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| KOTOBUKIYA NEWS: EMI KIZAKI AND DAIJIRO FROM LINEBARRELS OF IRON! 5/26/09 |
As one of the pilots of the awesome mecha Linebarrels, Emi Kazaki uses the robot as a force for the secret agency known as Juda. The lovely Emi reclines on the ground, her right arm supporting her as her left holds up her swimsuit top against her chest. The straps have come loose, and her arm is all that maintains her modesty as a small stuffed animal peeks up from between her busoms. Sculpted by Sho Kojima, Emi is 3 1/2-inches tall reclined, in 1:8-scale. The beauty comes packaged in an attractive window box, and is made of plastic.
| KOTOBUKIYA ANI-STATUE - OCTAVIA! 5/12/09 |
OCTAVIA
* TEARS TO TIARA ANI*STATUE
A KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import! Tears to Tiara: Kakan no Daichi (”Earth’s Wreath”) is a brand-new role-playing game for the PlayStation 3, based on 2005’s Tears to Tiara. From this modern classic (and upcoming anime series!) comes the second figure (after the heroine Riannon), the warrior OCTAVIA!
The fierce aristocrat is posed responding to danger, her twisting upper body flailing her long hair behind her. Octavia’s long legs are widespread for balance, and she reaches for her weapon with one hand on her scabbard. Her awesome sword can be placed in her right hand or in the scabbard. In her crouching stance Octavia is 7 1/2 inches tall (1/8th scale) and sculpted by Hirotoshi Nakamura.
Scale: 1/8
Height(inch): 7 1/2″
Height(cm): 19.5CM
Material: PVC ABS
License: TEARS TO TIARA
| STAR TREK MOVIE FIGURES AND PLAYSETS! 5/03/09 |
Galaxy scale which are 3 3/4" scale which fit well with vehicles and playsets. Warp series figures, 6" scale figures and the Command size figures: 12" figures geared mostly for collectors.
Galaxy figures:
Packaging:
The package is shaped much like a Starfleet insignia worn on the uniforms of the characters. The cards are universal, and only differ with the sticker on the front which explains who the character is and what accessories are enclosed. Each figure comes with an enclosed bonus piece that adds to the Enterprise bridge playset, but more on that later.
The card back shows all 10 of the first release figures, along with a diagram of the bridge and the placement of the additional bridge pieces fit.
Figures:
14 points of articulation: swivel head, ball jointed shoulders, elbows, knees and feet. Swivel hands, waist,and hips.
The worst of the joints would have to be the hips. They restrict the movement of the legs as to make only a couple of poses possible. The figures are well balanced and stand on their own with no problem at all.
Deatail: The sculpts are pretty good, I especially liked the Spock.
The face is instantly recognizable as the stoci Vulcan.
The uniforms are pretty straight forward and they look like what I've been able to see on the movie trailers.
Paint:
Slight paint slop on some of the heads of the figures was noted, although colors were good, some of the small details such as the wrist piping were a nice touch. There was a nice paint op on the utility belt where the communicator sits. It was nice to see that Playmates would go the extra mile to include a paint detail for the face of the communicator.
Accessories:
Figures come with phasers, utility belt (with holster) a Starfleet base (which can also be used as a shirt pin). Additional pieces for the bridge, some include a chair as well. The panels have stickers for the specific instruments and the chairs come in red and blue. Note: the Uhura figure and the Nero figures come with accessories that fit witht he transporter room.
Spock comes with an additional hand making the "Live long and Prosper" sign.
Overall:
As toys these will be fun for kids to re-enact scenes from the movie, and are not as expensive as some other figures on the market these days. I would have liked to have seen better articulation like we've seen on Star Wars figures for the past couple of years, but the figures are durable and will take kid abuse and be in demand after the movie opens.
Retail price approximately $6.99 each.
Overall rating: * * *1/2
Enterprize Bridge Playset:
This piece was the one I was waiting to see for the lognest time. The box contains a vinyl playmat, the helm unit with two chairs, and the captain's chair. A main screen with graphic and two standing panel units.
The playset includes a Kirk figure which is essentially the same as the Kirk single pack figure, without the additional bridge piece of course.
Assembly is straight forward and should be completed in several minutes, even without instructions.
