Z is also for Zaku II

The MS-06 Zaku II is a mobile suit line from the Universal Century time-line / Mobile Suit Gundam metaverse. It is based upon the earlier MS-05 Zaku I. The Zaku II is one of the most enduringly popular mecha designs in anime history.

The Zaku's aesthetic can be seen in more symbolic homages in the Gundam mythos, such as the GINN and ZAKU Warrior from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED , the Busshi from Mobile Fighter G Gundam, and the Jenice from After War Gundam X. [ source: wiki ]

Incoming: Kaustic Plastik 1/6 Thraex "Celadus" Roman gladiator

This will be the Kaustic Plastik 1/6 scale "Celadus" Thraex 12-inch gladiator figure as seen in Pompeii, Italy, circa 79 A.D. All the figures by Kaustic Plastik are completelly designed in Italy (Kaustic Plastik is based in Rome, home of the gladiators), just the final prodution was made in China. Kaustic Plastik is an italian company and this gives them the opportunity to make a "direct" research on the archelogical places, where the Ancient Roman lived.

The Thraex (pl. thraeces), or Thracian, was a type of Roman gladiator, armed in the Thracian style with small rectangular shield called a parmula (about 60 x 65 cm) and a very short sword with a slightly curved blade called a sica (like a small version of the Dacian falx), intended to maim an opponent's unarmoured back. His other armour included armoured greaves (necessitated by the smallness of the shield), a protector for his sword arm and shoulder, a protective belt above a loin cloth, and a helmet with a side plume, visor and high crest.

Incoming: Kaustic Plastik 1/6 Roman gladiator Retiarius "Astacius"

This will be the Kaustic Plastik 1/6 scale "Astacius" Retiarius 12-inch gladiator figure as seen in Rome, Italy, circa 300 A.D. All the figures by Kaustic Plastik are completelly designed in Italy (Kaustic Plastik is based in Rome, home of the gladiators), just the final prodution was made in China. Kaustic Plastik is an italian company and this gives them the opportunity to make a "direct" research on the archelogical places, where the Ancient Roman lived.

The Retiarius (plural retiarii; literally, "net-man" or "net-fighter" in Latin) was a Roman gladiator who fought with equipment styled on that of a fisherman: a weighted net (rete, hence the name), a three-pointed trident (fuscina or tridens), and a dagger (pugio). The retiarius was lightly armoured, wearing an arm guard (manica) and a shoulder guard (galerus).

Typically, his clothing consisted only of a loincloth (subligaculum) held in place by a wide belt, or of a short tunic with light padding. He wore no head protection or footwear. The retiarius was routinely pitted against a heavily armed secutor. The net-fighter made up for his lack of protective gear by using his speed and agility to avoid his opponent's attacks and waiting for the opportunity to strike.

Y is also for Yamato i.e. Space Battleship Yamato

The Americans have their Star Trek Enterprise and Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer. The British has their Space 1999 Eagle transporters. The Japanese also have their own - Space Battleship Yamato!

Space Battleship Yamato (宇宙戦艦ヤマト, Uchū Senkan Yamato) is a Japanese science fiction anime series featuring an eponymous spacecraft. It is also known to English-speaking audiences as Space Cruiser Yamato; an English-dubbed and heavily edited version of the series was broadcast on North American and Australian television as Star Blazers. [source: wiki]

Set in the year 2199, an alien race known as the "Gamilas" ("Gamilons" in the English Star Blazers dub) unleash radioactive meteorite bombs on Earth, rendering the planet's surface uninhabitable. Humanity has retreated into deep underground cities, but the radioactivity is slowly affecting them as well, with mankind's extinction estimated in one year.

ToysCity US Navy NSW Marksman (Overwatch Operation) PREVIEW

This is the soon-to-be-released Toys City 1/6 scale US Navy NSW Marksman (Overwatch Operation) 12-inch military action figure. The United States Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM, NAVSOC or NSWC) was commissioned on April 16, 1987, at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in San Diego, California. As the Naval component to the United States Special Operations Command, headquartered at MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida, Naval Special Warfare Command provides vision, leadership, doctrinal guidance, resources and oversight to ensure component maritime special operations forces are ready to meet the operational requirements of combatant commanders.

