Meet the Fokker
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by D’Arcy Norman.
Toy links
Mannie Gentile’s Toy Soldiers Forever. [via]
“… photos, reviews, discussions, conversions, and play with 54mm Toy Soldiers of the American Civil War.”
Robotman ver. 2008. [via]
This impressive creation of Kanetaka is made from a Transformers Galaxy Force Super Starscream figure as well as Microman Robotman and Micronauts Battle Cruiser parts.
Agents RJ-TM-01 and LC-TM-02.
Familiar-looking customs based on the Takara Web Diver Jaguaron and Gryphion figures.
Steve Peters’ Micronauts.
“I started this comic, based on the Micronauts toys, in 1978 or 1979 and finished in ’79 or ’80. I would’ve been around 11 years old when I started it.”
The six ugliest Lego Space sets. [via]
“Sets that you built, looked at, said ‘I’m eight, and even my spaceships look better than that’, and dismantled at once, lest their ugliness prove to be contagious.”
It doesn’t get better than this
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by nosepilot.
Toy review roundup
Michael Crawford reviews the Four Horsemen FANtastic Exclusive Gothitropolis Timekeeper Baraeth, Nybbaz and Aestorath San Diego Comic Con exclusive figures. Excerpt: “… these guys fall apart like you would not believe.”
Scott Rubin reviews the Four Horsemen FANtastic Exclusive Gothitropolis Timekeeper Baraeth, Nybbaz and Aestorath (part 2) San Diego Comic Con exclusive figures. Excerpt: “For little guys they have a great level of detail.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars Order of the Jedi Aayla Secura: Jedi Master San Diego Comic Con Attendee Edition exclusive 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “The three biggest problems I had with this figure were the red eyes, cheap tunic, and slightly oversized head.”
yo go re reviews the DC Direct Green Lantern Cyborg Superman figure. Excerpt: “DC Direct’s predilection for strange articulation is in full effect here.”
Artemis reviews the DC Direct Green Lantern Star Sapphire figure. Excerpt: “… at some point you just have to admit that something about gaining superpowers makes women in comic books dress like strippers.”
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformer Universe Classic Deluxe class Sunstreaker, Prowl and Tankor figures. Excerpt: “(Re: Prowl) The paint job causes some appearance issues in vehicle mode … But robot mode is quite good.” (See also: 1, 2, 3.)
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Leader class Bulkhead and Megatron figures. Excerpt: “Feels properly Megatronny in both modes, definitely better than either Cybertronian Mode Megatron.” (See also.)
Artemis reviews the Character Options Doctor Who Daleks in Manhattan set. Excerpt: “… there are a couple of minor issues, but overall you get a satisfying product for a reasonable price, and Doctor Who fans should have no reason not to be content.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Firefly figure. Excerpt: “Nice stuff!” (See also.)
Dan Eardley reviews the NECA Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mouser San Diego Comic Con exclusive three-pack. Excerpt: “Despite my few minor gripes about the articulation, I really love these figures.”
Josh Bernard reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin (SOC) GX-07I Iron Z Mazinger Z Angels manga limited figure. Excerpt: “This SOC was really refreshing – simple, clean and fun to play with.” (See also.)
Josh Bernard reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Johannes Krauser II, Alexander Jagi and Camus figures from the Detroit Metal City anime. Excerpt: “Out of context, they are pretty weird.” (See also: 1, 2, 3.)
mechanical_wunder reviews the Takara Tomy Zoids Graphics Sea Panther kit. Excerpt: “… there are some differences between the OJR and the new reissue version.” (See also.)
Retro reviews
Mike reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Ambush figure. Excerpt: “The line is full of high quality molds painted in realistic colors that included great accessories but are characters about whom no one cares. Ambush is one such figure.” (See also.)
WIKD reviews the Hasbro Zoids Gravity Saurer, Gravity Saix, Gravity Wolf and Gravity Ptera 1/72-scale kits. Excerpt: “An important part of Zoids history, and in turn a good representation of a long lost period of Zoids for your collection.”
Be transformed
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by slopjop.
Toy links
Toys keep pace with children’s tastes.
“What is the appeal of toys? Do they have any effect on shaping the lives of the youngsters who own them? And what are the most popular varieties?” Scans and transcript of a 1931 Modern Mechanics article.
Fireheart.
A fantastic custom figure by loosecollector of the Marvel character Puma.
Thunder, thunder …
A cool Lion-O custom minifig by Jeffrey Van Hove.
Automotive innovation.
A quirky creation by The Bottomless Paddling Pool based on his own art.
Dr. Crane has left the building.
An excellent digirama by Boogeyman13.
Rain, rain, go away.
Clarissa Innes is one of Fanmode’s favourite toy photographers and photos like this illustrate why.
Resistance is futile.
Dirk Blockwood has more Star Trek dioramas in his Flickr gallery.
On collecting.
“To one with no real interest in collecting, the whole concept can seem pretty alien.”
Who ya gonna call?
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by AntToeKnee.
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.
(Please do not hotlink images on these sites.)
Machu reviews the Kaiyodo Fraulein Revoltech Ayanami Rei (bandaged version) figure from the Neon Genesis Evangelion series.
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Johannes Krauser II figure from the Detroit Metal City anime. (See also.)
Tettsun reviews the Bandai SOC GX-42 Koutetsu Shin Jeeg set. (See also.)
Acro_characin reviews the Banpresto Max Factory Figma.BP Suzaku Kururugi Wonder Festival 2008 Summer exclusive figure from the Code Geass series. (See also.)
Len reviews the Max Factory Figma Nagato Yuki (evil magician version) Wonder Festival 2008 Summer Early Edition exclusive figure from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya series. (See also.)
Shishioh and Seki Futoshi review the Max Factory Figma Fate T. Harlaown (Barrier Jacket version) figure from the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS series. (See also.)
Len reviews the Max Factory Figma Takamachi Nanoha (Barrier Jacket version) figure from the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS series. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Clone Wars General Grievous figure.
Ebi reviews the Hasbro Transformers Classics Voyager class Jetfire figure. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Baroness (version 2) figure. (See also.)
Sousuke reviews the Bandai Minipla Engine Gattai Seiku-oh Engine Toripter (with Engine Jumbo Whale wing A), Engine Jetras (with Engine Jumbo Whale wing B) and Engine Jumbo Whale (body) candy toys. He also puts together the Engine-Oh G9 combiner. (See also.)
Len reviews the F-Face Alternate Graphium Blue Line accessory set for Busou Shinki MMS figures.
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Victory D-336 Deathsaurus figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Fighbird Draias figure.
Shadow play
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by José Goulão.
Toy links
Tigaru Twin Canard.
Katarina Rina’s latest Busou Shinki custom.
Goshooter and Nightbeat.
Transformers Masterforce-inspired custom repaints by Aizen based on the Binaltech Honda Integra figure.
Putt putt.
Old school vroom-vroom. (See also.)
Is Energon carbon-friendly?
In this month’s issue of Cybertronian.
“The Many Moods of Farrah.” [via]
“These heads were found in an old warehouse where they had been sitting on a shelf for over 20 years, packaged up and sold as so.”
SD Impulse Destiny.
Digirama by sino based on Hobby Japan’s Impulse Destiny design. (See also.)