Super Powers Batman & Nightwing

I've so far avoided buying every one of these McFarlane Toys Super Powers figures, but had to pick up the all-black Batman and Nightwing figures back in December. They don't have the action features the Kenner figures had back in the '80s, but I love their retro styling.

Below, Super Powers Batman with my 1990 Kenner Shadow Wing Batman, which has a great action feature and a better sculpt than the McFarlane Batman, modeled after actor Michael Keaton's cinematic Batman...

I was particularly won over by this Nightwing in one of his earlier "Knightfall" outfit...

There aren't a lot of posing options with these figures due to their very basic articulation, but I really enjoy their simple, retro charm. I didn't have any Super Powers figures as a kid, as I'd just moved into my early teen years when Kenner introduced the original line, but I can certainly appreciate them.

Super Powers Batman and Nightwing join my ever evolving collection of assorted toys on the Batman shelf of my detolf display cabinet...

Follow the Super-DuperToyBox on Instagram!

More Later- Make It FUN!

MEGO 50th ANNIVERSARY WORLD'S GREATEST SUPER-HEROES

 Before finding Superman, Batman, and Robin at Walmart on Black Friday, I had preordered the new Mego 50th Anniversary Shazam, Aquaman, and Flash from ZLC Collectibles, along with the forthcoming Green Arrow figure. I'm also still waiting on the Green Lantern and some other new Mego figures from Absolutely Retro. While Flash wasn't in the original Mego WGSH lineup, they did a fantastic job styling him as they would other characters cack in the '70s- I know because I was there! Check out the video:

There are group pictures with other toys in my collection in the video, some from Mego's newer 14" and 8" DC figure lines, Mattel 6" DC Universe Classics and 8" DC Retro-Action figures, 4" Spinmaster figures, and more. Below, Mego Batman with my 8" Mattel Retro-Action Batman and 10.5" Medicom Sofubi vinyl Batman, all with removable cowl. My childhood Mego was the later, 2nd version without the removable cowl, but otherwise indistinguishable from this 50th Anniversary version. Because of this, the blue/gray version with yellow oval chest insignia is kinda my jam- love all-black Keaton Batman too, but this was my first impression. 

I'm glad I picked up all of these and look forward to getting Green Arrow and Green Lantern, the latter of which was never produced in the original '70s WGSH lineup, like the Flash. Mego recreated the "magic" however on both these new additions. I had hoped Superman, Batman and Robin would have printed insignia like Shazam and Flash, but they went with the sticker like back in the day. I was never a fan of the oven mitt gloves either, but they are authentic. Regardless, I love that Mego released these- their return in 2018 was unbelievable, and I've bought more this year than any other since. It turned out to be a Merry Mego Christmas with even more to come!

Follow the Super-DuperToyBox on Instagram!

More Later- Make It FUN!

A Decade at the Super-DuperToyBox

It's hard for me to believe ten years went by so fast, but a decade ago today was my first post on the Super-DuperToyBox. In the summer of 2010 I was selling old toys on E-Bay, and soon found a listing for the 15" Kenner Darth Vader I had as a child. I bought him with the money I earned selling some of my wares, soon finding other toys that brought back childhood memories. Mattel's 8" D.C. Retro Action figures caught my eye quickly,  tapping my nostalgia for the old Mego World's Greatest Heroes line from the 70's. Shortly thereafter I discovered the 90's line of  Marvel Famous Covers 9" figures by ToyBiz that featured cloth outfits much like the old Megos. Before I knew it, I had bought more action figures and a glass curio case to hold them all. I became consumed!

Above: Table full of action figures I had collected in just the first couple months of toy blogging. (December 2010)

Along the way I befriended many a toy blogger I know to this day, and while many have abandoned this platform in favor of Instagram and YouTube, I keep the light on here. I like the long form personally, and after nearly 1,000 posts and well over 1.6 million page views, it's become a thing I'm somewhat proud of, visited by people worldwide every day. Cheers!

Follow the Super-DuperToyBox on Instagram!

More To Come- Make It FUN!

Hot Toys Artist Mix Avengers AOU Ultron Sentry- Series 1

Following up on my post the Hot Toys Artist Mix Avengers AOU Deluxe Set- Series 2, both variants of the Series 1 Ultron Sentry I picked up around the same time at the end of this summer passed.  I said about these before that while their bobble heads gave me mixed feelings initially, Japanese vinyl artist Touma's wonderful designs eventually won me over. Check out the video:

There is an Ultron Prime available among the Hot Toys Age of Ultron Artist Mix Series, but I preferred the Sentry head sculpt, designed more in keeping with Ultron's classic look. The blue "Version A" figure has a little red in his paint apps, "Version B" decorated as precisely only in red. These are a bit more expensive that your typical Funko POP! vinyl, which I also love, but the craftsmanship is exceptional. Shop for your best deal always, as I paid less after prices came down on these- not the case for every figure in the series I've found.

