12-Inch Figure S.W.A.T. Commander

There was a time when 21st Century Toys was at the top of the 12-inch military and law enforcement, 12-inch action figure market.

I remember when 21st Century Toys first began as a small company turning out only a few figures.  Before long the popularity of their figures due to their quality and accurate outfits and weapons became a huge hit with the military law enforcement collecting community.

21st Century Toys turned out dozens of figures, weapon accessories, vehicles and more.

Unfortunately the bubble burst in the early 2000s as more companies began producing 12-inch figures.  Sideshow, Dragon and Blue Box (among others) soon saturated the market and 21st ceased production of its large figures and vehicles.

While 21st Century Toys were a good value for quality at the time when other companies entered the field they upped the quality to even higher standards.

Part of the appeal of 21st Century Toys figures were their affordability.  To up to quality and details would have dramatically increased the price.  21st Century opted to keep its lower price structure and collectors preferred the higher quality competitor figures.

Too little, too late 21st Century realized what was happening. Before long sales dropped off and the 12-inch action figure toy line was dropped.

One line of 21st Century was its America’s Finest featuring urban and crime fighting elite.  The S.W.A.T. Commander was one figure in the series of five.

The figure with accessories is attached to a slip in open box.  The figure is secured with twist ties and the accessories and weapons are protected and covered by a form-fitting plastic cocoon.

The S.W.A.T. Commander fully articulated 12-inch figure comes dressed in solid black starting with his undergarments, which are covered by a Velcro jumpsuit.

The figure wears a solid black helmet held in place by an elastic chinstrap, goggles and fingerless gloves.  A preponderance of Velcro strips and pads cover the chest area of the figure that allow that various weapons and accessories to attach.

The Commander's black pant legs tuck into black boots with laces.  A large bulletproof/crowd control shield sits atop the figure in the box.

The shield is approximately half the body height of the figure.

A large protruding viewer section with a plastic ‘window’ allows the figure to peer out at crowds or attackers while still remaining unharmed.

Accessories include eight ammo and equipment pack/pouches that attach via Velcro and are decorated with clasps, clips, buckles or fold over flaps.  Also included are knee and elbow pads, a walkie-talkie with microphone and wire, and an automatic handgun with thigh holster and a black assault rifle with clip and shoulder strap.

All are accurate in detail and the weapons and walkie-talkie are easily held by the figure.

No stand is necessary for the figure as it balances in various poses, moves easily in nits loose-fitting clotting and paint application is clean, crisp and has no slopover edges.

The Art Of Star Wars The Mandalorian

Earlier this year my wife and I visited our son and daughter-in-law in Virginia.  While there, as Grandma gushed over our new granddaughter, I contented myself to watch some streaming shows via the Internet courtesy of Disney +.

I’d heard a lot of positive buzz about the new Star Wars The Mandalorian show and I thought I would check it out.

I’m glad I did-it was fantastic and some of the best Star Wars I’d even seen.

I binge watched the entire first season.  When I got home, although we do not have Disney +, I was able to watch a lot of clips and scenes from the second season.  The last episode of the season blew me away.  If you haven’t watched it--do!

As a former art teacher, artist and graphic designer I was blown away by the detail of the series when it came to costumes, character and set design, special visual and practical effects, the music score and the creature design.

I recognize how much work, blood, sweat and tears that went into making the series.

It takes months of pre-planning, physical construction, post-production and editing to make such a series.  Everything about it clicked.

Abrams Books and author Phil Szostak, with a foreword by Doug Chiang, present The Art Of Star Wars The Mandalorian, an oversize, slip covered, hardbound book that covers everything about the creation and final realization of the series‘ first season.

The slip cover shows illustrations of The Mandalorian on the cover with art of the chief bad guys on the back.

The book’s cover displays a panoramic landscape with a speeder bike wraparound piece of art.

Inside readers are privy to pitch illustrations, twin page panoramas of locations and sets, character designs, ship and technology concepts, costume refinements and so much more.

Filled to the brim with color illustrations, sketches and notes about the creation of each, the book is a visual account of how such a massive concept went from the drawing table and computer to the screen.

It’s a remarkable examination of the creative process and progress from sketches to completed designs, maquettes and physical props, sets, creatures and more.

More than just a book about Star Wars it is a veritable visual encyclopedia of film making magic.

Rambo First Blood Part II Knife

There was a time when I was a huge fan of Rambo.  My enthusiasm has waned over the years.  Rambo was an acquired taste and the character’s relevance has diminished.

If you’re looking for a good ol’ bloodfest movies with plenty of muscles, macho and firepower then the Rambo movie franchise is just the ticket.

Recently Sylvester Stallone revisited Rambo and to be honest the movie was enjoyable enough from an action point of view, but let’s admit it, Stallone is getting a little long in the tooth.

He’s hardly the Rambo we all knew and loved n the 1980s.

The years have caught up to him and it shows.

However one of the coolest elements in any Rambo movie is Rambo’s choice of weapons-specifically his choice of knives.

In Rambo First blood Part II Rambo sported a huge knife with survival items tucked a way in its handle.

United Cutlery offered a reproduction of the knife and that’s what I want to talk about in this review.

The knife is a hefty size with a sharp stainless steel blade approximately 10 inched in length.  The body of the blade is painted matt black and the upper edge of the blade is cut into notches for clipping wire, etc.  They also serve as blood channels.

The blade guard is think metal with a standard screwdriver head on one side and a Phillips head on the opposite side.

The handle is round with wrapped around black cord ending in a silver cap that unscrews.  On its end is a small compass.  A black leather strip is tied to the end.

Unscrew the cap and a small clear plastic tube is inside that contains matches, fishhooks, lead weights, needles and fishing line.

Included with the knife is a large heavy leather black sheath.

At its bottom is a black leather strip for securing to your leg, a snap over strap for securing the knife in the sheath and a multi hole punch open fold over strap for attaching to your belt.

