Grimlock

Let's face it, Constructbots are the bionicle of the Kre-o world. But I do love me some robot dinosaurs, so I picked up Grimlock.

And I was pleasently surprised to find out that unlike the Kre-o Transformers, Constructbots can transform without disassembling them. You just twist some joints and insert a few tabs and the robot transforms into a robot dinosaur.

It's an actual Transforming Transformer construction set. This is the kind of thing I was hoping for when Kre-o first started! And for $10! I might have to get one of those $6 sets to see if they all work like this.

Hot Tub

I'm on the lookout for a Hot Wheel based on Snoopy's doghouse/Sopwith Camel that's supposed to be coming out. And while I was in the aisle I saw those blind packed mystey cars they do... Although there's also a peephole in the package so you can get a sense of what car it is without squeezing. One of them was called Hot Tub and I knew I had to get it becuase it's a hot tub affixed to a race car.

AMP Episode 94: Long title I don't remember.

Hey it's Articulated Monster Episode 94.

Listen to it.

Destro

I'm putting together, very slowly, a 1/6 scale assembly of decent Cobra figures. Unfortunately this is a whim and I'm not into paying $200 for a figure when it's just to fill the ranks, so that means many of the Sideshow figures are out unless I really like what they did with the character.

That mean's Destro's out because I think the head sculpts on the Sideshow Destro figures look horrible. I want a Destro that reminds me of the 1980's cartoon, not one that looks like his head is made of a multitude of plates stitched together. No thank you patchwork Destro. There's only a few 1/6 scale Destro figures, and since most of them were designed to cost under $20 they tend to look like a $20 12-inch figure, you know, with the plastic sheen, articulation and dimensions of a barbie doll.

But then there's the Destro that was released for the Rise of Cobra movie. Which has what may very well be the best head sculpt of any Destro ever. It's not ball jointed but due to the GI Joe design, the neck is so it's essentially a ball jointed head for posing purposes.

The suit isn't bad either. Shoes are a little disappointing, but I'm pretty sure I can find better 1/6 scale shoes. The gun is what I expect for a mass release 12-inch figure from Hasbro, but I expected that going in. The one thing Sideshow really has going for it is the accessories, when they bother to include them.

And since this is a Rise of Cobra figure, this is also a Christopher Eccelston 1/6 scale figure, so it has a Doctor Who connection. That doesn't mean anything, but I feel like I'm obligated to mention anything Doctor Who related at this point.

Cosmos and Payload

Screw Payload, the minicon that turns into a space shuttle and a gun, this is all about Cosmos: the Transfromer that decided to blend in on Earth by turning into a UFO. I never had this figure as a kid, and truthfully I never wanted it. But now, with my ability to appreciate irony and how ridiculous this character is... and a love of UFOs thanks to a sci-fi adolescence... I really wanted it.

Aquaman

So I'm still checking Toys R Us for the clearance blast deals. This week I picked up one of the Mad Magazine based Just Us League of Stupid Heroes. Since Mad Magazine is published by DC Comics, this isn't really that huge of a deal.

But Alfred E Neuman Aquaman is a pretty neat figure. In addition to the accessories (The underwear on the pitchfork is removable although the tin of sardines has to be balanced or they fall out very easily.) the figure has ball jointed shoulder and a total of 14 points of articulation. Neat!

Let's Go

Mario told me about a new Lego based Hot Wheel toy. Then I found it later that day. So let's see how it does.

Sadly, the studs that are meant to keep the figure sitting down aren't very good. The figure is very loose and if you tried to do a loop the loop, it would easily fall out. It doesn't fit the foot studs either.

The stunt stud on the back of the car is a little better. There's a tighter fit and I could see the Lego staying on during a loop.

Much better are the hand holds on the front and back of the car. The Lego figures really grip onto them and there's no sensation that it might fall off.

