Yeah, I'm no doubt going to steer clear of these Playmates toys...but to be fair, no matter how "kiddie" they seem, they're no more divergent from the original story's grit than their later offerings during the Turtles' first run of popularity (ending during the 90's).
It seems that the flowing of metal and Energon in American cinema wasn't quite enough to win an Academy Award. (Has a Michael Bay film ever received/been nominated for an Oscar? "Pearl Harbor", perhaps?) The 2008 awards show has probably ended by the time I'm writing this. Transformers was nominated for three awards:
Best Achievement in Sound (went to "The Bourne Ultimatum")
Best Achievement in Sound Editing (went to "The Bourne Ultimatum")
Best Achievement in Visual Effects (went to "The Golden Compass")
As Louis Wu once said, "Tanj!".
(I bet a lotta people are scratching their heads over how box office-flop "The Golden Compass" got that one... So am I! )
Well, at least Jon Voight didn't earn it a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor, eh? (He was up for four different films in this same category for 2007!) But let's also hope it gains a little more respect in the Saturn Awards- where it's up for Best Science-Fiction Film and Best Special Effects. (Considering the crowd it's up against, I'm betting on the latter.)
------------------------------
CollectionDX Staff
I would have been right there with you, my friend, but Sanjeev actually talked me into going to see TMNT last year and it was really a cool movie. I think you'd like it if you liked the old comics.
"This must be settled the way nature intended....with a vicious, bloody fight!"
Onyx Blackman
Principal, Flatpoint High
I had very little time available to me on the show floor, so I didn't get much of a chance to peruse the Underground Toys booth. I took a quick look around and was a little disappointed to see mostly things that're already on store shelves. Your coverage, however, goes a lot deeper. I'd only briefly heard about the 3' voice-activated Dalek--it's great to see that coming along. Also, some of the other items (like the pocket watch) I didn't even know about! Very cool stuff.
Heh...since they're planning on doing Torchwood stuff, I'd better get on watching the show, huh?? ;)
Why haven't I been informed of this until now!? Well, whatever--the important thing is that I have a chance to own an action figure of Master Killer...and that's all that matters. NECA, you're my heroes!!
If these do well, I pray we get some more Shaw Bros classics...the Five Venoms are a must, Yue Wong from Dirty Ho, no doubt, Lieh Lo as Pai Mei--the Fist of the White Lotus, even Sam Seed and a young Jackie Chan as Wong Fei-Hung! Oh, the mind reels!
Ah... And of course, I'd be amiss if I didn't mention the new TMNT figures and how fantastic they look! That comic book style "panel lining" is a little weird, but whatever, I still kinda need 'em!
--
Sanjeev
Immediately when I walked into Toyfair with Nekrodave, I walked right past HL on my way to Onell's table. I, of course, stopped dead in my tracks. I had a brief conversation with the nice guy running the table, who wasn't busy at the time (I failed to catch his name, unfortunately).
He simply noticed my drooling on the glass surrounding the 12" Grendizer figure, and asked me if I knew those characters. HA!!
I briefly summarized my love affair with "Grandizer" via Jim Terry's Force Five and he mentioned that he actually knew quite a bit about that series. Very cool!
About three years ago...before I even had my own account on TBDX, I posted a couple images of a very early High Dream Grendizer Spacer vinyl (the second-to-last post by "BigJoe"). I picked it up from a local comic book shop and I love it to this very day! I mentioned this vinyl to the gentleman running the HL table, and after a moment of recall, he said, "oh yeah, I did that one!"
I wish these guys the best of luck as they seem to be putting out some nice things (like the King Gori vinyl that I still haven't picked up yet!). I'm almost assuredly gonna get me one of those 12" Grendizer figs...and from what I heard before about the grey prototype (NOT from the man at the booth, unfortunately--instead from earlier discussions on TBDX), it's supposed to be a diecast figure that goes along with a Spacer. Sound familiar? I hope it succeeds in all the areas the SoC comes up short.
Edit: oh, and I know Doc's gonna make me buy that freakin' Duke Freed helmet and run around my neighborhood screaming, "ORION QUEST!!!!"! And, really, why wouldn't I???