The sheath is wrapped in plastic to protect it and the entire knife set comes in a lid box with the Rambo logo on its front and sides.

FuelRods X Three!

A big holiday ‘Thank You!’ to the folks at FuelRods for the wonderful gift of not one, not two, but three FuelRods.

If you’ve not had the opportunity to purchase FuelRods I encourage you to do so.

For my full review of FuelRods click on the following link:

https://bamcc-bam.blogspot.com/search?q=fuel+rod

Marvel Comics: Hercules Prince Of Power #1

When Hercules was first introduced in Marvel Comics he was considered a second string Thor.  He was loud, boisterous and tended to fly off the handle when provoked.

Since that time he has become a major player in the Marvel Universe-even becoming an Avenger.

Who ever thought that a muscle-bound, oaf of a god could have such a sense of humor and be so human?

Artist/writer Bob Layton tells a tale of the Prince of Power-Hercules’ funny and fantastic foray in a 4-part mini-series.

The rambunctious, rowdy and sometimes rude Hercules finally returns to Mount Olympus after being exiled to earth by his father Zeus.

No sooner does he get their than his pride, talent for causing a ruckus and loud and rowdy manner manage to get him exiled one again, only this time to outerspace.

Hercules takes his chariot drawn by flying horses and departs and then the fun begins.

The Hercules Prince Of Power mini-series really helped define Hercules, his mannerisms, his strengths and weaknesses and most of all his spirit.

The series includes lots of outer space action, fights, fisticuffs romance and an unexpected confrontation.

For fans of Hercules this is the ultimate tale of the Prince of Power and enjoyable romp with the muscle-bound and roughhousing Hercules as he bestows his ‘gift’ on friend and foe alike.

Holiday Magic, Storybook Collection, The Mouse Watch and The Mandalorian Posters and Story with Stickers

There’s always that neighbor that when holidays come about outdoes everyone else's decorations.

You know the type: Christmas lights galore, Halloween monstrosities ad naseum and New Year’s and The 4th of July patriotic overkill.

When it comes to ‘Celebrations Around The World From Fall To Winter‘, Disney Parks are like your overzealous neighbor on steroids.

Authors and researchers Graham Allan, Rebecca Cline and Charlie Price, along with Disney Editions, present an oversize, hardbound book appropriately entitled: Holiday Magic At The Disney Parks.

And magic it is with its full-color dust jacket featuring photos of various festivities to its amazing images on its front and back book covers, the book delivers holiday pizzazz to the max.

The book primarily covers Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years with a few unexpected celebrations thrown in for good measure.

Tracing the Disney celebrations back to the early days of Disneyland the book covers the years as it highlights Disney’s talent for making the holidays sing.

Filled with historical text and modern day observations the prose of the book is nearly overshadowed by the incredible plethora of color photographs.

Unique holiday displays, parades, ride variations specifically for the holidays and live characters all make for some of the most spectacular holiday festivities ever imagined.

Hundreds of pages are brimming with archival and present day photos featuring the incredible talent and imagination of the Disney artisans and craftsmen and women.

For a real holiday lift me up be sure to pick up a copy of the book for hours of reading and visual enjoyment.

Like the holidays it features, the book is a celebration in and of itself.

It’s no secret that Marvel superheroes are extremely popular with comic book readers, moviegoers and TV couch potatoes.

Many of the stories are very detailed and involved and much can be lost on young minds.

Disney/Marvel Press rectifies that problem with a collection of Marvel tales specifically created for the young.

Featuring many of the most popular Marvel characters the book: Marvel Storybook Collection, features colorful and action packed illustrations of Marvel’s finest.

Look for easy to read stories starring Spider-Man, Black Widow, Black Panther, The Guardians Of The Galaxy, Captain Marvel, The Hulk, The Avengers, Thor, Ant-Man and various team-ups of each.

Thrill as Marvel’s heroes face off against some of the baddest of villains.

Beautiful art combines with thrilling text to keep the youngest of minds enthralled and interested.  Make Mine Marvel!

From the biggest heroes to tiny heroes Disney’s The Mouse Watch offers big adventure in a small size.

She’s small, she’s determined and she’s just been invited to join Mouse Watch-a secret organization headed by former Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers member: Gadget Hackwrench.

Bernadette is a small mouse who has big dreams.  She has aspirations of doing something big and becoming a member of Mouse Watch is her dream come true.

Invited to join the legendary Mouse Watch, she accepts and her training partner: Jarvis (who at one time worked for the evil Rogue Animal Thieves Society or R.A.T.S.) must team up in order to find what happened to all of the missing Mouse Watch agents.

It’s a fun-packed, exhilarating roller coaster of a ride as Bernadette and Jarvis face off against mechanical treats, nasty bad guys and various obstacles as they search for their comrades.  

But can Jarvis be trusted?  Mouse Watch and the entire world are in danger and only Jarvis and Bernadette working together can hope to save the day.

Author J. J. Gilbert and Disney/Hyperion are delighted to bring to young readers on a big adventure as small heroes facing off against humongous dangers.

Disney's Star Wars The Mandalorian TV series is a huge hit.   It has revitalized the Star Wars franchise and brought in a whole new generation of fans.

Taking place just after the classic Return Of The Jedi film, the series stars a Mandalorian Knight sent on a special mission to return a small Force gifted youngster to a Jedi.

Along the way he meets many threats both old and new and to the delight of longtime Star Wars fans many iconic characters make their guest appearances such as Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2 and more.

The second season just ended and like the first season Disney/Lucasfilm Press has compiled a Mandalorian Season 2 Poster Book featuring a varied artistic gallery of characters from the series.

Sixteen double-sided, pull-out posters come in the book.

Just as exciting is Star Wars Mandalorian A Clan Of Two storybook written by Brooke Vitale and illustrated by Tomatofarm.

Discover what happens as The Mandalorian (Mando) and The Child start off on their adventure.

