Toy review roundup
Updatedude reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Classics Cyclonus figure. Excerpt: “This guy is good enough that I might pick up the Henkei version as well.”
yo go re reviews the Mattel The Dark Knight Coin Blast Two-Face figure. Excerpt: “… a decent offering.”
Artemis reviews the SOTA Toys Street Fighter Revolution R. Mika figure. Excerpt: “… I got higher than usual quality from Chun Li, Cammy, and Sakura, and I expected it from Mika. I didn’t get it.”
Erech Overaker reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Deathstroke the Terminator figure.Excerpt: “… what would a Mattel toy be without breaking on me almost immediately out of package?” (See also.)
Erech Overaker reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Wonder Woman figure. Excerpt: “… as great a sculpt and proportioned all the muscles and parts are, they really dropped the ball with her booty.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Mercenary Wraith figure. Excerpt: “This review has been very harsh on Wraith, but don’t think he’s best left ignored.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Indiana Jones German Soldier (single and two-pack versions) figures from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Excerpt: ” I’m impressed.” (See also.)
Retro reviews
Steve Pietrangelo reviews the Mattel DC Superheroes Camo Bane figure. Excerpt: “If you can get past the wide leg stance and the ho-hum accessory then go and buy him.”
Erin Snyder reviews the DC Direct Teen Titans Blackfire figure. Excerpt: “DC Direct really needs to do something about quality control.”
Mike reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Tollbooth figure from the Bridge Layer (Toss ‘N Cross) set. Excerpt: “Along with Shipwreck, Law and Spirit, Tollbooth completes the G.I. Joe homage to the Village People.” (See also.)
Toy links
Argo-Knight Phase Shift.
A nice digirama by argonaut x using his custom Micronauts figure.
TransGals Omega Supreme.
Another Transformers-inspired Gene Block creation by Misodrill.
The number you cannot compute.
A kitbash of the R-44 Guntank from Gundam F91. (Click on the image for a closer look.)
Optimuscle.
Once seen, it cannot be unseen. (Click on the image for a closer … on second thought, don’t.)
My Li’l Lulu.
A custom of the Final Fantasy X black mage.
Mylo Ratbat.
“I kept reading Transformers fans referring to Ratbat’s alternate mode in Devastation as CD-player, I thought I should clear up the confusion …”
Magnepowers Acroyear.
Cool lineart by Greg M Boettcher.
“Dangard Devolution”.
“Witness Dangard’s de-resolution as it was successively bootlegged in Italy … Peru … and Argentina …”
Japanese toy review roundup
The following reviews are in Japanese but they include a generous amount of photos so they’re well worth checking out.
(Please do not hotlink images on these sites.)
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Hot Toys Appleseed Saga Ex Machina ES.W.A.T. Team Deunan Knute (Stealth Armor version) Figure Ou exclusive 1/20-scale trading kit.
Gamu (part 2) reviews the Hot Toys Appleseed Saga Ex Machina ES.W.A.T. Team Deunan Knute, Briareos Hechatonchires, Tereus, Manuel Aeacus, Rhoetus and Bonus Parts Figure Landmate 1/20-scale trading kits.
Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-11 Ironhide figure. (See also.)
Misodrill reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Prowl figure. (See also.)
Damien Sancho, Tom and Mondo review the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Gatack figure from Kamen Rider Kabuto. (See also.)
Kanon and Goe review the Banpresto Gundam Special Creative Model (S.C.M) G3 Gundam and GM prize figures while K3 reviews the GM figure. (See also.)
The G reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Scorpion Graffias set. (See also.)
Hikutori reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Zeo combined mecha from the Bat Vespelio and Scorpion Graffias sets. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Enkidu figure from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Max Factory Figma Hanshin Tigers Mascot Tolucky (home version) figure. (See also.)
Len reviews the Max Factory Figma Kagamine Len figure from Vocaloid2. (See also.)
Koshihara Hitoshi and Vintage review the Bandai DX Solid Driver toy from Keitai Sosakan 7.
Toyhunter reviews the Bandai Tamagoras Lion, Bear and Squirrel trading toys.
