Toy links
Secret Invasion.
Digirama by Edmond Lee.
Green power.
A cool photo by André.
More green power.
A photo by soyboy7.
What is best in life?
“Conan riding on a pony. Cutting off Destro’s head.”
The expression of play.
“In our e-Age, where children are drawn to endless hours of electronic and techno versions of play, it’s nice to know kids can still enjoy the simpler side of play with their plastic dolls and action figures.”
Brick blocks.
“Five of Scotland’s top architecture practices have accepted a challenge to design a building out of Lego.”
Reviewing reviews
As mentioned in an earlier note, Fanmode is keen on honest, thorough and insightful reviews of interesting toys for our review roundups published on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’ve stated why we’ve flat-out rejected some reviews; here’s where we state what we consider when appraising a review.
Although it might come across as such, this is not meant to dictate how you should write your reviews. This is merely what Fanmode is looking for when we scour the web looking for suitable reviews for our roundups. You may have different criteria, your site may have a different slant and your readers may expect different things from your reviews. We’re deeply sympathetic to the fact most toy reviewers are doing this in their free time with no compensation other than the satisfaction of sharing their passion for their hobby.
Still, you gotta have standards.
“But it’s a toy …”
So why bother reviewing a toy?
Well, there are precious few well-written reviews of action figures. You can get dozens of movie or game reviews but you’d be lucky to find one comprehensive review of a hundred dollar figure.
But even a review of a ten-dollar figure matters. That ten-dollar figure may cost thrice that (or more!) for someone who has to import it, pay dealer mark-ups as well as customs fees on top of the shipping costs.
Bear in mind a lot of toy fans buy their figures online these days and don’t get the opportunity to study the figure closely before clicking Buy It Now. The information you provide in your review will be invaluable to someone making a purchasing decision.
However, the main reason Fanmode does these toy review roundups is because it falls under the purview of toy appreciation. A good review can help you appreciate the artistry and the clever engineering of a great figure. A good review can explain precisely why a mediocre figure deserves criticism and how it could have been better. A good reviewer can make you look at your toys in a whole new light.
Read more
Toy links
Groovy.
“I’ve always loved this character, ever since I was young, and I just had to make one that was more articulated than the original toys that where produced by playmates.”
Start up.
A chibi-style Kamen Rider Faiz (Accel Form) Lego MOC by Moko. (Check out the rest of his Kamen Rider Lego MOCs.)
Acrosniper.
“A kitbash of Microman Military Force, BJPM Gene Block parts and a McFarlane Toys Phantom of the Opera mask.”
Everything is fodder.
(See also.)
The Blythe Before Christmas.
By Faustoy Gretchen.
To the Mothmobile!
“The wheels are even unique all the way down to their Mothcaps.”
My Little Emperor.
A custom based on a Final Fantasy XII character.
G.I. Joe bad for body image.
“There was a time when the G.I. Joes had relatively normal, healthy bodies, but now they are unrealistically muscular, teaching men early about a warped image of masculinity.” Cut down on those pork chop sandwiches and work on your swivel-arm battle grip.
Toy review roundup
Newton Gimmick reviews the Character Options Doctor Who The Tenth Doctor (Aged and Ancient) set from Last of the Time Lords. Excerpt: “(Re: Aged version) He sort of eerily looks like my Grandfather.” (See also.)
Newton Gimmick reviews the Character Options Doctor Who Magnus Greel and Mr. Sin set from The Talons of Weng Chiang. Excerpt: “… I liked them MUCH more than I ever thought I would.” (See also.)
Newton Gimmick reviews the Character Options Doctor Who Captain Jack Harkness (Gelth Phantom Wave version) figure. Excerpt: “I simply love how the clothes are made on these figures.”
Updatedude reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series Kamen Rider Kuuga (Rising Mighty form) trading figure. Excerpt: “Kuuga’s only flaw is the lack of accessories …” (See also.)
