Cthulhu Nautilus by Mel Birnkrant

CTHULHU NAUTILUS is the direct descendant of the Elder Gods that once inhabited this planet, eons before the time of man began. He possesses his ancient ancestor’s ability to project both his mind and body through the Seven Dimensions of Time and Space to explore the farthest reaches of our Galaxy and the vast Unknown Universe that lies beyond the Milky Way. CTHULHU NAUTILUS is equally at home in the murky depths of Earth’s Great Oceans and the caves and caverns of the Hollow World, below. Now, he joins the Outer Space Men in their quest to save the Cosmos from the carnivorous onslaught of “VORACIOUS,” the ever ravenous Black Hole.

This is yet another great action figure design by Mel Birnkrant, (full details here) designer of the Outer Space Men and countless others. I highly recommend checking out his site and losing yourself in the pages of his art and toy history. Site here.

Toys of the past: Action Man

While we had G.I. Joe Action Team in the US, across the pond Action Man by Palitoy reigned supreme. Plaid Stallions brings us this omnibus of advertising from yesteryear. Showcasing the realistic musculature, moving eyes, fuzzy beards and more, Action Man was the height of the toy doll craze (possibly topped by Captain Action, but that;’s a whole other thing).

How could this be any cooler? Tom Baker voice over at the 2:30 mark!

(Nostalgic and into odd films? You may be interested in a related article on the film Marwencol, in which a man works through his trauma with old G.I. Joe’s and develops a stunning fantasy world)

Alex Reviews The Mad Hatter!

My son has released his second video review, this time focusing on that dastardly chapeau-obsessed fiend, the Mad Hatter.

While the review focuses on a toy based on the character from the 1966 Batman TV series, Alex takes the time to provide a brief primer on a character who is a bit more complicated than one might think. Initially created as an impish villain inspired by his namesake from Alice in Wonderland, a second Hatter was introduced a decade later with no ties to Lewis Carroll’s work but a burning need to posses all hats, especially Batman’s cowl.

Portrayed by David Wayne, then a hot commodity, the Mad Hatter appeared in two stories, one focused on getting revenge on the jury who convicted him and a follow up in which he irradiates Batman’s cowl, turning it pink. Armed with a top hat that housed a secret mesmerizing beam, the Mad Hatter was a formidable foe for the caped crusader and just weird enough to be fondly remembered. An unusual and quirky character, he has proven popular enough to still have an appeal, even to a seven year old kid.

Watch the review here!

Alex Reviews Launches!

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and my better half, Alex, is every bit of an enthusiastic pundit on toys and cartoons as I am, and far more charismatic. This month, I have published the first in a series of reviews from my seven year-old protege and anticipate many additional videos to come.

The opener is a review of the Batman ’66 Mr. Freeze toy by Figures Toys Co. Included in the review is a short comic book history lesson and a quick sketch of the character’s first appearance. Please take a look and spread the word.

Cheers.

The Best There Is At What He Does

The concluding panel of Uncanny X-Men 132

Short and feisty, the claw-wielding killing machine from the Great White North started small in the pages of the Incredible Hulk (a joint creation by Len Wein, Herb Trimpe and John Romita Sr). When the ailing X-Men comic book was revived by Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, Wolverine was introduced and a legend was born. Cockrum fleshed out Wolverine, but it was during John Byrne’s run as co-writer and artist that he saw a rise in popularity during a violent outburst (colored in all red) that made the book sales soar. A fan favorite character, Wolverine evoked the gritty attitude of the “man’s man” 70’s and 80’s action heroes.

Later, Chris Claremont and Frank Miller would add distinguishing characteristics to the Wolverine in a four part solo adventure set in Japan, making him a blend of rugged bruiser and a noble warrior.  There have been many additions and revisions since, but this remains the boiler plate for the Wolverine.

Sideshow Collectibles has developed a Sixth Scale Figure of Wolverine that is every bit as mean-looking and deadly as the comic book mutant.

Every X-Men fan knows what that means. Joining our growing Marvel Sixth Scale figure collection, is the Sideshow Collectibles mutant hero, Wolverine!

