fairplaythings.com

In Ottawa, we have a sizeable portion of public land about two miles from Parliament Hill that we refer to as Landsdown Park, the former home to the Ottawa Senators and various Canadian Football League franchises. In significant need of renewable, it consists of a number of buildings, including the historic Aberdeen Pavillian, and is currently the home of a number of cool events like concerts (Alice Cooper and Anvil, May 16), Ontario Hockey League games, the Ottawa Exhibition, and various craft, wedding, sex, and home shows throughout the year.

It is also the home two or three times a year of a decent flea market-style event, the likes of which I’ve previously discussed. It is usually a decent place to find collectibles of the plastic variety - sometimes overpriced, sometimes really cheap, but always really interesting - and it has come to have a prominent place on my social calendar. Because while there are other flea markets around the city, this one is a non-permanent fixture (and therefore lacks the grimness and picked-overness that often accompany long-term flea market venues).

But never has it been the personal financial sinkhole and toy success that it was this weekend (a situation that is somewhat bittersweet knowing that the venue’s days for this kind of event are numbered now that it is in the thralls of of an Ottawa-based consortium determined to rule the world gleeful at shadily winning an unfair competition to develop the land for profit in a mostly-one sided contract.)

Mighty hunter can play too.

Back to the toys, the sale was something amazing. Not only was there a number of worthwhile buys from a number of the returning vendors (and some great prices in some cases), there was also one dealer in particular who came bearing a microverse of shogunian (apologies Steve) proportions. And the weekend didn’t just end there, but also spilled over into more general shopping for toys and clothes the likes of which I have never seen. It was a four figure weekend, and, man oh man, was it awesome!

It was too awesome to wrap up in a single day post.

Given that we here at fairplaythings have been neglectful of late of the Collectible of the Day, I’ve decided to turn the entire week into a discussion of just what I brought home in the preceding 36 hour period, roughly in order of the acquisitions:

• Monday - the train that set a thousand toy dreams afire
• Tuesday - yoJoe!
• Wednesday - they came from inner space
• Thursday - Tranzor Z!
• Friday - return to Cyberville
• Saturday - returning to the microverse

Where does that leave us for today? Well, one cannot spent the kind of coin I spent on clothing and not put it somewhere. So today is the day of furry animals and fabrics that in no way rhyme with Lester. Enjoy!

Channelling Tom Wolf

Available in a variety of wild.Same shirt, different day.

Same shirt, different day.

I am now a victim of the Roboplastic Podcastalypse.

Since getting my first (classic 160 gig) iPod over the Christmas holidays, I have diligently placed 600 CDs onto this shiny piece of McShiny to take with me on the road. Then I discovered podcasts, and currently listen to little more than the ongoing opinions of Mr. Dan Savage. But there are toy(pod)casts out there and I am beginning to seek them out (and if you have recommendations, please leave them in a comment for me.) Which brings me back to the Roboplastic Apocalypse (sometimes referred to as “that site with all those old toy robot ads.” So with some help (because he’s not yet been sucked into the vortex that is the iTunes store) I finally upload all 25 (to date) podcasticas.

Today was podcast one through three.

I’ve already threatened Steve with running commentaries with respect to select (possible all) podcasts, and I was in the middle of putting a second one up on his site, when it dawned on me. Hey, I have a website too (hello beautiful fairplaythings!) And since the unexpected and unexplained hiatus that is the ongoing collectible of the day, why not put my comments on my site and make Steve come to me. Sounded good in my head anyway.

For those who want to hear the podcast to understand what I am talking about, where Steve ponders the success and failings of the Shogun Warriors, it’s episode two here.

I always get a little indignant when people talk about the wonder of Japanese engineering being key to the success of the Transformers, because the toy line is really the bastard child of east and west. Takara tried to market diaclone toys in North America to limited success, but it was the genius of mother Hasbro that created the characters (and allegiance) that led to thousands of young robotronians uprising in their suburban homes and demanding they get their Megatron and their Optimus Prime too!

I was thinking about this in terms of Steve’s comments about Shogun Warriors, particularly with respect to Godzilla. The commercial for the thunder lizard implies that Mattel did envision him as a possible villain, even if they were not prepared to create a symbol for his chest. Really, if Hasbro did anything, it was give us the battle of good versus evil, and much better names than Mazinger, Combattler, and Daigan. And I wonder too if the Shogun would have been even more popular if someone had done tech specs for the guys.