Michael Crawford reviews the ToyQuest Monsters vs. Aliens Gallaxhar, The Missing Link, Ginormica and Dr. Cockroach figures. Excerpt: “… these feel extremely cheap, and are pretty weak toys to begin with.”
Corey Tincher reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Spider-Man figure. Excerpt: “… it broke within 5 minutes of getting it out of the package …” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Ares Series Heroes Reborn Iron Man Wal-Mart exclusive figure. Excerpt: “I certainly didn’t expect to like to like him at all, but opening the packaging up and playing around with him has changed my mind.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Hulk Series Doc Samson figure. Excerpt: “He’s still a reasonably interesting character, and he’s definitely a cool action figure.” (See also.)
Nathan Newell reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Hawkman figure. Excerpt: “… a substantial figure and comes with great accessories.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe G1 Series Deluxe class Autobot Hound with Ravage set. Excerpt: “Hound is a decent figure, but he’s at the bottom of this new collection of Classics.” (See also.)
Tom Prankerd reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Activators Patrol Bumblebee figure. Excerpt: “As a cheap and cheerful little toy, Bumblebee is a success …” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Cobra Eel figure. Excerpt: “With everything on, the Eel really does look like the old version, but the fact that you can strip him down adds a lot to the value of the toy.” (See also.)
Artemis reviews the Lego Bionicles 8952 Mutran and Vican set. Excerpt: “… they look better as a mad science team than a rodeo act.”
Retro reviews
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai Chogokin GD-53 Kadou Senshi Hyaku Shiki 1/144-scale figure from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. Excerpt: “A real masterpiece of a toy.” (See also.)
Philip Reed reviews the Kenner M.A.S.K. Condor set. Excerpt: “I can remember having a hell of a lot of fun playing with this over twenty years ago, and I suspect that a kid today would have just as much fun with it now as I did back then.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Roron Corobb figure from Star Wars: Clone Wars. Excerpt: “… Star Wars’ George W. Bush: he hangs around with a big fat white guy, has a crooked mouth and no evidence of a brain.” (See also.)
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Beast Wars Airazor (Fox Kids! version) figure. Excerpt: “Airazor is one of the weaker Transmetals, but they’ve addressed some of the shortcomings we saw on the original …”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Cybertron Legends class Optimus Prime figure. Excerpt: “A pretty forgettable legends toy despite a decent robot mode …” (See also.)
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Cybertron Legends class Leobreaker figure. Excerpt: “… I actually prefer Leobreaker at this scale.” (See also.)
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Cybertron Legends class Red Alert figure. Excerpt: “A disappointing Legends toy which fails to shine in either mode.” (See also.)
Toy links
Takara Tomy designers interviewed.
A fantastic read.
For a Few Dollars More.
A cool photo by arkadia libre.
The Battle of Utapau.
Digirama by Devin Powell.
Never compromise … on articulation.
“He now has a ball jointed neck, ball jointed shoulders, bicep swivels, waist swivel, knee joints, ankle joints, and he has all the hip articulation the goon figure has but its somewhat restricted by the coat.”
The Black Knight.
“He’s made from a Hobgoblin base and Jigsaw boots. Everything else was sculpted.”
Clearance Assemble.
misodrill took advantage of the fact Revoltech figures are on sale for 500yen each in order to come up with Assemble Borg Cyber fanmodes.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Neon.
“… there was still a LOT to love about the G.I. Joe brand and the toys, yes even in those widely panned 1990’s.”
Stands.
“… a quick overview of some of the better-known display stands available for 3 ¾" and 5"-7" figures.”
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.)
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Happy Well RoadBot Ford GT 1/12-scale figure.
Yo reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Zangetsu figure from Code Geass.
Gamu reviews the Bandai Tamashii Spec Limited XS-07 Black Sarena (Ghost Vision version) Tamashii Web exclusive set from Martian Successor Nadesico: Prince of Darkness.
Gamu (part 2) reviews the Bandai VF100’s VF-25F Messiah Alto Custom 1/100-scale figure from Macross Frontier. (See also.)
