Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Very Hot PMC (Version 4) & FBI Uniform Set PREVIEW

Here are just some teaser pictures of the Very Hot PMC (Private Military Contractor - a thin line exists between PMC and mercenaries) version 4 and FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation, sometimes Female Body Inspector - haha) uniform sets. Just the uniforms, folks, NO FIGURE (that means also NO head) ONLY the UNIFORM. The figures are only used for posing. Even after I write this, I'll get comments like "This head sculpt has been done before. Is it a rehash?", "This figure looks like that Soldier Story or Toys City figure - why is that?" Go figure (pun intended)

The 1:6 headsculpt Very Hot used here is from a previous Toys City release. It is from the Toys City British Royal Navy Special Boat Service (SBS) boxed set (Reviewed HERE). I used this head sculpt for a Sean Connery as John Mason from "The Rock (1996)" kitbash HERE


Toy Carnival @ 8Q, SAM this Sunday, December 5

5th December 2010 (SUN) 10am til 6pm - Mark this date!! FREE Admission.
TFH (The Falcon's Hangar) will be there, with bargains galore!!


Be there OR be SQUARE :)

Monday, November 29, 2010

Soldier Story STGCC 2010 Exclusives

Now this is more my cup of tea. There has been quite a lot of hoo-hah for the upcoming Singapore Toy Games & Comic Convention 2010 to be held at Suntec Singapore Halls 401 & 402 from 10-12 December with MORE emphasis on COMIC (most notably MARVEL comics) than toys which is quite different from how the show was envisioned at the beginning. For 1:6 collectors like me, there really wasn't anything exciting to shout about until now, well maybe a small cheer haha

Soldier Story together with U-toy will be releasing two Expo Exclusives at the Singapore Toy Games & Comic Convention 2010 (STGCC 2010) and they look rather interesting.

One of the STGCC Expo exclusive will be a revamped 1:6 scale US Army 10th Special Forces Group operator in multicam operating in Afghanistan. The US-led coalition forces have been fighting the war in Afghanistan for more than nine years now, 7 October 2009 was the anniversary of the day in 2001 when the United States bombing began, just under a month after the attacks on New York and Washington on 9/11 (see my previous post coverage on this) and they are still there putting down the insurgency.


Sunday, November 28, 2010

Soldier Story USMC 1st Battalion 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade PREVIEW

The title is a mouthful - Soldier Story USMC in Afghanistan: 1st Battalion 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade - but the figure is going to be FANTASTIC. Soldier Story has done it again and hit another one out of the ballpark. This one's a winner for sure and there will be many happy campers out there when they see this :) Finally a CONVENTIONAL grunt, a good ole fashion modern interpretation of the Marine Grunt.


In related news, the US-led coalition have as of yesterday matched the Soviet Union's time spent fighting in Afghanistan: nine years, 50 days.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Just some things @ my work station :)

Here are just some of the things at my work desk, what I'm surrounded by everyday when I'm working :) You have already seen Catwoman standing in front of the Frank Miller Batman Dark Knight statue, blocking the Animated Batman cup and Kingdom Come Batman action figure in the previous post. Catwoman will be moving to her new home in one of the glass display cabinets, most likely to be with Batman (who else?). Click on the pictures for a bigger and better view ;p



HEROIC Mexican Drug Lord - COMING SOON

Every hero needs a villain ("bad guy", "black hat"). Every protagonist has an antagonist ("opponent, competitor, rival"). The villain is there to make the hero look good or GREAT. Sometimes the hero is born because of the villain i.e. no villain, no hero AND sometimes it may be the other way around - because the hero exists, so must the villain be. Whatever the case may be, heroes and villains must co-exist for without the bad or evil, how does one know what is good?

Coming soon from Heroic is this 1:6 scale "Mexican Drug Lord" headsculpt with scarred / tattooed hands and a bunch of interesting accessories - weapons and DRUGS! The head sculpt looks a lot like Danny Trejo, an American actor of Mexican descent who has appeared in numerous Hollywood films, most notably in roles as an antagonist or anti-hero. He was most recently cast as Cuchillo, a ruthless enforcer for the Los Zetas Mexican drug cartel who carries twin submachine guns in "Predators (2010)" alongside Adrien Brody as Royce (check out the Hot Toys 12-inch Royce HERE)


Friday, November 26, 2010

Hot Toys TRON Legacy Sam Flynn Figure with Light Cycle PREVIEW

Having teased us earlier on the TRON Legacy Light Cycle, Hot Toys is proud to present their MMS142 ~ Movie Masterpiece Series ~ 1/6th scale Sam Flynn Collectible Figure with Light Cycle from the TRON: Legacy movie. The set is specially equipped with the Light Cycle with LED light-up function, together with the highly detailed Sam Flynn collectible which is specially crafted based on the image of Garrett Hedlund in the movie, highlighting the newly sculpted heads and light-up Tron Warrior suit.