Supa and Shishioh review the Kaiyodo Suzumiya Haruhi Bust Collection (akanbe version) Shonen Ace exclusive bust from The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi.
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Diaclone Dinosaur Robo 5 Pteranodon figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Hasbro Transformers 30 Swoop figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Beastformer Laser Beast Battle Savanna set.
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai DX B-Fighter Kabuto figure.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Valor vs. Venom Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow two-pack. (See also.)
Toy links
Baroness and Cover Girl.
Fine G.I. Joe customs by Fugazi.
Char’s Gundam.
Not content with dyeing his MSIA Gundam Exia prize figure, Damien Sancho goes to work on his Comic Con exclusive RX-78-2.
Ego-surfing.
A neat photo by schillaci70.
Autobotesque.
A striking Lego MOC by Lovejoint inspired by the Transformers Movie look.
Dollar Store Toy Box.
“… reviews of dollar store toys you might want to fill your toy box, shelves or closet. Take a look at all the total rip-offs of all your favorite toys that you wanted as a kid.” (Thanks, Mike!)
Fanmode faves
Fanmode presents a few hundred toy-related links every month and it’s possible a few may have slipped your attention. Here are ten of our favourites for September and October ’08.
With great power, comes great responsibility.
It may not be the most appropriate quote to use for this CollectableKid custom but the man collects Spider-Man comics.
Thunderwing.
The Transformers Movie Megatron figure seems like such an obvious candidate for this G1-inspired repaint when the finished work is seen but this took significant out-of-the-box thinking.
Red Guardian.
A phenomenal custom by lcl200305 of an obscure Marvel character.
Fighting Tommy.
This Fant0mas custom looks like it stepped out of the pages of 2000 A.D.
Zoidformer.
A Transformers-inspired Zoids Blox fanmode by Misodrill.
The Man in the Steel Mask.
“Saturday night veteran actor and Academy Award winner Sir Sean Connery was arrested without struggle outside his home in the Bahamas.” (Alex Trebek is reportedly elated.)
Squadron Supreme.
These neat customs of the Marvel heroes were based appropriately enough on Justice League Unlimited figures.
My Little Scissorhands.
A custom of an uncommonly gentle pony.
Anatomy of a Lego minifig.
Creative work by Jason Freeny.
Hot Toys’ Yulli interviewed.
It’s great to see Hot Toys’ talented sculptors are getting the recognition they deserve.
Toy links
The Brick Testament.
“… contains material some may consider morally objectionable and/or inappropriate for children.”
Yaoformer.
Part man, part machine, all ball.
Longrack.
A repaint of the Transformers Movie Mudflap figure. (Click on the image for a closer look.)
Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Silverbolt is not going to like this.
“A moment of silence …”
A fine shot by Thorsten Becker.
Toy review roundup
VeeBee reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics He-Man figure. Excerpt: “I am extremely pleased with this He-Man figure. That being said, I think he will actually be one of my least favorite figures in the line.” [via]
Rustin Parr reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics King Grayskull (normal and bronze versions) San Diego Comic Con exclusive figure. Excerpt: “King Grayskull is fairly cool … But as the harbinger of an all new He-Man toyline? He doesn’t have the power.” (See also.)
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Happy Well RoadBot Lamborghini Murcielago, Toyota Supra and Hummer H3 1/32-scale figures. Excerpt: “(Re: Lamborghini Murcielago) It doesn’t try to be too tricky in either mode, and succeeds at being a competent toy.”
Justin Bell reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Specialist Trakker figure. Excerpt: “… every once in a while even a retrospective line needs a breath of fresh air. Matt Trakker is a welcome one.” (See also.)
Justin Bell reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Zartan figure. Excerpt: “… we have the ultimate version of the Master of Disguise here …” (See also.)
Justin Bell reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Cobra Eel figure. Excerpt: “You can’t get much better than this.” (See also.)
Justin Bell reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Flint (Cobra disguise version) figure. Excerpt: “Not bad for a swift repaint and low tooling costs.” (See also.)