NSW is committed to combating the global terrorist threats. In addition to being experts in special reconnaissance and direct action missions, the skill sets needed to combat terrorism; NSW is postured to fight a dispersed enemy on their turf. NSW forces can operate from forward-deployed Navy ships, submarines and aviation mobility platforms as well as overseas bases and its own overseas units.
[ source: wiki ]

Naval Special Warfare has played a significant role in Operation Iraqi Freedom, employing the largest number of SEALs and SWCC in its history.

[Soldier Story] Feldgendarmerie Des Heeres 1945 PREVIEW

Another WWII German 12-inch figure? Really? Fact: Germans sell better than Allies, that's the bottom line. Nazi figures sell incredibly well, and that is why almost all the big 1/6 companies (Dragon did it, then DID and Soldier Story) produce more WWII Nazi figures than Allies, because they make more money with these figures. As for me, I cannot understand it. Although I started collecting Action Man German Stormtroopers a long time back (1994), then Takara, followed by Dragon in 1997 (the first DML figure was "Hans" then he was followed by lots of Germans) and most recently DID, there's only so many Germans one can have.

After developing and releasing some killer modern forces figures, Soldier Story is returning back to the World War II era with a 1/6 scale 1945 German Heer Feldgendarmerie (English: Field Gendarmerie. They were the military police units of the armies of the German Empire) or "Kettenhunde" (English for chained dogs), the nickname given them by German soldiers for the gorget they wore with their uniforms. Even their own soldiers disliked them.

HoT Toys DX08 Batman: 1/6th scale Joker Collectible Figure PREVIEW

Having already seen pictures of Hot Toys DX09 1/6 scale Michael Keaton Batman figure in the last post, here are the official prototype preview pictures of the Hot Toys DX08 1/6 scale Jack Nicholson JOKER and Joker is looking just as GOOD :) Now the circle is almost complete. With the upcoming release of both figures from the 1989 "Batman" film plus the Christopher Reeve Superman figure (previewed earlier HERE), the childhood dream of many a child (now adults) can finally be met as we can finally get our hands on these classic DC superheroes action figures, and in such fine form too! Hot Toys has elevated the scale of 1/6 figures into a new art form and these are truly Movie Masterpieces and a MUST HAVE among collectors and Batman fans.

From Hot Toys: The Joker Collectible Figures from the Batman series have been receiving high accolade in the collectible market. Amid much expectation, Hot Toys again steps its foot (?) into the Batman series, presenting the long-awaited DX Joker Collectible Figure from the Batman movie directed by Tim Burton in 1989 with the likeness firstly granted by renowned actor Jack Nicholson for developing the 1/6th collectible figure.

Hot Toys DX09 Batman: 1/6th scale Batman Collectible Figure PREVIEW

After showing sneak peeks in the last post, Hot Toys has now officially released pictures of their upcoming DX09 Michael Keaton Batman from the 1989 Batman film. On with the pictures :)

Hot Toys is proud to present the DX Batman Collectible Figure featuring the likeness of renowned actor Michael Keaton from the Batman movie in 1989 directed by Tim Burton. This movie-accurate Batman Collectible Figure is highly detailed, highlighting the Parallel Eyeball Rolling System (PERS), sophisticated costume, weapons and accessories.

Sneak Peeks of Hot Toys DX Michael Keaton 1989 Batman

These are sneak peeks of the Hot Toys MMS DX 1/6 scale 1989 Version MICHAEL KEATON Batman 12-inch figure from the 1989 Batman film. For those of us who can't wait for the official preview pictures from Hot Toys, these will have to do for now since these pictures have already been released by Hot Toys for print and have appeared in a Hong Kong magazine. The picture below is NOT a screen shot but the actual Hot Toys 1989 Batman prototype picture :)

If the Hot Toys MMS DX 1989 MICHAEL KEATON Batman is as movie-accurate as the film version, don't expect too much neck articulation from this guy. The 1989 Batman movie batsuit had practically no neck articulation at all. Michael Keaton as Batman couldn't turn his head, he had to turn his body because the Batman cowl and neck was one solid piece.