Ebi and Alfes review the Bandai Final Form Ride Series Kamen Rider Decade figure. (See also.)
K3 and Alfes review the Bandai Final Form Ride Series Kuuga Gouram set from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Damien Sancho (part 2) reviews the Bandai S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) Kamen Rider Den- O Liner Form and Kamen Rider Zeronos Zero Form set. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Iron Man Iron Man Mark III 1/6-scale figure. (See also.)
Hikutori reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Devil Strarf Bis and Devil Strarf Bis (Repaint Colour version) Konami Style exclusive sets. (See also.)
Tettsun reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Aquarius Camus (surplice version) figure from the Saint Seiya Hades Chapter Sanctuary OVA. (See also.)
Tettsun reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Appendix Aquarius Camus accessory set from Saint Seiya. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Max Factory Figma Juohmaru (JPWA Tag Tournament version) and Sakura Hime (JPWA Tag Tournament version) figures from Pla-Wres Sanshiro. (See also.)
Shishioh reviews the Max Factory Figma.BP Kururugi Suzaku Wonder Festival 2008 Summer and online exclusive figure from the Code Geass series. (See also.)
G.S.R. reviews the Kabaya Duel Knights Next Chapter 2 Blue Fighter, Blue Knight (ver. 4), Green Tank and Black Stealth candy toys. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Voyager class Optimus Prime figure. (See also.)
Toyhunter reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Samurai Prowl figure. (See also.)
Toyhunter reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Blurr figure. (See also.)
Hinatatiki reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Disney Label Mickey Mouse Trailer figure. (See also.)
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Ares Series Heroes Reborn Iron Man Wal-Mart exclusive figure. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Comic Pack 21B Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow two-pack. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Baroness (cartoon version) figure. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Hasbro Transformers Thunder Clash figure.
Red reviews the Takara Transformers C-373 MT-10 Rescue Patrol Team set.
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai Advanced Mobile Suits in Action (AMSIA) Raider Gundam from Gundam SEED.
Ramuna reviews the Tomy Zoids Genesis GB-002 Bio Tyranno 1/72-scale kit. (See also.)
Ramuna reviews the Tomy Zoids Genesis GB-006 Bio Raptor (commander type) 1/72-scale kit. (See also.)
Ramuna reviews the Tomy Zoids Genesis GB-007 Bio Raptor Gui 1/72-scale kit. (See also.)
Toy links
misodrill’s Luxia and Spiral Lee.
A Microman custom partnered with a transforming BJPM fanmode inspired by the MagnePowers Changetroopers SpinLee toy.
Showdown!! Traikon versus Behemoth.
Two cool mecha Lego MOCs by Todd Atamacher.
Lego Gear REX.
A massive Lego MOC by ragnarock inspired by Metal Gear Solid. (See also.)
Steamed crab.
A steampunk Lego MOC by Guy Himber.
Lego Gurren Lagann (Gurren Wing version).
Johnny Tang improves upon his excellent Lego MOC.
Stikfas Minotaur.
“The two lower legs and ball-shaped piece from the Mechana in his neck. His fingers are shortened arm sections. Everything else is hand-carved and shaped.” (More.)
“Will HALO jump for food”
“MARLON F*%$#N WAYANS!! YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!”
Say hello to my little friend.
Who put this thing together? Liam Manic, that’s who.
Toy review roundup
Artemis reviews the Diamond Select Toys Star Trek Deep Space Nine Colonel Kira Nerys Previews Exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… she’s up to the standard I’m looking for – not perfect, but very good …”
Newton Gimmick reviews the Character Options Doctor Who Vashta Nerada Suit Creature figure. Excerpt: “… it does look a lot like a Scooby Doo villain …” (See also.)
Newton Gimmick reviews the Character Options Doctor Who Supreme Dalek (Vespiform Wave version) figure. Excerpt: “The Supreme Dalek is the biggest and baddest Dalek in all the land, so he makes an excellent addition to your collection.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Diamond Select Toys Ultimate Quarter Scale Obi-Wan Kenobi figure from Star Wars: A New Hope. Excerpt: “The long, lanky, oddly proportioned torso isn’t quite as much of an issue with heavily clothed figures, but Ben still seems like a retired white Harlem Globetrotter to me.”