Included with the book are stickers.  Read it, marvel at the art and have fun with the stickers.  Three hits for the price of one!

The Other Side Of The Looking Glass

Back when author Lewis Carroll released Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland it was a social commentary of its times.

Sir John Tenniel illustrated the strange tale and the book became a huge hit spawning sequels.

ToyVault Toys in 1999 released a figurine set featuring four of the characters from the book based on Tenniel’s illustrations.

The figures comes packaged in a wide horizontal box with separate cutout areas for viewing each individual figure which are  encased in form fitting clear plastic cocoons.

The box is decorated in era colors and graphics and The Other Side Of The Looking Glass logo.

On the back of the box are individual photos of the figures in picture frames.

Figures include Alice, the Mad Hatter, Humpty Dumpty and the Caterpillar with a separate Mushroom base.

Each figure stands approximately three inches tall.

The Alice figure has golden hair blue eyes and a light complextion.  She wears a blue and white dress with puffed shoulders, apron, wide skirt and single strap brown shoes.  She holds a large pink flamingo cradled in her arms and comes with a small brown tortoise.

The Mad Hatter wears a large green top hat with brown hatband, a large red bow-tie, a red vet with green polka dots, a short green jacket, green pants with purple patches and black shoes with white spats.   

He holds a red cup of tea and piece of toast.

His long nose, bright blue eyes, and narrow face are cradled by a large collar.

Humpty Dumpty is attired blue pants and shirt, a large red bow-tie and white shoes.

His large mouth stretches across his face that has a small nose and large eye sockets with small eyes.

The caterpillar is the most colorful of the set with his multiple arms, hands, legs and feet that are all bare.

He comes dressed in a full blue body suit with hood.

He has a sleepy expression and holds a hookah with log tube attached to his mouth.

The hookah is black and extends up with two pipes.

A large red with brown spots mushroom serves as his perch.  A yellow with brown pots and an orange with brown spots mushrooms are at the base of the large mushroom.

The set of figures look identical to the illustrations they are fashioned after.

Each figure is nicely sculptured with excellent color application with subtle shades creating a muted and less vibrant color scheme reminiscent of the times the figures represent.

Diamond Previews, January 2021

Meet The Marvel Super Heroes

From Marvel Press comes a kids’ book all about the heroes of Marvel Comic Books.

Using simple prose and colorful illustrations the book lays out the core of the Marvel Universe.

A number of years ago Marvel Comics created a couple of maxi-series listing all of its characters, locations, etc. including fist appearances, powers and so forth.  Each extensive description included art.

Later Marvel would reprint the guides in soft back form and later still DK Books, along with other publishers, would elaborate and expand on the Marvel Universe.

It’s a bit daunting to keep up with, to say the least.

Any young reader would have a difficult time keeping track and understanding and comprehending the huge amount of data.

Meet The Marvel Super Heroes is perfect for young readers.

Simple full color illustrations and short concise text give the reader a quick lowdown on each character, their powers and group or individual affiliations.

The books offer the perfect solution to any newbie Marvel Comic Book reader providing enough information to whet their appetite and encourages them to explore the Marvel Universe more in-depth.

Thing, She-Hulk: The Long Night

Marvel Comics every-loving, blue-eyed Thing and the Sensational She-Hulk team up courtesy of writer Tom Dezago and artist Bryan Hitch with assist by Ivan Reis.  Did I mention Dragon Man and vampires show up?

This is a fun story augmented by the art and clever dialogue and the somewhat absurd nature of the tale.

A few things really impress me about this tale.  First off is the complexity--interweaving the thing, She-Hulk, Roxxon, Dragonman, insectoid vampires and the New York City underworld.

Scenes weave in and out and somehow retain coherence.

Second is the art-such fluidity and fast action!  Each panel is a visual delight with plenty of awesome mastery of the human and non-human form (check out the vampires and Dragonman) smooth panel and transitions.

What really makes this book is the coloring by Paul Mounts.  The She-Hulk, Thing, Dragonman and all the hi-tech goodies, bad guys and costumed henchmen really pop.  

There’s wonderful light, shadows and colors that give everything an organic feel.  It really comes alive.

Great art, a fun story, dazzling colors and a whole of fun.

It may be only a one-shot but it packs all the action, intrigue and fun in just a few pages that some series take multiple issues to achieve.

A mint raw copy of Thing, She-Hulk: The Long Night goes for a little over cover price with a slabbed copy setting you back around $15.

X-Mas Snowman and Jack Frost

After seeing McFarlane Toys X-Mas figures the Christmas holiday season will never be the same.

Of the figure set, two are my favorites: Jack Frost and Snowman.

Trust me when I say you’ve never seen figures quite like these.  They’re not exactly examples of holiday sheer!

I’m not sure how McFarlane Toys sculptors and toy manufacturers pulled it off but both the Snowman and Jack Frost look to made from translucent ice with snow highlights.

In some parts they can be seen through--icicles and all.

If I was a kid and I came across McFarlane Toys Snowman in full scale I would immediately wet myself, scream “Mommy!” and scurry on home, run to my room, hide under the covers and never show my face again.

Yeah--it’s that scary!

This frozen, frosty monstrosity sports six (count ‘em) six gnarly tree branch arms with long tapered and sharp fingers on each hand.

Split into three sections (head, torso and hips-just like a traditional snowman) the Snowman figure leans slightly forward with its six limbs flailing about with its six clawed hands ready to pounce and grab any unsuspecting holiday reveler.

The Snowman wears a tattered and wrinkled black top hat with red headband.

Its face features two dark as the depths of hell coal eyes, a long, bent carrot nose and a large gaping mouth with rows and rows of jagged ice teeth.

The figure is poised on a slab of snow/ice with several Christmas bulb decorations strew about.

Let’s hope, just like the Legendary Frosty The Snowman, that this Snowman melts to nothing, come spring.  It’s a chiller thriller!