The vinyl playmat comes folded and rolled, so I covered it between two towels and a heating pad set to LOW for a couple minutes which made it easier to handle and let it lay flat on the table.
Details:
I like the modular feature of this playset so that you can add as many or as few features as you wish. There are no other bells and whistles to this playset, and that leaves it open for a child's imagination to take off.
Overall:
Fun for kids, would have like to see a special version of Kirk and maybe another background for the Main Screen. Otherwise a solid toy buy and a neat place to display your collection of Star Trek figures.
Transporter Room:
I have to admit that I was a little less than excited about this playset, but it has become one of my favorites. Once more the vinyl playmat is set down and upon that sits the transporter. One of the transporter pads lights up, and the one to the far right has the transporter tube. Once you place a figure on a small base and set it onto the transporter, you drop the shell over the figure and snap it down.
You can either activate the tube with the button on the top collar or by using Scotty's control panel. The light goes on and reveals your figure with a sound effect added for good measure.
>The light dims and the figure "disappears" (This is a very cool effect). You can then take the shell off the transporter and your figure has gone. Then you can set your tube onto another surface ("world"), once more lighting the tube to show your figure re-appearing, and press two other buttons on the top collar. When you remove the shell, the figure is left standing there. You can reverse the proceedure on the transpter to return your crewman to the Enterprise.
This is a simple yet effective effect. Kids should have a blast with it!
Scotty figure is included. Uhura and Nero figures as stated before will contain additional parts for this playset.
Retail prices on the playsets is about $27.00, but when you figure in the price for a figure included, it's really only about 20 bucks.
Great value in my book.
I am hoping that this line could be expanded to include some vehicles like a shuttle, and possibly some additional villians, or other species of aliens.
Overall rating: * * * *
Star Trek opens in theaters May 8. 2009
You can find figures and playsets here:
A special thanks to Playmates Toys for reveiw samples.
| SYMBIOTE STUDIOS SAM AND MAX POLYRESIN STATUE REVIEW! 3/02/09 |
Each statue is made of high quality polystone not plastic. The base is hand numbered with the edition size and number of the piece.
This is a large, funny statue. Sam holding his oversized revolver with a mouse sticking his head out of the barrel, while Max trains his automatic at a shivering mouse holding a hot dog over his head.
The base is shaped like a police shield and the parts sit easily into the depressions on the surface. The base is a matte black color with white inscription on the underside where you can read the name of the statue as well as the edition size of 1000.
Assembly is very simple and the parts fit together easily, there are no instructions supplied, but by looking at the box art, there should be no problem putting Sam and Max together in a couple of minutes.
Some of the resin parts use metal posts to attach to other parts.Tha parts are easily disassembled, so if you really want to keep it from coming apart when moving it. I would put a dab of hot glue on the parts when assembling. Otherwise they stay together well, and the fit and finish are very nice.
The paint ops are nice and clean, although cartoonish, are very nicely done. Subtle airbrushing
helps this along, but their not historical characters, but gaming or comic characters. Sam is dressed in a gray suit and hat, and Max is his normal white bunny suit.
This is a nice big statue which is hard to believe given its 75.00 price tag. This statue deserves a place on your shelf A great statue from Symbiote Studios
Lead Designer: Joseph Reiter
Sculptor: Joe Simon
Lead Artist: Steve Purcell
Photo: Greg Easton
Edition Size: 1,000 worldwide
Product Size: 17.3*11.8*8.26 inches in package
| KOTOBUKIYA: ArtFX THEATER INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM STATUE! 2/25/09 |
A very cool statue that combines tons of memorable moments from the film into one
very easily assembled statue.
Great use of forced perspective gives added depth
to this iconic character and his friends as they are chased throughout the Temple of Doom!
In addition to Indiana Jones swinging on his whip, is Mola Ram holding a flaming heart in the air, and a small version of Short Round and Willie in the coal tender followed in the distance by two of Mola's guards.
Kili stands above them all casting another poor victim into the firey hell of lava.
The model assembles very quickly and holds up well even to being moved. The paint ops are better than average, and the many iconic scenes and action brings this movie back to life!
