In the red corner
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by Jason Gulledge.
Toy review roundup
Michael Crawford reviews the McFarlane Toys Halo 3 Master Chief, Grunt, Jackal Sniper, Spartan Soldier Mark VI (red version), Spartan Soldier EVA (red version), Brute Chieftain and Cortana figures.
Goldrich Castillo reviews the Max Factory Max Gohkin Genesic GaoGaiGar Final Version figure. (See also.)
Seth Conroy reviews the NECA Alien versus Predator: Requiem Alien Warrior and Hybrid figures. (See also.)
Michael Crawford reviews the Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars Padme Amidala (Ilum Mission version) 1/6 scale figure from the Clone Wars series.
yo go re reviews the DC Direct Justice Gorilla Grodd figure.
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Foamheads Fox Sports Robot 10-inch figure. (See also.) (Related.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Fisher-Price Planet Heroes Pluto Shiver set.
WIKD reviews the Takara Tomy Zoids Molga Guylos Specification and Gator Guylos Specification Wonder Festival exclusive kits.
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai Chogokin Mechanic Lightan, Coin Lightan, Light Lightan, Cutter Lightan and Meter Lightan figures from the Gold Lightan series. (See also.)
Jeff Saylor reviews the Hot Toys Alien versus Predator Cosbaby Alien Warrior, Grid Alien, Scar Predator, Chopper Predator, Celtic Predator and Alexa Woods figures.
Retro reviews
Tom Prankerd reviews the Takara Transformers Collection Soundwave figure.
Tom Prankerd reviews the Takara Transformers Robot Masters Star Saber figure.
Tom Prankerd reviews the Takara Transformers Binaltech Hound figure.
Ardiatma Mardhika reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Convoy figure.
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Valor versus Venom Bombstrike versus Croc Master set.
In the blue corner
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by williac.
Toy links
Shinigami type Lost.
A heavily armed Busou Shinki custom by Katarina Rina featuring Zoids accessories and a new paint job. (More: 1, 2, 3, 4.)
Acroyear: old and new.
A reissued Microman Acroyear Red Star figure alongside a custom Acroyear figure by motorrazor.
Microman Space Ghost
A very cool custom figure by TCM Hitchhiker.
World’s Finest: old school.
A fine old timey photo by Fengschwing.
World’s Finest: new school.
A neat photo by toyrewind.
Bedtime story.
An amusing photo by Zoot42.
Tim Bradley, ex-Transformers designer interviewed.
“The design of the toys is really a joint task between designers at Takara and designers and Hasbro.”
Ryan Katz, the Rubik’s Revolution designer.
“It kind of fits my personality, designing toys … I still enjoy toys today. I played with a lot of toys as a kid. I’d always take apart my toys and see how they worked, see what was inside.”
Regarding the yo-yo.
On its popularity: “Maybe it’s because they’re impractical … They don’t accomplish a lot other than going down and coming back up.”
Designing Happy Meal Toys.
“[It is] pretty cool to see someone play with the stuff you created …”