Toy links
Superior Gundam. [via]
An extraordinary Lego MOC that combines Lego versions of the G-Core, G-Bomber and G-Attacker.
CustomCon 22.
Sillof’s Victorian Avengers and Matt Cauley’s Challenge of the Superfriends are the standouts of Day 1.
Bor.
Mystic-Heroes’ neat custom of the father of Odin.
Mechanic Chief Rodrigues.
Microman gets a mechanic and a base thanks to this misodrill custom and Transformers Grandus.
Barrels Warrior IV.
Stratos used three Barrels Speeder sets and Mr. Assemble parts for this Assemble Borg fanmode. (Click on the image for a better look.)
The most supernatural superhero of all.
“… an homage recreation of the cover that introduced the Ghost Rider to the modern age.”
Your nightmare tonight.
A photo by s^n+ºrrºs+rº.
Valkyrie the Origin.
Fascinating notes from a series of Japanese articles about the classic Takatoku Macross Valkyrie toys.
Toy review roundup
EVA Unit 4A reviews the Bandai Macross Origin of Valkyrie VF-1J Valkyrie (Ichijo Hikaru type) 1/55-scale figure. Excerpt: “I still love the Takatoku Toys 1/55-scale sets, and this VF-1J Valkyrie (Ichijyo ver.) is no exception.”
EVA Unit 4A reviews the Bandai Macross Origin of Valkyrie VF-1S Valkyrie (Roy Focker type) 1/55-scale figure. Excerpt: “While my 1990 reissue will remain a treasured founding piece in my own collection, the Origin of Valkyrie line allows me to appreciate the quality of the design once more from a collector’s standpoint.”
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Blue Beetle figure. Excerpt: “This toy does Blue Beetle some of the justice he deserves by giving fans a little something to hold on to.”
Artemis reviews the NECA Resident Evil Sheva Alomar figure from Resident Evil 5. Excerpt: “… I want to really like this figure, but I just can’t.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Sideshow Collectibles The Dead Subject 2221: The Harbinger Sideshow exclusive 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “I love the exposed brain, and having such a unique character – a priest! – zombified is a real treat.”
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Waspinator and Samurai Prowl figures. Excerpt: “(Re: Samurai Prowl) … despite looking like only a minor mold tweak, it’s actually extensively remolded.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Bandai Power Rangers Jungle Fury Jungle Master Tiger Ranger, Jungle Master Jaguar Ranger, Jungle Master Cheetah Ranger, Jungle Master Elephant Ranger, Jungle Master Shark Ranger and Jungle Master Bat Ranger figures. Excerpt: “Despite a few glitches, these are still very cool figures.”
Michael Crawford reviews the DC Direct Watchmen The Comedian, Silk Spectre (Classic), Dr. Manhattan and Nite Owl (Classic) figures. Excerpt: “… overall I like this wave quite a bit better than the first.” (See also.)
Retro reviews
Josh Larimer reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin GC-01 Grandbirth figure from Space Sheriff Sharivan. Excerpt: “I love that Grandbirth is fearlessly and uncompromisingly ugly.”
Leonardo Flores reviews the Bandai Godaikin DX Goggle V set from the Dai Sentai Goggle V series. Excerpt: “… back when I was a kid I had so much fun with this toy and it was one of my favorites.” (See also.)
Toy links
Barbarus.
A custom from the Savage Land.
Turn X.
A Lego MOC inspired by Turn A Gundam. (Click on the images for a better look.)
Transgals Weirdwolf.
Another Transformers-inspired BJPM creation by misodrill.
Biker Scouts: the early years.
A photo by Richard Fournier.
Aries.
“… someone you don’t want to mess with!”
For God’s sake, Playmobil.
“A German priest who transforms Playmobil figures into biblical characters … has found himself facing legal action from the company that makes the toys.” (See also.)
Thinking small.
“… attention to the little details, finding the gems in your treasure chest of brands and products, and championing minor efforts that make a big difference. It also means thinking about smaller wallets and shrinking budgets-and taking consumer struggles into top consideration.”
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.)
Gamu (part 2) reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin GE-45 RVF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Luca Angelloni Custom from Macross Frontier.
