ToyBiz 10in. Human Torch & Thing

It's been some years since I posted any ToyBiz figures here, my favorites being the 10in. Deluxe Marvel Universe line from the 90's, so I pulled out this Human Torch and Thing from my collection to get a closer look at. This particular Human Torch was the translucent release from 2000, and The Thing a 1998 "Civilian Heroes" release with trenchcoat and hat.

I started collecting these "big dumb" action figures almost as soon as I started this blog in 2010 and never lost my love for their bright colors and fantastic packaging. What they lack in articulation, they make up for in toyetic charm!

Below, Thing with another "big boy" in the line, Beast, from the X-Men,,,

Captain Marvel, another favorite from the line, with Human Torch....

Below, Human Torch and The Thing with my ToyBiz Galactus and a 5" Silver Surfer....

I've had this magnificent ToyBiz 14in. Galactus in my collection for over a decade, which has lights and sound, but only recently picked up the 5" Silver Surfer. I had a 10" ToyBiz Silver Surfer in my collection before, but this smaller version fits better with the Galactus,..

More Later- Make It FUN!

Marvel Legends Fantastic Four

I assembled this Walgreens Exclusive Marvel Legends Fantastic Four team at the end of September, but postponed photographing them until I completed the Sci-Fi Laboratory diorama featured in my last post. The diorama was in fact inspired by finally collecting them all over the course of their months long, one-by-one release. A number of Walgreens within my immediate vicinity limited this to a mere task of patience as opposed to grossly overpaying on the secondary market, even purchasing Human Torch and Invisible Woman at a significant discount on sale last spring. Check out the video:

While collectors have expressed their nitpicks particular to this wave of figures, but it's hard to deny Hasbro's overall improvement over the figures ToyBiz produced in the 2000s. Like the 3.75" scale Fantastic Four sets I had from a few years ago, Hasbro included H.E.R.B.I.E. in this 6" update of the Fantastic Four, a nod to the '70s cartoon that quicly became Marvel canon. And to get a big figure like Thing with alternate hands and head sculpt at the price of a regular figure was an outstanding value. Great set I'm glad to have finally collected!

More Later- Make It FUN!

TRU 15 Transforming Thing/Herald Silver Surfer

I passed on this one a few times, but with the release of Series 48, that included three other members of the Fantastic Four and Blastaar, a plan started to formulate in my head. Clinching the deal was the Silver Surfer, whose betrayal of Galactus in Marvel Essential Fantastic Four, Vol. 3 TPB thrilled me just three years ago. I soon after dug deeper into this character, picking up Marvel Essential Silver Surfer, Vol.1.  These are the books to read if you want to see the genesis of Galactus, the FF, and Silver Surfer coming together. Great stuff! This 2-pack is another with a double tray due to the deluxe accessories included. This should be real fun!   :D

While the Surfer is relatively vanilla, the translucent magenta accessories help out quite a bit. The board pegs onto a clear plastic flight stand Diamond included. His buff physique is tamped onto the torso, front and back, and his clenched teeth and furrowed brow look great.

Surfer's board-blast accessory is really supposed to fit onto the tail (below), though I had fun putting the blast below his flight stand for photographing. It's a nice touch that Diamond thoughtfully added Kirby-dots to for that Silver-Age feel I really enjoy!

Herald Silver Surfer with his master, Cosmic Power Galactus...

I'm glad I got into MiniMates after the larger characters started getting the sculpted overlays to beef them up, a most especially important upgrade to the ever-lovin', blue-eyed Thing! The boots on these larger MiniMates are prone to slippage, but they sure look cool. Diamond sculpted Thing's craggy orange hide really well, tamping a serious face on the figure that only his Aunt Petunia could love! He looks great...

Thing with my TRU 16 Indestructible Hulk...

What makes this Thing MiniMate special is the ability to strip off the rocks, and pop on the extra head, feet, & hands to make Ben Grimm. The Thing has reverted to his human form from time to time, adding dramatic effect to this tortured character, and it was revealed later that Franklin & Valeria developed a potion that allowed him one week a year to be his old self again. I love the details on Ben's orange flight suit- transforming him is a job, but worth the effort.

With the Nova Flame Human Torch to keep Ben company, I now have half the team. As Sue and Reed do, Johnny and Ben create a lot of human drama that made the Fantastic Four special in it's time. Trapped in their cosmic ray conditions, the gruff Ben bristles at Johhny's immature showboating and trouble making, but cares deeply for the youth nonetheless. In my opinion, this relationship is a foundational cornerstone of the book that made Marvel the giant it is today.

More Later- Make It FUN!

Hey, Mr. Postman!

More TOYS came in the mail today- WooHoo!! Now what could be better than that, Friends? More superheroes as you might expect...

10" Ben Grimm/The Thing from the Marvel Universe/Civilian Heroes series by ToyBiz (1998)- comes with a trenchcoat and hat! This fella is BIG and HEAVY... feels high-quality to me. He was $17.95 (shipping included in price). His KB Toys price tag said $11.99, marked down to $5.99!

9" Signature Series Marvel Legends Cyclops by Hasbro (2006)- very "Mego-esque" with his cloth X-Men outfit and yellow plastic belt. Cool! I liked this outfit better than the Famous Covers Series Cyclops, which is still a good version I might have to score someday. Got this toy for $11.58 (price included shipping)- not bad!

Well the day is now complete, save a couple of chapters from Marvel Essentials Hulk before bedtime... I hope your dreams are sweet and filled with wonderful TOYS! G'Nite!