterbay Fist of Fury Bruce Lee 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “Both the heads are sublime sculpts …”

Corey Tincher reviews the Mezco Toyz The Spirit The Spirit 7-inch figure. Excerpt: “… I’m glad that I picked it up.”

Erin Snyder reviews the Wild Planet Skeleflex Aliens Akafly and Dinos Spinosaurus sets. Excerpt: “These guys are pretty cool.” (See also.) (more…)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode), 2/7/09

fanmode-copy Sanjeev reviews the Onell Design Buildman Ranic (Standard and Reverse versions) figures. Excerpt: “… equal parts action figure and building toy.”

Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Legacy Collection Clone Trooper (with Cip-Quad) figure. Excerpt: “… he certainly comes with an impressive piece of weaponry that goes way, way beyond the usual blaster pistol these guys tend to be issued.” (See also.)

Scott Rubin reviews the Mattel DC Universe Infinite Heroes Crisis series Starfire, Captain Boomerang and Raven three-pack. Excerpt: “… a diverse and motley mix of figures.” (more…)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode), 2/4/09

fanmode-copy Poe Ghostal reviews the NECA Bionic Commando Nathan “Rad” Spencer figure. Excerpt: “… a great action figure.”

Shocka reviews the SOTA Street Fighter Revolution Zangief figure. Excerpt: “This will be the only Street Fighter Revolutions figure I’m reviewing for OAFE because the others all had the misfortune of breaking before I got them out of their boxes …” (more…)

Toy news roundup, 2/2/09

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  • G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra Super Bowl clip (TNI)
  • Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Super Bowl clip – I doubt I’ll see either of these films in theaters, unless you guys really want me to. I suppose a review or two might be fun, but be warned, I’m not particularly well-predisposed to these movies. (ENI)
  • If you haven’t seen it, here’s the Mr. Potato Head ad from the Super Bowl. It’s pretty cute. (Hulu)
  • I can’t get the video to work, but if you can, check out what is possibly my favorite Robot Chicken skit ever, starring MOTU’s Faker. (adult swim)
  • Since I’m such a whore for brown costume Wolverine, I’m toying with ordering the BBTS Marvel Select variant. Articulation looks like crap, though, and I hate that pre-posed torso. Also: why can’t anyone make non-warped Wolverine claws? SOTA got it right with Vega years ago. (Figures.com)
  • NECA to make Dead Space figures. Anyone played this game? Is it good? (Figures.com)
  • A nice history of Watchmen action figures. It sucks we never got those comic-based ones. Has it ever been confirmed that a falling out with Alan Moore was the reason the line was shelved? Also, I’d love a retro-styled Watchmen line like the one depicted in the original comic. (Cool Toy Review)
  • Something weird is going on over at Sideshow Toys. That’s all I know.
  • Jesse Falcon claims 6″ Marvel Legends line not dead. It’s just pining for the fjords. (Fwoosh)
  • Hasbro’s 66th Star Wars Q&A round-up. (Rebelscum)

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode), 1/31/09

fanmode-copy 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…)

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

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…)

Odds ‘n Ends

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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.

Toy review roundup (via Fanmode), 1/24/09

fanmode-copy 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…)