Pre-order Sideshow Collectibles Masters of the Universe 21.5" Overlord of Evil Skeletor Statue

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“By the powers of darkness, evil and fear!”

What a wonderful day for evil! Ready to face He-Man in our new statue collection inspired by the popular 80’s cartoon series Masters of the Universe, Sideshow Collectibles is proud to present the Overlord of Evil himself – Skeletor!

Hailing from the otherworldly dimension of Infinitia, Skeletor rules over the darkest corners of Eternia with an iron fist from his treacherous volcanic base on Snake Mountain. Wielding his enchanted Havoc Staff to command an invisible horde of henchmen and minions, Sideshow’s artists have brought the sinister villain to life with ornately sculpted battle armor and a removable cape. For an extra dose of pure unadulterated nostalgia, collectors can choose to display the devious evildoer with a swap-out yellow skull head sculpt, a tribute to his classic animated appearance. Suitably depicted with his mouth wide open, you can almost hear the barrage of insults spew forth, or that unforgettable piercing cry. Locked in a never-ending battle against the forces of good, Skeletor will not rest until he possesses the secrets of Castle Grayskull – and if he succeeds, the sworn enemy of He-Man will conquer not only Eternia but take his place as master of the universe!

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Check out THREEQ 1/6 scale CITIES RANGER 12-inch figure: Stephen Amell as Green Arrow

Arrow is an American television series developed by writer/producers Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Andrew Kreisberg. It is based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow, a costumed crime-fighter created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp. It premiered in North America on The CW on October 10, 2012, with international broadcasting taking place in late 2012. Primarily filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the series follows billionaire playboy Oliver Queen, portrayed by Stephen Amell, who, five years after being stranded on a hostile island, returns home to fight crime and corruption as a secret vigilante whose weapon of choice is a bow and arrow. Unlike in the comic books, Queen does not go by the alias "Green Arrow" until the fourth season. Stephen Amell portrays Oliver Queen / Green Arrow, a billionaire playboy turned hooded vigilante-hero formerly known as the "Hood", "Vigilante", and simply "Arrow".

THREEQ TQ1001 1/6th scale CITIES RANGER 12-inch figure will come with realistic head sculpt, Body with over 28 points of articulations, shaping vest, T-shirt, leather-like jacket, leather-like pants, boots, bow, arrow tube / quiver (arrow x 6), arrow leather-like bag (arrow x 3), arm arrow (arrow x 3), interchangeable gloved palms x 6

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Hot Toys Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 1:1 scale Armored Batman Life-Size Collectible

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Hot Toys has always been the true leader of the high-end collectible market and today we are very thrilled to take this market to a whole new level and officially announce we have acquired the rights to offer our incredibly stunning life-size statues of iconic film characters to the dedicated collectors around the world!

Fans have always admired the sophisticated craftsmanship, high quality and fine details of our 1/6th and 1/4th scale collectibles, and now collectors can enjoy all these great feats with their own personal life-size collectibles from Hot Toys’ new “Life-Size Masterpiece Series”!

To kick-off the new series, Hot Toys is excited to officially present the Armored Batman Life-Size Collectible based on one of the biggest blockbusters of 2016 - Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice!

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Hot Toys Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 1/6th scale Armored Batman Collectible Figure

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“Tell me, do you bleed? You will.”

The epic confrontation between Batman and Superman will finally hit the silver screen this March in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice! After witnessing the chaos Superman can brought upon Earth, Bruce Wayne is determined to stop the Kryptonian and donned his heavily armored Batsuit to take on the powerful Superman in this “greatest gladiator match in the history of the world”!

Following the official introduction of Batman and Superman, Hot Toys is very excited to present today, the 1/6th scale collectible figure of Armored Batman!

The movie-accurate collectible figure is specially crafted based on the image of Ben Affleck as Armored Batman from the film. It features a newly developed armored head with LED light-up eyes and two interchangeable lower faces capturing Ben Affleck’s facial expressions, meticulously crafted armor with weathering effects, detailed Batman weapons, and a specially designed Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice themed figure stand.

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Action figure review II: Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization 7-inch tall Ronin Kenzan Boba Fett

continued from previous toy blog post...

More pictures of Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization Ronin Kenzan Boba Fett action figure as part of my action figure review. The figure is approximately 170mm tall and comes equipped with a more ornamental looking removable jet pack, a small sword, several knives / tools attached to his calves (detachable), a flintlock blaster and an assortment of hands. The scope on his helmet is movable too and that makes it really cool. No issues with pose-ability and the figure seems to hold poses rather well. I really dig the feudal Japan and Star Wars sci-fi combo :) What's he doing with a jetpack? Does he even fly with it? I don't know and I don't care. He's just too cool and so much fun!

Movies and toys are made for our enjoyment and to entertain us so why do some people have a need to explain everything in a movie and asks questions like "That can't happen", "It's not real" etc. Of course it's not real - it's a movie, it's make believe and if it were real, they'll call it a documentary. Some films are based on true stories, like "Argo" where there is a scene which a soldier tried to break a glass screen / window with the butt of his weapon to no avail. In the end, he shot at the glass which shattered. That's real because tempered glass do not break easily as we see so often in action movies. Then there's Star Wars which is science fiction so everything happens because it's designed to entertain us. People start posting videos of how the destruction of the Death Star will have devastating effect on Endor etc etc. Why even bother? Star Wars does not exist. The planets do not exist. The aliens do not exist. Everything is imagined. It was made for our entertainment and were we not entertained all these years?

Let's just enjoy this really clever and nifty design which combines the past with the future (albeit a future that is supposed to be far far away, and also a long time ago...)