Custom Studio: Silver Praying Mantis PMC Preview

Praying Mantis is a Private Military Company that operates under the Outer Heaven mother company, run by Liquid Ocelot. It is based in Britain, and utilizes the SOP System, using nanomachines to enhance and regulate their senses. Their business activities include soldiers for hire, supply and logistics services, education and training for state armies, and everything expected from a PMC.

Praying Mantis soldiers are well known for their appearance. They wear khaki cargo pants and tactical armor. They can be seen wearing black jackets under their CIRAS armor vests and balaclavas as well as headsets.

Coming Soon from ZCWO: 1/6 Captain Ranky 12-inch female figure

"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" is a 2004 American pulp adventure science-fiction film written and directed by Kerry Conran in his directorial debut. The film is set in an alternative 1939 and follows the adventures of Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow), a newspaper reporter, and Harry Joseph "Joe" Sullivan (Jude Law), alias "Sky Captain," as they track down the mysterious Dr. Totenkopf (Laurence Olivier), who is seeking to build the "World of Tomorrow".

Sky Captain is notable as one of the first major films – along with Sin City (2005), Casshern (2004), and Immortal (2004) – to be shot entirely on a "digital backlot", blending live actors with computer generated surroundings.

Angelina Jolie stars as Commander Francesca "Franky" Cook: She commands a Royal Navy flying aircraft carrier. Jolie had just arrived from the set of Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003) and agreed to work on the movie for three days. Despite her small role, she reportedly had conducted hours of interviews with fighter pilots in order to absorb their jargon and get a feel for the role.

REVIEW II: Art-figures Navy Seal Special / Lt AK Waters (Bruce Willis) 12-inch Figure

continued from previous post...

This is the fully kitted out Art-figures: Navy Seal Special 1/6 scale AF Collectible Figure OR "Tears of the Sun" Bruce Willis as Lt AK Waters 12-inch ACTION Figure (especially since Bruce Willis is one of the ACTION MAN of his generation, and also the next). I had covered the box packaging of this figure and the parts as well as accessories included with this set in my last post. One of the fun aspects of this hobby is putting everything together :) It's like dressing up for the actual mission itself, only everything is so much smaller and some parts need the assistance of a pair of tweezers. Most importantly, PATIENCE is the key ;p plan ahead and do it right or you may have to undo everything and start over.

Having shown where the Art-figures 1/6 scale Navy Seal Special Forces 12-inch figure's 1/6 Ka-Bar Tanto Black Knife, SP4 Spec Plus Navy Knife, double magazine pouches, left-hand side drop-down pistol holster and AN/PRC-148 radio all go on his lower body in the previous post, now Lt Waters is decked out with the rest of his gear i.e. LCE (Load Carrying Equipment) consisting of H Harness webbing / LCE suspenders, Pistol belt with belt pad, 02 x ammunition pouches, M67 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade x 04, water canteen and holder / carrier, and "butt pack" (2-day pack).

Seen @ STGCC 2011: Hot Toys 1/6 Figures & MORE

For me, the highlight of the 2011 Singapore Toy, Games and Comic Convention (STGCC) has to be the Hot Toys booth. This year Hot Toys brought along their whole (well, almost) lock stock and barrel to Singapore and put up an awesome display of current as well as upcoming Movie Masterpiece collectibles PLUS fantastic dioramas created by artists using Hot Toys products (including 1/6 figures and vehicles!). Besides the THREE exclusives up for grabs (the queue started from as early as 5.30am because NO overnight queues were allowed and the doors only opened at 10am), Hot Toys put up enough of a display to keep the photographers and fans alike happy, with so much to see and marvel at.

Click on the picture for a bigger view

I can tell you that the next Hot Toys MMS DX figure will be from the Batman movie. It's going to be another 1/6 scale Joker 12-inch figure but this time it's the Jack Nicholson JOKER from the 1989 Batman film directed by Tim Burton.

Seen @ STGCC 2011: Star Wars

The 2011 Singapore Toy, Games and Comic Convention (STGCC) is now on at the Suntec International Convention Centre, Hall 401 and 402. Star Wars and the Force has always been a presence at this convention and this year is no exception. The guys from the 501st Legion (Singapore Garrison) were there to offer photo-taking opportunites and then there's the Star Wars action figure display / diorama.

