REVIEW: GI Joe 25th Anniversary - Zartan

Zartan (25th Anniversary) | Produced by Hasbo | Released 2008

ZARTAN can alter his skin color at will to blend in with his environment. He is also a master of make-up and disguise, ventriloquist, linguist (over 20 languages and dialects), acrobatic-contortionist and practitioner of several mystic Martial Arts. Very little is known about his background and origins, but most security agencies agree that he must have had European military academy training (probably St. Cyr). His training and skills make him difficult to find and almost impossible to capture. He has established a criminal compound in a remote swamp region, which he navigates on his customized Chameleon swamp skier.

REVIEW: Marvel Universe's Jean Grey

Jean Grey | Produced by Hasbro | Released November 2009 [Reissued February 2010]

Every day, it seems JEAN GREY grows more powerful. With Charles Xavier's help, she keeps her powers in check, but even so it is a daily struggle. She welcomes the inevitable battles against super criminals like MAGNETO, for they offer her a chance to release the vast power that builds up inside her. She hopes to learn the limits of her powers, and with that knowledge control them, but for now she feels it move insider her constantly like a living thing.

NEWS: Blue Box F16 (GI Joe Scale)

Being a GI Joe fan can sometimes be frustrating. With Hasbro's releases so few and far between and some of the toys only being quasi-realistic, sometimes you'll find yourself wishing there was another source of vehicles to join your Cobra vs Joe battles.

NEWS: Awaj Resin Toy Now Available

If you're a fan of resin toys and a certain series of sci-fi movies, then you'll love the Awaj.

The brainchild of Phillip ''Battlegrip.com'' Reed, these mini-figures stand at around 2.5'' tall and are available now for $35 each. Phil is also offering to sign the base of your Awaj, should you elect to have him do so.

Head over to Battlegrip.com now to find out more and to place your order.

TOY HAUL - 30th March 2011

I'm not going to attempt to list every figure here, but a few standouts include scoring (finally) a Marvel Universe Jean Grey, a 25th Anniversary Zartan and Baroness (Paris Pursuit), plus movie-versions of Scarlet, Heavy Duty, Breaker and Cover Girl.

Best of all, many were scored for just $5 each.

Expect to see Reviews of all soon.

NEWS: Wonder Woman TV Costume In Action!

The excellently-titled DC Women Kicking Ass has some photos - and fan-shot video - from the set of the upcoming Wonder Woman pilot.

REVIEW: GI Joe 25th Anniversary - Flint (in Cobra Disguise)

Flint in Cobra Disguise | Produced by Hasbro | Released 2008

FLINT was a Rhodes Scholar and earned his degree in English Literature. Bored by the Groves of Academe, he enlisted in the Army and applied the tenacity and concentration he had used so well scholastically to grind his way through Airborne School, Ranger School, Special Forces School and finally Flight Warrant Officers School, graduating each with top honors. A thoroughly tactical planner, FLINT drafted and personally led a half dozen rescue missions in hostile territories that for obvious reasons of security were never published let alone admitted to.

VIDEO VIEW: Star Trek Command Communications Console

Kids these days don't know they're even born, what with their Interweb-enabled smarting phones and iParts. Back in my day if you wanted to communicate with somebody over a distance you either shouted very loudly or used tin cans connected by a length of string (which worked, so long as you kept the string taut.)

But Mego offered an awesome third way with this fantastic Star Trek Command Communications Console. If this thing really did exist - and worked - then I'm amazed there was any crime in the US in the 1970s, as I'm sure gangs of bike-riding plucky youngsters in the Red Hand Gang mold would have used such consoles to coordinate their efforts to bring-down groups of criminals and neerdowells...

WTW? Barbie Loves Elvis Doll

Gold outfits? G-Cup Boobs? DA Haircuts?

What the What?

Like some hideous Twinkie-burger hybridisation, this Barbie Loves Elvis doll from Mattel celebrates all things American in its own unique manner. Fans of Elvis and/or Barbie will no doubt be enraptured with this toy. For the full effect though, we recommend partnering it with this previous What the What? entry.

NEWS: Batman/Justice League Movie News

''We have the third Batman [movie - The Dark Knight Rises], but then we'll have to reinvent Batman.''