Below, Hot Toys Artist Mix Series 1 Ultron Sentry with my Series 2 Vision.

See more comparison shots in the video above!

While I'm mad for these Touma figures, I'm not sure I'll buy any more- you can see in the picture below, my Age of Ultron corner shrine below seems complete! I'm a big fan of the heroes lineup I have, though I've seen a pretty cool Falcon and Ant-Man .... a Red Hulk would put me over the edge, but these are movie-based, so I'm probably safe! Beautiful figures!

More Later- Make It FUN!

Super-DuperToyBox eBay Clearance Sale!

Upon moving recently, I came to the conclusion that thinning the collection a little would make sense, so I began selling off some items that have been in my collection for some years. I plan to really dig in and unload some Marvel Legends, Marvel Select, Marvel Universe, DC Universe Classics, DC Action League, and DC Collectibles as time permits. For now, step on over to the Super-DuperToyBox eBay store to see what I've been working on recently- I'll likely post updates here on the blog from time to time as I upload new items for sale from my own personal collection. Sorry, Continental U.S. sales only. I don't plan on quitting the blog anytime soon, and just recently bought a bunch of cool new toys- I just wanted to downsize what I have, and make room for some new things that interest me. More to come!

6" Amazing Spider-Man Movie Series Peter Parker Spidey & Ultimate Comics Spidey (2011): 

6" Iron Man Concept Series Figures (2008):

3.75" Armored Avenger Series  Inferno Armor & Sonic Storm Iron Man (2010):

Marvel Universe 3.75" Greatest Battles Deadpool and Taskmaster 2-pack (2010):

More Later- Make It FUN!

Hasbro Marvel Avengers 6" Hulk

The Hulk was a childhood favorite, and enjoys his own sub-collection within my collection at large. I've spoken here before about my love for The Incredible Hulk TV show airing on CBS Friday nights as a kid, and being just the right age to appreciate this character. These new Marvel Avengers figures have only seven points of articulation, but the retro styling and vibrant colors of this Hulk in particular remind me of the toys of my childhood! Check out the video:

Below, the Marvel Avengers 6" Hulk with my Hulk glass tumbler, also featuring a Bronze-Age rendition of the Green Goliath reminiscent of my era of the Marvel character. The '70s was a special time for the Hulk, who along with Spider-Man, rocketed to the top of popularity among the kids of my generation...

Below, the Marvel Avengers 6" Hulk with my 4.5" Marvel Universe Hulk, 12" Titan Hero Series Hulk, 9" ToyBiz Famous Covers Hulk, and 2.5" Playskool Heroes Hulk...

More Later- Make It FUN!

Sideshow One Sixth Batman Comparison Photos

There was so much to talk about with the outstanding Sideshow One Sixth Batman I picked up recently that I wanted to do another post of comparison pictures with other 1:6 scale Batman figures in my collection...

Sideshow Batman probably has most in common with my DC Direct Deluxe Batman, in his modern/classic styling and short cowl ears. Categorizing  this DC Direct as 1:6 scale is a bit of a stretch as he's really 13", While the DC Direct version seemed a little clumsy after working with the Sideshow, it didn't diminish my appreciation for the former, which I got at at a great price back in 2011...

My first serious 1:6 figure, the DC Direct Batman Beyond, has more in common proportionally to Sideshow Batman. I like the slender body and articulation on this DC Direct- the head sculpt is truly bizarre, and looks very little like the clenched teeth visage we know as Terry McGinnis from the animated shows & comics, but he's plenty of fun and has a lot of visual appeal...

Just for fun since I've been on a Batman kick lately, a shot of Sideshow Batman with my 10" Kai Play Arts Arkham City Batman, who also came with a grapple gun/cable accessory- a feature I appreciate. While the Play Arts Batman had it's issues, it's extreme detail and hyper stylization are impressive...

More Later- Make It FUN!

DC Direct Super Squad Figures

Released in the spring of 2008, the Super Squad Figures are the fourth wave of DC Directs "Reactivated" Series, which seemed to be themed A-List characters, these obviously inspired by the 1940's All-Star Comics title, featuring the adventures of the Justice Society of America. While Wonder Woman's First Appearance was in the 8th issue back in '42, and Superman & Batman were associated with the team, Hawkman is the only original team member among these- perhaps my favorite of these four. I'm all for the helmeted Thangarian warrior,  but I love Hawkman's Justice Society Earth Two costume!