The Jack Frost figure is a biiiig boy!  Judging by the small village, with windmill at his feet, Jack Frost is neighboring on 1,000 feet tall!

Like the Snowman Jack Frost has lots of wood intermingled with his ice and snow body.  Large trees protrude out his back and much of his head and jaws are made from tree trunks and large trees.

His bright red eyes appear as crimson slits under his heavy ice brow.

His gigantic maw has large icicle teeth jutting from its roof and lower jaw.

Jack Frost stands with his giant legs spread apart and bent at the knees.  Icicles hang down from all over his body.

His hands hold a gigantic tree trunk as he prepares to wreak havoc.

His giant wooden feet have gnarly toes ending in sharp edges and his left foot has obliterated half of the small village below the figure.

The base consists of the village on a snowy hill and ice mountain.

What makes this figure especially impressive is the intermingling of transparent and translucent plastic with solid pieces of brown plastic signifying trees.

This is one of the most impressive Mcfarlane Toys figures I’ve ever seen.  An amazing sculpt, incredible color application and astounding attention to detail (as with Snowman figure) make this an incredible figure to own.

Love and Monsters

Sometimes an unusual and unlikely combination of diametrically opposed concepts or subjects come along and they just click.

Such is the case with CBS/Paramount’s Blu-ray/Digital Combo Pack release of Love and Monsters starring Dylan O'Brien.

Imagine, in the not too distant future the world has been taken over by monsters.

Mankind has dwindled to frightening low numbers and the remnants of humanity have taken shelter underground.

Monsters roam the surface and only the brave, or the foolish, dare venture out to find food or supplies.

After loosing everyone he loves and in hiding Joel is shocked to discover his high school sweetheart is living just 85 miles away after talking to her over a radio.

He sets out to reunite with her and along the way adopts a dog and runs into survivalists consisting of a man and young girl.  The trio heads out to complete Joel’s quest and in the hopes of meeting other survivors.

Along the way Joel and the man and girl meet up a plethora of flesh-eating alien monsters, run into a cache of survivalists and somehow manage to survive.

Love and Monsters is a hilarious and yet touching film of love, friendship, courage and perseverance.

Included with the Combo Pack are deleted scenes, featurettes and more.

Genesis Impact

Let’s start at the beginning.  

In Konami's Yu-Gi-Oh! Training Card Game Genesis Impact idols live when the secret history of YGO’s famous Spellcasters are revealed.  Are you ready for the truth?  Can you handle it?

Sometimes you may get what you ask for and things don't turn out the way you intended.

Master three brand-new Decks.

Aleister, Verre, Endymion…just who are they? To find out you must obtain Fusion, Synchro, Xyz, and Link Summoning, all in the same Deck.

Things to look for include:

Ritual Summoning with a new theme.
Every Effect Monster in the theme is a 2000 ATK Machine.

The Genesis Impact Booster Set contains 60 Cards:
10 Ultra Rares
15 Super Rares
35 Rares
(15 Cards in the Set are also available as Collector's Rares)

Each Booster Pack contains 7 Cards:
1 Foil
6 Rare

The Falcon #1

Sam Wilson (The Falcon) has always been a popular character in the Marvel Comics Universe.

First introduced in Captain America #117, The Falcon would go on to share the Captain America comic book, join the Avengers and guest star in numerous Marvel Comics.

When The Falcon first appeared in the Captain America: Winter Soldier movie it was obvious that his chemistry with Cap and fellow Avengers that he would play an important role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which was also reflected in Marvel Comics.

For a time The Falcon replaced Captain America and indeed became Captain America.

In The Avengers Infinity War Part 2 movie The Falcon was given Cap’s shield and at Steve Rogers request became the new Captain America.

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier also have their own upcoming Disney Streaming service series.

In 1983 writer Jim Owley and artist Paul Smith created a four-part The Falcon mini-series.

In the series Sam Wilson is residing in ‘The Hood’ and fighting crime while at the same time trying to help the community.

In Falcon #1 he faces off against Nemesis a wacko bad guy out to destroy any new projects under construction.  Along the way Sam deals with corrupt builders, politicians, law enforcement and the like.

The entire mini-series in near mint condition goes for about $8.

The Blue And The Gold

In the 1980s DC Comics felt blue and went for the gold!

A classic character returns and two new future superstars are introduced: one with a super ego and one with a little devil in him.

When Charlton Comics went out of business DC Comics acquired its roster of characters.  Blue Beetle, Peacemanker, Captain Atom and several others were originally charted to star in the Watchmen series by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons.

DC executives opted out of the use of the characters for such a dark series.  Alan Moore was forced to create his own character roster.

DC Comics would later reintroduce the Charlton characters into its own  continuity and character gallery.

Blue Beetle received his own series that successfully captured the look and attitude of the original Blue Beetle series as drawn by Steve Ditko.

While the new Blue Beetle was comical and over the top at first, he soon became a key player in the DC Universe and took part in some truly momentous storylines especially in the various Crisis mini-series produced some years after his premiere.

At one point he was killed, resurrected and eventually retired when a new younger Blue Beetle who possessed an alien beetle carapace capable of various powers.

There was a period in DC Comics history that many of the books it published tended to have a humorous slant.  This was due in part because of the Watchmen’s success.  Dark and foreboding, the series completely changed the face of comic books.

Soon comic book publishers started to emulate the Watchmen’s brooding dark tone.  DC Comics took a different approach with some of its titles by adding touches of humor.  Blue Devil was one such title.

Coincidentally the artist on Blue Devil was the same artist on Blue Beetle: Paris Cullins.

Paris was well known for his talent to imbue humor in his drawings-a perfect ingredient in both Blue Beetle and Blue Devil.

The story centered on stuntman Dan Cassidy who wears a demon exto-suit to create the monster he performs as in the Blue Devil movie.