 - Jeff Rabinov, President, Warner Bros.

REVIEW: GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra - Snake Eyes (Ninja Commando)

Snake Eyes Ninja Commando | Produced by Hasbro | Released July 2009

Snake Eyes is a Ninja Master and military commando and trains the GI Joe team in hand-to-hand combat. He received Martial Arts training in the Arashikage Clan and is the enemy of Cobra Ninja Storm Shadow. Silent and mysterious, this skilled Ninja wears a visor that conceals his face.

NEWS: Secrets of Marvel Mega Bloks Revealed!

We've previously looked at the Invincible Iron Man minifig from the Marvel Mega Bloks range. Although I liked the toy, I commented on my concerns over the higher chances of getting duplicate figures, given how few figures were in the range.

Well if you're in the same position as me - and don't mind spoilers - then read on, as the secret to finding the figures you want is revealed after the jump.

VIDEO VIEW: Doctor Who/Weetabix Crossover Madness!

If there's a match made in Heaven, it's cereal and free toys. I'm sure every kid in the world who got to pick-out their box of choice did as I did and made their selection based upon whatever free plastic treasure was packaged along with the cereal.

Sadly these Doctor Who ''toys'' were fold-and-stand cardboard standees and not small-scale figures of the renegade Time Lord and his foes. You may think this is trivial, but to an 8-year old Whovian, it was a crushing disappointment...

NEWS: Iron Man 6'' Figures

The first wave of Hasbro's Iron Man 6'' Figures is now available.

NEWS: Cyber-Week at Why Did I Buy That Toy?

It's a Cyberman Celebration over at Why Did I Buy That Toy? this week. OK, so it kicked-off yesterday and we should already have covered it, but today's offering really caught my eye - hence this post. 

If you're a fan of the Doctor (in his many, many incarnations) then you'll no doubt get a kick out of Challenge of the Cybermen, a fan-made movie produced by WDIBTT's Action Ranger Timmy and Mario from A Year of Toys.

Keep your eyes peeled for my Cyber-related goodness as the week progresses.

NEWS: Free Digital Comics from Marvel (Again)

It's Monday, so that means another round of free digital download comicbooks.

REVIEW: GI Joe 25th Anniversary - Cobra Bazooka Trooper

Cobra Bazooka Trooper | Produced by Hasbro | Released 2008

The motto of the COBRA BAZOOKA TROOPER force is, ''Simple gets the job done... with a bang.'' These basic infantry troopers are given the bare minimum of training, handed a rocket launcher and sent into the field to fire at anything that gets between them and their destination. Their rocket-propelled grenades are simple yet effective, capable of blasting through even explosive reactive armor on advanced battle vehicles. They take pride in the simplicity of their weapons and quietly scorn the higher-ranking troopers with their technologically complex systems.

REVIEW: GI Joe: Pursuit of Cobra - Arctic Threat Snow Job

Arctic Threat Snow Job | Produced by Hasbro | Released July 2010

Snow Job is the GI Joe team's arctic survival specialist. He camped in the polar north for months to watch a Cobra base and gather information. His gear includes a MUSP Multi Use Survival Pack that he uses as a bedroll, tent and concealment for observing the enemy.

VIDEO VIEW: Masters of the Universe Battle Bones Collector Case Commercial

So you've got to design a carrying case for the toy line your company is producing. Do you (A) design a big box with the logo embossed on the front or (B) actually do some work and create something as awesome as the Masters of the Universe Battle Bones?

What I love is the thought of He-Man and Skeletor sitting side by side and trash-talking to each other on their way to the battle. And why does that kid do Skeletor's voice with a Cockney accent? JEWIED EEWS, GUVNOR?

COOL CAPSULES: Monkeyin' Around ''Mouthy'' Monkey

A vending machine that gives out MONKEY toys? Surely such a thing would cause the world to implode under the weight of such awesomeness! But lo! - the Monkeyin' Around capsule toys!

