Iron Men

Managed to nab a Ratchet: one popped into stock so immediately checked it out. Upon refreshing they had all gone. That does somehow make it more exciting, but I think it is somewhat unnecessary - why on earth was Ratchet an exclusive? For me Ratchet is a top tier character. I think Crosshairs should have been the exclusive and Ratchet in a regular wave. Still, very excited to get him! As a neat little homage to the Universe figure he's looking down in the package.....

I've also picked up a Prowl, great little figure - very good homage to the G1 toy, I was almost a bit surprised when his arms didn't tuck over each other for car mode. I want to use him for some customising, but for the time being will just appreciate the figure.

I used to keep a very comprehensive spreadsheet of my collection (and of my spending), but haven't updated it for years. I've got plans to put most of my collection into storage, I've generally organised my Classics Transformes by the original G1 year or series, but fairly recently I rearranged it to be by modern series (Classics/Universe/Generations/Combiner Wars/etc) which better reflects my increasingly having multiple versions of characters. I thought therefore I would start a new spreadsheet. I have also decided though to include figures I have sold.

This has started me down a path of reminiscing - some great figures that for various reasons I got rid of. It also is striking how much I've sold. It's a work in progress but will give some numbers when I've finished. It's also remarkably tricky to count figures when some are customs which might comprise parts from multiple others, or where a group should perhaps comprise one listing by itself - Micromaster teams for instance, or where a smaller partner robot is included - Minicons or Targetmasters. I'm going to include every toy I own so will take a bit of time. I had a look through this blog to try and work out some of the figures I used to own, in the early years especially I used to get 'stand-in' figures quite a lot.

One thing that is initially quite striking is how many figures the Prime Wars trilogy contributed to my collection, considering I thought I was done at that point, I bought more figures from those lines than everything else (with a classics aesthetic) combined. Titans Return is my favourite line - it really felt like anything could be on the table, and despite the forced gimmick, I loved it.

I try not to do wish lists (too much), but I think my remaining wants can be put into four groups: bigger Dinobots/smaller Constructicons, finish off the Rebirth cast, finish off the leaders (mainly Victory), and Beast Wars. For Beast Wars I have a bit of mis-mash of lines: Takara reissue Tigatron, TRU reissue Primal and Megatron. Universe Cheetor and Dinobot. Generations Rhinox, Waspinator and Rattrap. Plus an original Inferno. I'm happy with most of them but the Universe figures especially needed updating. I think it could easily be done in a wave or two. Voyager Tigatron, Dinobot and Terrorsaur, deluxe Tarantulas, Scorponok, Cheetor and Airrazor would be awesome to fill in the gaps and put everyone in roughly the right scale.

Have bagged the 80th anniversary Mark 50 Iron Man/Iron Spider and the Amazon Magneto/Quicksilver/Scarlet Witch sets in Black Friday sales (technically with Iron Man and Spider it was still Thanksgiving). Very happy to get all these figures - I felt sad getting rid of the Iron Man and Spider as they're both great figures, so great to finally replace them. My MCU armoury is complete, another significant milestone for my Legends collecting. Getting Magneto means I have all the main X-Men villains and am another step to getting all of the main villains - Doom is coming so just need a Red Skull.

I'm surprised at how excited I am getting the Iron Man/Iron Spider set, but I suppose it's my two favourite characters from my (almost) favourite film. Iron Spider is great but getting the extra limbs plugged in was tricky and trying to put the Peter Parker head on him resulted in the neck joint coming out - ended up using a screwdriver to force it back in. I have therefore put that on the regular MCU Spidey (which makes more sense for a picture at least). Iron Man has some great accessories, he has a flaw on his (left) eye though that somehow makes it looked cracked. So a slightly flawed set, but still very glad to have it in hand.

I looked at the Magneto set, all the paints apps look good so will leave it unopened for the moment.

A Mastepiece Raiden has been announced, must admit I'm a bit disappointed it's not a Classics release, but I wonder whether it might be a heavy retool of Titan class Devastator - which was designed to somewhat fill the MP gap for that character. Will wait and see but given the cost of the Seacons, it could be very expensive.

Expensive

Still trying to work out what TMNT to collect, much like the cartoon based Transformers Masterpiece figures, there is a thing as too cartoony for me. Similarly with cell shaded Siege Optimus and Megatron. They look great, they’re just not for me. So the cartoon NECA figures, look great, but they’re not for me. I think I’m not that keen on NECA stuff with the lines drawn on.