Certainly the line could have been helped in the imagination of children with a cartoon. And for us children of the eighties, wasn’t there a cartoon for everything? I mean Robotixeven had one, a construction toy where you would think heroes and villains wouldn’t apply. And yet the original toy packaging came to reflect the battles of the Protectons and Terrakors.

But the seventies was a different place and a different time. Where there were laws against directly marketing to children in the form of 22 minute advertisements with mini-advertisements embedded in the programming. Steve talks about the links between popular toys and movies (and live action television), and my understanding is that the use of such likenesses as Buck Rogers, Star Wars, and the Six Million Dollar Man was fair game because their target audience wasn’t completely intended to be 7-12 years old. (Clearly it was a time before grown men outnumbered children in the toy isles of a Toys ‘r Us.) Certainly, comic books (Micronauts, GIJoe, even ROM) were seen as key marketing methods to encourage the success of a toy line because the door to cartoons was closed.

So I would maintain that Mattel couldn’t go down the path of having a cartoon directly. The company probably benefitted from the existence of Godzilla as a cartoon, but there were probably enough differences that their legal team could explain there was insufficient links (and this may explain why the toy Godzilla looked so different than what was expected, even given the technology of the day). I would imagine that the introduction of Force Fiveat the end of the Shogun Warrior line was not coincidental, and may even have hurried the toyline off the shelves if Mattel had been leaning on getting out of the toyline anyway.

In any event, while I’m not sure if Ronald Reagen deserves an airport named in his honour, let it be said there should be at least three cartoon studios rechristened in his name.

Coming back to the end of the line for Shogun Warriors, a four year toy run may seem insignificant, but we are spoiled by the popularity of so many “branding” holdovers from the 1980s. There are not a lot of unified toy lines that last four years. I agree with wikipedia’s hypothesis that the end of the toy line came about because of declining demand meeting improved safety concerns, although I expect other factors were involved as well. I’m sure the issue of licensing came up, and Mattel may have looked at the extra cost for safety changes and the declining sales numbers for the line, and decided it wasn’t worth it to continue to pursue the licensing agreement.

Anyway, just a few thoughts on a great podcast. I’m encouraged to hear about the toys of my youth, properties I think need a little love. And now I need to get back to the collectible of the day. Stay tuned!

***

I would be remiss if I didn’t add a comment here about the passing of Michael Gough. It’s sad to see him go. He will always be Alfred to me.

Countdown
TRU Exclusive

February 23, 2011: 38th in a series
Toy Line: Transformers: Universe
Region, Year: North America, 2009
Essential Weblink: http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFUCountdown/countdown.htm

Completist, Original, Value, Zing

The Rundown: Okay, this is probably where my rating system goes all out of wack, but I freakin’ love Countdown. I really have no rational explanation for it. I mean he’s just a repaint. And not even a Universe or Classics repaint either. No, Hasbro just took advantage of the four year old Cybertron Defense Red Alert chassie to put a special toy on the shelves of TRU USA (sadly, not in Canada, so thank you Teresa for scoring this one for me!) Anyway, suffice to say I’m showing the love for another micromaster, although I certainly wouldn’t turn down a remoulded head. Anyone? Anyone?

Stormcloud
Universe 2.0

February 22, 2011: 37th in a series
Toy Line: Transformers: Universe
Region, Year: North America, 2009
Essential Weblink: http://www.tfu.info/2008/Decepticon/TFUStormcloud/stormcloud.htm

Completist, Design, Zing

The Rundown: While Stormcloud is certainly a repaint of Powerglide, his release was not a special store exclusive. No, Stormcloud was just another toy on another toy shelf near you. His ties to Generation One are certainly micro, but he comes off as a decent repaint. A good use of an existing mould, even if it does seem strange that a villain would wear his unremoulded heart so seemingly on his sleeve chest.

Skyfall Skyjack
K-Mart Exclusive

February 21, 2011: 36th in a series
Toy Line: Transformers: Universe
Region, Year: North America, 2009
Essential Weblink: http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TFUSkyfall/skyfall.htm

Completist, 0.5 Value, 0.5 Zing

The Rundown: We’re still doing a bit of transition here with the new rating system, so expect a picture update to come featuring my somewhat nifty graphics. I can already see that the graphical portion of this exercise is going to eat up an increased amount of time.

