World Premiere 1/6 Silent Hill Red Pyramid Thing from Toymunkey Studios

Last year at San Diego Comic Con, I had the pleasure of meeting the fine folks at Toymunkey Studios.  I had my assignments, I photographed their booth, spent some time with them learning more about their product lines, the usual convention stuff.  Toymunkey was a little different, however, than other new companies.  Firstly, their “Top Munkey” Scott was someone who has been around the toy industry most of his life.  As a fan, a collector, and working for various companies.  It was clear this wasn’t his first rodeo, and it shows.  I have been given the honor of being the first to review their inaugural piece, The Red Pyramid Thing 1/6 scale PVC statue based on the very popular film and video game franchise “Silent Hill”

Batman and DC Universe Get Unlimited at Retail!

Mattel’s latest DC Universe retail offerings have begun to show up on the shelves of brick & mortar and specialty shops nationwide.  Here are the most recent releases!

The Transformers Masterpiece Sideswipe Euphorium

So those who know me know that I have a profound love of Transformers.  It’s one of my main focuses in collecting.  The arrival of a new Masterpiece Transformer is a very special day in my household.  To be fair, I have a love/hate relationship with them.  Sometimes they’re absolutely brilliant.  Grimlock, MP-10 Optimus Prime, Megatron.  Genious.  Then there are the ones that test the limits of my patience.  First issue Starscream (what were they thinking?), Rodimus Prime (absolute disaster).  You get my point.

Sideswipe (Lambor for those of you who don’t know) was my very first Transformer, and my very favorite of the original G1 Autobots.  Without going in to the trappings of a long back story, I was both excited and anxious when he and his mold-mate Red Alert were announced.  Would he be everything I’d hoped?  Would it suck?  I’m happy to report he falls in the category of the former.  Big Time.

Mattel’s Black Lion Roars in to Action – It’s Time to Form Voltron!

  Over the past year, Mattel has been slowly but surely releasing the Lions of Voltron, and their respective Space Explorer pilots, much to the delight of Voltron fans everywhere.  I think the wonderful thing about these toys is the fact a company as big as Mattel even made him in the first place.  Sure, there’s a new cartoon on the air now, but this is classic Voltron, a Voltron from my time – The classic Lion Force Voltron.  It’s like a slice of mom’s homemade pie straight from your childhood.  And to answer everyone’s burning question – they did good by him.

Mattel’s Voltron Green and Blue Lions Roar into Action!

So we’re a month away today from the Main Event, the Big Show, the Granddaddy of them all, San Diego Comicon. It’s hard to believe last year we got our first glimpse of the gigantic Voltron Mattel had in store for us. Fast-forward to today, and we are ever so close to finally completing the big guy.
By now, you pretty much know what you’re getting for your buck, and you do get a lot of bang for that buck!

Today we’re going to take a peek at the Green Lion & Pidge, going on sale at Mattycollector.com tomorrow, as well as the August set, the Blue Lion & Princess Allura! If you’ve read the previous entries detailing the Red Lion and Yellow Lion, these are their corresponding limb counterparts. Also included are two more parts of the huge electrified collect-n-connect Blazing Sword! And we’re off!!!

Mattel’s Yellow Lion Lands on Earth to Form Voltron!

As we race towards Comicon and the sunny shores of San Diego, I am harkened back to this time last year, when just rumors of a gigantic, fully transforming Voltron by Mattel floated through the spring air….

Flash-forward to one year later, and we are already two-fifths of the way to completing this heroic monstrosity!  If you caught our last installment, we were taking a sneak-peek advance look at Lance and his Red Lion.  Today, it’s his chunky comrade in arms, Hunk and his trusty Yellow Lion!  Let’s go!!!

New Voltron Force Graphic Novel Blasts it’s Way in to the Galaxy!

Our favorite Defender of the Universe is back is his own graphic novel!  VIZ Media has generously sent along a preview, this one looks to be a sure-fire winner, continuing the Voltron Force saga as soon as in the new cartoon.  It’s time to slay some RoBeasts!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LET’S GO …

Dynotherms connected, Megathrusters are go!!! Mattel’s Voltron arrives!

  “From days long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend – The legend of Voltron, Defender of the Universe!”   I remember the days, rushing home and turning on the TV, waiting to hear those words. When Mattel first announced that they had obtained the Voltron license, I wasn’t sure what to think. I’m such a fan of Voltron (yes, even the one formed by 15 disparate vehicles, too)that I dared to hope for an amazing line of new toys.

Interview with Shark City Ozark’s Main Man-Mike Schultz

Recently, I’ve been following the little company that could deliver HUGE – Shark City Ozark, or SCO Collectibles.  Being a giant fan of the film "JAWS", I quickly discovered that no one makes ‘em better than SCO.  I have been granted the opportunity to interview the principle owner, operator, sculptor and artist, Mike Schultz.  Mike gives us a peek not only at what it’s like running a small company and manufacturing right here in America, but also what he’s got in store for us, long and short term.  As a bonus, They’ve given us an exclusive first look at their incredible 1/6 scale (you read that right!) Nose-to-Gills bust!  Just when you thought it was safe to start saving money again…..