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Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization 7-inch tall Ronin Kenzan Boba Fett action figure review 1

This was from my December 2015 haul (check out the toy blog post HERE)

Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization continues with their Japanese armor styled reinterpretations of classic characters with Boba Fett, now dressed as a wandering ronin warrior. There are actually quite a lot of Japanese influences at work in the original Star Wars. From things like the name for Jedi coming from the Japanese word for period drama, that of jidaigeki, to all manner of nods to the films of Akira Kurosawa as well as the designs for a lot of the costumes much of what made Star Wars had a clear and somewhat traditional Japanese twist to it. So it does make sense that you could re-purpose the original character designs from Star Wars into a feudal Japanese setting.

A rōnin (浪人) was a samurai with no lord or master during the feudal period (1185–1868) of Japan. A samurai became masterless from the death or fall of his master, or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege.

Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization Ronin Kenzan Boba Fett action figure is approximately 170mm tall and comes equipped with a more ornamental looking removable jet pack, a small sword, several knives / tools attached to his calves (detachable), a flintlock blaster and an assortment of hands. The scope on his helmet is movable too.

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Pre-order Sideshow Collectibles Lex Luthor Power Suit 26-inch Premium Format™ Figure

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“Nothing can stop me now.”

Lex Luthor is a power-mad American billionaire, business magnate, gifted scientist, inventor, philanthropist to the city of Metropolis, and one of the most intelligent people in the world. A charismatic and well-known public figure, he is intent on ridding the world of alien superhero Superman, who Lex Luthor views as an obstacle to his megalomaniacal plans and as a threat to the very existence of humanity.

He’s one of the most dangerous men on the planet – and Superman's greatest arch-nemesis. Sideshow is proud to present the Lex Luthor in Power Suit Premium Format™ Figure.

Finally, the Man of Steel has met his match! Lex Luthor glowers down at all those he deems inferior, from a commanding position at the pinnacle of LexCorp tower and human achievement. Suiting up in his massive metallic green and purple battle armor, finely crafted with light-up features, the brilliant billionaire industrialist has leveled the playing field, ready to go toe-to-toe with the strange visitor from Krypton. Fueled by obsession and personal vendetta, one thing’s for sure – whether he’s trying to protect Earth or dominate it, Lex Luthor will settle for nothing short of total perfection.

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Comparison between Sideshow 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker and Hot Toys 12-inch Luke Skywalker

continued from previous toy blog post...

So how do they stack up against each other? When you have both the Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot 12-inch figure (which I have recently reviewed on my toy blog HERE and HERE) and the Hot Toys MMS297 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope 1/6th scale Luke Skywalker collectible figure (action figure review posted HERE, HERE and HERE), you want to know how they compare and look alongside each other. Well, at least I did. So I took some pictures and the results are shown in this post.

In this instance, Sideshow's Luke Skywalker actually cost more. Sideshow Collectibles Luke Skywalker: Red Five X-wing Pilot Sixth Scale Figure is $239.99 whereas Hot Toys Luke Skywalker Sixth Scale Figure is $229.99. Both available on Sideshow's website.

Given that Hot Toys is the 1:6 scale company right now that is giving 12-inch figure collectors museum quality stuff with their amazing toy engineering and stunning detailing plus ultra realistic paint jobs on their near perfect top notch sculpting, many companies are still playing catch up with Hot Toys. Once in a while, there are some misses but generally, one can't go wrong with Hot Toys. Sideshow is doing well too as they offer alternatives that Hot Toys cannot give because Hot Toys simply cannot cope. They do things well but they can only do so much. The market is too big with so many different genres that just going by movies alone. Hot Toys couldn't possible do them all. Then there are also military figures which Hot Toys has almost abandoned. They still produce military figures but only because the figures are movie-related, like the recent Arnold Schwarzenegger as John Matrix collectible figure (reviewed on my blog HERE and HERE).

One of my favorite 12-inch figure of 2014 isn't even by Hot Toys. That figure is the Art Figures AF-015 1/6th scale Heavy Armoured Special Cop "DREDD" 12-inch figure and I'm so glad that the figure got made. You can check out the pictures posted HERE and HERE. It's nice to know that there are 1:6 scale companies producing 12-inch figures that are just as good as Hot Toys and the best part of it is, they cost so mush less. Sometimes you can get two figures for the price of one Hot Toys figure. But enough rambling, on with the show.

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What to make of incoming Battle Girl BG-001 1:6 scale Red Scarf 12-inch female action figure

The sailor fuku (セーラー服 sērā fuku, Sailor outfits) is a common style of uniform worn by female middle school students, traditionally by high school students, and occasionally, elementary school students. It was introduced as a school uniform in 1920 in Heian Jogakuin and 1921 by the principal of Fukuoka Jo Gakuin University, Elizabeth Lee. It was modeled after the uniform used by the British Royal Navy at the time, which Lee had experienced as an exchange student in the United Kingdom.

And then there is Kogal (コギャル kogyaru), a Japanese fashion culture which involves schoolgirls wearing an outfit based on their uniform, but with very short skirts. The short skirts are worn irrespective of the season (summer, winter or rainy). There are various Japanese girls' music bands such as AKB48, SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, JKT48, SNH48, no3b, Watarirouka Hashiritai, French Kiss, Not Yet, DiVA, Nogizaka46, Scandal, etc. where the girls perform dressed as school-girls. The media is not spared either. Various Japanese animation series (both print and animated video) are based on schoolgirls. Kogals even appear in the movie Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003).

Toy and action figure collectors are not spared either. There was the Phicen Limited Artistic Interpretation 1:6 scale The Last Female Student Collector Figure previewed on my toy blog HERE. Let's not forget the Hot Toys Sucker Punch 1/6th scale Babydoll (Emily Browning) 12-inch Collectible Figure which I have reviewed HERE and HERE, also wearing a provocative schoolgirl costume, much like the gals in the Japanese shōjo manga series "Sailor Moon" but more closely associated with Seya in "Blood: The Last Vampire".

This is an upcoming release by Battle Girl and their BG-001 1:6 scale Red Scarf female action figure goes into battle with guns and vest but wears only a school girl's uniform with a mini skirt. Well, if Emily Browning as Babydoll did it on the big screen, anything is possible LOL

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Pre-order Sideshow Collectibles 1:6 scale Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice 12-inch Figure

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"Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!"