Details like the belt of "arms" that Kili has strapped across his waist, and the necklace of skulls around his neck pop out as you examine the statue up close. Indie is decked out in his movie accurate garb along wiht his shoulder bag and Mola Ram looks especially manical.
The statue is served up in a golden bowl that seems fitting for the larger than life treasure hunter, Dr. Jones.
If your a fan of the film, you'll love adding this fine collectible to your stash.
Available now.
| SYMBIOTE STUDIOS: JESSICA CHOBOT STATUE! Rating: * * * * 1/2 2/21/09 |
Jessica was first noticed by the video-game/techie scene as "the girl who licked the Sony PSP" back in 2005.
In 2006 she began working for IGN.com as their main video host and as a staff writer.
Her freelance work includes a regular contributor position on Maxim Sirius Radio's "The Stretch Show", and as game advisor on The Daily Habit for Fuel TV.
She was named the 88th most desirable woman of 2008 by AskMen magazine.
Current collaborations include an anime-style collectible figurine in development with Symbiote Studios, a representative of J!NX.com women's apparel line and a co-writer's credit alongside Tron director, Steven Lisberger, for "Soul Code."
Symbiote Studios is the little company that could. Last year's Dr. Tran and Stykman statues were a breath of fresh air to the collectible market, and now along with a Sam and Max statue (that I will soon be reviewing) comes the Autumn Beauty: Jessica Chobot "J!NX" polystone statue!
Decked out with a J!NX tee-shirt that hardly covers her fine belly and jeans that are a couple of sizes too small, Jessica clutches her game controller with a devilish grin filled with mischief.
This statue comes sculpted in one piece, standing 10" tall, is limited to 250 pieces worldwide. Quite a short run considering how popular Chobot is in the geek-o-verse.
Symbiote Studios packaging is an open window design, with an inner clear clamshell protecting the statue. This makes it easy for those that wish to display the statue in its box as you can easily see most of Ms. Chobot.
But you must open her up and show off all her fine attributes.
Paint apps are pretty standard for this piece. There is a bit of sheen to the J!NX decal but it's not that noticable.
The blue jeans have some nice airbrushed shadowing effects and fine paint gradation that give a believable faded look to the denim. Her "tramp stamp" tattoo is emblazoned on her backside
Game cartridges and cola cans litter the ground around her feet. Each piece is individually numbered under the base.
The sculpt is a simple anime style that cute and cartoonish, and the exaggerated proportions draw your eyes to Jessica's considerable assets.
Overall this is a very nice piece, sexy but not sleazy by any means. Symbiote Studios are making a name for themselves in small but very strong steps.
We will watch their progress with much enthussiasm.
Available at: Symbiote Studios Store
| ENTERBAY 1/6 REAL MASTERPIECE BRUCE LEE "FIST OF FURY" COLLECTIBLE FIGURE! 2/05/09 |
Fist of Fury is Bruce Lee's second film and is arguably his best in terms of fight sequences. Set Shanghai in 1908, the story begins with our main character, Chen (played of course by Bruce Lee), arriving at his martial arts school for the funeral of his beloved teacher. At the funeral a delegation from a Japanese Bushido school arrive and present the Chinese mourners with a large tablet inscribed to the "Sick Man of Asia". As the plot unfolds, Chen soon learns that the people from the Japanese school had, in fact, murdered his teacher.
This quickly turns Chen's grief into rage and before long he sets out as a one man fighting machine in search of revenge for his teacher.
Packaging:
The outer packaging for this figure is a dream. Pulling the white suitcase styled box from the shipping box one is greeted to a large black and white glossy picture of Bruce Lee in the inside flap on the box. A small poster with shots of the figure in different positions covers the wooden base and two smaller boxes resting at the bottom of the larger outer box.
The first box holds the figure dressed in his all white “sick” man costume seen at the beginning of the film, during the funeral sequence. The figure lies inside a sculpted foam insert and is surrounded by tissue.
The second box holds the accessories as well as the figure stand, certificate of authenticity and more. Have to give an A rating for this. Just by opening the box you can tell that this is a fine collectible.