Justin Bell reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Scarlett (pilot version) figure. Excerpt: “… this figure only gets a moderate recommendation.” (See also.)
Justin Bell reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Sgt. Airborne figure. Excerpt: “… this is one of the best Anniversary figures we’ve gotten to date.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Snake Eyes (Arctic Trooper version) figure. Excerpt: “… an excellent new variation on the old favorite, and a good toy in his own right.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Comic Packs 12 Baron Soontir Fel and Hobbie Klivian set from the Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron comic. Excerpt: “… removable armor. Love that stuff.” (See also.)
Shogundan reviews the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Y-wing Fighter Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive set. Excerpt: “… a great choice for the casual Star Wars fan or collector.” (See also.)
Shogundan reviews the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection ARC-170 Fighter Target exclusive set from The Clone Wars. Excerpt: “… just plain sweet!” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Imperial EVO Trooper and Jumptrooper figures from The Force Unleashed game. Excerpt: “They’re both unique and distinctive Star Wars figures …” (See also.)
Updatedude reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Optimus Prime figure from the Battle for the Cyber Planet Keys Sam’s Club exclusive 5-pack. Excerpt: “A decent toy with its share of issues.”
Steve Pietrangelo reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Orion figure. Excerpt: “… a good toy.” (See also.)
Steve Pietrangelo reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Rex Mason, The Element Man Collect and Connect figure. Excerpt: “… Rex has some cool, unique features that make him an interesting action figure …” (See also.)
Steve Pietrangelo reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Despero Collect and Connect figure. Excerpt: “Overall, Despero was not a figure I was really looking forward to but after putting him together, he really is a great looking toy and a respectable runner up to Ares for best of the set.” (See also.)
Erin Snyder reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Wonder Woman figure. Excerpt: “… she has some of the most serious articulation and posability issues in this entire line … But she also has some of the best sculpt and paint work we’ve seen …” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Hulk Series Wendigo figure. Excerpt: “… a very John Byrne version of the Wendigo …” (See also.)
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Stealth Lockdown set. Excerpt: ” The clear plastic deco, while not as good as the one shown on the package, is still striking.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Swoop figure. Excerpt: “… the Dinos are decent toys – it’s just that Swoop is the best of the three.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Titanium War Within Grimlock Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive figures. Excerpt: “… if you give this unusual design a try, you’ll find the quality is still there.”
Dave Van Domelen and Blitzwing review the Hasbro Transformers Animated Activators Grimlock figure. (See also.)
Dave Van Domelen and Blitzwing review the Hasbro Transformers Animated Activators Megatron figure.
EVA Unit 4A reviews the Bandai Power Rangers Jungle Fury Deluxe Jungle Pride Megazord set. Excerpt: “… a significant deduction in price, but nothing else overwhelmingly-significant was lost.”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Bandai Power Rangers Jungle Fury Evil Melle with Flit the Fly and Evil Space Alien figures. Excerpt: “(Re: Evil Space Alien) Precisely why this figure wasn’t released under the name Dai Shi, or even Jarrod, is anybody’s guess.”
Artemis reviews the Lego Aqua Raiders 7773 Tiger Shark Attack set. Excerpt: “… good value all around … but the shark is undeniably the star of the show.”
Artemis reviews the Lego Agents 8633 Mission 4: Speedboat Rescue set. Excerpt: “Frickin’ sharks with frickin’ laser beams attached to their frickin’ heads!”
Retro reviews
Leonardo Flores reviews the Bandai Spiral Zone Special Force Group: Scout Type III Monoseed 1/12-scale set. Excerpt: “… the crowning achievement in the entire Spiral Zone line …”
Shogundan reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Luke Skywalker’s X-wing Fighter set. Excerpt: “… the best representation of this ship in toy form to date.” (See also.)
Shogundan reviews the Kenner Star Wars The Power of the Force Boba Fett’s Slave 1 set. Excerpt: “… I am not impressed …” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel DC Superheroes Lex Luthor figure. Excerpt: “… he’s certainly worth tracking down.” (See also.)
Tom Prankerd reviews the Takara Transformers Collection Stepper figure. Excerpt: “… if you already have Jazz, there’s not much incentive here to buy his brother in the loud clothes.”
