Of all the movie roles Lon Chaney Jr. played his signature role, that he created, was the original Universal Studios The Wolf Man.
Long overshadowed by his father Lon Chaney: The Man With A Thousand Faces, Lon Chaney Jr. managed to still have a successful move and TV career.
It was his role as The Wolf Man that earned him a spot as one the great movie monsters of all time.
The Wolf Man 12-inch, fully articulated figure comes in Sideshow Collectibles’ standard flip lid box with clear plastic viewing panel and plastic cocoon for the figure and accessories with additional restraints for the figure.
The cover of the box features a reproduction of the original The Wolf Man movie poster and the inside of the flip lid lists all of the movie credits.
The face and hair of the figure are sculpted in plastic. The face is mostly covered by hair, has a black canine nose and deep set brown eyes set under a heavy brow. The ears are human shaped, brown in color and partially covered by hair.
The hands are covered by hair except for the fingers that end in long nails/claws. The feet are bare, covered with hair except for the upper part of the toes which have long nails/claws.
The figure is fully articulated with swivel points, ball and joint and twist articulation points. Since the figure is based after a wolf, the smooth moving articulation points allow the figure to pose in various poses.
The Wolf Man comes dressed in a gray long sleeve shirt with cuffs, collar, two pockets with button flaps and five buttons up the front of the shirt-all of which function
Stitching is in scale as are the buttons and the cloth of the shirt clings to the figure just like a real shirt. The fabric folds and creases on the figure with no binding or bunching when the figure is posed.
The figure also wears dark brown trousers with small cuffs, a real zipper, pockets and belt loops. A black belt is included with a buckle and single belt loop.
Accessories include a functional miniature bear trap with chain. The bear trap looks pitted and rusted and well worn.
Also included is a simulated hollow log with chain latch. Covering the log are moss and mushrooms. Paint and sculpt details on the log look completely realistic with subtle shading and color variations and wood grain texturing.
Details that stick out on the figure and accessories are the minute details such as The Wolf Man’s features, the bear trap working mechanism and the careful attention given to the moss and mushrooms on the log.
All in all it is an extremely well done assemblage of figure and accessories complemented by the container.
When the Direct Sales Market began to come into its own both Marvel Comics and DC Comics realized that there was a market for direct sales titles specifically targeted to comic book collectors.
Both DC and Marvel created a series of character encyclopedias that spotlight their entire cast of comic book characters and give complete histories of each up until the time of publication.
Details and updates were printed in later issues.
The Marvel Universe series boasts a full front and back wraparound illustration of characters represented by alphabetic order.
Twelve issues were issued for the first series.
Interior pages consist of full color art of characters in alphabetic order along with small illustrations from comic books that featured them.
Full stats include full biographical information, origins, powers and so forth.
DC Comics’ Who’s Who series is of a similar format but with more information and artwork that consists of the characters overlapping a screened single color scenes in which they appeared.
Both series also include locations, maps, structures and etc.
For fans of both Marvel and DC these books are must-have reference material and are beginning to rise in price.
Back in the early 2000s Sideshow Collectibles produced several military 12-inch figures along with a Western series.
At that time military figures were all the rage and a number of toy manufactures had jumped on the bandwagon.
21st Century, Blue Box, Dragon and many more companies turned out some pretty impressive figures. It was a good time to be a military fan.
Sadly Sideshow abandoned its military line a few years later and instead concentrated on movie, TV and comic book characters.
Too bad because Sideshow’s military figures were some of the best produced.
One such figure: General Ulysses S. Grant, was produced as part of Sideshow’s American Civil War Brotherhood Of Arms Legendary Icons collection.
When I was teaching high school one thing I noticed lacking was a comprehensive study of American history.
While some teachers attempted to teach it historically accurate, most of the teachers instructing the course were very politically biased and many of the textbooks failed to go into a lot of detail on the important events in American history or world history.
All too often the study of the American Civil War boiled down to the issue of slavery. While slavery played an important part in the war it was not the only reason that South succeeded from the Union.
It’s important to realize that the Civil War pitted neighbor against neighbor, family against family and brother against brother. It tore this country apart and only the combined rationale from both sides eventually healed most of the wounds inflicted by the war.
Many of the military leaders on both sides were good men caught up in a conflict that never should have happened.
When General Lee surrendered to General Grant both men had respect for one other and no malice was demonstrated-only quiet resignation that a great and unnecessary conflict decimated both the South and North.
It’s taken decades for the nation to heal. Inequalities still exist in some areas and unfortunately racial tensions still occur. But things are getting better and hopefully one day things like race will no longer be a consideration.
General Ulysses S. Grant commanded the Northern Yankee forces during the Civil War. Later he would become President of the combined Union.
Sideshow Collectibles did its homework and presented a wonderful 12-inch figure fashioned after the General.
Included on the inside of the packaging is a long historical text piece outlining Grant’s life and career.
Historical accuracy played an important part in the design of the figure.
Clothing, accessories and documents are recreated faithfully.
Grant’s face was faithfully reproduced using reference photos as a guide. His stern face, piercing eyes, heavy brows, short dark hair and full beard and mustache give the figure an authoritative look.
The figure comes dressed in a dark blue Union long coat with gold buttons, three closed stitched pockets, high collar and three gold cuff link sleeve buttons.
Underneath Grant wears a small collar blue wool shirt with six gold buttons.
Long blue pants with pockets and button up crotch are held in place with a black belt with a silver and gold buckle belt with eagle insignia.
Grant wears well worn full lower leg black boots with spurs and a Union officer leather cap. An additional pair of regular black shoes is also included.
Accessories include period binoculars with a case, a whiskey metal and leather hip decanter, two maps and a black tube map holder and Grant‘s signature half-smoked cigar.
