TOY NEWS FOR 9/3/2014 - NECA - PREDATOR SERIES 12 - VIPER PREDATOR

The Viper Predator was originally intended to be packed in with NECA's Blade Fighter Predator vehicle, but to keeps final costs on that piece low, NECA moved it into their regular figure line.

While the more "regular" colored Predators are all pretty similar, this one does have some stand out features such as blades on both wrists and that badass looking removable helmet.

Look for him to join the Elder Predator 2.0 and Enforcer Predator in Wave 12 scheduled to be released towards the end of this month.

TOY NEWS FOR 9/3/2014 - MATTEL - DC COMICS MULTIVERSE - BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT

Even though it was delayed until next year, Mattel is still moving forward with the launch of their 4" DC Multiverse figures based on the upcoming Arkham Knight video game.

Included in this first assortment is, of course, Batman, Red Hood, Robin, Scarecrow and Two-Face.

These will be hitting store shelves very soon and sell for between $9.99 - $11.99 each.

TOY NEWS FOR 8/31/2014 - NECA - PACIFIC RIM - (NON-BATTLE-DAMAGED) KNIFEHEAD KAIJU

Well, I guess we all knew that this was coming...

In a very strategic and smart move by NECA, when they offered their newly scaled Knifehead 2.0, they made him "battle-damaged". Almost every collector couldn't wait to upgrade their original Knifehead to the far more awesome version. But, by making it "battle-damaged" they offered the, shall we say, less desirable version of what could have been made-- a non-battle-damaged version be the more desirable one.

If you wanted the new Knifehead though, you had to get the battle-damaged version. Now, NECA offers the non-battle damaged version, thus, essentially, selling the same figure twice to the same collectors because, who isn't going to want this new version once again. Sadly, I know I'll be buying this new Kinfehead, which will be my 3rd of this same figure. Although, to be fair, the upcoming battle-damaged Gypsy Danger 2.0 will still look great battling the battle-damaged Knifehead 2.0, so it's not a complete loss like the original Knifehead was.

Some collectors might find this tactic anywhere from irritating to down right enraging, but, this is the system that a small-- but awesome-- toy company like NECA must employ in order to actually make enough money from these figures to stay in business and keep making newer and better stuff for us. It is, as they say, the nature of the beast.

This should be out (supposedly) in October for around $29.99

TOY NEWS FOR 8/31/2014 - NECA - PACIFIC RIM - DELUXE JAIJU - OTACHI

Here are some official NECA images of the upcoming Otachi deluxe Kaiju figure from Pacific Rim.

This beast will stand 7" tall and measures 30" long.

Also, according to the NECA spokesperson I talked with at SDCC, there will be a winged version coming as well.

He should be shipping early next year for around $70.00

TOY NEWS FOR 8/28/2014 - PLAYMATES - TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES - ORIGINAL COMIC BOOK SERIES

I think it's absolutely wonderful that Playmates is releasing a line if basic figures based on the original comic book styled Ninja Turtles. I mean, they don't even come close to NECA's brilliant versions of the same figures, but it's nice to see Playmates giving the original Turtles-- and their fans, like me-- their due.

But, once again-- once a-freakin'-gain-- Playmates has pulled a switcheroo on us. As you can see, the prototype images show figures that are wonderfully painted and detailed, but if you look at the packaged figures, you can also see that Playmates has completely removed all these apps from their official retail release.

I think that this is a serious bullshit move on Playmates' part and they do it will all of their TMNT figures. They get collectors all excited for these great looking figures and then deliver crappy, minimally painted figures at retail. Playmates needs to stop doing this. It's not the 90's anymore-- where Playmates was also the biggest offender (Skeleton Warriors anyone??!)-- people expect to get what they see in the promotional pictures when they buy your items. Quit playing this deceitful game, Playmates, and either give us what you show us or show us what you're going to give us.

'Nuff said.

And he's the packaged images. (Click to enlarge.)

These should be available on store shelves within the next month or so.

TOY NEWS FOR 8/28/2014 - FEWTURE - TRANSFORMERS - ULTIMETAL UM-01 - OPTIMUS PRIME

This could be the ultimate version of Optimus Prime-- depending on what kind of Transformers collector you are.

I think the bulk of TF collectors feel that if a figure of a TF character doesn't transform, then it can't be a true "Transformer". While as a kid, I loved transforming my TF's, but I truly despise it now. These damned things are complicated! (And I'm talking about Masterpieces and high-end 3rd party figures.) I feel like my parents used to feel when they held my Transformers and had no idea how to transform them-- probably like a dumbass.

But, for me, the fun isn't in the transformations, it's in owning figures that finally and truly look like the ones I watched in the cartoons. I never display my TF's in "alt mode" and don't have any desire to transform them other than the one time it takes to get them into robot mode if they don't already come that way right out of the package.

So, with that in mind, I can not wait to get my hands on Hot Toys' upcoming Optimus Prime figure-- even if most other TF collectors turn their nose up at it. The same goes here for Fewture's incredible "Ultimetal" version of my favorite pop culture character of all time (probably followed by Snake Eyes), Optimus Prime!

But, as much as I want this awesome piece of work, I probably won't be getting him. I don't know that I love any toy or figure enough to drop $800-1,000 on it. I mean, that's a lot of dough!

I'm not saying this figure isn't worth it by any means, I'm just saying that, with all the other stuff I collect, this just isn't in my budget. (Maybe if it was $450, tops.)

Optimus will stand at 17" tall and come with a remote to active lights and sounds (all in Japanese I assume). As you can see from the pics, just like with Bandai's DX Soul of Chogokin Mazinger Z (who also comes with a remote to activate lights and sounds-- Hmm... I wonder where Fewture got these ideas...) you can also remove his outer parts to reveal all of his internal mechanisms.

Maybe, just maybe, if he doesn't jump up in price too much and is still available during a month where I've got loads of extra cash to burn I'll try to pick him up. He's certainly a centerpiece for any Transformers collection.

Here's a look at the also planned Ultimetal version of Megatron. So awesome!!

Optimus will be released next month (Sept) for a yen price of Y78,000 which is about $800 USD, although sellers like BBTS are charging as much as $950.00. Because of the size and weight of this piece, you can also expect to pay major shipping costs if you can't acquire him from a US seller and need to have it shipped from HK or Japan.