Ok, so while he may not actually be laced with adamantium, Logan is more than ready to let the claws come out. Meticulously crafted on an all-new muscular body design with two pairs of beefy arms, multiple swap-out hands, and a full range of articulation. Fitted in a fantastically tailored tactical version of his classic brown and tan costume, ol’ Canucklehead comes with both masked and unmasked head sculpts, each channeling his unbridled berserker rage. To further honor his impressive legacy, we’ve also included the legendary Muramasa blade, a key weapon from Wolverine mythos.

So what are you waiting for, Bub? If you’re looking for the ultimate Wolverine, let there be no doubt – he’s the best there is!

The Wolverine Sixth Scale Figure specially features:

• Unique Wolverine body with over 25 points of articulation
• Masked portrait
• Unmasked Logan portrait with separate pulled back cowl
• Two (2) pairs of interchangeable aesthetic arms including:
  – Neutral pose
  – Flexed pose
• Left and right gauntlets
• Four (4) pairs of hands including:
  – Fists with extended claws
  – Fists
  – Grip hands
  – Gesture hands
• Left and right boots
  Detailed fabric costume inspired by Wolverine’s brown and tan appearance
• Exclusive Muramasa blade with scabbard

Constructed in 1/6 scale, the Wolverine figure has a Sept-November ship date.

Doctor Who materializes in Lego Dimensions

The day of the Doctor is finally here… in Legoland.

Lego Dimensions should be the most wanted gift for kids and kids-at-heart alike this year. With unique packs for DC Superheroes, The Wizard of Oz, the Simpsons, Back to the Future, Scooby Doo, Ghostbusters, The Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park, Ninjago and much more. Using a special base to import characters from individual Lego kits, the multi-platform game allows almost limitless diversity.

In addition to new dialog recorded by current Doctor, Peter Capaldi, the pack will include all 12 previous incarnations- each with unique animations, abilities and sampled dialog from classic adventures. The First Doctor sports a cane, the Second Doctor frets and plays his flute, the Third Doctor brandishes a fencing sword. The DLC will obviously continue to expand throughout the hopefully long life of Lego Dimensions. Each Doctor will also have his own TARDIS console room that has been painstakingly reproduced, even down to the mock paper walls. Additionally, the background music will match each era that the Doctor is from.

It’s a holiday gift designed for the most devoted Whovian.

In one clip we see Davros berating his Dalek army, urging them to destroy his nemesis while the Doctor takes a trip to a very familiar setting: “Here we are. Victorian London. The Gelth. Weng Chiang. A giant dinosaur in the Thames…”

The Doctor Who level pack for Lego Dimensions is released November 6th.

You can find all that you need at the Lego Store on Amazon.com

Also, the Lego Ideas Doctor Who play set is coming on December 1st!

New Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens Black Series Action Figures Debuted

Via Newsarama: During New York Comic-Con 2015, Hasbro revealed several new Star Wars products coming in late 2015 and into 2016. Among the big reveals were new figures in the Star Wars: The Force Awakens line, as well as new toys based on characters and ships from the original six movies.

The highlight was the debit of several new figures for the 3.75″ Black Series. The Black Series toys are built using 3D model scans of the actors, giving the toys an unusually high level of detail.

General Hux

Rey

TIE Fighter Pilot

Old Han Solo

BB-8

Resistance Pilot Asty

First Order Snow Trooper

Resistance Trooper

Also, highly recommended on Hulu, Plastic Galaxy, the Story of Star Wars Toys. It’s a fun-filled trip to a time far far away… the 70’s. Find it here.

Now available at AFX!

Click to order!

Arrow Action Figure by DC Comics
Item # OCT140411
Regular Price: 27.99
Our Price: 22.39 – You Save $5.60 (20%)!
Availability Preorder – April 2015

Reenact the action-packed battles between Oliver Queen and Slade Wilson from Season Two with these intricately sculpted, highly poseable action figures.

Click to order!

