McFarlane Announces Collector Level Program for SportsPicks

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I don’t cover a lot of action figure news in the sports genre – I don’t collect sports memorabilia, and I am not sure I really understand the mindset of the sports action figure collector.  Take this Collector Level Program announcement from McFarlane Toys.  After you get past the usual hyperbole of of how McF revolutionized the action figure industry, you get to the meat and potatoes:

  • Expands chase figure program, adding “Collector Level” variants to existing “Classic Chase” and “Super Chase” variants
  • Six levels of exclusivity – Bronze, Silver, Gold, Premier, All-Star, and MVP
  • Level indicates production run size, ranging from 1,000 – 2,000 for Bronze and 1 – 50 for MVP
  • Nearly all figures in a series will have either a Collector Level or Classic Chase figure
  • Every case will get a Collector Level or Classic Chase figure
  • Packaging is being redesigned as a clamshell and will include a “treasure map” indicating the Collector Level figures in the series

Now, like I said, I don’t know much about the sports action figure mindset, but what I want to see in superhero toys is the characters I’m looking for to be made easier to find.  This just seems like a scalper’s dream and a collector’s nightmare.

The Spawn.com announcement has a poll asking for feedback on the Collector Level program.  The choices are great, good, and ok.  Way to put it out there, McF!

Continue reading “McFarlane Announces Collector Level Program for SportsPicks”

First Look – Masters of the Universe Classics Teela – thefwoosh.com

And here we are –  Veebee has posted his first look at the Masters of the Universe Classics Teela.  Mrow!

Masters of the Universe Classics Teela - with 200X and vintage Teelas
Masters of the Universe Classics Teela - with 200X and vintage Teelas

Before we go any further, let’s get to the obvious – this is a gorgeous figure. It is becoming ubiquitous to say (even though I, in fact, love saying it) but the Four Horsemen are, ahem, Masters of Masters of the Universe (and anything else they touch). What continues to amaze me is the fact that they are still getting better at what they do, especially with the female figures. I got my DCUC Power Girl figure about a month ago and the first thing I said was “They are going to have to do a lot to top this one”. Well, as you can probably guess by the wordy build-up, Teela is right up there with her. I think I am in love. Again.

via First Look – Masters of the Universe Classics Teela | thefwoosh.com.

AFP’s Hasbro Marvel Q&A Roundup – 9/25/9

Here’s the latest Q&A from the Hasbro Marvel team. Thanks guys!

There’s some promising tidbits about Marvel figures in the 6-inch scale. We did have some questions about Marvel Universe, but they limited their answers to our first three questions.

1. There are a lot of Marvel Legends prototypes that have been developed by Hasbro over the years (mostly shown for “poll” purposes) that as of yet don’t seem to have a planned release. Are these poll non-winners off of the table (aside from whatever three make the cut in addition to the fan choice voting)? What would be the most effective way for fans and collectors to let it be known that they want to see these figures produced? And when will you be sharing the Hasbro picks for the upcoming 2-packs?

ML Fan Choice - Lady Bullseye (767x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - X-Force Wolverine (768x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - Bi-Beast (769x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - Nuke (772x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - Phoenix (766x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - Terror Inc. (763x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - Ms. Marvel 2 (764x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - Warpath (762x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - McGuinness Hulk (768x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - Fantomex 2 (763x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - The Hood 2 (767x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - Havok 2 (769x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - Madrox 2 (770x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - Brother Voodoo 2 (768x1024).jpgML Fan Choice - Paper Bag Spidey (1024x769).jpgML Fan Choice - Constrictor (1024x768).jpg

All of the figures shown could be used for potential future releases, so they are not off the table. Fans can let us know character preference via the boards or sites by publishing a ranking of these characters. This could help to inform future development. The 2 packs are planned to be revealed in early 2010.

Continue reading “AFP’s Hasbro Marvel Q&A Roundup – 9/25/9”

Hot Toys Deluxe Joker Final Promo Pics

I have the Hot Toys DX Joker on pre-order, and should probably consider setting up a direct deposit from my bank account to theirs.  When I saw the early pre-production promo pics I was sold, and have since added the DX Batman and Battle-Damaged Iron Man to my pre-order list.  Part of me is glad that it takes so long to produce these, because my wallet needs a break, but that’s the smaller part.  I want all of them right now!

Hot Toys Tomorrow will be The DX DAY!

DX Joker promo posterbackstage_sample2

via Facebook | Hot Toys.

Plus check out this great video of how the Parallel Eyeball Rolling System works:

DC Universe Classics Justice in the Jungle 2-Pack – thefwoosh.com

Alright, Teela fans, it looks like we’ll be waiting another day or so for a Masters of the Universe Classics Teela review – but VeeBee at the Fwoosh has put up a first look at the upcoming DC Universe Classics Justice in the Jungle 2-pack, with Animal Man and B’wana Beast.  Throughout the Mattel product lines, I think there’s been a reduction in paint apps, but that’s certainly not the case here.  B’wana Beast has got some of the richest paint apps to date, and his skintones are so warm that you almost don’t notice his lack of nipples.

Justice in the Jungle is currently scheduled to go on sale on December 15th on Mattycollector.com – although I think there’s a chance it may slip into the new year since the Color of Fear 2-pack was pushed back a month from October to November.

The figures themselves work really well and I want to highlight that Buddy uses the smaller, slimmer male buck while B’wana Beast uses the larger body shared with guys like Captain Atom. People have said that Mattel should have used the Hawkman body for B’wana Beast (you, know because of the nipples?) but it would have been a trade off as I think that body is too big for B’wana. Paint is a real strong point for this set as well, Animal Man’s eyes are perfectly painted under his goggles and B’wana Beast has very nice airbrushing that accents his muscle tone and very clean lines in the stripes of his loincloth and in the spots of his leopard print.

There is not a ton of 100% new parts on either of the figures (as they don’t really require it) but what is there is great, especially with Animal Man – his jack is new (not a Mr. Terrific reuse) and he does have one of the best head sculpts of the line so far, I really, really love it. B’wana has a great head sculpt as well and I really like how his boot cuffs are textured (much like Giganta’s costume). They could have just used Red Tornado’s boots by they opted to go the extra mile and really counts.

via First Look – DC Universe Classics Justice in the Jungle 2-pack | thefwoosh.com.

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