While wearing the suit he winds up tackling a real demon whose magical powers then binds the suit to him.

As the years progressed Dan was permanently transformed into the Blue Devil and acquired supernatural powers of his own.

Eventually he would become one of DC Comics most powerful magical characters.

In Booster Gold a superhero wannabe from the future steals advanced technology and travels to the present day.

He hoped to make a name for himself and cash in.  Things did not work out that way.

Booster Gold would eventually have a change of heart and become the superhero he always wanted to be.

Of course his super ego tended to still get in his way.  He and the Blue Beetle became fast friends.

All three #1 issues go for about $10 raw and $50 slabbed in mint condition for each.

2nd U.S. ‘Berdan’ Sharpshooter

We tend to forget that many of our modern military standards got their start decades, even hundreds of years ago.

Take snipers for instant.  Snipers are masters of camouflage and infiltration.  They are equipped with the latest and greatest military advanced weapons and accessories.

What if I told you that much of what we associate with modern day military special ops actually got their start in the Civil War and earlier?

For example: Sideshow Collectibles has recreated a 2nd U.S. ‘Berdan’ Sharpshooter in perfect 1/6th scale.

The 12-inch figure comes attired in dark green that lends itself to blend in with many environments.

The figure comes with a huge cache of weapons and equipment.  Here’s the list:

Forage Cap, M1858 Green Frock Coat
Green Federal Pattern Trousers
Brogans
Leather Waist Belt with Federal Issue US Belt Plate
M1855 Bayonet Scabbard
M1859 Sharps Sprocket Bayonet
M1855 Cap Pouch
M1855 Cartridge Box with Sling
M1858 Canteen
M1851 Haversack
Federal Issue Cup
Prussian Pattern Knapsack with Blanket Roll
M1859 Sharps Rifle with Double Set Triggers

More details to come on these accessories later.

It’s a real pity that Sideshow stopped making military figures.  They did excellent work on the figures they did produced-the Sharpshooter being an excellent example.

The original designed head sculpt is well done with well-defined features, nice skin coloration in various shades and excellent finishes on the eyes and other features.

The figure is fully articulated and stands and poses without the use of a stand or support.

Dressed in its green uniform the figure fits easily in the clothing with no binding or unruly or unrealistic folds and wrinkles.

The Frock Coat fits perfectly over the figure.  A row of black buttons run partway down its front and the coat has a high collar and folded up cuffs with decoration stripes.

The loose-fitting pants end just at the top of the figure’s black boots.

The figure also wears a black belt with a US insignia buckle with a Bayonet Scabbard attached to the belt along with a Cartridge Box with Sling.

All are in scale, easily attach and remove from the figure and look completely authentic.

Accessories are period correct and are in perfect scale to the figure.  The figure’s hands are propositioned to hold each object(s).

The Forage Cap is plastic and fits snuggly on the figure’s head.
The M1859 Sharps Sprocket Bayonet is set in the Scabbard at the figure’s waist and slides easily in and out of the scabbard and attaches to the Rifle’s mussel.
The M1855 Cap Pouch is black simulated leather with a single snap in the front.
The M1855 Cartridge Box with Sling hangs around the figure's left shoulder and lies on the figure’s right hip.
The M1858 Canteen is cloth covered with a swivel cap.
The M1851 Haversack looks like loose and soft black leather with a single tie in the front.

The Federal Issue Cup looks like well-worn tin with a handle.
The Prussian Pattern Knapsack with Blanket Roll consists of brown and light brown leather (simulated) and has a real cloth-sleeping blanket rolled up and secured with two brown straps attached to the top of the Knapsack.

The M1859 Sharps Rifle with Double Set Triggers is the most impressive of the equipment.  Approximately four-foot long (in scale) the single barrel rifle has three metal straps securing the barrel to the stock.  

 The single flintlock sits atop the firing mechanism that includes the triggers with elongated guar-all in black.  

The butt of the gun is capped with black metal and twin loops hangs from the stock butt and midway down the barrel stock which a shoulder strap can be attached to.

It’s an impressive collection of accessories all historically accurate, extremely detailed and well crafted, colored and assembled.

The entire entourage of the figure and accessories make for an impressive, period, military piece that Civil War buffs and historians are sure to love.

New Teen Titans #1 Prestige

Back in the early to mid-1980s DC Comics’ New Teen Titans rivaled in sales Marvel Comics’ Uncanny X-Men. Several times it outsold X-Men.

The series proved so popular that DC Comics decided to create a second New Teen Titans series draw by George Perez and written by Marv Wolfman in order to introduce DC’s new Prestige/Baxter series of comic books.

It proved to be an excellent choice as sales figures confirmed.  At least at first.

As if sparked on by the new Prestige format George Perez’s art took a quantum leap in quality.  George has always been known for his detailed pencils. The New Teen Titans Prestige format bolstered his art and really made it shine in part due to higher quality paper and printing.

Unrestrained by the Comic Books Authority the series took a more ‘mature’ approach as evident by the opening scene of Dick Grayson and Kory (Starfire) in bed with each other.

When DC decided to launch another New Teen Titans title it put in place an interesting set up.

The existing monthly New Teen Titans title would be still be written and drawn by Wolfman and Perez with all new original stories.  After a year the title would then begin reprints of the Prestige/Baxter New Teen Titans title.

The original title would switch to a newsstand edition while the new title would be an exclusive Direct Sales release to comic book shops.

The strategy worked for a couple of years with the series shifting exclusively to the Prestige format only.

It was a clever ploy but it did not take in to account that comic book collectors are not wild about reprints thus resulting the canceling of the original series.

Not long after the consolidation to one series George Perez left he series to pursue other projects such as the Crisis On Infinite Earth maxi-series, The History Of The DC Universe, Wonder Woman and others.

Marvel Comics Mini-Books and X-Men The Art And Making Of The Animated Series

A big thank-you and shout out to Abrams Books/Abrams ComicArts/Marvel Entertainment for the incredible review copies featuring my favorite subject: comic books!

