Toy links
Dark Samurai.
A well-armed Stikfas custom.
Ride Armor.
Tenten took about two hours to come up with this transforming Assemble Borg fanmode influenced by Mospeada. (Click on the image for a better look.)
My Little Poison Ivy.
A Mari Kasurinen custom.
Toxic Crusaders.
“The source material, Toxic Avenger, was a rather profane and gory B-movie classic. I suppose with the mutant mania that swept through kids in this time period courtesy of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Toxie and his mutation-altered buddies was a perfect fit with the time period.”
My G.I. Joe Life.
Robert N. Emerson reminisces.
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.)
Tom reviews the Volks A3 Mecha Action Figure Series Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse Su-37M2 Terminator (battalion commander type) limited figure.
MaruH102 reviews the CM’s Corporation Brave Gokin Mospeada Ride Armor Bartley (Fuke type) set from the Mospeada series.
Mojya and Gamu review the Bandai HCM Pro G-Box Arios Gundam + GN Archer 1/200-scale set from Gundam 00.
Ken Murasame reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii 0 Raiser toy from Gundam 00. (See also.)
Reisende reviews the Yamato GN-U Dou Gran Kaiser figure from Gravion. (See also.)
Ramuna (part 2) reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom figure from Macross Frontier. (See also.)
Taoo reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin GX-43 Daimos set. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Black Panther figure.
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Street Fighter Online Zangief figure.
Sousuke reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Street Fighter Online Ken figure. (See also.)
Sousuke reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Hokuto No Ken Revolution Toki figure. (See also.)
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Hokuto No Ken Revolution Rei figure. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Super Imaginative Chogokin (SIC) Kamen Rider G3 Mild Toei Hero Net exclusive figure from Kamen Rider Agito. (See also.)
Mojya, Gamu and Alfes (part 2) review the Bandai Souchaku Henshin Kamen Rider Arc and Kamen Rider Rey B-Shop exclusive set from Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Ninja Fubuki Konami Style exclusive figure. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Max Factory Figma SP Saber Lily exclusive figure from the Fate/Unlimited Codes SP Box. (See also.)
Mojya reviews the Max Factory Figma Kagamine Rin figure from Vocaloid2. (See also.)
Hinatatiki and Pokotannu review the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Jetstorm and Jetfire set. (See also.)
Toybu, Hinatatiki and Alfes review the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Swindle figure. (See also.)
Toybu reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Blurr figure. (See also.)
Toyhunter reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Lockdown figure. (See also.)
Ebi reviews the Bandai SDX Knight Gundam figure. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series Kamen Rider Blade and Kamen Rider Garren (battle damaged version) trading figures. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Bandai Go-onger Final Weapon Go-Roader GT candy kit. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers D-108 Slugfest toy.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers C-123 Dial and C-124 Saur toys from Transformers: The Headmasters.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers C-116 Twincast set from Transformers: The Headmasters series.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Collection 21 Broadcast set.
Alfes reviews the Takara Transformers C-79 Blurr figure.
Red reviews the Takara Transformers Collector’s Edition 91 Clamp Down e-Hobby exclusive figure from the Clamp Down and Deep Cover set. (See also.)
Toy links
Leon Arseneau’s Fallout 3 Power Armor.
“Base figure is a Super Patriot with Wonderman hands and apoxie sculpt.”
Metal Gear Gekko.
A Lego MOC inspired by Metal Gear Solid 4. (More.)
AssemPod.
Scroll down for an Assemble Borg fanmode inspired by The Dark Knight.
Toy stories.
“It might sound immature or childish, but I buy action figures to play with. That’s what they’re made for, essentially.”
The Toy & Game Inventors Expo Awards.
“These inventors have touched the lives of probably everyone of us, yet have not been recognized for their contributions. We are honored to celebrate them now and in the years to come.”
Toy review roundup
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin (SOC) GX-44 Tetsujin 28 set. Excerpt: “This beauty does all you’d want from a Tetsujin 28 toy, and is a must for any fans of pretty diecast robots.” (See also.)
Updatedude reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series (MRS) Monster Hunter Kado Karyudo Kirin C trading figure. Excerpt: “… easily the best 3.75" base figure out there right now …”
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Superman figure. Excerpt: “… a well made figure with solid sculpting and above average mass market paint makes him feel worth it.”
Steve Pietrangelo reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Eradicator Wal-Mart exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… Eradicator is a fairly average action figure compared to the others from the DCUC toy line.” (See also.)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Beast Man Mattycollector exclusive figure. Excerpt: “Mattel should be selling these for $15 at most, with a better deal on shipping.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Iron Man Concept Series Captain America Armor figure. Excerpt: “The paint is what makes this figure what it is, but unfortunately, that’s where things fall apart.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Mattel Batman The Brave and The Bold Bug Zapper Blue Beetle and Power Prop Aquaman figures. Excerpt: “… the line is very inconsistent with the quality of the paint ops, so be careful picking them off the peg.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Snow Job figure. Excerpt: “… a truly excellent update …” (See also.)