Its showtime!
From Tim Burtons supernatural cult classic comedy, Sideshow is proud to introduce the Beetlejuice Sixth Scale Figure.

Presenting Michael Keaton as the self-proclaimed ghost with the most, Beetlejuice is dressed to impress in his black and white striped suit, with wide eyes and wild hair. Crafted on a fully articulated poseable body, the fast-talking ghoul comes with a variety of swap-out hands and accessories to liven things up when pitching his qualifications as a bio-exorcist. Packed with personality and screen accurate details, the Beetlejuice Sixth Scale Figure is a must have for fans of Tim Burtons Beetlejuice. So go ahead, make your millennium!

Sideshow Collectibles Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice Sixth Scale Collectible Figure specially features: Detailed likeness of Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, Finely tailored classic black and white striped suit, Five (5) pairs of expression hands, One (1) nail file hand, Watches

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Hot Toys "Iron Man 3" House Party Protocol 1/6th scale Sneaky (Mark XV) Collectible Figure

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Continuing to expand the Hot Toys “House Party Protocol”, we are delighted to officially present the 1/6th scale collectible figure of one of the uniquely designed Iron Man suits from Marvel's Iron Man 3 – Sneaky (Mark XV)!

This armor earns its name “Sneaky” for its cloaking system that can allow it to enter stealth mode and camouflage itself within its surrounding.

The collectible figure stands features the meticulously crafted armor that captures the suit’s unique and original design, specially applied bluish-black and silver painting on armor with decals and weathering effects throughout whole body, LED light-up functions on eyes, arc reactor, repulsors, and left forearm, and a dynamic figure stand perfect for aerial poses.

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Pre-order ThreeZero 1/6th scale Fallout 4 T-45 Power Armor 14.5-inch tall Collectible Figure

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Fallout 4 is an action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It is set in a post-apocalyptic Boston in the year 2287, 210 years after a devastating nuclear war, in which the player character emerges from an underground bunker known as Vault 111. The player completes various quests and acquires experience points to level up their character. With first- and third-person perspectives available, players can explore Fallout 4's open world setting at will, allowing nonlinear gameplay. Companions can accompany the player on their voyages to assist them in battles and help with scavenging. Players have the ability to construct and deconstruct buildings and items, and use them to build a settlement, which can attract and be inhabited by non-playable characters.

ThreeZero 1/6th scale Fallout 4 T-45 Power Armor Collectible figure stands 14.5” (36.8 cm) tall and features over 35 points of articulation (including articulated figures). Figure comes with highly detailed and exchangeable male head, helmet (which features a light-up LED function) and AER-9 Laser Rifle. All outer-armor pieces are detachable and interchangeable with upcoming FO4 Power Armor figures. Under the detachable outer-armor, you will find endoskeleton with amazing attention to every detail.

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D&K Workshop 1/6th scale IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Givati Brigade in Gaza Strip 12" figure

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal (צה״ל), are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel. The Israel Defense Forces differs from most armed forces in the world in many ways. Differences include the mandatory conscription of women and its structure, which emphasizes close relations between the army, navy, and air force. Since its founding, the IDF has been specifically designed to match Israel's unique security situation. The IDF is one of Israeli society's most prominent institutions, influencing the country's economy, culture and political scene.

D&K Workshop (Item No.: DK80001) 1/6th scale IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Givati Brigade in Gaza Strip 12-inch military figure will come with Head Sculpt, DK Action Body 1.0 and his outfit will consist of: Givati Beret, IDF Combat Shirt, IDF Combat Pants, IDF Combat Belt, Black Combat Boot, IDF Tactical Knee Pads, Givati Shoulder Tag, IDF Army Officer field rank.

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Square Enix Reveals Play Arts Kai "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" Batman figure

As the film release date draws near, Square Enix has joined the list of toy and action figure companies offering "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" products. They have just released images of their Play Arts Kai "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" Batman figure.

Square’s Play Arts Kai Batman will be about 9.7 inches tall and come with a Batarang, grapple gun with removable grapple, stun grenade and four interchangeable hands. The figure is designed for hyper-articulated posing and even the cape can be arranged to match Batman’s dynamic poses. A clear figure stand with base and arm is included with the figure. The Play Arts Kai Batman is scheduled for April 2016 release.

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Preview POP Toys 1/6th Princess Knight female action figure - Kristen Stewart as Snow White

Snow White and the Huntsman is a 2012 dark fantasy action-adventure film based on the German fairy tale "Snow White" compiled by the Brothers Grimm. In the film's retelling of the tale, Snow White (Kristen Stewart) grows up imprisoned by her evil stepmother, Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron), a powerful sorceress. After Snow White escapes into the forest, Ravenna tells Eric, the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) that she will bring back his dead wife if he captures Snow White. After the Huntsman shifts his loyalty to Snow White, Ravenna disguises herself and tempts Snow White into eating a poisoned apple.

The Huntsman professes his regret for not saving Snow White, who reminds him of his late wife, and kisses her, breaking the spell. She awakens and walks into the courtyard, and rallies the Duke's army to mount a siege against Queen Ravenna.

POP Toys 1/6th scale Princess Knight 12-inch female action figure Features: Female Head Sculpt, Female Figure body, Undershirt, Pants,Boots, Hand Assortment, Short skirt, Sleeve set, Chainmail sleeve set, Chainmail clothes, Chest armor, Back armor, Shoulder armor, Leg armor, Knee armor, Hand armor, Sword, Scabbard, Shield, Belt

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Check out this Coreplay 1/6th scale Legacy Of Olympus – Zeus 12-inch female action figure

In Greek mythology, Zeus was the god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods. He overthrew his father, Cronus, and then drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades, in order to decide who would succeed their father on the throne. Zeus won the draw and became the supreme ruler of the gods, as well as lord of the sky and rain. His weapon was a thunderbolt which he hurled at those who displeased or defied him, especially liars and oathbreakers. He was married to Hera but often tested her patience, as he was infamous for his many affairs.