The 1/6th scale Sam Flynn Collectible Figure with Light Cycle specially features: Two (2) newly sculpted heads with authentic likeness of Garrett Hedlund as Sam Flynn in the movie TRON: Legacy, including one with undetachable helmet, Approximately 42 (L) x 16 (W) x 18 (H) cm (Light Cycle with Sam Flynn Collectible), Body with partial movability, Highly detailed hair sculpture, Movie-accurate facial expression with detailed wrinkles and skin texture, One (1) pair of gloved palms for driving the Light Cycle, Three (3) pieces of legs including: One (1) pair of bending legs for riding position (left leg is interchangeable), One (1) extra piece of interchangeable straight left leg for braking position. Each piece of head sculpt is specially hand-painted

An Ode to Collectors

The article below (click read more) appeared in yesterday's papers and it is most timely since my coverage / post of Hot Toys magazine feature covering their ten years (2000 - 2010) of producing and releasing 1:6 scale movie-related merchandise under their Movie Masterpiece Series (see previous post).

It makes for an interesting read as the writer ponders why people collects things in general. The writer says her mother told her that "things should be bought to be used, consumed, worn or enjoyed. Not placed in glass cases or climate-controlled rooms to be admired." Yet the same woman has a miniature perfume collection that she lovingly dusts off once a year during Chinese New Year. The irony is lost on her LOL

The writer goes on to cite reasons why people collect - out of a need to possess rare and exceptional things, to flatter their self-esteem or taste, to feed an obsession that verges on the pathological or perhaps something that is linked to the artistic impulse.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Hot Toys " (Action) Figure King" Magazine Feature

For the 10th Anniversary of Hot Toys venture into movie merchandising from year 2000 to 2010 (Hot Toys has been around for much longer but their Movie Masterpiece Series - MMS line - started in 2000 and have put them where they are today: as KING of the 1/6 movie action figure! and in this area, they are untouchable), a magazine has been published in Japan just to talk about the people behind the products as well as the products themselves.


The magazine has the complete list of Hot Toys MMS figures / products / 1:6 scale movie merchandise from MMS001 up to MMS140 (to be released in December at the Hot Toys 10th Anniversary exhibition in Japan). Check out all the figures Hot Toys has released since 2000 if you haven't or simply to know what are the figures that have been released so far. I cannot imagine that it has been TEN years and to think I was there even before that PHEW!

FREE Mego-style Star Trek Retro Captain Kirk from STGCC

Fancy a FREE Star Trek Retro Captain Kirk (worth US$18.99)? Get it FREE when you are among the first 500 buyers of the STGCC 3-Day Ticket. Tickets must be purchased from 25 Nov to 3 Dec 2010 only. Proudly sponsored by Diamond Comic Distributors.


Buy your tickets now at www.singaporetgcc.com
Ticket prices now at Early Bird Promotion:
1 Day Pass S$10.70
3 Day Pass S$21.40
Hurry! Get your tickets today!
*Price excludes Gatecrash booking fees
*Price includes GST
Tickets are also available at AXS, SAM machines and SingPost offices!

Catwoman's Claws for "Batman Returns" - the Real Deal

I was staring at my recently acquired 1/6 scale Catwoman femfig (approx. 12-inch female figure) from "Batman Returns" standing on my work desk and wondering what her claws (the 1:1 scale ones) were really made out of. Piqued with curiosity ("Curiosity killed the cat" is a proverb used to warn against being too curious lest one come to harm. A less frequent rejoinder to 'curiosity killed the cat' is 'satisfaction brought it back'), I decided to search the internet for answers and the answer I got blew my mind!


Want to know what her claws were made out of? Scroll down for answers - I assure you that you will be truly satisfied!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Hot Toys TRON Legacy 1:6 Sam Flynn figure with Light Cycle (teaser)

From Hot Toys:
Are You Ready to Enter the TRON City Now?
To keep in line with the "TRON: Legacy" movie launch at Christmas, Hot Toys 1/6th scale Sam Flynn Collectible Figure with Light Cycle is coming very soon! Stay tuned!


