Toy review roundup
Jin Saotome reviews the NECA Bionic Commando Nathan “Rad” Spencer, Ninja Gaiden Ryu Hayabusa and Castlevania Simon Belmont figures. Excerpt: “Ryu is a must-buy …” (See also.)
Michael Crawford reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Faker New York Comic Con and Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “If you want to charge the same price for this guy as all the rest, you need to get a little creative when it comes to the extras.” (See also.)
Nathan Newell reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Faker New York Comic Con and Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “This is a great figure, but Mattel just missed making another perfect figure.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Wolverine and Forge set. Excerpt: “Don’t pass this set up just because it’s not as flashy as some of the others.”
Philip Reed reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Captain America figure. Excerpt: “Intellectually, I know that he’s not a perfect toy. In my heart, though, this is the best figure in the Marvel Universe series and maybe the best 3.75-inch action figure we’ve seen this decade. ” (See also.)
Retro reviews
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai High Complete Model (HCM) RMS-106 Hi-Zack 1/144-scale figure from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. Excerpt: “It’s not pretty, but it gets the job done.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbo Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Saga Legends Biker Scout figure. Excerpt: “His legs aren’t quite wide enough to ride a speeder bike, but then, he doesn’t come with one.” (See also.)
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Classic Legends class Perceptor figure. Excerpt: “A toy you can easily pass up …”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Cybertron Legends class Scourge figure. Excerpt: “One of the best Legends toys from Cybertron …” (See also.)
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Classic Legends class Trypticon figure. Excerpt: “… a fairly well done repaint, but the tribute is an odd choice.” (See also.)
Toy links
Name’s Ash. Housewares.
“I love the versions of Ash that appear in the AoD comics, with Ash being really muscular and more hardened from fighting through time – so I went for a mix of the comic stylings.”
The collector.
Justin Manny used Transformers Animated Activators Optimus Prime as a base for this cool Pipes custom.
Scarabos.
“It really looks like a lost Mego vehicle made just for Antron, who seats inside perfectly even with all his weapons attached …”
I thought you said you were done making weapons?
It’s completely harmless.
Mari Kasurinen interviewed.
“… I’ve decided never to sell My Little Edward Scissorhands because he’s so good when it comes to opening letters.” (Her customs were recently featured in Guardian’s Life & style section.)
On display.
“How do you turn your living room into a pop-culture museum? That’s the question I’m going to try and help you answer in a set of articles dedicated to the art of toy display.” (Part 2. Part 3.)
Points of Articulation.
“… figures with lots of PoA but can’t even frickin’ stand on their own power, ala Revoltech.” For a counterargument, see the few thousand photos in the Flickr Revoltech pool featuring Revoltech figures standing on their own.
Labour of love.
“The 20ft by 2ft wooden model features shops, houses and even a cinema with miniature billboards advertising films the couple watched on their first dates.”
Checklist (Mighty Form)
Updated S.H.Figuarts checklist with Kamen Rider Kuuga (Mighty Form) and updated Busou Shinki checklist with Ninja Mizuki review links.
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.)
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Kuuga (Mighty Form) figure.
Yo reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Ninja Mizuki Konami Style exclusive figure.
Kanon reviews the Volks Muv-Luv Alternative A3 Takemikaduchi Type-00C (2009 release version) figure.
MaruH102 reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin GX-24N Tetsujin 28 (naked version) Tamashii Nation 2009 exclusive figure.
Tom reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii GN-Archer figure from Gundam 00.
Shishioh and Mojya review the Kaiyodo Revoltech SP XAN Dengeki Hobby Magazine 10th anniversary exclusive figure from Super Robot Wars Z.
MaruH102 reviews the Takara Tomy Votoms Actic Gear AG-PF04 Senryaku Dogi and PFSP-AC03 Scopedog ISS Turbo Custom (Immortal Unit) .ANIME exclusive 1/48-scale sets from Armored Trooper Votoms: Pailsen Files.
MaruH102 reviews the Takara Tomy Votoms Actic Gear PFSP-AC02 Down Burst .ANIME exclusive 1/48-scale set from Armored Trooper Votoms: Pailsen Files.
