#51: Transformers 4 Age of Extinction - Scorn

Because I'm a sucker, I'll see Transformers 4. If nothing else, it will bring Dinobots to the big screen. Dinobots are of course the coolest because they combine the already great meeting of big robots that turn into other things and dinosaurs. I picked up Scorn first because he's a spinosarus, which if it isn't the first Dinobot to turn into one, it's at least the first one I've had. There is apparently some controversy over whether the Dinobots in the movie have robot modes, but the toy definitely does. The head is very different from the typical movie designs, so that could be evidence in favor of no movie robot modes. But otherwise, it has the usual busy spiky design of movie bots. I like the way the dino's spine forms small wings on his back, it's a cool look. He gets a sword, and his left arm is a spear made from the tail. With the other arm being the head, it's reminiscent of Beast Wars Megatron.

Dino mode is really cool looking. The sword tucks into the tail, so it doesn't get stuck laying around in this mode. The head has a lot of good motion, and the arms can move at the shoulders. It's my only movie toy so far, but I'm digging it. I'll probably end up getting all the Dinobots, especially since having learned my lesson on passing on the Animated Dinobots a few years back.

#50: Bandai Tamashii Gundam Wing - Deathscythe Hell

My taste in anime basically consists of what Cartoon Network was showing during Toonami and Adult Swim 10 to 15 years ago, so my favorite Gundam series (and the only one I've seen in its entirety) is Gundam Wing. A couple weeks ago, Jcee made a post of his Gundam Wing figures, which got me interested in picking at least one Gundam figure. I had a few of the Gundam model kits years ago, but I was never practiced enough at painting to make them look as good as I would have liked. So these modern figures from Bandai are a pretty worthy update. Deathscythe was my favorite Gundam, and this is the upgraded Hell version, which has the extra shielding and a double bladed beam scythe.

My favorite aspect of Deathscythe Hell's design is the way the armored cloak unfolds in a way that is reminiscent of bat wings. That design is carried out even more blatantly in the Endless Waltz version, but that hasn't been made yet.

The figure includes different versions of the beam scythe's handle. One is straight, and another is curved, which represents the way it is presented in the animation, when it took on a curved appearance to make it look as if it was moving faster while being swung. There is also a compacted version that can be stowed on the back of the figure. The blades are transparent green plastic and are removable.

Also included is the rocket blade beam shield thing, which can be plugged onto either arm. It also has a removable beam blade, and the regular blades are articulated. There are also four different sets of hands, open, closed fists, fists for holding weapons, and angled weapon holding fists.

Aside from just looking great overall, the figure has a ton of articulation as well. It can move in most anyway you'd want it to (there's even an ab crunch joint), but a lot of the panels are articulated as well, so that they won't get in the way of limb movement. I'm really digging this figure, which is cool on its own, as well as scratching the nostalgia itch. I'm not really into Gundam enough to want the full lineup, but I might very well get the Wing Zero as well.

#49: G.I. Joe Retaliation - Blind Master

It looks like G.I. Joe is basically dead right now, so hopefully the suits at Hasbro get their collective act together soon and get the franchise going again. For now, here's a figure I've been wanting to pick up for a while, and friend of the blog James happened to find one for me at a Toys R Us. Blind Master is a cool character and all, but this is a case where I wanted the figure more because of the actor playing the part. So now I have an action figure of the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA. Blind Master includes a bevy of accessories, and one of the weapons is a sword with a series of rings along the backside of the blade.

The first piece of headgear included with Blind Master doubles as a shield and has hidden blades that fold out. There's also a staff with a removable end that reveals a hidden blade.

The other piece of headgear included is a mask. There's also a blowgun, and some sort of spiky ring tethered by a rope. Not pictured, is the standard G.I. Joe Retaliation stand, which is fairly nondescript.

#48: Game of Thrones Legacy Collection - Daenerys Targaryen

The last (?) living Targaryen, Daenerys certainly has a strong claim to the Iron Throne. Dragons are a good argument in her favor as well. But does she harbor the Targaryen madness? Maybe we'll find out eventually. There will be another Dany figure in the next series, but I liked the look of her brown Dothraki outfit better, so I opted for this version. Again, although the likeness isn't really there, it's an otherwise good looking figure, with good articulation. Her hair and skirts are both soft enough that they don't get in the way too much of her articulation. Dany's accessory is one of her dragons, which I believe is Drogon. There are holes on her shoulder where his feet can peg into as if he's crouched there.

