Slifer, Obelisk, & Ra Game Mat, 9-Pocket Portfolio and Card Case

Where would Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game be unless it has some cool accessories?

No one wants to let their Cards sit around without protection.

If you have particular Cards you use that are unique and expensive wouldn’t it be great to keep them in a portfolio?

And who wants play on a plain old tabletop?  Wouldn’t a Game Mat be better?

Well, Konami knows just what you want.

For Slifer, Obelisk and Ra its created a Card Case that holds over 70 sleeved cards!

For those extra special Cards there’s its Anti-Slip Pockets, 9-Pocket Duelist Portfolio that holds 180 Card front and back.

Play Yu-Gi-Oh in comfort with Konami’s full-size, soft, cushioned rubberized Game Mat that measures 24” X 14”.

Now you’re playing in style.

All feature great graphics, long-lasting durability and add some extra fun when gaming.

Birney Safety Car

There’s something special about vintage buses that are so much more personable than the new modern, get people there as fast as you can, buses.

Classic buses were just that-classic.  They were beautiful machines and it was obvious that much time and care was taken when it came to putting one together.

This beautiful Birney Safety Car is part of Corgi’s Vintage Bus Line Diecast Replica series.

For those of you unfamiliar with cable cars they consist of a passenger compartment and sit on railroad car wheels and travel on tracks.  They are propelled by electricity made possible by the two large contact wires extending from their roofs.

The flexible contact wires glide along electrified cables strung overhead.

Starting at the top the beige hood has two large black electrical boxes seated on twin rails.  From each electrical box extends a long black wire with a contact on its end.

The wires loop under hooks and can be pushed down and out so they may glide with the overhead contact power wire.

Eight protruding air vents run the length of the rails.

On each side of the roof are a series of wooden slates that serve as ladders.

Each side of the Safety Car starts with a body length green banner with the name of the railway in tan letters.

Below that is a series of eight two-pane windows that can raised or lower.

Their frames are burgundy on the top and light tan on the bottom.

The lower windowpanes are partial covered by a series of light tan open slats.

The light tan color continues below the slats and end in a green strip with tan tripping and back to tan.

On the font of one side is a burgundy entry door with six windows.

Below it is a tan fold out stair.

Underneath the front and the back of the Safety Car are wooden slat luggage carriers.

Four rail wheels with axles and a large black undercarriage.

The front(s) of the Safety Car has three large windows.  It is decorated in tan, burgundy and green with a single headlight, a horn and twin ‘21’ insignia.  A bumper extension protrudes just below the headlight.

The rear of the Safety car is a duplicate to its front.

Basically the safety Car has two fronts allowing it to go different directions on track without turning around.

Inside two rows of seats line up with the windows and several vertical handrails extend down from the ceiling in the front and back close to the conductor’s seats and door controls.

The Diecast Replica is scaled at 1:48.  Details are amazing and paint application is tight, clean and histrionically accurate.

Fantasy & Science Fiction #756, July/August 2021

 

Cannon Season One Volume One

Back in the 1970s TV cop/detective shows went through a radical change.

Gone were the handsome and rugged and near perfect private detectives and police men.

In order to better identify with audiences TV networks began churning out TV Detective/Cop shows that featured flawed and imperfect characters,

Shows like Barneby Jones that starred an old Buddy Ebsen as a retired private detective who returns to work in order to find the killer of his son were the norm.

Raymond Burr starred as Ironside, a chief detective confined to a wheelchair, Peter Falk starred as Columbo a bumbling, unkempt detective and perhaps the most unusual private investigator of all was played by William Conrad.

Conrad starred as Frank Cannon an overweight, balding, grumpy private investigator that retired from the police force.

More of a bulldog than a slick and sophisticate investigator he still managed to get in plenty of scarps, knew how to charm and bluff his way out of trouble and often found himself on the wrong end of gun.

Conrad was perfect for the role.  As Cannon he loved to eat, enjoy a good smoke and drink and knew how to smooth talk the ladies.

In the Cannon Season One Volume One DVD Collection from CBS/Paramount look for the two-hour pilot, eleven episodes and episodic promos.

He’s fat, funny, feisty and a joy to watch.

The Best Of 60s TV

My favorite decade for TV shows was the 1960s.  TV had just come out of its Golden Age and was starting to explore all sorts of genres for entertainment viewing.

There were westerns, comedies, crime shows, superhero programs, monster shows-the list went on and on.

Many of the TV shows have since gone on to be considered classics and are still watched by millions of people today as repeats.

I gotta tell ya, I really enjoyed The Best Of 60s TV book.

It brought back so many wonderful memories.

I was pretty much raised as a single child.  By the time I was five years old all of my brothers had moved out and were married.

My mother was sickly and pretty much caught up in herself.  She seemed more interested in playing bingo and going to stores that spending time with me or teaching me much of anything.

