Tag: Onell Design Page 1 of 2

Review > Reforged Hun-Dred the Conqueror and Origin Enemy the Dictator (Robo Force, ToyFinity)

On February 18, 2014

Six years ago, I wrote an article in ToyFare #132 about the 1980s toy line Robo Force. It was developed by the CBS Toy Company (formerly Ideal, who, side note, created the original Teddy Bear). Like dozens of toy lines in the 1980s it came and went fairly quickly. In my interview in ToyFare with Robo Force artist Paul Kirchner for ToyFare, he theorized that Transformers, which debuted at the same Toy Fair as Robo Force, crushed any chance Robo Force had.

However, in the 1980s even a short-lived toy line often had a production run that many modern toy companies would envy. And so many children had, among the assorted Transformers, He-Man or G.I. Joes in the toy box, an occasional Maxx Steele or Coptor.

Odds ‘n Ends > ThreeA Microman, Boba Fett movie, Power-Con

By Poe

On January 19, 2014

In Odds 'n Ends

After first announcing they’d obtained the Microman license way back in July 2011(!), ThreeA has finally revealed photos of the figures (or photos were leaked, I’m not sure). They’re 6″ tall and feature fabric clothes, like most ThreeA releases. They look intriguing, and it’s cool that they’re in 6″ scale, but I’m sure they’ll come with the usual high ThreeA prices and besides, I’m not a Microman fan anyway (well, except for a brief, odd period in 2004). However, I should note that in this particular case, the cloth isn’t what’s keeping me away – ThreeA is the only company whose fabric I like in sub-12″ scale. It’s the license and, presumably, the cost.
Let’s start by pointing out that this all comes from Latino Review. I have no idea what their reputation is at this point, but some of the people I follow on Twitter were very snarky about them, so maybe they’re known for being wrong a lot. I don’t know and I don’t care right now because this is so interesting and I want to talk about it. A lot.
Anyway, Latino Review claims Joe Johnston – director of The Rocketeer, Jurassic Park III, Captain America and oh yeah, the guy who designed Fett’s outfit (with Ralph McQuarrie) – may be in talks to direct the Boba Fett spinoff movie. Lawrence Kasdan, who wrote The Empire Strikes Back and is writing Episode VII, is allegedly in talks to write it. But what gets me is this quote: “To counter-act the prequels, the Boba Fett spin-off movie planned for 2018 has an interesting twist pitched by Episode VII writer Lawrence Kasdan: the spin-off will start with a complete stranger killing Boba Fett and taking his armor, starting a Man-With-No-Name bounty hunter tale. So: someone kills the Boba Fett from the prequels and takes his armor and name. One this is for certain is that Kasdan didn’t like the prequel and wants no Boba Fett Clone in the spin-off film.” Does anyone? Maybe kids who have grown up with the character from The Clone Wars, which is one of several reasons I expect George Lucas to veto the idea if it’s actually at all in play. Can he still veto things? (Side note: Latino Review doesn’t understand Internet Star Wars fans very well if it starts off a rumor about killing off the prequel Boba Fett with “Strap in, a lot of you aren’t going to like this.”)
But here’s the funny thing about that killing-prequel-Fett-at-the-beginning-of-the-movie: I pitched this exact idea to Nemo Eight in a discussion we had last month. I even argued with him that the killing had to happen at the beginning of the movie and not the end; he liked the “surprise horror twist” of killing Fett suddenly at the end, whereas I pitched a Usual Suspects-type thing where you find out at the end that prequel Fett was killed at the beginning and the guy who you’ve been watching the whole time isn’t prequel Fett. Anyway, chalk me up for hoping this rumor is entirely true.
On another note, that article also states that Toy Story 3 screenwriter Michael Arndt, who’s now off Star Wars Episode VII, was focused on the story of the Solo kids while Abrams (and Kasdan) felt it should focus on Skywalker. This is yet another example of something that makes me highly suspicious of Abrams. Han Solo was the audience representative in the original films – something that was sorely lacking in the prequels. Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I don’t like Jedi that much – this article covers some of the reasons why. I know it’s a geek cliché to claim some showrunner or producer doesn’t “get” a geek property. And Abrams is actually the perfect successor for Lucas in certain ways – they’re both obsessed with effects and mechanics. Abrams’ work has always reminded me of Treebeard describing Saruman: “he has a mind of metal and wheels.” To me, Abrams’s films fall somewhere between Spielberg and Zack Snyder – great overall concepts, well-directed, great action, but lacking in emotion, real characters, or compelling themes. Lacking heart. Even Super 8 felt like that to me. Abrams’s Star Trek films were fun but forgettable (and the second had some annoying fan service and lazy writing). Quite frankly, I trust Joe Johnston to make a great Boba Fett movie more than I trust Abrams to make a great Star Wars movie.
Power Con is moving from Anaheim to New York City. That’s big news, but what I’m more curious about is what “transforming back to its core roots” means. Does that mean Ninja Turtles and Thundercats have been given the boot? (You may also be wondering: am I going? Answer: Maybe. Not sure yet.)
There will be a Glyos drop tonight at 9:30 EST. Check out the link for the full list of products.
Spy Monkey Creations has updated the story of The Golden Age for the Weaponeers of Monkaa ahead of an upcoming new drop.
In the course of following various Twitter conversations I came across the H Hangar by Wave. It’s designed for Gundam figures, but I immediately saw the potential for Star Wars Black 6″ dioramas as a corner of the Death Star or a Star Destroyer. Because they’re only 6″ tall, you really need two, which I immediately ordered from HLJ.

