"I DON'T WANT TO GROW ANYMORE!!!!!"

Actually, that line happened in the original "Amazing Colossal Man" movie. But I've always loved it and I love this figure from X-Plus, too..

Growing up in Massachusetts, many of us here spent our Saturday afternoons watching "Creature Double Feature", a matinee of back to back classic monster movies. I'm sure each of us has our own fond memories of specific movies, but two films really stuck in my mind. "The Amazing Colossal Man" from 1957 and it's sequel "War of the Colossal Beast" from the following year had a strange hold on me as a kid. It was easy to dismiss many of the other films as pure fantasy, and while I never believed a man could grow to such enormous size, it was the characters mental breakdown as he tried to deal with his unfortunate circumstance that I found chilling. A deterioration of the mind is far more frightening than the growth of the flesh.

Of course, in this day and age, it's harder to take the films seriously since the special effects are laughable in comparison to what we see now. But back then it must have been remarkable, considering that director Bert I. Gordon seems to have made himself a career consisting largely of films about normal creatures grown to tremendous size.

This figure is the last of the "AMC Monsterfest" line from X-Plus that I managed to snag. For some reason, I hesitated on buying it when it first came out and for awhile I didn't see one. But due to the magic of Ebay, I finally got one a couple months backs, and for less than retail, too.

The figure is pretty well done, in my opinion. I think it was a great decision to have him holding the bus above his head. A colossal man is only colossal if you've got something to show scale, after all.

There's been some dissatisfaction with the sculpt of the face, but I think it looks fine. I do think it looks better when viewed from a low angle, but it's not bad overall either.

The base is a great addition, just like it was with the previous entries, The She Creature and Marty, the 3 Eyed Mutant.

But do you notice anything? How about that ad line? "See a sixty foot giant destroyed.....IN COLOR!" Did you see any color in the trailer above? I sure didn't. The fact is, only the ending (which is given away in the tag-line, of course) is in color. Less than 1 minute. Ahhh, I'd say I miss the 1950's and it's cheap marketing gimmicks, except of course, I never lived it. I'm forced to live it vicariously through these toys. On the bright side, kids in 1958 didn't have Colossal Man toys so I guess I can't complain, can I?

More Ultra Kaiju from X-Plus.

What I like about these Ultra Kaiju from X-Plus is that they are trying to make these as real as possible. A stark contrast to the cartoony vinyl that is all the rage now.

Daikaijyu Series Bell Seijin is due april 8,800 yen

Daikaijyu Series Zanbora from the series Ultraman

Daikaijyu Series Zanbora from the series Ultraman - made out of soft vinyl.

Due April 2008 for 8,800 yen from X-Plus

Two different versions of Daikaijyu Series Ancient Monster GOMESU.

X-Plus is releasing two different versions of Daikaijyu Series Ancient Monster GOMESU.

Daikaijyu Series Ancient Monster GOMESU ST Version - 7,800 yen / Jan 08

Daikaijyu Series Ancient Monster GOMESU MN Version - 7,800 yen / Jan 08

Twinhead Pandon, Chief Monster Jyeronimon and Gamakujira - all Ultra Kaiju from Ultraman

Daikaijyu Series TwinHead Pandon - 7,800 yen, Due Jan 08, 25cm tall

Daikaijyu Series Chief Monster Jyeronimon - 8,800 yen, Due Jan 08, 25cm tall

Daikaijyu Series Tide Blows Monster Gamakujira - 7,800 yen, Due Jan 08, 25cm long

Quite possibly the least intimidating name for a monster ever.....Marty.

Another entry in X-Plus' excellent, but sadly short-lived series of AMC Monsterfest toys, "Marty", the 3 Eyed Mutant hails from the 1956 Roger Corman film "The Day The World Ended".

I haven't seen this movie yet, but judging by the trailer, it looks like the monster looks better as represented by this figure than it really did in the movie. Much like the She Creature toy from this line, this is a really nicely detailed figure, which is more of a statue than a toy. It has no articulation and no gimmicks. The figure appears to be made of a very solid PVC with a beautiful base that I think is resin. It's very nicely done, but not as interesting as the She Creature one.

"Marty" (no, I have no idea why he's called this) comes in the same box as the others in the series, but is packaged in it's own unique plastic try and his name on the UPC code on the back. The box is nicely compact at 12" tall and 7" wide and has some nice artwork of various monsters on the back. Unfortunately, of these monsters, only Marty, The She-Creature and the Amazing Colossal Man were ever released.

Front

Back

The display base comes in three parts with the title of the film engraved on the front, and separate pieces for the film's tagline ("The screen's new high in NAKED SHRIEKING TERROR!") and the advertisement for "SUPER SCOPE".

The detail on this guy is fantastic and it makes a truly amazing display piece. I really like these figures and regret that it hasn't continued.

Electronic counter bank that keeps track of your YEN

Due October 2007, this Kanegon toy is about 12 inches tall and will retail for about 6,000y. Made out of PVC, this is actually an electronic bank that counts your money, presumably only in Yen. Requires 2 AAA batteries (not included). Kanegon is a Kaiju from Ultra Q whose face is a coin purse.

Manufactured by a company called "D-Toy" but sold by X-Plus.

Newsapalooza! Not safe for Dial-up! New items from Yamato, Bandai Creation, CM's Corps, Marmit, X-Plus and more!