Yuki Bune (part 2) reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-8 Grimlock figure. (See also.)
Yo and Red review the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-17 Hot Rod figure from Transformers Micron Densetsu.
Yo reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-16 Dinobot figure from Beast Wars.
Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-18 Minibot Attack Team set.
Hiitan reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-13 Hound figure. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei D-02 Starscream figure. (See also.)
Hinatatiki reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Samurai Prowl figure. (See also.)
Natsume reviews the Bandai S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) Kamen Rider Den-O Climax Form and Urataros Imagin set from Kamen Rider Den-O. (See also.)
Ken Murasame reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Garazzo (Bring custom) figure from Gundam 00. (See also.)
Ebi reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Blade Blade figure from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Tettsun reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Kido Saori mail-order campaign figure from Saint Seiya. (See also.)
Mojya and Gamu review the Bandai SDX Full Armor Knight Gundam figure. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Cobra Night Watch Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive set. (See also: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.)
Gun0826 reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Wonder Woman figure. (See also.)
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Bandai Shinkenger Samurai Gattai Series Kabuto Origami and Kajiki Origami figures.
Wind reviews the Bandai Minipla Samurai Gattai Shinken Oh candy kits from Shinkenger. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Bandai Machine Robo MRR-6 Crossrock figure from Machine Robo Revenge of Chronos.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers 20 Condor toy.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers C-313 Hardspark figure.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Valor vs. Venom Scarlett and Sand Scorpion set. (See also.)
Toy links
Bukiborg.
A fan archive of Kabaya’s interchangeable toys.
The warrior and the lady.
Neat Stikfas customs.
Minirobot.
A simple Lego MOC. (Click on the images for a better look.)
Clone alone.
“In moments like this one we need to turn into ONE army of people, and KNOW that we really depend on each other.”
“I’ve built a racer. It’s the fastest ever!”
Yippee!
Cobra-a-a-a!
No, hang on …
Toy Box.
“Ventura’s paintings show the action figures as being bigger – and smaller – than they really are. A great number of them, at least of the American superheroes, are dead, unconscious, tied up, or otherwise incapacitated.”
Blogroll pawaa-appu
Added My Kool Toyz and John Gersten to the Archives section and TFormers to the Customs section of the blogroll.
Toy review roundup
Artemis reviews the Diamond Select Toys Star Trek Deep Space Nine General Martok figure. Excerpt: “Qapla’!”
Updatedude reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Waspinator figure. Excerpt: “Unfortunately, Waspinator feels highly fragile and a tad unstable.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Triad Toys Black Wolffe International WITSEC (Witness Security Protection & Relocation) Agent Indigo 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “… great for various custom jobs.”
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Infinite Heroes Crisis Series Batman (Figure 24 black and grey version) figure. Excerpt: “… another poorly planned and weakly executed figure.” (See also.)
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Infinite Heroes Crisis Series The Spectre figure. Excerpt: “The Spectre doesn’t have much to offer, and it’s offered a much too high a price.”
yo go re reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Collect and Connect Solomon Grundy figure. Excerpt: “Say what you will about Mattel and the DC Universe line, they totally got it right with this …” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Cyborg figure. Excerpt: “I am hugely impressed.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Cobra Para-Viper figure. Excerpt: “The accessories are just awesome, and the overall design is sharp.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe A.W.E. Strike with Leatherneck set. Excerpt: “… the vehicle itself is a worthy recoloration and addition to any G.I. Joe collection.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Indiana Jones Short Round figure from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Excerpt: “He’s a truly excellent figure, a vital addition to any Indiana Jones collection …” (See also.)
Nathan Newell reviews the Basic Fun Madballs Dust Brain and Blech Beard toys. Excerpt: “While the sculpts for these new Madballs are impressive, the paint apps seem to be all over the place.”
Retro reviews
Philip Reed reviews the Mego Eagle Force Goldie Hawk and Stryker figures. Excerpt: “… today they’re only semi-acceptable collectibles.”
Philip Reed reviews the Hasbro Transformers Flywheels figure. Excerpt: “… a toy for the hardened collector with a love for obscure releases. Like me.”