REVIEW: GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra - Cobra Commander

Cobra Commander (Rise of Cobra Version) | Produced by Hasbro
Released July 2009

The deviously brilliant leader of COBRA demands complete allegiance from his followers as he works toward his ultimate goal of controlling the world. He hides a deadly secret few others know, just as his mask covers disfiguring damage from a fiery accident.

VIDEO VIEW: Daft Punk's Derezzed from Tron Legacy

Having just picked-up the soundtrack CD, I thought I'd share the Daft Punky goodness of this awesome score.

April 5th cannot come soon enough.

COOL CAPSULES: Domo as Gojira

RAAAAR!

We've already seen Domokun in a less-aggressive mode but when I picked-up this Domo as Gojira (at least, I'm assuming that's who he's supposed to be) I had to share him.

NEWS: Spider-Man Reboot Sequel Already In The Works

EW.com is reporting that the upcoming reboot to the Spider-Man franchise, The Amazing Spider-Man, has already scored a sequel.

NEWS: Glyos Sneak Peek Concept Sketches

So you've an idea kicking around in your head for a toy. But how exactly does that simple concept become a piece of poseable plastic?

NEWS: Halfbad Toyz Yama-Bito Custom MUSCLE 10 Pack

Like Keshi? Miss the M.U.S.C.L.E.-style toys of the 80s? Want to score some awesome custom toys? Then Halfbad Toyz has you covered!

REVIEW: GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra - Conrad ''Duke'' Hauser (Delta-6 Accelerator Armor)

Conrad ''Duke'' Hauser in Delta-6 Accelerator Armor

Produced by Hasbro | Released  2009

Conrad ''Duke'' Hauser is a central member of the GI Joe team and chases Cobra villains through Paris to retrieve dangerous Nanomite technology. His high-tech Accelerator Suit increases his speed and strength and is armed with gas-propelled grappling spears and a spinning Gatling gun.

NEWS: Marvel's C2E2 Cosplay Coverage

Cosplay, short for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants don costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea - Wikipedia.

VIDEO VIEW: Thundercats Intro

Thunder... Thunder... Thunder... Thundercats, HOOOO!

I think when future historians write their moon-encyclopedia of great cartoon intro sequences, they'll probably all nod their over-sized, super-brained heads in telepathic agreement that there was no finer opening to any show than the Thundercats intro.

From the opening trumpet salute to the last whispered ''Thundercats!'', the intro sequence never gives up. It's like being riding a motorcycle at 200MPH whilst being smashed repeatedly in the face with an uberslab of guitar solo goodness.

If the upcoming reboot manages to get an opening as awesome as this, then I'll certainly be watching.

REVIEW: Mega Bloks Marvel Invincible Iron Man Minifig

Mega Bloks Marvel Invincible Iron Man Minifig | Produced by Mega Brands
 Released March 2011

Created by Mega Brands, the Mega Bloks are a construction toy similar to Lego. What differentiates these bricks from the other countless block-based construction sets out there is their use of licenses. In the past they've produced sets themed around such diverse properties as Thomas the Tank Engine to Halo. Their Iron Man and Marvel Universe playsets and vehicles have been around for some time but now they've introduced a new line of Marvel-themed figures, blind-bagged and sold individually. 

NEWS: Kaiju for Japan - Update #2

More details of Gorilla Mouth's Kaiju for Japan appeal have been released.

REVIEW: GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra - Rip Attack Jet Storm Cycle with Snake Eyes

Rip Attack Jet Storm Cycle with Snake Eyes | Produced by Hasbro | Released January 2010

Snake Eyes is a Ninja Master and military commando who trains the GI Joe team in hand-to-hand combat. He received Martial Arts training in the Arashikage Clan, and is the enemy of Cobra Ninja Storm Shadow. Silent and mysterious this skilled Ninja wears a visor that conceals his face.

TOY HAUL: 24th March 2011

Apologies for the limited number of updates today but I went on a toy hunting expedition. As you can see, I was fairly successful.

If you can't make it out from the above image, the full haul includes two comicbook double packs (Scrap-Iron and Wild Bill/Beachhead and Dataframe), six Rise of Cobra single carded figures (Shadow Storm, Cobra Commander, The Doctor, City Strike Duke, Delta 6 Accelerator Suit Duke and Jungle Assault Ripcord) and the two Rip Attack vehicles. 