But in this day and age of political correctness and feminism where women want equal rights and opportunities, the question might be asked, "What if Zeus was a woman?" Well, some toy company decided to answer that question. This is Coreplay's 1/6th scale Legacy Of Olympus Zeus 12-inch female action figure.

Coreplay 1/6th scale Legacy Of Olympus - Zeus 12-inch female action figure will include: Zeus (including head，body，body suit，full armor), 4 pairs of hands, lightning platform

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Action Figure Review II: Sideshow "Star Wars" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot

continued from previous toy blog post...

Here's a look at the Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot 12-inch figure without his helmet, showing off the Mark Hamill as as Luke Skywalker head sculpt / portrait. In the first part action figure review posted on my toy blog HERE, I covered the box packaging and contents as well as the instructions on how to remove the helmet from Luke's head and how to switch hair pieces.

Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1/6th scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-wing Pilot 12-inch figure comes with: Newly Designed and Fully Articulated Light Body, Highly Detailed Luke Skywalker Portrait, Helmet with Visor and Comlink, Detailed Flight Pressurized G-Suit, Flak Vest, Life Support Unit with Chest Pack Straps, Gear Harness with Belt Flares, Data Cylinders, Right and Left Relaxed Flight Gloved Hands, Right and Left Flight Gloved Fists, Right Force Gesture Flight Gloved Hand, Right and Left Flight Boots, Signal Flares, Support Stand with Yavin Base Flight Deck Graphic.

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Kotobukiya previews the Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice 1/10 ARTFX+ statues combined

Kotobukiya previews the Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice 1/10 ARTFX+ statues

The fight between Batman and Superman in the upcoming DC Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice film will be epic. Fearing the actions of Superman if left unchecked, Batman takes on Superman, while the world wrestles with what kind of a hero it really needs.

Combine the two ARTFX+ statues together at the base to replicate the epic battle everyone has been waiting for! The ARTFX+ Batman and Superman are sold separately so that they can also be displayed by themselves. As the Man of Steel swings his punches at Batman, Gotham's vigilante guards himself with one arm, with his fist pulled back ready to strike at Superman. The 1/10 scale ARTFX+ Batman V Superman statues include all the intricate details at an easier to collect size. Don't miss the chance to own the two most famous DC Comics heroes!

Another epic battle occurred last year when Tony Stark in his Iron Man Hulkbuster suit of armor took on the Hulk in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and Kotobukiya also managed to capture that epic scene in 1/10 scale as well - see the pictures posted in my toy blog post HERE.

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Dam Toys 78033 1/6th scale British Army (The Black Rats) in Afghanistan 12-inch military figure

For 13 years, between 2001 and 2014, the UK was involved in the conflict in Afghanistan against the Taliban and fighters from al-Qaeda. UK forces are deployed to Afghanistan in support of the UN-authorised, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission and as part of the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Since 2003 UK operations in Afghanistan have been conducted under the name Operation HERRICK.

In 2014 UK troops ended combat operations and began to leave Afghanistan, closing down or handing over bases to Afghan forces. By the end of the year a small number of soldiers remained to continue the training and development of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.

Dam Toys 78033 1/6th scale British Army in Afghanistan 12-inch military figure will come with head sculpt, Dam 2.0 action body, glove hands for holding weapon x3, Mk7 helmet with MTP cover, AN/PVS-14 NVG, helmet mount assembly, NVG retention lanyard, combat googles, Osprey body armour Mk4, MTP osprey admin pouch, MTP osprey single mag pouch x2, MTP osprey 2 mag pouch, MTP osprey smoke grenade pouch, MTP osprey frag grenade pouch x2, MTP osprey first aid pouch, molle GP pouch, molle roll up dump pouch, triple 40mm grenade pouch x2, MTP mod AN/PRC-152 radio pouch, MTP radio pouch, MTP pelvic protection, MTP PCS UBACS, MTP PCS trousers, MTP molle belt ensemble, MTP hydration system 3l, knee pads, zephyr high GTX boots, G-shock watch, Foretrex 401 GPS, carabiner, survival and navigation notebook, pen x2, multi tool with pouch, bottle drinking water x2, satellite pictures x3, handcuffs x2, safety scissors, combat application tourniquet, ISAF patch, black rat patch, flag patch, H4855 personal role radio with headset, EZPRR radio GPS, AN/PRC-152 radio, L85A2 with SA-80 underslung grenade launcher (UGL), UGL sight, LLM01 laser light module, SA-80 long sight rail, Specter OS4X sight, CQS red dot sight, L85 sling, 30rd emag x3, 5.56mm 30rd mag x3, 40mm grenade x6, frag grenade x2, P226 pistol, pistol mag, CQC holster, CQC holster molle platform

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Check out the Hot Toys Star Wars Battlefront 1/6th scale Shock Trooper Collectible Figure

Imperial shock troopers were high-class stormtroopers pulled from the Stormtrooper Corps of the Galactic Empire. They served as elite frontline forces of the Empire, and also as bodyguards for Emperor Palpatine himself. They were the successors to the clone shock troopers who were part of the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars - check out the action figure reviews of the Sideshow Collectibles Imperial Shock Trooper posted on my toy blog HERE and HERE. The shock troopers wore stormtrooper armor with distinctive red markings on the helmet, spaulders, shin guards, and utility belts.

EA Star Wars Battlefront had been one of the most sough-after Star Wars games of 2015 with 12 million copies sold since its release in November and it was even nominated for the Best Shooter game in The Game Awards 2015! Fans were very excited to get the chance to play as a wide variety of Star Wars characters in this beautiful looking game! As a big Star Wars fans, Hot Toys is thrilled to be creating a series of 1/6th scale collectibles based on this stunning game!

To kick start this new Star Wars collectible series, we are delighted to officially present the 1/6th scale collectible figure of a unique Imperial trooper from the game – the Shock Trooper!