It’s a remarkable historically accurate articulated figure beautifully sculpted and painted wit no rough edges, tight articulation and a case spotlighting archival Grant photos and an inner figure cocoon and viewing panel.
Somewhat disgruntled with both Marvel and DC Comics, George Perez began submitting proposals to various small publishers for original properties.
Let’s say first that Sach & Violens is NOT for kids.
While sex and violence are not shown outright they are very much a part of this series. There’s plenty of violence, disturbing scenes and sex. They are carefully hidden in shadows and innuendo but they are there nonetheless.
Part of the Heavy Hitters Epic Comics line the comic book series tackles sex trafficking and snuff films-not your normal comic book fare.
Juanita Jean Sachs is a nude model and adept at martial arts and combat. Ernie Violens is an X-Special Ops Vietnam Vet with a talent for violence and weapons. They join forces to take down the perpetrators of a series of killings of models in snuff films.
The first issue sets up the scenario perfectly. The graphics by Perez move the story along at a nice pace and through the clever use of shadow and overlapping images the subject matters of the comic book are clearly defined without the use of obscene or gory images.
Sure, there is some blood, scuffles and ominous images but both the author and artist took special care to discuss and portray the subjects without showing the actual acts. No easy task.
The story is a tight and taunt thriller with well-defined characters set in the seamy underworld of pornography, snuff films and the filthy underbelly of society.
Remarkably the creative duo generates some empathy for a few of the characters, especially the victims--despite their choice of lifestyle.
Bad guys are portrayed as individuals who do not consider themselves to be evil. Good guys have their flaws yet persevere to bring criminals to justice by whatever means possible.
The story is an odd mixture of living on the edge and occasionally delving into the gray areas of morals. Ultimately right and wrong are clearly defined but not without a few bumpy roadblocks along the way.
The end times are drawing near and Konami is there with its latest Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Booster Foil Packs: Battles Of Legend Armageddon.
Get ready for some serious dueling devastation this summer as Yu-Gi-Oh! releases a whole new series of Cards from the YGO Anime and Manga series.
Here‘s what you can expect:
Chaos Emperor, the Dragon of Armageddon. Trishula, the Dragon of Icy Imprisonment. Judgment, the Dragon of Heaven. Dark Armed, the Dragon of Annihilation. Darkness Metal, the Dragon of Dark Steel. Jim Crocodile Cook's "Fossil" Cards. Artifact Sanctum. Chimeratech Megafleet Dragon. Themed support such as Madolche Anjelly and Black Whirlwind. Foil Upgrades.
Each 5-Card Pack contains 4 Ultra Rares and 1 Secret Rare. 24 Packs come per Box.
Over the decades Walt Disney Studios has introduced viewers to far away lands, past and future locations, fantasy landscapes and fairy tale scenes.
Disney Press presents Disney Maps A Magical Atlas Of The Movies We Know And Love-a brand new hardbound book.
Pages are packed with beautifully illustrated birds eye view maps of classic animated Disney movies. Included are illustrations and information about the characters in each film, short film synopsis and moments to remember.
Characters are included in the maps with captions telling readers what’s what on each map.
It’s the ultimate guide to the many animated worlds of Disney and where they are and who populates them. Pick up your copy today and get ready to explore.
Wonder Woman Wonder Woman All the world's waiting for you And the power you possess In your satin tights, Fighting for your rights And the old Red, White and Blue. Wonder Woman Wonder Woman Now the world is ready for you, And the wonders you can do. Make a hawk a dove, Stop a war with love, Make a liar tell the truth Wonder Woman Get us out from under, Wonder Woman All our hopes are pinned on you And the magic that you do Stop a bullet cold, Make the Axis fall, Change their minds, and change the world Wonder Woman Wonder Woman You're a wonder, Wonder Woman
If you recognize those words then you know they are the lyrics to the 1970s Wonder Woman TV series starring Lynda Carter as the Amazon Princess.
Each week Wonder Woman, along with her male companion Steve Trevor, sought out and fought evil forces (earthbound or terrestrial) that threatened mankind.
The 1970s was a great time for superheroes on TV. Wonder Woman, The Incredible Hulk, The Six Million-Dollar Man and so many other memorable shows.
Sure, by today’s standards the stories were a little tame and the visual effects almost laughable at points but they were still great shows.
I can think of no greater choice to play Wonder Woman than the statuesque Lynda Carter.
She was both beautiful and brainy and portrayed Wonder Woman perfectly on TV.
Warner Bros./DC Comics present the Wonder Woman The Complete Series totally remastered on DVD.
All 59 episodes are included along with some great features and even a commentary by Lynda Carter herself.
Did you know that Lynda Carter wasn't the first TV Wonder Woman and that the first season was set during World War II?
Look for some great villains, lots of action, swinging seventies fashion, music and settings and loads of fun.
A big shout out and thank you to Hasbro Toys for providing its very cool advance look at its new GI Joe Classified action figures series.
Hasbro sent the review samples for free and I am most appreciative. It is my hope that more figures from Hasbro will arrive for review.
Thanks Hasbro!
Five figures arrived in a special GI Joe Classified box decorated with GI Joe art on all sides.
The large flip-open box not only contained the first five figures from he soon to be released First Series but some important reviewer information as well.
It makes for a great display box for the figures and I plan on putting it in my man cave for everyone to see. Yo Joe!
I like the idea that Hasbro has made its GI Joe figures 6-inchs tall instead of the classic 3 1/2 inches.
By upsizing the figures there is a lot more articulation, detail and larger weapons and accessories.
The Classified Series 1 figures come packaged in rectangular boxes with clear plastic viewing sheets covering most of the front of the boxes. The GI Joe logo takes up the lower part of the boxes and a large illustration/painting of the figure inside the boxes decorates the lower right.
