Raving Toy Maniac

i need help... Can someone check out the action figures that I have and see if they can name any? I would like to determine what to do with them, so I need to know WHO they are.
Please e-mail doesnotrhymewith@gmail dot com with "action figures" as a subject if you'd like to try to help. Thanks for your time.
-Al Z.

I'm planning a trip to NYC in October (nicely coinciding with NYCC!). Does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay in NY? Will probably not be renting a car so I'll need somewhat easy access to public transport for NYCC, touristy places and TRU / Walmart / toy stores as well as factory / premium outlets for the wife to go shopping.

I've been looking at hotels in the Midtown 46-48th street area but they seem kinda pricey.

Out-of-Country visitor, FYI.

Also, any of the old buzz gang going? Maybe I can finally see you guys in the flesh...

I've been searching stores and online and have not seen the TMNT Powr Sound FX Shredder- is he out yet?

In case you haven't heard, the government is trying to ban Buckyballs and the manufacturer is suing to stop them. They are also running a social media campaign to save them, appropriately (or inappropriately) titled #SaveOurBalls. Here is the company's page for it:

http://www.getbuckyballs.com/save-our-balls/

Some stores have stopped selling Buckyballs already, but the manufacturer says sales have gone through the roof on their web site. There's a cool video of the toy in action at this link.

http://www.bustedtees.com/buckyballs

Apparently they've been around for 25 years and Google even did a doodle honoring them in 2010:

http://www.conceivablytech.com/2650/business/google-doodle-sells-10000-b...

These look nice, but seem really expensive. Makes the Hot Wheels 1/50 Batman line look like a good deal!

Anyone actually open a Micro Ops set? If so, how are they?

Stumbled across the new TRU-exclusive comic packs last night in Peoria, IL. Bought the Doom/Spidey set and left the Spidey/Rhino as the Spidey isn't all that different and I already own a darker version of that Rhino from the individual Spider-man line.

$20 is a bit steep now but Doom in white just looks awesome.

BTW-- is the FF STILL wearing white in the current issues of the series or have they reverted back to blue?

These were announced Sunday at Wonder Festival 2012 Summer. No pictures of the Avengers yet, but it looks like they plan on doing Cap, Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor. No pics of Spider-Man yet either. There are pics of the figma Pit prototype and he looks perfect. Definitely getting Pit, might pick up the others, too if they look good.

Emerje

...please read the article I just wrote for the Fwoosh and consider subscribing!

I picked up the new turtles over the weekend, and thought I would paint up the Don and Leo. (I think I need to touch up Leo in a few places here and there, but overall I'm pleased with the results). I think these new figures are some of the best TMNT toys released ever. (while the NECA ones were good, and had superior paint though). I didn't notice until I looked at them closer but all 4 of the turtles have original sculpts. (at least as far as I can tell) which is pretty amazing. Combined with the fact they come with a TON of accesories, make this a really cool line. If you're a TMNT fan you owe it to yourself to pick at least one of these up.

Sorry for the double post, but I'm really befuddled about this. Has anyone ever had import toys held at customs or what have you? I ordered from Square Enix, and my package was sent, but now the tracking says "UPS is processing shipment for future submission to the Food/Drug Admin and/or dept of AG PPQ." And that it's held in the warehouse. Is this common? Does anyone know what the heck that means? I would appreciate any clue as to what's going on here. I mean, yeah, they're only toys, but they're MY toys, and I'd like them sooner than later, unabused by the feds.

Thanks.