Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Transformers Authentics - ARCEE!

Transformers Authentics (Discount Store Basic Series) - Arcee - Hasbro 2022

Basic Series figures have become commonplace in the past decade. The big companies essentially put a nix on all the unlicensed knockoff products that flood the discount store toy aisles by producing their own cheaper simplified toys. It makes a ton of sense for the license holders to tackle all the markets they can. In the case of Hasbro's Transformers product, they now produce everything from the high-end Masterpiece line, to multiple mid-market lines in the big box stores, and of course the low level Transformers Authentics line you see at the pharmacy and stores like Big Lots and Five Below. Unlike a lot of Hasbro's discount lines, which typically feature almost no articulation, these Transformers Authentics are fully transformable. The factors that make them inexpensive appear to be paint apps, plastic quality, and size. But the dividing line between this product and the lowest-tier Transformers at Walmart and Target is not super distinct. Let's check out Arcee below!

Monday, August 29, 2022

Transformers the Movie - ARCEE!

Transformers Studio Series #86 - Transformers the Movie Arcee - Hasbro 2022

When I first saw this figure solicited earlier this year, I thought it was a simple redeco of the 2014 Generations Arcee (that we had seen redeco'd/retooled seven times already). But in actuality, it's only the same head, upper arms, and car kibble, with an almost entirely retooled/resculpted body. The color scheme is also much closer to the animation design than we had seen released in the US before now (the 2015 Japanese TakaraTomy Legends release of the Generations mold was similarly colored, but not available at traditional retail in the US). Looking at the new figure from a front view, the waist swivel is an obvious addition. Plus her thighs and torso are noticeably more narrow. With all the changes made, I wish they would have gone one step further and given her a new head. It's so close to being a totally unique figure, but the recognizable headsculpt and familiar kibble silhouette make it hard to view her as more than a retool, despite the majority of her parts being new. Let's check out Arcee below!

Friday, August 26, 2022

Transformers Model Kit - ARCEE!

Transformers: Bumblebee - Plastic Model Smart Kit - Arcee - Trumpeter 2022

I need to buy more model kits. I had so much fun putting together this Arcee kit from the Transformers: Bumblebee movie that I immediately went online and started looking for more (ended up buying a handful of these kits from the Trumpeter line for holiday presents). I did a Bandai kit of Commander Palmer from Halo back in 2015 (bought at Toys r Us) and also enjoyed it, but having it be a character I'm truly obsessed with, like Arcee, made it all that much better. The kit was simple and needed no tools, paint, or glue. The sprues didn't leave any plastic nubs like the airplane models I made in my childhood. And some of the sprues had painted pieces, like the head(s). I sat in front of my TV and it took me the length of a movie to build her. This Arcee design is pretty great, she appeared in a just a few seconds during the opening sequence of the Bumblebee movie, but  that brief glimpse made an impact. I love the blend of cinematic and classic aesthetics in her design. Let's check out the Arcee Trumpeter kit below!

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Super7 ReAction - SCARLETT!

ReAction Action Figures - Glow Patrol (SDCC Exc) - Scarlett - Super7 2022

In 1987, G.I.Joe: The Movie was released and the classic era of G.I.Joe came to a close. New cartoon production ceased, the comics petered out, and the new toys had no real context anymore. (Batman was all the rage). But then in 1989 there was a new faction in the Cobra toyline that snatched my attention back: Python Patrol. These toys seemed classic, but refreshed and exciting. I didn't even watch the cartoons explaining the redecos until this Summer. (The new cartoons resumed in 1989 produced by DiC). The toys are very nostalgic to me since they mark by last childhood fascination with the property. This Summer, Super7 revealed the SDCC Exclusive Glow Patrol faction in their G.I.Joe ReAction line. While these are fantastic original decos on their own merit, my gut reaction was "OMG it looks like a Python Patrol Scarlett!" Python Patrol was all male Cobra characters, so this thought was nonsensical. But it's still what I think every time I see her. Let's check out Glow Patrol Scarlett below!

