dirgewave

Ahh, January (and the first part of February) is a special time of year for any toy collector. During these after Christmas months so many shelfwarming products are finally placed on sale and as such are often purchased by people such as myself who often have no qualms with a toy other than the price it is being sold for.

Along that line of thinking I managed to find one set of figures that I had been quite curious about but was unwilling to purchase for the $30-$40 asking price (depending on where you shop). For a much more reasonable $19 I have purchased...

Crossovers Iron Man & Spider Man

As with the Star Wars crossovers series the Marvel crossovers Transformers strive to blend the two series into one sub-line of figures; that way Optimus Prime can go on adventures with Captain America and some such.

While these two characters have both received other figures in the same line (Spider Man was given 3 separate figures alone!) this two pack has the unique ability to link up and form "super modes".

Spider Man is the decidedly more poseable figure in the pack with more joints and less hindrance from "kibble" giving it a greater range of motion. In helicopter mode the figure has free spinning rotors (non gear driven) and sits stably due to a rear landing gear. The largest flaw in vehicle mode is a that the underside of the cockpit is hollow (but that is required for the combined mode).

Spider Copter

In robot mode the Iron Man figure suffers serious articulation issues because of his flat vehicle mode and the ratcheting joints force to much distance between legs to be posed in much more than a standing position. In vehicle mode Iron Man forms a large wing fighter jet with two firing missiles and multi-hinged wings.

Iron Jet

Both figures suffer from stiff jointing (which can be found in all Marvel crossovers figures) and from slightly weaker plastic than traditional Transformers (because these are manufactured by the Marvel toy groups within Hasbro rather than the Transformers design teams; which contributes to the unorthodox designs).

The real beauty of the two pack comes from the vehicle modes, (all four of them!). Along with the two separate aerial vehicles there is also the combined form fighter bomber.

Combined Jet Bomber Mode

The two can also form a "gerwalk" mech of sorts.

"Gerwalk" Mode

This is my favorite mode for the toy because of the variety of poses it can be placed in. While the legs are mostly in the same positions the uper-body and wings can be moved around a great deal (this photo actually shows a "mistransformation" because I prefer this mode while the correct version has the Spider Man figures arms out in front of the mech.

While it may sound slightly strange there is a part of me that is reminded of the "Metal Gear" mechas whenever I see this robot mode (if the color scheme were grey and silver it would be even more reminiscent).

I would never recommend this set for the $30-$40 price that it originally was but for the $19 I payed (or the $12 that it has been marked down to since I purchased mine >.<) I would say go ahead and pick one up if it appeals to you.

For my small, avid, and greatly appreciated readership I have a special treat coming down the pipes for you very soon! It is an actual normal Transformers review (I know I haven't done a lot of those lately >.>) of an enormous robot whose name rhymes with Devastator....oh wait...

Anyway, thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend internets! ^_^

I LIVE!!!!!(After 10,000 years I'm free >.>)

After a slight hiatus from my reviews I come to you bearing many new figures to discuss (along with a killer sinus infection ).


Let's start small shall we? Today I picked up...

Kamen Rider Dragon Knight

For those unfamiliar with Kamen Rider it is a show in the same vein as Power Rangers though it tends to be less formulaic due to it's focus on individual characters (hence why the series name is also the name of the main character rather than a team of heroes).

This series is Ban-Dai's first major attempt to bring K.R. to American audiences and considering that I found this guy sitting in a Wal-Mart discount aisle for about $3 it should be obvious how successful the series has been thus far.

The discount price tag is actually the primary reason I purchased the figure as it was originally closer to $7 (which is outrageous for a 4 inch figure that lacks elbow articulation).

The only accessories the figure comes with are the "Advent Sword" (I think that's what it's called?) and a tabbed playing card that goes with one of the role play accessories.

The two largest flaws in the figure are the lack of elbow articulation and the hands being completely closed (you must force them open to insert the sword).

Red Ranger and Dragon Knight

Being in the same scale as the new MMPR line is a big plus that allows for crossovers with the characters (as far as the figures are concerned).

Overall I would not recommend paying full price for this but if you can find it on discount then I see no reason not to pick it up if it interest you.

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A few days ago I happened to pick up the G.I. Joe...

Red Fang Ninja

One can never have enough ninjas and because of this I will buy most any ninja I happen to find. In the case of the Red Fang Ninja there is a decided cyberpunk influence from the visor that helps separate him from the other more traditional G.I. Joe ninjas.

The accessories the figure comes with is an admittedly weak assortment.
- Katana and Wakizashi sword pair (with holders)
- Vest
- Giant gun with two giant "throwing star" missiles

The last item on that list I find real fault with because it shows just how much this guy is the shortchanged figure in the wave. (As a general rule most waves of action figures have at least one figure that has an especially small number of accessories or action features so that the money that would have been used to add those features can be redirected towards a more popular character's figure.)

Red Fang Vs. Night Creeper

There is nothing (other than being a ninja) that sets this figure largely apart from other Joes. The overall feeling is just slightly positive above neutral.
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Moving even farther back along the time line was when I purchased the...

"Moto-Morph Road Attack Zord"
 

The road attack zord is on the right and on the left is my (very old) "Warrior Wheel" from Power Rangers Zeo which I consider to be the spiritual predecessor.

This figure is yet another that I have rescued from the depths of clearance for (with coupon) $5 and comes from the recently concluded Power Rangers RPM toy line. In wheel mode the zord stays together very well and has places on the back to mount its blasters for storage. The wheel also comes with a small ramp that can be used to roll the wheel at targets (like this Grinder reviewed farther down).

Road Attacking 1

Road Attacking 2

To transform the wheel into robot mode one must press the included "engine cell" (plastic data card) into a button on the back (though it can be done by hand as well. The transformation is simple and can be done quickly resulting in...

Road Attack & Warrior Wheel
(Again, Warrior Wheel for comparison).

With the exception of the "engine cell" all equipment can be stowed on the figure in both modes. The blasters can either be dual wielded or attached to the chest armor (not shown) to form a single larger weapon.

The largest complaint I have against the figure is that the legs are in such a position that it forces and awkward pelvic thrusting posture at all times. Overall I still very much like this piece and if you can still find it the $5-6.50 (clearance at Wal-Mart) price is a pretty darn good deal!
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As was shown in some of the Road Attack Zord photos I have also acquired a...

