This Week In Your Plastic Crack, Action Figures and Toy Collection 26 26

[fantastic_four]

12 hours ago, Buzzetta said:

In the past Hasbro has said that a specific part may not be available because the molds were currently being used for something else.  They have said that with Star Wars and GI Joe. 

I haven't heard them say that so I don't know.  For the most part they can re-use whatever parts they want as long as they fit within the style of a character or a line, although I've heard them say that the molds break down over time and eventually they have to create new ones because the old ones are no longer usable.  But that female mold I showed seven examples of was first created in 2013, so they used it for 5-6 years (but have retired it now because the current designers think it's too sexualized in post-#MeToo culture).  There's another mold they've used more than any other that first started with a Bucky Cap figure (I guess Bucky assumed the mantle of Cap at some point, not really sure) back in 2012, and they've used it for 50+ figures.

12 hours ago, Buzzetta said:

Where do you think they could have made an improvement on a figure where they utilized one part from a preexisting mold over another?

If they've got a great sculpt they always try to re-use it whenever they can.  They keep using Bucky Cap because it's one of the best sculpts they've ever done.  I think that's a great thing because it's easy to vary the look of the character with paint, a few custom parts, a custom head, and custom accessories.  In the case of that Salvo they CLEARLY had a much better sculpt with that Rock body than the one they originally tried to use, so if you've got a known good body always go with that over something that's new and might end up being inferior.

With Legends, if they're doing a new character whose body type is VERY different from anything on the shelf they frequently just do an entirely new sculpt.  I think they budget a certain number of new sculpts--maybe 30 or 40 per year--but then try to re-use older sculpts for the other 80 to 120 figures (they released around 150 last year).  The Legends figures they've done the most new sculpts for in recent years are Marvel Cinematic Universe figures, they're almost ALL completely unique sculpts.

Edited April 24, 2020 by fantastic_four

[STORMSHADOW_80]

Dreadnok Thunder Machine. I’ll probably take a break for a bit as I want to order some more acrylic display stands. Unless I can get that appointment rescheduled. 

[F For Fake]

On 4/23/2020 at 12:20 PM, STORMSHADOW_80 said:

Cleaned up the Rattler real nice. She’s a beaut! Since it came with some extra missiles and bombs I finally upgraded my custom “skywolf”. Looks a lot better without the tiger rat red missiles I was borrowing. Also took off a few decals. This is a repaint of the 2002 Rattler that has the sound effects gun which I dig  Matches my 95’ Seawolf I made.

I forgot about posting my night landing raft. And I cleaned up the hydro sled.

 

Beauties! What is that Bazooka from, is it a custom? I've always loved the Night Landing. Love your tribute to the box art! I finally got the shovel I needed to complete mine a couple of weeks ago.

[Brandon Shepherd]

Boredom is a dangerous thing.

[F For Fake]

I finally got around to opening these up today, they've been sitting in my laundry room for a few months. I have more or less stopped buying new figures, but I have recently found myself getting into the DC Essentials line. This is odd, because I was really strongly against the line when it launched, because:

1. I was loving the Icons line, which, yeah, had numerous scale issues, but they also had a very diverse character lineup and TONS of accessories. This was the DC line I'd waited for most of my life, and they canceled it after soliciting a Booster Gold and Blue Beetle figure set that even came with flower leis. That cancellation may be my biggest toy disappointment of all time.

2. The Essentials figures cost the same (or more) than the Icons predecessors, but have ZERO accessories. No extra hands, no stands, no nothin'.

3. They're based on an artist I'm not familiar with (Jason Fabok? I don't keep up with moderns, I assume he's a popular contemporary artist) and the original solicitations looked fugly.)

4. There are some proportion issues, especially with the male buck. The arms are too long, giving a bit of a gorilla effect. Also, the ball joint ankles aren't great. 