#47: Game of Thrones Legacy Collection - The Hound

The Hound is one of those interesting characters who starts out as an antagonist, but who soon turns out to have more layers. He's a remorseless killer, but he also seems to have a protective streak when it comes to the Stark girls. And all the scenes with him and Arya in the fourth season are pure gold. He's a very tall man, and his figure is suitably the largest one in the line so far. It also has what is probably the best likeness out of all of them, although the facial scarring could probably be a little more pronounced. The Hound is also well accessorized, with two swords, a removable scabbard, and a helmet. Both swords are different, and there is a scabbard for each of them. The dog faced helmet is made of a very soft, rubbery plastic that allows it to slip on and off of his head easily. I don't know how well that will hold up long term, but it looks good and is easy to use. This is probably my favorite figure of the line so far. I can't wait to pair him up with Arya from the next series.

#46: Game of Thrones Legacy Collection - Tyrion Lannister

Like the six inch Black Series R2-D2, I was reticent to get a Tyrion figure because it's not as good a value. But Tyrion is one of my favorite characters, and since all the figures were below retail, it helped soften the blow. Tyrion is in his armor from the battle of Blackwater Bay, and his sole accessory is a battle axe. I would have preferred a more casual outfit (and maybe a goblet of wine), but who knows if they'll do another Tyrion figure. The likeness to Peter Dinklage is unfortunately not very good on the figure. Despite his shorter stature, the articulation is still pretty decent. No double hinged knees, and the ankles are a bit stiff, but otherwise everything important is there. The lower skirt of the armor is fairly soft, so it's not too obtrusive.

#45: Game of Thrones Legacy Collection - Jon Snow

Funko's Game of Thrones figures showed up a few months ago before anybody was expecting them, and I've been meaning to pick some up since then. I recently noticed that Amazon has them for lower than retail, so I figured it was as good a time as any to try them out. First up we have Ned Stark's know nothing bastard, Jon Snow. The figure seems to be based on Jon's appearance somewhere after the first half of the season, as he is in his Night's Watch blacks and has the bastard sword (appropriate!) given to him by the Old Bear himself after Jon saved his life. The likeness to Kit Harington isn't the best, but given that Funko is mostly known for highly stylized toys, this isn't bad for a first foray into a more realistic look. While Jon's costume is all black, there are some areas that feature a light dusting meant to represent snow or frost, such as on his boots, the lower edges of his tunic, on his cloak, and even in his hair. Jon is very well articulated, although the wrists are a bit loose. The cloak is soft enough that it doesn't hinder the arms too much, fortunately. Overall, it's a pretty well done figure, and it's cool to have Game of Thrones action figures, as I thought the Pop Vinyl toys would be the closest thing.

One for each of the Stark children.

#44: LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures - Mr. Burns

Here we are at last, the final figure I bought from the LEGO Simpsons blindpacked series. Inanimate Carbon Rod! Yes, in Rod we trust. The rod is made of transparent green plastic, and for accessories includes a Mr. Burns figure, who in turn includes a Blinky the three eyed fish as an accessory. Blinky is painted on to a clear standard LEGO headpiece. It's easy to feel for either the inanimate carbon rod or Blinky to find this set.

Here is the bump code from the back of the package for Mr. Burns, with batch code 401B4.

#43: LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures - Scratchy

The Tom to Itchy's Jerry, here's Scratchy. He has a tail piece that plugs in between the legs and the torso, which I haven't seen before. It also helps make him a little more tall in comparison with Itchy. Scratchy is armed with an axe, perfect for chopping up cartoon mice. Feeling for the axe or for the tail is probably your best bet when trying to find Scratchy.

Here's the bump code on the back of Scratchy's packaging, with batch code 401B4.

#42: LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures - Itchy

Before I found the Simpsons minifigures, my original plan was only to get Itchy and Scratchy. Then when I started going through the bags, I gradually expanded my wishlist to almost the entire series. Itchy's accessory is naturally a weapon, in this case a club. It's easy to feel for either that or his big-eared head in the packaging.

Here is the bump code on the back of Itchy's packaging, with batch code 401B4.

#41: LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures - Ralph

Ralph is almost always good for a laugh, and is usually quite quotable, so I'm glad they made him for the LEGO series. For an accessory, he comes his "I choo-choo-choose you" Valentine, which I love. A bent Wookiee would have been great, if unlikely, also. Like Milhouse, he has both the short unarticulated legs and a smooth square tile for an accessory, so the way to find him is to feel for the head, which is rounder and flatter than Milhouse's.

