McFarlane Toys Witcher Geralt of Rivia

This McFarlane Witcher was an impulse preorder; the Walmart exclusive would possibly jump in price on the secondary market, and I didn't want to miss it. There is a darker brown Witcher figure like this I've seen solicitation for, but I like the unique color of this lighter brown version. Though I'm no gamer, I had caught a few episodes of the Netflix show starring Henry Cavill, and though the figure bears no resemblance, it's deco looks magnificent. This is one of McFarlane's "Gold Label" releases (hype), the main difference being deluxe packaging, it seems. Regardless, inside is another cool action figure by McFarlane Toys I wasn't disappointed in.

 Geralt carries two large broadswords in sheaths on his back. which he grips quite securely. I'm a little surprised McFarlane Toys would produce an action figure from a 6 year old video game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt having been released in 2015. The popularity of the Netflix show may have influenced their decision, though McFarlane also recently produced Arkham Asylum and Arkham Knight figures.

While shoulder armor covers some of the articulation points, their soft plastic allows for a great range of motion. The figure has serviceable abdominal range, though the plastic sleeve covering it does restrict it to a degree. Still, this figure has decent articulation by modern standards, and an import-quality deco with a ton of great sculpt detail.

Below, Geralt of Rivia battles my NECA 1933 King Kong!

And finally, The Witcher with my McFarlane Toys Bloodshot figure, another Walmart exclusive I got one year ago. I've really enjoyed the few McFarlane figures I've bought, including both of these, the only two that aren't DC Multiverse figures in my collection. I've been tempted by other McFarlane gaming figures like Doom, Warhammer and Mortal Kombat, but have so far resisted, but not for a lack of admiration. Recommended! 

Follow the Super-DuperToyBox on Instagram!

More Later- Make It FUN!

Mego 8" Batman

This blog was launched over 10 years ago, based on my love of superhero comics and action figures produced of the characters therein. Like many children of the '70s, my first action figures were Mego's 8" World's Greatest Heroes, Batman front and center. Mego's sudden resurrection in 2018 surprised many of us, and I did eventually pick up a few of the 14" DC Comics characters, which are some of my favorite figures. Still, I was interested to see Mego's return to comic book characters in their classic 8" scale, and settled on this Batman to sample. I have several 8" Mattel DC Retro-Action figures from the early 2010s, and some 9" ToyBiz Marvel Famous Covers figures from the '90s that captured the spirit of Mego's Worlds Greatest Heroes, but this is the original return to form.

Below, 8" Mego Batman, with my 8" Mattel DC Retro-Action Batman, one of the first action figures I bought when I started collecting again as an adult.  This figure had some waist joint issues, but his shoulders and elbows are far superior to the new 8" Mego Batman, which don't pose well- a combination of banded shoulder joints and loose elbows. Mattel's chunky boots do help Retro-Action Batman stand better than Mego's, as well. Mego did adapt the glove cuff approach Mattel applied; this use of a separate scalloped cuff is so much better than the oven mitt gloves Mego produced in the '70s.

I was excited when Mego solicited a 14" Shazam and Black Adam in 2019, which we sadly never heard about since. I fear we may have seen the end of this deluxe scale from Mego, which were an outstanding value at twenty bucks, several of which I scored at a 25% discount. Below, 8" Mego Batman with my 14" Mego Dark Knight Detective- possibly my favorite of these... 

While I'm not fully committed to going all-in on this new Mego 8" line, I really like the aesthetic of this Batman. I love the inclusion of a batarang, and modern treatment of the outfit's chest emblem and pouched utility belt. The head sculpt is fantastic! Mego also dropped a Wonder Woman and Superman recently, and a Flash, Green Lantern, and Riddler have been solicited, the latter of which I may be interested in. 

And finally, Mego 8" Batman with 13" DC Direct Modern Batman, 14" Mego Dark Knight Detective, 13" DC Direct Classic Batman, 9" Hasbro 1st Appearance Batman, and Mattel 8" DC Retro-Action Batman. I have three or four other cloth costumed Batman dolls in my collection, and would have a hard time choosing a favorite- definitely a favorite subcategory within my collection!

Follow the Super-DuperToyBox on Instagram!

More Later- Make It FUN!

Marvel Legends Storm & Thunderbird 2-pk

 I picked this up as soon as I saw it at Target, months ago, and am a little disappointed at how drastically the retail price has dropped since. That said, I'm sure I could recoup the full price paid with the Storm figure alone in a couple years ...unless Hasbro releases a single carded version? Regardless, I was interested in these classic X-Men characters and like them quite a bit.

