I got the Marvel Legends Mandarin set. I understand why they’ve changed the design for the Mandarin character, plus my main reference for him is the MCU so it makes sense, but maybe they could have come up with something so he looks less like Tony Stark?! (Also, there still seems to be a rumour for a retro release, I wonder if that could be a cartoon version?)
Retro Outback looks great (got a preorder in for it and Windcharger).
I’ve made a list of custom projects I’m going to work on. There’s Mortal Kombat, Transformers, Batman, plus a bit of Marvel and ‘other’. 16 projects, and I’m determined to finish them, then I think that will be it for me with customs. I’ll keep my paints just in case there’s something in the future, but otherwise I want to wind it down a bit in terms of stuff that I keep in storage for potential projects. I’ve just about finished working on Goro then I’ll work on Shao Kahn, and that will be MKI and MKII all done to a standard I’m happy with (hopefully!). Here is how Goro and Kintaro are looking together.
Speaking of Mortal Kombat they showed off pictures of the upcoming 2-packs - Liu Kang and Raiden are in their P2 colours. Bastards. I’m well onboard with Sub-Zero with ice arms, think I’m okay with Scorpion with blood stains, and think I’m okay with Reptile with clear legs, but Liu Kang and Raiden I’m going to need the single packs. Bastards. I’m not too bothered about the accessories, but for the ninjas they add quite a lot. Ordered Liu Kang off Amazon so got him first (quite appropriate I guess as he’s the main character). Looks pretty decent, slightly grumpy about the 7” scale but otherwise all good. That said, I feel like I don’t need too many figures at this scale - although I’ve ordered Kitana and Mileena, I’m not sure I need all the MKII characters - the ten MKI characters would be quite a nice amount. Also got my preorders in for Scorpion, Raiden and Reptile. I reckon the next wave will be two from Shang Tsung, Johnny Cage, Jax, Baraka and Kung Lao - but they will fill out the two packs with Smoke, Noob and Jade as needed. My prediction would be Johnny and Baraka. (Also, each 2-pack has two backgrounds, there are four not seen yet - suggesting two more 2-packs before they run out.)
(Also got preorders in for the much better Jada figures - Balrog and Akuma.)
Mondo Peter Venkman arrived after several delays. Very glad to finally have a Real Ghostbusters figure, but wow, what a price tag for a 6” figure. I feel like Super 7 were the gateway drug - I was paying Marvel Legends prices, then suddenly Super 7 came along with Turtles and Thundercats and almost doubled the price. But I figured for a handful of figures (just wanted the core team), it was okay. Same logic, but another doubling of the price. Peter does at least come with Slimer so won’t be paying for him individually like Snarf with Thundercats. (And Ray comes with a mini Marshmallow Man so I think I’m okay there as well.) The trap with ghost is a tremendous accessory though.
NYCC Marvel Legends, the remaining two Inhumans and Werewolf by Night! Wow. Gorgon seems to be fairly huge for some reason in some promo pictures although less so in the packaged images. With the rumoured Doc Samson, the only other character I really need is Yellowjacket and so I ordered the 2007 figure. It has the old style hips, but is actually pretty solid - mostly I think because you can’t see his eyes so it’s not that obvious from the top half that it’s an older figure. Plus I very much like the idea of being done (ish). What incredible reveals. I also put in a preorder for Secret Wars Iceman, I wish it had a bit of blue but it does look remarkably ice like. Also preordered Werewolf by Night, Triton and Gorgon.
Have been busy with the customs, I’ve got everything laid out so giving everything a bit of thought and actually making some progress. Painted Voldemort’s cloak (it was green) and whitened his face a little. I made a custom Ra’s Al Ghul. It’s Doctor Strange wearing a suit, quite happy with my beard work if not the smoothness of the paint. (Said Doctor had wonky eyes to start so had to repaint those as well.) Also finally made a hammer for Ronan - it was actually from a cheap movie Ronan figure I picked up from the time of the first Guardians film. Not strictly a custom but I also managed to find a sword for my Surtur custom (I’m not actually sure where I stored Surtur so it might be a while before he can try it out for size), Johnny’s helping out though.
I also went back to the Bane figure I did in 2016 - I made custom knees since the upper leg is from a Hasbro Marvel figure (Ares) and the lower leg is from Mattel Multiverse (Bane). I never actually added the pins so I did that plus painted the skin better - it had something of a dodgy wash to it. It doesn’t look much different in the photo but it does feel like an improvement.
I painted the MK3 (cyber) ninjas. I think it’s an improvement - a bit of battle damage makes a bit of sense, so I used a black wash before a bit of dry brushing. I made Cyrax’s paint a bit more vivid. They’ve all got a bit of metallic paint in the mix I used although that doesn’t really show in the photo.
Venom and the last two Aerialbots arrived. I really like Venom, he’s got funky colours and completing the deluxe Insecticons feels like a milestone (it wasn’t that long ago that they were always on my wishlists). So unless they care to have a stab at the Diaclone recolours, I’m done with Insecticons. I’m also done with Aerialbots, although if anyone (nonnef) fancies a crack at a more toy accurate Superion head then I’d be interested. For me the weakest part of the set is the individual headsculpts, I mean I guess they’re achieving what they’re trying to do I’m just not a fan. Not a problem though as they’re going to stay as Superion for the foreseeable. That said, I have quite got round to combing them yet (not Devastator for that matter).