Hollywood Germans

continued from an earlier post of Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine and Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa from "Inglourious Basterds"...

There have been quite a number of Germans portrayed in World War II films produced by Hollywood. Here are three of them in 1/6 scale - Ed Harris as German Major Erwin König by Hot Toys, the recently released Hot Toys 12-inch Col. Hans Landa Collectible Figure with Christoph Waltz likeness from the "Inglourious Basterds" movie and Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg from "Valkyrie (2008)" by DID.


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Singapore's G.I. Janes & SAF busy Down Under

"G.I. Jane" is a 1997 American action film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Demi Moore and Viggo Mortensen. The film tells the fictional story of the first woman to undergo training in U.S. Navy Special Warfare Group.

While the movie is fictional, this story is NOT! This article ran in The Straits Times on Sunday November 21, 2010 and featured two of the SAF's (Singapore Armed Forces) female combatants!


Captain Joyce Xie is an Apache attack helicopter pilot with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the only woman out of the 100 pilots flying the lethal AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. Her callsign? FLAPS which stand for First Lady Apache Pilot in Singapore :) and to think she almost ended up being a researcher in a lab coat. Kudos to her for her achievement. You can read more about her in the article below

Monday, November 22, 2010

Toy Carnival is BACK on 5 December, 2010!

TOY CARNIVAL is Back!! AGAIN!!!
Venue: 8Q at Singapore Art Museum (SAM)
Address: 8 Queen Street Singapore 188535
Date: Sunday, 5 December 2010
Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Free Admission!

Matt Fraction Guest of Honor at STGCC 2010

The Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention (STGCC) today announced that prolific American comic book writer Matt Fraction will be appearing at the 2010 Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention as a Guest of Honor. The STGCC, a pop culture convention, featuring renowned talent and the latest in toys, games and comics from Asia, will take place December 10-12, 2010 at the Suntec International Convention Centre in Singapore. STGCC is co-produced by Reed Exhibitions Singapore and ReedPOP in the USA, the team behind events including the New York Comic Con. Mr. Fraction will join additional luminaries already announced by STGCC including Alex Maleev, C.B. Cebulski, Esad Ribic, Gail Simone, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Harvey Tolibao, Ivan Brandon, Leinil Yu, Salvador Larroca, Simone Legno, and all-girl J-Pop group AKB48.


Matt Fraction, based in Oregon in the USA, is an Eisner Award-winning comic book writer, currently writing Uncanny X-Men, Thor, and Invincible Iron Man (with art from fellow STGCC guest Salvador Larroca) for Marvel Comics. Fraction started in comics by writing the graphic novels Last of the Independents and The Five Fists of Science. He is internationally known for his Casanova and his Marvel titles beyond Uncanny X-Men, Thor, and Invincible Iron Man include The Punisher War Journal, The Order, The Immortal Iron Fist, and The Sensational Spider-Man. Fraction's Invincible Iron Man work led to him consulting on the set of the film Iron Man 2.

"The Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention is honored to welcome Mr. Matt Fraction," STGCC Project Director Yeow Hui Leng said. "Matt is one of the most popular writers in the comics world today, and his pen has touched some of its biggest icons. I'm thrilled that fans on the other side of the planet, who have been shaped by Matt’s words will get the opportunity to meet him in person.”

Hot Toys Aldo Raine & Hans Landa from "Inglourious Basterds"

"Inglourious Basterds" is a 2009 war film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth and Diane Kruger. The film tells the fictional story of two plots to assassinate the Nazi Germany political leadership during the Second World War, one planned by a young French Jewish cinema proprietor (Laurent), and the other by a team of Jewish Allied soldiers led by First Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Pitt).

And since the release of Hot Toys MMS134 (Movie Masterpiece Series) 1/6th scale Col. Hans Landa Collectible Figure with Christoph Waltz likeness from the "Inglourious Basterds" movie (see previous post), I just had to take pictures of the two 1/6 scale figures from the film released by Hot Toys.

What a fine pair these two make!


Sunday, November 21, 2010

Hot Toys Colonel Hans Landa from "Inglourious Basterds" REVIEW II

continued from the previous post...

Lt. Aldo Raine: So you're "the Jew Hunter".
Col. Hans Landa: A detective. A damn good detective. Finding people is my specialty so naturally I work for the Nazis finding people, and yes some of them were Jews. But "Jew Hunter"?

