Imaginext Series 1 Blind Bag Figures

I don't often venture outside my focus on superhero action figure theme of the Super-DuperToyBox, but dozens of other figures among the Imaginext lines look as though they could be a character from a comic book. I've collected a small but respectable grouping of the DC Imaginext line in the last three years, but these three dollar blind bags of various character assortment piqued my interest, and were inexpensive enough to feel justified in purchasing. While I appreciate the novelty of chance, I'm not ashamed to say I employed an internet search for the codes of the figures I sought, stamped on their packaging. 

The robot (#23) is was of interest, and could fit easily within a group of DC heroes or villains. These blind bag figures come with some great accessories, the robot packed with a tool wheel/pack and giant gun. Several of my DC Imaginext don't swivel at the neck, a point of articulation I'm glad to say all these figures have. The robot comes with all other standard Imaginext articulation, including hinge-swivel shoulders, swivel wrists, and swivel hips that enjoy a wider range of motion do to his mecha sculpt in that area. He pairs nicely with my Imaginext Cyborg!

Another likely character from this first series of blind bags that fit well among my DC Imaginext was the Alien (#16), who's a cross of several comic book characters, including Brainiac and Martian Manhunter. Aliens are a big part of comics, all the way back to Flash Gordon up to the freshly reinvigorated Guardians of The Galaxy franchise Marvel Studios is currently fronting.

The alien's sceptre would not have been my weapon of choice, but it's serviceable, the reward in the figure itself, with what may be as much Merman in design with it's finned forearms and calves. He'd be as much at home paired with Aquaman as any spaceman. The cape is removable it you prefer, but it adds a lot to this figures color scheme. This is a versatile Imaginext figure with a great sculpt and unique, clear plastic cranium that adds novelty.

I knew I'd eventually have to hunt down one of these Luchador figures after seeing him on Toyriffic, whose author BubbaShelby is obsessed with these, and one of a handful employed with keeping me abreast  of all Imaginext related news. The mask, winged boots, and cape make Luchador perhaps the best fit among my DC Imaginext. I don't really need to explain why I deem this figure great on many levels, but I also associate the comedy of that hilarious Jack Black movie, whose luchador-monk character wore similar colors. Luchador comes with a training dummy, the limbs of which he can easily get a grip on...

Luchador with my Imaginext Red Tornado...

I'm really happy with my finds among the Series 1, which also includes a Mummy, British Royal Guard, and axe-wielding Lumberjack, among others. I'm on the lookout for a few of the Series 2 blind bags after seeing Squirrel Stampede's review on YouTube, the Yeti, Steam Punk, Glider Man, and Frankenstein's Monster of interest to myself for obvious reasons. For three bucks a pop, these are hard to resist!

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Hey, Mr. Postman!

What could be more fun than toys in the mail? Not much, Friends, not much. I received a package from the lovely & talented Miss M- fellow toy blogger, voice actress/podcast personality, and fan fiction writer! Miss M apparently has a solid understanding of what I like, and sent some fun stuff! Correct, advise, or otherwise extrapolate on my rundown of what was in this box...

Hasbro Marvel Legends Ultimate Iron Man:

A 6" Iron Man I didn't have, with spiffy vac-metal red chest harness and removable helmet- also my only with the latter design feature. Rad! I haven't read Ultimate Iron Man, but I do like variant treatments of popular characters.

Toybiz Marvel Legends Cyclops and 5" ToyBiz Cyclops, Sabretooth, & Wolverine:

I am a big fan of the X-Men as well as ToyBiz action figures! Sabretooth's mouth opens & hands swing out when his legs are squeezed together, and Wolverine has retractable claws- these are the perfect play features for the characters!

ToyBiz Marvel Legends First Appearance Spider-Man:

I'm a HUGE Spider-Man fan since childhood, and love this Steve Ditko inspired version of Ol' Webhead. The old ToyBiz Legends figures had great articulation, this one with individually articulated fingers. This is what a great Spider-Man action figure looks like, People....

 ToyBiz 5" Marvel Super Heroes Punisher, 4" Mattel DC Infinite Crisis Boomerang, and 4" Justice League Unlimited Hawkgirl: 
I was fascinated by the Punisher since youth, and like this original comic version, white go-go boots and all! Miss M packed a couple DC characters in the box, the Infinite Crisis I had none of and  Boomerang the first I've ever inspected in person- he has some great detail for such a tiny figure. I love JLU figures, and am particularly fond of Hawkgirl in general. I'd probably fall head over heels for the girl if I joined the Justice League... Heroic Hottie!

And last but not least, this very detailed ToyBiz base from the Wave V Legends Colossus.  I'm pretty sure it's sculpted to emulate Sentinel wreckage, which should come in handy! Uncanny detail... ! 