Mike reviews the Hasbro Street Fighter Rock Trooper Guile figure. Excerpt: “The figure looks like a Joe, but is different enough that most people would not recognize the body at first glance.” (See also.)
Engineernerd reviews the Mattel Mork and Mindy Mork figure from the Mork from Ork and Eggship set. Excerpt: “Mork is not a great figure.”
Toy links
Can you hear the thunder?
A very nice Lion-O custom by Boskoes Toys. (See also.)
Aquaman.
“Dude, if they made an Aquaman action figure with a hook, I’d buy like twelve of them.” (See also.)
Monstructor Pretenders: the early years.
“The fearsome Decepticon Monster Pretenders had to wait a long time for their outer shells to mature.”
Blast from the past.
“Classic toys could fill the gap left by a lack of a ‘must have’ toy, as toy makers stick to past hits and avoid taking risks …”
Collectors and materialism.
“The toys we own are made of fossil fuels, as are the packages they come in. We’re supporting corporate empires when we hand over our money. And we’re also supporting companies with harsh conditions and unfair practices …”
Japanese toy review roundup
The following reviews are in Japanese but they include a generous amount of photos so they’re well worth checking out.
(Please do not hotlink images on these sites.)
Onbashira reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-11 Ironhide figure.
Hinatatiki reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Voyager class Shockwave figure. (See also.)
K2O reviews the Bandai In Action Offshoot Burai Kai (Tohdoh custom) figure from Code Geass.
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the Banpresto Gundam Special Creative Model (S.C.M.) G3 Gundam prize figure.
Cagalli-bi and SR../Blood Zwei review the Banpresto Gundam S.C.M. GM prize figure.
Gamu, Goe and Shishioh review the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Gatack figure from Kamen Rider Kabuto. (See also.)
Goe reviews the Bandai S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) Limited Kamen Rider Den-O Rod Form and Kamen Rider Den-O Ax Form set. (See also.)
Ramuna reviews the Yamato GN-U Dou Kenryu figure from Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Hokuto No Ken Revolution Jagi figure. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Kaiyodo Fraulein Revoltech Hasegawa Haruka figure from Moyashimon. (See also.)
Hikutori reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Scorpion Graffias set. (See also.)
Len reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Light Armor Nurse Bright Feather figure. (See also.)
Supa and The G review the Max Factory Figma Kagamine Len figure from Vocaloid2.
Supa reviews the Max Factory Figma Kagamine Rin figure from Vocaloid2. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Max Factory Figma Chunichi Dragons Mascot Doala (home version) figure. (See also.)
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Takara Tomy Tomica Hero Rescue Force Rescue Vehicle Series DX Rescue Phoenix set.
Retro reviews
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai Juukou B-Fighter Metallic Hero Super Blue Beet figure.
Taoo reviews the Yamato Votoms Fyana (Udo version) 1/12-scale figure. (See also.)
Kanon reviews the Banpresto Diecast Creative Zaku (Char, mass production, Shin Matsunaga and Black Tri-Stars versions) figures.
Kanon reviews the Banpresto Diecast Creative Zaku (Char, mass production commander type, Johnny Ridden and Dozle Zabi metallic paint versions) figures.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers USA Edition Terrorsaur figure.
Red reviews the Hasbro Transformers Robots in Disguise Prowl 2 and Side Swipe figures.
Toy links
Living for love, dying for thrills.
A kitbashed 1/6-scale James Bond (ver. Daniel Craig) figure. (More.)
Journey to the West.
A neat Lego diorama. Check out the rest of tigerggyy’s Lego customs, movie posters and dioramas.
Mecha-Tech.
Extraordinary Lego MOCs by Legomaster.
Hourman.
“So I really like the JSA … it’s my new goal to get the entire team done by combining the DCUC releases and my own customs to complete the team.”
Shiny.
“Thought the DCUC Captain Atom was kind of dull so I decided to spruce him up a bit.”
Nagato Deluxe.
Tamaki’s Little Treasure’s latest digiramas.