Anyway, Skyjack (renamed Skyfall for copyright purposes), what can I say about you? It’s nice to see a Generation 2 figure, even as a repaint. It’s nice to see the use of a classic Action Master name, even if you ended up as a Decepticon. It’s nice to see that some fans couldn’t wouldn’t leave well enough alone and gave you a proper head piece. And though I bought it, I’m not sure it was necessary because of the price (although they did a decent job with what they had). And leaves the question of what to do with the old head.

I don’t know if Skyjack is really necessary. Certainly a black Silverbolt mold looks cool, and sinister with the red accents. And certainly at the cost at which he was procured (which was under retail). But really, he’s a collector’s indulgence. So half points on the value and zing factor, and the obligatory completist point, makes for his lingering rating. He’d have done better with an official remolded head.

Additional Picture:

We have a lot to get to make up for the weekend. Easiest way forward I think is to break the two allocations of toys into their respective groupings, with summaries of each toy within said summary below the heading. Like so (with pictures to follow in the next few days with apologies)…

DC Universe Collection: Wave 16
Build-A-Figure Bane Wave

February 19, 2011: 20th through 26th in a series
Toy Line: Mattel DCUC
Region, Year: North America, 2010
Essential Weblink: http://www.dcuc.info/category/wave_16/

The Rundown: First, a bit of background on the DCUC line. As you likely know, the line is the creative output of the Four Horseman, one that often re-utilizes standard body types to keep costs down. The cannibalization of existing moulds has the advantage of keeping the toys looking like they come from a unified assortment or universe. The downside of course is that you are basically getting a number of moderately altered repaints. This is much more noticeable in earlier assortments (which I hope to get to eventually), but, for DCUC Wave 16, it really seems to be primarily focused on the Riddler and marginally the Creeper. Usually, I would say this was a cop-out and deduct mental points to how I see the figure, but I am a sucker for consistency of scale, so it’s not a bad thing for me.

Jonah Hex: Because I’ve opted to describe figures in their lot assortment order, Hex goes first, a new sculpt with a rubbery shotgun and pistol. Good points for having holsters on his back (shotgun) and hip (pistol) for his accessories, although would it be too much to have solid plastic weapons? Hex has the best paint application of the line in terms of the cool colour pattern on his jeans that is not simply a solid and gives the figure a real world look. Is Hex a character I was chomping for? Not really, but when I saw him I still had to have him. If he’d been a favourite character, he’d be a sell out for sure. Nice job!

(for Completist, Design, Value, Zing)

The Creeper: Oh to go from highs to lows. The Creeper is neither a character I was chomping for, nor is he a particularly interesting rendition. Honestly, I think both the Batman: The Animated Series and (very recent) DC Direct versions are superior. The latter is highly problematic because, frankly, the History of the DC Universe line from DC Direct (from which their Creeper comes) is not a terrible fit for DCUC scale. So unless you love the Creeper, or (like me) you wanted the Bane bits, keep on creeping.

(for Completist)

The Ridder: Given the Riddler is essentially a repaint of the standard base figure with a remodified Wave 5 head (or possibly just without the hat - I cannot actually remember if the hat came off or not) and cane, he really has no right to rank high. In fact, even though the Riddler is not among this toy addict’s favourite characters, I really should be more than happy with the Wave 5 version. But who can not love a Riddler suit that heralds back to the days of Frank Gorshin. He’s simple, beautiful, and mine.
(for Completist, Design, Zing)

Robin: Robin is the variant of the assortment, and a strange one at that since difference between angry Robin and happy Robin (and I am presuming this is Jason Todd versus Dick Grayson) are not significant. Honestly, what I wanted was something like what they did with Starman in Wave 15 and give us a radically different rendering. Like Earth Two Robin or at least the Tim Drake version. I’m not a Batguy generally, and not even the completist in me saw enough value in getting a second of the red and green bird. Otherwise, I’m mostly okay with Robin himself. What I don’t like is, like Hawkgirl, Mattel has given him no place to store what are mostly useless accessories (so he always has to hold them). And, quality wise, my Robin has a stain of some sort on his upper left leg.