Click on the pictures for a bigger and better view :)

While last year's Star Wars diorama set was based on "The Empire Strikes Back (1980)" – you can view the awesome display HERE, this year's Star Wars diorama looks to be the Galactic Republic's clone army getting ready for battle!

Don't Miss the Coolest Event of the Year - STGCC this weekend!

Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention 2011 (STGCC) is happening only for two days, today and tomorrow, 20-21 August 2011, 10am - 8pm, Hall 401 & 402, Suntec Singapore - Be there if you can :)

BEWARE: Fake Hot Toys Wolverine in the market!

This is a statement from Hot Toys regarding counterfeit products of the Hot Toys Wolverine Collectible Figure from the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie‏

Dear all, Recently, we discovered that there are counterfeit products of the Hot Toys Wolverine Collectible Figure from the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie in the market which are mainly originated from Vietnam that we are very concerned about. The genuine and counterfeit products look similar at first glance but actually they look very different in terms of the collectibles’ quality, details, painting technique and packing.

Fans should pay special attention to it. Just in case we re-produce the collectible products, we will make official announcement to let fans know. If there are any queries on the suspected counterfeit products, please don’t hesitate to contact the Hot Toys team at cs@hottoys.com.hk.

This is the first time I've ever heard and seen an entire Hot Toys X-Men Origins: Wolverine box set replicated! Apparently there are tons of it on e-bay quite recently. A fellow visitor to my blog had written to me recently about such a figure but I didn't think it was possible until Hot Toys released their statement today. It just goes to show what people would do to make a quick buck! I guess it's still best to pre-order from authorized dealers whenever possible. This way you know that you're getting the genuine and original Hot Toys product for sure.

For pictures of the real deal, check out my Hot Toys Wolverine reviews HERE.

Art-figures: Navy Seal Special / Lt AK Waters (Bruce Willis) 12-inch Figure REVIEW 1

In "Tears of the Sun", a 2003 American war film, Lieutenant A.K. Waters (Bruce Willis) and his United States Navy SEAL Team are sent by Captain Bill Rhodes (Tom Skerritt) to the West African country of Nigeria amidst a civil war to extract a "critical persona", one Dr. Lena Fiore Kendricks (Monica Bellucci), a U.S. citizen by marriage. Their secondary mission is to extract the Mission Priest and two Nuns.

Bruce Willis produced Tears of the Sun through Cheyenne Enterprises, his production company, and took the title from an early sub–title for "Live Free or Die Hard", the fourth film in the Die Hard series; he filmed the sequel on condition he could use its sub-title for his SEALs war film. The actors who portrayed SEALs underwent a two-week boot camp; during principal photography, they had to address and refer to each other by character name — even off camera, to improve interaction. "Tears of the Sun" is the first film photographed on the Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. [ source: wiki ]

This is the recently released Art-figures: Navy Seal Special 1/6 scale AF Collectible Figure OR they could have just called this the "Tears of the Sun" Bruce Willis as Lt A K Waters 12-inch Figure because that is exactly what this boxed figure set is about.

X is also for X-Men

The X-Men are a superhero team in the Marvel Comics Universe. They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1 (September 1963). Xavier recruited Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast, and Marvel Girl, calling them "X-Men" because they possess special powers due to their possession of the "X-Gene," a gene which normal humans lack and which gives mutants their abilities. The X-Men comics have been adapted into other media, including animated television series, video games, and a commercially successful series of films.

This is the 1997 Toy Biz Marvel Comics Marvel Collector Editions Original X-Men action figure boxed set. It includes all FIVE of the classic X-Men in their original uniforms / costumes: CYCLOPS, MARVEL GIRL, BEAST, ICEMAN and ANGEL.

Captain America's costume in The Avengers

Marvel’s The Avengers picks up when an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security. And Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. With director Joss Whedon at it’s helm, and an ensemble cast including Chris Evans (Steve Rogers), Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark), Chris Hemsworth (Thor Odinson), Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff), Clark Gregg (Agt. Phil Coulson), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), with Tom Hiddleston (Loki Laufeyson), and Stellan Skarsgard (Professor Erik Selvig), the film releases worldwide May 4, 2012!