Corey Tincher reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Resolute Duke figure. Excerpt: “… a nice update …” (See also.)
Updatedude reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Comic Pack Destro and Cpl. Breaker set. Excerpt: “A good two pack if you can pick it up for a good price.” (See also.)
Philip Reed reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe G1 Series Legends class Bumblebee figure. Excerpt: “If you’re looking for an inexpensive Bumblebee … you can’t beat this Bumblebee.”
Blitzwing reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Beast Series Deluxe class Cheetor figure. Excerpt: “… another failed attempt.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Classic Deluxe class Acid Storm figure. Excerpt: “… hey, this is a cool Transformer.” (See also.)
Dan Clark reviews the Hasbro Cloverfield Monster Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… one of the finest toys released in 2008.” (See also.)
Artemis reviews the Lego Bionicle 8944 Tanma, 8945 Solek, 8946 Photok, 8949 Kirop, 8947 Radiak and 8948 Gavla sets. Excerpt: “… their real purpose is to be a gateway drug to bigger and more elaborate Bionicle sets …”
WIKD reviews the Takara Tomy Zoids Wardick Guylos Specification Chara Hobby 2008 exclusive 1/72-scale kit. Excerpt: “A great addition to any Dark Zoid collection …” (See also.)
Retro reviews
Atom reviews the Bandai Saint Cloth Myth Aries Shion (surplice version) set. Excerpt: “… a beautiful representation of the character from the series.” (See also.)
Philip Reed reviews the Marchon Roadbots Hookorr figure. Excerpt: “I love it, but I might just be the only person in the world who does.”
Philip Reed reviews the Marchon Roadbots Loadorr figure. Excerpt: “… even if you’re a hardcore transforming robot toy collector you shouldn’t bother paying more than $10 for Loadorr …”
Toy links
Hercules (ver. Steve Reeves).
“this custom was made for a customer who really loves the old sword and sandals movies …”
Barrels Tank.
Scroll down for an Assemble Borg fanmode consisting of six Barrels Speeder sets with wheels from 12 sets. (Here’s another astonishing multi-set fanmode.)
Den-O Lego.
Two very different MOCs of Kamen Rider Den-O (ver. Sword Form). (Click on the images for a better look.)
Crimson Skies.
A fine Lego MOC inspired by the game. (More.)
My Little Skeletor.
Another custom by the talented Mari Kasurinen. (Be sure to see her Han Solo as well.)
Armed Hibiki.
A digirama by licarly.
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.)
Tom reviews the Volks A3 Mecha Action Figure Series Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse Su-27SM Zhuravlik limited figure.
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Street Fighter Online Ken figure.
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Street Fighter Online Baichoufu figure.
Gamu reviews the Yamato Bubblegum Crisis Transforming Moto Slave and Priss (metallic colour version) 1/15-scale set.
Mondo reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Gawain figure from Code Geass. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii 0 Raiser toy from Gundam 00. (See also.)
Mojya reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Guren Type II figure from Code Geass. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Bandai In Action Offshoot Glasgow Tamashii Web exclusive figure from Code Geass. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Bandai Souchaku Henshin Kamen Rider Arc and Kamen Rider Rey B-Shop exclusive set from Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World. (See also.)
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Toynami The Masterpiece Collection Robotech The New Generation VFB-9H (Rand version) figure.
Hinatatiki and Alfes review the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Blurr figure. (See also.)
Toyhunter reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Oil Slick figure (See also.)
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Voyager class Tread Bolt figure. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Classic Nemesis Prime San Diego Comic Con 2008 exclusive figure. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series Kamen Rider Kiba Emperor Form and Kamen Rider Rising IXA trading figures. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series Kamen Rider Kuuga Rising Mighty Form and Kamen Rider Kuuga Rising Pegasus Form trading figures. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Mattel DC Universe Infinite Heroes Crisis Atom figure.
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Medicom Toy Bearbrick Batman Pepsi Nex exclusive figure from The Dark Knight.
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Medicom Toy Bearbrick Joker Pepsi Nex exclusive figure from The Dark Knight.
Retro reviews
misodrill reviews the Media Factory Microman U-Borg Starter Kit set. (See also: 1, 2, 3, 4.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers D-101 Soundblaster figure from Transformers: The Headmasters.
Red reviews the Takara Transformers Collector’s Edition 92 Deep Cover e-Hobby exclusive figure from the New Year Special Clamp Down and Deep Cover set.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers 15 Gong, Keychain Gong and Microman Microrobot Car Jeep figures.
Toy links
loosecollector’s Sabretooth custom.
“My best Sabretooth to date!”
Messiah.
An excellent Macross Frontier-inspired Lego MOC by Johnny Tang.
Overman.
Moko’s fantastic homage to Overman King Gainer. (Click on the images for a better look.)
Mr. Elljay’s digirama.
Neat. Check out his Chinese-language blog for more toy photography.
Assemble Borg image board.
It gets less traffic than the official image board but it’s worth checking out nonetheless.