Comic TMNT figures don’t make sense as I never bought or read the source material. That said the 12” Mezco figures look amazing. The Super 7 figures then, expensive but updates of the toys I did have (well Leonardo and Donatello at least). Hopefully they’re really spaced out so I can get them. They’d also then match my Thundercats. I’ll give Raphael a go and see what I think.

Don’t think mentioned about Unicron! Very happy that he’s been funded. Bit too expensive for me, but hope I will have a chance to get him at a later point. Also very excited about potential Raiden news. G1 reissue or new Generations, either way I would love some trainbots.

Kingpin is rumoured for Legends, yay! Hope it is a white jacket purple trousers version. Glad didn’t try and get the BAF. Along with Earthrise Starscream and Optimus I’ve lucked out a bit with what I’ve been buying. Also rumoured is a Venom Legends wave, the recent Legends have been amazing but the Venom wasn’t so great, I’m not a fan of that buck, so hoping for something special.

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Popped in preorders for Super 7 Raphael and Lightning pink ranger. Hopefully Super 7 will work out. I have a plan. Hasbro for humans - Power Rangers and (hopefully Real) Ghostbusters, Super 7 for Turtles and Thundercats (mutants/humanoids).

Have opened Thor! He looked good in package, but it's a pleasant surprise when you open him up and you can appreciate his cape. He's in fairly muted colours, but looks great. Almost no head movement, but the hammer with the engraving looks fantastic. My A:EMH lineup of Avengers is complete!!! Iron Man (Mark IV) is a bit small though so will replace with the Mark 85 (which has a pretty classic look) when it comes in.

Reveals from London and Paris comic cons, nothing too exciting but nice to see a Winter Soldier. Though I reckon he will fall into the ‘I suppose I should get it’ category and sit unopened for a while. I think we will see a Falcon shortly as well. Popped in a preorder for Doom, he looks amazing. And red ranger, he also looks good.

Mark 85 Iron Man has arrived. No delay in opening him! He looks great, I like the classic look, perfect for my A:EMH display. Would have preferred a more yellow gold though. Lots of accessories, but no infinity gauntlet for Tony and no alternative RDJ head. Perhaps they'll repeat their Mark 50 trick. (Speaking of which is now the only film/armour I don't have now. I would have preferred a little hint of blue on the eyes and arc reactor so might get my paintbrush out, but but..... this photo makes everything better. Major collecting goal complete!!!

Pink Ranger has arrived. I am glad I decided to collect the rest of the team. It's a great action figure, the best figure with a bow and arrow I have (the only competition being Hawkeye to be fair), but the articulation is great. As with the White Ranger the helmeted head looks much better, but it's great to have the option - her beaming face doesn't really suit any action poses!

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Every year for about the last 10 I’ve thought that the amount of things I want will drop (and the amount I spend). In terms of non-transformers, once I’ve got the outstanding box sets and Strong Guy I’m pretty much done with X-Men and Iron Man. I think a potential BAF Blob, Lockjaw or comic Giant Man are the main candidates for being expensive. I’d like to see Kingpin, Wendigo and Odin redone but they shouldn’t be too bad. TMNT and Thundercats seem like they’re going to be released fairly slowly, so as long as they’re aren’t too many figures I want from each wave it should be okay. Similarly Power Rangers is releasing at a nice speed.

Transformers once Piranacon and Scorponok are done should be fairly well spaced as well. I think the things that could be expensive are a potential Raiden (looking forward to that announcement), Victory Saber and maybe Sky Lynx. I can’t think what else there might be. Broadside maybe, perhaps a new smaller Devastator and some of the Victory combiners. No more Titans though. So once again, just need to get through next year with my finances intact and it should all be smooth sailing!

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Incoming: Sky Lynx rumoured!

Bit too lanky

So that new Earthrise Optimus...... I feel like Siege Optimus did all of the hard work trying to convince me to replace my Classics Optimus, but my resolve held out, then this new version came along and my resolve just walked out the room and went to the pub. Fine, I’ll get a new Optimus. I’m surprised at myself at how excited I am. I think I’ll keep the Classics version mind, I like having a matching Optimus and Magnus.

I’m not too interested in much else, though I might take the opportunity to replace my RTS Grapple with the (yellow headed) United one. Might be able to get an Artfire as well. Could be tempted by a Hosehead remold of the new one though. I’d also like to replace my Classics Magnus with the white legged Henkei one, but that would be a bit pointless as I’m only really holding on to the original for nostalgic reasons.