Here's a shot of everybody’s favorite patriotic superhero taken on the Cleveland, OH set of The Avengers. Can't wait for the movie to be out!

Cowboys & Aliens

I would have never imagined watching a movie about cowboys and aliens. That would have seemed really far fetched and out of this world; and that is exactly how it was :) Cowboys & Aliens was released in Singapore last week and what a ride it was. Totally entertaining and enjoyable, and I would most definitely catch it a second time.

Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film, giving a summary that "It sounds kooky on paper but on the screen cowboys and aliens make beautiful, fun music together." Honeycutt felt that the success of the film's blend of aliens and western themes was due to "the determination by everyone involved to play the damn thing straight. Even the slightest goofiness, the tiniest touch of camp, and the whole thing would blow sky high. But it doesn't." Honeycutt appreciated the casting and performances in the film, giving particular mention to Ford, Wilde, and Craig. I cannot wait for the DVD to be out.

Looking at the cast of characters: Daniel Craig as Jake Lonergan, a wanted outlaw with amnesia; Harrison Ford as Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde, a powerful and rich cattleman who controls the town of Absolution; Olivia Wilde as Ella Swenson, a mysterious traveler; Sam Rockwell as Doc, a saloon owner; and Adam Beach as Nat Colorado, Colonel Dolarhyde's right-hand man; I couldn't help but imagine what a potentially nice collection of 1/6 figures they would make.

Well, while waiting for some 1/6 manufacturer to make 12-inch Cowboys & Aliens figures, I thought it would be interesting to put these three 1/6 scale characters together to get an idea of what they could look like as a trio i.e. Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Adam Beach.

Triad Legends: 1/6 Jubei Yagyu Mitsuyoshi figure PREVIEW

Triad follows up with their Legends line with samurai legend Jubei Yagyu. The Legends series is Triad’s unique take on mythical and legendary heroes. The clothes are supposedly "meticulously designed with multiple layers and choice fabrics"; his headsculpt is "wildly imaginative and hand-painted to perfection"; his weapons are "full metal and utilizes the ATAC system to convert into a double-ended sword!"

Very little is known about the life of infamous swordsman Jubei Yagyu Mitsuyoshi. His father, Yagyu Munenori, fought alongside Ieyasu Tokugawa at the Battle of Sekigahara and was made the official trainer to the Shogun. His father pushed hard for Jubei to follow in his same footsteps to become a master swordsman and a royal prefect, but Jubei showed very little interest in holding a government position.

Triad Toys - Dead Cell: Abigail Van Helsing PREVIEW

The year is 1946 and the United States is sifting through the rubble of World War II. The arcane society known as the “Prophets” deliver a prisoner to the U.S. government that would forever change the face of history. Dr. Frank Von Steinman was Germany’s best biochemist and Hitler’s lead scientist on the “Endsieg” project to build the ultimate super soldier. In exchange for his immunity and protection, Dr. Steinmann agrees to divulge the details of Project Endsieg. The information which proves a far more powerful enemy lies in wait. The good doctor insists it will take more than just firepower to win this next war.

After the U.S. government put top men on the effort to research occult artifacts unearthed after the war, they turned to an outside source to lead the effort to battle back against the supernatural threats that had been unleashed. They turned to Abigail Van Helsing. Coming from a long line of hunters, Abigail was given authority to mobilize her own team of hunters, which was given the codename ‘Dead Cell’.

Abigail Van Helsing, the granddaughter of the famed vampire hunter, follows in her family’s footsteps, seeking out demons and sending them back to the realms from whence they came. She wields the blade, Krijger, enchanted by the Prophets to never tarnish or break. Armed with Krijger and her custom built revolver rifle, Abigail leads the Dead Cell unit against the demon hordes.

Leave Bert and Ernie alone!

Gay marriage is now legal in New York, but "Sesame Street" reminds fans that the characters of Bert and Ernie are just puppets, with no sexual orientation. There has been a well-intentioned, BUT perhaps misguided, campaign to get Bert and Ernie married, claiming that the pair are closet gays and live-in lovers. IMHO Just because two guys are very good friends doesn't make them gay! Why can't some people accept that guys can be guys and best pals without having to categorize them into specific groupings?!

