Checklist (Fighting Waitress version)
Updated S.H.Figuarts, Robot Tamashii and Figma checklists.
Toy review roundup
Michael Crawford reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Zodac Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… if Mattel could just produce mass market action figures with this level of build quality.”
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Collect and Connect Giganta figure. Excerpt: “… she’s probably the hottest woman the Horsemen have sculpted so far.”
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Vigilante figure. Excerpt: “He’s one of my favorite figures in my second-favorite DCUC wave this far …”
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Dr. Fate figure. Excerpt: “As one of the oldest DC Comics characters, it seems like this cranky magician should be a little more popular, so maybe this action figure will open some folks’ eyes.”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Scout class Dirt Boss figure. Excerpt: “I’d easily recommend Dirtboss, despite the clearly inappropriate name and slightly-off-the-mark colours.”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe G1 Series Legends class Brawn figure. Excerpt: “… the colours are clearly Brawn and both modes suit the character well.” (See also.)
Erin Snyder reviews the Playmates Toys Terminator Salvation Deluxe T-1 figure. Excerpt: “… it’s a pretty cool, solid toy.” (See also.)
Retro reviews
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai High Complete Model (HCM) RMS-099 Rick Dias 1/144 -scale figure from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. Excerpt: “The design is impressive to start off with, but it’s rendered lovingly here.”
Artemis reviews the Diamond Select Toys Star Trek: The New Generation Commander Deanna Troi figure. Excerpt: “… a worthwhile variant. ”
Brent Johnston reviews the Hasbro Transformers Beast Wars Silverbolt figure. Excerpt: “I feel he was worth the 27 US bucks I spent for him …”
Brent Johnston reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Classic Deluxe class Rodimus figure. Excerpt: “… quite the update, and I’m glad I bought him when I did.” (See also.)
Newton Gimmick reviews the Justoys Bend-Ems The Rocketeer toy. Excerpt: “Apparently ol’ Cliff Secord hasn’t missed a meal in some time.”
Toy links
The World’s Strangest Heroes.
M1 based these excellent Doom Patrol customs on John Byrne’s depiction.
Beware my power … Power Prism’s light.
Appropriately enough, this Doctor Spectrum custom makes use of both Marvel Legends and DC Direct parts.
XO Extreme.
Mr. P took a mere 15 minutes to whip up this brutal-looking Assemble Borg fanmode. (Click on the photo for a better look.)
One-winged Borg.
A neat mix of Assemble Borg Mister Assemble and Revoltech Griffon. (Larger size.)
Who ya gonna call to stop the phantom menace?
Only Imperial Stormtroopers are so precise.
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.)
Hima-toy reviews the Bandai Super Imaginative Chogokin (S.I.C.) Kamen Rider Gaoh and Kintaros Imagin set from Kamen Rider Den-O.
Nuu reviews the Medicos Entertainment JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Hierophant Green figure.
Hima-toy reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Nirvash type the End figure from Eureka Seven.
Tom reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Gadessa (Healing type) figure from Gundam 00.
Gamu and Natsume review the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Yuuki B-Shop and Tamashii Web exclusive figure from Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O The Movie: Final Countdown.
Hima-toy reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kyokagaikokkaku Zero figure from Kakugo No Susume.
Gamu reviews the Yamato Macross Kanzen Henkei VF-1A (Kakizaki Hayao TV version) 1/60-scale toy.
Itsuki reviews the Max Factory Figma Tsuruya-san (Cultural Festival maid version) figure from The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi series.
Itsuki reviews the Max Factory Figma Asahina Mikuru (Fighting Waitress version) figure from The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi.
K3 reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Agito Tornador figure from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Faiz Blaster figure from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
K3 reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Den-O Momotaros figure from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Ken Murasame reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech YF-21 (Guld version) figure from Macross Plus. (See also.)
Ken Murasame reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech YF-19 (Isamu version) figure from Macross Plus. (See also.)
Hiitan (part 2) reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Alternity Nissan GT-R Convoy (Ultimate Metal Silver version) figure. (See also.)
Alfes (part 2) reviews the Hasbro Transformers Premium Series Leader class Megatron figure.
