Toy review roundup
Michael Crawford reviews the DC Direct Batman and Son Batman, Joker, Ninja Manbat, Robin and Damian figures. Excerpt: “This is one of my favorite DCD lines in ages, and that’s largely due to the terrific sculpts.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Cannonball and Domino Wal-Mart exclusive two-pack. Excerpt: “There’s still a big chunk of the X-Force team missing, but this two-pack is a good start.”
Jess Horsley reviews the Mega Bloks Neo Shifters Atlas/Ran, Magna/Rex, Blaze/Ax and Scar/Dorn figures. Excerpt: “When compared to other constructible action figures available now, the Neo-Shifters are simply the best investment for the cost.” (Gallery.)
WIKD builds the 2005 Tomy Zoids Shield Liger Blox exclusive kit. Excerpt: “The build is fun, and the end result is far better than I expected.”
Ben Yee reviews the Hasbro Transformers Robot Heroes Jazz and Thundercracker set. Excerpt: “If you’re going to make a Jazz toy of any sort, even one that doesn’t transform he’s got to look cool, and that’s what the designers went for with this interpretation of the character.”
Kastor takes a multipart look at the Hasbro Marvel Legends Fantastic Four figures with a preview, a look at the faces, the packaging, comparisons with older figures and the details. Excerpt: “This line was supposed to be for collectors, yet the standard which we have become accustomed has been lowered.”
Sanjeev reviews the Far East Monsters Godzilla statue. Excerpt: “There’s no articulation in this piece, but what you get is a stunning paint job with brilliantly rendered weathering.”
PrimeG1984 does a two–part retro video review of the 2000 Takara Transformers Car Robots Brave Maximus figure. Excerpt: “He’s so massive and he’s so big.”
Got a toy review to share? Let us know!
Toy links
Transformers Robot Replicas Frenzy custom. [via]
A nice repaint by crusader_x and an amusing photo-comic to show it off.
Transformers G1 Shockwave custom. [via]
Jin Saotome used an Energon Shockwave as a base. (See also.)
G.I. Joe General Hawk custom.
Fugayzie used an X-Men Classics Magneto as a base.
Busou Shinki mecha.
Two fanmodes by kirisawa.
Gogic Racer.
This 8400yen kit turns a 34,650yen SK-Pang Gogic Five robot into a transforming vehicle.
Beards unleashed.
A Hasbro G.I. Joe Adventure Team catalogue cover.
Pullip Jedi.
A cute photo by Kelvin Lok.
Aramaki Shinji interview excerpt.
Read about the designer who came up with the Transformers Soundwave, Perceptor and Reflector as well as the Mospeada Ride Armor and some M.A.S.K vehicles. (Matt Alt’s blog has an outtake from the interview.)
Japanese toy review roundup
The following reviews are in Japanese but they include a generous amount of photos so they’re well worth checking out.
Ganhoo reviews Bandai Mugenbine candy toys MugenKinohjin, MugenGinohja and the combined forms, MugenRyuuou and MugenEmperor.
soh-dr reviews the Bandai Gekiranger DX Saidaioh figure.
Tama base reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin Spec XS-05 Dragonar figure. (See also.)
ka2-yuki reviews the Bandai HCM-Pro 43-00 Jegan figure.
ken-o reviews the Bandai Red Sentinel Zord Ranger from the Power Rangers Operations Overdrive series.
Damien Sancho does a retro review of the 1984 Bandai DX Hi Compact Model Jumbow Galatt figure from the Choriki Robo Galatt series.
Gamu reviews the Bandai S.I.C. Hakaider figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Hasbro Transformers Classics Cliffjumper figure.
Bias does a retro review of the 1996 Bandai HG 1/100 Gundam Double X kit from the Gundam X series.
Sousuke reviews the 2002 Bandai Mobile Suit in Action Mandala Gundam from the G Gundam series.
Takanishi reviews the Toy Biz Marvel Legends series 4 Beast figure.
Ken Murasame does a retro review of the 1997 Takara Transformers Beast Wars Megalligator figure.
Toy links
Toy and Action Figure Museum.
The museum is located in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, and has seen 30,000 visitors in two years. (See also.)
Transformers Perceptor upgrade.
This G1 figure has been been given improved posability and a new face to keep up with the times. Wheel_jack has provided a how-to so you can upgrade your own.
Dragon knight.
An extraordinary Busou Shinki creation.
Saidaioh ver. Mugenbine.
A creative Mugenbine fanmode by Pon inspired by the Gekiranger Saidaioh mecha.
What’s in a name?
Do you know your Star Wars trivia?
Masked Riders.
A classy photo by beckzaidan of the Bandai Movie Realization Kamen Rider the First 1 and 2 figures.
Stop! You’re killing me!
Toy links
Mutant toys.
Sang Won Sung designs bizarre toy mutations made from doll parts.
Grand Grand Titan. [via]
A gigantic Lego Exo-Force creation at Lego World 2006.
Lego Valiant MOC.
Searme’s remote-controlled tank has a rotating turret.
Lego Mil Mi-24 Hind MOC. [via]
A creation by Andrew Lee.
Kratos.