RPM Grinder

Being the "mook" villains in Power Rangers RPM the Grinders are in the same family as the "Putty Patrolers" from the original series. Aesthetically I truly like this figure because of its heavy steampunk theme and shiny copper colored paint. However, unfortunately this is where I must begin to hate though I wish I didn't have too. If you will recall what I said earlier about certain figures being "shortchanged" this guy is a prime example. While all the other RPM figures have bending elbow and knee articulation this figure goes sorely and painfully without which drastically limits poseability. The figure comes with two accessories which are the screwdriver sword and a removable mask (shown being held in the above photo). It is an absolute tragedy that this figure lacks that extra articulation and as such must be relegated to a standing pose for all time, regardless it is still a good figure and is worth picking up.
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Lastly we have another figure by the NECA toy group that I have recently come to prefer so much. NECA has also produced the Isaac Clarke, Big Daddy, and several other figures which I adore. Anyone who knows my preferences on Street Fighter knows that my two best characters are Vega and...

Chun-Li

Just as with all other NECA figures this is also spectacular. With around 30 points of articulation a wide range of poses are possible (such as kicking a Grinder, also notice it is balanced).

Chun-Li Vs. Grinder

This sculpt is based off the character appearance in Street Fighter 4 and manages to catch the color and style perfectly (and to those people who have called foul on the size of the legs those people have no idea what they are talking about because if you look as far back as Street Fighter 2 the proportions were still the same ridiculous size, which IS accurate. Deal with it.)

The figure has several sets of hands which are open, fist, and a single peace sign for the right arm.

The figure is only cut short by two main faults which are...
- Paint wear around the wrist area of the gauntlets due to swapping out the hands
- One must be careful when loosening the joints as any high jointed detailed figure has the highest probability to break when the joints are first moved.

Overall this is an excellent figure that does a great job of representing the character and is well worth the $15 it cost.

Chun_li & Deafeated Grinder

Anyway, I am officially caught up on my reviewing now and as always thanks for dropping by and have a great week/end internets!

After a bad purchase in the form of "Mark V Spartan and Mongoose" (complete with broken arm and no neck) I promptly returned it in favor of a figure I had been curious about but had never decided to buy...

Isaac Clarke

This figure is produced by the stellar "NECA" toy company (who also made the "Aliens" figures and the Big Daddy from Bioshock among other things).

These figures have been shelfwarming hard at my local Toys R' Us and now that I have one I can't imagine why. This is a spectacular piece with stunning detail (dirt, rust, blood, and much more)!

With over 20 very sturdy points of articulation Isaac can move in an enormous range even though it would look like some of the armor hinders motion (it doesn't in the slightest)!

Isaac Vs Monster

Isaac come in two retail variants of equipment; one is the "211-V Plasma Cutter" (shown) and a more buzz-saw like weapon for the "bloodied" version (not shown). The plasma cutter fits decently in the figures hand but does have a tendency to fall out if jostled to much.

As any of you who have played Deadspace will attest the game is very, VERY dark with almost no light in some sections. That aspect helps create the crowning jewel of this figure...

Isaac Glow

Isaac Back Glow

The figure is equipped with two very bright L.E.D. lights (one in the helmet and one on the back "health bar"). The real glory though is that the light STAYS ON until you push the switch again and while that may not sound like much it means a great deal. Far to often lights on toys simply blink several times and go off (appropriate for sirens and such but not good for eyes etc.).

In conclusion this figure is freaking spectacular and deserves to be on shelves rather than shelfwarming at some toy store. I don't actually have Deadspace but after getting this for a mere $14 I can tell you I will be getting a copy very soon (the figure is THAT good). BUY IT.

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Now moving on to my bargain this week we have the...

T. R.I.P.
 
(The silver one in the foreground).

The main difference between this and the nearly identical "T-700" is that this figure has a shiny silver coat and different weapons. Coming equipped with a large pipe and a machine pistol the T.R.I.P. looks quite formidable.

Four main shortcomings of the figure are
- the legs only move forward and back
- the elbows do not rotate
- only the handle of the gun fits in the hand so the trigger is un-gripped
- the head is unarticulated

The figure does have nice light piping however and for $6 is not a bad deal.
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College starts on Thursday, wish me luck internets and as always thanks for stopping by! ^_^

As some of you are aware I have already done a review for one of the Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Ironhide figures. In that review I pointed out several major flaws that plagued that toy including but not limited too weak plastic, un-lockable weak waist joint (which I have since fixed), and taking way to much force to rotate the torso around.

Luckily the fine folks at Hasbro have seen the error of their ways and decided to release a heavily retooled Ironhide figure in the form of...

Recon Ironhide

While the alternate mode remains the same (Chevy Topkick pickup truck) this iteration sees many exterior changes including...
- Bull-bar on front
- Light array on roof
- "Armor" sculpting on doors which helps reinforce a formerly weak & thin molding zone
- Gun-rack and bed bars for holding weapons
- Opaque plastic instead of clear windows

The other incarnations of this figure were quite the chore to transform but now that the problem areas have been addressed it's simple and easy like never before!

Ironhide in Leafy Jungle

 In robot mode there are several big changes as well including...
- Smaller side cannons one of which can be attached to the bull-bar to form a "cross-bow" of sorts.
- Ball jointed head
- Completely rebuilt back kibble (for weapon storage of course)
   - Tons of guns which include
      = Sniper rifle with knife bayonet option
       = Second combat knife
        = Chain gun
         = Aforementioned crossbow
          = "Missile cannon" (on right arm in pic)

All of the guns can be mixed and matched with each other even going so far as to create a giant arm cannon abomination weapon (which fits Ironhide perfectly).

Simply put, this is a must own for any RoTF or Transformers fan (as long as you don't despise the movie aesthetic). If you don't own any version of him yet then get this, if you do own a version of him already then get rid of that one and get this one instead (though I should mention that all previous Ironhide weapons are compatible with this figure as well).

Inkeeping with the N.E.S.T. sub-line plot between Ironhide and Bludgeon I also took a few pictures of the two of them.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Anyway, have a great rest of the whatever internets! ^_^

(Warning, this review contains spoilers which help this review go faster, highlight blueish text to view them).

As some of you already know after seeing Avatar I decided on my favorite human character from movies in 2009 and that character is of course...

Col. Quaritch (A.M.P. suit in background from previous review)

Col. Quaritch is a badass among badasses and in any other movie would have been the hero character ready to save Earth from epic danger (when you are on fire and you get in a mech that's on fire while jumping out of a gunship that is on fire without even breaking a sweat, that, is worthy of badassness). Unfortunately in Avatar he is a "bad guy" bent on getting the mission done (even though the real villain is the corporate sponser guy; not to mention the fact that James Cameron himself said that Quaritch is actually a good guy who has been messed up by to many bad wars). I guess what I'm getting at is lots of people hate this character and I think he's awesome, so sue me >_>.