Here is the bump code form the back of Ralph's package, with batch code 401B4.

#40: LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures - Milhouse

Everything's coming up Milhouse! Bart's best friend seems more of a butt of jokes than an interesting character, but now he's back in LEGO form. His only accessory is a square panel meant to depict an issue of a comic featuring the bespectacled hero Biclops. Feeling for him is slightly complicated in that he can be easy to mix up with Ralph, who similarly has a square accessory and non-articulated legs. Milhouse's head is fairly irregularly shaped, so after finding the legs and the comic, that's how you make sure it's him.

Here is the bump code on the back of the package for Milhouse, with batch code 401B4.

#39: LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures - Krusty

Always willing to shill for a buck, it's not surprising that Krusty would end up as one of the characters to be cast in plastic for LEGO minfigures. So here he is in all his clowning glory, ready with a cream pie to smash on someone's face. His two distinguishing pieces to feel for are his head and the pie. It has a hole that studs (or hands) can plug into on the bottom, which threw me off, because it was thicker than I was expecting. But the ridged crust is a pretty decent giveaway.

Here's the bump code on the back of the package for Krusty, with batch code 401B4.

#38: LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures - Maggie

Rounding out the nuclear Simpsons family is Maggie. Unfortunately she is not a Duplo figure as she was in the LEGO episode. Maybe that can be a future release.  Her face has a somewhat worried expression. Maggie uses a body that is one single piece to reflect her legless baby suit, and as far as I know, that is a new piece. Her accessory is Bobo, the stuffed bear that originally belonged to Mr. Burns. She's easy to find by feeling either for Bobo or her unique body piece.

Here's the bump code on the back of the package for Maggie, with batch code 401B4.

#37: LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures - Lisa

And here's Lisa Simpson, with her trusty saxophone. Like Bart she has the shorter unarticulated legs, and like Marge she has a soft goods piece for the bottom of her dress. Unlike Marge, she's not barefoot. Finding her in the package is pretty easy to do be feeling for the sax.

Here is the bump code on the back of the package for Lisa, with batch code 401B4.

#36: LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures - Marge

Happy Mother's Day, internet! Here's the matriarch of the Simpsons clan herself, Marge. I think Marge is the tallest minifigure, aside from Lord Business. She's got one of the larger collections of accessories in the series, with a Donut Fancy magazine, a handbag, and a soft skirt piece for the bottom of her dress. Oddly, her feet are unpainted, making it look as if she's going barefoot. Marge is one of the easier minifigures to find because her hair is so big and distinct. Just feel for a bumpy long cylindrical piece and you're set.

Here's the bump code on the back of the package to find Marge, with batch code 401B4.

#35: LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures - Bart

If I was going to only get one member of the Simpsons family, it would have been either Homer or Bart. I ended up getting them all, but here's Bart. Like all the children in this series, he uses the shorter unarticulated legs, which can be an aid in finding him. He's also easy to identify by his accessory, a skateboard. In the package, the wheels are unattached, so it's easy to feel for the small dumbbell feeling objects. Also, his spiky head is fairly distinct as well.

Bart even has his trusty slingshot in his back pocket.

The bump code for Bart, on the back of the package, with batch code 401B4.

#34: LEGO The Simpsons Minifigures - Homer

For the first time ever, LEGO has released a series of blindpacked minifigures based on a licensed property, America's favorite nuclear family The Simpsons. Unfortunately, the fact that it's a licensed series means the price has gone up a dollar, although I ended up getting most of the series, fueled in large part by nostalgia. Until this week's LEGO episode, I hadn't watched a new episode of The Simpsons in a long time, but I was into it big time for the first 10 seasons or so.

So, here's Homer. Interestingly, all the Simpsons minifigures use new headsculpts rather than the traditional LEGO headpiece. It takes something away from the LEGO-ness of the figure, but it does make for a more accurate appearance. The Ninja Turtles figures (and others) have done this already, so it's nothing new, although this is perhaps the only line to completely forego traditional head shapes. For accessories, Homer includes a remote control and a donut. These are what you want to feel for when trying to find Homer. You might try feeling for the head, but nobody else comes with a single stud piece, so there is no room for confusion when feeling for the donut.

Here's the bump code for Homer, with batch code 401B4 on the back.