Fanmode break
Fanmode will be taking a short break. We hope to return soon.
I’ve got no strings
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by frennlareo.
Toy review roundup
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe Bumblebee, Prowl, Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime and Lockdown figures. Excerpt: “I’ve had enough time watching the cartoon to let the chins grow on me, though, and they no longer bother me.”
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe Autobot Ratchet and Blackarachnia figures. Excerpt: “… (Blackarachnia) doesn’t get to say, ‘Hey, my eyes are up here!’ because they’re also on her chest.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Allspark Power Stockade figure. Excerpt: “His vehicle mode is (similar to but legally distinct from) a Cadillac Escalade, the SUV of choice for rap stars and other people who love conspicuous displays of affluence – you know, dickholes.” (See also.)
Monkey Boy reviews the Four Horsemen FANtastic Exclusive The Gauntlet of Vaskkh exclusive figure. Excerpt: “He’s a first-run suckatron.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Saga Legends Fans’ Choice Pit Droids two-pack. Excerpt: “It’s like they they were designed to be lovably stupid. I mean, come on: their official designation is the DUM-series.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Steeler and Cobra Rip It 2007 Collectors’ Convention exclusive figures. Excerpt: “If you’ve been having doubts about these figures because they do not come with the tanks — don’t worry about it. Get the figures.” (See also.)
Martin Milner reviews the Playmobil 4473 Deep Sea Working Submarine 4478 Deep Sea Mini-Sub 3611 Nautila Sub Submarines and 4479 Deep Diver sets.
Retro reviews
Poe Ghostal reviews the Heinz Ketchup H-57 Burger Blaster toy. Excerpt: “The instructions show how to transform the ketchup bottle into a star-crossing vehicle of destruction. It’s not as easy as it looks …”
Leonardo Flores reviews the Matchbox Robotech Scott Bernard figure. Excerpt: “… the Matchbox line had so much potential but delivered so poorly.”
Wooden-faced
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by dao hodac.
Toy links
Jin Saotome’s Powerglide custom.
“Powerglide was made from the Animated Lugnut, new turbine arms from the Adventures of Spawn ‘Omega Spawn’ figure, and a custom sculpted head.” (Be sure to view his Skywarp custom as well.)
Jaws.
A Lego recreation of the classic poster by bricktales.
Love-A-Lot.
A Care Bear Stikfas custom by Jeana.
Enjoy the ride.
The classic Nissan ad featuring familiar-looking toys.
I have you now. Hyuk hyuk hyuk!
Ride
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by sahua.
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.
Gamu reviews the Yamato Macross Plus YF-21 (part 2) 1/60-scale toy.
Goe reviews the Yamato GN-U Dou Macross Plus YF-19 figure.
Ebi reviews the Bandai 4-Form Henshin DX Kamen Rider Kiva figure.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series (MRS) Monster Hunter Kado Karyudo Gianos (Gunner Male) trading figure from the Monster Hunter series.
Mondo reviews the McFarlane Toys Warriors of the Zodiac Gemini and Taurus figures.
Hima-toy reviews the Freeing Sky Girls Sonic Diver Rei-jin set.
Ken Murasame reviews the Banpresto Special Creative Model Exia prize figure from the Gundam 00 series.
Damien Sancho reviews the Banpresto Special Creative Model (SCM) Gundam Dynames prize figure from the Gundam 00 series. (See also.)
Cagalli-bi reviews the Banpresto SCM (Special Creative Model) EX Z Gundam prize figure from the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam series. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Bandai In Action Offshoot Knightmare Frame Gloucester (Gilford version) from the Code Geass series. (See also.)
Tom reviews the Bandai S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) Kamen Rider X and Apollo Geist set. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Super Valkyrie VF-1J (Maximilian Jenius version) Friend Shop exclusive figure and Regult figure from the Macross TV series. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Gurren Lagann figure from the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann series. (See also.)
Sousuke reviews the Bandai HCM Pro Gundam Deathscythe 1/200-scale figure from the Gundam Wing series. (See also.)
Satocchi reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin Spec XS-05 Dragonar-1 from “Opening Silhouette” figure. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Bandai Souchaku Henshin Kamen Rider Kiva (Garulu Form) figure. (See also.)
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Max Factory Figma Takamachi Nanoha (Barrier Jacket version) figure from the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS series. (See also.)
Yuu-yui reviews the Max Factory Figma Saber (armoured version) figure from the Fate/stay night series. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Movie MD-14 Frozen Megatron and MD-07 Megatron figures.
G.S.R. reviews the Medicom Toy Bearbrick mini Detroit Metal City movie exclusive figure.
Retro reviews
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai The Chogokin GT-00 Mazinger Z 1st Edition figure.
Shishioh reviews the Banpresto Kamen Rider 555 Figure and Bike Kamen Rider Faiz and Autovajin (Full Color version) and Kamen Rider Kaixa and Side Basshar (Midnight version) prize toys.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Hasbro Titanium Megatron (The War Within version) figure.
The Dark Side
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by @rgs.
Toy links
Sic vis pacem, para bellum.
A cool photo by toyrewind of the Marvel Legends Punisher figure.
You shall not pass.
The SOTA Balrog figure as seen through the lens of Zelevol. (See also.)
Nekogata type MMS Nanami.
A custom Busou Shinki figure using parts from the Zoids Genesis Soul Tiger kit.
Spin Master’s toy marketing.
“… one of the hottest toys in stores this year owes its success to a marketing campaign straight from the Eisenhower era.”
The Erector Set tower.
“… he had transformed a toy inspired by Manhattan buildings into a toy building approaching the size of some real buildings in Manhattan.”
Live long and prosper
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by atomicjeep.