Way back in the early 1960s kids could drop a dime or a quarter into a small vending machine and receive a Marvel Comics MIni-Book in a plastic container.

Six Mini-Books made up the collection and millions of them sold!  

In the 1960s comic books were a fad.  They were that generation's disposable entertainment.  Very few people actually collected comic books.  Even fewer held onto the Marvel Mini-Comics.

For that reason they are highly collectible today.

Longtime comic book collector and writer Mark Evanier, along with Abrams ComicArts/Marvel Entertainment, has collected all six books in the series in a miniature hardback collection.

Seven books come in the slip case boxed set-the additional title contains the history of the Marvel Comics Mini-Books that contains art galleries of each book in its original size!

The six titles that make up the collection include Sgt. Nick Fury, The Incredible Hulk, Millie The Model, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Mighty Thor and Captain America.

Each book has been upsized and features the full text and spot illustrations seen in the original Marvel Comics Mini-Books.

If you’re a Marvel Zombie and remember belonging to the Merry Marvel Marching Society than these books offer a fascinating nostalgic trip down Marvel Comics Memory Lane.

Each book is a small hardback with a special retro deign cover along with the name of the character featured in the book along its spin. The Mini-History book is chock full of fun information along with photos by Geoff Spear.

What a wonderful slice of nostalgia.  I remember how excited I was to see the original Marvel Comics Mini-Books and if I remember correctly I managed to collect all six.  Unfortunately I no longer have them but the Marvel Comics Mini-Books boxed set makes for a fine and fun substitute.

When the X-Men movie came out in the year 2000 many believe it launched the Marvel Renaissance.

I beg to differ.

Back in the early 1990s Saban Animation made the decision to adapt and create animated half-hour shows featuring Marvel Comics’ X-Men.

Many of the stories and plots came directly from the comic book series-most from the famous John Byrne/Dave Cockrum/Marc Silvestri/Jim Lee/Chris Claremont periods

For an animated series it stayed remarkably faithful to its source material.

Abrams Books and Eric and Julia Lewald have compiled an impressive oversize hardbound book with a killer X-Men animated character cover that delves into the history of the popular animated series.

The book's title is X-Men The Art And Making Of The Animated Series.

I watched every episode and enjoyed each.  I’m proud to say I have the entire series on DVD.

The book goes in extreme detail about the making of the show, from character and set deigns, voice actors, the soundtrack, storyboards and more.

Page after page is filled with production sketches, designs, final illustrations, color guides and resource materials to create the look of the series.

It‘s a comic book fan's ultimate dream come true!

I poured over the pages of original art, animation cells, tie-in merchandise, historical text about The X-Men and Marvel Comics, how the animated series came about and full episode listings and creator credits.

As a retired graphic designer and cartoonist I appreciate the incredible amount of talent it took to pull off the animated series.

I’m as equally impressed by the hard work, research and hours spent pouring over reference material to turn out this incredible and ‘Uncanny’ book.

It’s beautifully designed, very well written and it’s brimming with so much art and illustrations it’s a veritable visual candy feast for the eyes.

Kudos to the creative team for a job well done.

Green Lantern: Sinestro, Black Hand and Shark

Let’s be honest.  Hal Jordan is just a guy-a smart guy, a pilot and fearless.

But, if you put him up against any of DC Comics villains on his own he'll get his clock cleaned or worse.

But, give him a Green Lantern ring and it’s a whole new story.

With his strong will and lack of fear Hal Jordan becomes a formidable foe.  Take away the ring and he’s toast.

While Green Lantern is a cool hero wearing a really cool uniform he’s just a guy with a powerful ring-hardly the sure-powered type.

Still Green Lantern has some of best adversaries in the comic book world.

In this review I’ll be examining three of GL’s villains as imagined in 3D toy form DC Direct.

From Series 1 comes Black Hand.  Series 2 has the Shark and in Series 3 GL’s greatest foe: Sinestro is represented.

The Series 1 Black Hand, 6-inch, fully articulated action figure recreates the image of the nefarious villain who set in motion the Blackest Night maxi-series released by DC Comics almost 10 years ago.

In it, Black Hand is given the power to resurrect dead superheroes using a black power ring (Black Lantern) as instructed by the Necromancer.

When Black Hand was first introduced all those years ago he was never more than a second-tier super villain.  Since then he has become a viable and dangerous foe of the light, justice and the good.

The action figure duplicates his deep blue and black outfit including his long flowing cape, gauntlets with steel knuckles and multiple buckles, riveted Black Hand silver chest symbol. Riveted blue cloth covers desiccated arms and face, black and blue tights and solid blue boots with heavy heels.

Black Hand’s face is a study in fury and his right arm, part of which is exposed has heavy almost black veins culminating in solid black right hand beginning at the elbow.  His left hand is covered by a black and blue riveted gauntlet.

The figure comes with a Black Hand base with logo and is contained in a clear bubble hanger card with a giant Green Lantern text logo, as are the other figures.

The most massive of the three figures is Shark. This nasty predator humanoid stands a good eight inches tall.

His flesh colored skin barely contains his sinewy powerful muscle.

His huge chest, powerful arms, muscle bound legs show every strand of muscle, sinew and veins.

His huge head, with its gaping jaws and rows of sharp teeth, looks menacing.

His dead black eyes peer out from a heavy brow and his massive neck juts from his shoulders and chest.

Translucent fins protrude from the sides of his arms and legs and his translucent webbed hands and feet end in large claws.

Shark wears black pants and a torn purple shirt that hangs in shreds from his arms and waist.

The figure stands crouched as if to strike.  It is a masterly display of sculpted work and design.

The nastiest of the lot is Sinestro-the rogue Green Lantern who at one time was Hal Jordan’s mentor when he joined The Green Lantern Corps.