The figure is produced as part of Mattel's "Movie Masters" line and seems to be based off of the same body type that they use for the DC Universe series of figures. There are around 18 points of articulation and several multi-jointed areas that give the figure a fantastic range of motion.

Quaritch at Some Kind of Machine

As far as accessories are concerned he comes with three guns.
- Large orange gun of unknown type
- Midsized grey machine gun
- A epic magnum complete with side holster

Each gun fits nicely into the figures hand though the magnum stays the most secure. The piece also wears a camo jacket but I have yet to find a way to remove it without damaging anything.

The only major issue with this figure (and seemingly most of the Avatar line) is the paint applications. In traditional Mattel fashion there is almost no paint on this toy (compared to say, a Hasbro figure of the same general type). While none of the painting defects are anything big enough to even notice (unless you really look close) it still makes a difference from a quality control standpoint.

Overall this figure is pretty darn awesome and while I originally thought $14.99 was a bit high after messing with it for a while it seems a more fair price for all the jointing and surprising accuracy to the movie character (especially in comparison to the $10 they want for the G.I. Joe sized figures).

Quaritch Vs. Alien

I really wish it were possible to put Col. Quaritch into other movies like Aliens, Jurassic Park, or Terminator (also James Cameron films!) because he would kick so much ass that I guarantee every character would have survived. The only reason he lost in Avatar was because *BIG SPOILER* it took the whole dam planet, LITERALLY, to kill him.

Anyway, have a great week interwebs! See you again soon ^_^.

My "big" present this holiday season was the Wal-Mart exclusive Transformer...

"Masterpiece Skywarp"

The "Masterpiece" series is Hasbro's denotation of their most complicated and detailed line of Transformers based off of the original generation of toys. This mold has already been issued a few times as other Wal-Mart exclusive "Seekers" (the first of which was Starscream) and this time around Skywarp is the bot of choice.

While I have been collecting Transformers for quite a long time now I had so far managed to (accidentally) never acquire Skywarp in any way,shape, or form. When I heard this thing was coming out I thought it was downright serendipitous that my first version of one of the only seekers I've never owned would be getting the star treatment just in time for being put under the tree.

Before I get going I'm just going to say that this is in absolutely no way a childrens toy. It has small parts, breaks with ease (compared to normal Transformers), and requires serious precision just to Transform it.

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Features and Positives in Robot Mode

- Highly articulated
- Crisp detailing (both paint and plastic)
- Interchangeable missiles and lasers as arm weapons
- Missile pods in chest
- Rotating face that has 2 different expressions (normal & snarking)
- Can hold Megatron gun accessory from Masterpiece Optimus Prime

Negatives in Robot Mode

- Minimal outward leg movement due to side pieces
- Some flaps will not fold completely away due to hinges
- Standing can be difficult due to rounded heels of feet (thrusters)
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Transforming between modes is a rather arduous task that had me wondering if I would ever be able to change it back to robot mode (there are so many tabs to lock and no room between anything so you might need something flat to get leverage un-poping some of the points when you transform it).

Once you get done you are rewarded with this gorgeous representation of a...

F-15 Eagle
 
While that is all well and good the genius designers didn't stop there (it isn't "Masterpiece" for nothing)! Once you get it in jet mode you can see all the other features like...
.
Jet Mode Opened Up

- Nosecone conceals radar array
- Opening cockpit with pilot figure
- Air brakes with sliding tubes
- Engine access panels
- Movable ailerons
- Deployable landing gear

All those things considered the jet mode really is amazing.

The stand the figure comes with is hollow plastic and can seat the figure in robot or jet mode (as has been shown in these pictures).
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For any hardcore collector this is an absolute must get (especially if you do not have any of it's previous incarnations). Also, if your the kind of airplane fan who considers giant robots a plus then this is also a pretty nice model of an F-15.

For the price of $60 it's hard to find more Transformers bang for your buck at retail here in America (at least until Masterpiece Grimlock comes out).

100% recommended to anyone who thinks they can handle the awesome!

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Anyway, this concludes my Christmas haul reviews. Since I might not be in town on the 31st I'm just going to say that I really appreciate all five(ish) of you who take the time to read this backwater toy blog and hope you'll continue to drop by Dirgewaves "Axiom Nexus" for all your toy review curiosities ^_^!

Have a happy new year and take care internets!

So after a small hiatus I am back again to continue my reviewing bonanza! Seeing as how most of what I collect is Transformers it should come as no surprise that several of them were on the haul list this year.

By pure luck I managed to find these two figures right before Christmas...

Bludgeon (left) & Dirge

Both of these figures are part of the new "N.E.S.T: Global Alliance" sub-line of Revenge of the Fallen.

Bludgeon is made to be part of either the classics or movie universe depending on your preference and as such doesn't quite fit into either. This fact is not helped by his origins from the "Pretenders" line of the late 1980s. The pretenders were a series of transformers that came with "organic" (rubber) outer shells that could have a smaller robot fit inside. Seeing as how Bludgeons original form (a skeletal samurai) is such an unusual one the designers decided to incorporate his outward pretender form and inward alternate mode (a tank) into one toy.

The armaments are quite clever. The Katana is hidden by inserting it into the tank barrel and the Wakizashi is stowed away in a flip out compartment in the turret housing (both can be stored on the hip when in robot mode). The largest problem on the figure is that the legs have a tendency to rotate from the weight of the body thus making it difficult to get him to stand in many poses.

Dirge on the other hand is a pretty traditional figure (and of course part of my web namesake). In robot mode Dirge has 2 positional missile pods that can either be under each wing or clip on to the arms and what seems to be a small shield on his left arm. The biggest flaw on the figure is it's right arm and the way it is limited in movement by the canopy piece.

Dirge & Bludgeon Vehicle Mode

In vehicle mode Bludgeon takes the more than appropriate form of a "Type 90" Japanese tank. The vehicle is complete with rubber treads (but still uses wheels), fully rotating turret, and secondary rotating machine gun. The transformation between modes is simple and satisfying with no major hang-ups.

Dirges vehicle mode is that of modified Harrier jet done up in a vaguely "Blue Angels" deco. Dirge has a slight problem in his transformation in that all his tabs and pegs can be quite finicky and to get everything to line up along the wings properly everything must be perfectly aligned.

With only a few minor hiccups both of these figures are absolutely superb pieces which will fit nicely into any collection.
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Continuing with the older Revenge of the Fallen waves I also got...

