TOY NEWS FOR 8/26/2014 - DIAMOND SELECT/MARVEL SELECT - AMAZING SPIDER-MAN vs ELECTRO 2-PACK (DISNEY STORE EXCLUSIVE)

I'm a big fan of Diamond's Marvel Select line. Many of their more recent releases have been among some of the best action figures out there. But, that being said, this set is pretty much a giant, steaming turd.

If there's one thing that is very much needed in the Marvel Select line it's a new version of comic book Spidey-- and here was the perfect opportunity for Diamond to do just that, but they didn't. This is the same old crappy Spider-Man that we got years and years ago. And, to make things worse, much of of the Electro figure is based on archaic MS figure parts, too.

While I get that this is mainly an impulse buy item for kids and parents who visit the Disney Store, it would have been nice to see Diamond maintain their upward momentum with the Marvel Select line, but sadly, this is something I would have expected to see on store shelves when the line was still in its infancy.

This set will be out on Sept 9th but is available now on shop.marvel.com for $49.99

TOY NEWS FOR 8/25/2014 - HASBRO - STAR WARS - 6" BLACK SERIES - UPCOMING FIGURE REVEALS

No pics yet, but it's just been revealed that the next four figures heading our way (not until 2015) will be... (drum roll, please)...

• IG-88

• Leia as Boushh

• Ben "Obi-Wan" Kenobi

• Commander Cody 

I've known about these figure for about two months now, but I was sworn to secrecy by the person who confirmed them to me, and I'm a man who keeps his word.

IG-88 and Ben Kenobi are definitely exciting. Leia as Boushh.... ehhhh... It's cool but I'd really prefer a proper version of Leia at this point rather than one of her Jabba scene costumes. (And judging by the mountain of Slave Leias on the shelves, I'm not alone in that thought.)

Commander Cody... Pffffft. I don't like anything prequel related. Just gives me bad memories that squash the good old ones. I hope that the new movies reinvigorate my love for Star Wars because it was the very first thing I became obsessed with as a kid and it's linked to so many good and wonderful memories.

TOY NEWS FOR 8/24/2014 - MEDICOM - MAFEX - STAR WARS - STORMTROOPER

The second figure in MAFEX's Star Wars line (the first being Darth Vader) is the Imperial Stormtrooper.

I was curious as to how this would compare with Hasbro's 6" version... I have to say that I think MAFEX has done a fine job here, but, looking at these pics, there's something that Hasbro nailed that MAFEX just didn't, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Sadly, regardless of how the Stormtrooper turned out, I have absolutely no interest in this line. The reason for that comes from the last pic in this post-- the one with Vader posed with the Stormtroopers.

You mean to tell me that Vader is the same size as the Stormtroopers?!? WFT, MAFEX!?? And Vader's head is too damned small and his belly too big!

But, I'm sure there's enough Star Wars fans out there to still support this line. The one figure I am curious to see is MAFEX's upcoming C-3PO. If done right, that one might seriously go toe-to-toe with Hasbro's version-- assuming Hasbro finally gives a damned 3PO before MAFEX get's their version out!

This figure is set for a May 2015 release for $49.99

TOY NEWS FOR 8/24/2014 - MEDICOM - MAFEX - THE DARK NIGHT RISES - SELENA KYLE/CATWOMAN

I was on the fence about getting into MAFEX's Batman line, but that was until I saw this figure.

Everything about it looks absolutely awesome-- plus MAFEX has a new version of Batman-- with a second unmasked head-- as well as the Joker coming-- both of which look equally as awesome. So, I'm in.

I really like the design of this figure. It looks like they're taking some cues from US action figure articulation and design-- which at this point isn't a bad thing at all. The only thing I don't like are the ball-joints for the wrists. They just look a bit obvious and garish-- and are probably delicate as hell. But, the amazing work they did on the face is what really cinched it for me. It's certainly not an exact likeness for Anne Hathaway, but for a 6" figure, you can certainly tell it's her and the face is beautiful.

She'll be released in May of 2015 for $49.99 (Batpod not included.)

TOY NEWS FOR 8/24/2014 - GENTLE GIANT - KENNER JUMBO - STAR WARS - LIFE-SIZE BOBA FETT

I don't find life-size replicas "nutty" (well, maybe a little), but what I do find pretty nutty is a life-size replica of an action figure that's less than 4" tall!

I'm not quite sure who the target audience is for this particular piece (and that has more to do with the price than the piece itself) but Gentle Giant must have found enough success with their first life-size figure-- Darth Vader-- to warrant making a second-- and certainly Boba Fett is exactly the right choice.

It's all pretty mind-blowing to me, but certainly a testament to the Star Wars license.

The "figure" will stand 6' tall and will be released Q3 of 2015 for $2,750

TOY NEWS FOR 8/24/2014 - BANDAI - S.H. MONSTERARTS - GODZILLA - MECHA KING GHIDORAH

This thing is one hell of a badass looking beast, but then again, it is Mecha King Ghidorah.

When I first saw the original Ghidorah as a kid, I thought he was the most awesome Godzilla enemy of all time, and he still stands at the top for me.

I've never actually seen Godzilla vs. Mecha King Ghidorah, but I'm going to have to get around to it one of these days.

He's expected to hit the US in March 2015 for a price of $199.99

TOY NEWS FOR 8/20/2014 - MATTEL/MATTY COLLECTOR - DC UNIVERSE - DOOMSDAY "UNLEAHSED" (IS COMING!!)

UPDATE 8/24/2014 - NEW OFFICIAL IMAGE!

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That's right boys and girls, Mattel is giving those long-time DC Universe collectors one last "gift" as a fond farewell to the line in the form of the thought-to-never-be-released Doomsday "Unleashed" figure!

Sorry to all of those of you who bought the SDCC version, assuming that it was going to have to be your default Doomsday for your DCU collection, but hey, if Mattel told you that this Doomsday was coming then they wouldn't have been able to sell you the other one first thus making money off both versions! (Just because a company is smart doesn't mean that they're "evil"-- so chill out on the message boards!)

While I don't collect this line (kinda wish I did though, there's so many great figures!) I'm still happy for the DCU collectors out there as this is one hell of a figure to close the line out with!

No subscription necessary to get this guy. He'll be available to anyone who wants one at http://www.mattycollector.com

Pricing info and release date to be announced.