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai Godaikin Machine Man set. Excerpt: “Machine Dolphin is one of the strangest figures I own.” (Related.)
Tom Prankerd reviews the Tomy Scramble Gattai Set Ideon figure. Excerpt: “The Scramble Combination Ideon is probably the worst of Tomy’s figures …”
Erin Snyder reviews the NECA The Nightmare Before Christmas Behemoth set. Excerpt: “You really are getting two full size figures here.”
Toy links
Gong.
A neat Brawn custom based on Super Link Blastarm. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Wings of silver, nerves of steel.
A Silverhawks custom.
Roadblock’s Kitchen.
Ain’t no lie, this custom playset is fly.
Spy tip # 34.
Super Agent Steve imparts wisdom to the neophyte spy.
McFarlane Toys’ Matthew Connolly interviewed. [via]
“Be sure to support your favorite toy companies. Be responsive to your collecting community, and be an active participant by getting on the forums and talking about what you love.”
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.)
Alfes (part 2) reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-8 Grimlock figure.
Hima-toy reviews the Bandai S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) Kamen Rider Den-O Climax Form and Urataros Imagin set from Kamen Rider Den-O.
Shishioh, Gamu and Tom review the Bandai Robot Tamashii Garazzo (Bring custom) figure from Gundam 00.
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series (MRS) Monster Hunter Kado Karyudo G Ranpos (Gunner male) trading figure.
Kanon and Hima-toy review the Bandai SDX Full Armor Knight Gundam figure.
Kaz reviews the Soldier Story MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group) In Action 1/6-scale figure.
Tettsun (part 2) reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin GX-43 Daimos set. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Alioth Epsilon Fenrir figure from Saint Seiya. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Bandai Saint Cloth Myth Eta Benetnasch Mime figure from the Saint Seiya series. (See also.)
Yo reviews the Banpresto Gundam Series Humable Model God Gundam (Hyper Mode version) prize figure. (See also.)
Kanon reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Danbo Mini (Amazon.co.jp version) exclusive figure from the Yotsuba&! manga. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Mattel DC Universe Infinite Heroes Crisis Series Batman (Figure 24 black and grey version) figure.
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Resolute Cobra Trooper figure. (See also.)
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai Henshin Keitai Shodo Phone role-playing toy from Shinkenger. (See also.)
Soh-dr reviews the Bandai DX Ride Booker role-playing toy from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Yo reviews the Kabaya Linebarrel Model Linebarrel mode-B candy kit.
Esuyu (part 2, part 3) reviews the Bandai Minipla Samurai Gattai Shinken Oh candy kit from Shinkenger. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Robot Masters RM-17 Victory Saber set from Transformers Victory. (See also: 1, 2, 3.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Robot Masters RM-11 Beast Convoy figure from Beast Wars.
Red reviews the Takara Transformers Micron Densetsu MC-03 Hot Rod figure. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Toy Biz Marvel Legends Showdown Spider-Man vs. The Thing Starter Set.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Toy Biz Marvel Legends Showdown Booster Pack Green Goblin figure.
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Gung Ho (carded version) figure. (See also.)
Esuyu (part 2) reviews the Bandai Minipla DekaWing Robo candy kit from Dekaranger.
Toy links
Smurf Hard With A Vengeance.
“They killed Smurfette. . . Big Mistake.”
The wild blue yonder.
Evildoers, you face … The Tick.
Make deals, not war.
A Universe Hound-based custom by Tony Robles. (More.)
Atom Smasher.
A Lego MOC by Peter Aoun. (See also.)
A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead …
A custom Lego minifig by Sir Nadroj.
Santa gets a power-up.
Hikutori enhanced Busou Shinki Santa Tsugaru with parts from the HG 0 Raiser 1/100-scale kit from Gundam 00.
Pale Rider.
An equine Assemble Borg fanmode by foxhima. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Fury.
A classy photo by pairadocs.
Yotsuba & Economic Donmai Donmai.
A photo by KayVee.INC.
Leg godt.
“… more than 400 million people will play with Lego this year … Lego reckons it has maybe 250,000 Afols, or Adult Fans of Lego, around the globe.”