The figures are encased in clear plastic, form fitting cocoons that hold them and their accessories and weapons firmly in place.
The sides of the boxes feature more figure art, figure symbols and a full color painting of the Joes and Cobra in action on their backs.
The individual figures retail for just under $20 much like Hasbro’s other high-end action figures like Star Wars and Marvel.
Figure #1 is Roadblock. Like all of the other GI Joe/Cobra figures he is fully articulated at the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, neck, knees and ankles.
Articulation on all the figures is smooth with no binding, is cleverly hidden in cloth folds and figure joints and poses in a variety of action stances.
The hands on all the figures are pre-positoned to hold their individual weapons and accessories firmly and securely.
Many of the weapons have removable clips, slip into holsters and feature lots of details. Several of the blade weapons are collapsible and can disassemble for storage on the figures.
Paint application is clean with no sloppy edges or bleed-overs and the sculpting is well done, realistic and anatomically correct.
Cloth folds are molded on but look natural and individual accessories, cloths, weapons and other bric-a-brac are distinct and well defined.
Roadblock is a large black man with a bald head, goatee and overabundance of muscles. He looks formidable even without his weapons.
He wears a green flax vest, over the shoulder weapon packs in red, gold and blue, deep gray pants, red and silver gloves, a large gold knee brace on his left leg, gold, red and black knee boots and a gray equipment belt.
Included with the figure is a knife, backpack, energy cartridge and his weapon of choice; an oversize energy weapon/rifle with dual handles, twin energy barrels and an large body with lots of buttons, switches and chambers.
The second figure in the series is my favorite: Snake Eyes.
This black clad ninja that lets his action speak for him is mysterious, lethal and unpredictable. At times he seems almost inhuman with his daring feats of stealth, fighting and mastery of weapons.
The figure comes dressed all in black with Snake Eyes’ characteristic helmet with black visor.
He wears a twin holster, a large silver buckle utility belt, a chest belt with hand grenades, knee and elbow pads, black knee boots, upper arm equipment pouches and various other pouches and pockets holding his various ninja weapons and equipment.
Includes with the figure is a serrated knife, a large ninja sword with scabbard, a handgun, a small submachine gun, a removable silencer and a special black backpack complete with a number of exterior pouches. He is one bad boy and not the kind of person you want to meet on the battlefield.
No one really knows what Destro’s real face looks like since it is covered by a full head silver mask.
The Destro figure is dressed all in black with a large flared collar with a red interior. It looks very much like a King Cobra’s flared crown.
He wears a silver and red belt, black gloves and knee boots, a red weapon assembly on his right wrist and a right thigh holster and equipment bag.
His weapons are a gold handgun and a solid black mini-machine gun with scope. The third in the series Destro also wears a gold chain with a red jewel and carries a red Cobra symbol, weapon carrying black case.
Duke is the fourth figure in the set. He is tall, handsome and dangerous. His boyish good looks, piercing blue eyes and short cut blond hair make him look more like a model than a soldier.
He wears a yellow/tan shirt with multiple pockets and a green accented shoulder area. Under the shirt a white t-shirt can be seen.
Over his left shoulder he wears a utility belt with silver and blue buckle and pouch.
A similar belt is around his waist and a green gun holster is on his upper right thigh.
Both hands are covered by black and red gloves. Completing his outfit are green pants and silver with blue accent knee pads and boots.
His characteristic green flak vest is included as are his sniper rifle with scope, handgun and extra equipment/ammo pouch.
The beauty of the series and the fifth figure is Scarlett.
This red hair beauty is as lethal as they come. Her red/orange hair is tied back in a ponytail and her delicate features belie her toughness and resourcefulness.
She is dressed in a red, black and yellow, form fitting body suit with twin yellow and black gauntlets, yellow, gold and blue knee pads and knee boots with red soles.
Her left shoulder has an extended red shoulder guard, over her left shoulder drapes a red and black utility belt and around her waist is a black belt with gold buckle.
Scarlett goes nowhere with out her three black throwing knives and crossbow.
The GI Joe Series I Classified series is sure to be a big hit with action figure ad GI Joe fans.
Each figure is nicely done with lots of details, cool accessories and weapons and excellent coloring, sculpting, articulation and posability.
In the early 1960s Bing Crosby Productions proposed to CBS a new comedy series based on the movie Stalag 13. It featured a group of Allied prisoners at a German POW camp who ran a covert operation under the nose of the Nazi.
The series starred the one-time The Donna Reed show supporting character Bob Crane as Colonel Robert Hogan.
He led a ragtag group of misfits who constantly thwarted the Nazi; especially the camp’s Commander Colonel Wilhelm Klink and the bumbling Sergeant Hans Schultz.
I got excited when Sideshow Collectibles announced it were going to do classic TV series’ figures. Sideshow also released some Twilight Zone and Outer Limit figures. Unfortunately it looks thy were the last of the classic TV series characters.
Three figures were released in the Hogan’s Heroes series: Klink, Hogan and Schultz.
I’ll start with my favorite figure of the set: Sergeant Schultz. There’s just something about this big, round and cuddly version of a Nazi POW prison guard that makes him lovable as portrayed by actor John Banner.
He certainly doesn’t look threatening. In the TV series Schultz was a toystore owner who got drafted into the Nazi military. He didn’t like being a soldier and really wished no harm to anyone-including the prisoners.
Still he knew his duty and tried his best to keep order in the camp. Of course it didn’t help that he was a sucker for sweets and good food and was easily fooled.
If he did see something suspicious he would utter, “I know nothing, nothing!”
One of the most difficult things to sculpt is an overweight person. Too often artists will unintentionally overemphasis a person’s girth and when sculpted a figure will look almost comical and unreal.