I'm attracted to retro-looking action figures, particularly those produced by DC Direct, who does a great job emulating the art from different comics series. After posting about my First Appearance Series figures, I thought of these. Like Marvel Select is to Marvel Legends, DC Direct is to DC Universe Classics- DC Direct and Marvel Select often lack the articulation that Legends and DCUC enjoy, but usually trump the latter in the sculpt and paint department. The Super Squad figures are simple in their deco, but so cleanly executed in their Golden-Age styling. I ordered these about three years ago for about $5.50 each- pretty good. While I'm generally all for opening action figures, I've been enjoying these MOC figures for awhile now, as I will likely continue to.

More Later- Make It FUN!

DC Direct First Appearance Figures

It occurred to me after posting about my DC Direct First Appearance Series Batman that I may or may not have shown the rest of my collection of this series, so here's a look at them all packaged. While DC Collectibles is making some of the most articulated and best sculpted figures ever today, I'm drawn to the simple charm of some of their earlier figures, and still hunt for them.

Characters chosen for the fourth wave in 2007 strayed from the portrayal of their original designs, the core theme of the First Appearance series, instead taking their looks from the recent, Brave New World story. Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes), Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter are from this fourth wave, who also included Atom (Ryan Choi) and Warlord. 

The capes on the earlier waves of the First Appearance Series are a really luxurious, double-layered satin material, like Superman, Robin, and Green Lantern wear. While Martian Manhunter has a plastic cape, I like the black body suit he wore around this time period and loved The Others Among Us book from that year.

More Later- Make It FUN!

Hasbro & ToyBiz Deluxe Marvel Figures

Occasionally I get so wrapped up in what the hot new action figures are, that I neglect to share some some of the great stuff in my collection here at the Super-DuperToyBox. I have twenty five or so of these 10" Deluxe Marvel Universe figures ToyBiz produced at the end of the 90's, several still factory sealed with the price tag intact. ToyBiz produced the Marvel Legends line prior to Hasbro, who got the license after Marvel absorbed ToyBiz to pull out of bankruptcy in 1998. These are big, dumb action figures with limited articulation, and though I wasn't paying much attention to action figures during that decade, I am inextricably drawn to them. The large, four color window boxes are splashy and fun, too! I keep several of these out on display, both in and out of package, and was reminded of them when buying some of the new Titan Hero series figures by Hasbro- similarly oversized figures with limited articulation and paint application. The Black Panther (1999) and civilian dress Ben Grimm (1998) are a couple favorites I found online when I started this blog 3 yrs ago...

And lest we not forget Ben's Fantastic Four team mate, the Human Torch with his fireball accessory (2000)! Actually, the "Marvels" series stamp below the window may or may not differentiate him as the original Golden Age Human Torch...

At one time I had a 9" ToyBiz Storm dolly in this white outfit, but never opened this 10" Marvel Universe Storm (1997) who also came with a cloth cape. She's in pristine condition...

Speaking of the X-Men, ToyBiz also released these under the Uncanny X-Men, X-Force, Spider-Man Iron Man, Ghost Rider, and Fantastic Four banners as well. Pictured below is the Deluxe Wolverine from '96 with the 2013 Titan Hero Wolverine...

Pictured below: ToyBiz Marvel Universe Capt. Marvel with Hasbro Titan Hero series Capt. America (left), and ToyBiz Marvel Universe Spider-Man 2099 with Hasbro Titan Hero series Ultimate Spider-Man. The Titan Hero figures are about 1 1/2" taller than the old ToyBiz figures, but take up a smaller footprint with their more erect stance. Most of the ToyBiz had elbow and knee articulation, but the Titan Heroes have ball-jointed heads, and swivel forearms or boot tops.

Below: Hasbro Titan Hero series Iron Patriot with ToyBiz Dr. Doom. See more of my posts on these 10" ToyBiz figures: Polaris with Cable, Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider, Gambit, Heroes Unmasked Spider-Man, and Moon Knight!

And finally, a couple from these two lines in larger buck, the ToyBiz X-Men series Beast with Hasbro Titan Hero series Hulk. For the record, the earlier ToyBiz figures seem heftier and more solid than the new Hasbro Titan Heroes. Both were produced to wow the consumer with size to promote value, but they're just big, dumb action figures, and I like that about them...    :)

More Later- Make It FUN!