Figure:
The figure is a fine expression of craftsmanship, detailed upper body that makes the figure look great with a shirt on or off, the movement of the joints is pretty fluid, but the feet have a ratcheted set up that lets the ankles pull to either side, but hold the pose. This makes wide stances possible, something that goes hand in hand with Bruce Lee. This was the first of many surprises. The hands were well fitted to the arms and were easy to pull off and push in, but were secure enough to hold poses. The hands varied from holding objects, such as nunchuks to fists for punching.
The face sculptures were just beautiful. Capturing the likeness of Bruce Lee to the nth degree! The three sets of hair were brilliantly sculpted also, from the boyish student to the frazzled warrior.
One of the greatest achievements on this figure was the directional eyes and magnetic head mounting. For years I have wished that there was an easier way to replace heads on figures, some just don’t want to come off and you fear that you’ll break them in the process, but not here! The head pulls easily from the body and can be replaced in an instant, and will hold position with no problem. I showed this to an associate and he commented that this figure should win best figure of 2008 for the magnetic mounts alone! The 360 system for the eyes also lends a dynamic facet to this fine sculpt. The hairpiece being magnetized makes changing the expression on Bruce Lee effortless.
Clothing
1/6 scale clothing is hard to do. The materials have to be of the proper weight to hang properly. The Fist of Fury figure comes with two exceptional outfits. First is the all white linen suit as seen at the funeral at the beginning of the film.
Seams were perfect, no extraneous wisps of thread hanging about, and they fit the body nicely, and did not appear bulky. I liked the addition of the socks and the white shoes.
The blue outfit gathered at the waist with two buttons and a waist tie, the ankles also wrapped and buttoned down.
The shirt has fine white details and hooked closures. A pair of white stockings and black slippers complete the look. I loved this costume in the movie and this one was replicated quite nicely here.
Accessories:
There’s a lot of stuff in here! Nunchuks made with soft plastic on either end and a small gauge metal chain between them, making them extremely easy to pose in the hands.
The “Sick Man” sign given to Chen’s school by the Japanese is a dead-on replica of the film prop.
The figure stand is very nice and easy to modify its height depending on the pose of the figure.
The wooden base replicates the wall paneling from the Japanese school where Chen (Bruce Lee) beats up the entire class of pupils and Suzuki, their teacher. It’s a fine backdrop to pose this wonderful figure against.
Overall:
Enterbay is new to me, but the quality and fine details of their figures ensure that this is a company that will be going places. Arnie Kim’s unparalleled sculpting has made this one of the best figures of 2008 as voted by Action Figure Times. The likeness is stunning and the execution of the wardrobe and accessories were top shelf.
We’re looking forward to whatever Enterbay releases next.
Visit Enterbay.com
| KOTOBUKIYA'S THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA PVC ANIME STATUE! RATING: * * * * * 1/27/09 |
A KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import! HARUHI SUZUMIYA is the title character in the Haruhi Suzumiya franchise, a light and fun story of a high school girl and her adventures with her club, the SOS Brigade.
While the young girl starts out as an awkward teenager, she soon discovers that she holds the ability to alter the very fabric of reality! From novels to manga, anime to video games, Haruhi Suzumiya is popular around the world with teenagers and young adults.
This is a beautiful statue sculpted by master artist Hide. Kneeling on her special cork base the statue of Haruhi clutches at her bathing suit coyly. Her cream-yellow tank top covers her, and is easily removeable. Revealing her little bikini beneath. The only assembly required is placing her bikini ties. This is a fine example of artistry and the delight of the female form.
The 1/7th scale Haruhi Ani*Statue (Anime Statue) is 6 inches tall in her kneeling pose, and is comprised of pvc and abs plastics.
Available now.
| HOT TOYS: JOKER - BANK ROBBER VERSION! 1/21/09 |
Last year the Dark Knight hit the theaters and I have to say I was floored! Dark and sinister, explosive and deeper than I imagined.
The shining star of course was Batman’s arch nemesis, the Joker. From the first few moments you knew this was not a kiddie superhero movie. This was gritty storytelling and actoring that was extremely satisfying.
Heath Ledger, in his final role before his tragic death was a marvel. Breathing so much life into his character, one could only stare at his image in wonderment.
During the opening sequence a group of masked villains rob a mob bank, each robber summarily shooting one another when their part of the job has been accomplished, leaving only the Joker to take all the spoils away in a stolen school bus.