I’ve got mixed feelings about wanting a Titan Scorponok, despite being my most wanted figure it might be good to wait for a year to allow me time to get the funds. Generally feeling good about Legends though, I’ve added Odin and Wendigo to my get list (need gold armour and a new head respectively!). Hopefully there won’t be so many must get box sets next year! I’ve feeling mixed about Turtles, I might return the NECA set and get the Super 7 figures instead, but with the Thundercats as well that could be expensive at over fifty quid a pop.

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SCORPONOK!!! Sod waiting a year, I need it now dammit! This is it, my most wanted figure. Not sure what I was thinking waiting a year. I have a list of figures which I think need replacing - Trailbreaker and Hoist are on it, so if the figures are a decent size then will get them. The (original) seekers were on it, so on board for voyager Starscream. Optimus was not, but I think I can allow myself one exception. Cliffjumper I'm intrigued by, if he is legends sized then I could be very tempted. Actually it's strange but I really can't remember which Bumblebee and Cliffjumper I have on my shelf - Generations I think, pretty sure I bought a Titans Return Bumblebee though. Excited for the potential of Hubcap and Throttlebot repaints. Maybe even a Bumper?

No news on the Marvel Legends front, absolutely nothing for me. There are plenty of things I would like to see, but happy for the break. It feels like the time before Combiner Wars, I couldn't see myself getting any new figures, Marvel Universe was slowing down and Metroplex was on his way. I'm guessing some of the later characters will come in the third part of the trilogy, again good to have a bit of a break.

I've got Mirage now, between him, Reflector and Springer I'm suddenly really enjoying Siege again. They look great! I don't think his legs look as thin in person as they did in the renders which is good, but I would have liked a lighter blue. Also not sure what's going on with the transparent plastic. He also has a fake front - his chest is not the nose of the car. Minor complaints aside, he looks great and once again I'm glad I replaced my Classics version. I'm getting a little nervous about getting hold of Siege Ratchet and the upcoming Seacons. None seem to be easily available to order and the Seacons are just a little too soon for my liking. I think they raise an interesting question on whether we'll get any more combiners. I really want a Leozack from POTP Starscream and I think they could do Road Caesar and Monstructor/Dinoking fairly easily. Definitely Leozack though and maybe a Deathcobra..........

I’ve opened Legends 80th Captain America. It’s a great looking figure, the sculpted scales with a bit of metallic paint looks great and the darker tones make him a bit more realistic. Not quite sure of the purpose for the second head but good to have options. The only downside was that the handle on the shield was broken straight out of the packaging, still usable but annoying.

Having replaced a few Marvel Legends and increasingly, Transformers Classics figures, there was an interesting discussion of ‘definitive’ versions of characters on a podcast I listen to. When you are only exposed to one source of media I think this works but after several different comics, cartoons and films, there often isn’t one, bit I do try to stick to one figure per character. (Grimlock, Ravage and Iron Man aside.) I think unless there are really obvious flaws or a huge improvement I will try not to ‘upgrade’ too much.

If I ignore any instance where I’ve replaced an unofficial toy with official, or where I’ve changed a figure for what I consider to be a more appropriate size class, there’s not that many. Outside of Siege, there’s only Blitzwing (and maybe a Minbot or two). I replaced Blitzwing to be consistent with Astrotrain and Octane. With Siege there’s Hound, Ironhide, Ratchet, Mirage, Megatron and Springer. I found photos of each of them comparing the new and old versions. Megatron is an easy argument - the back kibble on the Classics is crazy (though I do like the gun mode). Similarly Ironhide and Ratchet, the Universe figures just weren’t very good. The other three were fine before, Hound was maybe a bit too cartoony. Springer a bit too IDW-y, Mirage a bit too lanky? I was fine with the old versions, but on the whole the new versions are more toy (and cartoon really) accurate. With the new Hoist I will need to see that he’s bigger than the thrilling 30th line before I commit. The only other figure I have where I would like a new version is Hot Rod. The Classics figure is very much of his time.