"Bert and Ernie are best friends," Sesame Workshop said in response. "They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves. Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics (as most 'Sesame Street' Muppets do), they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation."

Ernie and Bert were built by Don Sahlin from a simple design scribbled by Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets. In a classic pairing, Ernie appears chubby while Bert appears quite skinny (in a similar way to Abbott and Costello or Laurel and Hardy). Bert is yellow and Ernie is orange. [ source: wiki ]

STGCC 2011 Soldier Story Exclusive: USMC version 2.0 PREVIEW

Check it out: This will be the 2011 Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (STGCC 2011) Soldier Story Exclusive: a 1/6 scale USMC 2nd MEB (Marine Expeditionary Brigade) 12-inch military figure, as seen and based in Afghanistan's Helmand province. This looks to be the USMC 2nd MEB in Afghanistan's Helmand province version 2.0, since version 1 was previewed earlier in June. You can see the pictures of the original version HERE.

This STGCC 2011 Soldier Story Exclusive: Afghanistan USMC 2nd MEB version 2.0 will come with some extras which will include a 1/6 scale Desert Marpat 8-point cover (i.e. US Marine Corps hat) and Woodlands MARPAT assault pack. Also included will be a new and improved USMC ID Patch + NVG. The STGCC 2011 Soldier Story Exclusive has an M4 with PEQ15 and M203 grenade launcher instead of the M16 as seen earlier.

STGCC 2011: A Weekend of Pop Culture From East and West!

Love Comics, Anime, Manga, Toys, Collectibles, Games and Movies? Get ready for a weekend packed with fun, excitement and a sampling of Pop Culture from around the planet at the 2011 Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention! STGCC takes over Suntec Singapore on 20 and 21 August 2011, and you should buy your ticket now to avoid the queues at the event!

Check out the full range of STGCC 2011 exclusives and new products here!

Karas 'n' Us - Size comparisons with Apocalypse Zero Kakugo Hagakure and others

Having reviewed and seen pictures of the MoreToy 1/6 scale Karas 14-inch figure in previous posts, I wanted to show how tall the MoreToys Karas figure is compared with other 12-inch figures. It also gives me the opportunity to show some other 1/6 figures that I had bought simply because I liked the look of the figure, not knowing anything about the character or its background but just based on its appearance.

This is the Medicom released Apocalypse Zero 1/6 scale Kakugo Hagakure 12-inch figure with Zero armor from the manga series written and illustrated by Takayuki Yamaguchi. The manga was adapted into a two-part original video animation (OVA) in 1996.

W is also for Wildcat

Wildcat, real name Ted Grant, was a superhero and member of the Justice League after the Thanagarian invasion. Wildcat was a born fighter. His skills and abilities were unmatched, and in his early years he was a premiere prizefighter. Victorious at every turn, he eventually grew beyond the routine offered in the fighting ring and instead turned his focus to fighting crime. After the Thanagarian Invasion, Wildcat joined the Justice League.

Wildcat has no special powers or abilities like most of the other members of the League. However, his fighting skills are rivaled by few. A former prizefighter, his physical capabilities and tolerance for pain seem higher than an average person, able to punch through a solid brick wall with no difficulty. He is an expert in various forms of combat.

More of MoreToy 1/6 Karas 14-inch Figure REVIEW II

continued from previous post...

Having seen pictures of the 1/6 scale Karas 14-inch figure from MoreToy in the earlier post, here are some more pictures of this awesome figure with his sword. Like I mentioned before, I was completely unaware of this figure's existence until recently. This figure was too good to resist and after getting it, I began to google about the character of Karas to find out more.

In the six-part OVA (Original Video Animation) series produced by Tatsunoko Production to commemorate its 40th anniversary of anime production, Karas is the name of any of the city's appointed agents. They protect the city from any evil that plans to threaten the city and destroy them. Karas have a dark nature and are "menacing" in their look. Karas are modeled after Ravens as Ravens always seem to be watching over the city.