Look for Reviews of each soon!

REVIEW: Doctor Who 11th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver

11th Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver | Produced by Character Options | Released 2010

The Doctor - renegade time traveler and alien adventurer; Last of the Time Lords; Defender of the Laws of Time; Keeper of the Legacy of Gallifrey; The Lonely God; Saviour of the universe. Hang on, that's Flash Gordon...

FAN ARTICLE: Micronauts Team Sigma by Will Jones

Welcome to Fan Article, our special Feature that showcases some of the best in toy-based artwork and custom toys.

Today's entry is this set of awesome custom figures, Micronauts Team Sigma by Will Jones.

NEWS: Captain America Full Trailer

Here it is: the full trailer for Captain America: The First Avenger.

It appears that this is very much inspired by the Ultimate Captain America, especially the Captain's costume and look. Nice to see a little of the humour that made Iron Man so much fun, too.

There's a lot to see here, so go ahead and hit play. I'll see you in the Comment section.

NEWS: Atomic Martians 3A Large Martin Contest

Hey you! Do you do on the Facebook? Do you want to win yourself a 3A Large Martin Iron Panda? Well then you're in luck!

NEWS: Glyan Colourways Teased?

Matt Doughty of Onell Design has posted a cryptic tease over at the Glyos Transmission Web Log.

Could this be a preview of the colourways for the upcoming Glyan figures? Or is Matt planning a new set of colours for the Pheyden and Phriends?

Check it out and decided for yourself.

REVIEW: GI Joe: Pursuit of Cobra - City Strike Alley-Viper

City Strike Alley-Viper | Produced by Hasbro | Released July 2010

Alley-Vipers are Cobra urban combat specialists. They are armed with close quarters battle fear including blast shields, anti-armor weapons and assault Tonfas. They are guarding the Cobra warehouse when it is infiltrated by GI Joe forces including Beachhead, who battles one-on-one with the Alley-Vipers.

VIDEO VIEW: Thunderbirds Intro

5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Thunderbirds are GO!

NEWS: Marvel Universe's Gigantic Battles Bill Foster Goliath Video Review

Fellow toy-blogger Aeries0083 has uncovered a video review of the new 12'' Bill Foster Goliath, which includes a few surprises.

REVIEW: GI Joe: Pursuit of Cobra - Cobra Commander

Cobra Commander (Pursuit of Cobra) | Produced by Hasbro | Released July 2010

The deviously brilliant leader of Cobra has created the Cobra HISS Tank, a dangerous weapon that will help him expand his empire. He is prepared for battle in a mask that uses sunlight to power his cybernetic armor. As the showdown with the GI Joe team begins in the desert, he sends in his new tanks for the final attack.

REVIEW: Avengers (Reviews) Assembled!

As regular readers may have noticed, we've been running a retrospective of the original Avengers in honour of the upcoming Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger movies (even though Old Wing Head wasn't in the original Avengers line-up) and Hasbro's Original Avengers team pack, which is set for release this Summer.

Today's double-whammy of Wasp and Goliath sees the retro-revisit complete and so we present to you, links to all Avengers Reviews.

REVIEW: Marvel Universe's Secret Wars Wasp and Gigantic Battles Goliath

Secret Wars Wasp/Gigantic Battles Goliath | Produced by Hasbro
Released 2010/2009

Continuing our look at the original Avengers line-up, today sees the turn of our final two entrants - Wasp and Goliath. In this case, Janet Van Dyne's alter ego comes from the Doctor Doom/Absorbing Man Secret Wars double pack and Dr Pym in his Goliath identity from the Walmart-Exclusive Gigantic Battles pack (where he was partnered with the Horned Mask Iron Man.) 

NEWS: Galaxxor Videos from C2E2

We've previously reported on Ben Spencer's C2E2-exclusive Galaxxor 004, but now you can see it in action thanks to the Pop Culture Network's coverage, which is available at Galaxxor.com.

Not only is there a very cool video of the art figure in his previous incarnations but you also get an interview with the man behind Galaxxor, Ben Spencer, where he sheds some light on the background of - and future plans for - everybody's favourite Monster Hunter Robo.

