11 More Sleeps...

I have some new content due to go up and write about in the near future, and its all Christmas-related.

In the meantime, marvel at this awesome Christmas jumper I received from 80stees. Also click here to browse through the Christmas-post archives for some extra festive-fun.

       

REVIEW: Stealth Tech Donatello, (TMNT)

From: Playmates
Retail: £9.99
Accessories: Tech Staff, Zip-line, Spy Robot sidekick and obscure exhaust pipe like object..

Stealth Tech. Ninja Turtles wearing Black attire to blend in with night-time surroundings. Certainly sounds like a straightforward idea… 

This gimmick however is not just about the Turtles in black outfits; it is about the extra tech they come equipped with. So with this review, a top Turtle amongst the 4 was chosen as his character suited this theme the most – Donatello! (Don being the techie turtle and a pupil in the art of Ninjutsu).

REVIEW: Vertebreak, (TF Prime, Beast Hunters deluxe)

From: Hasbro

Retail: £12.99
Accessories: Hyena Cannon, Tail Hatchet

The first thing I found captivating about this figure is the hefty looking robot mode it is packaged in. Vertebreak also has a splendid (lifted from Reese’s Pieces) colour palette of yellow, orange and brown with black stripes which adds to his outstanding look. This hardman hyena appears to be nothing to laugh about.

REVIEW: Turtles In Training, (TMNT, 2-Packs)

From: Playmates
Retail: Variable
Accessories: Training Sais, Nunchaku, Bo-Staff and Katanas.

From the Fall 2013 wave of TMNT are the ‘Ninjas in Training’ 2-packs. The Turtle brothers in toddler form are split up into sparring groups of 2 – Raph with Mike and Don with Leo. 

The original concept of Toddler Turtles was first executed in the 2003 line. All Turtles and their training accessories bundled together in a pack of 4. This also introduced the idea of the Turtles having toned down safety versions of their signature weapons. This novel pack was popular with the fanbase, which meant these newer Training turtles for 2013 were well received when announced by Playmates.  

The appeal is simple: Cuter, smaller versions of the brothers. All 4 look great with their own individual expressions. The black beady-eyed look is what really makes it work. Raphael looks tiny-aggressive and has a smaller version of his plastron chest scar, Leonardo looks determined, Mike looks playful whilst Donatello looks serious. The turtles at this stage don’t yet have their signature pads, belts and sports tape - so are wearing nothing but bandanas and the shells on their fronts/backs. Wearing just a shell/plastron makes the Turtles look like they are all in toddler vests and it works well with the theme.

As far as these go as figures, the Turtles are very similar to the Minifigure 2-pack brands of previous years (lines like Dr Who Time Squad, Transformers Robot Heroes and Scooby Doo Mini-mates etc). Each Turtle is near enough stuck in a pose, but with an extent of articulation. The head, legs and arms are all moveable, but there are no other joints for the hands, elbows and knees (which are all bent). Interestingly enough, the Turtles in Training all have posable waists, and which is a rarity with figures of the TMNT.

The limited articulation and small easy-to-lose weaponry make these fall short in the figure department. The Turtles in Training 2-Packs are in my opinion better for displaying, rather than playing. Still a must have for Turtles-fans regardless. 

Smyths Toys Superstores: Hey, Let's Play

In my opinion, this is the best Toy advertisement on television right now!

With Christmas coming closer, good commercials which drown out the zany ones are always appreciated.

This advert embodies every popular toy property currently on the shelves and really speaks out.

Watch for yourself and see.

Batman on the rooftops!

A little piece I threw together using a zoom lens, a DC Action League Batman (Brave & The Bold version) and other various clippings.

Make of it what you will. This is basically Batman in conflict.


(c) DC Comics, Bob Kane 2013.

Lego Elf

The easiest Lego minifigure to find in the current Series 11 wave. Let the Elf army begin!

Scooby Doo, Character-Building wave 1 haul.

Character’s Character-Building range has expanded since its Doctor Who debut with Football League, Armed-Forces, Deadly 60, Ben 10 and now Scooby Doo under the umbrella.

On a whim, I grabbed a few Scooby Doo mystery bags to check out what the cast have turned out like in building block form.

The central Scooby Doo figure itself is the most detailed and looks least like a construction toy compared to the others. Scooby is also the easiest of the set to come across (much like the Daleks in Doctor Who waves). I ended up with 3 of the same in my haul.

Wave 1 has 12 figures to collect; including all members of Mystery Inc.

Scooby Doo also wouldn’t be the same without the monsters. This set offers a ghost pirate, a crab creature, a zombie (though it is just a skeleton in trousers) and a voodoo ghoul to name a few.

Most of the monsters are potential army-builders which makes this micro-figures set really collectable - so getting two of the same is no big deal. The only tricky aspect of this wave is what to do with multiple Shaggys, Velmas and Fred’s etc (aside from swapping in the schoolyard) … 

WEEKEND CAPTION FUN #20

Hulk Hogan and The Big Boss-man hit the arcades. Comment with your own caption.

GUARDIANS OF SODOR

Blaise Discovers MOTU (Masters of the Universe)

My daughter Blaise on her discovery of a box containing Masters of the Universe toys.

The Hobbit, Gandalf The Grey (2012)

Car Boot Haul June 9th 2013

 Not a bad week at the Boot Sale. Amongst the acquired treasures, I managed to 'find God'.

WEEKEND CAPTION FUN #19

Bill & Ted's Air Guitar jam session with 'The Almighty'

Comment and Leave a Caption.

Car Boot Haul June 2013

Car-Boot Sales are always a mixture of good weeks and bad weeks in terms of junk and treasure. I made it out with a not-so-good haul as last week. The haul however has presented some amusing highlights.