Hot Toys had released a version of the Joker earlier in 2008, dressed in his purple outfit, but I was lucky enough to get the Bank Robber Joker. This figure did not disappoint!
Packaging:
The outer sleeve is adorned with clown white with a large image of the Joker bank robber mask and dollar bills with Washington’s eyes darkened and a large red Joker smile. The back shows a picture of MMS 079, the Joker Bank Robber version, and several pictures of product. The inner box is green and black and has a picture of a Joker with a line that reads: This Town Deserves a Better Class of Criminal! The back lists the names of the Hot Toys team, all of whom should take a bow. The flap opens to reveal a full color picture of the Joker figure with a small summary on the bottom of the flap. The window shows the product and all accessories.
Figure:
The Joker is dressed in his un-pressed gray suit, black belt and what appear like bowling shoes. He has a tailored print shirt and two sets of gloved hands. There are two heads supplied: one long hair and the other a slicked back- look for use with the clown mask.
The sculpts on the face are eerie. The eyes seem to gaze up and the glossiness of the finish gives the impression of moist human eyes, not just paint. The patchiness of the clown white is a nice touch as is the red lip paint, not too thick, but looking like Ledger’s hasty makeup job. The rubber mask is a dead-ringer for the one worn in the movie and comes with an elastic band for ease of application and removal.
The figure body has a full range of motion and is remarkably well balanced. Standing, kneeling, sitting, there is no problem posing the Joker. The gloved hands clasp the weapons, money and cards with equal ease and are extremely well detailed. Using the alternate hands can be useful in gripping the grenades as well.
Accessories:
The bank robbery required the Joker disguised in his rubber mask to pull grenades out of his blue case which is supplied with the figure. By removing the packing material and replacing with the die cut rubber foam insert inside you can arrange the grenades inside the case.
Velcro and zippers all work and the end flaps also come with working zippers.
Three smoke bombs and four grenades are part of the Joker’s arsenal.
There are two guns, a folding stock assault rifle and an nickel plated automatic with extra large magazine.
One of the coolest things is that both guns have spring-loaded actions and removable magazines with a painted bullet at the top.
Just another detail that sets this figure ahead of the crowd.
Taped onto the back of the plastic backer unit was the wad of dollar bills, printed on a single side and a deck of Joker cards.
Each card has a different joker picture printed on it. Another nice detail. (Note: there are pockets in the breast of the Joker’s jacket that can be used to hide or hold the bills and cards.)
Overall impressions:
I have to say that this has to be one of the best figures that I’ve reviewed from Hot Toys. I love the character, and the level of detail is once again second to none! The sculpt of the face was impeccable, and the accessories were movie accurate (save for the assault rifle.) If you are a Bat-fan like myself, you have to add this figure to your collection.
If you look long enough into that mad gaze you might just hear the Joker say:
“Why so serious?”
ADDITIONALLY:
This figure has be chosen as the Best 12" Male Action Figure for 2008 by the Editor and Columnists of Action Figure Times.
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| NEAT-OH.COM: ZIP BINS STORAGE/PLAY SETS REVIEW! Rating: * * * * * 12/14/08 |
As a parent I know how hard it is to keep children's toys in one place and neatly stored away. If you don't keep on top of it, it can become an overwhelming chore! But, there is hope in the clever and fun way to store your kid's loose playthings: Neat-Oh.com's Zip Bins.
Zip Bin Softie Racer:
This is a sports car shaped carrying case, made from pliable materials and colored red. All of the surfaces have been painted and the underside of the car is even detailed.
There are two straps so smaller kids can use it as a backpack.
When the car is unzipped it opens to reveal a roadway in full color for a fun play area.
With the addition of some small figures and/or animals you can have a very substantial play set that will engage children for hours. The Softie Racer even comes with two die-cast cars to start you off.
(A very nice touch.)
Dinosaur Mini Play set
This is a smaller sized container and play mat, great for traveling with your kids.
The zippered corners fold up from the flat play environment into a small box with a lid. Again, the artwork covers the entire box and the interior box lid shows mighty dinosaurs rearing up.
The kit comes with 3 dinos to start off your collection, but the island could be an ideal environment for marine and terrestrial action figures, boats, subs and cars.
Once more the play mat can hold many loose figures for storage or transport.