It’s important to know that underneath all that fat are muscles and bones. The figure has weight (pardon the pun) and how the weight is distributed on the bones and muscles when sculpted will make or break a figure.
Sideshow has successfully duplicated Sgt. Hans Schultz considerable mass and did so a very good likeness with its 12-figure of him.
While it is obvious the Schultz figure has a few extra pounds on him his outfit is neither tight nor pulling at its seams and stitches.
The long green trench coat fits comfortably on the figure with plenty of room with no strained folds form the arms and shoulders and it drapes comfortably over Schultz’s potbelly.
His size is depicted in ore subtle ways such as with the coat’s slight oversize look that over emphasizes the figure’s weight.
A large brown leather belt with pouches sits slightly high on the figure above the waist.
Doing so makes it obvious that the belt is not so much to hold up Schultz’s pants or secure his coat but to keep the coat snug around his waist and to keep it closed thus revealing his girth.
The double breasted, high, fold over collar has yellow sergeant stripes and a double row of silver buttons down its front.
Large pockets with flaps are just below the belt and covers Schultz’s under jacket with small collar with stripes and flat buttons.
The inner jacket has shoulder decorations with buttons, several eagle insignia, medals and breast and lower pockets with flaps.
The figure also wears deep green slacks that end just below its knees above the black infantry boots that cover most of the figure’s lower legs.
The belt has a military insignia buckle and four leather pouches with strap over lids.
A Nazi pith helmet with insignia is included along with a long barrel, bolt action rifle with shoulder strap, a base with a Hogan’s Heroes logo and wire figure support complete the set.
Schultz’s face is a perfect match to its human inspiration.
Schultz’s characteristic, blond, close cropped hair, large eyebrows, thick brow, deep set blue eyes, pug nose, Hitler mustache and puckered mouth and round face are all Schultz.
His hands easily hold his rifle. The figure is fully articulated and stands and/or poses with or without the stand and wire support.
Schultz comes in Sideshow’s flip cover box with clear plastic viewing panel and cocoon. and is decorated with photos of the figure and shots from the show featuring Schultz.
The Col. Wilhelm Klink figure looks exactly like the inept and easily duped Commander of the POW Camp Hogan and his men are incarcerated in.
The figure’s bald head with hair on each side of its face, long nose, dimwitted expression and its straight lips capture the look of the Colonel as portrayed by Werner Klemperer. He even wears a monocle.
Articulation is tight making the figure easy to pose. Look for full movement in all of its joints, neck and torso.
Klink is attired in a white shirt with tie, full Colonel jacket with collar and chest medals and insignia, two upper and lower pockets with flaps and buttons, five silver buttons running vertically and shoulder epaulettes.
The figure also wears flared riding trousers that end just below the knees and heavy black knee boots.
Included with the figure are a stand and support wire, a riding crop, a decorated cap and a long green trench coat with a double row of silver buttons, fur collar and pockets.
The clothes fit and move realistically on the figure with no binding or pulling of the fabric. Wrinkles and folds look natural and the figure moves easily within the clothes with no restrictions.
The Col. Robert Hogan figures look like the actor Robert Crane who portrayed the character. With his chiseled features, cheek dimples and strong chin, dark hair and eyebrows, smirk and amused eyes the figure captures Hogan’s facial expression.
The Colonel wears a khaki colored shirt with an open collar with buttons, pockets, a leather jacket with zipper and two pockets with flaps and turned up lower cloth lining at the waist and on the sleeves.
He wears dark brown slacks with dark brown, laced shoes and comes with his characteristic military cap with insignia.
A base and wire supported is provided along with one of the props from the show: the radio receiver coffeepot with inner canister/speaker and lid.
Both the Klink and Hogan figures come in the same type of box as the Schultz figure. Figure articulation, clothing and color are of the same high quality.
I’ve got to say I love these figures. Of all of the TV tie-in adaptations these are my favorite.
Sideshow hit it out the park when it comes to likenesses, outfits and accessories.
Up until about the mid-1990s DC Comics produced Western themed comic books. The 1950s and 1960s were their heyday.
After that titles and interest dwindled.
One character: Jonah Hex, has always been both a favorite of Western fans and comic book fans.
First introduced in DC Comics’ All-Star Western #10 the series enjoyed a respectable run. After its cancellation Hex continued to show up in guest spots in other comic books-including Crisis On Infinite Earths, and even starred in an unusual series called Hex where he is transported to the future.
In January 2006 Jonah Hex received his own comic book drawn by Luke Ross and written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti.
Jonah is an ex-Confederate officer who has witnesses the horrors of war and committed despicable acts of his own. He has seen the worst that mankind has to offer and it sickens him.
Having come to the realization that the things he has done has condemned him to Hell he decides to send as many sinners to the devil as he can to atone for his sins.
Horribly scarred the right half of his face is mutilated and disfigured.
He roams the West as a bounty hunter and shows no mercy to those who prey on others.
In his first story Jonah agrees to look for a rich man’s son who has been kidnapped.
The trail leads Jonah to a circus run by a cruel and vicious man. Jonah finds the boy ad metes out his own unique brand of justice on the circus owner.
The new Jonah Hex series ran for a number of years and garnered quite a fan following. When DC Comics decided to once again revamp its comic book line Jonah was one of its causalities.
But don’t count Jonah out, he is sure to show up sometime in the future.
Issue #1 goes for around $3 for a raw copy and $55 for a slabbed copy.
The modern day Flash (introduced in the 1950s’s) has one of the most impressive Rogue’s Galleries of any superhero.
Two of his most nefarious foes are Captain Cold (the master of subzero weaponry) and Gorilla Grodd (the mad ape with impressive mental abilities).