The Fallen & Long Haul (right)
 
Since I have already reviewed the original release of The Fallen and the Target exclusive version is the same except for the color scheme I'll just sum up what I said before...

"This is an decent figure and I really like the Pharaoh-esque form (makes sense since he was in Egypt at one point >__>). The only gripe I have is that the feet are linked with springs so when you pick him up the feet fold in (URRG!)."

This color scheme is much better than the regular release though. Given the option this is the version one should purchase.

Long Haul is one of those figures that I like, but was expecting to like more. Due to the build of the toy it has a large range of motion and plenty of jointing to utilize it. Each arm has a clear flip out blade hidden in the fins and overall the sculpting is very nice. The problems here are two-fold; on one hand is the large wheel and truck bed array that hangs right over his head. The whole component has a tendency to flop and shift which means it must constantly be repositioned. The other much more serious problem is the black railings on the legs and back of the figure (drivers cab portion in truck mode).

Fallen & Long Haul Vehicle Mode

As I have heard from others it turns out that those railings are indeed prone to warp and stress almost without being touched. Due to this unfortunate defect I have been forced to retire Long Haul to an early permanent shelving to help prevent damage.

If you don't mind the possibility of your railings breaking off or if you can find him on a good bargain then Long Haul is a really awesome figure; however if you are like me and hate the idea of a broken toy then I would stay away. (It really is a shame since it's such a nice piece otherwise).
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Lastly we come to...
Shadow Blade Megatron

This Megatron hails from the "Animated" series and is a repaint of the previous leader Megatron from the same line.

In robot mode the figure features 2 swords that are formed from the rotor blades of helicopter mode and a large cannon arm which can clip onto either wrist. As with all other leader class figures he features a lights and sounds in the eyes and chest (with three phrases).

Shadow Blade Megatron Vehicle Mode

In helicopter mode Megatron vaguely resembles a mixture of an Apache and Osprey helicopter. In a feat of truly strange design the rotor blades are linked (one spinning causes the other to spin) but the spinning must be done manually as there is no button to press that makes them rotate. There is a transformation noise activated by locking the canopy in place. In helicopter mode the lights and sounds feature can be turned on for rotor and engine noises which last for as long as you hold the button.

Overall this is a very nice figure which suffers only two main flaws. The first problem is that the legs are built with a slight outward bow which, while accurate, forces an awkward standing posture. The second problem is that the wings are alternately hinged with the arms so that pressure in the wrong areas can cause the arms to pop loose.

I would not pay $40 for this figure but seeing as how he can be found at many places for $20 now I would say that is a fair asking price for a rather nice piece.
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Only one of two more parts left now!

(End Part 4)

Many Christmas seasons ago when I was but a wee lad there was an amazing gift underneath the tree, a gift that is still on my shelves to this day (and a gift that has been battered and torn throughout my childhood >_>). This year there is a new version of that same gift which can now sit shiny and undamaged on my shelf, that gift is...

The Megazord
 

This brand new Megazord is part of the rebirth MMPR 2010 toy line.

There are several main differences that separate this set from its original incarnation...

- The power sword is silver rubber and pointed rather than blunted.

- All horns/tusks/teeth/trunks are permanently attached (which is great for people like me who lost those things on their original Megazord).

- Each of the individual zords is smaller by comparison which allows for things like the gap between the legs and the more rounded chest formed by the pterodactyl; but due to the joints used it stands at roughly the same height as the original.

- Instead of using the patterns used on the old toy the new stickers (yes stickers, that you apply yourself) are show accurate to match the footage from Zyuranger that was spliced into MMPR.

- The zords use a new octagonal docking joint that allow both the legs and arms to swivel. This feature also allows the zord bikes/vehicles to dock with the megazord (though I still need a leg component before I can show that full feature).

Dino Zords

The one drawback comes in "tank mode" where the slight outward bend of the legs does not allow all the vehicles to face directly forward.

For anyone who loved the original the slight changes are negligible and if anything for $20 it's a better version of everyones favorite giant robot.
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In the figures department I also picked up...

Battleized Green Ranger

The name on the box is rather vague so I tend to call him "Giga Drill Breaker" Ranger. This is one recent example of the way that Bandai is making up for lost time by doing MMPR the same way they have treated the newer ranger series (battle armor, animal morphing, other weird stuff).

This version is essentially the same as the normal version except for...
- gloves and boots are battleized
- belt is solid white
- dragon armor

The armor fits snugly over the figure and the drill slides over the hand just fine (as long as you have it facing the right way). A nice aesthetic touch is that the drill looks like the Dragonzords tail.

$10 seems a little steep to me but considering the regular figures are between $6 and $8 I suppose its' not a huge price. I would really only recommend this to Green Ranger fans.
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The last Power Rangers goody under the tree this year was the...

Deluxe Dragon Dagger

This item has done a lot of polarizing in the ranger fanbase. It seems people either love it for the goofy inaccurate fun or hate it for being yet another non show accurate Dragon Dagger.

Features include...
- mouthpiece activated music (one of which can be cycled)
- one button "roulette" style sound selection from symbol in middle (sounds include explosion, electricity, and blade clash)
- "lightsaber" can be released by lining up the lightning shape on the handle and pressing the gold button on the blade
- A silver plastic clip that can be used to hook the dagger to your belt or pant strap

Overall I REALLY like this toy (way more than I probably should <_<) and enjoy all the goofy fun it has to offer. At $18 retail price it's a pretty acceptable deal.

(End Part 3)

As I explained in my "Stars Tahu" review even though Bionicle is over I will still be doing some stuff with the remaining sets that I have yet to purchase and this year a few of those sets were under the tree!

To start off we have some of the Glatorian from the past wave (which is now being phased off shelves so get them while you can if you want them.)

Vastus & Ackar

Vastus and Ackar are both very similar to each other (and all the other Glatorian) but feature a few main differences.

Acakar (red)
- Ankle Gaurds
- Flame Sword Piece

Vastus (green)
- Snake Themed Armor and Helmet
- Scythe with Tube Thingy

These really are the weaker of their wave and that's a lot of the reason I held off in getting them for so long. Long story short, if you like Glatorian then you'll probably like these two but other than that there is very little distinctive quality to them.
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From the final minimalist wave of Bionicles are two classic characters revamped into "Stars" forms.

Takanuva & "Rahkshi"

Takanuva (white) is the stranger of the two to me because in his previous release he was an enormous titan class set who towered over all the other Toa characters but now he is a dwarf to even the original Toa. Some drawbacks include his shoulder armor (which often impedes arm movement) and the fact that since his mask is not a remold it fits rather awkwardly on the new head piece.

