#105: Entertainment Earth Exclusive Back to the Future II DeLorean

Arguably the coolest fictional car ever, Doc Brown's time traveling DeLorean is probably the best advertising the DeLorean Motor Company ever had. Too bad they had ceased production by the time Back to the Future was released! This recent release by Diamond Select comes in two varieties. The regular release is the DeLorean as it appears in the first movie, and the Entertainment Earth exclusive version represents its appearance in the second movie, complete with Mr. Fusion, a barcode license plate, and hover conversion! There is a switch on the bottom that moves the wheels into their flight positions. There is also a button that activates lights and sounds. Among other things, the flux capacitor and time circuit displays light up. There is even tiny, very hard to see writing on the displays. Great attention to detail here. It's very accurate to the real thing, and as far as I can tell all it's missing is the DMC logo on the front, which I suppose they weren't able to license.

When I pre-ordered this half a year ago, it was listed as being 1/18th scale, but it turned out to be 1/15th scale. This means that Star Wars figures look a little small next to it, but they can still sit inside it. It's a little cramped in there since the steering wheel is kind of close to the seat, but they can sit there.

All in all, this is a very cool version of the iconic time machine, and it's a nice bonus that so many of my figures are sized well to sit inside it.

#104: Minimates Superman

This year my friend James threw a birthday party that had a convention theme. As a treat for those that pre-reged on time (RSVPed, in this case) goody bags were given out. Included in mine was this Minimate Superman. This is the first Superman figure I've had since the Super Powers line so many years ago. I have a Red Son Superman Minimate, which I don't count since it's an alternate universe version, and a few Bizarros, but none of the big blue boy scout himself. I'm not sure which set he originally came in, but this Superman is in the middle of quite a fight, so his costume is pretty torn up, and he looks very displeased. It looks like someone is about to be on the receiving end of some heat vision! This version of the costume is sporting the black "S" shield, which I'm sure means something that doesn't involve going to a goth club, but I don't know what. As a freebie, especially of something I wouldn't otherwise have bought, it is very cool. Now I'm thinking I need a Minimates Batman to keep him in check.

#103: Cinema of Fear Freddy

For whatever reason, I was able to watch Nightmare On Elm Street movies when I was a kid, so I've always been fond of Freddy. I also watched the TV series, as well as Monsters, and any other supernaturally themed show that I could. Unfortunately, this Freddy figure is the most disappointing of the series. My biggest problem with him is that the sleeves on his sweater are not painted to have stripes! As far as I can tell, this is standard to the figure, not just a problem with mine. Maybe Mezco thought it too costly to paint his arms with stripes, but I think that was not a good move. His left hand looks kind of weird from the wrong angles, as if the hand is too long and the fingers are too short. His right eye has a little less paint around it than the left eye, making it look smaller and his face off balance a little. I think this is probably the sort of thing that varies from figure to figure.

Aside from all that, I like the figure. It captures Freddy pretty well, with a devilish grin on his face. Also, his hat is removable, and he looks pretty good with it on or off. For some reason, his accessory is a trash can lid, which is really random. Admittedly, it has been a little while since the last time I watched one of the Nightmare On Elm Street movies, but I don't recall him killing anybody by using a trash can lid.

#102: Cinema of Fear Jason

Growing up, I was always aware of the Friday the 13th movies (I even dressed as Jason for Halloween one year when I was 7 or so), but I never actually saw any of them until some time after Jason X was released. So of course I was looking forward to getting a Star Wars sized Jason figure. Representing Jason as he appeared in Friday the 13th part IV: The Final Chapter (one of the better films in the series, starring both Crispin Glover and Corey Feldman!) the figure goes for a fairly iconic look. He comes with an axe and a machete, both appropriately splattered with blood. The mask is well detailed, and matches up with its appearance in the movie pretty well. What's really cool about it is that it is removable. Underneath the mask, it is a pretty good representation of his unmasked appearance in the movie. Of the three figures in this series, this is the only one I had a decent look at beforehand, thanks to an earlier release as an exclusive, so I knew what I was in for. It's a cool figure, and the sheer novelty factor of having a Star Wars figure sized Jason really counts for a lot to me.

Joe sale

In case you didn't know, Big Bad Toy Store is currently running a sale on all 25th anniversary G.I. Joe toys, which lasts until the end of the month. There are some good deals to be had. I have been thinking about getting the Cobra "Defense of Cobra Island" seven pack. It's not included in the sale, but it does have some good figures. If I do get that, I might even get the Joe "Attack on Cobra Island" pack too, since buying them together is a bit better of a value.

After my camera broke, I was able to borrow my roommate's and take pictures of the Freddy and Jason figures, so I should be posting about them soon. I ordered a new camera, and that should be arriving next week. I've been thinking of setting up a makeshift miniature studio for taking pictures. I think it will be a nicer look than just setting the toys on the kitchen table.

At the beginning of the week, I sent in for the Qui-Gonn and eopie figures, hopefully they arrive in a somewhat timely manner. If anybody needs some proofs of purchase for that figure offer, I have some extras.