Both have come close to ending the crime-fighting career of the Flash. Remarkably the Flash manages to win the day-sometimes by the hair on his super-speed chin.
Captain Cold has the distinction of being one of the first super villains to come up against the Flash.
The Justice Captain Cold Collector Action Figure from DC Direct recreates Cold's classic costume.
Cold comes dressed primarily in blue. His insulated jumpsuit also has white fur sleeve and trouser cuffs, white gloves, a white hood with fur lining, a hood tie and a modified shoulder covering of white that looks like icicles.
He also wears tinted white goggles, a white weapon holster, a wide gold belt divided into hinged sections and gold leather straps and buckles to hold the belt in place.
His boots are white and his weapon of choice is a red freeze pistol with an extended barrel.
Included is a special Justice base with foot holes that hold the figure in place.
The face sculpt is nicely done with clear sharp features. A threatening pose with hands clenched at his side and a defiant stance give the figure a menacing look. Cloth folds are nice doe and successfully hide the articulation points.
The weapon fits snuggly both in the holster and hands of the figure.
The Gorilla Grodd figure is a slightly altered version of a giant ape. The hair on the skull is slightly longer and the torso heavier with a huge midriff.
Both massive arms have long hair on the forearms and the equally huge legs are spread part to hold the large torso.
Grodd’s mouth is open in a snarl. His large teeth and maw can be seen in their entirety. His heavy brow protects his small intense eyes.
His feet and hands are thick and massive. Paint application is varied giving Grodd’s fur a well defiant look. Sculpting is well done with careful attention given to the face and hair areas.
Like the Captain Cold figure Gorilla Gross’s box is rectangular with a clear plastic panel for display and viewing purposes. The box can be set on a shelf or hung by its tab.
DC Comics' Dr. Fate is a holdover character from the Golden Age of comic books.
While his origin has been tweaked and altered over the years one thing always holds true-he is a mysterious helmeted figure possessing powerful magical abilities.
In The Return Of Dr. Fate #1, Nabu (the on-time possessor of the helmet of Dr. Fate) has been turned into a mortal and is in charge of a boy (transformed into a man) and woman who share the consciousness of Dr Fate when they touch hands.
One day they are guided to an assignment by Nabu: to a man tinkering in black magic.
He has summoned demons to do his bidding only to realize too late that demons cannot be controlled.
Dr. Fate arrives, dispatches the demons (or so he supposes) and thoroughly admonishes and threatens the man.
Dr. Fate returns to Nabu (who has just discovered late night TV and beer) and splits into the man and woman.
Unbeknownst to all three of them, one of the demons from the previous encounter escaped and is desperately trying to reach Dr. Fate.
As the three discuss the almost botched demon encounter, the lone demon arrives. Immediately Dr. Fate attacks it and just as he is about to deliver the final blow Nabu intervenes.
It seems the demon doesn’t like being a demon and wants to stay on earth. He’s sort of a ‘good’ demon-if there is such a thing.
Dr. Fate and Nabu agree and with a little shape changing the demon transforms it one of the most ugly dogs imaginable.
Meanwhile danger lurks in the shadows.
Dr. Fate has always been a strange character. By throwing in a little humor and the art of Shawn McManus, writer J.M. DeMatteis shows a different side of Dr. Fate.
It’s a fun read, while still retaining its unearthly and mystical heritage.
He’s back and more animated than ever in Warner Bros.’ Blu-ray/Digital Code, full-length, computer animated movie-Scoob!
Scoob-Doo brings back the whole gang: Velma, Fred, Daphne and Shaggy along with Dee Dee Skyes, Dynomutt, and the Blue Falcon.
They pursue Dick Dastardly to stop him before he finds the three skulls of Cerebus and opens the gateway to the Underworld to save his dog Mutley and acquire wealth beyond measure.
Join Scooby and Mystery Inc. along with their new compatriots as they fight miniature robots called Rottens, enter the Underworld and save Scooby who is the last key to Dastardly’s plan.
Along they way the meet Captain Caveman and look for some very special Hanna Barbera animated characters cameos.
The film also delves into how Scooby Doo and Shaggy met, how Mystery Inc. was formed and how and why the team almost split up.
It’s a Scoob-Doo extravaganza with America’s favorite talking dog and the Scooby Gang.
Extras include bloopers, deleted scenes, a ‘how-to’ drawing lesson, an introduction to new friends and villains and Puppies!
For over 50 years Scooby Doo and his friends have thrilled kids and with their new movie a whole new generation gets to enjoy the canine with the appetite for danger, intrigue, adventure and Scooby Snacks.
You’ve read about it. Watched it on TV. Seen it at the movies. Heard people from all walks of life give personal testimonies.
What am I referring to? Alien abductions of course. Ever since mankind began there have been tales of strange craft and creatures who kidnap humans for their own nefarious purposes.
Ancient texts are full of it. Prehistoric and historical art portray it and ever since the Roswell incident in the late 1940s UFO sightings and alien abduction incidences have increased.
Are those who claim to have witnessed or been a victim of alien abduction telling the truth or is it all an elaborate hoax?
In Alien Abduction The Control Factor authors Jim Bouck and Robert Long and Schiffer Publishing examine the subject from alien implants to quantum theory.
Recalling incidents by alien abduction victims and combing through government documents, personal accounts, newspaper and media testimonies and more the authors examine the phenomenon and the various theories and incidents associated with it.
Do you believe?
I often kid my friends and family who are close to my age that we are all (according to the description of antiques) highly collectible.
Fun Collectibles For The 1950s, 1960s & 1070s by author Jan Lindenberger, along with Dana Cain, examines and presents the kitchen, pop culture, toys, and fashions of bygone years.
It’s a little disconcerting when the things I remember from my youth and used almost on a daily basis are now considered antiques and collectibles-many of which go for considerable amounts of money.
