I am a convert to 6”, a few years ago I was all about the 3.75”. I would have liked all of my favourite teams in that scale - X-Men, Avengers, Fantastic 4, Power Rangers, Ghostbusters, Thundercats, Turtles.
I did have some 3.75” Power Rangers once, but they weren’t so good. We never quite got any of those Marvel teams completed where all of the team had matching costumes, it would have been great to have got 3.75” Thundercats, Turtles or Ghostbusters, but none of those things happened. We obviously have a great wealth of 3.75” Star Wars figures, but they don’t really constitute a team in the same way.
I am very close to having those Marvel teams exactly the way I want in a 6” scale. I have a nice set of Thundercats in that scale (sadly lacking Cheetara and Tygra). This is my motivation for getting the NECA cartoon style Turtles - they look perfect, the Playmates ones were a bit too big. It’s the reason why the Diamond Real Ghostbusters don’t quite work - they’re 7” scale.
More than that I have a nice White Ranger in 6”, with Tommy headsculpt, which makes me think I should perhaps collect the whole team. I will keep an eye out for Ghostbusters, but otherwise it’s looking good.
When I started collecting Legends I was going to be very strict with multiple versions of characters, but I have to admit if they did un-powered versions of Iceman and Human Torch I’d be very tempted. And pre-Archangel Angel as well. Have just about convinced myself just to get a single Multiple Man.
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August is looking crazy for Marvel Legends, there is so much stuff coming out that I am having to prioritise. Though I really want the Colossus Juggernaut and Iron Man Iron Spider sets (and the Magneto family set), the 80th Hulk, Cap and Thor are my priorities, along with Storm and Nightcrawler. Would it have killed them to release some of it a few months later?! I'm also holding off on Multiple Man and Loki. I can't see myself being in this position again so need to ride the storm, but it's hard not just buying stuff. Apparently we as humans prioritise the here and now over a long term gain, so it's really not easy.
I’m also planning to just get the cartoon NECA Leonardo initially - I can sell off Shredder, but also decide whether they’re for me. I’m a bit tempted by the movie figures as well. Really thought I was done with Turtles!
I have for the longest time, anticipated getting all of the figures I want. I know that will never happen, but I do think I am extremely close all of the ones I really want. With both Transformers and Marvel, there are just a couple of characters. Scorponok for Transformers, and Jean Grey and Doctor Strange for Marvel. It is possible that they could all get announced at SDCC. (I’m setting myself for disappointment!) Then I would have no choice but change my outlook from what I don’t have to appreciating what I do. There’s always something you can tell yourself that you need.
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Well, the first couple of days of SDCC was a bit disappointing, the toy accurate Reflector was as expected, Rung is quite cool (though a bit small), the only other thing that was of interest is the Japanese exclusive dino cassette reissue which I sort of feel I should get because I have the KO, but it’s not very exciting.
The preview breakfast view breakfast brought news of a Mark 85 Iron Man, I had rather thought that because of the delay in announcing it that it might be a special 80th anniversary release with a gauntlet and RDJ head, it had a gauntlet, but one that fits the Hulk BAF. Still, happy to see the figure to complete the armoury and Endgame armoured team (Iron Man, Spider, War Machine and Rescue).
Then, the X-Men announcements happened. Jean Grey!!! I don’t need the Cyclops or Wolverine but I’ll happily take a Logan head. But still, Jean Grey!!! The team will be compete in glorious style. I will have completed one of my major collecting goals. Then, to top it off, Havok, Polaris and Strong Guy, followed by an alternate Wolfsbane head for Moonstar. X-Factor will be compete as well. I only just decided I wanted to collect them but still very happy! In the space of a year they’ve released every single X-Men heroic character I want. Could maybe take a few Brotherhood characters, but I have all of the villains I want as well. Wow.
There’s a new Doom coming as well but otherwise it’s all about the X-Men. Doctor Strange is my sole major want left. Wow again. There’s another rumour we might get some new Thundercat figures, I’d love to get that team finished but I won’t hold my breath. Pink Ranger was confirmed for Power Rangers and there’s a two-pack with Green Ranger with a silver stripe on his head that I don’t quite understand because I’m not that big a fan. But still, good to see.
I wasn’t feeling too excited about phase 4 of the MCU, but Fantastic 4 and Blade are something to look forward to, plus will be good to see Mandarin done properly. Hope we get a comic Legends figure of him. Overall, a great SDCC. Jean Grey!!!
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
For Lost Light reasons
As you will undoubtedly know, I’ve worked out exactly what figures I need. So about that.... There is a Polaris and Havok set rumoured. I previously decided I didn’t need it, they’re both fairly minor characters. But then I saw people discussing online which Polaris costume they hoped it was. Something clicked. In the 90s X-Men cartoon, X-Factor appear, they have Polaris and Havok as well as Quicksilver and Forge. I need Quicksilver because he’s an Avenger (briefly) in the MCU, and I need Forge because he’s an X-Man in Wolverine and the X-Men. Wouldn’t it be neat to link these characters together by collecting the rest of X-Factor? It makes sense on many levels, Polaris also goes with Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. Havok goes with Cyclops for some sibling displays. They do double service. Havok could be in a First Class display. Add to this that I don’t have Forge, Polaris, Wolfsbane or Strong Guy in 3.75” form, and I don’t have Havok in his classic 90s costume, it all makes sense! Just need Multiple Man and I’m on my way. I will resist getting multiple Multiple Men (since I did that in 3.75”).
