Legos Series 14 Monsters Blind Bags

I got a wild hair when I saw these Series 14 Monsters Lego minifigures- unfortunate because of their price, but fun nonetheless! I love & collect minifigures of many make, from DC Action League to Marvel MiniMates, and Mega Bloks to Imaginext. In celebration of the forthcoming Halloween, I had to share these great little characters...

Monster Rocker & Crazy Scientist...

Wacky Witch...

Werewolf...

These aren't the only Lego Blind Bag figures I've had some experience with- below, the Series 14 Werewolf with the Series 4 Wolfman that Mario from the Articulated Monster Podcast sent me back in 2011...

Zombie Businessman

Banshee...

Not too bad for a blind stab- forget the bump code theory of identification- too hard to tell for sure. I did well overall, getting only a duplicate witch, who is sadly either missing her legs, not included or lost in the shuffle. Sure, I wanted the trick or treater, fly monster, and spectre, but these are all pretty great! Have a favorite of your own?

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TAKARA Transformers Henkei Classic C-05 Hot Rodimus

I can't believe June was my last Transformers video, but winning this Takara Rodimus on eBay for only $22.50 shipped was reason enough to resume my latest obsession with the subject. I love the packaging on this import, with TRANSFORMERS in raised lettering down the side of the bubble. Rodimus has slightly less articulation than the recent Hasbro Transformers I'd bought, and he's smaller than a lot of them, but he's stunningly beautiful with his vac-metal blown engine and spoiler, and he has light piping through his eyes. Check out the video:

From  2008 to 2009, Takara Tomy released these redecorated Japanese versions of their American counterparts, vac-metal parts often used as tribute to the original G1 Transformers.This deluxe figure was first released in Hasbro's Classics line, and later on in a couple multi-packs, according to TF Wiki. He came with a collector card, in Japanese like the packaging which I treasure! I'd been in search of a decent Rodimus, and there is a lot out there, all popular with collectors and some quite expensive. I'd still like to have a "convoy" version with the trailer/mobile defense bay, but this one will certainly do!

Takara Rodimus Vs. Hasbro Armada Starscream...!

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DC Collectibles Batman Arkham City Talia & Ra's Al Ghul

It's time for a good old fashioned DC Collectibles review here on the Super-DuperToyBox! I showed a haul of them at the end of 2014, but hadn't reviewed any individually since February of last year. Time flies when you're having fun! I can't remember when I scored the Batman Arkham City Talia and Ra's Al Ghul, but they've been around awhile- the Talia is from series 4 in 2013, and Ra's from Series 3 in 2012. I bought these online at notable discount which can still be attained on these and other more recent DC Collectibles figures- it seems like the market suddenly became saturated, and most characters are plentifully available.

While the articulation has become even better on the majority of DC Collectibles in the last year, Talia and Ra's are vastly improved compared to the DC Direct era. They have swivel biceps, Talia has swivels at her boot tops, and Ra's has them where his gauntlets meet his forearms and in the waist, as well as hinged shoulder armor.

The details on these figures are exceptional in detail, the minutiae of sculpt and paint creating if not the illusion of reality, an inspired vision of comic art in three dimensions. All the buckles, sculpted armor deco and fabric texture are dynamite! The sword accessories are serviceably painted, with a scalloped blade near the hilt- Talia holds hers more securely than Ra's.

We are all now well aware of Talia and Batman's love child, Damian the Boy Wonder, and his cruel 2013 fate in the pages of DC Comics Batman Inc. Some readers may have been even more infuriated by his subsequent resurrection, but that's showbiz, Kids. I still love this 2011 DC Direct Batman Incorporated Robin...

This buff Ra's would be a match for the 2011 Series 1 Arkham Asylum Batman...

The still limited articulation of these earlier DC Collectibles figures are somewhat a challenge to pose, made no easier by the exclusion of bases we've experienced recently. Luckily I have a many of the pegged black discs around from earlier 7" DC Direct figures, which fit into the sole of their right foot. That aside, this father/daughter duo are beautifully rendered, quality action figures...

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POP! AOU Vision

I passed on this Target exclusive "phasing" POP! AOU Vision for the last time, finally picking him up this weekend. I have a few of these adorable Funko figures, and while I prefer the ones that are straight figures as opposed to bobble-heads, I could not resist the Vision! Check out the video:

Be sure to check out my 2013 post on the Funko POP! Iron Man 3 & Amazing Spider-Man!

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Day of Judgement: Hal Jordan Becomes the Spectre!

I stumbled  onto all five issues of the DC Day of Judgement series from '99 the other weekend while rifling through the dollar comics bins with my nephew, in which Hal Jordan take the mantle of the Spectre, spirit of Vengeance. Upon reading author Geoff John's run a few years ago, I became a big fan of the Green Lantern mythos. In Day of Judgement, Jordan becomes host for the Spectre in attempt to atone for his earlier transgressions as Parallax, when he threatened the order of the Universe by slaughtering the Green Lantern Corps. Etrigan the Demon has bonded the Spectre to the fallen angel Asmodel in an attempt to usurp rival demon Neron, and unleash chaos upon the Earth. The series features a great cast of supernatural heroes, including Phantom Stranger, Blue Devil, Deadman, Captain Marvel, Ragman, Dr. Occult, Madame Xanadu, and Dr. Fate! In 2001, DC Direct released a glow-in-the-dark Hal Jordan/Spectre figure (right)- further proof that we truly live in the Golden-Age of action figures.

Below: Hal Jordan becomes Spectre, and unleashes the spirit of vengeance upon Neron ...!

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Bandai 12" Power Rangers- Dino Charge!

I'd been mulling over picking up these 12" Dino Charge Power Rangers for a week, after seeing them marked down 30% at a local Walmart. I've said before that some of my favorite toys are big, dumb action figures, and this colorful trio certainly falls into that category. I have several of the Marvel Titan Series action figures that are of similar construction that I treasure, so these fit in nicely with some of my favorite things. I love the Japanese sci-fi styling of these! Check out the video:

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Hey, Mr. Postman: Bandai Ultraman 5.5in. Vinyls

I loved these Bandai Ultraman vinyls found online, remembering watching reruns of the Japanese sci-fi show as a kid in the '70s! These figures are made of soft vinyl, and simple in their articulation, limited to swivels in the waist and shoulders. What they lack in articulation, they more than make up for in charm. I've been collecting some vinyl figures lately, mostly Funko, but found these irresistable. The eBay seller was selling all kinds of Ultraman vinyls for pretty cheap with free shipping- I gravitated toward these two because of their familiarity. Check out my video....

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Tim Mee Toy Soldiers

I've been on the lookout for some fun green Army Men to use in my toy photography, and have seen some pretty impressive deluxe sets out and about as well as online, but wasn't seeing exactly what I was looking for. Bubba over at Toyriffic reminded me just exactly what that was recently- the toy soldiers of our youth, produced by Tim Mee. Revived by J.Lloyd International c.2011, these plastic army men are the same Vietnam era sculpts I remembered from childhood, updated in two shades of punchy green- just what I was looking for! Plastic Army Men are great for their versatility in play, fun to combine use with many other toys in my collection. Check out the video:

J.Lloyd has many other fun color combinations available and other plastic mini-figures from the legendary Galaxy Laser Team to Cowboys and Indians. Be sure to check out my May post on Plastic Policemen set by Funtastic, and visit the Army Men Homepage online!

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