'A' on the waist

Since August last year I have become a little obsessed with Marvel Legends. Ten years ago I started collecting 3.75” Marvel figures, they were great. They were everything I wanted. Then they stopped. Then I realised how amazing the 6” figures had become, Wolverine and Deadpool in particular sold the line to me. I realise now there was a turning point in about 2016, specifically, with the X-Men wave. Rogue, Kitty and Iceman were the start. Though the roots of the improvement were definitely there in 2015 with the ‘pizza’ Spidey and Daredevil figures that were released, I also wish I could have picked up the Guardians set from that year.

I did get in at the right time though, I missed a few 2016/17 figures which I've been able to pick up fairly easily (for the most part). I managed to join the party before the price on Rogue became too high. I did badly on the Walgreens exclusive Fantastic 4 and Silver Surfer though, really should have got those when they were available.

I realise now that it has tapped into something I wasn’t aware of - I wanted a better representation of the 90’s X-Men lineup. I have all of the characters in 3.75”, Cyclops is great, but a few just on’t have the right costume, and some were just plain average. The 6” figures I have are all fantastic.

The problem is working out where to draw the line, I have gone back and forth so many times it’s ridiculous. I tried to explain my thinking, but it changes continuously. Most importantly, I want the X-Men and Spider-Man. Then the Avengers and the Fantastic 4. Then the Guardians. What about Daredevil and Punisher? So many good characters! I think as always, I’m there now. It will change of course, but hopefully only minor changes.

I realised something a bit strange about my collecting, I don’t want Black Bolt because he’s never really done anything in any fiction I’ve seen, but if Crystal, Gorgon, Karnak and Triton were available then I would be all in. Medusa is available though, so perhaps it would work having just the two of them.

Anyway, bit of a milestone: I’ve completed the Fantastic 4. Thing is here! Also Ghost Rider, Silver Surfer, Vision, Iron Fist and Luke Cage. Oh, and Apocalypse! I’ve a small handful of figures to go and then I am ‘caught up’. On Legends at least. That mythical place which exists until I need something else! I've also just paid my invoice for Professor X.

Thing is fantastic (no pun intended). Beautiful sculpt, one that makes me glad I collect Legends. Vision is really adding some colour to my Avengers, he could actually be on the X-Men with his gold yellow cape (I love how the X-Men really pop because most of them have that gold on their costumes). Ghost Rider is also great, he has the Star Lord body, I'm not sure about the light blue stripe, but the headsculpt is great. The bike is good looking as well. The set looks particularly good with a light source behind to light up the flames.

Silver Surfer is great. I originally passed on him on the basis that I have a 3.75" version, why did I need a 6" version. Well...... That extra possibility really lends itself to an excellent surfing pose. He also has an appropriately sized head. Yep, he was needed. Apocalypse to me is the ultimate big bad. Growing up I had no idea who Thanos was, or even Galactus. Apocalypse was the ultimate villain on the X-Men cartoon. I wanted Apocalypse even before I was collecting Legends because the 3.75" scale version just didn't have that presence he needed. This version has it. Plus an 'A' on his waist. He looks bad ass. Oh yes.

**************

Rather than a 'want' list, I had a go at putting together a 'will ever buy' list, so trying to make a list than covers everything I might want. I went through my Transformers Classics and thought about which I wouldn't mind better versions of. One thing that got me thinking was 3.75" versus 6". Sometimes the choice is down to availability, sometimes numbers (if it's only a couple of characters then might as well go 6", if there's loads of characters then it has to be 3.75"), and finally, how much I like it (I'd buy a 3.75" He-Man figure, but I don't like it enough to get a 6" version). I think even the Ghostbusters I don't quite like it enough for 6" versions, but 3.75", I'd go for it.

**************

The second trailer for Endgame has dropped, so excited! They could show a character making a cup of tea and I’d be looking forward to it. I’m not going to watch the final trailer, but it’s under 6 weeks now. I think I’ve tried to express this before, but it feels like the end of an era for many of my interests, IDW, MCU, 3.75” Marvel, Masterpiece and Generations. Even Star Wars. They’re all done or very close. They are all continuing of course, but it will be different. I will be different, I won’t have grown with them. I’m not sure I want or need to do it again. I’m excited though, I am optimistic for the future, whatever it brings.

Ten Years

It's exactly 10 years today since I started this blog on Transformers and 'other stuff'. Bloody hell! I can confirm I am still a geek, but where to start on what has changed?! (Apart from the MCU.)