One battle I think I will have with myself is voyager versions of the coneheads, it seems like a dead cert to me. I’m determined to stick with the deluxe figures. Though they should obviously scale with Starscream, they are relatively minor characters and so, for me, be the same size as the sweeps, Misfire, Slugslinger and Triggerhappy. Ramjet in particular has a special significance, as it was him (and the BotCon figures) that started me collecting Classics. I’m going to keep deluxe Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker as well as getting the voyager versions. Skywarp was the last thing I ever bought from Woolworths!

I have opened Captain Britain, I've been opening stuff based on how interested I am, but I surprised myself that I wanted to open him before Thor. He looks good, though I guess at some point I might have to paint over the blue with white. What a sad day that will be.

Without the funny Cybertronian bits

I’ve opened Springer, I like him so far, but I’m not quite sure whether I like him more than the 30th anniversary figure yet. He’s a good mix of toy and cartoon accurate, and I’m rather fond of the original toy’s altmodes which was my main reason for getting this one. He’s more fiddly certainly, but everything clicks into place nicely to make it seem pretty solid. I’ll keep on messing with him.

Colossus and Juggernaut have arrived. Having a few figures from the Juggernaut wave I was aware of how big his arms and legs are, but wow, this is one chunky figure. I really like the open hands for that extra width.

They both look amazing, a part of me thinks I’m still very happy with the 3.75” scaled figures, but Universe Colossus is rather blue and very angry, not really what comes to mind when I think of the character.

The smashed up face is perfect for when Juggernaut goes up against the Hulk. I’m really starting to appreciate how photogenic (and fun) these new Legends are.

Psylocke arrived again, this is what I said last time: “I’ve opened Bishop and Psylocke (purple hair). Fantastic figures. Bishop’s one of my favourites from the 90’s cartoon, so it’s great to have a figure that does him justice. Psylocke is also very well done. Need to put together the rest of the teams!” So all that still applies, with the small edit that now all I only need Jean Grey to complete the teams!

I think this will be the first time I really feel like I’ve completed something, with Marvel Universe and Transformers I did complete teams but they never properly matched aesthetically (or they were teams of size four). A complete 90’s X-Men team, finally!

There are rumours of a leader Optimus with trailer, presumably the Siege figure without the funny Cybertronian bits, but with a trailer. I came extremely close to buying the Siege figure - I saw it in a shop, went back to buy it only for Soundwave to be on the shelf so I bought him instead. So I’m a little tempted, especially as I changed my Classics Megatron for the Siege. Similarly, earth Starscream. I thought a voyager F-15 version was inevitable, surprised how quickly it has happened if this is true. I would buy Skywarp and Thundercracker as well. I’m also quite keen for a voyager Sunstorm, but I think I would keep my (deluxe) Classics coneheads and ghost Starscream even if they were options.

Blue with a tail and a sword

Hasbro is giving us just about every Marvel Legends figure we want, now it doesn’t seem that far fetched to suggest this might be because the license is expiring but they are extracting some serious money from collectors. But what if something else is happening? They must know the age distribution is people collecting, they must know those people are getting older. Those people are buying houses and having children. Their disposable income is dropping, maybe they’re getting these figures out before people drop out. Several of the podcasts I listen to have stopped or had people leave. People are leaving the hobby, maybe this is Hasbro getting as much as they can before that happens. Or maybe this is just wild speculation......

I seem to suddenly have a lot of unopened figures, Legends Loki, Gambit, Jubilee, Storm, Mister Sinister, Nightcrawler, Captain America, Thor, Psylocke and Captain Britain, plus Siege Springer and Reflector. I am going to open Nightcrawler......

He's fantastic! My favourite Marvel character, he's blue with a tail. And a sword. I think I also like him because if I could have any superhero powers it would be teleportation. Think about it, you could live your life in a way where you don't waste any time travelling between places, plus no money wasted on petrol or plane fares. You could see the world for free! Anyway, Nightcrawler is responsible for my inability just to collect the main X-Men from the cartoon. I needed him as well. But then once I made an exception for him I also needed Angel, Iceman, Kitty, Colossus, Psylocke and Bishop. And X-Factor, Cable and Captain Britain. My only small critique is that I think gold paint should have been used for his eyes (they used it on the handle of the sword). The headsculpt is (for me) a fantastic improvement over the old. The smiling head is also great, very fitting for the character and I have a genuine dilemma over which to use. Fantastic!