"Rahkshi" is quite possibly the best of the Stars line sets because the inherent pose of the pieces best fits its original incarnation. One serious positive is that instead of making this one of the previously seen Rahkshi Lego decided to make it one of the other lesser known characters, the yellow one (yellow denoting the power of heat vision). The new head/spine mold is one solid rubber piece which allows for flexability but can often put tension on the body components.

Overall both of these Stars sets are pretty good but Rahkshi is miles better by virtue of better color/build/fun (at least to me anyway >_>).

(End Part 2)

Internet! After many long hours of travel, packing, unpacking, repacking, eating and other holiday related things I return triumphant with many hauls of toys in desperate need of reviewing.

Out of necessity these reviews will be broken up into categories based on the franchises in question and this one will feature the stragglers who have been bunched into their own category.

First up is...
.
Big Daddy (Bouncer Type)
 

The Big Daddy "Bouncer" figure is part of Necas new line of toys based on the popular video game "Bioshock". Seeing as how Bioshock is one of my favorite games of all time I knew I had to get this guy.

One of the first things you'll notice is just how much detail has been poured into this figure be it from the mottled rust, the wrinkled patched "fabric", or the cracks and scratches. This thing looks like a badass who's been to hell and back.

A true testament to how well this figure was made is that I still have no idea how many joints it has. So far I've been able to find 15 points of articulation but they are so well hidden that they don't interfere with the look at all (and as such are rather hard to find).

Each of the tanks on its back are detachable and (at least on mine) the smallest one has a tendency to pop off but other than that there is no major flaw with this toy.

To anyone who like Bioshock, Steam-Punk, Schizo-tech or anything else like that this toy is an absolute steal at $20 and I now greatly look forward to getting the other figures from this line!
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Another thing under the tree this year was the...
Serpent Armor with Viper Commando

This G.I. Joe is a Target exclusive set featuring a re-issue of the classic Cobra armor suit. While the Commando is mostly the same as the other Cobra grunt units (same, look, articulation, and a slightly varied weapon set) the Serpent Armor is unique.

The armor has four seperate hand attachments (missile, claw, pointy thing, and cannon) but the thing that really surprised me is that each leg is a seperate compontent of the armor and as such allows for slight pose-ability. The other nice feature is that the armor contains a removable form that lets it stand even when it is not being worn.

The armor fits most G.I. Joe figures and makes a nice addition to any G.I. Joe collection!

(End Part 1)

Greetings again webernets!

As many of you know I am a pretty big fan of the Transformers villain "Shockwave" and due to this I have a tendency to unquestionably buy any Shockwave related merchandise.

Today I stumbled upon a rather strange version of my favorite soulless purple robot.

Mighty Muggs Shockwave
 

For the uninitiated "Mighty Muggs" have been around for several years now featuring many characters from Hasbro's various toy properties (specifically Star Wars, Marvel, Indiana Jones, G.I. Joe, and Transformers) and that I have made a point to avoid mostly because the styles have not really appealed to me.

Mighty Muggs is one of many vinyl "pop art" toy lines that has become a front-runner for the genre. Now that I have some hands on time with them I have a little more appreciation for the versatility of such an otherwise odd little toy.

For one thing the paint applications are all very nice and do a good job of bringing depth and detail to the flat surface. The figure has three points of articulation (both arms and the head) but is static in all other aspects. This sort of figure seems perfect for work desks (especially in high traffic areas) because it's extreme simplicity reduces its chances of being damaged by carelessness or co-workers while allowing representation of ones favorite characters and franchises. The other use that seems like it might be good is for small children since it is so rounded and (at least seems) durable (though I will have to look into what kind of paint and materials it uses to make sure it's safe).

As far as this specific figure is concerned the main difference (from other Muggs) is Shockwaves signature gun arm which is well colored and has a tube running from the figures back into the gun.

The only major disappointment I have with this figure is that it lacks Shockwaves head fins as physical objects and instead has simply painted them on. While it is not a deal breaker it does diminish his otherwise distinctive profile (they have done that sort of detail on other figures so I see no reason why they left it off of Shockwave).

Overall there is very little negative to the Shockwave figure (or the Mighty Muggs line as a whole) but the whole line is based on preference. I liked this character so I bought the Mugg, but I don't see myself buying another ever again if for no other reason than because $12 can also buy a fully articulated normal Transformer.

Once again thanks you for reading, have a Merry Christmas and take care interwebs! ^_^

(It seems my formatting has gone awry, sorry about that >_>).
Hello again internets! Apologies for the extremely long title but there is a lot on the plate today! Starting off today is the...

A.M.P. Suit
This particular toy hails from James Cameron's new movie "Avatar" (which I have not seen yet) but being a fan of robots and mecha I decided to give this figure a try. The figure is flat-packed and some assembly is required but that amounts to clicking limbs on to the main body so it is not challenging. The largest assembly problem I encountered was that the elbow joints were stuck together and it required a rather large amount of force to un-stick them. The figure itself is very well mobilized with a surprising 17 points of articulation. The vehicles armaments consist of a large (missile launching) rifle and a small knife mounted on the side.

A.M.P. Suit 2
The cockpit fits most 3 & 3/4 inch figures (including G.I. Joe) and only suffers from having waist rotation occasionally unseat the pilot figure. As one of the few quality mecha toys available at commercial retail the A.M.P. suit is a excellent choice for the mere $20 purchase price. One point of note however is that the suit does not include a pilot figure and one must be purchased separately.
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In my case I purchased this figure to pilot my A.M.P. suit and I can testify that it works just as well and looks twice as good...
Desert Viper
The Desert Viper is another incarnation of the "army builder" Viper base figure. As the name implies this Viper is outfitted in a desert theme with a brown base color and light brown "dirt" detailing. A black and tan vest along with a cloth mouth guard and goggles help add character to the figure. The gear assortment included is varied and interesting with... - Rifle + Bayonet - Pike Spear - Backpack - Sword - Twin Axes - Square Knife - Belt with Pistol The movie Joe line continues to deliver with interesting figures and tons of accessories. This guy is a definite standout among the assortment of themed Vipers (Snow, City, Desert, Air, Etc.) and is definitely a worthy purchase for any Joe fan.
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Lastly I have a figure who's review cannot be truly done justice until I get all the components (but I will do separate review of the combined forms when I get access to all the parts).
Green Ranger & Yellow Zord Vehicle
As with the blue zord vehicle this figure set comes with a ranger and a beast zord. One thing of note is it seems the folks at Bandai decided to only make a male mold for this suit type and as such the yellow ranger is not packaged with her Tigerzord (rather a green ranger figure is, shown in picture). While this is a little disappointing it is not unexpected considering the female rangers are often excluded from the secondary lines (powered up, bikes, etc.). The figures themselves are pretty standard. The green ranger is in the "Zord Armor" suit type and has no weapons. The Tigerzord has lots of nice paint detail and some translucent blue plastic but other than leg articulation it has little in the way of play features (though it does have glowing eyes). This is by far the weakest of the Zord Vehicle assortment but it has one redeeming feature that I can not yet demonstrate due to lack of other figures. When combined with the "Morphin Racer" as an arm this Tigerzord can become a giant sword arm. (I will review this at some point in the future). If you intend to build the "Morphin Megazord" (vehicle combination zord) then this is worth picking up, however on it's own it is not all that impressive.