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Bandai Super HCM Pro Gundam Exia DX 1/144-scale set from Gundam 00.
SR../Blood Zwei and Natsume review the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider New Den-O (Strike Form) Yahoo! Japan limited figure from Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O The Movie: Final Countdown.
Shishioh reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth God Cloth Pegasus Seiya (original colour version) Tamashii Web exclusive figure.
Yuki Bune reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Capricorn Shura (surplice version) figure from the Saint Seiya Hades Chapter Sanctuary OVA. (See also.)
Shishioh reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Gadessa (Revive type) figure from Gundam 00.
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii 00 Gundam Trans-Am (clear version) Tamashii Nation 2009 exclusive figure.
MaruH102 reviews the Takara Tomy Actic Gear Next AG-N03 Scopedog and AG-N04 Scopedog (Melkia colour version) mail-order 1/48-scale figures.
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Super Imaginative Chogokin (S.I.C.) Momotaros Imagin (pre-contract version) Tamashii Nation 2009 exclusive figure.
Gamu 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.)
Hikutori reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Ojousama Nagi Konami Style exclusive figure from the Hayate no Gotoku! Nightmare Paradise set.
Tom reviews the Volks A3 Muv-Luv Alternative Takemikaduchi Type-00C (2009 release version) figure. (See also.)
Mondo reviews the SOTA Toys Street Fighter Revolution Dhalsim figure. (See also.)
Kanon, Yo and Natsume review the Kaiyodo Revoltech SP XAN Dengeki Hobby Magazine 10th anniversary exclusive figure from Super Robot Wars Z. (See also.)
Toyhunter reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Kamen Rider Decade figure. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Disney Label Mickey Mouse Trailer Monochrome figure.
Red reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-18 Minibot Attack Team set. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro GI Joe Comic Pack Scrap-Iron and Wild Bill two-pack. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Bandai Mugenbine Enryuukibines Monkeybine, Elephantbine, Leobine, Cobrabine, Wingbine, Hornbine and the Ryufirebine combiner trading figures. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers C-315 Wildspark figure.
Toy links
The Manananggal.
“… one of the most feared monsters in Philippine folklore.”
Legoseed.
Johnny Tang MOCs of Appleseed’s Deunan Knute and Briareos Hechatonchires.
Dr. Manhattan.
“I used the translucent blue SDCC 08 blank mate an some decals for his face and chest. The black suit in the second pic belongs to Movie Tony Stark.”
Welcome to Flickr, Mr. Bean.
A photo by Marco Chan.
Multicultural toys.
“… the prevailing driver for many of the latest entrants into the multicultural toy market is an urge to provide all children with a base for understanding lifestyles that differ from their own.”
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 March ’09.
Defensor.
This stunning custom of the Transformers combiner splits apart into impressive Protectobot customs. (See also.)
Live Free or Smurf Hard.
He doesn’t look like he wants to Smurf the whole day long.
The Hammer.
“Imagine Marv from ‘Sin City’. Now, picture him as a 240lbs pink bunny.”
Odette and Odile.
Elegant Busou Shinki customs by Amber. (Click on the images for a better look.)
Kup.
pisuwo’s creative custom of the Transformers old-timer.
Lego Gear REX.
A formidable-looking Lego MOC inspired by Metal Gear Solid. (More.)
Secret Minimate Invasion.
Cool digirama by Edmond Lee.
Transfarmer.
What if Optimus Prime literally bought the farm? (Click on the image for a better look.)
Transformers Henkei designers interviewed.
It’s always such a treat to get translated interviews from the Japanese side and this one is illuminating.
That’s My Face.
A neat application of the advances in 3D-printing technology.
Toy links
Sly Rax.
“How to create a G.I. Joe-style figure with help from customizing guru Kyle Robinson.”
Micro-Henshin Cyborg.
“… a custom that I created using a Microman military force figure and a Henshin Cyborg gashapon figure.”
Barrels Copter.
A M.A.S.K-ish Assemble Borg fanmode. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Graphical analysis.
Good, I can feel your anger.
5. 5. 5.
A fantastic photo by A. Seiichi R.
The Outer Space Men.
“To put these in historical perspective, they were among the first figures to be sold in traditional action figure packaging, that is, individual blister cards.”