This is an idea which works, the other X-Men related characters I have considered are Captain Britain, Psylocke, Dazzler, Banshee and Alpha Flight. Captain Britain works in Excalibur (he is Excalibur for me really), Psylocke works in the Blue team, but they don’t work anywhere else (although they do work together as siblings). Also I have them in 3.75” form. Dazzler works as part of the X-Men team in Pryde of the X-Men, but nowhere else. Banshee with the First Class lineup, but nowhere else. (Banshee stands alone in this list as the only character currently without a modern figure.) With Alpha Flight, Sasquatch works as part of the Hulk’s supporting cast, but given I’m quite keen not to recreate my 3.75” display, it again doesn’t make sense (I would like 3.75” Dazzler and Banshee though.) So after all that, I need Multiple Man, and hope we get that rumoured set, as well as Wolfsbane and Strong Guy. I have now started a ‘don’t need’ list, characters which I’ve convinced myself I don’t need! It's quite therapeutic.
Another area I have spent a fair amount of time thinking about is villain teams - the Brotherhood, the Sinister Six and the Masters of Evil. Mostly because of the new Scorpion - he looks so good. A quick check of eBay shows expensive some of the Spider-Man villains are. Also, if I’m going to get Chameleon I’d rather the 90’s version rather than the suit. I will pass! For the Masters, the recent version of Abomination doesn’t work for me and he’s the main attraction, so will pass on them as well. The Brotherhood on the other hand, like X-Factor, I don’t have (non-custom) 3.75” versions of them combined with them being in my favourite cartoon ever. They’re in and luckily they haven’t even made them (yet), so no extra trip to eBay needed!
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Apeface, Spinister and Crosshairs! And Astrotrain. I think this is the most exciting announcement in a long time. Where to start. Okay, firstly, three characters I don’t have, secondly, three characters from 1987/88. The last line to have so many characters from that era was Titans Return, which I wonder whether these toys are leftover concepts from that line - we had a Apeface titanmaster (but no body), we got an Astrotrain so maybe this was a design that wasn’t used. And Crosshairs was heavily rumoured, especially given we got the Decepticon targetmasters. (Though some of that was actually about Orion Pax). I’m torn on whether that mold would have been a better choice. Bulk wise I think Crosshairs is somewhere in between. I also quite liked the idea of making all of the ‘87 targetmasters headmasters since it was fairly arbitrary in the cartoon who became what.
The reveal of Apeface and Crosshairs means we are down to eight more characters to complete the US Headmasters lineup (four Throttlebots, two Autobot targetmasters, one Horrorcon and Scorponok). I think the rumours of Crosshairs in Titans Return have only served to fuel my excitement for that character. It’s also an extra character for my Lost Light shelf.
Spinister is also very exciting (also for Lost Light reasons), with Needlenose the likely winner of the recent fan poll, I’m so glad I picked up Quake to complete the trio. He helps complete my Mayhem Attack Squad. So it’s only Astrotrain who I’m not too worried about, the thing that could have swung it was the train mode being a more classic steam engine. Also, I like my trio of triplechangers from Titans Return (such a good line!).
The prospect for more 1987/88 figures is looking good, Pointblank from Punch/Counterpunch, Slapdash from Mirage, and a new dune buggy mold for Sureshot and Joyride. Target and Powermasters done!
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I have got Legends War Machine and Rescue. I’m going to try and collect all of the MCU armours, regardless of who is/was using them. War Machine is big so he doesn’t have a BAF piece. He looks great, I guess given I like Transformers it’s not surprising that I like a very mecha looking action figure. I like the matte finish. As always he’s very well weaponed up, it’s a great shame we didn’t get the Mark IV (or V), I’m still hopeful we might get a new and improved Mark I at some point as that’s still my favourite, we also never had a unmasked Don Cheadle head so perhaps they’ve got something lined up. Bring on the Iron Man Mark 85! Rescue looks really good though she does have a very long neck, not so bad for this helmeted head but I saw on line the Pepper Potts head is too high on it. All round looking good though.
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I've spent a bit of time studying the hallowed G1 scale charts for Transformers. I had already identified that I would like a deluxe based Devastator, voyager (or leader) Dinobots and seekers, a larger Sky Lynx. One thing I hadn't really considered was a larger Broadside. Commander class Broadside would be great!
Thinking about scale, it occurred to me that I haven't compared Siege Soundwave to Device Label Blaster. Size wise they're a good match, though Blaster is a lot more bulky with much more kibble. I'd be very reluctant to get rid of Blaster - he's a working USB hub, but also he turns into a laptop. That's pretty novel. I can ignore the kibble, the main issue for me is the difference in detail, and specifically the battle damage on the chest door for Soundwave. I'm sure there will be a new Blaster at some point, but at the moment I feel I would rather have a Soundwave without the extra detailing.