It’s a fun excursion into the past when times were simpler, choices were fewer and everything seemed new and exciting.
The book is filled with full color photos, brief items descriptions and what collectors can expect to pay for their individual trips down Memory Lane.
Bond-James Bond. The superspy’s weapon of choice was the Walther PPK-a deadly little automatic with the kick of a mule and the firepower to take down the most powerful adversaries.
In Walther P.38 Germany’s 9 MM Semiautomatic Pistol In World War II, author Stephane Cailleau looks back on the handgun that not only inspired James Bond’s author Ian Fleming to equip his hero with a later model but a weapon that set the standard for semiautomatic pistols.
The deluxe hardbound book is filled with full color and black and white photos of the P.38 in all of its variations, its ammo, accessories, clips, holsters and modifications and improvements.
Accompanying the photos is in-depth text tracking the development of the gun and its progression and uses over the years.
It’s a wonderful historical account of one the most famous handguns ever devised complete with historical facts, loads of background information and beautifully staged photo montages of the weapon accompanied by its various accoutrements and accessories.
The Mummy Universal Studios movie- no, I’m not referring to the 1990s or 2010s movie versions. I’m talking about the original The Mummy movie starring Boris Karloff as the resurrected Egyptian Mummy.
After Universal Studios highly successful films Dracula and Frankenstein, both actors Bela Lugosi (Dracula) and Boris Karloff (the Frankenstein monster) were hot commodities.
Shortly after the Frankenstein movie Boris Karloff created another iconic movie monster with his premiere as The Mummy.
Karloff endured hours of painful makeup to portray the half-desiccated Mummy with its sunken cheeks, hollow eyes and with its entire body wrapped in rotting rags.
When The Mummy is discovered and it first opens its long dead eyes it still sends a chill down my spin.
The Mummy (Inhotep) figure comes in Sideshow Collectibles' signature flip lid box with Velcro secure button, clear plastic viewing panel and plastic cocoon holding the figure and accessories. A plastic strap holds The Mummy in pace.
The figure features a perfect miniature sculpt of The Mummy’s head with its shriveling flesh, sunken eyes and closed mummified lips.
The head is a gray/green and sits on the cloth bound Mummy body save for the hands and part of the feet.
The cloth looks old and decaying and several strands are loose around the leg and arm.
Included with The Mummy is a small sarcophagus decorated with hieroglyphics that includes a lid.
An ancient papyrus scroll is decorated with hieroglyphics representing the curse placed on The Mummy.
A black strap of cloth holds the scroll when rolled up and placed in the sarcophagus.
The Mummy by Sideshow captures the horrific image of the long dead Egyptian and the accessories are carefully sculpted to look as if they are engraved or written upon.
It’s ironic that back in the early 1970s Marvel Comics attempted to be contemporary and relevant when it released Luke Cage.
Capitalizing on the Blackploitation films of that period Marvel created a hip, inner city black character that fought injustice, racism and the lowlifes of the ghetto/inner city.
The only problem was that the title would up stereotyping the very people it so desperately tried to make relevant.
Looking back it was an honest attempt to appear contemporary and with the times. But if seen compared to today’s society it appears more as a parody and displays the very things that the black minority is fighting against-racial stereotyping.
In Luke Cage, Hero For Hire #5, when a black man is killed by a gang of thugs and has his body is taken away by fake ambulance drivers, Luke Cage investigates.
What he discovers is a criminal outfit run by the Black Mariah-a gigantic, obese black woman.
She runs a criminal organization that loots recently deceased people, robbing their families of heirlooms, important papers, personal property, etc.
Black Mariah is characterized as a surrogate mother to a bunch of crooks that know not to cross her.
She’s big, she’s bad and is almost a match for Luke Cage.
At the time the comic book was produced I’m sure most people had no problem with it. But, looking back the book was filled with racial stereotypes, laughable dialogue and the poverty and street life depictions were probably created by people who had never experienced or witnessed what life was life in the inner city.
If this issue were to come out today there would be an uproar especially from organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).
Times have certainly changed. Still it is an interesting issue and series to look back on to discover how much things have changed over the years.
As Sideshow Collectibles became more popular and profitable it acquired the rights to distribute Hot Toys figures in the U.S.
Hot Toys is well known for the quality of its 12-inch figures and the fit was perfect.
One of the first figures released in the U.S. by Hot Toys was John J. Rambo in First Blood Part 2.
Back in the 1980s when Rambo was at the height of his popularity Rambo 2 basically recast Rambo as a super-soldier. Sure he still had some psychological problems and resentment toward the military and society that basically set him on the curb.
Rambo was an angry man and only agreed to go on a rescue mission in Vietnam to find POWs so that he could regain his freedom.
He was the perfect icon for the 1980s Ronald Reagan American-tough, resilient, non-nonsense and patriotic spirit. Rambo loved his country even though it sometimes let him down-or rather the people in charge did.
At one time I was a huge Rambo fan but like the aging Rambo himself I’ve had to change with the times. Only in Rambo’s case his raging bull is caged and at any moment can break its bonds.
Sylvester Stallone captured the isolation Rambo felt. Trained to be a killer, Rambo regretted his past and wanted only to be left alone and to heal his physical and mental wounds inflicted by the war.
The Hot Toys Rambo figure is unlike most of the Hot Toys 12-inch figures collectors are familiar with.
Hot Toys actually hid the articulation points and understructure of the figure beneath realistic looking plastic skin. The figure bends and poses naturally without any evidence of mechanical articulation points.
This type of figure sculpt did not last long as rumors suggest there was problems with the rubber-like covering cracking and restricting some movement.
Rambo was the first figure I received for review from Hot Toys. I really didn’t know what to expect because up until that point I had never heard of Hot Toys.
