Friday, May 30, 2014

TOY NEWS FOR 5/30/2014 - SDCC EXCLUSIVE - NECA - PREDATOR - "AHAB PREDATOR"

Based on the upcoming Dark Horse Comics Predator comic series "Fire and Stone" this very awesome looking "Ahab" Predator figure will be an SDCC 2014 exclusive.

As usual, he's made of mainly recycled parts, but he's got plenty of new ones, too. And, as usual, NECA has done a brilliant job on making a cool and unique looking Predator figure-- even though he's made of mainly recycled parts!

The head sculpt on this one is definitely cool, and he even has a removable mask-- which is not something NECA generally does with their Predator figures.

Certainly a must-have for me.



 Here's a look at some of the original design art for the figure.



He'll be available at NECA's booth at SDCC for $30.00

TOY NEWS FOR 5/30/2014 - SDCC EXCLUSIVE - MATTEL - HOT WHEELS - JAMES BOND ASTON MARTIN and "THE HOMER"

I'm not a Hot Wheels guy, so I don't have much to say about these as they don't really appeal to me... The packaging is pretty awesome, though.






The Aston Martin (from "Goldfinger") will sell for $20.00, while "The Homer" will sell for $30.00.

Both will be available exclusively at Mattel's booth at SDCC and through their Matty Collector site.

TOY NEWS FOR 5/30/2014 - NECA - 12" (24" HEAD-TO-TAIL) 2014 GODZILLA

We've got more 'Zilla for ya than you can shake a stick at.

Here are the official photos from NECA of their upcoming 12" tall 2014 Godzilla, which looks..... just like their 6" version.

Well, that's not too surprising considering that it's the same exact mold, but this one will probably have some better paint apps, will obviously be larger (and who doesn't want a big Godzilla figure?) and will feature "electronic sounds"-- which I assume will be just his roar. I'm not sure what other sounds he might have.

While I own the 6" version, you can bet I'll be buying this larger version with the sounds! Gotta have a Godzilla that roars!

Now all I'm waiting for is the inevitable announcement (hopefully at SDCC) of an 18" Godzilla-- complete with roar and (hopfully!) light up mouth! (Light up dorsal plates would be the cherry on top!!)

But for now, we have this 12" (24" head to tail) version to look forward to.






He's set to be unleashed in July for $64.99

TOY NEWS FOR 5/30/2014 - BANDAI - S.H. MONSTERARTS - 2014 GODZILLA

I used to watch Gozilla movie marathons on TV almost every Saturday as a kid, so I grew up on the "King of Monsters" just as much as I grew up on Star Wars and Marvel comics.

As a character that's very near and dear to my heart, I had fears of US film makers not doing 'Zilla the justice he rightfully deserves (especially after the flaming turd that was the '98 film). But, I loved the new film and thought that Godzilla was handled absolutely perfectly! I almost had tears of joy in my eyes watching him do his thing, complete with roar and atomic breath, in glorious IMAX 3D.

I even thought the new design translated perfectly on-screen.

Before seeing the film, I had little to no interest in buying figures based on this new design, but after seeing it, I'm pretty much down to buy anything that NECA or Bandai are releasing for the 2014 version.

Speaking of which-- Bandai has finally shown pictures of the final 2014 Godzilla for their SH Monsterarts line. (Originally, I didn't even think they were going to make a US based Godzilla!) This looks to be yet another perfect translation of 'Zilla for the Monsterarts line, complete with ton's of articulation. (Although no atomic breath accessory, which kind bums me out.)

He'll stand just as tall at the 6" NECA version (which is a beautiful figure!) and likely be easily twice as good-- but he'll cost three time as much.









He's set for a October release for $67.00

TOY NEWS FOR 5/30/2014 - MATTEL/MATTY COLLECTOR - MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE - "BABY SKELETOR" DOLL

Yep. This is exactly what MOTU fans for clamoring for.

Seriously, this collectible is receiving more hate on the internet than Donald Sterling at the moment.