Odds ‘n Ends > Glyos & Power Lords drops, Funko Legacy rumors

By Poe

On November 27, 2013

In Odds 'n Ends

The final Glyos wave of 2013 is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, December 1st at 9:30PM EST.
The Four Horsemen’s sale of the Power Lords: Slate Zone Soldier & Slate Zone Elite will begin on Monday, December 2nd at 3pm EST on Store Horsemen and for the first 48 hours it will ONLY be open to Power Lords Fan Club members. Sales for non-Power Lords Fan Club members will begin at 3pm on December 4th IF any stock remains after the first 48 hours.
I’m working with NoisyDvL5 of ItsAllTrue on a fun holiday project. It’s a bit last-minute, so hopefully we’ll be able to pull it together. If we do, I think you’ll like it.
Rumored licenses for Funko’s 6″ Legacy Line: Game of Thrones, a Whedonverse line or two, and The X-Files (although only The X-Files has been “officially” hinted at by someone at Funko). The GoT hint allegedly came from Popcultcha, who – again, allegedly – had the following figures up for pre-order, according to Funko Fanatic poster arjybarjy: “The Hound, White Walker, Tyrion Lannister, Ned Stark, Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow up for preorder, due in February 2014. They vary in size from 5″ for Tyrion to 8″ for The Hound and White Walker figs.” I couldn’t find them on Popcultcha, so either they got pulled or were never there in the first place (or…I just couldn’t find them). So like that Star Wars Black list from a couple of weeks back, consider this pure rumor-mongering for now.

A few new acquisitions & SWB Darth Vader speculation

By Poe

On November 13, 2013

In Blog

Just some random musings for you.

I got this guy recently via sponsor Nerd Rage Toys. Playmates’ short-lived Toxic Crusaders line was great because it was 100% compatible with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in every way – size, style, articulation, and even the overall theme. I only owned Toxie himself, but it was a great figure and line. In retrospect I wished I’d picked up the Radiation Ranger.

Sightings > Outer Space Men Cosmic Creators Mel Birnkrant Edition of OSM Waves 3 and 4

By Poe

On March 21, 2013

In Sightings

The Outer Space Men line continues to chug along. The latest offering is the “Cosmic Creators” set of OSM waves 3 and 4, which were designed by OSM creator Mel Birnkrant. Fully compatible with Onell Design’s Glyos system, this is a limited-edition set available only through the official OSM site, theouterspacemen.com. The set sells for $80, is limited to 200, and will be signed by Mr. Birnkrant himself.

I know some of you are OSM fans and the 4H really want to promote this edition, so check ’em out.

I know I haven’t covered the line much here on the site, and I’ll admit I’m not collecting it, but that’s no knock against OSM creator Mel Birnkrant or the Four Horsemen – there’s tons of stuff out there these days and not everything is going to catch one’s fancy (unless you’re NoisyDvL5). I still think they’re very cool, and I’m considering picking up the deluxe characters like Cyclops and Colossus Rex.

Pic of the Day > Armorvor Squad by chogokinjawa

By Poe

On January 7, 2013

In Photos

Armorvor Squad by chogokinjawa

Submit your Flickr photos to Poe Ghostal’s Pic of the Day!