Alfes reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Movie MD-14 Frozen Megatron figure. (See also.)
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Screen Battles Voyager class Megatron figure from the Battle Over Mission City Target exclusive set.
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Premium Series Deluxe class Autobot Jazz figure.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Clone Wars Destroyer Droid figure. (See also.)
Ebi reviews the Takara Tomy Tomica Hero Rescue Fire DX Dozer Dragon toy.
Damien Sancho reviews the Banpresto Kiba Musha Den Musha Go-nin Shuu: Mizu no Maki Hi no Maki Musha Double Zeta prize toy. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Banpresto Kiba Musha Den Musha Go-nin Shuu: Mizu no Maki Hi no Maki Musha Gundam prize toy. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Bandai Kamen Rider Decade Hissatsu! Chouhenkei Rider FA (Fighting Action) Kamen Rider Decade, Kuuga Gouram, Ryuki Dragreder and Kiva Arrow candy kits. (See also.)
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Bandai Minipla Shinkenger Samurai Gattai Shinken Oh and DaiTenkuu candy kits. (See also.)
Retro reviews
G.S.R. reviews the Takara Tetsujin 28 FX Action Gattai Tetsujin 28 FX figure.
Yo reviews the Bandai In Action Offshoot Knightmare Frame Lancelot figure from the Code Geass series. (See also.)
Yo reviews the Bandai Digital Monsters D-Real Kyubimon figure.
Yo reviews the Takara Brave Command Dagwon DX Dagtector 3 Fire En figure.
Red reviews the Takara Transformers Collector’s Edition Road Rage e-Hobby exclusive figure. (See also.)
Red reviews the Takara Transformers Collection 4 Tracks figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers D-330 Gaihawk figure from Transformers Victory.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers D-333 Killbison figure from Transformers Victory.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers D-334 Drillhorn figure from Transformers Victory.
Esuyu reviews the Takara Transformers Micron Legend MD-07 Rampage figure. (See also.)
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Deluxe class Autobot Jazz Target exclusive figure.
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Deluxe class Final Battle Jazz figure.
Toy links
Transformers Universe Wheeljack.
“The wings on his back are from a House of M Iron Man and the head is from a Downshift figure.” (See also.)
Assemble Liger.
A transforming Assemble Borg fanmode by moromisox. (Click on the photo for a closer look.)
Descend, heartless angel.
A photo by Edward Lee.
Lunar.
Hinatatiki used Zoids Bio MegaRaptor, Bio Ptera and Bio Volcano parts for this Busou Shinki custom.
Project Neo Victory.
Clone666 attached the Secret Base Biotron heads on the Neo Henshin Cyborg figure to striking effect.
Fanmode interview: Bryan Wilkinson (part 2)
Long-time Micronauts and Microman fan, Bryan “MicroBry” Wilkinson, is one of the select few who’ve made the transition from toy fan to toy designer. His website was one of the earliest to draw attention to Transformers’ (then) little-known origins, and he was given the opportunity to work on Palisades’ Micronauts revival in 2002. As Transformers celebrates its 25th. anniversary and Microman celebrates its 35th., we thought it only appropriate to ask him about Micronauts, Microman, Transformers, fandom, and making the transition from consumer to creator.
(Due to its length, the interview will be presented in several parts. Part one was published last week.)
When did you first get online?
My dad’s a software designer, so I had pretty early exposure to email, BBSes, and Usenet before the World Wide Web became big, so in a sense I was online from practically the beginning.
I first started using the Web itself around the mid-90’s, around the time I was working as an art technician on console and computer games. By this point it had been more than a few years since I’d really seen anything Micro-related. Few people my own age really remembered or cared about this stuff, and this was before Google and Wikipedia made it easy to naturally and casually look up every other thing that crossed your mind.
Around 1995, I thought to check the Usenet groups for any toy leads and found a couple of new Microman toys from parts of the line I’d not encountered before, so it rekindled my interest and curiosity.