Head over to Galaxxor.com now for more.

NEWS: Upcoming FOEZ Design Sneek Peak

We reported earlier about Skekiltor, a collaboration between Halfbad Toyz and oOMoSOo of PapaGrim Toys. 

An update today on the Halfbad Toyz blog has posted the first sketches of the follow-up entry in the FOEZ line...

Click here to see the first sketches of FEETHEAD.

REVIEW: GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra - Snake Eyes (Paris Pursuit)

Snake Eyes (Paris Pursuit) | Produced by Hasbro | Released 2008

Ninja Commando.

COOL CAPSULES: McDonalds Happy Meal ''Young Justice'' Black Manta

McDonalds - a fast-food chain who with a few outlets around the world - is currently running a Young Justice promotion, in which their Happy Meal packs contain toys from the animated series. 

REVIEW: GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra - Gung Ho vs Copperhead Double Pack

Gung Ho vs Copperhead Double Pack (Walmart Exclusive)

Produced by Hasbro | Released August 2009

Gung Ho is a Marine and member of the elite GI Joe team. He'll take on any battle with his bare fists and brings his fearsome fighting skills to support the team as the battle criminal forces that control the deadly Nanomite weapon technology.

Copperhead pilots watercraft for Cobra and can escape anyone with a combination of speed, skill and sheer bravado. He helps disperse Nanomite weapons in different locations to prevent the GI Joe team from reacquiring them.

VIDEO VIEW: Kenner's Star Wars Toy Collection

Star Wars, toys, a camp robot. What more could you ask for on a sunny Monday morning?

I particularly like C3PO's comment toward the end - ''May the Force be with you. And your children.'' Is it just me or does that sound like some kind of threat? ''Buy these toys or an all-powerful cosmic energy will unleash its wrath upon your children.''

Anyway, we did, George Lucas made a boatload of money from it (thanks to his savvy licensing rights agreement) and now we have a Darth Vader who says ''Yippee!'' and is friends with a clumsy Rasta-frog. Had we only known...

REVIEW: Marvel Universe's Hulk (Secret Wars and Modern Variants)

Secret Wars Hulk/Modern Hulk | Produced by Hasbro | Released 2009

HULK SMASH!

With the Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger hype-machines about to launch an all-out assault and Hasbro's planned Original Avengers Team Pack following-up swiftly behind, That Figures is taking a look at All Things Avengers. We've already seen Thor and Iron Man and today it's the turn of the not-so jolly Green Giant, The Hulk.

REVIEW: GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra - Cobra Gunship with Firefly

Cobra Gunship with Firefly | Produced by Hasbro | Released July 2009

A military convoy is transporting advanced MARS Industries Nanomite weapon prototypes when a menacing aircraft appears out of nowhere and launches an attack! The plane is fast, deadly - and unlike anything the special operations team has seen before. It's their first encounter with an advanced Cobra aircraft, and for some, it's their last.

FIREFLY works for COBRA in many capacities from explosives specialist to advanced aircraft pilot, with expertise in combat tactics, martial arts, sabotage and demolitions. He reveals little about himself, preferring to show his talents by results instead of words.

VIDEO VIEW: Six Million Dollar Man Bionic Grip Commercial

It's the subject of some debate, but I personally fall into the ''EH-EH-EH-EH-EH'' school of thought when it comes to the noise Steve Austin's bionic powers made. I've seen it rendered as ''DUG-A-DUG-A-DUG'' but that's quite preposterous and anybody believing such nonsense is clearly suffering some form of brain fever.

Anyway, today's Video View shows the Six Million Dollar Man (which by today's standards would probably be just about enough to pay his doctor's first consultation fee) in action with his Mission to Mars Adventure Set and bionic grip. I personally never owned the Six Million Dollar Man toys, but I did quite like Oscar Goldman's exploding briefcase. But that's a tale for another time.

NEWS: FlatHeads Series 2 Now Available

As a toy collector, I'm sure I'm not the only one who's wondered about - or even attempted to go about - creating my own toys. Making sculpts, taking molds, pouring plastics... It can all be a frustrating process, and your envisaged creation never ends up being quite as good as you expected. 