Odds ‘n Ends > OSM, Jitsu, Armorvor, Realm of the Underworld, Predator, Portal, DC Unlimited

By Poe

On November 28, 2012

In Odds 'n Ends

The Four Horsemen are once again selling holiday editions of their Outer Space Men figures. The current set includes the Cyclops, Gemini and Orbitron.

Mattel released the packaging photo and bio for Jitsu earlier this week. Evidently Jitsu runs Snake Mountain after Skeletor leaves for space, which seems kind of out of left field to me. Was this solely for the “iron fist” joke? Because his fist is golden. Says right on the bio.

Odds ‘n Ends > OMFG on sale, new Onell drop, Mattel MOTUC sub updates

By Poe

On January 16, 2012

In Odds 'n Ends

I haven’t received a single submission for the Odds ‘n Ends contest yet! Is it too difficult, what with the photo-taking and the Photoshopping? I’m willing to consider changing the rules.
For those of you who want a set of the flesh-colored OMFG but didn’t contribute to the Kickstarter campaign, they’re now up for sale in October Toys’ online store at $10 apiece.
Onell Design has a really cool drop (i.e., sale) coming up this Friday, including their new “Core Block” item. These sales are generally one-time deals (with a few exceptions), so be sure to check it out. It doesn’t say what time, but I think they’re usually at 9pm ET.
Pixel Dan has posted video reviews of Shadow Weaver, Fearless Photog and Fisto. On a related note, you can finally see all of Dan’s MOTU-related reviews in one place: http://blip.tv/powerandhonor/ He also has general reviews of toys here.
Mattel updates: Demo-Man will ship after the Star Sisters. Also: expect more delays in the future.
NECA has a Jason figure from Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. Here’s his head. I’m waiting/hoping for a new Jason from Part VI.

Odds ‘n Ends > OMFG!, Mattycollector Black Friday sale, NECA news

By Poe

On November 23, 2011

In Odds 'n Ends

I donated to October Toys’ OMFG! (Outland Mini Figure Guys) Kickstarter project, and these little guys–inspired by vintage lines such as M.U.S.C.L.E. and Monster in My Pocket–will soon be here. In addition to the pink sets that contributors to the original project get, OT is offering a number of exclusive colorways via other retailers. LittleRubberGuys.com has a pre-order for the above green set ($21 incl. shipping), while Rotofugi.com has a blue set that will be available in person at their Chicago store. UofMuscle.com will have an exclusive bright yellow set (not sure why they’re showing the standard pink set right now), and finally, the good folks at Onell Design will have a “Pheyden Blue” version available at their store this Friday, November 25 at 9pm ET.
Getting closer to the second blog I’ve long been discussing. There’s a very outside chance it may be ready for PGPoA’s four-year anniversary on December 1.
Mattel is evidently planning a huge Black Friday sale, set to start at 12am PT on Friday. Everything will be 10% off, which is cool, but not as cool as those $8 Ghostbusters they had a few weeks back.
NECA posted some pics of their upcoming Rocky figures and wow, are these articulated (for NECA, anyway). Why can’t we get this type of articulation on the Terminator figures?
Speaking of NECA, they also have a cool TRU 2-pack of the Predator 2 Pred and some Berserker Predator variant I don’t care about. I’ll be getting it for the masked Predator. It still kills me we haven’t gotten a NECA Dutch.

Review > Granthan Division Rig, Mk II (Glyos)

By Poe

On March 31, 2011

In Reviews

[toc title=”Table of Contents” class=”toc-left”] When I first interviewed Matt Doughty of Onell Design, he was hard at work sculpting the Rig (you can even see it under the lamp light in this pic). While I was there, we discussed vintage toys we’d enjoyed, and I mentioned having owned the Macross 4 Part II set of vinyl toys as a kid (I believe my parents bought them at Hobby ~~World~~ Town at the Hanover Mall). I mentioned how fond I’d been of the yellow figure (no idea what his official name is–I’ve never actually seen an episode of Macross), and Matt, being Matt, knew exactly what I was talking about and agreed it was a great piece.

What’s interesting is that the Rig would turn out to be very similar to that Macross figure–a hollow vinyl robot who had the same smooth, chunky feel. The difference, however, is that the Rig, being a product of the Glyos world, would be more than just a bipedal robot. Through a couple of simple twists, it could be two different robots, a spaceship, a tank, or whatever you imagine it to be.