Hey, wouldn't/didn't Lego have a booth at the ToyFair? Certainly they're big enough! I know they're releasing figures & sets from the brand-new video game "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed", and near-final designs for the various "Clone Wars" sets/figures were sighted in England last month. Indiana Jones, Bionicle, and Exo-Force are now in-stores, but still on the new side.
I haven't heard about Batman yet, though, or whether-or-not they will be tying in with the upcoming film "The Dark Knight". (The debut line models now in stores were made after "Batman Begins", so I don't think they'll tie in with the new movie either, but I have no evidence either way.)
------------------------------
CollectionDX Staff
Nah- I'm, not one for bootlegs unless I unintentionally get one; I prefer legally-licensed products. But, I also don't know what companies make what in this case.
I already knew that "Voltron" was a mish-mash like "Robotech" was, but was more focused on a similar, related saga. So, the which way should I go for the better yet less-expensive route for the original GoLion- American or original Japanese ver.?
------------------------------
CollectionDX Staff
...for the Hulk "reboot". The Ang Lee film was a crime against creation. The new figures are looking pretty good, but I've yet to see a Hulk figure that tops Hasbro's Planet Hulk--which is ironic because when Hasbro took over the Marvel Legends, their quality overall pretty much tanked.
Your right, the elbows are ( I just rechecked the pic), but only up, no rotation. But ya it does look good. Sideshow type poseability has spoiled me but for $30 it could prove to be a good toy though. :)
I mean, the elbows sure *look* articulated. Oh well...I'll still probably get one because they look awesome and probably display great. Yeah, glossy metallic red & gold'll do that!
Invincible has more inspector gedget type of appendages that attach for firing action. I didn't get to handle that one but the repulsor Iron Man has projectiles that fire out of his palms, when you push the button on his chest he says "I am Iron Man." pushing it repeatedly cycles thru firing missles and something else I can't remember...I think it was a flight sound. The figure could only move the legs and arms forward and back and the head turned and looked up a very little bit. No ball joints no articulation in the ankles, elbows or knees. It wasn't bad, just not great.
Okay, I'm a pretty big Iron Man fan, so I'm more than lukewarm for this stuff! ;)
Atom, can you tell us anything else about the big 12" figures? Like, what's the difference between "Invincible" and "Repulsor Power"? How bad was the articulation? Just looking online, it appears that the pricepoint'll be around $30. Not too shabby at all considering Hasbro has released higher-end toys featuring electronic goodies...movie tie-ins like the Ultimate Bumblebee and, of course, the Cloverfield monster.
Hell, I may need to get both and keep one at my office. Either that, or just get the helmet to creep out my co-workers!
Anyway, I'm not so much feeling the 6" figs. I have enough Iron Mans (Men?) from Toybiz's run of the Marvel Legends series. As soon as Hasbro took over, their quality plummeted. Plus, their gimmicks don't particularly impress me...nor do their sculpts.
I do think it's a Titanium. They didn't mention it at the time of the showing and it's not in th epress kit info. But yeah that sure looks like a Titanium series vehicle.
Yeah I thought the beating heart was cute myself. :)
Yeah, I'm no doubt going to steer clear of these Playmates toys...but to be fair, no matter how "kiddie" they seem, they're no more divergent from the original story's grit than their later offerings during the Turtles' first run of popularity (ending during the 90's).
I'm all over those NECA figures, though!
--
Sanjeev
It seems that the flowing of metal and Energon in American cinema wasn't quite enough to win an Academy Award. (Has a Michael Bay film ever received/been nominated for an Oscar? "Pearl Harbor", perhaps?) The 2008 awards show has probably ended by the time I'm writing this. Transformers was nominated for three awards:
As Louis Wu once said, "Tanj!".
(I bet a lotta people are scratching their heads over how box office-flop "The Golden Compass" got that one... So am I! )
Well, at least Jon Voight didn't earn it a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor, eh? (He was up for four different films in this same category for 2007!) But let's also hope it gains a little more respect in the Saturn Awards- where it's up for Best Science-Fiction Film and Best Special Effects. (Considering the crowd it's up against, I'm betting on the latter.)