(for Completist, Design, Zing)

Mercury: I never knew how much I loved the Metal Men until DCUC (and Batman: Brave and the Bold) started releasing figures of them. I love my Iron and now I love my Mercury. This would be (and should be) a perfect toy for me, right down to the interchangeable hands and sister form THAT ACTUALLY OPEN AND CLOSE. Except that the quality of the plastic and size of the legs are such that my poor Mercury’s right leg is mishaped by the packaging experience. So close, DCUC, so close!

(for Completist, Original, Design, Zing)

Azrael Batman: Here’s another reiteration I was looking forward to. Even though I have the old DC Direct version, I love what is essentially a significant variation of that toy and a totally brand new mould for DCUC to boot. And if it wasn’t for the fact that my black bat emblem was only partially coloured, he would be a sell out for sure. Really it just means I have to redouble my attention to packaging details. Also, can I say again how bad it was that the variant was Robin? It should have been a pre-Batman version of Azrael! Just saying!

(for Completist, Original, Design, Zing)

Bane: Bane’s a free figure in the sense that I didn’t have to pay anything extra for him. But given the less than stellar review of the Creeper, he was at least the $20 it cost me for the Creeper to complete his body. So there is a cost to him after all. And there is an expectation here, even if Bane is not a key or unique character for me. In fact, other than the likely explanation that DCUC is running out of big characters to rendering the collect-and-connect format, I was puzzled as to why he was the build-a-figure because his size should not be much more than those of other characters, muscles aside. And sadly i am disappointed. He’s a decent figure with a head that seems too small for his body. And pretty ordinary. Maybe the Creeper wasn’t worth it after all…

(for Completist)

Transformers: Reveal the Shield and Revenge of the Fallen

February 19, 2011: 27th through 35h in a series
Toy Line: Transformers: Generations, Revenge of the Fallen
Region, Year: North America, 2009 and 2010

The Rundown: So new Generations characters are finally making it to retail, just as the better part of Revenge of the Fallen are arriving as well. So it looks like we’ll have a few good months of Transformers before we go into a number of reiterations of Dark of the Moon characters.

Perceptor: Let’s start this party with a bang! In Perceptor, we finally get the notable Autobot scientist, but we get a glimmer, in his alt mode, of what could have been if Transformers: Animated had been allowed to continue. The only thing that could have made this character better is a slightly modified face (the prototype looks much nicer than the rendering I received) and some crazy snipper rifle as found in IDW’s reimagination of the character (but then there’s Drift’s for that). However, that the mould is getting re-purposed as Reflector (based on what we’ve seen at Botcon 2010 and fingers firmly crossed), Perceptor is all win.

(for Completist, Original, Design, Value, Zing)

Dirge: Dirge is a tough one for me because he’s one of my favourite Transformers. Such that I actually grabbed the limited Henkei release with the crazy wing colours (and which I actually quite love, even if they are not show-accurate). And of course I have the “will the controversy ever end?” Botcon 2007 edition, with its show accurate repaint but Ramjet wings. So I didn’t really need him. And in fact he and Thrust cause troubles because I now have three of each of them and only two Ramjets to go with them. What to do, what to do. Anyway, he’s here, I’m happy with him, I don’t hate Botcon forever for putting him out first, and I am very happy to have unloaded my extra earlier on.

(for Completist, Design, Zing)

Bumbebee: Confession: I love Bumblebee. When I stopped collecting Transformers I was still collecting Bumblebee. And yet do I really need a third rendering of the same cast of the character (after the orignal North American classics and the clean Henkei version), particularly one that is not far off the Wal-Mart Legacy of Bumblebee three pack which I have (thus far) avoided? Probably not, but I bought him anyway. Completist. That said, if Hasbro or Takara-Tomy would redo the deluxe Cliffjumper with a new head and accessory, all would be forgiven.

(for Completist, Design)

Tracks: Before saying that Tracks is pure win (and he is pure win!), I want to say that he was so much easier to transform than his Alternator cousin. Wow, those toys are tough. Of the flight mode, all you can really say is keep trying Hasbro. And the paint applications for the Henkei version will be really interesting I suspect. And his head makes him resemble DC’s Knight character (the British Batman you know). But still? Pure win!