Celebrating National Day with G.I. Joe Golden Knight

Singapore is 46 years old today and there will be a grand National Day Parade (Abbreviation: NDP, simplified Chinese: 国庆庆典; traditional Chinese: 國慶慶典; pinyin: guóqìng qìngdiǎn, Malay: Perbarisan Hari Kebangsaan, Tamil: தேசிய தின அணிவகுப்பு) which will be held at The Float@Marina Bay. Singapore celebrated its first National Day in 1966, one year after Singapore's independence from Malaysia on 9 August 1965. Since then, the NDP has always been a grand and symbolic affair as the nation comes together to celebrate her birthday.

The Singapore Armed Forces Parachute Team (SAFPT) is best known for its free fall displays at the annual National Day Parade held in Singapore since its first appearance in 1989 as a formalised team and is always one of the major highlights of every NDP. With the main tasks of putting up display jumps and to represent the SAF in competitions, the team adopted the name Red Lions as part of its team identity in 1996.

Since there isn't any 1/6 scale Red Lion 12-inch figure available, I guess this G.I. Joe US Army Golden Knight parachutist will suffice :) HAPPY NATIONAL DAY to all Singaporeans

V is also for Victor Fries aka Mr Freeze

Dr Victor Fries, through tragic circumstances, became known as the villain Mr Freeze. This is the animated Freeze we saw in "Cold Comfort", the third episode of "The New Batman Adventures". For the original first version animated Mr Freeze from "Batman: The Animated Series" (BTAS), check out my earlier post HERE.

The animation style was changed significantly for "The New Batman Adventures". The art was more streamlined, giving Batman a more sleek, buffed appearance and the Batsuit's colors become significantly less colorful, with the bat emblem's yellow ellipse being removed. Mr. Freeze's eyes were made red (instead of the red lensed goggles he wore in BTAS) plus his Sub-Zero suit's color was changed to black, replacing the sky blue and navy blue suit.

MoreToy 1/6 Karas 14-inch Figure REVIEW 1

Karas is a six-part OVA (Original Video Animation) series produced by Tatsunoko Production to commemorate its 40th anniversary of anime production. Karas tells the story of Otoha, a former yakuza, living in a fictional version of Shinjuku, Tokyo populated by humans and yōkai (Japanese spirits). He is one of the titular karas, humans appointed as super-powered agents of the land.

Karas won the Best Original Video at the 2006 Tokyo Anime Award competition, and most reviewers were impressed with the images produced by fusing 2D and 3D art techniques. The story presents themes on the conflicts between cultural traditions and modern society, and the relationship between people. [ source: wiki ]

Coming soon from Art Figures: 1/6 Avenger 12-inch Figure

"The Punisher" is a 2004 American comic book action film, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, starring Thomas Jane as the antihero Frank Castle / The Punisher and John Travolta as the villain Howard Saint, a money launderer who orders the death of Castle's entire family. After his wife and family are killed, Frank Castle takes it upon himself to distribute punishment to those responsible for the vendetta. He is determined to avenge the murder of his family.

This is going to be Art Figures next 12-inch movie-related figure: a 1/6 scale Avenger based on Thomas Jane as Frank Castle / The Punisher from 2004 "Punisher" movie. The likeness is a little off but it's quite close to a 1/6 Thomas Jane but the outfit (especially the signature skull that is the Punsiher's trademark) and weapons look promising. Let's hope they improve on the head sculpt before its release.

Brother Production Leonardo DiCaprio Cobb figure PREVIEW

You better believe you are not dreaming because here is another 1/6 scale Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb from INCEPTION 12-inch figure. This time it's by Brother Production and they're calling it EXCEPTION. Sounds more like a DECEPTION to me haha. VTS Virtual Toys first gave us a sneak peek at their Leonardo DiCaprio as Dominic Cobb, the Extractor 1/6 head sculpt in November 2010 (pictures posted HERE), followed by Nobody Toys "Dreamcatcher" DiCaprio as Cobb headsculpt (my kitbash of 1/6 scale Dom Cobb figure HERE) and then there was Custom Studio's Dream Stalker 1/6 Figure, not to mention Head Play's Leonardo version which IMHO, is the worst by far.

In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest job to date: Inception, the planting of an idea into a target's subconscious.

Marvel Comics reveals New Spider Man is black

America has an African-American president, so why not an African-American Spider-Man, too?