------------------------------
CollectionDX Staff
I would have been right there with you, my friend, but Sanjeev actually talked me into going to see TMNT last year and it was really a cool movie. I think you'd like it if you liked the old comics.
"This must be settled the way nature intended....with a vicious, bloody fight!"
Onyx Blackman
Principal, Flatpoint High
I must admit, I was really surprised to see all the Domo-Kun stuff on display. Just wasn't expecting it. Good to hear he'll be on the air here.
I've also heard that there is a Dark Crystal sequel in the works, too. That'll be really interesting to see.
"This must be settled the way nature intended....with a vicious, bloody fight!"
Onyx Blackman
Principal, Flatpoint High
Was that the giant hand from FLCL?
I hope that dickweed absent-mindedly chews on it while he watches television.
We did see lego - coverage forthcoming.
Josh
------------------------------
CollectionDX Admin
Let me just add a few extra comments -
That replica watch? The silver one is about $20. The metal one? About $200. Both work (as watches that is).
Torchwood figures are coming, but will be 7-inch instead of 6-inch for some odd reason...
Oh, and that dalek - thats a REAL screen used Dalek....
------------------------------
CollectionDX Admin
I had very little time available to me on the show floor, so I didn't get much of a chance to peruse the Underground Toys booth. I took a quick look around and was a little disappointed to see mostly things that're already on store shelves. Your coverage, however, goes a lot deeper. I'd only briefly heard about the 3' voice-activated Dalek--it's great to see that coming along. Also, some of the other items (like the pocket watch) I didn't even know about! Very cool stuff.
Heh...since they're planning on doing Torchwood stuff, I'd better get on watching the show, huh?? ;)
--
Sanjeev
A LIU-CHIA HUI ACTION FIGURE!!!???!!!
...
Okay, I just came to...
Why haven't I been informed of this until now!? Well, whatever--the important thing is that I have a chance to own an action figure of Master Killer...and that's all that matters. NECA, you're my heroes!!
If these do well, I pray we get some more Shaw Bros classics...the Five Venoms are a must, Yue Wong from Dirty Ho, no doubt, Lieh Lo as Pai Mei--the Fist of the White Lotus, even Sam Seed and a young Jackie Chan as Wong Fei-Hung! Oh, the mind reels!
Ah... And of course, I'd be amiss if I didn't mention the new TMNT figures and how fantastic they look! That comic book style "panel lining" is a little weird, but whatever, I still kinda need 'em!
--
Sanjeev
Immediately when I walked into Toyfair with Nekrodave, I walked right past HL on my way to Onell's table. I, of course, stopped dead in my tracks. I had a brief conversation with the nice guy running the table, who wasn't busy at the time (I failed to catch his name, unfortunately).
He simply noticed my drooling on the glass surrounding the 12" Grendizer figure, and asked me if I knew those characters. HA!!
I briefly summarized my love affair with "Grandizer" via Jim Terry's Force Five and he mentioned that he actually knew quite a bit about that series. Very cool!
About three years ago...before I even had my own account on TBDX, I posted a couple images of a very early High Dream Grendizer Spacer vinyl (the second-to-last post by "BigJoe"). I picked it up from a local comic book shop and I love it to this very day! I mentioned this vinyl to the gentleman running the HL table, and after a moment of recall, he said, "oh yeah, I did that one!"
I wish these guys the best of luck as they seem to be putting out some nice things (like the King Gori vinyl that I still haven't picked up yet!). I'm almost assuredly gonna get me one of those 12" Grendizer figs...and from what I heard before about the grey prototype (NOT from the man at the booth, unfortunately--instead from earlier discussions on TBDX), it's supposed to be a diecast figure that goes along with a Spacer. Sound familiar? I hope it succeeds in all the areas the SoC comes up short.
Edit: oh, and I know Doc's gonna make me buy that freakin' Duke Freed helmet and run around my neighborhood screaming, "ORION QUEST!!!!"! And, really, why wouldn't I???
--
Sanjeev
I might pick up one of the lilliput cuboyds. It might take a while to get used to the character having actual articulation, though.