(for Completist, Original, Design, Value, Zing)

Scourge: Scourge should be a winner. I mean we finally get an official new mould release that is in scale with Galvatron and Cyclonus. And yet I still think I’m better off with the Titanium and Botcon releases. I love the face sculpt but I hate the jet mould. Also hurting Scourge is his weapon. While Cyclonus got a targetmaster, Scourge’s weapon is merely collapsible. Would it have been so terrible to include Fracus? The gun even looks like he should transform which only compounds the disappointment. And he can’t even wear the gun in jet mode! That said, credit where credit is due, his arm transformation is pretty genius. Still, it should be easy enough to round out a set of Sweeps for him…

(for Completist, Design, Value)

Optimus Prime (Generation Two): The Generation 2 version of Optimus Prime is an interesting choice. Interesting because it is nice to see a new idea come to mind, and also because the G2 look is very reminiscent of the Movie look. And Prime gets a sword this way. I like this toy a lot but it has to take a hit in one place, which is the face. I just don’t like the head mold. Otherwise, it’s a good call. I can’t wait for the fan community to reproduce a trailer.

(for Completist, Original, Value, Zing)

And now onto the Movie toys…

Axer: I am pleased as punch anytime an original Action Master figure is turned into a transforming figure. And I love how Hasbro redesigned Transformers: Animated Lockdown to fit into the Movie-verse (and by extension Generations line). So a reissue of the same mold, with a new weapon and head, is just fine with me. I really like how when I transform him, the gold part of his upper legs actually turn, that they are actually independent pieces of plastic as oppose to paint applications (let’s hope the toy doesn’t suffer from gold plastic syndrome…). And I love the light-up eyes. So win!

(for Completist, Original, Design, Zing)

Smokescreen: Okay, I admit it. I only bought Smokescreen because he was priced at $10 and I liked the repaint, even it I was not all that fond of the Jazz mold the first time around (hate those arms!) But what is really terrible is that Hasbro did Smokescreen, from a different Jazz (Fast Action Battler), in very close to G1 colours, and he looks way better than this. But the biggest problem with this version? I managed to break his right arm first transformation. Yup! Get out the crazy glue, we have a winner. Stupid arms…

(for Completist, Zing)

Rescue Ratchet: For the first Movie, Hasbro did a number of exclusives based on classic Generation One colours. So I’m not all that surprised they decided to do it again with the new Deluxe scale Ratchet. And you know, I really like it. I want to get a second one and swap out the head with a Universe Ratchet and see the results. Anyway, he is a toy I was excited about, so not a bad way to end this epic list.

(for Completist, Design, Zing)

Collectibles are being delayed due to a busy schedule. At 1604 words and counting it’s a big upload. They’ll be here soon, I promise!

I’ve been a member of eBay since December 11, 1997. I haven’t always been happy with the company in the 13+ years since then - the escalating listing prices, the co-mingling of eBay with PayPal (and subsequent cash grabs), the functionality - but I’ve stayed loyal because they are the biggest game in town. And I find good stuff on eBay, items I would not find elsewhere. And I am a good customer - 100% positive results, long time member, and one who both buys and sells.

But I have never endured the level of frustration like I’ve endured tonight.

You see, for about the last week or so, I’ve been unable to pay for items won directly through eBay. It’s a mystery why. I can bid on the item, win the item, and receive an invoice from the seller. But when I click on the little “pay now” icon, in either the invoice or on eBay itself, I get an error message and politely told to try back in a few minutes. This has happened pretty much every day for the last week.

So I tried to do what most people do. Find a way to contact eBay by email to alert them of the problem and find out when and how they intend to fix it. However, this is not the eBay of old. The customer support function takes you through a standard Frequently Asked Question. Anything more technical, they have no answer. And, most helpful of all, they have seemingly done away with any electronic contact point with a service representative. One’s options are an automated help desk (which is not very helpful) and a telephone number.

The telephone number is not toll free.

Now to this point, I have been basically taking matters into my own hands. Assuming a momentary glitch that has to clear up at some point, I have been tracking down the contact information of the sellers and emailing them, through eBay, asking them to send me an invoice directly through PayPal. (PayPal I must add manages to work just fine through all this, and, even though they are the same company, I believe they still have an electronic contact information point.) Because there are time limits involved. But this is not a simple thing, because eBay locks down its information (on the surface to ensure the privacy of its clients, but in reality I believe to prevent under-the-table trades for which they can’t claim their insertion fee and whatever percentage they charge on the value of the sale). When you click on the seller’s name and select the contact function, you are taken to a list of not-helpful questions and a promise that eBay will follow-up. There is no contact point available through the auction page in question.

