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.