 

That being said, I was finally lured in with the Knightfall Batman, which is the Batman figure I've waited all of my life for. It's gorgeous. And so with that, the floodgates were opened, and now I have a bunch of these dumb things.

So, putting all of the cons aside, they do have this going for them:

1. They are made of such nice heavy plastic. They make Marvel Legends feel rubbery and weak! That being said they are also kinda stiff, that thicker plastic isn't very forgiving, so you want to go carefully when loosening up the joints.

2. In hand, these things are beautiful. Check out the sculpts on Hal and Sinestro. These are the best figure versions of those characters ever produced. They may be based on a specific artist, but the stylization isn't intrusive, so these serve well as a "generic DC figure". 

So, I'm really digging them, and I think they may be the best DC figures we've ever gotten. I'm planning on picking up Red Hood, Nightwing, Cyborg Superman and Supergirl soon.

So, of coruse, now that I'm loving them, it seems like the line may be in danger. The last full wave was strong with new sculpts and characters (Catwoman, Sinestro, Hal, Blue Bats) but the new waves of figures are all repaints (Speedforce Flash, Black Suit Supes) and the only things they showed off at Toyfair were all basically repaints (they're releasing nearly every character as a DCeased Zombie Variant, and then there's a repaint boxed set of the big guns). So I'm afraid that now that this line is cooking, they're going to let it peter out. But until then, these are the only new action figures I'm buying.

 

[Machx4]

Not new to my collection but I was inspired to get out my Joes and Star Wars figures from my childhood. I did just recently replace the O rings on the Joes, I had no idea how loose they had become.  I also found out that the landing gear on the rattler on the wings were broken. I guess they either were broken when I put them away in the 80’s or while being stored. It was fun getting them out and going through them. 

[miraclemet]

On 4/11/2020 at 9:51 AM, BabaLament said:

Hello all!

I hope everybody is healthy, happy, and only slightly stir-crazy from the world being on hold. 

It’s been a *great* week for Funko Pop hunting (online of course). I managed to pick up the SDCC Metallic Deadpool & complete the wife’s Lilo & Stitch set. I‘ve still got one Deadpool to find before getting the set I want (Inverse Deadpool). I’m not worried about the Freddy Funko ones. 

I got sniped out of a couple of SDCC Disney Pop’s that were selling for around half of Pop Price Guide value (Blue Suit Mr. Incredible, Metallic Mike Wazowski, Sully w/ Boo), but hopefully those will come around again at a more affordable price. 
 

Take care, have fun, & don’t get any on you!

Did you see the SDCC 480 PC GITD Mike sell on eBay yesterday? $1075. Is that one still on your list too?

[Mickey7]

Looks like you kept your childhood toys in pretty good condition Machx4.    Wish I would have kept all my 70s/80s Star Wars & Joes.  I only retained about 10% of those toys, but I'm happy to have at least some of them.

 

[Machx4]

5 minutes ago, Mickey7 said:

Looks like you kept your childhood toys in pretty good condition Machx4.    Wish I would have kept all my 70s/80s Star Wars & Joes.  I only retained about 10% of those toys, but I'm happy to have at least some of them.

 

Thanks, I just wish I would have been smart enough to keep the boxes, they had some great art on them.

[Brandon Shepherd]

My day off.

[F For Fake]

4 hours ago, Machx4 said:

Not new to my collection but I was inspired to get out my Joes and Star Wars figures from my childhood. I did just recently replace the O rings on the Joes, I had no idea how loose they had become.  I also found out that the landing gear on the rattler on the wings were broken. I guess they either were broken when I put them away in the 80’s or while being stored. It was fun getting them out and going through them. 

  Tons of gorgeousness there, congrats! Sweet collection!

[Brandon Shepherd]

On 4/23/2020 at 7:29 PM, JoeRock said:

Complete Scareglow, love this figure, still glows!

 

Wow, that’s awesome!

Congratulations!

I vaguely recall this one as a kid, it’s one of the ones I missed.