Basically you have to trick eBay into allowing you to contact the seller. I’ve been doing this by clicking on their numeric rating system, and selecting contact under the quick list function. At the next screen, I’ve been clicking the box that says “this is not about an item” (because if I say it is about an item, eBay automated takes over, and I am returned to the not-helpful question page.

So while I can facilitate the exchange it takes some ingenuity. And it takes time. Because I have to wait for (and hope that) the seller will grant my request and send a PayPal invoice. So I’m basically looking at a day’s wait for what should be a five minute exercise, one for which eBay is charging the seller to accomplish!

So tonight, it was after 6:00 and I decided to call eBay so that my account could go back to working the way it was intended to work. And thus came the frustration.

After sitting on hold for 12 minutes (on my dime, I remind you), I got a representative on the phone. I explained the problem. Yes, I’ve bought and won the items, I tell him. Yes this has been going on for a number of days. And it would be a lot easier on everyone if eBay just let me send them an email. (Since they seem to have no trouble contact me for every sale or event they have, I know they are capable of electronic communication.) After the rep “gets the problem” and having returned from leaving me on hold, he informs me that the problem has been flagged before. Apparently it was flagged as “fixed” on February 11 (truth be told this is probably when the problem actually started for me). He told me they would flag it again to examine the issue and, in the meantime, I could contact sellers directly for an invoice.

And this is the point where things went south.

I asked how long before the situation was resolved. He assured me 48 - 72 hours. I then asked for an email contact point through which I could continue to follow-up, because I had no intention of running up more long distance charges if things did not get finished. HE COULD NOT GIVE ME SUCH INFORMATION. Worse than that, he actually TRIED to give me such information, beginning to walk me through the customer support function, only to find that it was a dead end, and promptly stopped.

Okay I said, why don’t you send me an email through eBay and we can communicate that way. “I can’t do that,” he said. I think at this point is where I lost my already fragile cool. The following was said in no particular order:

• eBay is a multi-billion dollar business (value: approximately US$40 billion)
• you have a major glitch in your system and have not been able to fix it
• you have no way for me to contact you directly by email (although you once did) and, seemingly, no way to contact me through email (though, as noted, they do and are just not willing to use that function)
• I should contact the sellers directly to make alternate arrangements, despite the difficulty this imposes and the fact that this is a service for which the seller is paying money to you to undertake

There were two other points that came out of this conversation. The first was his belief that it was EASY (to say nothing of proper) for me to contact the seller directly to make alternate arrangements. The analogy I used on the phone is that it is like walking into a store and being told I cannot pay with credit card because there is not a machine in the store. Yes, the item can be purchased, but it requires finding cash or walking across the street in the hopes of finding a bank machine. It may not be easy and it is certainly not convenient.

The second was his complete unwillingness to let me speak to a manager. “Why do you want to speak to a manager,” he asked. Are you freakin’ kidding me? My response was literally “I don’t need a reason,” which is true. I have gotten nowhere with you, and I have asked for your supervisor. And still he refused.

So where am I, beside profanity-ridden exchanges halfway across the continent and threats of leaving eBay and telling my friends to do the same? Not very far, really. I have no assurance my account will ever work. I have no way to follow-up other than to call back (at my expense). I’ve probably been red flagged for calling in the first place at this point. But I have the Internet. And I can tell my story. On Facebook and blogs and websites. And hopefully on their customer feedback site.

Because it really isn’t too much to ask for a simple email address and one’s account to work properly. It’s what I am paying for after all.