Edward Lee’s photo of the NECA God of War Kratos with Flaming Chains figure.
JC Penny’s catalogues 1983-1985. [via]
Diaclone, Transformers, Kronoform and even a repainted Micronauts Battle Cruiser. There are more classic Transformers catalogues here.
“Toys aren’t just for kids anymore …”
“As the population ages and video games provide stiff competition, this holiday season Japanese toymakers are targeting adults like Asada with a line-up of toys that play to their childhood nostalgia as well as their love of high-tech.”
Toy censorship.
The Malaysian censors went to work on the cleavage of some photographed figures in Dengeki Hobby magazine.
In Optimus Prime We Trust
Optimus Prime for President.
“Potential attack ad: ‘Sometimes Optimus Prime is a robot, other times a truck. Which is it, Mr. Prime? America deserves a leader that doesn’t transform whenever it’s convenient.'”
Optimus Prime for President.
“On to the economical problems we’re dealing with right now. Here I think Optimus would negotiate a deal for cheaper energon cubes and set the homeless to work with Perceptor (the microscope and Autobot scientist) who would make a giant energon factory.”
Optimus Prime for President.
Inaugration speech: “… we didn’t ratify the Decepticon Proliferation Treaty, and now they’re everywhere, threatening our very way of life. And, might I remind you, not a single Decepticon is made in America.”
Optimus Prime for President.
“Vows to end Decepticon threat.”
Optimus Prime for President.
He wants you.
Optimus Prime was President.
“Optimus Goldberg Rosenblatt Primestein (July 24, 999,728,602,820 B.C. – August 9, 2005) was the 40th President of the United States.”
Optimus Prime was President.
“Transform and row out!”
Blogroll super link
Added Action Figure Customs and Saint Museum to the blogroll.
Toy links
Transformers movie-style Shockwave custom.
It transforms into a F-117A Nighthawk.
Transformers movie-style Galvatron custom.
Based on the Voyager class Megatron, it features parts from Doctor Octopus, Microman and Gundam figures. Be sure to see his Final Battle Optimus Prime custom as well.
The Ultimate Wonder Woman Collector’s Guide.
“The site contains detailed information on Wonder Woman collectibles from all eras – 1940s to present day.”
Ultra Magnus Realm.
It covers figures, art and profiles of various iterations of the Transformers character.
Fly.
A nice digirama by kokuhen featuring a Yamato Macross 1/48 Valkyrie VF-1J Hikaru type in flight.
America’s Next Top Model.
Okay, not really. They’re actually figures from Sideshow Collectibles The Dead series.
Joecustoms interviews Matt “Iron Cow” Cauley. [via]
“I’m really drawn to taking an existing line, and creating figures in that same style to flesh it out a bit.”
Toy review roundup
Michael Crawford reviews the DC Direct World of Warcraft series 1 Valeera Sanguinar, Thargas Anvilmar, Rehgar Earthfury and Meryl Felstorm figures. Excerpt: “All of these figures show an extreme attention to detail and realism that matches anything put out by any other company today.”
CS Toy International does a video review of the Bandai Gekiranger DX Saidaioh figure. Excerpt: “Finding out the message the creators hide in the their names is one of the joys for Sentai Hero fans to discover.”
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Star Wars Transformers Darth Vader Death Star figure. In an internet exclusive, he reveals just how many twisty-ties and rubber bands secure the figure in the packaging.
Adam Pawlus reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Flint figure. Excerpt: “This is a fine example of Hasbro getting the most out of its molds and making a good figure in the process.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Wal-Mart exclusive Marvel Legends Cable and Marvel Girl set. Excerpt: “Cable and Marvel Girl may not be the most obvious pair to throw in a box together, but they still make a good set.”
yo go re also reviews the NECA Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix series 2 Death Eaters figures. Excerpt: “They’re both worth getting, thanks to a lot of small changes that add up to a decent set of differences.”
Swftoys reviews the Medicom Toy Real Action Hero Boba Fett figure. Excerpt: “Medicom seems to have gotten just about everything right with this Boba Fett figure.”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel Justice League Unlimited Batman, Black Canary and Joker three-pack. Excerpt: “This is a different and somewhat more classic version of Black Canary, and The Joker is certainly a good reason to grab this set.”
Travis reviews the 2005 Medicom Toy Real Action Heroes Jack Bauer figure from the 24 television series. Excerpt: “The following review takes place between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.”
Josh Bernard reviews the 2004 Yamato Macross GBP-1S Armored Parts for 1/60 scale VF-1. Excerpt: “Yamato has made great strides since this toy came out, but I can’t recommend this armor set to anyone.”
WIKD does retro reviews of the 1989 Tomy Zoids King Liger and the Wing Glider Grade Up Unit kits. Excerpt: “It’s elegantly designed, and perhaps it’s the minimal use of weapons combined with the white and gold color scheme that contribute to its highly majestic appearance.”
Silverbolt does a retro video review of the 1986 Hasbro Transformers Predaking figure. Excerpt: “He really is an awesome, awesome toy if you can get past the very garish bright orange colour scheme.” Bonus fact: the toy was designed by Akitaka Mika, resulted in Takara getting sued and him getting a job with Bandai.