But Sinestro had his own ‘sinister’ ideas and tried a power play to take over the Corps.

He was thwarted, defeated and humiliated. The furious Sinestro embraced the fear power of the being known as Parallax who empowered him with a yellow power ring making him the head of The Yellow Lanterns.

Sinestro stands proud and erect with both hands clenched at his sides.

His large red face with oversize cranium with a wisp of black hair is a study in anger.

Sinestro grimaces, his eyes ablaze and his mouth is in an angry sneer.

His costume consists of black and yellow.  He wears yellow gauntlets, shoulder and chest yellow sectional armor, yellow boots and comes with a yellow lantern and a miniature Parallax multi-leg creature with a translucent head.

The balance of Sinestro’s outfit is black with a gray belt.  A black and yellow Lantern symbol decorates his chest.  Sinestro is one of four in the Series 3 set from DC Direct.

M.A.S.H Trivia Cards

I’m sure I've mentioned it before in some previous reviews.  The M.A.S.H TV show is one of my favorite classic TV series.

Hawkeye, B.J., Colonel Potter and the gang always managed to invoke a smile while opening my eyes to the horrors of war, social issues and the like.

A few years back my wife and I stopped at a yard sale out in the country.  It had the usual bric-a-brac. Among the unusual yard sale trappings I spotted a Golden Trivia Cards M.A.S.H Edition game.  I bought it for one dollar.

As the TV series was very little promotional, commercial tie-ins or licensed merchandise was created about the series.

There were just a few toys, some T-shirts and few other odds and ends.  To find any nowadays is difficult.

The M.A.S.H Trivia Cards Game is set up much like other Trivia games.

Players answer question on the enclosed cards.  Categories include Personnel Files, Mish M.A.S.H, Closing Seasons, M.A.S.H Quotes, Early Episodes and Love And War.

The player who answers the most questions correctly and winds up with the most cards wins.

Included in the small game box, decorated with M.A.S.H logo and cast photos, are six stacks of cards from the described categories, instructions and a M.A.S.H green plastic card standup.

After looking through the cards and trying to answers the questions I discovered I don’t know as much about M.A.S.H as I thought I did.

Still the cards brought back lots of memories and the game is fun to play.

JSA Classified #1

Here she is!  This is the JSA Classified #1, From DC Comics, with the Adams Hughes variant cover.  Adam drew/painted a beautiful cover featuring everyone’s favorite busty superheroine: Powergirl.

Geoff Jones provides the script and Amanda Connor the art.  Connors is one of only a handful of female comic book artists working in the industry today.  

Her style is realistic with hints of humor and filled with the sense that the characters are aware of what is going on and that know they are in a comic book.

In this issue readers get a recap of the origin of Powergirl and how she came to earth.  There's a brief bit about her JSA membership and how she went about testing her powers and coming up with her ‘ahem!’ slightly revealing costume.

But the main part of the story has Powergirl struggling with her past and some disturbing visions that cause her to (in the public’s eye) go berserk.

Amanda Conners’ art it perfect for this title.  She infuses some humor, a little sexual tease and some powerful emotional and action sequences.

She gives Powergirl a visual personality that matches Geoff Jones’ descriptive writing.

Currently a mint copy of JSA Classified #1 with variant cover by Adams Hughes goes for about $45 raw and $200 slabbed.

German Trench Raider

Say what you will about the German Army during World War I, but you have to admit they were some of the best-trained and equipped fighters in the world.

Their weapons and technology were far superior than most of their allies and enemies and their tactical expertise was second to none.

The same holds true to the WWII German Army.

Firearms, uniforms, protective clothing and armor, explosives and field rations and equipment far outshined most military forces.

Sideshow Collectibles, as part of its The Peter Jackson Collection Bayonets & Barbed Wire collection of 12-inch military figures, presents its Series Five German Trench Raider IR 186 Stosstrupp Markmann fully articulated figure.

During WWI special German Storm Troopers were specifically trained to infiltrate enemy trenches.

They wore removable armor that allowed them to cross the ‘no-mans land’ and once at the trenches they would quickly remove the strapless armor.

Once in the trenches they were fast, silent and deadly.  Using knives or what ever other weapons were available they would kill or capture enemy soldiers.

Those captured were often interrogated for vital troop movement information.

Sideshow Collectibles reproduced a German Trench Raider IR 186 Stosstrupp in perfect 1/6th Scale.

The figure is of a young man with close cropped brown hair, heavy brows, a full face, straight-edged nose, deep set blue eyes with heavy lids, square jaw and with his mouth slightly open revealing his teeth. Flesh coloring is varied duplicating real skin tones.

The figure is fully articulated at all body joints and fits easily into his accompanying wardrobe with no fabric bunching, ceases or unnatural wrinkles.

Clothes remove and place on the figure with no fuss or muss.

The figure comes dressed in Stone-Grey Trousers with red vertical stripping, a M1915 Blouse with heavy upturned cuffs, a Waist Belt with Prussian Square Buckle, Puttees and Ankle Boots and segments Sappenpanzer Body Armor.  

The Body Armor fits over the shoulders and lies in three sections down the chest ending in a separate crotch plate.  Segments have small pads between them for easy movement.

All of the clothing has in-scale stitching and fasteners.

Included with the figure are a 1918 Stahlhelm Helmet with chin strap, a Mauser G 98 Rifle with Ersatz Sling and working slide bolt, Mauser Cartridge Boxes, light brown Improvised Grenade Bags, four Stick Grenades with wooden handles, an Ersatz Bayonet with Scabbard, an Improvised Trench Mace with rope strap and heavy metal rivets, a Gas Mask Can with fabric tie, Wire Cutters of solid metal, a M1887 Haversack (Bread Box) and a M1907 Water Bottle with leather strap.

All accessories and weapons either attach to the soldier’s waist belt or shoulder straps.

Once assembled the figure bristles with equipment and with the realistically scaled and sculpted hands it easily carries the rifle, grenades or other weapons and accessories.