Okay, the Mattel stuff is starting to come up onto the shelves so I’m putting together another Toyfare post:

DCUC

• Okay, DCUC is the greatest collection of DC super heroes (or any heroes for that matter) since the Super Powers Collections. That said, here’s hoping they can finally get some of the quality control issues dealt with (and maybe put some more “meat” on their female figures).
• Last year it was announced we could expect a 10 piece Legion of Super Heroes package (sadly with only Saturn Girl for women characters). Sunfire is the best of what is going to be awesome set!
• The Crime Syndicate looks like another great set, even if it means getting a second (albeit modified) version of Ultra Man for those who picked up two pack with Alexander Luthor. But it does means another Power Ring for the collection. Sweet!
• Other notable figures? Mr. Freeze (referenced earlier), the White Lantern Hal Jordan and Orange Lantern Lex Luthor. And Black Vulcan and Samarai! Now if only there was a better picture of Catman…

Green Lantern

• The only surprise about Green Lantern is the relatively limited numbers of figures that are coming. In the movie-style that is. Given some of the designs, that might be a good thing.
• However, there is a better Kilowag, even if the Guardians still looks stuck in the 1970s. And thankfully more DCUC-style Lanterns, even if they have pretty much already been revealed.
• And because it is Mattel, there is even a Barbie as Carol Ferris. I wonder if her Star Sapphire costume is included. Dear God, do not let Ken be Hal Jordan!
• However, Mattel can do no wrong after this - original costume Kyle, Sinestro Corp Sinestro, Guy Gardner and John Stewart, Mego Style!

Other Figures

• How unexpected is it to find a 12″ Movie Luthor (looking more Kevin Spacey than Gene Hackman actually) to go with the already available 12″ Zod?
• Young Justice looks like it is going to be an interesting line. From the Speedy package, catching the figures to build a Hall of Justice might just be in order. But if Black Canary is any indication, the articulation is not going to be great. Also, while it makes sense, it’s so strange to see Arthur Curry with barefeet.
• It is astonishing to me that Mattel continues to keep the JLU alive for collectors. I am sure it has a lot to do with price point and the ease in changing characters, but if only Hasbro did that with Titanium. Or Alternators… Anyway, the highlight of the group is clearly S.T.R.I.P.E. for me.
• The Brave and the Bold line, which was really really cool, seems to be going the way of all Batman lines, which is to say All Batman All the Time. So it is nice to see they found a way to work Superman into the line at least. And look at the cute Lanterns! And Kilowag done right!
• Last but not least is the incredibly good Masters of the Universe line. Some high points? Check out King Hiss and what looks like Pre-Eternia She-Ra. I’m afraid they will have to come home too. Unfortunately, Mattel is still rockin’ the pop-out battle damage shield for its third release (Skeletor), which is upsetting because they can clearly do turning motions as evidenced by Man-E-Face right behind his skeletonness. This to me is the biggest disappointment of a line I shouldn’t be this excited over.
• But to end on a high note, check out this groovy two-pack tied into everyone’s favourite Vancouverite-wielding-a-power-ring! He has the power!

(Thanks to ASMzine for all the great links.)

Weren’t invited to Toyfair 2011? Well, sit down partner, neither was I! So welcome once again to a brief armchair review of some particularly juicy toyfair highlights.

G.I. Joe!

Can you believe that G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is 30 years old in 2012? I surely can’t. More than any other (possibly excluding Micronauts which I really didn’t have enough of), G.I. Joe was THE toy line I grew up with. While I may be a Transformers guy now, I came to the Transformers universe as I was putting the toys away to avoid the shame of being a “doll guy” in high school. But G.I. Joe was a toy I actually played with, and my figures have all the scars, lost thumbs, terrible paint experiments, and missing parts to prove it (although even at nine years old, I was still pretty careful with my toys for a nine year old.)

So I am really pleased and excited to see some of the early promo pictures to be coming out of Toyfair. Eminently more satisfying in fact than the Transformer releases, actually (but more on that later…)

First, figure-wise, let me say that I have been really happy with the cardbacks produced for Pursuit of Cobra, particularly the thickness of the cardboard. And the new card artwork really looks great. It will be so good to see it used for the likes of a new Steel Brigade member, Cobra Trooper and Blowtorch, as well as Crazy Legs and Techno-Viper.

Clearly the highlight of the G.I. Joe presentation had to be the Skystriker. I always thought it was a shame Hasbro hadn’t released it for the 25th Anniversary line like they had the Rattler and the Conquest. But here it is in all its glory. If you look closely at the nose cone and the cockpit, you can see this is not simply just a reissue of the original either, since the gun is notably different and the cockpit is a one seater.