The highly-accurate collectible figure is specially crafted based on the image of Shock Trooper in Star Wars Battlefront featuring the meticulously crafted armor and helmet, the distinctive red and white color paint on armor with weathering effects, detailed weapons and a newly designed equipment backpack, and a desert-themed figure stand!

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Pre-order Sideshow Collectibles Limited Edition Captain Marvel 23" Premium Format™ Figure

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Captain Marvel. The name will always define the best of us.”

Featuring one of Marvel’s rising female superheroes, with an immensely popular ongoing comic book series and highly anticipated cinematic debut, Sideshow is proud to introduce the Captain Marvel Premium Format™ Figure!

Caught in an explosive blast from an alien device, Carol Danvers first used her amazing abilities as the incredible Ms. Marvel, before ultimately assuming the esteemed mantle of Captain Marvel. Soaring over the conquered remains of a Brood spaceship, the former ace fighter pilot radiates confidence in her modern superhero flight suit, taking her trademark bravado to the stars as Earth’s resident Avenger-in-Space and ally to the Guardians of the Galaxy. Showcasing the mighty champion as the shining star she was always meant to be, Sideshow’s Captain Marvel Premium Format™ Figure is a must-have for any Marvel fan and collector!

Not to be confused with DC Comics Captain Marvel, also known as "Shazam".

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Hot Toys Star Wars: The Force Awakens 1/6th scale Rey Collectible Figure Update - good news

From Hot Toys:
Hey Star Wars fans, Hot Toys’ highly detailed 1/6th scale collectible figure of Rey featuring the remarkable likeness of the talented Daisy Ridley has received many great feedbacks since its official introduction!

Today we are very excited to share great news with you all on the updates we have for this amazing collectible figure! The desert gear head wrap with goggles can now be freely put onto Rey’s head sculpt to provide an additional look for our beloved scavenger or have the head wrap cover the whole face to reenact the opening scene of the movie!

Furthermore, Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber will now be included for Rey as a bonus accessory!

Fans who have pre-ordered this collectible figure (or the Rey and BB-8 Collectible Set - previewed on my toy blog earlier HERE) will be able to enjoy all these upgrades, and for those who haven't done so yet, be sure not to miss out on adding Rey to your Star Wars collection!

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Captain Action announces Ultraman Outfit “Long Lost” collectible to be produced in Japan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Captain Action Announces Ultraman Outfit “Long Lost” collectible to be produced in Japan after 50 years New York, N.Y. (January 16, 2016): Captain Action Enterprises, LLC is proud to announce a partnership with MEDICOM TOY CORPORATION to produce the long-lost Ultraman outfit.

This uniform set was planned to be a part of the popular super-hero line of costume sets to be used in conjunction with the iconic 12” (30 cm) Captain Action figure. An image of this outfit was shown only once in Shonen (Magazine) in the 1960s and was designed to be a contest prize for the readers. To many modern fans, it was surprising to know such thing existed!

“For Captain Action’s launch in Japan, Nippon Ideal made plans to give Captain Action an Ultraman costume. However, events conspired to prevent the Ultraman costume from becoming a reality, but not before pictures of it had appeared in articles about Captain Action in several issues of “Shonen (Magazine)” (“Boys Magazine”). For decades, fans of both Ultraman and Captain Action have looked at those few grainy pictures and wished that the Ultraman costume had been released to toy stores,” said James Long, a Japanese Anime and Tokusatsu Historian and fan of Captain Action.

This new Ultraman outfit will be released as a part of the 50th Anniversary celebration of Captain Action.

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ThreeA 2000 AD 1/12th scale Collectible Series Edition JUDGE FEAR 6.6-inch action figure

Judge Fear is one of the four Dark Judges and symbolizes the horrors of War. He is an imposing figure who wears a black great helmet accented with large, bat-like wings. When passing judgement, he opens his helmet's faceplate and frightens the accused to death with whatever lies within, whilst reciting his catch phrase, "Gaze into the face of Fear!"

The actual face under the helmet has only been revealed twice: once as a mass of eyeballs, and on another occasion as several grotesque mandibles. No explanation has been given as to whether these monstrosities are indicative of Fear's physical face, or if they are simply manifestations of his victims' fears.

Gaze into the face of Fear! The grotesque and imposing Dark Judge hellbent on terrifying all life to death! ThreeA’s 1/12th Scale Collectible Series Edition brings the haunting visage of Fear to life with an incredibly detailed and fully articulated sculpt, gorgeous paint applications, and intricately tailored fabric outfit including real metal chains.

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Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot figure review 1

continued from previous toy blog post...

After rescuing Princess Leia from her prison cell 2187 on the Death Star with the help of Han and Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker and his new found friends flee to the rebels' hidden base on Yavin IV. Luke joins the rebel assault squadron as the rebels prepare to launch an attack on the Death Star after analyzing the Death Star plans and identifying a vulnerable exhaust port that connects to the station's main reactor.

This is Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot 12-inch figure which was released recently (see my December 2015 haul post HERE). It seems appropriate to feature this Luke Skywalker figure after having reviewed Hot Toys Luke figure in the previous action figure review posts on my toy blog.

Not wanting to wait for Hot Toys to release this figure (we don't know if they ever will, what with so many movie licenses and commitments on their hands, not forgetting the countless Iron Man armors they have yet to complete), I decided to place a preorder for this Sideshow Collectibles "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1:6 scale Luke Skywalker Red Five X-Wing Pilot 12-inch figure some time back and am quite pleased with the release of this figure. Luke and the X-Wing he flew in played a very big part in the climatic battle (like a David vs Goliath) so Luke in X-Wing pilot gear is a nice addition to any Star Wars figure collection.