These Legends figures are really helping me get into X-Men all over again. Since I now have Archangel, Iceman, Forge, Kitty and Nightcrawler I’m going for a Wolverine and the X-Men display until I get round to opening Gambit and Jubilee. I will open Storm next. The vintage packaging is great, but would be even better if the whole team was available in this style! (If it was I would consider keeping them MOSC.) Okay, so this figure is everything I wanted, white costume Storm. Fan-bloody-tastic. She looks great, bring on Jean Grey!

One of the pitfalls I really wanted to avoid when I started collecting Marvel Legends was buying the exact same collection again, but paying twice the price. I made a big list of all the figures I have and I have bought roughly half of my Universe figures as Legends (it gets a bit vague because I still have unfinished customs), it's quite reassuring to know I haven't made my Universe collection completely obsolete.

I've now opened Reflector, I was having some second thoughts on whether I should have got three of the regular cartoon figures, I'm happy to say those doubts have gone. Viewfinder in particular is a fantastic update, Spectro is also a fine update, Spyglass less so as he seems a bit plain. Viewfinder and Spyglass could do with some extra stickers, but I'm very happy and don't regret selling my Perfect Effect set. That said, I'm not sure it's worth the money - £10 or £20 cheaper and I would be far happier. £70 for three small almost identical deluxes is pretty outrageous. A random aside from that, I realise that part of what I like about the figures is the size. It's the same reason I like the G1 Datsun mold, and the 80's/90's Turtle figures. It's probably the same reason I took to Marvel Universe figures so much, figures 4-5" are just the perfect size for me.

Re-reading More than Meets the Eye inspired me to re-watch some Red Dwarf X - XII. They actually did a really good job of re-capturing the spirit of the original series. As much as I like Kochanski, series VII and VIII are not quite the same as the series with the main four. Might have to watch some of the older ones at some point.

Juggernaut and Colossus are on their way, yay!

FOMO

I’ve been re-reading Lost Light (volume 2), it’s really nice to get back into it. Bit tempted to seek out a Krok, but the main thing that struck me was that Scorponok, Star Saber, Deszaras and Thunderclash all appear, my main toy wants. It’s like they’re teasing me.

My interest in Transformers has evolved, it started off as nostalgia for the cartoon, that evolved into nostalgia for the toys. I then watched the Japanese cartoons, and read the Marvel and Dreamwave comics. I now read the IDW comics and the toys I want reflect this evolution. Scorponok appears in everything on that list, the middle two Japanese cartoons and IDW, and Thunderclash is all IDW. None of the cast of the cartoons or toyline I remember as a kid are on it, they're done. Had I not embraced new media I would be done apart from Scorponok.

I saved a few pictures of the 90’s X-Men teams a while back and it’s been playing on my mind. Basically I now need Captain Britain and Psylocke. They’re British, I’m in Britain, it all makes sense. Cap B is still available at retail price, more or less, but Psylocke has about doubled. Bollocks! I bought her, sold her at a loss and now want to buy her again. Suffice to say, They’re both on their way (again).

They both appeared in the 90’s cartoon so it’s not all patriotic nonsense. I bought a New Excalibur comic in the 2000’s so I actually have some connection to the team. I like that Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde were both in Excalibur as they are sort of leftovers from the main 90’s teams otherwise (Blue, Gold and X-Factor). For Pyslocke she was also on the cover of one of the few X-Men comics I bought (with Spiral), she also apparently joined the team in the comics set after the cartoon. So, she does have a lot of significance. She also helps competes the 90’s team. I have now paid for Nightcrawler and Storm, just a Jean Grey away from X-Men completion! (And Colossus technically, but he's due any time now.)

I have now got NECA cartoon Leonardo, my initial thoughts are very positive, but will be expensive to complete the team! He's a very good size - the Playmates figures were a bit big compared to Marvel Legends scaled stuff, but also 80's/90's Turtles were slightly smaller than other toylines, so I appreciate the shortness. One thing that is key for me with Turtles figures is the shell colour and design, and this one is perfect. He's not super posable, but I think he has just enough articulation. I like the way this figure looks next to Legends. Also, it photographs amazingly well.

I have spent a bit time thinking about what sort of Turtles I want - comic, cartoon, toy, or movie even. I don't have any connection to the original comics, but generally with my toys I go for ones based on the original source material. I think the Playmates had they been a bit smaller would have been perfect. I really like this cartoon style figure but I am also eyeing up the Super 7 figures which look to be ridiculously expensive. Can’t make my mind up, but will hold off making a decision until we see a bit more of the new stuff.