Revealed in Marvel Comics’ Ultimate Fallout Issue 4, out Wednesday, the new Spider-Man in the Ultimate universe is a half-black, half-Hispanic teen named Miles Morales. He takes over the gig held by Peter Parker, who was killed in Ultimate Spider-Man Issue 160 in June. To reflect the racial changes in America Spider Man has been given a makeover - as a half black half Latino teen. Miles Morales has replaced Peter Parker as the face behind the famous webbed mask, Marvel Comics has revealed.

In the latest edition of the Ultimate Fallout series he pulls back his mask and shows his face for the first time.

In his first appearance, he simply breaks up a fight. But readers will learn the true origin of Morales and how he became the new Spider-Man when Ultimate Spider-Man relaunches in September with a new No. 1 issue.

“The theme is the same: With great power comes great responsibility,” says writer Brian Michael Bendis. “He’s going to learn that. Then he has to figure out what that means.”

The Ultimate imprint is separate from Marvel's other comics - where Parker is alive and well. Ultimate exists in a parallel universe where entirely different realities can take place, Marvel said.

Marvel's editor in chief Axel Alonso says, "As someone who grew up on a steady diet of 'Luke Cage, Hero For Hire' and 'Shang Chi, Master of Kung Fu,' I am personally invested. This was a conscious decision. Here at Marvel, we pride ourselves on reflecting the real world in all its diversity. We think that readers will fall in love with Miles Morales the same way they fell in love with Peter Parker."

Now for the SHOCKER: Another surprise could be in the pipeline after his creators said that in the future they would not rule out making him gay.

Pre-order 86hero Hybrid Metal Figuration Batman

Now up for pre-order at The Falcon's Hangar: This Hybrid Metal Figuration Batman by 86 Hero. Comes with: Die-cast action body with over 20 points of articulation, LED light-up eyes, LED Bat-Signal, Batarang, 5 inter-changeable gloved hands + Fixed and pose-able cloaks

U is also for Unsung Hero: Alfred Pennyworth

Alfred Pennyworth is the butler to Thomas and Martha Wayne, and later to their son Bruce, the first Batman. Before entering the Wayne family's service, he was an agent of the British Secret Service.

The head sculpt kind of reminded me of John Cleese in Fawlty Towers :) The film producers didn't cast John Cleese for the role of Alfred although he did play his part as R in "The World Is Not Enough (1999)" before replacing Desmond Llewelyn as Q in "Die Another Day (2002)". The live action role of Alfred Pennyworth went to Michael Gough in director Tim Burton's live-action films "Batman" and "Batman Returns", as well as Joel Schumacher's "Batman Forever" and "Batman & Robin". Sir Michael Caine portrayed Alfred in Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy.

Hot Toys 1/6 Classic Predator Collectible Figure PREVIEW

Coming soon from Hot Toys MMS (Movie Masterpiece Series): The 1/6th scale Classic Predator Collectible Figure. This will be a newer version with newly developed head sculpt and upper body.

The 1/6th scale Classic Predator Collectible Figure specially features: Authentic and detailed fully realized likeness of Classic Predator in the movie Predators. Realistic and accurate 1/6th scale of approximately 14 inches / 35 cm tall with Over 22 points of articulations. Newly developed head sculpt and upper body. Net on body and left hand. One (1) exchangeable expanded mouth. Six (6) pieces of interchangeable palms including: One (1) pair of fists, One (1) pair of open palms, One (1) left relaxed palm and One (1) right palm with pointing forefinger.

Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 Darth Vader with Hasbro helmet!

We saw issues with the Stormtrooper helmet in the previous post, now let's look at the Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale Darth Vader 14-inch figure with the Hasbro Darth Vader helmet. Since the release of the Sideshow Collectibles Darth Vader figure (reviewed HERE and HERE), I've felt that the original Sideshow Collectibles helmet seemed too small and sat too high on Darth Vader's head. So I decided to switch the Sideshow Collectibles helmet with the Hasbro 14-inch Darth Vader helmet and this is how he looks now :)

Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale Darth Vader with Hasbro helmet

I think the Hasbro helmet looks much better on Sideshow's Darth Vader. Scroll down to see more pictures including comparison pictures of this Sideshow Darth Vader with original helmet and with the Hasbro helmet.