Phoenix capsule toys

Phoenix is the masterwork of cartoonist Osamu Tezuka, the creator of Astroboy among other manga. It's an anthology series, with each volume following different characters as they either hunt (for immortality) or are influenced by the legendary Phoenix. stories range from mideival Japan, the far future, to an f-ed up story about a man who goes insane because he's forced to be immortal and live through a nuclear apocalypse and the billions of years until new humans evolve and appear on the earth. The loneliness is too much for him but he can do nothing but exist and wait.

Nobody does metaphysical torture fiction like the post-war Japanese.

So anyway I found some capsule toys of the series, although at the time I had no idea what they were. I just knew I was in a Japanese grocery store and my impulse buy compulsion made me want to get something from their toy section. Fortunately I found a toy with a space squid/octopus thing so I picked it up. It comes with a two headed woman/man. And the picture on the box shows them holding hands.

I took them home, did some research and I still have no idea what chapter these characters are from, who they are, or what the heck is going on. I just like the visual of space cephalopod. 

Special Weapons Dalek

The original Special Weapons Dalek toy was only available in a four pack that was a UK store exclusive. Getting it in that pack in insanely expensive. So even though the only version in the States is a version with sound effects so it costs more to pay for the electronics, I figured it was worth it to get a figure based on one of the most unique Dalek designs ever.

Seriously, the concept of this thing when I first saw it on the cover of the Remembrance of the Daleks novelization book cover made my imagination race. In the novelization they do a short passage from its POV where you find out that even for a Dalek it's considered insane and it has only one means of expression to express its anger, shooting things. There was a great little line about it too.

"Who's winning, the grey daleks or the white daleks?"
"The Bazooka Dalek."

Of course in the actual episode it barely appears, and its effectiveness and giant cannon aren't conveyed really well. The normal Daleks seem to be just as deadly. It just shows up, shoots its cannon a couple times to blow up another dalek or two and then nada. Kinda a disappointment really.

But still: AMAZING DESIGN. if only the special effects had matched the visual potential for this "character."

50th Anniversary Dalek

A Dalek painted with the Union Jack. This thing is just so over-the-top kitschy that I had to get it. I really wish they hadn't cancelled the one with the US Flag version because that would have been even more wacky/crazy/pandering hilarity.

I was actually on the fence about this figure for a whole year, but I decided to bite the bullet and just get it. It's large enough that it makes for a great conversation piece and, again, I just love how explicitly camp it is. I've included a picture of it next to a Barbie Doll to show how big it actually is and because the picture is hilarious. If you don't think so, then maybe you don't enjoy things ironically. You live in a sad world.

Starscream

Starscream Potato Head?! STARSCREAM POTATO HEAD?! 

Dalek Potatohead

Oh come on! Do you have a heart made of stone? This thing is so wacky that it's wonderful just like this. Also, if you don't want the willy googly eyes staring at you, there's another piece so you can just have a regular plain old Dalek headpiece. Of course it's still attached to a potato, but it's slightly more serious.

Godzilla

So Target has these Godzilla minatures from Neca/WizKids in their "collectible cards and stuff" area for about $3. There's some based on the new movie and a set based on classic looks. I picked up the latter and.. it's okay. Not my favorite version of Godzilla. I don't  know if I'll get another one, I'm guessing no unless I have $3 burning a hole in my pocket.

Avea Trotter continued

So actually opened it up. The wings are removable! You can have as much or as little winged centaur as you like. Which means you can have the figure just be a centaur.

Sorry, I'm just still awed that a fashion doll for girls is being made of a centaur.

Avea Trotter

So hey, I finall bought a Monster High doll. Why, after so many years of praising the property but not picking up the dolls because I was disapointed in their exagerated body proportions and general design, have I relented? 

Answer: they made a centaur.

Actually this wave is based on characters that have been fused together, so this is actually a centaur/harpy hybrid... Or more basically, a centaur with wings.

Reminds me of the fantasy novels I read in high school.