There are rumours that the next WFC line will be focused on Rebirth. Just about every figure I could want is from 1987 or later (deluxe Insecticons I think are the sole exception), this could be it! Interestingly, the final part could be animal based Transformers. Bigger Sky Lynx and Dinobots please! But, at that point I think it would be more about getting better versions. And maybe some Beast Wars?! (Off the top of my head I need Tarantulas, Scorponok, Terrorsaur, and Airrazor.) I have also managed to squeeze in an order for the Reflector 3-pack. Like I said, generally I like to go toy accurate, but the cartoon colours were tempting.

I have suggested that I might take a break from collecting next year, I came across a term recently which I very much identify with - FOMO - fear of missing out. That's it in a nutshell. Perhaps taking a break is a bit drastic (given my extreme FOMO), but after Toy Fair next year, once I know what's coming I might work out what I really want, and limit myself to only opening that stuff. See what I have stacked up that perhaps I don't want.

Off for a cuppa

So how am I doing? Re-reading some of my posts from earlier in the year, I have bought a lot less stuff from eBay - for the few things I have bought it has just been the best option. I don't have a 'want to get' list full of figures from previous years where eBay is the only option so that is good. There has been a heck of a lot of new stuff coming out that I've wanted though so I have sold a lot of stuff to buy it. So far, pretty responsible, but no difficult decisions either. That is where I am now - I want too much stuff which I don't have the money for. I could put off buying it, but the situation isn't looking any better for 2020 (potentially Scorponok, Seacons, a commander class figure, BAF Strong Guy, Thundercats). Something has to give then.

I think in terms of distraction, I have made some progress, though I think as much as anything the distraction relates to tiredness. The more tired you are, the more easily distracted. Makes sense really. So what to do? A quick Google search suggests to avoid distractions (genius!), drink lots of water, have a shower, work on well defined and easy things, and move around a lot. I'm off to have a cuppa, as I can't stop thinking how much I need the Iron Man/Iron Spider set! Most people seem to have had enough of movie Iron Man armours, but to me this is the perfect set which I've been eagerly awaiting.

I had a slightly strange realisation, I regularly find myself craving news - I check the front pages of websites to see if anything new has been announced, I look forward to Toy Fair and SDCC. I almost never find myself craving a new toy to open. I don’t buy things because I need something to open. If anything I find I have too much to open, and so often have a backlog. I think knowing that something is being made and knowing that I own the thing is what I crave most.

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I’ve got Beast, Gambit, Jubilee and Forge in hand. I’ve already expressed my excitement repeatedly, but what a wave! I don’t think there will ever be such a good wave. I have an irrational like of Forge, he’s never been in a film, but he had several cameos in TAS and Evolution, and was on the team in Wolverine and the X-Men, although rarely in action. He’s one of my favourite X-Men for some reason, really happy to have a figure of him.

Beast is amazing! I wasn’t expecting much, but I think he’s great. He can do some really good poses. Yes it would be good if he had a more neutral facial expression, and some wash on his biceps to match the shoulders and forearms, but I’m really taken with him. I had a really great geeky day, opened Beast, re-read volume 1 of Transformers Lost Light and found out that Hasbro has the Ghostbusters license (3.75” or 6” Real Ghostbusters please!). All is good!

Having spotted a bit of the second wave of Endgame Legends figures at the Disney store last week, I went back today and found Loki. It’s great to find things in person, it was a really hot day and there was a parade going on, very memorable! Marvel Legends Alpha Flight have been announced for Marvel Legends, I am a little tempted but think am happy to enjoy from a distance. (I like the idea of getting Sasquatch but after checking the price on eBay, I'm good.)

There are rumours that Namor will be the villain for the next Black Panther film, please be true!!! Another round of Disney plus Marvel shows were announced at D23: Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight and She-Hulk! Fantastic. I’ve added those characters to my Legends want list. The new She-Hulk looks great, just need a green one. And I want a classic Moon Knight. With all these series announced by Marvel, but with the same actors (and budget?), I wonder whether it is more profitable for them? (Less middle men than traditional cinema?) If so and Disney plus is successful then maybe that’s where the future lies for them.

It sounds like the deal between Marvel and Sony has broken down, I think Marvel will wait it out - the MCU really doesn’t need Spider-Man and I can’t imagine Sony only films will do as well - I’m not sure I will bother - I never saw any of the Andrew Garfield films at the cinema. Sony will be forced back to the negotiating table.