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Anyway, have a great weekend and a Merry Christmas internets!

I've completed all my final exams and am officially on Winter break! Yay ^_^!

Anyway, last week in a fit of boredom I went and bought some figures from the new Power Rangers "RPM" series in part because the series is doing pretty well (for a kids show) and because the figures are slightly homageing the original rangers.

RPM DINO RAIL RANGERS

One of the things that struck me about these characters is that they are entirely non-canon. The "Rail-Rangers" as I call them do not appear in either the U.S. or Japanese version of the series. Each of the trio is intended to represent the ranger for one of the Paleomax zords (a set which I'm trying to find but have yet been unable too) which form a train/megazord (hence the train wheel detailing on the legs,arms, helmets, and weapons).

Each ranger comes with...

-Nitro Blaster/Sword (2 pieces)
-Cell-Shifter
-Signature Weapon
-Engine Cast (tiny high detail plastic mold of their zord, pictured)
-Stupid little chibi villain which is pointless and will not be mentioned again...

"RAILWAY RIFLE" ATTACK

Each ranger has 13 points of articulation although Mammoths (red) helmet tusks hinder head movement.

Each of the signature weapons (boomerang, twin guns, shovel trident) can combine to form what I am calling the "Railway Rifle" (Fallout 3, lol) which is a nice feature for display but is extremely unwieldy for 1 or 3 to hold (but two works).

I was actually drawn to these figures because they are completely nameless/faceless/cannon-less and I rather like having non-entitys in my collection. The other point of note is that these guys are pretty much impossible to find because the wave they were supposed to be a part of was never ordered by most retailers and now the series is mostly over so there is little demand to order anymore. (The T-Rex ranger alone is going for nearly $30 on amazon as of this writing.)

For the average collector there is not much of special note here, but I do like the figures.

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The other thing that I found over the weekend was...

Dragon Dagger

The MMPR Green Ranger Dragon Dagger (smaller of two available versions).

This is a fairly standard PR RP item which is about half the size of the original run dagger but has a much nicer gold color and makes a bizarre kazoo noise when you blow into it. The button near the pipe turns on a orange light in the center. The main reason I got this was to hang above my eventual Green Ranger display seeing as how this is more compact and accurate in comparison to the other lightsaberdaggersoundsclusterfudge version of the toy (which I will also purchase when I see it).

Anyway, more to come eventually! Have a great rest of the week internets!

It has been exceedingly windy today ( I mean like, strong enough to slam doors on me...)! Since today marks the completion of my Statistics course (sans final) regardless of how well I have done I decided I would reward myself for all the pain and suffering up to this point. Braving the storm of wind and debris (yes debris, including but not limited to plastic bottles, branches, and leaves moving fast enough to cut skin >_<) I headed to the local store which to my good fortune has more 2010 Power Rangers figures.

Blue Ranger Triceratops Zord Vehicle

This range is part of the secondary vehicles based on the megazord components and unlike the motorcycles these figures are more animalistic than mechanical.

In Triceratops mode the features include
- Detachable missile launcher horns
- 4 movable legs
- Rear silver pipe/fins detach and combine to form a target for shooting at
- Tail detaches and can connect to mouth for third missile in arm mode (megazord limb form only, not shown)
-Up & Down head movement/Opening mouth

Considering that as a child the blue ranger was my favorite I always liked playing with the triceratops zord most but because it was/is a total brick it involved a lot of imagination. Seeing as how this figure has much more play value and can also serve as a arm limb on the new megazords this figure more than makes up for the original.

Blue Zord Ranger

For the included blue ranger we once again see a new costume style. Whereas the Dino-Cycle outfits feature a sleek racing design the Zord-Vehicle costumes have a very brutal armored look akin to the "battleized" forms from more recent series. With the gold power coin slung over the left side of the chest and various silver plates (along with several along the legs that are unpainted) I have to say I also like this costume as well. One thing I noticed though is that while the articulation is the same as the Dino-Cycles figures the right and left arms are different in shape on mine. Whether this is a fluke or deliberate is unknown but it's especially noticeable in the shoulders where when posed statically the shoulder armor comes to different points on either side.

Blue Zord Ranger and Vehicle

The largest problem with the set is that all the missiles are pressure based and are rather weak when fired.

Green Ranger Cycle and Blue Zord Vehicle Sidecar

While it will be some time (as stated in previous review) before I can review the full (as of yet) unnamed vehicle megazord I can show you the functionality between bikes and zord vehicles. While the most aesthetic (and compatible) combinations are same color (blue bike & blue ZV, black bike & black ZV, etc. etc.) any zord vehicle can become a sidecar for the Dino-Cycles. It's really nice to see Bandai including actual function in the vehicles this time around since they can be arms, legs, bikes with sidecars, their own megazord, or portions of the classic megazord, and the bikes have mild transformation functions on their own.

While it would be a little spendy to gather all the possible components things continue to look up for this line (especially when I doubted all of this stuff until I got my hands on it)! The zord vehicles retail for about $9.80

Considering you get a nice figure and a fun vehicle with several nifty functions I would recommend this to any classic ranger fan. Hopefully even more figure will be released in this line (specifically pink and yellow rangers seeing as how they are suspiciously absent >_>) which will continue to add new depth and fun to an established character/ franchise.

Anyway, more test to study for but soon all will be completed. Have a great rest of the week internet!

For many years the Power Rangers have had completely unnecessary motorcycles to ride into battle and with the re-birth of the original Power Rangers there are all new versions of the superfluous vehicles. However this time there seems to be much more attention payed to the toys and unlike previous bikes these figures are closer in purpose to the zords (more on that later).
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Green Ranger Dino-Cycle

The first thing you might notice is how extremely large the bike is compared to the rider and the only real un-reason for that is that the bike is just epic-large. In normal bike mode it has all the traditional bike things like rolling (plastic) wheels, kickstand, and movable handlebars. The face/beak portion just in front of the handlebars is actually painted silver instead of white which (when the rider is off and the gold ears are swept back) make the whole thing look a lot more like a zord.