Thanks for all the fun toys, Miss M! They look pretty happy here in the Super-DuperToyBox, don't they... ?  :)

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IDW Hundred Penny Press G.I. Joe #1

While I don't collect G.I. Joe currently, I did have several of the original 3 3/4" action figures back in the '80s, which probably the best in that scale during an era of such variety. I stumbled onto a few of these Hundred Penny Press issues recently, and my nostalgia for the characters easily coughed up a buck for this reprinting of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1, published by Marvel in 1982, a title dreamt up between the comic giant and toy manufacturer Hasbro upon their relaunch of the property in the 3 3/4" scale. I don't believe I read any of the title, which ran until 1994- the year I got my college degree. The investment was small, so I took a chance and was surprisingly entertained. Artist Herb Trimpe's style looks far different from his 70's work on The Incredible Hulk, professionally serviceable, but not as expressive somehow. I wish these were printed on the old paper stock with Ben-Day dots, which visually smoothed the art out in a way these reprints don't recreate.

The first story is pretty good, immediately introducing us to the brunette baddie, Baroness, who didn't get an action figure until 1984. She comes out swinging, swiftly abducting a hostage for Cobra Commander- the action is pretty steady! Author Larry Hama served a tour in Vietnam as a firearms and explosives expert, so Marvel had the right guy for the job.

General Austin has the Special Couter-Terrorist Group Delta dossiers assembled, Colonel Hawk to honcho the field mission to rescue Dr. Burkhadt from Cobra Command. Among the team are all your familiar favorites like Stalker, Clutch, Snake-Eyes, Rock'n Roll, and Scarlett. I love that Clutch's jeep look just like the Hasbro "VAMP" in this book, as does Rock'n Roll's "RAM" motorcycle, with it's gattling cannon sidecar! This trip down memory lane was pure fun- I'd definitely pick up another Hundred Penny Press issue, and hope IDW Publishing will continue the imprint.

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Imaginext Brainiac, Martian Manhunter & Plastic Man

I'd been on  the lookout for the Imaginext Martian Manhunter & Plastic Man 2-pack, when I unexpectedly found this cute little Brainiac with tentacles- I'm unsure if he's new with so much older stock reappearing in the last month, but he's new to me. The tentacles are pliable, a wire inside holding the position they are bent into- Fun! The pack from which they extend is removeable, and fits snugly over his shoulders & around the waist, a mechanical spinal column extending to the back of the head.

While the color scheme varies, somewhat in reverse, Imaginext Brainiac is very similar in design to the Mattel JLU Brainiac in several ways- the conical, collared head, studded belt & armbands, and striped boots...

I now have a trio of Superman's enemies, including Lex Luthor & Darkseid- I'm sure the Man of Steel will be fine...     :)

While on the subject of orphaned aliens, I was surprised & delighted to see an Imaginext Martian Manhunter this year, a favorite character of mine! Decked out in his New 52 gear, this 3" J'onn J'onzz has a torso piece that can be removed, revealing an alien torso, the sculpt in keeping with his bumpy/spiny forearms. I have a lot of Imaginext figures that seem like there's a joint at the neck, but the head doesn't move. J'onn shares this trait unfortunately, but this uncommon choice of hero is a delight to see. For a character so seemingly unknown to the general public, Martian Manhunter has had a surprisingly large number of action figures made in his likeness over the years.

Imaginext Martian Manhunter with my other New 52 styled Martian Manhunter by DC Collectibles, two wildly variant types of action figure...

Imaginext Martian Manhunter with Mattel DC Action League Martian Manhunter, another mini-action figure line I've collected- both simple, but dynamic and fun like a toy should be...

BubbaShelby informed me the Imaginext Plastic Man was a rubber figure, which makes sense and adds a unique novelty to this line of mini-figures, my only suggestion that he'd been more fun with wire in the limbs to hold bending poses.

Imaginext Plastic Man with Brave & The Bold Trap Hand Plastic Man and Happy Meal Plastic Man...

I'm a big fan of these cute mini-figures, and have a hard time resisting some of the other themes among the Imaginext line, that all have their own, extensive vehicles & playsets. I've passed on the new Justice League  Blue Beetle buggy set two or three times, but am unsure if I can again- too cool! Martian Manhunter & Plastic Man fit in nicely with this second bunch of DC Imaginext I've collected, don't you think? 

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10" JLU Green Arrow

These 10" JLU figures can be hard to come by at a decent price- retailing for around ten or eleven dollars a decade ago, they can run upwards to thirty, forty, even fifty dollars or more on the secondary market today. I love the the 4" Justice League Unlimited figures, styled after the popular animated TV show, so having an oversized rendition of the Green Arrow is of interest to me. I've eyeballed a few on eBay over the last couple years, but recently found this loose specimen in very good condition, shipped for about twenty bucks.

The 10" JLU Green Arrow is much like his 4" counterpart, with the addition of a bowstring. The leg articulation doesn't kick out at the hip, but swivels side to side at the shorts, and a waist swivel was added- this preserves the integrity of the sculpt. The JLU styling worked especially well on this character, proven in plastic with this display figure. I have a 10" JLU Martian Manhunter still boxed as well that I covet, another character I enjoy collecting.

I have quite a collection of Green Arrow figures, including two unopened DC Direct, and two unopened DCUCs. Below are a few currently on display at the Super-DuperToyBox...

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