Softie Country Stable play set
This is another large storage and play mat environment with colorful artwork detailing corrals, riding ring, barns and even a pond.
The soft-sided mat zips up to become a wonderful horse barn with peaked roof and full illustrations all around. There is a bag of horses, riders, jumping fences and a dog. Other farm animals could be added to the play set to add to the fun.
Overall I love the idea and the execution of this simple toy/storage product. They keep your kid’s playthings neatly stored and stimulate your youngsters’ imaginative play, which are both great benefits from Neat-Oh.com products. The surfaces are all washable, and the toy conforms to all safety regulations, and since there are no sharp or hard points it's a very safe and fun product. Prices for the larger items are about twenty dollars, which for the added figures and the sheer coolness of the play sets are well worth paying.
The full range of products available can be found on ZipBin.com
| EXECUTIVE REPLICAS NEWS: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD CEMETERY ZOMBIE! Rating: * * * * * 10/31/08 |
The box is decorated with images of Bill Hinzman, the back gives a little background on the movie.
The inner flap has a picture of the zombie figure standing in front of a movie one-sheet from Night of the Living Dead with the tag line, "They won't stay dead!"
The face sculpts are perfect, my favorite being the black and white version with his teeth bared. All the better to attack Barbara and Johnny in the cemetery! Paint ops are not overdone and this makes the figure a delight.
He's not covered in blood or gore which makes him a little scarier.
The costume is well done and a good weight of cloth has been used. Even the tie looks good and sometimes that's one of the hardest things to get right if the cloth is too heavy it seems to bulk up at the neck.
The stand is simple and painted with the Night of the Living Dead logo.
I've been waiting a long time for this figure to arrive and now on Halloween, it just seems right to look at these cool shots of the cemetery zombie.
If you want to see our buddy Bill Hinzman in action just check out the video below.
The full length version of "Night of the Living Dead" in full black and white.
Figure is available at Amok Time Toys
| HOT TOYS: 1/6 SCALE ALIEN NOSTROMO CREWMEMBERS DALLAS AND KANE! RATING: * * * * * 10/20/08 |
Ridley Scott’s Alien, based on a story from Dan O’Bannon (Dark Star) was a gothic style haunted house movie set in deep space. The sets were dark and sinister, the production design unpolished, industrial, and then there was the creature and it’s bio-mechanical design based on H.R. Gieger’s artwork.
The deep space mining crew of the Nostromo is awakened from their hibernation on the way back to Earth to investigate a distress beacon. Three of the crew: Captain Dallas, Executive Officer Kane and Navigator Lambert don their pressure suits and head out to the source of the signal and discover a derelict spacecraft.
After inspecting the ship and discovering a dead crewmember of the alien ship, Kane ventures into a hold deep inside the ship where he discovers the alien egg sacs and is beset by one of the face-huggers. Later in one of the most graphic and gut wrenching scenes of all time, Kane gives birth to the alien as it tears out of his chest.
Hot Toys has issued two 1/6 scale figures from it’s Movie Masterpiece series: Nostromo Crewmembers Capt. Dallas and Exec. Officer Kane dressed out in their pressure suits from the movie.
Packaging:
The boxes were awesome to start with. Dallas shown wearing his helmet, and Kane’s face covered by a facehugger and the faceplate burned away. Slipping the outer sleeves off revealed the characters without their helmets on, Kane’s head still covered by the facehugger.
The outer flap is Velcro, when opened the window box reveals the figures and the many accessories.
Assembly:
The assembly process is pretty straight forward: Attach gloved hands and boot covered feet. Put the helmet onto the character, turning the helmet sideways until it’s over the head of the figure will spare the sculpt from any undue wear.
Pull the plastic battery shields out and test out the lighted helmet, with glowing lights inside the helmet to add to the realism. The backpacks also have a light feature. Attach the radio wire from the helmet to the backpack and the air-hose as well.
The figure’s stands are alien landscape with room for a closed egg for Dallas and an open one for Kane.
The stand rod holds the figure in sort of a crotch grab way, but it doesn’t show much so it does it’s job well.
Costume:
The pressure suits ar PVC, kind of rubbery feeling, but allow the figure to move and hold poses. The straps and buckles are practical and are amazingly small.