Dino-Flyer Mode

With the proper flips and rotations the bike forms a "Dragon Flyer" mode which has essentially the same play value as bike mode except you can make *whoosh* noises instead of *vroom* ones.

The main reason I bought this (other than it being Green Ranger) is that it actually is a zord. As part of the new play gimmick the Megazord can combine with any of the bikes, the "zord vehicles" (which are just a variation on the bike), and if you have enough bikes and vehicles you can create an entirely new Megazord with the "Morphin Racer" as a body. Once I have all the components I intend to do a separate review for those aspects but even this early I can tell the vehicle Megazord is going to be gigantic.

Green Ranger & Cycle

The Green Ranger figure that accompanies the bike has a completely redesigned suit with a sleek racing stripe and the Dragon Coin placed in the center. The articulation is changed from the regular figure in that the elbow is immobile, the shoulders have a limited upward range, and the boot region swivels in a different way. Each of these changes helps make placing and securing the figure on the bike much easier, so it all works out. I must say I'm quite taken with some of the suit redesigns they have done on the figures in this line (although it's hard to see this suit also has very armor-esque detail all through the molding).

With a very nice bike and a interesting new figure I actually enjoy this set and with a retail price of about $12 it's not a bad deal (especially when it will eventually become part of a Megazord).

Have a great weekend internet!

In 2000 a toy line was launched that revolutionized the action figure industry. Build-able action figures with what would soon become an epic story arcing the span of the next 10 years.

The Lego group had devised a classic tale of light & dark and a struggle of heroes against insurmountable odds. Over time the series gained a sort of life of its own and a fan base that could rival that of any toy property. The story ebbed and flowed through dozens of short novels, several websites, four animated movies, and countless more short stories by various members of the story staff. In that time the series has become so popular that parents and children all over the world can recognize its name.

That name is of course, Bionicle.

Over the last year there have been rumblings from all corners about the fate of the Bionicle series and in the past week there has been a definite confirmation from the corporate office at Lego...

Bionicle is over, the sets that are on the shelf right now are the only sets that will be released into the foreseeable future. The remainder of the story will be continued on the main website but there will be no more Bionicle sets after the current run is complete.

While this was somewhat saddening it is not unexpected. With a decade of toys and storyline it is the longest single run Lego property ever (single run meaning no gaps between years instead of the cycles they do with castle or space etc. etc).

There is some talk of a Bionicle-esque line being launched next year but much of the fan comunity falls on the side of "Even if it's good it won't be Bionicle" and I have to agree with that sentiment. It was in fact Bionicle that got me involved with collecting action figures in the first place. In 2000 when the line launched I lived in Florida near the Downtown Disney Lego store (which is where my original line came from) and prior to the lines launch I had never collected much more than rocks. Through the haze of memory it is hard for me to determine just what it was that made me want the line so badly but I assuredly did and knew that I had to collect them all.

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Flash forward 10 years and one of my first figures has returned to become one of my last. The "Stars" Bionicle line that has just been released was done so quickly that even the most up to date fan community only had about a weeks notice before they were on shelves.

Within that line is...

TAHU

The first Toa of fire and the first Bionicle I owned has been redone in the newer style as part of the swan song that is the Stars line.

While the figure is only about the size of the modern villager sets it still manages to capture much of the same feel that the original had (in part because the size class has gone up drastically so that the small sets now are almost the size of the large sets from 2000).

Tahu and Tahu

The largest issue with the new Tahu is the lack of a third color (specifically black) but even as is it is alright. The mask is in fact a new piece being both smaller and longer with an added + rod for the mouthpiece (meaning that the two eras of mask are not interchangeable). The largest improvements come in the form of the armor (along the upper arms and torso) and the new 2009 fire sword.

As part of the lines final gimmick to "Build the Golden Bionicle" each set from Stars comes with a gold component that can be attached to Tahu and create a shiny armor effect. The nice thing about this is that even if you don't buy any other sets Tahu is packed with the gold mask which instantly hearkens back to the "Quest for the Masks" storyline.

Despite the drawbacks this is still a perfectly enjoyable Tahu and it is nice to see him get some recognition as the line comes to a close.

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I will admit that over the past few years as my interest in Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Power Rangers grew so proportionately did my interest in Bionicle fall. The change between eras has been less and less drastic and the reliance on tested design had begun to win out against new parts and innovation. Not to say that the new stuff was bad by any stretch but they were simply not as revolutionary as they had been before. Considering those two things I can say that I agree it is time to lay Bionicle to rest before it becomes truly stagnant so that it may have a peaceful death and that maybe, one day when the time is right, it can be brought back for a new era.

In closing I would like to bid a fond farewell to beloved groups of heroes and a story that kept me entertained for much of my childhood and well on into early adulthood.

*moment of silence*

While there are still a few more kits to buy and review before I have all that I am after this post shall represent the end of the series. Out of idle curiosity I may continue to follow the story but as it stands right now it is flagrantly obvious how the last few chapters will play out so I may just let the end ride upon what helped build this franchise, imagination.

The wave four figures from the Rise of Cobra toy line have become increasingly hard to find ever since their launch about a month and a half ago. Today was the dreaded "Black Friday" and the only reason I went out at all was because my family took my grandma to dinner and we stopped at a rural Wal-Mart on the way.

Incidentally I found the MMPR Megazord (but that's for Christmas so don't tell me I got it >_> )!

I also ran across...

Charbroil

Charbroil (standing in front of my Lego backdrop) is part of that elusive wave 4.

The weapon is a 4 piece flamethrower (though the part that comes off the pack is pointless) and the whole assembly fits comfortably on his back and in the hand. Unless I miscounted the figure has 17 points of articulation.

With loads of nice paint detailing,(of all things) a chromed visor (I tell ya, chrome is on the way back along with stickers >_>), and grey-washed armor this guy is a absolute steal (considering I got him on the current sale price of $5).

The only drawback about the figure is that you will probably never find him, no seriously...

However if you do manage to find one it is certainly worth a purchase!

Charbroil Climbing the Winch

If you are wondering about all the Lego backgrounds lately it is because my only time to do reviews seems to be happening at night nowadays so outside isn't a big option since it has gotten cold. Also I felt like doing stuff with Lego again for a while, but w/e.

Anyway, have a great weekend interents!