#101: Cinema of Fear Leatherface

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of the earliest examples of a slasher film, and is generally considered a classic of the genre. It was only in the past few years that I got around to seeing it (I saw the remake as well), so it never really caught my imagination like your Friday the 13th or your Nightmare On Elm Street. Because of that Leatherace is the figure I was least excited for from this series. Fortunately, he turned out to be a pretty cool figure. It's been a while since I've seen the movie, and I think his hair was longer than this figure has, but that's my only real complaint about it. Leatherface comes with the requisite chainsaw, a hammer, and a display base. I think that what I like most is that everything is covered in blood, as befitting an iconic slasher. I've never had a toy that's so gory before, and it makes for an interesting contrast.

Well, that's just great

Many months ago, I pre-ordered the Cinema of Fear 3.75 inch figures, and now they have finally arrived. They were sold as a set, so I thought they would all be in the same package, but they were actually individually carded. They are just in time for the beginning of the run up to Halloween. The other toy I pre-ordered at around the same time should be shipping soon.

Unfortunately, my camera has decided to break. I was able to get a picture of Leatherface, so I'll be able to post about him soon. I'm going to dig out my previous camera, and that should hold me over until I get a replacement. This may mean I will have to be a little more choosy about what toys I buy for a little while, but it's not the worst that could happen.

#100 G.I. Joe Crimson Guard

Right around the time that I decided that I needed Tomax and Xamot, I realized that I would need a Crimson Guard figure for them to boss around. And someone needs to do the accounting for the rest of my Cobra figures. Then I remembered the five pack that came out, and figured that five CGs are better than one. It's five of exactly the same figure, with the sole difference being the squad leader has a silver chest. The all come with a handgun and a rifle that has an attached bayonet.

I have to say, whenever I see a Crimson Guard, I think the shape of their helmets is somewhat reminiscent of a baboon's head. Is that just me?

Simian countenances aside, I think it's a cool set to have. It works as an army building set, and doesn't include some minor variation on Cobra Commander, or something like that. I already have enough figures of him anyway.

For more information about the Crimson Guard, please check out Crimson Guard Week, over at Dan's Toy Museum.

#99: Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Ejector

Ejector! He turns into a toaster. An evil toaster! With an alt-form so ridiculous, I couldn't resist. Ejector is in the scout class, so he is on the small side. One of the interesting things about him is his face, it looks like a gargoyle. It's definitely different from the faces on all the other bots from the movie line, and distinct from other versions of Transformers as well. I guess with such a goofy alt-mode, he's bound to be different. He's also got four arms, which is kind of weird. He's kind of difficult to balance standing up. Since he has tiny feet, he has to be sort of balanced on the back part of his legs, which could either be meant as shins or heels. Transformation is pretty simple, he basically folds up into toaster mode. The toaster looks good from the top, front, and sides. If you look at the back or the bottom, you see folded up robot parts. Better keep the back to the wall, I guess. I'm glad they made the tail/plug out of string rather than plastic, which would probably end up snapping. In reality, Ejector doesn't have the greatest robot or alt mode, but for me the concept that he turns into a toaster is enough t0 make up for it.

Clone madness

I was thinking about the upcoming Star Wars figures for this year that I want to get, and of course that means more clones. At this point, I think that more than half of my Star Wars figures are clone troopers or some sort of Imperial troop. I'll have to count and check one day.




I took this picture in February 2008, and it contains all the clones I had at the time. I think they may have doubled since then, but it gives you some idea of what my trooper collection is like.

I'm almost ready to post about my 100th toy for the year! I wish I'd been keeping track of what I got and when for the previous years to make some comparisons. The 100th toy is already here in my room, although I haven't opened yet. Clever guesses may reveal what it is before I post about it.

#98: G.I. Joe Cobra Rattler and Wild Weasel

I think the 25th anniversary line really hit its stride when Hasbro started releasing vehicles. For me, a big part of what was so cool about the A Real American Hero line of Joes from my childhood was the selection of crazy, and some not so crazy, vehicles. I can remember having two planes. One was the Joes' Sky Striker, which I still have at my parents' house, although with most of its detachable pieces missing. I understand that the molds to this have been damaged, so Hasbro won't be re-releasing it. The other was Cobra's Rattler, based loosely on the A-10 Warthog. I think the main reason I didn't get one while they were in stores is because of space. The HISS is relatively small, but this is about a foot and a half wide and long. Now that I have one, I'm glad I got it.

The Rattler is kind of a goofy looking little plane partly because it is scaled down to be an affordable toy. But overall, I really dig it. It's got VTOL capabilities, so it has rotating wings. There are a bunch of bombs and missiles. There's even room for a gunner. The original had a couple of removable panels that could be replaced with bullet-ridden panels to suggest battle damage. This version doesn't have those, one of the panels is still removable, but the other one seems stuck in place. One thing I really like about the Rattler is that (scale aside) it's a good size for running around making flying sounds with (unlike the Millennium Falcon which is too big to hold with one hand and fly around). I think that's one way of playing with toys that will never get old. The Rattler has a lot of stickers. A lot. It took me almost an hour to put all of them on.