Just When You Thought it Was Safe to go Back in the Water…They Call Me Bruce!

Those of you who know me know that I have a burning passion for the film "Jaws". Until recently, there has been only a few notable collectibles available of the beast known simply as “Bruce”, and all of them have left me wanting in some fashion or another. There’s the McFarlane Movie Maniacs box set, which is impressive for what it is, and the shark is actually pretty on-model, but the scale is way out of whack, and you only get 1/3 of the title character. There’s also the Sideshow Jaws maquette, which clocks in at 27” long and almost 25 pounds. Unfortunately, it’s not very on-model or accurate to any of the film used props, as it’s designed to look primarily like the original schematic drawings. Sideshow’s efforts represent A shark, not THE shark. Not the shark that killed Chrissie Watkins, and certainly not the shark that ate the little Kintner boy.  It’s been pretty slim pickings….until now…..  

The Y-MSF Phenomenon

Since the great resurgence of 1984, Godzilla fans and collectors (like myself) have had only a few offering annually , and the vast majority of those toys have been the Bandai vinyl figures. Dubbed “The Godzilla Collection”, it became a line of toys that, for the most part, satisfied that niche left cold and empty from years of growing up in the 1970’s, watching Saturday Matinees of Godzilla vs. Megalon, The Sea Monster, Mechagodzilla, well, you get the point. As time has gone on, these offerings have sputtered to an almost non-existent drip. Aside from the rare and expensive garage kit, there only existed a dark and empty void. Then emerged the little company that could – Y-MSF. Unlike other smaller action figure companies, this tiny operation got the Toho licenses, hired some talented sculptors, and did what no one else has been able or willing to do – Make cool Godzilla vinyl action figures. In the past year, we’ve gotten some of the most fan requested, empty shelf space filling, obscure characters from the Godzilla movies. Each figure has improved upon the last, with better paint apps, sharper sculpts, and faithful scales.    

New Transformers Collector Club Press Release & Image!

Fun Publications Transformers Collectors’ Club Membership Drive FINAL reveals! Fort Worth, TX – November 9th, 2010 – Fun Publications, Inc, licensee for Hasbro’s Transformers Collectors’ Club, is pleased to announce the final additions to the Fall 2010 Membership drive. Artists from across the Transformers fandom can participate in the 2010 Transformers Design a Cover Contest, available to all club members. Details for the contest can be found at www.TransformersClub.com Next up, the final week of the Membership Drive Sale is underway. Many great items are still available including the G.I. Joe Club Promo Pack in which members have the opportunity to check out the offerings from the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club while receiving an EXCLUSIVE Side Burn art print by Transformers artist Casey Coller. That item can be found here And to round off the list of exciting announcements, the online preview for Animated Transtech Cheetor is now available. This figure features an ALL-NEW head sculpt courtesy of Derrick J. Wyatt, the Art Director behind the Transformers: Animated series. This figure, along with G2 Ramjet, will be available for Club members to purchase next year. For more information on the Transformers Collectors’ Club and all of its offerings, please visit www.TransformersClub.com.

New Y-MSF Godzilla exclusive images!

We’ve been given some exclusive images of Y-MSF’s upcoming Ebirah vinyl figure! Shown here is the prototype before the casting stage. For those who collect Godzilla vinyls, this marks the very first time a realistic Ebirah (The Sea Monster!) has ever been offered in over 40 years. …

The Godzilla Conundrum

  As a lifelong Godzilla fan and collector, the pickings were kind of slim. In the 1970′s, we were treated to a Shogun Warriors Godzilla, which was pretty off-model, an un-articulated PVC that came with a playset, and the Aurora model, which was as articulated (not at all) as most offerings. We were teased by images of kids playing with Godzilla toys in the movies, but that was about it. Then came the glorious 80′s, which brought to market the Bandai Vinyl Collection. These 8" "action" figures were semi-articulated, and offered a wide variety of characters. This line would come to pass as the definitive toyline, which continues to this day in limited 6" releases. The 1980′s also saw the rise of the ultra-detailed Garage kit offerings.

The Custom Cantina Coalition

I know, I know.  I love Star Wars, as many of you out there undoubtedly do.  Hasbro has given us some great figures, box sets, and even vehicles like the awesome new AT-AT.  However, even though their scale is tailor-made for it, Hasbro has publicly stated time and again that playsets just aren’t in the cards.  We can discuss the reason for this heartbreaking decision until the proverbial cows come home (to produce blue milk, no doubt), or we can do something about it.    That’s pretty much how this little venture started.  A local friend and artist simply named “Talker” and I got to talking over drinks one night, and decided that our shelves needed, nay – demanded we do something about it, and the partnership was formed.  He’s amazingly talented with wood.  He’s got 30 years experience and all the tools needed, and he cranks out shapes and plans faster than anyone.  We agreed on our first project – The Cantina, and started drawing up plans, gathering materials, the usual stuff (all the pics after the jump!)