Here are more pictures of Hot Toys MMS134 (Movie Masterpiece Series) 1/6th scale Col. Hans Landa Collectible Figure with Christoph Waltz likeness from the "Inglourious Basterds" movie.


Saturday, November 20, 2010

Hot Toys "Inglourious Basterds" Col. Hans Landa REVIEW 1

When I first watched "Inglourious Basterds", it was because of (1) Director Quentin Tarantino and (2) Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine. However, once the movie started, it soon became apparent that the star of the show was none other than the brilliant Austrian actor Christoph Waltz as Nazi Waffen-SS Colonel Hans Landa, the "Jew Hunter".

This is the Hot Toys MMS134 (Movie Masterpiece Series) 1/6th scale Col. Hans Landa Collectible Figure with Christoph Waltz likeness from the "Inglourious Basterds" movie. This is the second figure from the movie by Hot Toys, the first being the 1/6 scale Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine Collectible Figure.


Friday, November 19, 2010

COO Models 1:6 scale M134 Minigun Set Preview

Remember Coo Models, the company that produced and released the 1/6 scale M79 grenade launcher recently? You can view my post on it HERE :)

Well, guess what? COO Models will be releasing a 1:6 scale M134 Minigun Set and this one has all the details you wouldn't expect from a weapon of this scale


COO Models' version of this very popular weapon (the M134 Minigun) is fabricated from metal and plastic components and can break down, much like the real deal.

1:6 scale "Batman Returns" Michelle Pfeiffer Catwoman figure REVIEW II

"I am Catwoman. Hear me roar."


This is a second part review of the recently released "CatLady Custom Hand Made Figure" (Review part 1 posted previously), manufacturer unknown. What everyone knows on first look is that this is without doubt a 1/6 scale Michelle Pfeiffer Catwoman from "Batman Returns (1992)". There is no mistaking the Catsuit worn by Michelle Pfeiffer who played Selina Kyle / Catwoman in the film.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

"Batman Returns" 1:6 scale Catwoman figure REVIEW 1

From Marvel characters in the previous post to a DC character that has appeared on film :) The Marvel vs. DC dogfight has raged since the beginning of comic book time. Marvel has had more success with movies: first with "Blade" in 1998, leading to "X-Men (2000)", "Spider-Man (2002)", "Daredevil (2003)", "Hulk (2003)" and the list goes on, with "Iron Man (2008)" and "Iron Man 2 (2010)" being the latest to hit our screens.

DC, on the other hand, other than the "Superman" films, has had some success with the "Batman" franchise. "Batman Returns" is a 1992 American superhero film directed by Tim Burton. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, it is the sequel to Burton's "Batman (1989)", and features Michael Keaton reprising the title role, with Danny DeVito as the Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Size Matters! Comparing Hot Toys War Machine with Iron Man Mk III

Here are some pictures taken of the recently released Hot Toys Masterpiece Series MMS120 "Iron Man 2" 1/6th scale War Machine Collectible Figure (reviewed earlier HERE) standing next to the Hot Toys 12-inch Iron Man Mark III figure (reviewed HERE in January 30, 2009 - yup! it has been that long)

Since the Hot Toys Iron Man Mark IV has yet to reach our shores (still being assembled in some factory in China perhaps), the Mark III will have to do for now for size comparison purposes. How does the War Machine look next to the Mark III and even Mark I version? Scroll down and see for yourself :)


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Crazy Dummy US Navy SEAL Team 3 MK46 MOD1 Gunner Preview

Another 1/6 scale US Navy SEAL figure is going to be released! This time it is from Crazy Dummy; seems like everybody's jumping on the SEAL bandwagon (It's the "sell a SEAL to get rich quick" scheme haha)

The United States Navy Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and is a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Their name derives from environments where they operate: sea, air and land. Navy SEALs are trained and have been deployed in a wide variety of missions, including direct action and special reconnaissance operations, unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and other missions. Without exception, all SEALs are male members of either the Navy or the Coast Guard. [ source: wiki ]


IT'S LIKE MAGIC! Toys & Collectibles Car Boot Sale: 21 November 2010

The Toys & Collectible Car Boot Sale is happening this Sunday, November 21 at the Singapore Philatelic Museum. It is partnered with the friendly people from The Falcon's Hangar, BEST place for toys and collectibles.