The detailing on the figure and accessories are historically accurate and the paint application is clean with no slopover edges or bleed edges.

Even heavily loaded wit weapons and accessories the figure stands erect and stable.  It’s one of the most detailed of the Sideshow military figures and currently sells for around $150 in the box.

Captain America #110

Back in 1969, fresh off his stint as writer and artist on Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., Jim Steranko took on the scripting and art chores of Marvel Comics red, white and blue Avenger: Captain America.

Steranko delved deeply into the past of Cap and his acclimation to modern times.

Walking about New York City Steve Rogers thought about his past only to be rudely interrupted by the Hulk smashing through building on a tirade.

Cap took on the Hulk only to have Rick Jones show up.  He told Cap not to hurt the Hulk.  Rick got hurt because the Hulk was confused and Cap took him back to his place to recuperate.

Rick recovered and found Bucky‘s old costume.  He put it on and Cap was shocked and vowed that no one would wear his costume.  Rick admonished Cap and he the reluctantly allowed Rick to become his new partner.

Just then Cap’s Avengers’ alert went off pinpointing a disturbance.

Cap and Rick investigated and came across Agents of Hydra.  Cap ad Rick jumped into the fray.  But, Rick did not see an approaching attacker and Cap slung his shield to protect Rick. Cap yelled for Rick to run away. Just then a Hydra agent appears wearing a power vest and attacked Cap, supposedly defeating him.

Meanwhile Rick doubled back only to see the power vested Hydra Agent holding up Cap’s shield.

Believing Cap was dead Rick attacks.  Fortunately it was all a ruse.  Cap was disguised as the Hydra agent and once again rescued Rick.

Meanwhile the new head of Hydra: Madame Hydra, (her first appearance) and her agents escaped.

This was Steranko at his best.  All that he hd incorporated into his work before this point prepared him for Captain America.

His style was polished, precise and dynamic.

Page layouts screamed originality and his visuals were stunning and totally unique.  Steranko pulled out all the stops and really let his imagination and sense of design have free reign.

It is considered on of Captain America’s greatest tale and rightly so.

A near mint raw copy of Captain America #110 currently sells for around $60 with a slabbed near mint copy going for close to $700.

Frankenstein 12-Inch

Sideshow Collectibles got its start in the late 1990s.  The company produced a series of 9-inch Universal Monsters articulated figures.

The quality of the toys far outshined most toys seen in the market at that time.

Not too long after Sideshow complete its 9-inch run the company began producing 12-inch collectibles figures starting with Universal Studios Monsters, Frankenstein was one of the first.

Like its smaller 9-inch version the 12-inch version is a masterpiece of sculpting, articulation, paint application and attention to detail.

The Frankenstein Monster is fashioned after Boris Karloff, the actor who portrayed him in the original 1930s black and white film.

The sculpt by Oluf W. Hartvigson captures the features of Boris Karloff as the Monster perfectly.

The sickly green skin, heavy over hanging brow, short cropped black hair separated by scars, the aquiline nose, firm thin lips and long neck with electric bolts are all there.

The creatures long fingered hands with black nails, dangling arms with hands and writs showing below the deep green tattered coat with buttons and three pockets with flaps, deep brown pants and undershirt and heavy shoes with thick soles complete the horrific look of the monster.

Articulation is tight which enables the figure to stand on its own and the loose fitting cloths make the creature look more skeletal and emaciated.

The figure stands in front of scene from the movie.

A simulated cobblestone base is included as are a pair of shackles and chain, a glass container with a human brain and two flowers as seen when the monster accepts them from a little girl.

The figure’s real cloth outfit fits creature with realistic folds and creases and shifts easily without binding the figure.

The figure is held in place by several transparent plastic straps and the accessories are encased behind a form-fitting cocoon.

Both the figure and accessories can be seen in full behind a clear plastic panel that can be seen when the box lid is opened.  

The Frankenstein movie poster recreation is on the front of the box and a half figure photo of the creature is on the back of the box.

Unfortunately Sideshow ceased making classic monster 12-inch figures.

Battle Star

Marvel Comics’ Captain America has been around before the United States entered World War II.

He was one of Timely Comics (Marvel Comics’ original name) ‘Big 3’ which consisted of Captain America, The Human Torch and The Sub-Mariner.

He’s been around for a long time and has gone through a lot of changes.  Probably more than any other Marvel Comics superhero.

He’s been by himself and with a partner, taken on other identities such as The Captain and Nomad, he’s become an Avenger, joined S.H.I.E.L.D., traveled to other worlds and other times, watched good friends die and yet through it all he has managed to stay true to himself and to his ideals.

A couple of Captain America issues that that until recently were common issues have suddenly sparked new interest in the comic book community.

In issue #341 from 1988 Cap (as The Captain) is seen fighting Iron Man on the comic book’s cover.

It is typical Marvel fare-meaning it’s not what it appears to be face value.  Nothing is outstanding about the story-it’s a fun read but nothing earth shattering.

It’s the second tale that has attracted so much attention.

Cap’s black sidekick, Lamar, who took on the mantle of Bucky, has donned a new costume after Cap regains his Captain America attire.

He wears a red, white and blue outfit complete with a large star on his chest and a triangular shield-much like Cap’s original.

His new name is Battle Star-’nuff said!’

Ten years later in 1998 after Marvel Comics had worked out its bankruptcy problems and reestablished itself Captain America was given his own ‘new’ series beginning with issue #1 of Steve Rogers Captain America part of the Heroes Return relaunch.

In the issue Cap travels to Japan and takes on Lady Deathstrike.  

Cap’s change of location places him in an unfamiliar environment while he takes on a new threat he is unaccustomed to.

It’s interesting to see Cap’s initial reaction of being in Japan considering he fought the Japanese in WWII.

It’s a classic fish out of water story by writer Mark Waid and artist Ron Garney.