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Preview ThreeZero 1/6th scale RWBY: Yang Xiao Long 33 cm (13 inch) female action figure

RWBY (pronounced "Ruby") is an American animated web series (with very strong Japanese influenced anime / manga vibes to it) created by Monty Oum for Rooster Teeth Productions. The show is set in the fictional world of Remnant, which is filled with supernatural forces. The series focuses on Team RWBY, which consists of Ruby Rose (Lindsay Jones), Weiss Schnee (Kara Eberle), Blake Belladonna (Arryn Zech) and Yang Xiao Long (Barbara Dunkelman). ThreeZero has already released preview pictures of 1/6th scale RWBY Ruby Rose (posted on my toy blog HERE) and 1/6th scale Weiss Schnee (pictures HERE).

Sadly, Oum suffered a severe allergic reaction during a medical procedure and fell into a coma on January 22, 2015. He died on February 1, 2015.

Yang Xiao Long is one of the main characters and her weapon of choice is a pair of Dual Ranged Shot Gauntlets, Ember Celica. ThreeZero 1/6th scale R.W.B.Y: Yang Xiao Long collectible details: figure stands around 33cm / 13 inches tall; new fully-articulated body developed specifically for the RWBY series of collectible figures; paint application to depict the cell shaded design of the character; hand-tailored clothing and detailed accessories; ”Ember Celica“ weapon (Bracelets mode & Gauntlets mode); 2 pairs of interchangeable hands: relaxed hands and closed fists.

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Review III: Hot Toys "Star Wars: A New Hope" 1/6th scale Luke Skywalker 12-inch Action Figure

continued from previous toy blog post...

In Star Wars: A New Hope, Luke manages to get a ride out of Tatooine onboard the Millennium Falcon. Luke is training with his lightsaber and a laser remote aboard the Millennium Falcon. Luke gets shot by the remote. Han Solo laughs. Obi-Wan Kenobi gets up and takes a blast helmet and hands it to Luke.

Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi: I suggest you try it again, Luke. Only this time, let go your conscious self and act on instinct. [puts the helmet on Luke, which covers his eyes]
Luke Skywalker: But with the blast shield down, I can't even see! How am I supposed to fight?

This is Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS297 "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1/6th scale Luke Skywalker 12-inch collectible figure wearing the blast / training helmet and sparring with the training remote which comes with the boxed set. The right hand holding the lightsaber is the one that has the LED-light up switch with battery compartment which I had reviewed earlier in my first part action figure review on my toy blog HERE. A very clever feat of engineering by the folks at Hot Toys has made a lighted lightsaber possible in 1:6 scale.

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POP TOYS F24 1/6th scale New York Police - Policeman and Policewoman 12-inch figures

The New York City Police Department (NYPD or NYCPD), officially the City of New York Police Department, was established in 1845 and is the largest municipal police force in the United States, having primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City. The NYPD is one of the oldest police departments established in the United States, tracing its roots back to the seventeenth century.

Members of the NYPD are frequently referred to by politicians, some media and their own police cars by the nickname New York's Finest. The NYPD is headquartered at 1 Police Plaza, located on Park Row in Lower Manhattan across the street from City Hall.

These are soon-to-be-released POP TOYS 1/6th scale New York Police - Policeman and Policewoman 12-inch figures or male and female NYPD officers. First impressions: I think the sleeves on the male officer's shirt is way too short. He looks more like a male stripper pretending to be a policeman than an actual law enforcement officer. I also don't think Police Officers are allowed to have a beard or five o'clock shadow. He looks more like the perp he's supposed to catch / apprehend LOL Also the belt is worn too loose and the pouches are missing in front. Just google NYPD and you can see plenty of images of these fine officers of the law and they look nothing like the figure being shown here. I have some 1/6th scale Police Officer action figures from before and they look better than this. One such 12-inch figure is the Real Heroes Top Cop action figure reviewed on my toy blog HERE.

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Pre-order 22" H (558.8mm) Dark Phoenix Premium Format™ Figure by Sideshow

Pre-order from Sideshow Collectibles

OR You can also pre-order at BBTS

“When the Dark Phoenix rises, suns grow cold and universes die!”

Inspired by one of the most classic and beloved X-Men story arcs, Sideshow Collectibles is proud to present the Dark Phoenix Premium Format™ Figure from the Dark Phoenix Saga.

No one can control the power of the Phoenix! Overcome by her own vast potential, and corrupted beyond recognition, Jean Grey transforms into one of the X-Men’s all-time most powerful threats – the Dark Phoenix! Elevated to a near godlike status, the beautiful mutant hovers deftly over a blazing manifestation of the birdlike entity that has possessed her. Clad in her new magnificent red and gold costume, and charged by pure cosmic energy, her hair floats gracefully upward to frame her face in a moment of both calm and fury. Consumed by a cataclysmic appetite for destruction, the Dark Phoenix sets her sights on a new galaxy to devour.

Pre-order from Sideshow Collectibles

OR You can also pre-order at BBTS

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Pre-order Square Enix Play Arts Kai 1:7 Scale Halo 5: Guardians: Spartan Locke Action Figure

Pre-order from Sideshow Collectibles

OR you can also pre-order at BBTS

Master Chief has gone missing, and Spartan Locke, an expert in tracking and eliminating dangerous high value targets, is the one looking for him. Locke's portrayal as a polar opposite of Master Chief is reflected in his sleek, modern design.

This will be the upcoming Square Enix Play Arts Kai 1:7 Scale Halo 5: Guardians: Spartan Locke Action Figure. The small details of this figure are intricately sculpted without hampering its mobility and poseability. Holsters in the back and thighs have also been faithfully reproduced. The body has a weathered finish, with luminescence in the paint as well as in translucent parts like the visor. These details and more make this a quintessential action figure. The sophisticated style is that of a warrior for a new age. This 10-1/2" tall figure includes display stand and interchangeable hand parts.

Pre-order from Sideshow Collectibles

OR you can also pre-order at BBTS

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Brother Production presents Revenge of the Replicant aka Roy Batty Action Figure REVIEW

Happy Birthday Roy!