Venue: Singapore Philatelic Museum (SPM)
Date: 21st November 2010 (Sunday)
Opening Hours: 10am to 5pm

Bargains galore, with free comic giveaways!
FREE admision to all SPM exhibits, including the Iron Man CollARTible exhibition! Check out the many exhibits in my post HERE but the best thing to do is go down and check it out yourself :)
Activities for the whole family! There'll be cosplayers dressed as superheroes for photo-taking opportunities and Magic with Syros, Master of Illusion!


ENJOY :)!!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Hot Toys War Machine Figure Review III: The beauty is in the details!

continued from the previous post...

The beauty of Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS120 "Iron Man 2" 1/6th scale War Machine Collectible Figure is in the details, ALL of it! I doubt you can get this kind of detailing and authenticity in anything else of a smaller scale - that is why 1:6 scale is still the BEST scale to work with. It allows you to observe and appreciate all that goes into making a figure authentic and accurate :) With today's technology and Hot Toys expertise and experience in craftsmanship coupled with their passion, enthusiasm and "can do" spirit, the products they have been churning out are simply top notch and way beyond our expectations and War Machine is no exception!


Sunday, November 14, 2010

Hot Toys "Iron Man 2" War Machine REVIEW II: Lock and Load!

continued from the previous post...

The confiscated Mark II armor is reverse engineered into the heavily armed War Machine armor at Edwards Air Force Base by the U.S. Air Force and the armor's heavy weapons arsenal of ballistic weaponry was provided by defense contractor Justin Hammer of Stark Industries' rival company Hammer Industries.

What better way to show off Hot Toys 1/6 scale War Machine (it is almost 13 inches tall!) than to show it with weapons fully deployed, ALL of them :) TIP: click on the picture for a bigger and better view


And here are the roundabout pictures for a better grasp of the awesomeness that is Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS120 "Iron Man 2" 1/6th scale War Machine Collectible Figure with all its weapons - One (1) articulated shoulder-mounted gatling gun (M134 7.62 mm minigun), rotatable and multi-directional, One (1) shoulder-mounted cannon (on the right), One (1) shoulder-mounted bunker buster missile launcher with missile (on the left), and Two (2) machine guns (dual arm-mounted FN F2000 Assault Rifles) located below each forearm


Saturday, November 13, 2010

Hot Toys War Machine Collectible Figure REVIEW 1

Finally, Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS120 "Iron Man 2" 1/6th scale War Machine Collectible Figure is HERE and it is FANTASTIC!!! This is NOT a toy - this is a piece of ART and the engineering that went into making it is simply AMAZING. Hot Toys 1/6 War Machine is a thing of beauty :p--- (drool)

In the "Iron Man" films, James Rhodes has the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and serves with the U.S. Air Force as the United States military's chief liaison to Stark Industries and their weapons division. Rhodes is forced to don the Iron Man Mark II armor to intervene when an intoxicated Stark in the Iron Man armor endangers the lives of all the guests at his birthday party. The confiscated Mark II armor is reverse engineered into the heavily armed War Machine armor at Edwards Air Force Base by the U.S. Air Force.


Friday, November 12, 2010

More STUNNING Daniel Picard pictures!

Remember my earlier post about Daniel Picard, Photographer Extraordinaire from Canada who has AMAZING photography and digital imaging skills. Well, he has more pictures to share with us and these pictures really blow my mind!

What more can I say? Let the pictures speak for themselves!
ENJOY :) click on the pictures to get a bigger and better view






Drop by his site: http://www.danielpicard.com/ and be awed by his photography skills. Dan doesn't just take pictures of toys; his photos of animals, people, events, places and vehicles are just as jaw-droppingly AWESOME!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Party of Five (2 Preds + 3 Humans)

Anyone care to join this party? Just wanted to share some pictures of some of the 1/6 scale figures from the Hot Toys Predator line (NOT all of them because striving to have ALL of everything in life would be too stressful and not much FUN, and FUN is what it's all about :> so these are just the ones that keep me happy)

There's (from left to right) Private Billy Sole, Predator 1 (numero uno), Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer, Scar Predator and Royce. I'm not a "completist" collector, preferring to collect only what I like and not ALL from the same line just to be complete so these to me are what makes Predator special.


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Sideshow Collectibles Cobra Desert Ops Trooper: Sniper PREVIEW

We have already seen preview pictures of Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale G.I. Joe Dusty 12-inch Figure and now pictures of the enemy's desert troops have surfaced. This is a Sideshow Collectibles Cobra Desert Ops Sniper.


