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Transforming Collections Toy Reference Book – Picture Candidates and Quick Update

About two weeks ago I posted about the Transforming Collections Toy Reference Book project on Kickstarter. Philip Reed, who is the man behind this book about third party add-ons for your Transformers, has been stopping by the various toy communities (for instance, check out his appearances on the WTF@TFW podcast and the CollectionDX video podcast) and is now on the verge of hitting his stretch target of adding four more pages to the book.

I asked him if he had made any decisions as to what pictures he’s going to include in the book. He told me not quite yet, but sent along five candidates. The project has already hit its initial funding target, so the book will get made. But it’s only going to be available through Kickstarter, so get your pre-order in now! Any additional pledges now will go towards stretch goals, which include additional pages, stickers, and even the potential to switch to hardcover. Just under two weeks to go!

Play Imaginative Super Alloy Batman (Special Edition)

I had never heard of Play Imaginative, but was very intrigued when the Super Alloy Batman was announced as an exclusive for the Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention that was held at the start of the month. You see, as much as I’ve been a fan of the Nolan-verse Batman and Hot Toys with their 1/6 scale Dark Knight figures, my love of Batman started in the comics. The Super Alloy Batman hits on a sweet spot for me – its design is comics-based, from legendary artist Jim Lee, and it’s super-articulated. Add to that the intriguing notion that much of the figure would be die cast metal, and I was hooked – I had to get one. The big question was, how would it stack up to Hot Toys, who in my view dominates the 1/6 scale for pop culture action figures.

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Masters of the Universe Classics Mekaneck, Dragon Blaster Skeletor, and Snake Men on Sale 9/17

The Matty logistics shuffle that rendered August void of MOTUC aside from Sir Laser-Lot, but they’re back with a vengeance for the September sale on 9/17. Meckaneck, Dragon Blaster Skeletor, and the Snake Men 2-pack will put the whammy on those of us with Club Eternia subs.

DC has the Club Infinite Earths Black Mask and one of the last hurrah JLU 3-packs, with Vandal Savage, Bats, and Supes. WWE will have Tully Blanchard joining the Arn Anderson, King Kong Bundy, and Diamond Dallas Page figures that seem to be lingering on the site.

For convenience, here’s the link to the bundle page for the 9/17 sale.

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Hasbro (Return of) Marvel Legends Wave 3 Mystique Quick Pics

Mystique is one of the figures from Hasbro’s (Return of) Marvel Legends that I’ve been looking forward to most. I had made a custom of this version of Raven Darkholme way back when Buffy figures had gotten super-articulated, and while I was liked the custom ok I hoped it would eventually be eclipsed. And it has been – by now the Black Widow / female SHIELD agent is well known territory, and it’s utilized well here. The classic Mystique by Toy Biz also suffers in comparison.

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Last Chance to Kickstart Leaving Megalopolis, an Original Comic Collaboration by Gail Simone and Jim Calafiore

I usually just post about things directly related to action figures, but Gail Simone and Jim Calafiore have been behind so many of the comic books that inspired my customs, many of my favorite customs from others, and some of my biggest action figure wants. I’ve had an on again off again relationship with comics, and when I started reading again after the crap in the 90s, Gail was there with Deadpool and Agency X, and Jim was there with Exiles. And when they collaborated on Secret Six, it was like peanut butter met chocolate.

Their latest collaboration, Leaving Megalopolis, is being funded on Kickstarter – they are essentially self-publishing without the big guys. The project will stop taking backers tomorrow at Noon EST, so don’t miss out on your last chance to contribute – under 12 hours to go!

The Kickstarter community has been extremely gung-ho on the project – Leaving Megalopolis has hit the main funding goal and continues to blow past its stretch goals. Big stretch goals attained so far – upping to 112 pages from the original 80, upgrading to hardcover, and getting Secret Six colorist Jason Wright on board. Jim’s added a couple more stretch targets for the finish line (they’ve already hit the first one, and the last I don’t really think Jim wants to hit), but if you’re a fan of Secret Six or Gail’s and Jim’s other comics, this will almost certainly be an awesome collectible graphic novel for your book shelves.

A couple short goals here at the end that are hopefully attainable.

$111k – A new 6-8 page supplemental story that will be PDF/digital delivery only; every backer $9-PDF level and above will receive this exclusively. And everyone receiving a physical copy of the book gets a full color LEAVING MEGALOPOLIS bookmark.

$120k – Either a second 6-8 page supplemental story, or the first supplement will be expanded to 12-16 pages. PDF/digital delivery only; every backer $9-PDF level and above will receive this exclusively. And everyone receiving a physical copy of the book will get a full color LEAVING MEGALOPOLIS postcard and a full color LEAVING MEGALOPOLIS bookmark.

$150k – Jim will shave his head. (Pretty sure we’re not making this one, –I hope– but if we do, it will be filmed and put up for viewing.) (PS: There’s no allowance here for back-outs and denied credit cards; if my hair is going, it’s at 150k for real)

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