Fanmode faves
Fanmode presents a few hundred toy-related links every month and it’s possible a few may have slipped your attention. Here are ten of our favourites for December ’08.
Feel the magic, hear the roar.
An ingenious fan-made trailer.
Black Ox.
Another nifty Patrick Boivin video.
Pandawa Lima.
It’s good to know there are customisers looking to the ancient epics for inspiration.
Guardians of the Galaxy.
Fantastic customs by loosecollector.
Sasquatch.
fastfreddie is producing some outstanding customs.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Daikaiju.
Cowabunga.
Mr. P.
A hauntingly familiar Mr. Potato Head.
OOAKs.
Sweet Marble’s one-of-a-kind custom dolls are simply beautiful.
American Legothic.
Lego art inspired by the Grant Wood painting.
The Stick review roundup.
Ralph Gamelli suggests what it might be like if it was sold on Amazon.com.
Toy links
Henshin, Assemble Borg.
A fan-made video.
Neo retro.
Scroll down for ankoku sousatsu tsurugi’s custom Microman Lady Command figures. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Suit up.
David Zavarella shows how to create a wire armature for the Kiguru Microman Jet Jaguar costume.
Power Loader ver. Heracles.
Scroll down to see Gullwing’s Busou Shinki fanmode combining Espadia and Lancamento parts.
We have no time for sorrows, Commander.
The sixth stage of grieving: ridicule.
Prime directive 5: look damn fine.
Part man. Part machine. All cool.
Who’s your daddy?
An amusing photo by s^n+ºrrºs+rº.
Aaaaa.
We didn’t plan on sleeping well tonight anyway.
DC Universe Classics quality control damage control. [via]
“We are actively working on improving the plastic quality of DCUC figures and our vendors have been asking for visuals of problems.”
Wrap rage.
“When did it become necessary to have a degree in engineering in order to get a child’s toy out of its box?”
Toy review roundup
Artemis reviews the DC Direct Deluxe Collector Figure Black Canary 13-inch figure. Excerpt: “… just not up to the standard you see on other dolls of this size from companies like Sideshow …”
Corey Tincher reviews the Mezco Toyz HB II Goblin figure from Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Excerpt: “… falls short of being fun.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Star Wars Comic Packs Commander Faie and Quinlan Vos set from Star Wars: Republic. Excerpt: “… both figures are decent …” (See also.)
Monkey Boy reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Legacy Collection Commander Faie figure. Excerpt: “Faie’s a great figure on his own, and well worth the price.” (See also.)
Jeremy Kaufmann reviews the Bandai HCM Pro Gundam Heavyarms 1/200-scale figure from the Gundam Wing series. Excerpt: “… the definitive Heavyarms toy.” (See also.)
Atom reviews the Yamato Macross VF1-J with Super Parts (Ichijo Hikaru TV version) 1/60-scale set. Excerpt: “Quality control again is top notch …” (See also.)
Josh Bernard reviews the CM’s Corporation Brave Gokin Baldios (anime colours version) limited edition set. Excerpt: “… a marvel of toy engineering.” (See also.)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics He-Man Mattycollector exclusive figure. Excerpt: “This figure isn’t my perfect He-Man–but it’s damned close.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Red Hulk Series Build-A-Figure Red Hulk Target exclusive figure. Excerpt: “There’s an exclusive Marvel Select Red Hulk available from BigBadToyStore.com, but it gets wrong everything this BAF gets right …” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Binaltech BT-21 Arcee figure. Excerpt: “Ordering an imported Binaltech figure isn’t a cheap prospect, but if you’ve considered it before, Arcee is a fine choice.” (See also.)
Tom Prankerd reviews the Hasbro Transformer Universe Classic Deluxe class Prowl figure. Excerpt: “Prowl just fails in too many key areas to really be enjoyable.” (See also.)
Blitzwing reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe G1 Series Deluxe class Cyclonus with Nightstick set. Excerpt: “Put this one at the top of your list!” (See also.)
Blitzwing reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe G2 series Voyager class Inferno figure. Excerpt: “The first Voyager in the Universe lineup actually worth taking home.” (See also.)
Blitzwing reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe G1 Series Deluxe class Starscream figure. Excerpt: “The head color is much better than the Classics, but the rest of the figure looks plain.” (See also.)
Blitzwing reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Blurr figure. Excerpt: “… with a concealed rear end this could have been a pure 10.” (See also.)
Blitzwing reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Swindle figure. Excerpt: “Were it a Voyager, it would have been stellar.” (See also.)
Blitzwing reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Blazing Lockdown figure. Excerpt: “While black and gold are a good combination, it just doesn’t work on this figure.” (See also.)
Corey Tincher reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Resolute Cobra Commander figure. Excerpt: “This figure is another solid entry into the annals of GI Joe lore, as well as a solid starting point for the Resolute banner …” (See also.)
Corey Tincher reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Resolute Cobra Trooper figure. Excerpt: “… fun and worth your money …” (See also.)
Retro review
Tom Prankerd reviews the Takara Transformers Collection 2 Prowl figure. Excerpt: “The clarity of the design really deserves appreciation …”