Trypticon

Trypticon was originally a robot dinosaur that transformed into a city. They've since made some versions where he's just a robot who transforms into a dinosaur, which is lame, but considering people mostly remember him as a robot dinosaur, it makes sense. Sadly the Kre-O Trypticon Kreon minifigure doesn't transform into a city, just a robot, but I'm slightly okay with that because tiny robot dinosaur.

The Kreons that have been released in anticipation of the Transformers 4 movie, what with the dinobots and such, have been pretty interesting. They actually get new sculpted parts to help in the transformation, and some of them actually look vaguely like the animals they're supposed to transform into. And even cooler, some of them actually use all the same pieces so the figures actually are transforming, not just putting on a new costume and being pushed onto their sides.

Marvel Labbits and Nog'nz

So this week I found myself picking up some interesting Marvel clearance items. First up was the Kid Robot series of Marvel Labbits.

As you can see, they're Marvel characters interpreted into rabbits. (Labbits is a design Kid Robot has used in the past, so they just superimposed the Marvel properties onto the existing template.) This is hilarious to me, because the Marvel characters are humans, not rabbits. So I decided to pick one up. And then I got another one. And a third. And then I was afraid I'd get a duplicate so I stopped.

I got a Red Skull, Doctor Octopus and Doctor Doom. I really like the Doc Ock with his arms which make it feel like a more substantial figure. The Doom design I like because, hey Doctor Doom. Red Skull I'm kinda meh about, and his Nazi uniform kinda creeps me out a bit. These figures are blind boxed, so even at Clearance I don't think I'll be picking up any more. (Unless they go down to around $2 a pop, which they won't because that's not how the store I got these from does clearance.)

The other thing I picked up were Marvel Nog'nz. I don't know how much these went for originally, but at 50 cents for a pack of two, I was willing to risk it. These are hard plastic, they're pretty much rip-offs of the GoGo's Crazy Bones, and are designed to be played with by chucking them at one another or rolled around like dice. Because they're such hard plastic, they make a very satisfying clinking noise when you shake them together or crash them into one another.

I got the last two bags in the store, and I'm pleased with the selection, mostly. I'd totally pick up a few more bags at the clearance price. Doctor Strange, Cyclops, and Ghost Rider all look ridiculous and adorable when their visages are smashed up and chibi-ized. But War Machine looks like a gray blob.

AMP Episode 93: Mario Likes Rappers

Episode 93 of the Articulated Monster Podcast is up! This one was recorded by the other James! No other things I can remember to say about it!

Green Lantern Maxwell

This Green Lantern version of Maxwell from Scribblenauts looks too much like an actual Green Lantern I've seen in crowd shots to feel completely original.

But it's not horrible for a mini figure. 5 points if articulation, although his legs were warped when I pulled him from the package, so it was difficult getting him on the pega of his little base.

I got this because I had a gift card to gamestop and their video game prices are a little high for my comfort. These mini vinyl figures are blind packed, in boxes so even the pinch and feel method is out, so I doubt I'll get another one without a gift card. Because why would anyone spend real money to buy a blind item when they have an INSANELY EXCELLENT chance to end up paying for the same thing twice?

Only crazy people who don't have e-bay.

Abe Lincoln riding a Tauntaun.

Harley Quinn

Okay, Sideshow 1:6 scale Harley Quinn figure.

I picked this up because 1) They're not going to make a Harley Quinn Hot Toys figure any time in the near future and 2) I'd like to collect a bunch of 1:6 scale Batman villains in "movie style." There's that Medicom 1:6 scale figure but that looks too stylized and cartoony. This Sideshow isn't as "photorealistic" as the Hot Toys sculpts tends to be, but it's close. The face is too smooth. It lacks the fine detail, although one could just say she's wearing a LOT of makeup.

Still, compared side by side next to a Hot Toys figure, the Uncanny Valley becomes a lot more obvious. The nose is too perfect and the eye paint isn't as "taxidermy" perfect as the Hot Toys figure.

It's a small complaint though. On the upside, I love the articulation, even her jester prongs on her hat can be moved around and posed. The cuffs and neck frill are soft plastic to maintain shape, which is a cool idea. Also, second head:

The main downside I see is that her hammer accessory is so heavy that if you put it in her hands it has a tendency to yank the hands out of their sockets. I'm half worried it will tear the arm out, or even worse, break the elbow joint. So that's a big worry.

AMP: Episode 92: Mario is Ugly

Episode 92 of the Articulated Monster Podcast is up! I don't remember what made me commit to making every episode title leading up to Episode 100 a direct insult to Mario, but I'd say there's a 50/50 chance of the trend continuing... unless someone else takes over the recording and uploading duties... Or Mario starts linking to episodes on his blog.

Here's a picture of a horrifying thing I saw at Walgreens the other day!