One week until SDCC!
This is an idea which works, the other X-Men related characters I have considered are Captain Britain, Psylocke, Dazzler, Banshee and Alpha Flight. Captain Britain works in Excalibur (he is Excalibur for me really), Psylocke works in the Blue team, but they don’t work anywhere else (although they do work together as siblings). Also I have them in 3.75” form. Dazzler works as part of the X-Men team in Pryde of the X-Men, but nowhere else. Banshee with the First Class lineup, but nowhere else. (Banshee stands alone in this list as the only character currently without a modern figure.) With Alpha Flight, Sasquatch works as part of the Hulk’s supporting cast, but given I’m quite keen not to recreate my 3.75” display, it again doesn’t make sense (I would like 3.75” Dazzler and Banshee though.) So after all that, I need Multiple Man, and hope we get that rumoured set, as well as Wolfsbane and Strong Guy. I have now started a ‘don’t need’ list, characters which I’ve convinced myself I don’t need! It's quite therapeutic.
Another area I have spent a fair amount of time thinking about is villain teams - the Brotherhood, the Sinister Six and the Masters of Evil. Mostly because of the new Scorpion - he looks so good. A quick check of eBay shows expensive some of the Spider-Man villains are. Also, if I’m going to get Chameleon I’d rather the 90’s version rather than the suit. I will pass! For the Masters, the recent version of Abomination doesn’t work for me and he’s the main attraction, so will pass on them as well. The Brotherhood on the other hand, like X-Factor, I don’t have (non-custom) 3.75” versions of them combined with them being in my favourite cartoon ever. They’re in and luckily they haven’t even made them (yet), so no extra trip to eBay needed!
**********
Apeface, Spinister and Crosshairs! And Astrotrain. I think this is the most exciting announcement in a long time. Where to start. Okay, firstly, three characters I don’t have, secondly, three characters from 1987/88. The last line to have so many characters from that era was Titans Return, which I wonder whether these toys are leftover concepts from that line - we had a Apeface titanmaster (but no body), we got an Astrotrain so maybe this was a design that wasn’t used. And Crosshairs was heavily rumoured, especially given we got the Decepticon targetmasters. (Though some of that was actually about Orion Pax). I’m torn on whether that mold would have been a better choice. Bulk wise I think Crosshairs is somewhere in between. I also quite liked the idea of making all of the ‘87 targetmasters headmasters since it was fairly arbitrary in the cartoon who became what.
The reveal of Apeface and Crosshairs means we are down to eight more characters to complete the US Headmasters lineup (four Throttlebots, two Autobot targetmasters, one Horrorcon and Scorponok). I think the rumours of Crosshairs in Titans Return have only served to fuel my excitement for that character. It’s also an extra character for my Lost Light shelf.
Spinister is also very exciting (also for Lost Light reasons), with Needlenose the likely winner of the recent fan poll, I’m so glad I picked up Quake to complete the trio. He helps complete my Mayhem Attack Squad. So it’s only Astrotrain who I’m not too worried about, the thing that could have swung it was the train mode being a more classic steam engine. Also, I like my trio of triplechangers from Titans Return (such a good line!).
The prospect for more 1987/88 figures is looking good, Pointblank from Punch/Counterpunch, Slapdash from Mirage, and a new dune buggy mold for Sureshot and Joyride. Target and Powermasters done!
**********
I have got Legends War Machine and Rescue. I’m going to try and collect all of the MCU armours, regardless of who is/was using them. War Machine is big so he doesn’t have a BAF piece. He looks great, I guess given I like Transformers it’s not surprising that I like a very mecha looking action figure. I like the matte finish. As always he’s very well weaponed up, it’s a great shame we didn’t get the Mark IV (or V), I’m still hopeful we might get a new and improved Mark I at some point as that’s still my favourite, we also never had a unmasked Don Cheadle head so perhaps they’ve got something lined up. Bring on the Iron Man Mark 85! Rescue looks really good though she does have a very long neck, not so bad for this helmeted head but I saw on line the Pepper Potts head is too high on it. All round looking good though.
***********
I've spent a bit of time studying the hallowed G1 scale charts for Transformers. I had already identified that I would like a deluxe based Devastator, voyager (or leader) Dinobots and seekers, a larger Sky Lynx. One thing I hadn't really considered was a larger Broadside. Commander class Broadside would be great!
Thinking about scale, it occurred to me that I haven't compared Siege Soundwave to Device Label Blaster. Size wise they're a good match, though Blaster is a lot more bulky with much more kibble. I'd be very reluctant to get rid of Blaster - he's a working USB hub, but also he turns into a laptop. That's pretty novel. I can ignore the kibble, the main issue for me is the difference in detail, and specifically the battle damage on the chest door for Soundwave. I'm sure there will be a new Blaster at some point, but at the moment I feel I would rather have a Soundwave without the extra detailing.
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