Arrow Deathstroke Action Figure by DC Comics
Item # OCT140412
Regular Price: 27.99
Our Price: 22.39 – You Save $5.60 (20%)!
Availability Preorder – April 2015

Reenact the action-packed battles between Oliver Queen and Slade Wilson from Season Two with these intricately sculpted, highly poseable action figures.

Click to order!

Arrow Statue by DC Comics
Item # OCT140410
Regular Price: 137.99
Our Price: 110.39 – You Save $27.60 (20%)!
Availability Preorder – April 2015

This new version of the sold-out ARROW statue not only features a brand-new head sculpt with his hood down and mask on but also Oliver’s all-new bow seen in Season Two of the hit CW TV series. Limited Edition of 5,200. Measures Approximately 13″ Tall.

Click to order!

Flash Action Figure by DC Comics
Item # OCT140413
Regular Price: 27.99
Our Price: 22.39 – You Save $5.60 (20%)!
Availability Preorder – April 2015

Get up to speed on the new hit CW television series with this incredibly detailed action figure of The Flash, the Fastest Man Alive, in his scarlet uniform.

Click to order!

Marvel Chess Figure Collection Magazine Special #2 Rocket Raccoon & Groot by Eaglemoss
Item # OCT141869
Regular Price: 45.99
Our Price: 36.79 – You Save $9.20 (20%)!
Availability Preorder – February 2015

The Marvel Chess Collection is a new bi-weekly series offering the comic fan and chess lover alike the chance to collect a unique chess set, featuring some of the greatest and most loved Marvel characters. The first set in the Marvel Chess Collection consists of the greatest heroes and villains from across the Marvel Universe. Will Spider-Man survive against Venom? Can Captain America overcome the villainous Red Skull? Or will the forces of evil defeat the assembled heroes? With the Marvel Chess Collection the battle is in your hands!

Click to order!

Star Trek Starships Figure Collection Magazine #35 Early Klingon Bird Of Prey by Eaglemoss
Item # OCT141863
Regular Price: 23.99
Our Price: 19.19 – You Save $4.80 (20%)!
Availability Preorder – February 2015

This incredible collection of STAR TREK models includes all the most significant ships from the five STAR TREK television series. Every ship has been painstakingly recreated in die-cast and high quality ABS materials then hand painted with an incredible level of detail. The collection features a full range of Federation and alien vessels including seven incarnations of the Enterprise, all the major Klingon vessels including the Bird-of-Prey, Dominion, Borg and Romulan ships.

Click to order!

Star Trek Starships Figure Collection Magazine #36 Oberth Class by Eaglemoss
Item # OCT141864
Regular Price: 23.99
Our Price: 19.19 – You Save $4.80 (20%)!
Availability Preorder – February 2015

This incredible collection of STAR TREK models includes all the most significant ships from the five STAR TREK television series. Every ship has been painstakingly recreated in die-cast and high quality ABS materials then hand painted with an incredible level of detail. The collection features a full range of Federation and alien vessels including seven incarnations of the Enterprise, all the major Klingon vessels including the Bird-of-Prey, Dominion, Borg and Romulan ships.

Enter The World of The Ding-A-Lings

King Ding (and Brain) via Retroist

Vintage toys are more than just plastic things, they are a time capsule to a different time. Case in point is this wonderfully bizarre line from Topper Toys, The Ding-A-Lings. One of the more ambitious and imaginative line of toys from it’s era, the Ding-A-Lings came in a wide variety of colors, sizes and abilities. From the shoe-shine robot to the biggest of all… King Ding, a robot so big his Brain had ti be inserted in the most graphic way possible.

I was lucky enough to see this ad at the Carolina Theatre in Durham but it was also included in the RiffTrax Christmas Shorts Extravaganza.