The figure arrived in a plain cardboard box. Once opened I was greeted by a slip-sleeve figure box with a foil Rambo logo and brilliant, almost iridescent image of the man himself: Rambo! The back of the box featured three images of the figure within.
I carefully slid the sleeve off the figure box and again was hit with a close-up photo of Rambo-only this one was one of the enclosed figure. I could not believe the likeness to Sylvester Stallone. It was amazing!
Now I was really getting excited. I flipped open the flip lid and WOW!
The inner side of the flap also had a close-up of the Rambo figure and to the right was the figure itself.
The figure and accessories were cradled in a form-fitting, clear plastic cocoon alcove and lid with the figure held in place by additional wire straps.
Wait a minute! Where are the mechanical articulation points?
That’s the beauty of this figure. They aren’t seen. The figure consists of a molded torso and head of Rambo with the articulation areas hidden by realistic skin.
Every muscle, sinew and vein is clearly visible on the figure as well as Stallone’s distinctive features including face and body scars.
His beard stubble is even visible! Rambo’s long hair is molded plastic but looks very realistic as it has clusters of hair and strands that falls like real hair over the figure’s back and shoulders.
Rambo’s cold stare, firm lips, sharp nose and angular chin are all there.
He wears his red headband of real cloth and a necklace with jade ornament. Shirtless, the figure wears solid black long pants and black belt with black buckle.
He also wears black military boots with heavy heels and soles and laces.
Included with the Rambo figure are his custom made bow with strings, a set of four arrows (two with regular tips and two with explosive tips) and a black carrying case for the arrows with a shoulder strap
Hand weapons include Rambo’s long-blade survival knife with sheath and strap, a two-sided blade knife, shiv, bow adjuster, twin throwing knives, wristwatch and an automatic rife with wood stock, shoulder strap and extra clip. An extra pop-on left hand is also included.
Here are the amazing parts. The bow strings and mechanism actually adjust, the arrows fit into the real zipper sheath, the knife fits into its sheath at Rambo‘s waist, Rambo hold all of the weapons firmly, the rifle clip removes, you can open Rambo’s pockets and the figure can stand on its own or with the assist of its base and support wire frame.
The boots are so detailed you can see the separation of the laces, boot stitching and leather wrinkles.
Figure articulation is a little tight and care must be taken not to over-bend the figure as it may tear and crack the molded torso.
Detailing is amazing as is the clothing that falls and fold naturally despite the pose, coloration matches Stallone’s tan complexion and accessories are accurate right down to every screw, clasp, button and clip.
For close to 100 issues artist Gene Colan and writer Marv Wolfman thrilled supernatural fans with Marvel Comics' Tomb Of Dracula series.
Early issues are prized possessions of collectors and issue #1 is considered a ‘must have’ item for any comic book enthusiast’s collection.
Hoping to have lightning strike twice DC Comics teamed Colan and Wolfman in a new supernatural comic books series: Night Force.
Fans were ecstatic and issue #1 sold well. But as the series progressed, despite the team of Colan and Wolfman, the series did not catch on and was cancelled far too soon.
It’s a pity because Night force showed promise and I believe given a chance the series would have become a pivotal supernatural series for DC Comics.
Gene Colan’s art is worth the purchase price alone.
The series promised to be a departure from the normal comic book story structure and in part it lived up to its hype. Wolfman wanted the series to be newsstand edition while DC Comics wanted it to be Direct Sales.
Unfortunately the new format did not catch on with fans and while the series is memorable in that it reteamed the superstar creative team of Wolfman and Colan readers were just not ready for a more cerebral supernatural thriller.
Despite its varied cast, unusual premise, gorgeous art and stellar writing the series only lasted for 14 issues.
Two additional relaunches were attempted by DC Comics with lackluster results. It should be noted that the first ‘official’ appearance of Night Force was as an insert in The New Teen Titans #21.
Finally! After what seems like an eternity the three Sacred Beasts have their own YGO Decks to survive and thrive!
Konami’sYu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game Structure Deck: Sacred Beasts allows gamers to summon three Sacred Beasts: Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder and Uria, Lord of Searing Flames;
With their combined power modify their Summoning and mount additional strikes.
They can increase their domination, crush opponents in Battle Phase and negate Spells and Traps and more!
Get ready for total domination as the Structure Deck: Sacred Beasts allows you to summon and command one or all of the Sacred Beasts at one time. Talk about power!
Structure Deck: Sacred Beasts includes 46 Cards (44-Card Main Deck, 2-Card Extra Deck) as well as 2 Token Cards:
5 Ultra Rares 3 Super Rares 38 Commons 2 Token Cards 1 Double-sided Deluxe Game Mat/Dueling Guide
Hot off its success with its Batman The Animated Series, Warner Bros. Animation decided to take a new approach to The Dark Knight.
The Batman series saw a younger Bruce Wayne, a lot more high-tech gadgets and all of Batman’s Rogue’s Gallery was radically changed in appearance and sometimes they origins were changed or tweaked than in Batman The Animated Series.
Mattel Toys had the toy license to DC Comics and that included The Batman toy line. Recently McFarlane Toys secured the DC Comics toy rights.
I’ve selected three of Mattel’s The Batman figures from its EXP (Extreme Power) series: the Crazy Cut-Up The Joker, Clayface and the Knight Strike Batman.
All three figures come in wraparound bubble packs mounted on a single thick paper stock hanger embellished by The Batman logo and an image of the animated Batman figure.
The bubbles have the EXP type in separate extruded part of the bubble packs.
Inside the figures are cradled in separate form-fitting clear plastic cocoons that hold the figures snuggly in place. Additional plastic strips secure the figures, where necessary.