There are many accessories included with each figure.
Both sport pistols and flashlights, while Dallas comes with a tripod unit used to lower Kane to his doom, alas, the tripod is molded and doesn’t actually work.
Face sculpts:
Dallas is dead on.
I used to work on Picket Fences so I know what Tom Skerritt looks like, and this sculpt is eerie! Kane on the other hand is a victim to John Hurt not giving likeness approval or some such mess and the figure comes with a mustache.
The disappointment from this was slight as I liked the head with the facehugger on it.
Impressions:
The amount of care and attention to detail on even the most minute detail is astounding. Hot Toys really shows their strengths here.
The lighted helmets are very bright, and I really liked the normal faceplate and facehugger damaged faceplate.
I’ve been waiting for a long time for these figures to be made, and I must say that I was not disappointed.
If you are a fan of Alien, horror or science fiction in general you have to get your claws on these figures. Collector’s will be amazed at the fine work put into these two figures… Now, let’s see if we can get a Lambert figure done!
I love the fact that Hot Toys took up this project and came out with such great figures.
| WILDE IMAGINATION: EVANGELINE GHASTLY (GOTHIC VIGIL) REVIEW! Rating: * * * * * 7/03/08 |
The figure:
The doll is 18 inches tall dressed in a gothic bolero jacket with long chiffon draped sleeves, sequined bodice and chiffon skirt, lace stockings, and black boots.
Her blue eyes can be changed out for differnt looks, her hair is long, shiny black with white stripes through it.
The articulation is stable and strong, yet easy to manipulate into most any pose. With costume restrictions, of course.
One addition I wish had been added is a doll stand just to add to the stability of the figure when it is displayed.
The paint ops are fairly straight forward, pale white skin, crimson lips, red fingernails, her striking blue eyes with real eye lashes that force you stare into her eyes.
Packaging:
The packageing is fairly simple on the exterior, with the doll name on the box cover, but one item of special note is that the doll is not only tied into the box with ribbon, which ensures that there are no defects to the doll, but that the doll rests on and is covered by foam filled cloth cushions, kudos to the designer for that thoughtful inclusion.
Created by designer Joe Petrollese and sculpted by the renowned fashion doll artist and designer, Robert Tonner, Evangeline is a remarkable piece. The Gothic Vigil version was introduced at Wizard World Philadelphia is limited to 100 pieces.
Visit Evangeline Ghastly Gothic Vigil
Or for other Evangeline Ghastly products Evangeline Ghastly
| DST Series 2 TWOK. *** Gothneo 6/20/08 |
Basically I like the wave.
Uhura and Savik use the same body, and my Uhura had one leg slightly longer than the other which is irritating. The accessories are plentiful, but the communicators seem to be made of a softer plastic than the wave 1 or Exclusive wave. Spock is the best of the Wave IMO, followed by Uhura and then Savik. Savik's lip paint apps are too much, her eyes make her look spaced out and the sculpt is just soft and I don't think it captures Kristy Alley well.
But the rest of the paint apps seem clean and overall it's a welcomed wave to round out the TWOK crew!
Three stars out of five overall. A solid offering, but I gave it a hit due to the basic body re-use on the gals and the paint apps and sculpt on Savik.
| MATTEL HOT WHEELS SPEED RACER SKY JUMP PLAYSET. Rating: * * * * * 5/05/08 |
I have to admit it's been about four decades since I've tried to assemble a Hot Wheel track, but this one came together quite nicely. The full color instructions were detailed enough to help even a oldster like myself get racing in about 20 minutes.
The track pieces were of good quality and marked for ease of contruction. What appears from a mountain of parts is a four intersection base/motor with loops and high velocity banked turns (one which sports a gap to hurdle over). On the other end is the jump. It's straight up, the cars shoots up and falls into a funnel, at terminus is rotating tunnel. The car enters the tunnel and it rulls around until it's wheels allow it to be deposited back onto the base/motor where it gets shot down the track once more.
Adding a second car increases the chance of a collision, which as we all know adds to the fun of the playset! The included exclusive Mach 6 was a nice treat, but you'll want to pick up some other cars for some crash effects!
No tools required. Takes fout D size batteries.
It's a heck of a ride!
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