Thing is, he looks very much like the earlier released Cobra Sniper 12-inch figure except instead of a black uniform / attire, this one is dressed in desert togs. So unless I'm mistaken, the Cobra Sniper 12-inch Figure features: Male Body with 30+ Points of Articulation, Detailed Sniper Uniform with COBRA Insignia, COBRA Sniper Issue Helmet, Tactical Boots, Smersh Harness, Magazine Pouches, Canteen Set, Knee Pads, Belt, Three Sets of Interchangeable Gloved Hands, SVDS Dragunov Para Marksman Rifle with Folding Buttstock, PSO-1 Scope and 10-Round Magazines, G17 Pistol with Holster and 17-Round Magazine, Bayonet with Sheath & Strap plus 12-inch display base.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Soldier Story 160th SOAR "Nightstalkers" Pilot Todd McDunn PREVIEW

Soldier Story and Cal-Tek USA jointly announce their 1:6 scale 12-inch 160th SOAR “Night Stalkers” Pilot Action Figure. Soldier Story and Cal-Tek USA are proud to announce the latest figure in their modern forces line up: 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) “Night Stalkers” Pilot CW4 Todd McDunn. This elite unit is tasked with providing aviation support to US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) forces such as US Army Special Forces, US Navy SEALS, US Army Rangers and other elite Special Operations Forces.


Marvel @ STGCC 2010 - Don't miss it!

Reed Exhibitions, the organizers of the Singapore Toy, Games and Comic Convention (STGCC), announced on 8 November that Marvel Comics will be exhibiting at STGCC 2010. This is the first convention that Marvel has ever exhibited at in Asia. To date, Reed has announced a slew of Marvel talent at STGCC 2010 including Guest of Honor Salvador Larroca and other Walk of Fame Featured Guests including Leinil Yu (check out his X-Men below), Giuseppe Camuncoli, Esad Ribic, Harvey Tolibao (his rendition of Avengers follow) and Alex Maleev. Reed further revealed Marvel’s Senior Vice President, Creator & Content Development and international talent scout, C.B. Cebulski, will join Larroca as Guests of Honor at STGCC 2010. STGCC will take place from 10 to 12 December 2010, at the Suntec International Convention Centre.


Review III: Hot Toys "Predators" Royce with AA-12 Shotgun

Royce: "This planet is a game reserve. And we're the game."

This is my third part review of the Hot Toys MMS "Predators" Royce 1/6 scale collectible 12-inch figure. Royce (Adrien Brody) carries an AA-12 automatic 12 Gauge shotgun throughout the movie. The AA-12 is fitted with a drum magazine loaded with Frag-12 rounds, as well as a Surefire M900 weapon tactical light foregrip. Before this "Predators (2010)" movie, I didn't even know that this gun existed. Now we are all the wiser for it.


Monday, November 8, 2010

Virtual ToyS VTS next two heads + suits (No, you are NOT dreaming)

VTS Virtual Toys has given us a sneak peek at their next two releases by showing us the heads first (1/6 head sculpts) and what a headstart they have made - AWESOME likeness of Leonardo DiCaprio and Ken Watanabe from the 2010 movie "Inception" which for me has to be the MOVIE of the YEAR!

Leonardo DiCaprio is Dominic Cobb, the Extractor, a professional thief who specializes in conning secrets from his victims by infiltrating their dreams. Cobb leads a team consisting of Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Ariadne (Ellen Page), Eames (Tom Hardy), Saito and Yusuf (Dileep Rao), with the goal of influencing Fischer's (Cillian Murphy as Robert Michael Fischer Jr, the Mark, the heir to a business empire and the team's target) actions via his dreams.


Ken Watanabe plays Mr Saito, the Tourist, a businessman who employs Cobb for the team's mission, and insists on joining them inside.


What would be really nice for me would be Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur, the Point Man, Cobb's partner and the man responsible for researching the team's targets.

Hot Toys Royce 12-inch figure from "Predators" REVIEW II

Having already seen the box packaging of Hot Toys MMS Predators: Royce 1/6 scale collectible figure, the basic Royce (Adrien Brody) figure straight out of the tray and the accessories, gear and weapons he come with (see the previous post), now we see a kitted out Royce ready to take on the alien predators.