I was one of those latchkey kids that for weeks at a time I would be home alone because my mom would be in the hospital. At the time I never really thought much about it-it was just the way it was.

Fortunately I had some good friends and my brothers did come to check up on me.

Still, much of my time was spent alone so like most kids I watched TV.

I thrilled to the adventures of Captain Kirk, Napoleon Solo, Batman and other macho figures.  I took heart and comfort watching TV families like those in comedy sitcoms such as Bewitched, the Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, My Three Sons and I Dream of Jeannie.

My TV-all three networks worth-along with PBS and a Canadian station provided me a lot of fun, friendship and comfort.

The 1960s was the decade I remember the most when it comes to TV shows.  I was born in 1953 so for most of the 1950s I was too young to remember many shows.  But the 1960’s TV shows-they were the best.

I got excited when I spotted The Best Of 60s TV, published by Mallard Press and written and compiled by Michael McCall, at my local used bookstore.

The book is filled with photos and fun facts about all the different genres broadcast during that decade.

Westerns, spy shows, detective series, sci-fi, variety and comedies-they filled the airways along with other types of programs.

The book is a wonderful homage to a long ago time.  I enjoyed walking down Memory Lane and reminiscing about my childhood, family, friends, the holidays and especially my other family-the characters that populated the 1960s TV series.

Batman The Long Halloween Part Two

Warner Bros. presents the second and final chapter in the animated film adaptation of DC Comics’ Batman The Long Halloween.

As things heat up Batman finds himself discovering long lost secrets about his own family, the history of crime in Gotham City and the connection both have to his parents murder.

Batman and Alfred have their hands full as Gotham’s premiere crime families and the recently escaped Arkham Asylum prisoners Poison Ivy, The Mad Hatter, The Scarecrow and Prince of Crime--The Joker are brought into the game.

From the turmoil Harvey Dent transforms into Two-Face and Catwoman is caught between justice and vengeance.

Batman and Commissioner Gordon soon discover where alliances lie and the truths neither of them want to admit.

All this occurs as the Holiday Killer continues his or her series of murders.  Police now nickname the killings as The Long Halloween.

Included with he Blu-ray/Digital Code Combo are a Blue Beetle short, a sneak peek at the next DC Universe Movie Injustice plus two cartoons from the DC Vault.

Upcoming!! Diamond Previews, August 2021

 

Born To Be Bad Part II

There are individuals in the movie and TV industries that seemed destined to be the bad guys.

You’ve seen them.  They are so good at being bad.

Whether they’re actors or actresses, stuntmen, martial artists or have attended some of the most prestigious acting schools in the world there is something about them that qualifies them to be a villain.

In Born To Be Bad Part II author Timon Singh and publisher BearManer Media look into what it takes to be bad and to be good at it.

Various individuals recount their careers as bad guy in interviews that include their film listings, experiences and memorable moments.

Interviews include black and white photos, insider bits about various films and their stars and what it takes to be the best bad guys (and ladies) around.  

There are some genuinely funny recollections, tsome startling revelations and up close and personal moments that make for hours of reading pleasure.

They’re bad to the bone and we love them!  Where would the good guys be without their bad guys?  It’s time the bad guys get their own moment in the spotlight and this book provides just that.

Iron Man #7

Sometimes it does an old timer comic book fan such as myself to take a moment and remember why I got into the hobby of comic book reading and collecting in the first place.

Before all the hubbub about superhero movies, tackling social events, Social Justice Warrior propaganda and over merchandising tie-ins reading comics was all I ever needed.

Occasionally I’ll dig through my old comic books and pick out a Silver Age issues, sit back, flip through its pages and remember what it meant to be a kid caught up in the imaginary world of comic books.

Recently I pulled out an issue of Iron Man #7, pulled out a chair, put my feet up and enjoyed a good old fashioned comic book adventure.

In issue #7 Iron Man tackles The Daredevil villain The Gladiator.

It’s metal against buzz saws as the Golden Avenger dodges The Gladiator's spinning blades with lots of fisticuffs, over-dramatic dialogue and plenty of cornball action.

Ahhh!  It’s like a breath of fresh air!  Modern day concerns melt away as I enjoy a time when things were simpler, easy to understand and still held the promise of endless possibilities.

Marvel Comics' Iron Man #7 may not be Shakespeare but it has a charm and draw all of its own.

Whoniverse

Get ready for Whoniverse: An Unofficial Planet-By-Planet Guide To The Universe Of The Doctor From Gallifrey To Skaro courtesy of writer Lance Parkin and Barron’s.

The Doctor has been around for an untold number of years and he’s traveled the universe.  This book explores his adventures in time, space and other dimensions.

There have been 13 Doctors so far-not counting the War Doctor.  All of their exploit in time, space and other dimensions are shown.