Since tomorrow (technically today given the time) is Thanksgiving and I have absolutely no desire to risk being torn apart by angry mobs of shoppers on "Black Friday" I took my shopping a little early this week (which was better because some people I know are visiting and came along as well).

(This review follows on the coat tails of the previous review).

As of yet I have been unable to find the new version of the MMPR Megazord but that will assuredly come in time.

Luckily for me I have been able to secure every member of the first wave of Classics Power Rangers figures and I will continue from the previous review with the most unexpected...

ZORDON

Zordon was a the inter-spacial entity that granted the original rangers their powers and also acted as their base commander. Except for the old play set Zordon was never given a figure (and technically he still hasn't since it's just a head in a jar) but this is a pretty good representation (does not light up, that was my effect). It can be filled with water which makes it look much better until the water evaporates and air bubbles show up.

Zordon comes packaged with his robotic assistant...

Alpha 5

Alpha was always a little spastic in the show but managed to avoid being obnoxious (at least to me) in part because he was actually really useful at times. The figure itself has limited articulation which is at least somewhat more accurate to the original costume (no elbows or proper knee bending). Still, the head and feet are on ball joints and the arms have a good range of motion for capturing many of the poses he made in the show.

Next are the "mook" throwaway monsters the...

Putty Patroler & Goldar

The Putty (grey guy on the left) comes with a powered up version of the ranger sidearm and the "Power Cannon" (combination of all ranger weapons). Unfortunately the putty i bought had a deformed cannon but I intend to buy another putty so it will all work out.

The putty itself has the same articulation as the regular figures but cannot hold items because of his heavy "stone" fists (which works because since he lacks a base the fist can be used as balance weights). The sculpt is very solid and being a pack mook they especially look good in large groups.

On the left in the above picture is Goldar who was a series antagonist monster for roughly the first three seasons and the figure itself is a fantastic representation...for display. The pose he is in is pretty much the only stance the figure can take because it is hindered by the shoulder and leg armor. The wings are detachable which is great for season based accuracy and the sword is excellent but other than that he is the weakest figure for play value in the whole assortment due to his brickishness.

The remaining wave figure is something I would consider to be an unusual addition due to his late appearance in the series but it is only natural that the greatest ranger of all time would be given first wave billing.

GREEN RANGER(OH SHI-!)

Anyone who has watched the original series understands why the green ranger deserves such enormous font. He is just that good (or bad depending on what part of the saga is viewed).

He is just like the other ranger figures from the wave (including the gold bird stand) and the only real differences are traditional (gold vest, different syle gloves/boots, 12 tons of awesome).

Despite the weakness of figures like Goldar this line continues to deliver classic ranger goodness to a modern era. Go buy some! Seriously, go find your favorite character and buy them to put on your desk at work or something because this line deserves the support of every ranger fan who has ever been.

(Hopefully it will continue on such high notes).

Anyway, have a happy thanksgiving internet! ^_^

(Every cloud has a silver lining, in returning Metal Sonic I had the money to complete the first five).

I have recently resigned myself to the fact that no matter how old I get I will never stop liking the original "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers". I am a child of the 90's and all through my formative years I watched them battle for great justice against every campy Saturday morning villain you could think of.

Now that I am older I have a greater appreciation for just how much all of that influenced what I like and how I look at things (hence the crazy ). Ever since the original series went off the air I had pretty much lost interest in the whole franchise (with a slight re-interest when an old cast member would make a cameo). Now it seems that Disney (who bought the rights to the franchise from Saban) and Bandai of America have realized what I have known for years...

The Original Rangers Are Always Best (ALWAYS!)


Yes, come January of 2010 the official re-boot of MMPR begins with remastered episodes and a brand new toy line with completely new molds of the Rangers, "Evil Space Aliens", and even NEW MEGAZORD MOLDS!

Needless to say, I shat bricks.

The first wave of figures along with the new Megazord have been launched already (though I can't find the Megazord anywhere). Not shown (or purchased yet) are Green Ranger, Goldar, Alpha 5 w/ Zordon, and a Putty Patrol.

The new rangers scale in at about 4 1/2 inches and each comes with their signature weapon and a blaster. For anyone who owned the original figures (like me ^_^) the first thing you may notice is that the rangers now have an obvious gender sculpt. In the original toys each character used the exact same base body with a changed head and paint job (and they look pretty funny in retrospect). Some interesting things of note for me are that Billys (blue) weapon is in staff form instead of the more tonfa-esque dual mode and that Trini (yellow) is show accurate with the exclusion of the skirt.

Each ranger has a solid 13 points of articulation (one of which is a ball jointed head) and a space on their belt for the blaster.

Red Ranger with Bird Stand Armor

Each figure also comes with a "Dino-Flier" which is a strange gold bird that can serve triple duty as armor (pictured), a stand, and a super cannon. The birds have a little red l.e.d. inside for what I can only assume is a laser blast effect. It's nice enough to have stands for the more complicated poses and it's doubly nice that the stand is actually useful for play value as well.

The only thing that I find rather unusual about the whole deal is that the package does not refer to the characters by name, but rather by color. (I guess this is a throwback reference to the old boxes the same way the bad guys have "Evil Space Alien" on them but I still would have liked to see the names).

Overall these are FANTASTIC figures that are miles above the original ones and I would HIGHLY recommend them to fans of the original rangers.

I very much look forward to what else this line will offer.

Cheers Internet! ^_^

This is one of the rare times I will give a poor review though I wish I didn't have to. Before I go into the review I would like to address that the reason I don't give many poor reviews is because I tend to do a little before purchase research on what I buy so that I know it's actually good. The research has failed me this time.

Metal Sonic

Now you may say "What's wrong with it? That looks pretty good!" and at first glance you would be correct but the devil is in the details.

Lets start with the positives (which there are some)
-quality recreation of character
-good range of motion (or would have been)
-metallic blue paint (also fault)

The problems really come to bear when the figure comes out of the box. All of the joints on my figure were painted shut and took extreme force to un-stick them and of the joints the thumbs and left wrist never came loose because of weak plastic and poor design. The shiny paint would be truly awesome except that the inclusion of the sparkle flakes weakens the paint bonding process and leads to rapid flaking (some of the ones at the store already had MAJOR paint damage which I reported to the clerk). The paint on mine had already chipped twice just removing it from the package...

More Metal

I think it is a true testament to how awesome this figure COULD have been that it looks as good as it does in these pictures. It pained me deeply but I had to return him to the Toys R' Us (which he is an exclusive of). Hopefully some time in the future the company that produces this figure will make the appropriate changes to the production to bring out the full potential of this toy.