Ultrasphere

Taco Bell has American Gladiator toys this month. I tried to ignore them, but one of them called out to me. And through a series of odd circumstances I got them.

The UltraSphere.


Oh sure, that's the name, but it's really the Atlasphere. It was the most awesome of the events in the old American Galdiators, which is the only real American Gladiators in my mind. There were toys of the Atlasphere back in the 90's as part of that American Gladiators line but it was pretty expensive and they were kind of unweildy. These are kids meal toys, so they're pretty compact. Here's a picture to give you a sense of scale.

I was secretly hoping these would be awesome, and they're pretty cool, but what turns the dial up to 11 is that the spheres split apart and you can put something in the middle.

Like minimates.

KIRK VS. THE GORN IN THE ATLASPHERE!

Army Men on Patrol

Toy Story Legos are now available. Because they're a licensed Lego product they're ass end expensive, but that doesn't mean some of them don't call out to me. Like how about a set of plastic army men with a jeep, in Lego form?

Oh hell yes.

As you can see they come with little plastic bases that simulate their plastic army men inspiration. The bases are detachable so you can use them as bases for other Lego minifigs or if you want the arme men to ride that jeep. I'm pleasently surprised by the amount of accessories you get with these guys. You get a couple rifles, a couple binoculars, a couple walkie talkies, a metal detector/mine sweeper and a stretcher. The only thing really missing is a bazooka.

Actually I'm just shocked they included the mine sweeper. What were the odds. (Probably pretty good if they've ever made the accessory before, but it's still a nice touch.)

The jeep is pretty cool too. It feels more substantial than the vehicles you get in the Star Wars minifig packs that include the same amount of figures at the same price. The jeep even has a spare tire that rides on the back bumper. Pretty damned cool.

I just really like this set. Even the fact that everything is a uniform green is cool just because it makes everything look so damned strange and surreal. Even if they're not going to be in scale with the other Toy Story Legos... because I don't remember the plastic army men in the movie being the same size as Buzz and Woody. Not unless they're planning on introducing a growth ray in Toy Story 3.

Small Onslaught Car

Hey, Asian knock-off versions of Legos!

Picked these up cheap from e-bay. The blocks are flimsy, the wheels badly put together, and the vehicle unimpressive. However it comes with a minifigure that looks like a Lego dude with squinty Asian eyes. It's made by Asians (some of whom see typical Asian eyes as being either slanted or squinted as opposed to wide open... I'm Asian, trust me it's only racist when other races try to characterize Asians that way.) It's just interesting to have a Lego-esque minifig that creates some ethnic diversity in my collection.

Plus the in-scale machine gun is hilarious.