TOY NEWS FOR 11/30/2014 - HOT TOYS - MMS - COMMANDO - 1/6 SCALE JOHN MATRIX

More Schwarzenegger!

How's this for a surprise from Hot Toys!?

Granted, Commando isn't one of Schwarzenegger's top films, but it's still awesome and plenty quote-worthy. In fact, as kids, my brother and I used to do Arnold quote all day, every day.

"Magic... or magnets?!?"
"Remember when I promised to kill you last... I lied."
"Throw away that chicken shit gun, Bennett. Put the knife in me! Twist it... Turn it... See what's going on in there."
 "Let off some steam, Bennett."

What I really like about this figure is that Hot Toys went the perfect direction and armed him to the teeth. I mean, more and any other Arnold film, this is the one where he uses all kinds of crazy weapons. (What, no saw blade??)

What's also interesting about this figure is that, unlike all of their recent sleeveless figures which have normal elbow joints, Matrix has the old-school "bendie" arms. I assume that this is because Hot Toys has found a new and better way to perfect this articulation without damage or eventual corrosion of the material used.

"Who's Val Kilmer??"

Pre-order info should be available soon.

TOY NEWS FOR 11/29/2014 - HOT TOYS TEASES UPCOMING 1/6 STAR WARS DARTH VADER and BEN KENOBI

After watching the new Star Wars trailer several times today I'm in the perfect, frenzied Star Wars state of mind to appreciate this awesome teaser image from Hot Toys of their upcoming Darth Vader and Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi figures!

And, just as I'd hoped, it looks like Hot Toys is continuing their trend of releasing figures from Episode III first-- something I think is a smart and seriously appreciated move on their part.

It will be great to have a shelf populated with all the characters from a single Episode of Star Wars rather than a hodge-podge of characters across all different films.

TOY NEWS FOR 11/26/2014 - MEZCO - MORTAL KOMBAT - 6" SERIES 1 - RAIDEN - SCORPION - SUB-ZERO

I was a Mortal Kombat fanatic when it was first introduced in the arcades, but as I grew out of my teens, my love for fighting games kinda waned... I haven't played a Mortal Kombat game in ages, but regardless of that, I'm still pretty tempted by these awesome looking 6" figures by Mezco.

The best part of this line, however, is that Mezco is finally getting back into the action figure market in grand fashion. No more "staction" figures-- these Mortal Kombat figures feature 23 points of articulation, extra hands and weapons. Now that's how you do it, Mezco!

Look for these first figures to be released in May 2015 for around $19.99 each.

COME OUT TO THE ARIZONA I-CON TOY AND POP CULTURE CONVENTION!

If you love toys-- which, since you're here, I assume you do-- and you live in Phoenix area, then be sure to check out the I-Con Toy and Popculture Convention this weekend!

This is one of those rare conventions that actually is a toy show.

You'll find all kinds of old and rare toys there-- not just the usual Diamond catalog stuff that seems to dominate the usual conventions these days (although that stuff will be there as well.)

It start this Friday, the 28th (5PM to 10PM) at the Glendale Civic Center and runs till Sat (10AM to 5PM). You can also check out the beautiful Glendale Glitters festival!

Here's a video showcasing July's show.

TOY NEWS FOR 11/21/2014 - HOT TOY - MMS - JIM GORDON & JOHN BLAKE with BAT-SIGNAL and JOHN BLAKE with BAT-SIGNAL SETS

Oh, Hot Toys, you slick bastards.

So, looking at what's being offered here, the pairing that I think most collectors would want would be Commissioner Jim Gordon with the Bat-Signal, of course. But, Hot Toys knows that, so what are they doing? They're making so that if you want Jim Gordon and the Bat-Signal that you have to buy the set that also includes John Blake-- forcing you to pay more for the things that you really want.

Yep, there is no set that comes with just Commissioner Gordon and the Bat-Signal. Instead, you have the offering of John Blake with the Bat-Signal.

The John Blake figure looks amazing-- with one of Hot Toys' dead-on likenesses-- but in the grand scheme of things, most collectors aren't really clamoring for a John Blake figure. I think that he'd be an offering for more of the hard-core Batman or Hot Toys collectors.

What most collectors would want, however, is definitely a Commissioner Gordon figure.

So, pick your poison, folks. If you want Gordon and the Bat-Signal, you're gonna have to buy the larger-- more expensive set-- that includes John Blake.

JOHN BLAKE & JIM GORDON WITH BAT-SIGNAL SET

JOHN BLAKE WITH BAT-SIGNAL SET

Both of these sets are slated for an August 2015 release, but you know Hot Toys, expect them to be later than that. 

The set that includes Blake, Gordon and the Bat-Signal will retail for $419.99 while the set with Blake and the Bat-Signal is set at $279.99

TOY NEWS FOR 11/20/2014 - NECA - 7" MICHAEL KEATON BATMAN - BATMAN 25th ANNIVERSARY BLURAY EXCLUSIVE

While it wasn't thought possible due to licensing rights, it appears that NECA will indeed be turning their 7" video game style Keaton Batman into a proper version of the character from the film.

This figure will be exclusive to the 25th Anniversary Bluray of the original Tim Burton Batman film which you can purchase direct from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment here.

This is apparently a brand new ebay strore with zero feedback at the moment, which, even for a large company as the seller, can still be a bit of a sketchy situation. At this point, I'm not 100% sure if you can order this version of the Bluray through other outlets or if it will be available at retail. If anyone hears word, feel free to drop in a comment below.

You can preorder it from the link above and it will ship out on or after 12/9/2014. Cost is $29.99 + $10.45 shipping.

TOY NEWS FOR 11/14/2014 - SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES - STAR WARS - 1/6 SCALE C-3PO (PREVIEW IMAGES)

UPDATE - 11/20/2014 - NEW PICS AND INFO!

Today Sideshow unveiled the final images and features of their upcoming 12" C-3PO figure, and it's pretty damn impressive.

This is the version of 3PO from A New Hope. He will include a magnetic restraining bolt, a Death Star communicator and will feature over 40 points of articulation, fully articulated fingers and light-up eyes.

Exclusive version includes swap out damaged arm

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I don't collect the Sideshow Star Wars line, but the beauty of their upcoming R2-D2 and C-3PO certainly has me seriously considering using their versions of the droid duo to display with my Hot Toys SW figures.

I don't think Hot Toys will be doing either of these two figures for quite some time, plus, the Sideshow versions look damn near perfect!

Here, Sideshow gives us our first real look at their upcoming C-3PO (displayed with their also upcoming R2-D2). More pics and info will be coming soon.

He's set to be released in November of 2015, so a full year wait for your companion piece to next month's release of R2-D2. He's listed at $229.99