Sunday, November 7, 2010

Hot Toys "Predators" Royce 1/6 Figure REVIEW 1

This is the recently released Hot Toys MMS131 (Movie Masterpiece Series) – Predators: 1/6th scale Royce Collectible Figure from the "Predators (2010)" movie.

The film follows Royce (Adrien Brody), a mercenary, who wakes up finding himself falling from the sky into a jungle. As the film progresses, the group discovers that they are on an alien planet that acts as a game preserve to which they are being hunted by a merciless race of aliens known as Predators.


Saturday, November 6, 2010

DID 1942 Stalingrad German 6th Army "Josef" PREVIEW

This is going to be DID's upcoming release of a 1/6 scale 1942 Stalingrad German 6th Army soldier with highly realistic & articulated metal cable layer backpack with chain. He also has the improved wood and metal K98 rifle with new bayonet. The funny thing is, the head sculpt looks a lot like Soviet political commissar and Lieutenant Danilov (Joseph Fiennes - remember his portrayal of Mark Benford in the more recent TV series "FlashForward"?) from "Enemy at the Gates (2001)". Thing is, Danilov was Russian in the film.


Star Wars Darth Vader Electronic Talking Bank

continued from previous post...

"Impressive, most impressive... but you are not a Jedi yet!"

Darth Vader is a Dark Lord of the Sith responsible for wiping out the Jedi and executing the Emperor's evil bidding. Determined to hunt down and extinguish the Rebel Alliance, Vader commands the massive Imperial fleet and rules his forces through unquestionable terror.

This is the 1996 released Thinkway Toys Star Wars Darth Vader Electronic Talking Bank. After getting the Star Wars Electronic C-3PO and R2-D2 Talking Bank, this was the next thing on the list. The Star Wars Darth Vader Electronic Talking Bank features original voice and music from the Star Wars soundtrackand includes waving lightsaber with light and sound! There is the Star Wars evil Empire theme followed by Darth Vader talking as he raises and lowers his light saber when you activate the bank.


Friday, November 5, 2010

Star Wars C-3PO and R2-D2 Electronic Talking Bank

Since we are on the subject of humanoid robots and how close we are to Star Wars (see previous post), this is the Star Wars Electronic C-3PO and R2-D2 Talking Bank by Thinkway Toys, released in 1995. I had just started collecting toys then and this was one of those things that caught my eye. It certainly thrilled the boys when they were still little and we would keep playing it on a daily basis.


This Star Wars Electronic Talking Bank of C-3PO and R2-D2 featured dialogue, music and effects from the original soundtrack with light-up eyes, tilting head and moving arms on C-3PO and lights and rotating dome on R2-D2 as well as moving forward and back to its original position.

Closer to Star Wars than we think

This was in yesterday's papers. Robonaut 2 or R2 will be the first humanoid robot to go into space, where it will take over some space station duties from its human colleagues. It resembles the fictional C-3PO from Star Wars more than the similarly named R2-D2.


Composed of only the upper body at present, software upgrades and lower bodies can eventually be added depending on mission requirements. The Segway, four-wheeled chassis, biped legs or robotic arm may be attached for mobility options.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Hot Toys Iron Man Mark IV Tony Stark headsculpt revealed!

This is going to be the newest Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark headsculpt to be released soon. When the Hot Toys Iron Man Mark IV figure was first previewed in April, Hot Toys only mentioned that a "Newly developed alternate head with authentic likeness of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in the movie" would be included but photos were unavailable at that time, so now that they have nailed the 1/6 Tony Stark portrait,  we get to see how he looks before it ships out to us :)


T-1000: "Say... That's a nice bike..."

John, Sarah and the Terminator T-800 manages to escape from the T-1000 after "Arnie" shoots it off the moving car. T-1000 returns on foot to Pescadero Hospital, where the police have arrived. A cop on a motorcycle asks if he is okay. It affirms, and compliments the cop on his nice motorcycle.

We can only assume that the T-1000 (Robert Patrick) manages to acquire the motorcycle next and takes on the identity of a Highway Patrol Officer in pursuit of the Connors and their "back from the future" protector, the T-800.

This is the Hot Toys MMS129 (Movie Masterpiece Series) Collector's Edition T-1000 (Robert Patrick) 1/6th scale collectible figure wearing the Highway Patrol Officer's outfit / uniform including motorcycle helmet and riding a borrowed 1/6 scale Metropolitan Police Harley Electra-Glide by Hasbro (see my post here for more pictures)