I'd love it if the cork toys caught on. It's a great idea.
Hey, wouldn't/didn't Lego have a booth at the ToyFair? Certainly they're big enough! I know they're releasing figures & sets from the brand-new video game "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed", and near-final designs for the various "Clone Wars" sets/figures were sighted in England last month. Indiana Jones, Bionicle, and Exo-Force are now in-stores, but still on the new side.
I haven't heard about Batman yet, though, or whether-or-not they will be tying in with the upcoming film "The Dark Knight". (The debut line models now in stores were made after "Batman Begins", so I don't think they'll tie in with the new movie either, but I have no evidence either way.)
------------------------------
CollectionDX Staff
Nah- I'm, not one for bootlegs unless I unintentionally get one; I prefer legally-licensed products. But, I also don't know what companies make what in this case.
I already knew that "Voltron" was a mish-mash like "Robotech" was, but was more focused on a similar, related saga. So, the which way should I go for the better yet less-expensive route for the original GoLion- American or original Japanese ver.?
------------------------------
CollectionDX Staff
I know many of us do as well. Summer/Fall is when we can expect that. :)
___________________
CollectionDX Writer
www.atomsantics.com
when is it gonna come out? i want it so bad!
I really did that black and white Bob Kane Batman.
The anime style ones though......ugggh.
"This must be settled the way nature intended....with a vicious, bloody fight!"
Onyx Blackman
Principal, Flatpoint High
...for the Hulk "reboot". The Ang Lee film was a crime against creation. The new figures are looking pretty good, but I've yet to see a Hulk figure that tops Hasbro's Planet Hulk--which is ironic because when Hasbro took over the Marvel Legends, their quality overall pretty much tanked.
--
Sanjeev
Your right, the elbows are ( I just rechecked the pic), but only up, no rotation. But ya it does look good. Sideshow type poseability has spoiled me but for $30 it could prove to be a good toy though. :)
___________________
CollectionDX Writer
www.atomsantics.com
That does sound kinda crappy.
I mean, the elbows sure *look* articulated. Oh well...I'll still probably get one because they look awesome and probably display great. Yeah, glossy metallic red & gold'll do that!
--
Sanjeev
I think it's the beating heart that sells it.
___________________
CollectionDX Writer
www.atomsantics.com
"the Temple of Doom Mighty Mugg dude"!
--
Sanjeev
Invincible has more inspector gedget type of appendages that attach for firing action. I didn't get to handle that one but the repulsor Iron Man has projectiles that fire out of his palms, when you push the button on his chest he says "I am Iron Man." pushing it repeatedly cycles thru firing missles and something else I can't remember...I think it was a flight sound. The figure could only move the legs and arms forward and back and the head turned and looked up a very little bit. No ball joints no articulation in the ankles, elbows or knees. It wasn't bad, just not great.
___________________
CollectionDX Writer
www.atomsantics.com
Okay, I'm a pretty big Iron Man fan, so I'm more than lukewarm for this stuff! ;)
Atom, can you tell us anything else about the big 12" figures? Like, what's the difference between "Invincible" and "Repulsor Power"? How bad was the articulation? Just looking online, it appears that the pricepoint'll be around $30. Not too shabby at all considering Hasbro has released higher-end toys featuring electronic goodies...movie tie-ins like the Ultimate Bumblebee and, of course, the Cloverfield monster.
Hell, I may need to get both and keep one at my office. Either that, or just get the helmet to creep out my co-workers!
Anyway, I'm not so much feeling the 6" figs. I have enough Iron Mans (Men?) from Toybiz's run of the Marvel Legends series. As soon as Hasbro took over, their quality plummeted. Plus, their gimmicks don't particularly impress me...nor do their sculpts.
Those 12" figs, though...
Mmmmmm...
--
Sanjeev
I do think it's a Titanium. They didn't mention it at the time of the showing and it's not in th epress kit info. But yeah that sure looks like a Titanium series vehicle.
Yeah I thought the beating heart was cute myself. :)
___________________
CollectionDX Writer
www.atomsantics.com