Now Adrian at Little Plastic Man has taken another route: paper craft. 

Last month, he released PDF files for his awesome first wave of FlatHead creations (as seen above), with the follow-up Series 2 becoming available today. The full colour PDF files also include assembly instructions and are completely free to download, so you've no excuse.

REVIEW: GI Joe: Pursuit of Cobra - Arctic Threat Destro

Arctic Threat Destro | Produced by Hasbro | Released October 2010

Destro supplies weapons to Cobra and designs highly advanced weaponry that he sells to the highest bidder. He uses a frost cannon of his own creation, of course - to flash freeze ambushed GI Joe troopers during a battle at a Cobra manufacturing plant in a remote area of Greenland.

NEWS: FOE Gallery Exclusive Skekiltor

We've already seen the awesome FOEZ Skekiltor from Haflbad Toyz/oOMoSOo in his regular colourways, but plans are afoot for more variants and special editions, including this awesome FOE Gallery exclusive, Poison Cherry.

Cast in semi-transparent candy pink and with suspended glitter effect, it's certainly a different take on the Mace of Hades. 

This exclusive figure will be go on sale April 16th. In the meanwhile, you'll find standard colourway Skekiltors from $15 available here.

NEWS: Glyan Sneak Peek

After releasing a number of teaser images, Onell Design's Matt Doughty has finally uploaded this un-pixelated first look at the upcoming new Glyan figures. Although there's still no news on a release date, Matt has posted a few comments that shed more light on the new line, which sound like a kind of space-borne Adventure People!

More when we get it.

NEWS: Wonder Woman TV Pilot - First In-Costume Image

As we previously reported, NBC is going ahead with plans for a new, ''serious'' take on the DC character Wonder Woman. So far only a pilot has been commissioned but the proposed show - said to be a modernisation of both the Amazonian heroine and her alter-ego -  has some serious drama chops in the form of head writer David E. Kelley of Boston Legal fame.

Last month it was announced that Adrienne Palicki (Friday Night Lights, Lone Star) would be donning the bullet-bouncing bracers and taking on the role of Wonder Woman. Now today, Entertainment Weekly has the first image of her in costume and so we bring it to you.

REVIEW: GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra - Heavy Duty (Reactive Impact Armor)

Heavy Duty - Reactive Impact Armor | Produced by Hasbro | Released July 2009

Heavy Duty supports the GI Joe team with his tactical expertise and muscular might. Already a formidable fighter, he becomes even more powerful when he wears advanced body armor that is light and flexible yet easily deflects weapons fire.

NEWS: RIP Michael Gough

We're saddened to report the passing yesterday of veteran TV and movie actor, Michael Gough.

Perhaps best known for his portrayal as Alfred in the pre-Begins Batman movies, Gough was something of a genre actor, appearing in numerous sci-fi and horror movies and TV shows, including Doctor Who and The Avengers.

In honour of Mr Gough's passing, we present him as the Master of the Moon in 1967's They Came from Beyond Space.

REVIEW: GI Joe 25th Anniversary - Cobra Para-Viper

Cobra Para-Viper | Produced by Hasbro | Released 2008

COBRA PARA-VIPER troopers are the deadliest, most highly trained commandos in the COBRA legions. They specialize in high-altitude, low-opening jumps to go behind enemy lines or infiltrate unsuspecting countries or targeted facilities to conquer, steal or cause generalized chaos. COBRA PARA-VIPER troopers are selected from the ranks of the COBRA EEL troopers and are chosen for their exceptional audacity, independent attitude and utter fearlessness. They are given a parachute, instructions and not much else; their purpose is to go in first and pave the way for the main assault force.

WTW? 1/6th Scale Toilet & Dollar Bill Set

Indoor plumbing! Cash! Dubious Stains! 

What the What?

If you feel your life is incomplete because you've never owned a grimy, 1/6th-scale toilet surrounded by cash, then today is your lucky day. From Loading Toys - via Big Bad Toy Store - comes this toilet and $100 bill-combo set, so now you can recreate all your favourite bathroom-related monetary-transactions. 

Yeah...