A few weeks ago, Matty Collector announced that they'd have a "special item" for their MOTU subscribers. Fans, of course, thought they were going to get their favorite figure, personalized just for them-- their dream figure/playset/accessory. I don't know why collectors-- MOTU fans especially-- think [so unrealistically] this way, but they do.

When the item was revealed, they were treated to these photos.

This is utter silliness. An item better served as an SDCC exclusive-- where these kinds of items have a good sell-thru-- than as a regular mattycollector.com item.

But, who knows? Maybe people will buy this. Yeah.... maybe.

Here's the nonsense that Mattel has to say about the "doll". (A "royal potty"?? Seriously??)

"The Evil Lord of Destruction goes back in time… and turns into an itty bitty blue baby! This tale of a tyrannical tot, an unexpected detour, and buffalo wings comes from the twisted minds at one of our favorite stop-motion TV shows, and was the inspiration for this little guy. A must-have for true MOTUC fans, Baby Skeletor measures 12” tall (a total of 15” when sitting on his evil royal potty, including the potty) with articulation at the legs, shoulders and neck, and a face only a mother could… nope, sorry… even she thinks he’s hideous. The childish commander and his commode arrive in a unique closed-box throne package, and comes with a removable “Born to Rule” baby t-shirt and his Havoc Staff rattle. Baby Skeletor may seem harmless, but remember… 80% of his body weight is in his horrible head!"





He can be yours on an unspecified date for only $35-- plus Matty Collector's  ridiculously overpriced shipping and tax.

TOY NEWS FOR 5/30/2014 - HASBRO - STAR WARS - 3.75" BLACK SERIES - "BATTLE ON ENDOR" SET (TOYS R US EXCLUSIVE)

Hasbro and Toys R Us will be offering several Star Wars 3.75" Black Series exclusive sets in the second half of 2014.

Planned for release are--

"Battle on Endor" ($167.99)
"Cantina Showdown" ($66.99)
"Jabba's Rancor Pit" ($119.99)

The only pictures that have been smuggled out so far is of the "Battle on Endor" set.



No word of a release date yet, but I'll be sure to report any new info here as it's made available.

TOY NEWS FOR 5/30/2014 - BANDAI - S.H. FIGUARTS - IRON MAN 3 - IRON MAN Mk 42 and IRON PATRIOT

Bandai is working their usual magic on some upcoming Iron Man figures for their SH Figuarts line.

Forthcoming will be Iron Man in his Mk 42 armor and the Iron Patriot.

Pre-orders in Japan will include a bonus accessory-- Tony Stark's couch. No word if this accessory will be offered to US sellers.


















Both will be shipping in September and will retail for around $57.00 each.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

TOY NEWS FOR 5/27/2014 - HASBRO - GI JOE - 50th ANNIVERSARY PRODUCT

Big Bad Toy Store has published some brand new pictures of this year's upcoming GI Joe 50th Anniversary product. Apparently, it will be a shared exclusive with Toys R Us who, previously, was the only known retailer to be carrying Joe this year.

Many people, including myself, were a bit underwhelmed by Hasbro's product for Joe's 50th birthday, but if we're getting anything at all, then I'm certainly not going to complain.

Conspicuously absent from the list is the Lady Jaye/Baroness 2-Pack that was announced at Toy Fair.

THE EAGLE'S EDGE - LEATHERNECK, DESTRO & HAWK - $22.99


THE VIPER'S PIT - COBRA VIPER OFFICER, BEACH HEAD & COBRA TROOPER - $22.99


BATTLE BELOW ZERO - GHOST HAWK & COBRA WOLF with SNAKE EYES AND ICE VIPER - $39.99


DANGER AT THE DOCKS - VAMP MkII & NIGHT RAFT with FLINT & COBRA EEL - $29.99


VERSUS TWO PACKS - LOW LIGHT vs NIGHT VIPER - BLOWTORCH vs HEAT VIPER - $16.99 EACH

We don't know if the prices and release dates will remain the same between TRU and BBTS (BBTS' info is used here), but for now, these sets are set to begin shipping in August.