Raving Toy Maniac

Earlier, I had posted jokingly about Swift owning me $130 as his review of this figure led to me buying two of them.

Little did I know that this would wind up becoming my new favorite Batman figure.

For years, I have held Mattel Zipline and Bat Signal Batman in highest regard as my favorites. While the PA Version is a bit larger in scale and much higher in price, it is insanely detailed, spots an amazing sculpt and is fully articulated.

While this version is based on the game version of the character, he looks more realistic than any other version or at least, as realistic as a vigilante dressed as a bat can look. By this I refer to the armored boots, gauntlets and costume. Let's face it, if you're facing the likes of Bane, Hush and Black Mask, you are going to need as much protection as possible and this figure provides what I would expect out of....a giant vigilante Bat.

This is the Batman that can kick Banes ass, tear through Black Mask and his Goons and survive a high speed crash in the Batmobile while still getting right back up to chase Hush.

Saw the new 12"er at TRU and I was tempted (wanted to read the MWC review first, which was positive), but I know now I'd never bother with the costume sets.

The idea of Captain Action as this quasi-sailor/spy with nothing but a zapper, sword, and communicator to get the job done really appeals to me. The idea he...what? turns into Spider-Man, or disguises himself as Captain America for whatever reason does nothing for me at all. I know the original idea was to give 60s kids a variety of characters to play with using CA as a template, but I don't think I would have liked that even then.

Does anyone know how they handled the gimmick in the Moonstone comics? Does he change into heroes created just for the series, or not change at all (which, obviously, I'd prefer) or what?

This is the same reason I couldn't really get into Ben 10, by the way. I always liked it better when he was just Ben.

Anyway, I might actually pick the Captain Action up; he looks cool. But I wondered if I'd be the only one who left it at that.

-JJJ

I'm talking flat out villains..for example, The Punisher is NOT a villain, but Darth Vader is, in his Sith form, not as Jedi Anakin.

As a mostly Villain fan, I will list mine but am not sure if I can pick a #1 at this point:

-Storm Shadow Cobra villain from the comics (the brutal, unstoppable killing machine that worked for Cobra, pre-face turn to GI Joe. Not the movie or good guy versions)

-Darth Maul (The consumate Sith, Bushido Warrior)

-Cobra Commander (The logical, strong version from the "Cobra Reborn" comic series and not the bungling, scared, weak versions portrayed elsewhere)

-Heath Ledger's Joker (The most amazing actor portrayal of a true homicidal comic villain. Pure genius.)

-Galvatron (Crazed, unstoppable, ruthless Leader of the Decepticons)

-The Hobgoblin (The Marvel Comics version, thought to be Ned Leeds then discovered to be Roderick Kingsley)

-Apocalypse (The first Mutant, the Alpha and Omega, The Leader of The Four Horsemen)

-Nature Boy Ric Flair (Pro Wrestling's greatest heel and leader of the classic Heel Team The Four Horsemen, personified the vision of what a true villain should be in the wrestling world)

I broke my rule of "TPB Only" out of my love for Buck and so far, the first 3 issues are ok.

Not amazing, not awful, but ok. Personally, I wanted a more focused, brutal Winter Soldier but instead have a storyline shared with Black Widow.

Having Doom involved is awesome however, and the art is beautiful.

Anyone else?

..because thanks to you, I cancelled my Hot Toys Keaton Batman and bought the Play Arts Arkham Batman..2 of them

Seriously, your review led to me making a huge purchase and cancelling another...and thus far, I do not regret it as he looks amazing.

Thanks again for the review! This is the impact that the positive power of a collector community can make.

4 inch and 6 inch. Done.

DC All-Stars is going bye-bye after this year.

Diamond Dallas Page has yet to ship to anyone that ordered him on Monday.

I'm not normally a Mattel nay-sayer....but WTF is going on over there?

There's a teaser pic up elsewhere on the web.

They'll be 25th style, yeah?

-JJJ

So I just caught the debut of the show on my dvr the other night, and it started to hit me. I dont remember any figures from Toy Fair with the Animated Ultimate Spiderman being featured. I remember stuff from the Amazing Spiderman being featured but nothing from the show, and yes I remember that the show just debuted and I brought up a discussion why the Animated Avengers didnt have a line either.

For me, except for the cameos of the major and minor villians (some like the Wizard who i thought was a Fantastic 4 villian, are showing up in the show) I fear that if any new villians show up in 3 3/4 size, they will most likely show up in the Marvel Universe line. From my point of view, I am also thinking the appeal of the show was geared towards a generation who has not been a long time follower of comic books. The odd humor (campy/off beat/quarky kid likehumor) reminded of the early seasons of the Teen Titans. I was hoping for more like a 90s series Spiderman show.

So sad to say if there is an Ultimate Spiderman series, the series will be over saturated with spiderman varients, and low peg space for villians.

Avian

Hack/Slash creator Tim Seeley allowed me to share this today...

Here is an exclusive look at the Hack/Slash Cassie Hack action figure design, including a paint variant. The skirt was designed to be sculpted as a separate piece. The figure was originally announced as an upcoming release from Shocker Toys in 2010. The current plans for the figure are unknown.

http://hackslashinc.com/1/2012/04/hackslash-action-figure-design-cassie-hack/

Diamond has at least internally discussed Hack/Slash minimates...

http://www.artasylum.com/blog/2011/11/ask-dst-143/

Tim would love figures of some sort, nothing has worked out yet though!

Did Hasbro discontinue the Star Wars comic packs? I haven't seen them in a while and haven't seen pegs for them either.

I did a search on google and did not find any news. I'll go through pics from Toy Fair again, but I don't remember seeing them.

Thanks!
s-
(I'm secretly hoping they'd do a Splinter of the Mind's Eye set)