Here are 3 of them...

1/ 'Megan Fox'. Mikaela Banes

From the Transformers Movie 'Human Alliance' subline. Based on Mikaela's look from Revenge of the Fallen and very detailed. Quite an articulated figure for its size too. No Transformer robot to pal up with. I am guessing the previous owners kept the car and ditched the passenger.A good deal at only 20p.

2/ Weird Knock-Off Superman.

A reject Man of Steel sporting a very bad paintjob and no cape. Obviously from some deranged alternate universe. It took a lot of zen-like patience to get this bootleg to stand for a photo. Someone had to feel sorry for this mess...I did. Again, 20p!

3/ Transformable Fireman Sam

There is a Postman Part version of this figure which is also very good - and I own one. A great find, as I was after this for a while. Postman Pat now has a crimefighting partner. Once again this was a give away at only 20p!

Car Boot Haul May 2013

Car Boot season has begun again! Even though some parts of England they never stopped.

For the first time this year Keynsham Rugby Club opened its field to host a weekly run of Boot Sales until September. Each week is always packed (weather permitting) and I always seem to come back with some great treasures. As you can see, that's a lot of varied fandom in the picture. Can you guess the characters and toylines?

More haul pictures to come hopefully every Sunday

"Toy Store". Mackelmore song parody.

It is very rare we'll post random Youtube finds, but this little gem just had to be shared...

REVIEW: Snakeweed, (TMNT 2012, Basic)

From: Playmates
Retail: Variable
Accessories: Vines

Making his debut in the pilot of Nickelodeon TMNT is the original character – Snakeweed!

Snakeweed joins the likes of Evil-Seed, Poison Ivy, Saw-Boss and many more in the alum of Botanical Baddies. This character concept for a ‘Turtles Villain’ is far flung from the rest.

UK release of Metalhead issue.

Metalhead figures from the Nickelodeon TMNT line have been recently showing up in the UK.

However, it would seem this UK release has been altered.

The right hand gimmick on Metalhead which bears a hole for the missile accessory has been filled in. This has made the missile included with the figure a redundant accessory.

Posted are comparison photos, one of my own American released Metalhead (left) and the UK release (right) courtesy of Kingoji. You can also read Kingojis customer review on Amazon UK here. The review also explains why the hand in the UK Metalhead photo is broken.  

WEEKEND CAPTION FUN #18

The Kraang have made a discovery. Insert your Caption.

REVIEW: The Master & Tardis Computer Bank (Classic Dr Who)

From: Character
Retail: £19.99 GBP (Amazon UK)
Accessories: Laser Screwdriver, Crystal of Kronos, and Time Sensor 

The 3rd Doctor serial The Time Monster (1972) is a guilty pleasure of mine. Most Whovians I know dislike this story, but I find it enjoyably bad in a good way. From TARDIS rivalry to Atlantean Princesses to short-sighted Minotaurs and badly acted slow motion running – The Time Monster is a low-budgeted and cheerful 6-part barrel of fun. Most importantly, this is another story pitting The Doctor against his antagonistic arch-enemy - The Master! 

The Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who (1970-74) not only debuted the character of The Master, but also utilised his rivalry with The Doctor and featured many episodes as possible with them together. This set is based on one of their most memorable encounters.

Taste the Rainbow

Thundercracker in Action-Master form, modelling his 'trousers of doom'. Megatron does not seem that impressed...

Finally acquired this elusive toy of the 90's after a decade long hunt. Worth the wait in gold.... and other assorted colors...

Who wants an extra HISS Tank?

Listed on the Figured Out ebay site. Auction for a spare HISS Tank mkIV which may be of interest to GI Joe collectors.

The vehicle also comes bundled with artillery and a couple of figures to fight over it.

POWER RANGERS SAMURAI, Mystery Ranger.

From: Bandai
Retail: £7.99 GBP (Amazon UK)
Accessories: Samurai Spinsword 

Power Rangers Samurai - the American adaptation of Shinkenger and 19^th season of Power Rangers has made its presence known in toy aisles everywhere since the show launched in 2011. This colourful, sword-slicing incarnation of the Power Rangers has reawakened the brand after a year-long hiatus and looks to have been a success for Bandai.

Having a samurai group rounded up to 7 members just seems right. The latest member making up this ‘magnificent Samurai 7’ is presented in toy form with a gimmick. This characters toy packaging is shrouded over with the identity covered until opened. This stunt is something rarely executed on blistercard action figures and most notably witnessed in 1992 when Tiger Toys used a similar promotion to reveal the identity of Dr Claw within their Inspector Gadget line.

Battle Beasts, Rocky Rhino (1987)

Recently acquired another Battle Beast over the Easter break. Rocky Rhino (aka Greysharp in Japan) of the Wood tribe is a proud addition to the slowly growing collection.

Happy Easter 2013

 Have a good Easter... 

- The Figured Out Team

Resurrection Eggs

Easter time is here and chocolate eggs are flying off the supermarket shelves along with lots of other cash in merchandise. There’s even Easter Crackers now – and why not!? Easter is easily perceived by many as the sequel holiday season to Christmas. The commercialism seems to pick up every year.

Rather than cover the typical Easter material fanfare to do with bunnies and baby chicks, we thought that we’d cover something a little different – and educational.

Resurrection Eggs. These are sold in boxes of 12 plastic eggs inside a makeshift eggbox. The plastic eggs each contain a small object reflecting on different Bible chapters from Jesus’ story. The version showcased here is the original Family Life version. Other variants have spawned since the debut, but this seems to be the first draft.

WEEKEND CAPTION FUN #17

George Pig has shelved Mr Dinosaur for the new model... Insert your Caption.