I have responsibilities now, and very little time. I’m not quite sure what I used to spend my time doing. I did spend a lot of time doing customs, most of which have now been replaced. It ultimately helped me learn though so I don’t think it was entirely time wasted. The amount of TV I used to watch on the other hand....

I used to display my Transformers figures according to the Dreamwave factions, which I then tweaked a little. What is quite cool now though is I actually have a toy of every character listed. Mostly Classics, but with a bit of G1 thrown in. I might have to go back to that setup again some day.

It was around the time that 3.75” Marvel really started. I was there from the beginning. Slowly getting drawn in to the point where my original reason for collecting 3.75” (I don’t like Marvel enough to collect 6”), really doesn’t stand up.

I used to spend time putting together wish lists. I think that is part of the natural evolution of being a collector. You realise there are things out there you want to collect, you seek out websites which report on the new stuff coming out, eventually you join a board and discuss the new things being released, but what’s to say? Yay or nay? Naturally you ended up talking about what you want next. I have got damn near everything I wanted back then (especially transformers). I only (thought I) wanted the 84-86 figures, but getting Headmasters has corrected that.

Having spent a lot of time thinking about how sentimental I am about certain figures, and being a list fan, I thought I would list the figures that mean the most to me and I just can’t get rid of. G1 Grimlock tops the list since he came from a mate, as well as being my favourite character. Masterpiece and Animated Grimlock are also up there since I bought them in person. G1 Scorponok was donated by a mate so also significant. Powermaster Optimus Prime was an extremely happy Christmas present from my Mum and Dad. The Classics Skywarp/Ultra Magnus were the last thing I ever bought at a Woolworths, sigh. The Universe Aerialbots are a very happy memory, as is (strangely), Mega Bloks White Ranger. Universe Sideswipe was bought on holiday so irreplaceable (once he has a new head). And finally, I will never forget the day I bought the Lego Ghostbusters firehouse. Good times!

Having really struggled to get my collection organised, I think some advice might be good. Get organised! The longer you put it off the harder it gets. Plan your storage so that everything fits away, put parts, accessories and instructions in the same place. Easily accessible. And for god’s sake don’t keep packaging! But if you must then flatten it.

I have always thought that I am ‘almost done’. I really am not, but occasionally you can finish a collection and it’s incredibly satisfying. There will always be something new, and that is the joy. Here’s to the next 10 years!

Better version?

Having upgraded/replaced Shockwave, who was a prime candidate for a better version, Hound, and gearing up to replace Ironhide, I've been thinking who else needs a better figure. I’m still undecided on Springer.

Top of the list is Sludge. He need need needs to be a voyager. Maybe leader. Slag and Snarl should probably be voyager, Swoop maybe even. But Sludge needs to be big. He looks up to the triple changers. That's not right! Sadly I think an oversized KO is my best hope.

The other four I admit are not nearly so needed. Starscream and Cyclonus. Having them the same size as their respective leaders makes sense, but in both cases, what about the other jets? What about Skywarp, Thundercracker and Scourge? And in fact, Sunstorm, ghost Starscream, the sweeps? I'm happy with those figures! (I'm also happy with the coneheads being deluxes.) Maybe just Starscream and Sunstorm then.

Similarly, Blaster. I've currently got the device label figure who's a fairly good size. He needs to be the same size as Soundwave, so a slightly bigger figure will be needed. Though with voyagers being a bit smaller now perhaps it won't matter too much. I'll see how it looks when I get Soundwave.

Finally, Hot Rod. One of the last 2006 Classics figures still in my collection (I think Ramjet is the only figure who's place is safe). A more modern expressive version would be nice.

Devastator gets an honourable mention since he’s great, but I still wouldn’t mind a figure in scale with the other non-Predaking combiners.

************

I’ve got my preorders in for the 2019 X-Men wave. Beast, Gambit, Jubilee and Forge. Can't believe how good that wave is!

Nothing too crazy on the Toy Fair reveals front, Thor and Nightcrawler top of the list. Updated MCU Iron Spider and Mark 50 Iron Man, dammit!  I think I’m going to pass on Siege Jetfire and Omega Supreme. Really hope that’s not a decision I regret.

I’ve bought a few bits and bobs. As well as a fair few preorders, I’ve bought some ball joints for my ongoing Kintaro custom, a 1:18 scale scooter (in red), POTP Windcharger and Titan’s Return Ramhorn. Generally I have concentrated on selling so have calmed down a bit on the Legends. (I may also have settled on what figures I actually want. Maybe)