[Brandon Shepherd]

On 4/20/2020 at 6:32 PM, followtheleader said:

None will recall that I picked up a GI Joe Maggot about 6-8 months ago. 

I primarily bought it because of the great box included. 

Unfortunately, the post for the radar was broken (radar may have been missing too). 

Quick Side Note: The radar is very underpriced IMO.  Constantly broken or missing. If it breaks, it's nearly impossible to remove from the toy.  It in essence trashes that portion of the toy (front half). 

Quick Side Note 2: This toy is dirt cheap as a vehicle.   Definitely not desirable with the tons of others out there. 

Decided to pick-up a 2nd not too long ago.  I really just wanted a good post and radar. 

It also came with the driver (named WORMS).   

IMO, he's a pretty sweet looking figure.  To me, very Star Wars-esque.  

What a pleasant surprise to see the accessory protruding from his helmet.  

I honestly had written off ever seeing one in my collection. 

Patrick

Oooooooooooooooooo. One of, if not the most, difficult to find accessories of the original line. Congratulations! 

[STORMSHADOW_80]

23 hours ago, F For Fake said:

Beauties! What is that Bazooka from, is it a custom? I've always loved the Night Landing. Love your tribute to the box art! I finally got the shovel I needed to complete mine a couple of weeks ago.

Thank you! Much appreciated. I figure since I'm taking pics anyways might as well do it in a cool way. Now I find myself wanting to hunt down characters since they were on the box art ...Further down the rabbit hole. Congrats on finishing your night landing raft. It's a great piece

Bazooka is from a 50th 3 pack. He came with a Blue Dusty and an awesome modern Firefly

Edited April 25, 2020 by STORMSHADOW_80

[Buzzetta]

Hm... what to do... what to do... 

@STORMSHADOW_80 you have any ideas ? 
 

let’s see how much grey I have laying around... 

Edited April 25, 2020 by Buzzetta

[Brandon Shepherd]

[followtheleader]

On 4/23/2020 at 8:12 AM, Mac Man said:

Yeah, I had Gobots bc we couldn't afford Transformers. But man, I LOVED Optimus. I still remember when he first died in the movie... 😭😭😭😭😭😭

Post some Gobots.  

I like them.  They have a bad name because of TFs, but many are cool in their own right. 

Never forget my mother giving me Dive-Dive for Easter.  

Patrick

[followtheleader]

On 4/23/2020 at 10:20 AM, STORMSHADOW_80 said:

Cleaned up the Rattler real nice. She’s a beaut! Since it came with some extra missiles and bombs I finally upgraded my custom “skywolf”. Looks a lot better without the tiger rat red missiles I was borrowing. Also took off a few decals. This is a repaint of the 2002 Rattler that has the sound effects gun which I dig  Matches my 95’ Seawolf I made.

I forgot about posting my night landing raft. And I cleaned up the hydro sled.

 

The Night Landing is one of the simplest yet beautiful toys made. 

Firefly makes this a knock-out.  Artwork was phenomenal. 

Patrick

[followtheleader]

On 4/23/2020 at 7:31 PM, JoeRock said:

Mickey Mouse Cobra Commander, need to find the other parts for the nicer Torso

 

Dizzzz-ang. 

All three of your posts are nice scores.  

Are the 3 carded Joes legit and original? 

Scareglow and Mickey are amazing too. 

Patrick

[followtheleader]

On 4/24/2020 at 1:35 PM, Machx4 said:

Not new to my collection but I was inspired to get out my Joes and Star Wars figures from my childhood. I did just recently replace the O rings on the Joes, I had no idea how loose they had become.  I also found out that the landing gear on the rattler on the wings were broken. I guess they either were broken when I put them away in the 80’s or while being stored. It was fun getting them out and going through them. 

Nice selection of vehicles.  Definitely a great assortment of the traditional green military originals.

Agree with another poster, you stored them very well.  Very nice collection. 

Man, people need to send me some of these recent post items!

Patrick