On the back of the each bubble pack is a sequence of three small color photos demonstrating the action of each individual figure. There is also a small photo gallery of all the figures in the EXP series.
The Crazy Cut-Up Joker figure looks a bit different than a traditional Joker figure.
The body of the figure is stooped over, features full articulation in its limps, torso and head and its hands are sculpted to hold the purple rod with the pink, yellow, red and green spinning six-prong cutting tool.
The Joker’s face is an over-exaggerated depiction of his features with large clusters of green hair, a death mask white skin tone, large red eyes, a leering red-lipped mouth, oversize yellow teeth and a sharp chin.
The Joker comes dressed in a black, purple and green straitjacket with black trousers and purple finger gloves. The figure stands barefooted.
The shape shifting Clayface figure is all-gray with articulated arms, legs and head. The figure looks almost molten as its clay surface loosely hangs on its frame in a vaguely humanoid shape.
It’s large open maw and bright green eyes give the figure a horrifying look.
It’s right flexible arm, when pulled back, flings forward when let loose.
Of all the EXP figures Clayface mostly resembles its original look.
The Knight Strike Batman figure is dressed in Batman’s classic black and gray uniform with a yellow utility belt with pouches and a yellow spotlight bat symbol.
The figure is fully posable and articulated and comes with a bat grappler and swing line activated by the enclosed Power Key.
Sculpt and paint applications are spot-on on all the figures. Articulation points are tight and move easily while the overlaps have no flashing and the paint is crisp with no slop over edges.
All three figures are perfect matches for their animated namesakes. Additional figures and vehicles are also available.
OK. Admit it. As good as Disney’s Frozen 2 movie was and as interesting as its main characters were the real stars of the movie were the comedy relief duo of Bruni The Fire Spirit and Olaf The Snowman.
Sure there was adventure, danger, suspense, humor, spectacular scenes and special effects but they all would have been for naught if it were not for the comedy duo of Bruni and Olaf.
I mean, what's not to love? Olaf is hilarious and Bruni as his lovable new friend is too cute for words.
Disney Press just released two books starring the lovable duo.
In Bruni’s Big Adventure readers are invited along as Bruni and Olaf venture out into the Enchanted Forest alone.
What are they up to? Does Elsa know what they are doing or have they gone rogue and running wild?
Author Suzanne Francis and illustrator Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay present a delightful tale where Bruni and Olaf enjoy the simple things of life and how to appreciate each other.
It‘s frolicking fun in the frozen forest as the two friends discover what true friendship is all about.
Author John Edwards and the Disney Storybook Art team tell the tale of Olaf‘s love of reading in One For The Books.
What happens when Olaf and is friend Anna discover that the librarian will out of town for few days and the library will be closed?
Olaf takes up the challenge to be the substitute librarian and with a little help from the townspeople and a does of imagination the library is more fun than ever.
Beautifully illustrated in the style of the movie, the book is a wonderful visual encouragement for children to read.
Since the death of Marvel Comics’ Stan (The Man) Lee anything with his likeness or name on has really shot up in price.
In 1884, then Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter gathered all the editors and most of the artists and writers at Marvel Comics together to pose for a number of photos (come strips.)
It was a tongue-in-cheek funfest for the fans and it also starred Stan Lee and featured him on its comer.
The name of the comic book is The Marvel Fumetti Book. For you that are unfamiliar with the word fumetti it basically means: a periodical containing funny stories, adventures etc., in the form of comic strips.
I remember picking this book off the shelf at my local comic book shop: Xeno’s, and flipping through its pages.
While the black and white photos are blurry and sometimes difficult to decipher enough hilarity manages to creep through making the book a fun read-especially for a comic book geek and Marvel Zombie (another term meaning someone who reads Marvel Comics.)
Just a few of Marvel Bullpen members in the comic book are John Byrne, Jim Shooter, Dave Cockrum, Terry Austin, Denny O’Neil, Chris Claremont, Walt Simonson, Al Milgrom and even the Big Cheese himself: Stan Lee!
For a fun and funny bit of nostalgia (along with a great Stan Lee cover) be sure to pick up a copy of The Marvel Fumetti Book.
Raw copies can be bought for around $10 and a slabbed copy in near mint condition for about $50.
DC Comics really shook up the comic book community when it produced the Blackest Night maxi-series and tie-ins.
In it the notorious Black Hand resurrects some deceased DC heroes using the power of the Black Lantern and a bastardized version of Green Lantern’s power ring.
While the series was running DC Direct released several series of Blackest Night 6-inch action figures.
Of those figures the Series 4 Black Lantern Firestorm is by far my favorite.
The figure is fully articulated and is one of the most frightening figures in the entire set. The skull-like head that is accented by translucent flames is a real shocker.
While the regular Firestorm has flaming hair the Blackest Night Black Lantern Firestorm has eerie translucent flames issuing from its skull eye sockets, gaping skull mouth and cascading over it forehead and back in stringy blue/white flames.
Strands of the flame flow over its right shoulder.
The figure comes dressed in white, black and silver.
The main torso is of black with a silver chest emblem, waist accents and a single band of silver on each leg ending at its knees.
The arms are covered by white fabric ending in black wrist gauntlets and off-white gloves with a Black Lantern ring on the figure’s left ring finger.
Full white knee boots complete the ensemble.
Articulation is cleverly hidden in the cloth’s wrinkles and folds and the shoulder swivels are invisible under the flared shoulder pads.
Paint application is accurate, clean and slightly multi-shaded on the figure’s face and cloth folds.
A base is included with the Black Lantern logo. The figure comes in a bubble package that can hung or can sit on a shelf and the figure is cradled in a protective cocoon and visible behind a clear plastic shell.
It’s a frightening figure made even more so by the flaming skull and skeletal like appearance.
