Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)

May 7, 2009 | Poe

fanmode-copy Michael Crawford reviews the Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Iron Man Mark II 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “Recognizing that certain aspects of this figure cost less because of the re-use, they added in more stuff to give you that additional value.”

Jeff Parker reviews the Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Iron Man Mark II Sideshow exclusive 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “As near to perfection as it is possible to get in this scale …”

yo go re reviews the Jakks Pacific WWE Deluxe Build N’ Brawl Sgt. Slaughter figure. Excerpt: “… the toy would be a bit small if he were a Joe release. Other than that, however, the figure blends perfectly.” (more…)

Stand! (in the place where your figures are)

March 16, 2009 | Poe

As action figures have become more poseable and dynamic, collectors have been looking for ways to pose their figures in more than just the typical “soldier in formation” look. Other figures simply tend to fall over a lot (looking at you, JLU). So it’s not surprising a number of action figure manufacturers and third-party companies now offer a range of ways to get your action figures looking their best.

This is just a quick overview of some of the better-known display stands available for 3 ¾” and 5″-7″ figures. (more…)

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

February 12, 2009 | Poe

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…)

Odds ‘n Ends REVEALED!

December 31, 2008 | Poe

Odds N Ends

Now that Newt’s won, here’s the full list:

Old school haulage and a rare Poe custom

June 21, 2008 | Poe

I’m on a little mini-vacation right now, using up my vacation days at work before they expire on July 1. I took yesterday off, as well as the first two days of next week. So rather than do anything even mildly constructive yesterday, I headed off to a local comic shop, Comicazi. Comicazi has two locations–one in Somerville, Massachusetts, which I’ve visited many times, and another in Arlington. I’d never been to the Arlington one and, having nothing better to do, decided to see what was there.

What was there, my friends, was an action figure heaven. Racks upon racks of toys, both old and new–toys from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s right up to today. I should have taken photos–I didn’t have my camera–but here’s just a random sampling of what I saw from memory: Resaurus Duke Nukem figures, McFarlane’s Nitro Riders, vintage Doctor Who figures, Galoob 3 3/4″ Star Trek: the Next Generation figures, an entire wall of Playmates Star Trek figures, Kenner Beetlejuice figures, and tons of 1990s Toy Biz Marvel figures. Again, that’s just a small sampling, and all of this was MOC. (more…)

A Dark and Stormy Knight

May 5, 2008 | Poe

Over the weekend I picked up the Dark Knight Batman from Mattel’s “Movie Masters” line. For those who don’t know, Mattel has two action figure lines for the movie: a five-inch scale, kid-oriented line and the MM figures, which were sculpted by the Four Horsemen, are about six inches (roughly–see below) tall and feature DCUC-style articulation. I paid $11.97 for the figure at Wal-Mart, which seems overpriced, especially when you consider the lack of any real accessories. But this may just be the new reality.

While the lack of accessories is disappointing, the figure is not. This is one of those figures, like the DC Superheroes Superman or Batman, that I can’t put down. I keep picking it up off the shelf and fiddling with it. (more…)

Poe’s Figure Hall of Fame > Face-Off Hulk

March 19, 2008 | Poe

Welcome to a brand-new feature I made up about ten seconds ago: Poe’s Action Figure Hall of Fame. These posts, appearing as regularly as I feel like writing them, will honor fine examples of action figure artistry.

The inaugural inductee is: Marvel Legends Face-Off Hulk!

Wouldn't like me when I'm angry...

Name: The Hulk
Line: Marvel Legends (Face-Off)
Year: 2006
Manufacturer: Toy Biz
Sculptor: Sam Greenwell

I prefer to have a nostalgic connection to the character of any action figure I buy. I can remember getting a little rubbery Hulk toy at Building 19 when I was a wee tyke (sadly, I can’t remember at all what it was or who made it). I was familiar with the character–what little kid wasn’t?–but I hadn’t read the comics, and I didn’t until the early 1990s during Peter David’s run. While David was making the Hulk smart by integrating his Bruce Banner and Hulk personalities, I got my second Hulk toy–the classic purple pants-wearing titan, made by the then-fledgling toy company Toy Biz. That first Toy Biz Hulk was shorter than most of other figures in the line, most likely because he was so muscled and the young Toy Biz had to conserve plastic to maintain prices (I’ll discuss this issue in more detail below).
(more…)