For more fascinating info on vintage toy robots, I recommend TopperDingalings.com, who put it best:

Like most avid Robot collectors I can trace my passion back to a specific time in my childhood when I received that very special toy sparking a fascination with Robots and Space Toys that has lasted well into my adulthood. The Ding-A-Lings by Topper Toys represented a unique blending of the versatility of brightly molded plastics with the ingenuity of motorized action as they glided along their elevated skyway. My initial set of Ding-A-Lings included Boxer, Answerman, Fireman, Saucer, Claw and that wonder of Battery Driven Wonders-the King Ding with Brain. Most collectors remember Ding-A-Lings as some of the most exciting and cherished toys of their childhood, but like most playthings were lost over the years to hard play, garage sales or fell victim to a younger sibling. Thanks to the Internet, Ding-A-Ling enthusiasts have again found a means to recapture some of their past by forming a loose Ding community to not only put collectors in contact with each other, fill gaps in collections, and provide tips on repair but perhaps, most importantly, to reminisce and validate the existence of one of the most important toys of their lives. Why would a relatively obscure toy line foster such fascination and devotion after thirty years? Ding-A-Lings may have struck a spark with the kids in the sixties who lived through the real space race, kids who not only watched endless science fiction films and television but who sat up late one night to watch man’s first landing on the moon. Firmly embedded in our psyche these toys are a part of our cultural history and express the direction we felt our lives would take with the promises of 2001- A Space Odyssey and Star Trek.

New items at ShopAFX.com!

Check out these great items available for pre-order at Action Figure Express!

My son would plotz over the Robin bank… and the Batarang bottle-opener is a must for yours truly.

Batman 1966 Robin Bust Bank by Diamond Select
Regular Price: 22.99
Our Price: 18.39 – You Save $4.60 (20%)!
Availability Preorder – November 2014

They say a good sidekick is worth his weight in gold, but is he worth his weight in pennies? This 8-inch bust of Robin as he appeared in the Batman Classic TV Series is actually a vinyl bank, with detailed sculpting and paint to make it resemble a high-end collectible. With a coin slot on the back and an access door in the base, you’ll be saying “Holy savings, Batman!” Packaged in a clear polybag.

Batman 1966 Batarang Bottle Opener by Diamond Select
Regular Price: 17.99
Our Price: 14.39 – You Save $3.60 (20%)!
Availability Preorder – November 2014

An essential item for any utility belt! In the Batman Classic TV Series, the Batarang served a multitude of purposes, from grappling hook to boomerang to cutting tool, and now we’ve given it another job! This 4-inch solid metal replica of the classic Batarang is actually a bottle opener, using the points and talons of the most famous Bat-tool to pry the cap off of any bottle. With two magnets on the back, it will hang on your Bat-fridge until it’s needed! Comes packaged in a full-color slipcase.

Alien Minimates 35th Anniversary Box Set by Diamond Select
Regular Price: 19.99
Our Price: 15.99 – You Save $4.00 (20%)!
Availability Preorder – November 2014

It’s been 35 years since Ridley Scott’s Alien set a new bar for both science fiction and horror and created a world that still amazes and terrifies us! DST is honoring the film that started it all with a special box set of four Minimates mini-figures, including Ripley, Kane, Parker and the Big Chap hiself, the original Xenomorph! Each fully poseable Minimate stands approximately 2 inches tall and features a variety of interchangeable parts and accessories, including a facehugger alien and the ship’s cat, Jonesy! Packaged on a blister card.

Godzilla Vinyl Wars First Godzilla Sofubi by Medicom
Regular Price: 97.99
Our Price: 78.39 – You Save $19.60 (20%)!
Availability Preorder – January 2015
From Bear Model/MEDICOM Toy. Godzilla: Vinyl Wars is a collaboration between Japan’s classic sofubi manufacturers and cutting-edge toy maker Medicom Toy. Each release in GVW is a reproduction of a classic Toho sofubi from the ’60s through today, released legitimately for Western collectors for the first time ever. These hand-crafted, hand-painted figures inspired the designer toy movement, and will hold a place of high honor in your collection! Bear Model originally released this classic, 1954-inspired sofubi to adoring collectors in Japan in 2003. Now wearing a more “true” green paint deco and measuring approximately 23cm (9″), this reissue is available in an edition not to exceed 200 pieces!