I tried one of these new-fangled “web searches” and discovered Erik Larsen’s Micronauts Homepage (now Micronauts Outpost), which also linked to Tom Vigneau’s small Microman page (now gone), which in turn linked to the first Microman page from Japan, Arden’s Net (still around!) by Suzuki “Baron Arden” Gaku, and later a sadly defunct page called Build Base Tokyo.
Also along the way I found Ron Pringle’s Micropola page (which has come and gone over the years and also spawned a couple of impressive fanzines), Bwana Spoons’ print fanzine “My Friend the Micronaut”, and Sashida Minoru’s Oriental Technology, home of Microman Maniacs and MicroGeneration.
It does sadden me that fewer and fewer familiar “faces” are active with each passing year. I hope as we get older the community can consolidate efforts to preserve things for future generations of fans, but I know also that most fans that own their own sites tend to be (understandably) possessive and proud of their work, and without a proven beneficial model, are likely to be reluctant to allow their sites to be mirrored for the sake of preservation.
Read more
Toy links
I am Joe’s innards.
A photo by vagner. (See also.)
Kikaida 01.
“… a Cyborg 99 base body with parts from the Medicom R.A.H. figure. Custom chrome innards in the arms and legs are kitbashed from some Microman figures.”
Usagi Yojimbo.
A custom of Stan Sakai’s character.
“Optimal Past/Prime Future.”
“I repainted this Voyager Prime with the G1 colors, plus I kitbashed a gun and smokestacks to make him look more accurate.” (See also.)
The future of law enforcement.
A Stikfas custom by Phil Ashby.
Planet M&M’s.
My God, it’s full of candies.
Play porta-potty.
When you gotta go …
G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra: the game.
“… as we were combing through some of the reference sent to us by Hasbro, we stumbled upon blueprints for a modern day version of the H.I.S.S. tank that had never been manufactured as a toy.”
Toy review roundup
NewtonGimmick reviews the Diamond Select Toys Battlestar Galactica Battle Damaged Cylon Pilot Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive figure. Excerpt: “This is the Cylon toy I’ve wanted since I was 8 and it feels great to get him.”
Artemis reviews the DC Direct JLA Classified Classic Wonder Woman figure. Excerpt: “… not what you’d call a definitive Wonder Woman (I’d still give the Dodson-styled one that title) …”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro The Incredible Hulk Ironclad figure. Excerpt: “… as a villain we’ve never had before (and are unlikely to ever see again), Ironclad is worth picking up on the cheap.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Legacy Collection Han Solo (Stormtrooper disguise version) figure from Episode IV: A New Hope. Excerpt: “… definitely the best version yet.” (See also.)
Brent Johnston reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe class Soundwave figure. Excerpt: “… a great remake of Soundwave for the new generation of fans …”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Scout class Rollbar figure. Excerpt: “… Rollbar lacks a little in his play value but is still a worthwhile figure.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe G1 Series Legends class Beachcomber figure. Excerpt: “… a (tie)dyed-in-the-wool pacifist, and he’s pretty much the only Mini-Con Legend to come bearing weapons.” (See also.)
Darren Cilenti reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Binaltech BT-21 Arcee figure. Excerpt: “… this is very clearly Arcee despite the head bearing Overdrive’s shape.” (See also.)
Brandon Courtney Miller reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Faker New York Comic Con and Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… great looking, very fun and made sturdy!” (See also.)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Parademon (green and yellow version) figure. Excerpt: “… the green parademon comes with one of the coolest Easter eggs I’ve ever seen.” (See also.)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Commander Steel figure. Excerpt: “I wish I had more to discuss here, but I don’t.”
Toy links
Iron Man vs. Bruce Lee.
Excellent stop-motion animation by Patrick Boivin featuring 1/6-scale figures.
Sayoko!
More eccentric brilliance by plamoo. (Related.)
Samurai Granny.
“I dedicate this to all the Grannies out there who are still alive and kickin’.”
Me Grimlock no kisser.
As captured by Matthew Parsons.
Our Ultra-father, who art in Nebula M78 …
A fine shot by boh_muse of the Medicom Father of Ultra figure.
Checklist meteoraided
Updated the Assemble Borg checklist with XO and Yeeg review links.