Thunderbird, shown below with a third-party seller's knives, sadly came with no accessories, sacrificed for the magnificent Storm's exhaustive pack-ins. John Proudstar's 1st appearance was in Giant-Size X-Men (1975), as was Storm, Nightcrawler and Colossus. Len Wein and Dave Cockrum killed Thunderbird off only a few months later, arguing that Wolverine, introduced in the pages of Incredible Hulk #181 the previous year, filled the rough-and-tumble character slot fine by himself.

Below, Thunderbird with brother Warpath, James Proudstar. James shared John's enhanced mutant abilities and endurance, but to a greater degree, and originally took the name Thunderbird in his place before becoming Warpath.

I love the colors of the Proudstar brothers' outfits and their simple powerset- tough guys, great fighters and trackers. There are understandable complaints with the figure, notably the boot fringes that slide down- I pushed mine up over the calf more to avoid slippage. His head sits a little high on the neck and seems a little big, but not terrible in my opinion. Love the belt! Here he is with my 80th Anniversary Marvel Legends 1st Appearance Wolverine...

Storm is the star of this 2-pk, with three sets of hands, and two head and cape sets, one neutral, one engaged. Her limbs have the new Hasbro pin-less joints that I hope we see more of. Hasbro could have just given us a flight stand and single carded her as a deluxe for more money, because she is a fantastic action figure. Her articulation is restricted by both her hair sculpts and her neutral cape, but she does enough for me. The sculpt and paint are a perfect rendition of Storm's original look, and I love it.

Below, Classic Storm with my Mohawk Storm, and

Marvel Legends 2017 Walmart Exclusive Black Panther ...

Below, Storm Vs. Magneto ...!

And finally, Thunderbird and Storm with fellow X-Men Nightcrawler and Beast from my last post, Wolverine, and Colossus... 

Follow the Super-DuperToyBox on Instagram!

More Later- Make It FUN!

Marvel Legends X-Men Mystique, Beast, Nightcrawler

 I don't even remember how long I've been holding onto these Marvel Legends X-Men figures, but I got them as soon as they all dropped some time ago. I've been meaning to post some Marvel Legends dumps like this, and plow through some I still have boxed... Mystique, Beast, and Nightcrawler were on top of that list.

While underwhelmed with Mystique's weapons, including a humongous assault rifle she can barely grip, her head sculpt is perfect. The rest of her is a somewhat plain female buck, dressed up with her signature skull belt/loincloth. She serves her purpose fine visually, but is the least of these three figures. Mystique is a fan favorite though, and this Walgreens exclusive filled an important hole in the Marvel Legends X-Men lineup adequately.

Mystique came with a partially transformed Rogue head sculpt, and a Lilandra head sculpt as well, which fits nicely on the Marvel Legends Joe Fixit BAF Wave Jocasta... all I need now is a blue cape and a scepter.

Beast includes some great articulation for an oversized figure, including butterfly joints at the shoulders that were a debut feature at the time of his release. He came with plenty of hands, and while I love the head sculpt, a more neutral option would have been a nice inclusion. This is a fantastic release I preordered upon solicitation, determined not to miss out on.

Below, Beast with a couple other larger Marvel Legends figures, Thing and Hulk...

Nightcrawler may be the star of these three figures, with three head sculpts included, and amazing articulation. It's easy to be wowed by Beast, and rightly so, but Nightcrawler is a fantastic figure, obviously designed with care by the Marvel Legends team. Fantastic!

Nightcrawler shares the same saber as the Marvel Legends Pirate Deadpool I got last year-

Below, Marvel Legends Nightcrawler with my 9" ToyBiz Famous Covers Nightcrawler, and Marvel Legends Beast with my 10" ToyBiz Beast. I acquired both of these '90s ToyBiz figures early in my action figure collecting years as an adult, and still love them. 

My Marvel Legends X-Men Wolverine is finally in the company of two of his most classic teammates! I loved this "Tiger Stripe" Wolvie, and Hasbro has certainly got some mileage on his buck- I'm sure I have at least four different Wolverines that share it.

All three of these figures have become prized, sought after Marvel Legends since their release, and while Mystique may be slightly over-valued, Beast and Nightcrawler are amazing. Beast has been released again in the Marvel Legends Vintage line, repainted in gray with a neutral head, and I can't imagine Nightcrawler not seeing another release in the future- perhaps the X-Force or Age of Apocalypse versions.

Follow the Super-DuperToyBox on Instagram!

More Later- Make It FUN!