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Super7 ReAction - BARONESS!

ReAction Action Figures - Glow Patrol (SDCC Exc) - Baroness - Super7 2022

I normally despise random redecos of action figures that have nothing to do with the character in question. This stems from my perpetual disappointment in character diversity in the toy aisles in favor of 20 new colors for Batman (or any alpha male character the companies need to promote). Don't get me wrong, I love Batman, but give me a blue version, gray version, and black version and call it a day. Although perhaps if a female action figure ever got this same treatment I might change my tune. For SDCC 2022, Super7 released a new faction in their G.I. Joe ReAction line: Glow Patrol. As far as I can tell, this is completely original (despite tons of historic factions to draw from). But I love it. The green-hued good guys and the blue-hued bad guys look great. And glowing gimmicks are always fun, especially with Super7 who knows how to do GITD right. I look forward to what other variants they can come up with to challenge my long-held "redecos are bad" beliefs. Let's check out Glow Force Baroness below!

Monday, August 22, 2022

Super7 ReAction - G.I.JOE SOLDIER!

ReAction Action Figures - G.I.Joe Wave 3 (Army Builder) - Soldier - Super7 2022

As a toy collector for most of my adult life, I've very rarely been tempted by army builders. I don't display my toys in action scenes or dioramas, so the idea of getting a bunch of repetitive characters only to be posed in a yearbook-style lineup seems like a waste of money and space. The other factor is, of course, that army builders are rarely female. But Super7's G.I. Joe ReAction line has been doing army builders the right way. They release both male and female figures, both good guys and bad guys, and to top it off they release a variety of variations for each character type. For this first female army builder, the G.I. Joe Soldier (Army Engineer), there are nine variations of skin tone and hairstyle. I picked up three recently and I think they're great. What's also super unique about this figure is that she is wearing the uniform of an unused 1980's concept (which would have been the first black female character in the franchise). Super7 loves a good deep dive like that. Let's check out the soldiers below!

Sunday, August 21, 2022

Marvel Gallery - FIRESTAR!

Marvel Gallery - Vinyl Diorama Series - FireStar - Diamond Select Toys 2021

Diamond Select Toys has been really impressing me with their Marvel Gallery line. Previous PVC statue lines (mostly from other companies) have typically been too stylized for my tastes. Or sometimes, the sculpts just aren't there for me. But the DST Marvel Gallery (and DC Gallery) statues have the design and sculpt quality of the high-end polystone statues, but at a price point that is far more palatable. I also love the character choices. It seems that all my favorite characters are added to the roster one-by-one. The designs are essentially classic, but there is always a slight redesign. In the case of this Firestar statue, her boots and gloves extend almost all the way up her limbs, which seems like a unique choice for this particular product. But I like it. A few short years ago, I only had one lonely Firestar product in my collection. It was just a simple Toy Biz Medusa repaint, but I was ecstatic. Flash forward a few years and this Marvel Gallery statue is the 13th item on my Firestar shelf. Here's to many more!

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Crash Bandicoot - COCO!

Crash Bandicoot - Wave 01 - Coco with Kupuna Mask - Headstart 2022

Coco is an anthropomorphic Bandicoot and the younger sister of the primary character, Crash, in the Crash Bandicoot franchise. She first appeared in Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back in 1997 but didn't become a playable character until 1998's Crash Bandicoot: Warped. At present, she's appeared in 18 games, plus comics and animation. But I'll admit that I'm mostly aware of her because of two super scarce action figures she had in 1998's ReSaurus line. I've always been tempted by these old figures, but the high price, limited articulation, and "alarmed" facial expression kept me away. Not surprisingly, this new figure has caused a noticeable dip in eBay prices for the vintage figure, but I'm happy with this Headstart figure for now. Headstart is mostly known for their Ice Age figures and the super-sized Ooshies. I'm excited to see them dip into the traditional action figure market, especially with such an iconic license. I can't wait to see more. Let's checkout Coco Bandicoot below!