Corey Tincher reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Iron Fist figure. Excerpt: “His name is Iron Fist, he’s a martial artist who punches people, and yet they give him two open hands …”
Michael Crawford reviews the Hasbro X-Men Origins Wolverine Wolverine (Comic Series blue and yellow costume version) and Deadpool (Comic Series version) figures. Excerpt: “These figures are great toys, first and foremost.” (See also.)
Philip Reed reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Encore 13 Trailbreaker figure. Excerpt: “Hurray for no child safety testing on this bad boy!” (See also.)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics The Flash figure. Excerpt: “I had no problems with my Flash at all-no incorrect limbs, no stuck joints, no sloppy paint.”
Erin Snyder reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics The Flash figure. Excerpt: “… another good figure in Mattel’s exceptional line.”
Poe Ghostal reviews Mattel DC Universe Classics Superman (recovery suit version) figure. Excerpt: “It seems every single black Superman had reversed biceps …”
Jeff Parker reviews the ZC Girl ZC Borg Julia 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “Though not based on any particular franchise she would make a good background character to many other lines …”
Artemis reviews the DC Direct Justice League International Black Canary figure. Excerpt: “I doubt many people were really jonesing for this version of Black Canary, and it’s as if DC Direct sensed that, and didn’t really bother exerting themselves as a result.”
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Voyager class Wreck-Gar figure. Excerpt: “Almost suitable for the Go-Go-GoBots line, but adorably accurate to the show.” (See also.)
Ben Yee reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe G1 Series Legends class Rodimus figure. Excerpt: “I love how both modes manage to pay homage to his original form without simply copying them.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Cobra B.A.T. (2008 single-carded version) figure. Excerpt: “… I wouldn’t mind seeing a few more B.A.T.s.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel DC Universe Justice League Unlimited Mr. Miracle, Superman, Forager, Mantis, Darkseid and Lashina figures from the Target exclusive Attack from Apokolips six-pack. Excerpt: “What DC has done to the Fourth World in their comics is, in my opinion, a disgrace. What Mattel has done with these Fourth World characters in their Justice League Unlimited line is very cool.” (See also.)
Retro reviews
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai High Complete Model (HCM) RX-93 Nu Gundam 1/144-scale figure from Char’s Counteracttack. Excerpt: “… this really is a double-hard bastard of a mobile suit.”
Updatedude reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series (M.R.S.) Kamen Rider Gatack trading figure from Kamen Rider Kabuto. Excerpt: “… a great looking toy who would actually fit in with your other 3.75" figures …”
Updatedude reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Miniature EVA-01 (Rebuild of Evangelion version) figure. Excerpt: “… not the definitive Eva 01.” (See also.)
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Cybertron Legends class Galvatron figure. Excerpt: “A good mould but a disappointing repaint …” (See also.)
Toy links
Odette and Odile.
Outstanding Busou Shinki customs by Amber. (Click on the images for a better look.)
Feinwerk.
This fine transforming Microman ride by Kaboflower apparently has PET bottle covers for wheels.
Rescue Commandos.
ankoku sousatsu tsurugi’s updates of Microman Rescue Team designs. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Sniping’s a good job, mate.
A photo by Josky_TW. (More.)
“Do you want me to <bleep> go trash your lights?”
Uploaded by Shaun Wong.
Machine Men comics.
“… inarguably the greatest cliff-hanger any comic has ended on…”
Adams-ko.
Even in outer space … tentacles.
Lost and found.
“Thanks to the efforts of a bankruptcy judge in Delaware, Renee Hearne got her $150 doll back Wednesday after it disappeared as part of a roughly $106 million Internet toy-company bankruptcy.”
Checklist repainted
Updated Busou Shinki checklist with Devil Strarf bis (repaint colour version) review link.