1/60 Perfect Transformation YF-19 25th Anniversary Model

From Yamato - 18,800¥ ABS/PVC/DIECAST due December

1/48 Perfect Transformation VF-1S 25th Anniversary

From Yamato - 14,800¥ ABS/PVC/DIECAST due December

Nightmare Frame Action Gloucester Cornelia Use

Completed toy from the anime Code Geass. By Megahouse, due late november for 3,480¥. 10cm tall.

Art Works Monsters GODZILLA

450mm tall (about 18 inches) by Megahouse. 19,800¥, due late November

Bandai Creation Godzilla

Believe it or not, Bandai Creation is coming out with yet ANOTHER run of Vinyl Godzilla figures. This series will include:

6.5" scale

• Godzilla 1968
• Hedorah
• Godzilla Millennium
• Destoroyah

12" scale

• MechaGodzilla
• Godzilla - Final Wars

Pics here (Thanks Sanjeev!)

Yamato Grozier X

From Yamato, 200mm tall, made of ABS/PVC/DIECAST. Due December for 15,800¥

Yamato Megazone23 PART II Proto Garland

250mm tall, 1/15 scale, due December for 17,800¥

X-Plus Daikaiju Series Eleking

PVC figure from Ultra Seven. Due November for 6,800¥

X-Plus Daikaiju Series Dally

PVC figure from Ultra Seven. Due November for 6,800¥

More Marmit Yamato Ships

First off is the great news about the Daigokin Andromeda!

Check out the prototype of the next gokin warship: Deslar's Ship!

This will be 23cm long, all diecast (minus antennae) and will be out end of the year. Marmit also has 3 more ships in production.

CM's Corps Brave Gokin Sankan-Oh?

Slipped in with the promotional pictures of the Brave Gokin Gyakuten-Oh - is this a Brave Gokin Sankan-Oh?

Bandai C3x Exclusives, a new Revoltech sub-line, Ultra Kaiju from X-Plus and Space Battleship Yamato Trading Figures!

Just Released!

• Kotobukiya Granzort S.U.G.O.I. figure
• Konami Gurren-lagann Impact Model Series Gurren-lagann
• Konami Gurren-lagann Impact Model Series Lagann
• Bandai In Action !! Off Shoot Dunbine
• Bandai In Action !! Off Shoot Billbine
• Yamanaya Flying Ultraman
• CM's Brave Gokin Griffon
• Transformers Encore 01 Convoy
• Transformers Encore 02 Megatron
• Transformers Encore 03 Soundwave
• Transformers Encore 04 Starscream
• Bandai Metal Composite Limited RX-78-3 Gundam Ver.Ka With G-Fighter (G-3 Version)

Coming Soon!

X-Plus Daikaiju Series

• Mini Pegira (4,286¥ / PVC / 15cm / Late November)
  
• Mini Pegassa Seijin (4,286¥ / PVC / 15cm / Late November)
  
• Mini Ikarus Seijin (4,286¥ / PVC / 15cm / Late November)
  
• Mini Gomess (4,286¥ / PVC / 15cm / Late November)
  

Revoltech Miniature from Kaiyodo

A new sub-line of Revoltech, Revoltech Miniature, featuring half-size revoltech figures (presumably using the smaller revolver joints) These will be about 105mm tall (about 4 inches)

Revoltech Miniature New Movie Edition Evangelion Type-00 Due early september 722¥

Revoltech Miniature New Movie Edition Evangelion Type-01 - Due early september 722¥

Revoltech Miniature New Movie Edition Evangelion Arms Set Positron Rifle Ver. - Due mid september 722¥

Revoltech Miniature New Movie Edition Evangelion Arms Set ESV Shield Ver. - Due mid september 722¥

Space Battleship Yamato Mechanical Collection PART.3

from Popy /Zacca Pap- the case of 10 will run for 4,275¥, due September. The Yamato this time is based on the artwork for that giant 1/350 kit. The secret item is a set of torpedo destroyers.

EX Gokin Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger

Production photos. Yummy.

Bandai C3x Exclusives

• 1/60 PG RX-78-2 Gundam Kunio illustration versions 15,000¥
  
• 1/100 Pink Chrome Zaku Warrior 4,500¥
  
• 1/100 MG Char's Z'Gok chrome plated 5,500¥
  
• 1/144 HGUC Char's Rick Dom chrome plated 3,500¥
  
• Code Geass Rebellion chrome plated 4,500¥
  

Gundam is officially out of control with the announcement of a $1,700 Swarovski Gundam t-shirt. Also news about much cheaper offerings from Yamato, Marmit and more.

Action Works Space Sheriff figures from Megahouse

Shaider (155mm tall)- Late November 2,200 Yen

Sharivan (115mm) - Late October 2,200 Yen

Gavan (115mm) - Late October 2,200 Yen

X-Plus Baltan

Check out this Baltan Diorama. It's 25cm tall (about 10" tall), Non-scale PVC completed figure. Due September/October for a whopping 29,800

Yamato Bryger

Yamat's Transformable Bryger is made out of PVC/ABS/DIECAST and is due November for 17,800 Yen. The figure is 10" tall and transformable to 3 modes with major parts swapping.

Marmit Gilgalass

Check out the prototype of the upcoming Marmit Gilgalass T1 vinyl figure. Looks like the spear will be metal. Gilgalass will be about 10" tall. due TBD.

Swarovski Gundam t-shirts

Like to light $100 bills on fire just to show how rich you are? Then this shirt is for you. Bandai and Mastermind have created these shirts with Swarovski Crystals attached to them. The shirt comes in Zaku or Gundam designs. and will be about 200,000Yen (about $1,700 USD). Cheapskates will be able to get a "cheaper" version that uses glass instead of crystal for about $320.