I'M MOVING TO YOUTUBE

 

When I first started this blog over ten years ago, I did it solely to express my passion for toys. 

Back then, there was no Instagram, and Facebook didn't have nearly as many toy groups as it does now. Also, YouTube had a few toy channels, but not the hundreds that it has grown into.

I have never made a dime from this blog-- and that's fine by me. Like I've said, I do it for the passion. But, what is hard to afford is time. I work from home as a freelance artist and time is a major commodity for me. 

It's becoming harder and harder for me to keep up with the toy news, download (and sometimes edit) tons of pictures and be on a timely schedule where I'm not constantly posting things you've already seen other places hours ago, which is where I feel like I'm at right now. 

And, I have to face the fact that a "blog" is an antiquated way to distribute information these days. Instagram and Facebook always has news first, and everyone is on those platforms.

However, where I feel I cold still contribute news and expand into other areas of toys and collecting and our shared hobby is on YouTube. I have never done YouTube before, so this will be a completely new venture for me. One that I'm both excited and nervous about. But, I feel this is the best move to make to do what I want to do with toy news and so, so much more.

That being said, I'll be shutting things down here as of now, but I will be posting again when my YouTube channel goes up. I'm making some big changes in my life after recovering from some major health issues, but I'm on the mend and looking to expand a lot of things in my life. This new YouTube venture will just be one of those.

I'm hoping to get up and running sometime in August. As I've said, I'll post an update and a link to my channel here once the first video goes up. I hope you all will follow me on this new venture and I hope to see you all there!

Thanks for the support!!

HIYA TOYS - 1/18 SCALE LEATHERFACE FROM CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2022)

For you horror figure fans, Hiya Toys is offering up this 4" scale figure of Leatherface from the 2022 version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

You pretty much get what you see with this one. You get the figure, an extra set of hands and, of course, his chainsaw.

I haven't seen this version of the movie yet, but I have to say that I definitely like the original version of Leatherface way more than this new interpretation.

He's priced at $19.99 with a Q4 of 2022 release date.

HITA TOYS - 6" 35th ANNIVERSARY DIE-CAST ROBOCOP (UP FOR PRE-ORDER NOW)

Hiya Toys is bringing us the first Robocop figure in the 6" scale.

I know, there have been so many Robocop figures over the years, starting with the 1988 Kenner line, that you'd think we'd have a 6" Robocop, but, nope.

NECA's 7" scale line is certainly nice, but he's not going to fit with your Marvel Legends or GI Joe or any other 6" displays.

But now, thanks to Hiya Toys, we can get a 6" scale Robocop for all kinds of display and photography options-- and he's die-cast. Die-cast is awesome, but it also means that he's going to cost you quite a bit more than the average 6" scale figure.

He's priced at $89.99, but he also includes a bunch of extras, like three different swap-out mouth expressions, four extra hands, different swappable parts for battle-damage, effects parts, a rifle, two guns and, finally, a display stand.

Look for him to be released around the end of this year. (Hopefully.)

HASBRO - FORTNITE: VICTORY ROYALE - BRUTIS (GHOST) FIGURE GOING UP FOR PRE-ORDER SOON

Found on Amazon, but not open for pre-order yet, are these images of an upcoming new figure in Hasbro's Fortnite: Victory Royale series.

This time out it's Brutis in his "ghost" skin. 

No pricing info or release date revealed as of yet.

SUPER7 - ReACTION - GODZILLA WAVE 1 TEASER

Super7 has released this new official teaser image for their first wave of their upcoming Godzilla ReAction line.

Hopefully this means that they will be going up for pre-order soon.

I've also attached the previous teaser image from Super7 so you can see exactly who is coming in the first wave.

NECA - ROB ZOMBIE - ZOMBO - IN CRUMBLE CREATURES BOX - SDCC 2022 EXCLUSIVE

If you're attending SDCC this year, then you can head to the NECA booth to grab yourself this Zombo figure, which I know absolutely nothing about about.

It seems that this figure will also see a release outside of the convention, but the Crumble Creatures box will only be available at SDCC.

No price for this figure has been made available as of yet.

VALAVERSE - ACTION FORCE - SERIES 3 FULL REVEAL AND GOING UP FOR PRE-ORDER ON MONDAY 6/13

Former Hasbro designer Bobby Vala has hit a home run with his venture to invest his talents into himself and make his own line of action figures. As I own a few of them, I can tell you that these are 100% top quality figures made of top quality materials. Also, Bobby Vala continues to improve on the figures with each wave. He listens to feedback and wants to deliver a product that not only competes with the other major toy manufactures, but he wants to surpass them.

Most of Valaverse's Action Force Series 1 and 2 have sold out and are climbing steadily on the secondary market. Bobby has stated that some of the figures will be getting an eventual reissue, but right now, he's focused on continuing each new series. 

Series 3 will introduce female characters to the brand. In fact, the entire wave will consist of them. Included are the main characters of Eclipse, Kill-Switch, Pandora and a female version of the Steel Brigade. There will also be two new female troop builders in the form of the Delta Trooper and the Special Ops Trooper.

The main characters will cost $31.99, while the troop builders will cost $21.99. All come with figure stands. By today's standards, and from a independent toy company, these prices are fantastic for what you get with each figure.

You can order these direct from Valaverse with a $8 flat shipping rate on all orders (they also ship before anyone else), or you can wait and pre-order them from your favorite online retailer (although, unless you want to wait over 7 months after everyone else gets them, I'd suggest not ordering from BBTS. Sorry, Joel.) (NOTE: They are listed as "sold out" on their site, but they are just placeholders until they open for pre-order on Monday.)

Honestly, I suggest supporting Valaverse directly and ordering from them. They also have quick and excellent customer service.

Here's a look at the upcoming figures. (Pandora would make an awesome female Dreadnok, too!)

TRICK OR TREAK STUDIOS - 1/6 SCALE MICHAEL MYERS FIGURES (HALLOWEEN 2 & 6)

Trick or Treat Studios is releasing two new 1/6 scale Michael Myers figures based on Halloween 2 and 6.

I've collected 1/6 scale figures for many, many years, and I have to be honest, these look kinda weak to me.

The material used on his overalls do not look right. They are too 1/1 scale in their design and the execution of the details also look a bit amateurish. These look more like okay customs than legit, licensed figures.

I say all of this based on the price they are asking for these figures-- which is $199.99 each. That's more than even ThreeZero charges for their 1/6 scale figures, which are far, far superior to these figures. But, hey, if you're a major h9orror or Halloween fan, then these might appeal to you, and that's great.

Here's a look at the figures. You can pre-order them here and here. Both are scheduled to release in November. (What?! Not October!?)