This toy blog post is a blast from the past. I posted it on June 29, 2010 and almost six years on it has become relevant again :)

Roy Batty (portrayed by Rutger Hauer), model number N6MAA10816, is the leader of the renegade Nexus-6 replicants and the main antagonist of the film "Blade Runner". He was activated on January 8, 2016 (incept date), which makes him 3 years and 10 months old by the time of the events of the film. So I guess we are now in the FUTURE! Sure don't look like it.

"I've... seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain... Time to die." These were Roy Batty's last words as he reached the end of his four-year lifespan as a replicant (bioengineered or biorobotic being or simply, android - a robot or synthetic organism designed to look and act like a human).

This is the Brother Production 1/6th scale Revenge of the Replicant 12-inch figure. In the movie "Blade Runner (1982)", Roy Batty is the leader of the renegade Nexus-6 replicants. Roy Batty was played by Rutger Hauer, a Dutch film actor. He is most remembered as the eccentric, violent, yet sympathetic renegade replicant.

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Check out the Kotobukiya Marvel Comics Lady Deadpool Bishoujo Statue - What in the world?!

Lady Deadpool is a female version of Deadpool from the alternate reality Earth-3010, named Wanda Wilson. Out of a need to belong and feel wanted, she joins the side of a group of rebels fighting against loyalists in the United States (a situation started by factions within the government by fascists and from select states seceding). Being the alternate universe version of Deadpool, Wanda Wilson also has incredible athletic ability and fighting prowess. She is skilled with firearms and also has Deadpool's incredible healing factor. It is assumed that she has all the same powers as Deadpool.

Japanese artist Shunya Yamashita has designed a Lady Deadpool statue for Kotobukiya's Bishoujo line of Marvel heroines. The statue comes with an alternate head depicting her unmasked face. With multiple pieces that allow for various display configurations it's no wonder that the Lady Deadpool Bishoujo statue is one of our most popular releases!

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Asmus Toys Lord of the Rings 1/6th scale Merry and Pippin Hobbit 20.5cm tall collectible figures

Pre-order Asmus Toys The Lord of the Ring: Return of the King Merry & Pippin Set at BBTS

Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck was a Hobbit and one of Frodo's cousins and closest friends. He loved boats and ponies and had a great interest in the maps of Middle-earth. He is also one of the nine companions in The Fellowship of the Ring. Merry was considered the most perceptive and intelligent of the hobbits, for example, even before Frodo Baggins leaves the Shire, he knew of the One Ring and its power. Dominic Monaghan portrays Merry in the Motion Picture Trilogy.

Peregrin Took, more commonly known as Pippin, was a Hobbit of the Shire, and one of Frodo Baggins's youngest but closest friends. He was a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. Pippin was portrayed by Billy Boyd in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

These are upcoming Lord of the Rings 1/6th scale Merry and Pippin Hobbit collectible figures that will be released by Asmus Toys.

Pre-order Asmus Toys The Lord of the Ring: Return of the King Merry & Pippin Set at BBTS

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Hot Toys "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1/6 scale Luke Skywalker Action Figure Review II

continued from previous toy blog post...

A moisture farmer was an individual who operated a moisture farm, using vaporators to harvest excess humidity in the atmosphere. On sun-scorched worlds like Tatooine, most settlers of the desert were moisture farmers. Luke Skywalker spent his youth on the Lars' moisture farm, where his uncle unsuccessfully tried to discourage his adventurous tendencies, telling him that his father had been "a navigator on a spice freighter" during the Clone Wars.

Having already reviewed Hot Toys MMS297 Luke Skywalker earlier with his LED-lighted lightsaber as well as the box and its contents (see my post HERE), I thought I'll show Luke in his Tatooine desert gear and accessories which were included with the boxed set.

We don't see much of Luke in this getup in the film. Apparently sandstorms scour the surface of Tatooine for days at a time and Luke wears a desert poncho and hat with goggles for protection during windy days. His macrobinoculars allows him to scan further than his eyes can possibly see. He holds his 6-2Aug2 hunting rifle in his right hand. His uncle started teaching him to use it when he was only seven years old, the same age Owen started. Luke often used womp rats as target practice; by the time he was seventeen, he could shoot them from the driver's seat of his landspeeder without stopping to aim.

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Entoys ET-002 1/6th scale Blade Girl Vol.2 - “Viper” 12-inch female sniper action figure

This will be ENTOYS second offering in their Blade Girl series. Their first gal "Bolita" was previewed earlier on my toy blog HERE.

Short backstory / intro:
In A.D. 2075, the World War III broke out. The ignorant human used nuclear weapon and the earth was in a disaster. Resources on the earth were almost exhausted and the living creatures became extinct, including human beings. Human continue severe slaughter for resources. Among these plunderers, the organization named Blade Girl is the flagship.

Entoys ET-002 1/6th scale blade girl vol.2 - “viper” 12-inch female sniper action figure will come with female head sculpt, female body, jacket, T-shirt, pants, drop-down thigh holster for crossbow arrows, relaxed gloved hands (one pair), trigger hands (one pair), alternate hands (one pair), boots, elbow pads, M14 sniper rifle, rifle magazines, Crossbow, arrows.

There's a certain Lara Croft vibe to this figure. Her outfit does look rather clean for a post-apocalyptic world. One would think that they'll look a lot dirtier like those in Mad Max Fury Road.

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Check out Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS347 Deadpool 1/6th scale collectible figure

PreOrder from Sideshow Collectibles

OR you can also pre-order at BBTS

“Wait ‘til you get a load of me.”

Marvel’s most unconventional superhero, Deadpool, will finally hit the silver screen in full glory with his over-the-top personality, dark twisted sense of humor, and tendency to break the fourth wall which fans have always loved! Today, Hot Toys is very excited to officially introduce the one and only 1/6th scale Deadpool collectible figure based on the upcoming Deadpool Movie!