But even better? A G.I. Joe / Transformers crossover! Yes, Starscream with Cobra Commander (and a little baby Megatron). I predict this will be the most sought after item at SDCC this year! Who wants another look? I DO!

Definitely have to call in some favours since failing in my efforts to get tickets…

Transformers

While it is not a big deal to see the Optimus Prime truck, it is really cool to see it with its trailer!

Kre-O is clearly Hasbro’s attempt at matching Lego and MegaBlock in the building blocks market. Think of it as Build-to-Rule 2.0! I actually liked Build-to-Rule, and I believe it got dealt a bad hand basically because it (a) focused on the big brand exercise of the time (i.e., Armada) rather than focusing on something more recognizable (i.e., Generation One), and (b) really only got the glitches out of its system in time for the very limited release of series two (i.e., Energon).

Kre-O seems to take what Hasbro learned from Built-to-Rule, while keeping the line relevant to collectors by incorporating a Generation One feel through the figurines. Whether this will pay off, it is hard to say, but I’m certainly on board for the effort. So far, we’ve seen a really great Optimus Prime, a decent Starscream, and a more-blocky-than-hoped Bumblebee. I really keen to see what future figures bring, including and especially Ratchet, Prowl and Jazz.

Rescue Bots is another return to past roots, this time Go-Go-Gobots 2.0, albeit with contemporary characters like Bumblebee and Optimus Prime. There’s even a base! Clearly there is a bit of Rescue Heroes influence here as well, but I can live with that, if it means that I can finally stop hoarding the increasingly hard-to-find GoBots in order to give tough, kid-friendly Transformer-brand transforming robots to the niece and nephews.

The new Transformers: Prime cartoon (RIP Animated) is getting the toy treatment it seems. The toys look fine, but I’m hardly excited about them yet, as I’ve not yet watched any of the cartoon. The best of the lot is clearly Arcee.

But of course, Dark of the Moon is the focus of the Transformers line. And there are some very nice toys that come out of it. For me the highlights were definitely the new Powerglide, the Voyager-class Skyhammer (nice use of a vintage Pretender name by the way), and Sentinel Prime (wonder if he will be as big a jerk as his Animated counterpart…) Otherwise, while there are some nice toys there isn’t a lot that really sings out to me yet. Oh sure, it’s nice to see the Optimus Prime toy with transforming trailer, but the line reminds me of Revenge of the Fallen - a lot of similar looking toys at the front end. Which saves me a bunch of cash actually for what one can hope are some super designed off-screen action in 2012.

What’s missing you ask? As reported by Battlegrips.com, there appears to be no further mention of Generation. As he rightly maintains, despite Hasbro comments to the contrary, it is entirely possible that comments regarding the continuation of this line is simply referring to planned toys yet to hit toy shelves. Like Wheeljack, Reflector, and others. Which wouldn’t surprise me - “Classics” went on hiatus for the first movie, Universe “2.0″ for the second. But it would sadden me all the same.

Final though? Can I say how awesome it is to hear that Vickie Stratford, missing last year from Botcon festivities, is now heading up the Star Wars line? That’s awesome - congrats Vickie! - I won’t tell them how young you are if you don’t!

Super-Heroes

Yes, it is the year of Green Lantern, Captain America, and Thor. Which, given my love of Green Lantern and flag wearing heroes, could make for a harsh year on the pocketbook. Unless Green Lantern’s figures end up looking this bad! I hope to have more details about these lines in the coming days. But for now, let me show off U.S. Agent and Taskmaster! And Catman (finally!) and Mr. Freeze!

Also, Captain Action! And the Doctor (love the sign in the background about the head) and a Classic Cyberman!

Thundercats

And Thunder-thunder-thundercats are back! I remember the cats although I didn’t have any myself at the time (I’ve since picked up a few including my favourite, Pantha, and a Thundercat that has subsequently discoloured).

First, that is a mean looking glove and sword combo. I figure it is for the new animated show, because here comes the classic sword. So much better than I put together when I tried my hand at Lion-O for Halloween.

And Bandai, to its enormous credit, is doing things right, releasing a new imagined version of the line and a classic version for collectors. And both look great! Except maybe for Panthro, who I don’t care for at all.

And that’s it for this round. Keep

(Thanks and apologies to asmzine.com, poeghostal.com, tfwiki.net, battlegrips.com, and idealhands for the references and links.)