Wild Weasel is a nice update of the original figure. Oddly enough, he shares a body with Snow Job. Even though the modern figures are a bit taller than the originals, he fits in the cockpit well. I think he's the only figure that hasn't come with a stand. Even the HISS driver has one! He's sticking in the cockpit, so he doesn't need one.

#97: Star Wars Clone Wars Jawas

Lately the more realistically styled Jawas have been sold one at a time, with some random droid companion. Droids are cool and all, but I can do without, unless I particularly like them. But the cartoon Jawas come as a pair, so I decided to pick some up and fill in the scavenger hole in my collection. I suppose it's the simplification of their design to reflect their animated appearance, but there's something about these figures that is just really adorable. I think these are the cutest things that have come out of any Star Wars line. The only complaint I can make is that they are not super articulated, their legs are pretty much stuck with rotating, and the smaller Jawa doesn't have elbows. For their size, I suppose they don't really need much more, and their skirts would get in the way of more leg articulation anyway. On the plus side, they both have holsters for their respective guns. Although they don't have light piped eyes like other Jawas tend to, their eyes are painted a very bright yellow that really pops. I really like these guys, and may need to pick up a couple more sets just to have a whole pack of Jawas.

#96: Star Wars Clone Wars Clone Trooper Denal

Another day, another clone trooper. Denal is from the cartoon, and as far as I know, hasn't yet been shoehorned into a movie appearance. Along with Captain Rex, he was the sole clone survivor of a mission in the cartoon, and he's also the star of a cell phone Clone Wars game. What sets his toy apart from a basic clone are the blue markings on his armor, and a rocket pack. The cool thing about the rocket pack is that it includes two projectiles. One is meant to be launched, and is so long that it sticks out through the bottom of the rocket pack, which looks somewhat ridiculous when Denal is just standing around. The other projectile (pictured) is much shorter so there is no stem sticking out the bottom of the pack. It's much better for display purposes. The rocket pack is removable, so if you want a regular trooper with blue markings, this is a nice one.

#95: Star Wars Clone Wars Commander Gree

Commander Gree is, by my count, up to three figures. Not bad for someone that is remembered for having his head chopped off by Yoda. His first two figures are based on his movie appearance, but he's had some face time in the Clone Wars series, which is what this figure is based on.

Gree here is based on the standard clone body. What sets him apart are his holster, his wacky hair, his bandolier thing, and his paint job. He also comes with a large missile launcher. Nothing too far out here, but it's a cool figure if you're into clones.

Also included in his packaging is the order form for the Qui-Gonn/eopie mail in offer. A nice bonus is the inclusion of clone cash, which is a coupon for five dollars off from a Hasbro Star Wars purchase of twenty dollars or more. That can come in handy!

#94: Construction

Hey, it's Deva- Oh, no it's not. The best thing about Tuesday Morning is the really weird selection of toys they carry, at very cheap prices. As soon as I saw this knockoff Devastator (named Construction, as far as I can tell) on the shelf, I was immediately grabbed by the desire to buy it. And then right after that, I was filled with doubt as to whether this would be a good purchase. Ultimately, the "buy it" impulse won out, or I wouldn't be writing this.

I never had Devastator as a kid, although I did have the dump truck, Long Haul. When the Wal-Mart exclusive version came out during the classics line, I picked it up, but nothing beats the original. This is not the original, but getting one would probably cost more than I am willing to pay, so five bucks is a good deal, even if it is just a knockoff. I'm assuming its name is supposed to be Construction, because that is one of the few words in English on the card that it was packaged on (aside from the names of the individual bots and the choking hazard warning). I haven't disassembled it and transformed the individual robots yet, as I am somewhat wary of it falling apart. It does seem to be made of a thinner plastic than real Transformers, and as I was fiddling with trying to make it stand, the left leg kept disconnecting, and part of it did fall off. There are even faction stickers that look almost but not like the Decepticon logo. Hopefully it doesn't fall apart when I do try to transform it, but for now, it looks decent enough just standing there.

#93: G.I. Joe comic pack Tomax and Xamot

I was watching some old G.I. Joe cartoons on DVD, and they are really good at selling me toys. The Pyramid of Darkness story arc introduced Tomax and Xamot to the cartoon, and when I watched those episodes, I decided that I should get their figures. While they were still on shelves, there were several times when I considered buying them, but I never did. Since basically everything that's not related to the movie has been purged from the toy aisles, I had to resort to the internet.

One of the neat things about the Joe comic packs is that some of them come with reprints, and some come with completely new comics written by Larry Hama that take place within the storyline of the original series. This set comes with issue 36 1/2 which is mostly about the Tomax and Xamot assuming control of the Crimson Guard.

As usual, these are good figures. They are nicely updated to modern standards. It's definitely a cool set, and my only regret is that I didn't just buy it while it was still in stores.

Welcome to August

Today I got a package in the mail, and did some toy shopping. I got something completely unexpected while I was out, so I will be posting about that in the next day or so.

I think that the for the rest of the year, most of the toys I get will be Star Wars. There are a couple Joes, some comic characters, Ejector, and a couple other oddballs that I want to get.

What are you looking forward to?