In this new film, the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson will be unfolded, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

The movie-accurate collectible figure is specially crafted based on the image of Deadpool from the film. It features a newly developed masked head sculpt with 5 pairs of interchangeable eye pieces to create numerous combinations of Deadpool’s expressions, newly developed body, meticulously tailored Deadpool suit with weathering effects, Deadpool’s signature katanas and pistols, variety of interchangeable hands with gestures, and a specially designed Deadpool themed dynamic figure stand perfect for aerial poses.

PreOrder from Sideshow Collectibles

OR you can also pre-order at BBTS

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Review 1: Hot Toys MMS297 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope 1/6th scale Luke Skywalker

In the Star Wars universe, Luke Skywalker was a Tatooine farmboy who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest Jedi the galaxy has ever known. Along with his friends Princess Leia and Han Solo, Luke battled the evil Empire, discovered the truth of his parentage, and ended the tyranny of the Sith.

Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series MMS297 "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1/6th scale Luke Skywalker collectible figure is young Luke at its origins. In the original May 1977 release, the movie was just called "Star Wars" as nobody expected a sequel or a future for George Lucas' space drama / sci-fi film - boy, did they get it wrong! This 12-inch (approximately 28 cm tall) figure was only recently released by Hot Toys - see the toy blog post of my December haul HERE - which makes it 38 years after the film has been released, talk about late arrivals! Still, this is by far the best Luke Skywalker figure ever produced so I guess it was worth the wait. With all the recent hype about Star Wars and it's ever popular status, this figure will not be outdated or remain unknown with all the eager and excited Star Wars fans in the world.

I don't even remember Mark Hamill being this young. His last portrayal of Luke Skywalker was in the "Return of the Jedi (1983)" and by then, he was no longer the farmboy who grew up on the desert planet Tatooine. He had become a Jedi master. But one must always remember their roots and not forget how they came about. That's why we have this Hot Toys "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1/6th scale Luke Skywalker 12-inch collectible figure to bring us back to the beginning.

This is the first Hot Toys figure I own to have the LED-lighted blue lightsaber (white light, battery operated). In fact, this is the first 1/6th scale light-up lightsaber I have ever seen or come across so that's advancement in technology for the 12-inch figure collecting community. Posting this action figure review on my toy blog will set in record when this innovation took place. How do they fit batteries into the lightsaber hilt to make it light up? It's a case of clever engineering on Hot Toys' part and you'll have to read on to find out. Once again Hot Toys is showing the way for others to follow. They are certainly market leaders in the 1:6 scale collecting world that is ever growing and expanding.

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Evolution of the Star Wars Stormtrooper: Episode II (Phase 1 armor) to Episode VII First Order

continued from previous toy blog post...

After two action figure review posts on the Hot Toys MMS317 Star Wars: The Force Awakens 1:6th scale First Order Stormtrooper 12-inch Collectible Figure, I just had to put the latest Stormtrooper side-by-side with the other Stormtroopers that have come before for comparison shots. I also took a group picture of some of the Stormtroopers I have in my 1:6 Star Wars figure collection to see how they look together. Check out the pictures below :)

The Star Wars Stormtroopers are one of the most iconic and recognisable characters in our world today and I doubt anyone who has a computer screen and access to the internet will say that they have no idea what a Stormtrooper looks like. But the Stormtrooper didn't just have one look. When George Lucas wanted to make his Star Wars prequels (Episodes I to III) after the success of the Star Wars films (Episodes IV to VI), the creative team had to think of a way to design the earlier era Trooper's costumes / outfits to look like they would evolve to the all too familiar Stormtrooper outfits we have come to know and love.

So for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, we saw supposedly for the first time the birth of the Clone Troopers designed by Kamino Armorers and Jango Fett. They were all white at first before colors were added to denote rank. By the time Episode III: Revenge of the Sith came out, the clone troopers were wearing Phase II armor with helmets that had polarized lens and lighter but stronger armor. Colors now denoted unit designation. When the Imperial Stormtroopers came on the scene (as seen in Episodes IV to VI), the clone army was being replaced by non-clone humans and armor variants were adopted according to the roles e.g Scout Trooper armor and Snow Trooper armor. So for Episode VII, they had to up the ante and fine-tune the costume / outfit design to make it look updated. I think they did manage to do that and I am quite pleased with the newest addition to the Stormtrooper ranks.

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Hot Toys Star Wars: The Force Awakens 1/6th scale First Order Stormtrooper Figure Review II

continued from previous toy blog post...

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!!! May you all have a blast collecting this year :)

You won't be getting many dynamic poses out of this Hot Toys MMS317 Star Wars: The Force Awakens 1:6th scale First Order Stormtrooper 12-inch Collectible Figure but that's only because this has to be the most authentic and detailed likeness of the First Order Stormtrooper as seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens ever! This highly-accurate collectible figure features a brand new design of the Stormtrooper armor and helmet which is fine. The problem lies in the black under-suit (officially termed "temperature control body glove") that is worn beneath all the armor. The black body glove is made up of a mixed material of leather (for the lower body i.e. legs) and rubber (for the upper body / neck and arms) parts which is most movie-accurate but impedes the figure's articulation quite a bit, especially the leather clad legs. The leather is tight around the legs and therefore does not allow for much movement. You won't be able to get a lot of bend in them.

That said, I still like this figure a lot and wouldn't want to trade the figure's accuracy for pose-ability. The armor is very thin yet extremely sturdy and looks very good on the figure. The shoulder pauldrons stay in place nicely and the multi-layered chest armor along with the rest is beautiful in its design and wonderful in its execution. Top marks to Hot Toys for getting all the details into this figure and making this one of the best looking Stormtroopers ever seen (in my opinion anyway).

I've already covered much of this Hot Toys MMS317 Star Wars: The Force Awakens 1:6th scale First Order Stormtrooper 12-inch Collectible Figure in my first-part action figure review posted earlier HERE and this post is just another chance to show off more pictures taken of this Stormtrooper figure. In this instance, firing from the hip with his Sonn-Blas F-11D Blaster Rifle.

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