This oversize hardbound book features all of the Doctors photos on its front (save for #13).

Inside detailed analysis and the sartorial significance as it pertains to the Doctors in various locations and key opponents are covered.

Various subject breakdowns include The Universe, The Solar System, Earth Colonies In Space, Planets of Origin, Time Lords, Dalek, Cybermen, Monsters, Distant Planets and Lost Planets.

Filled with lush illustrations, photographs, charts, schematics, timelines and text about each the book provides an excellent examination of the Doctor through time and space as well as detailed background information of each place or time he has visited.

The book is more than a breakdown on characters and incident but offers a complete comprehensive timeline of the thorny path the Doctor has chosen.

Evilution Demon

Almost 20 years ago Stan Winston Studios-the visual and practical effects studio, jumped into the toy market with its own series of action figures.

How To Make a Monster was one of the series and one of its figures was the Evilution Demon.

It’s easy to see that the figure was sculpted by the same individuals who create the amazing creatures and practical effects for movies.  The Stan Winston artists and craftsmen are some of the best in the world.

After Stan passed away the studio changed its name to Legacy Effects to honor Stan.

The Evilution Demon stands around 9-inches tale and comes packaged in an oversize bubble pack with an inner cocoon that holds the demon and accessories securely in place.

The container can be hung or stand on a shelf.  An exclusive CD is included about the making of the figure.

The figure is an amazing amalgamation of plastic, metal and wire.  The Stan Winston Studio did an amazing job of cobbling together a figure using various media to create the ultimate patchwork monster.

The skull head looks emaciated with its taught tan skin pulled over its face and culminate with metal teeth on both the upper and lower jaws.  Two silver tinted eyes peer out from the grimacing skull eye sockets.

On its head rests a two layer skull cape with a row of spies running down its center.

Two large horns (one is broken) sit on the sides and frame the face.

The skull attaches to the torso with its torn flesh and augmented surface.

A large spiked shoulder guard rests on its left shoulder held in place by a brown belt with silver buckle.  A red and blue wire comes from its stomach area.

Its left arm is a combination of flesh, bone and metal with a metal elbow assembly, rags and putrid hand with long bone/metal fingers.  Shreds of flesh and cloth hang from the arm.

The right arm is mostly cybernetic with strips of dead flesh covering a lion share of the circuits, wires and metal augmentations.

An elaborate metal elbow assembly attaches the forearm to the upper arm.  The forearm has a number of implants and wires and ends in a metal clad hand with metal strip finger reinforcements.

Below the waist the figure’s form is partially cover by a tattered piece of stained and ripped cloth/flesh.

The hips are made entirely of metal molded into the shape of a buttocks and hips joints.

Both upper legs are mostly metal sheeting covering the decayed leg bones.

The right leg is severed at the knee and the lower right leg metal tibia and fibula leg bones attach to a flat metal foot with wire attachments.  The left leg from the knee down features an eight-spike kneecap of wood, metal and wire lower leg bones and a similar metal foot as the right leg.

The figure’s base appears to consist of jagged and melted pieces of lab equipment with fragments of wire, controls and interfaces and floor grating forming a corner section of wall with a large piece in the back and smaller piece in the front.

A piece of perforated metal girder and a small monitor screen are also included.

The details on this figure are amazing.  Look for hydraulics, hinges, aged and rusted metal, fragments of bone, bits of flesh and a hodgepodge of organic and non-organic pieces and fragments all slapped together to form a really horrifying figure.

Paint application is complicated to say the least with multi-layers of pigment, clever paint application to simulate decay and subtle shading and tonal variations that make the figure pop.

It’s too bad the toy line did not do as well as Stan Winston Studios hoped.  After too short a period the toy line ceased production.

1950’s DC Comics Mothmobile

When a criminal mastermind decides to emulate Batman’s persona only for criminal mean he comes up wit the Mothman persona.

He also created the Mothmobile.  I know, I know it sounds pretty lame.  As corny as it sounds the actual metal diecast Mothmobile from Corgi is a real beauty of design, color and 3D representation of a 2D comic book vehicle.

Mothman dressed in his yellow, purple green and red outfit with his green helmet with antenna sits in the open cockpit of the Mothmobile.

A light green translucent windshield protect Mothman and the vehicle wraparound control panel with a green steering wheel.

The long vehicle is painted primarily metallic green with a big moth head grill with two yellow eyes ad town purple antenna.

Headlights are each side of the moth’s head.

The upper body has segmented dark and light purple bulges and the rear of the vehicle backing the cockpit is a section of purple strips.

Wings can be extended for the sides of the vehicle.  Each wing is green with black section panels.

The car rests on large black tires with green moth hubcaps.  The car also has silver front and rear bumpers.

Mortal Kombat

Video games have been around for decades.  Many have come and gone.  There are others that become classics.  Mortal Kombat is one such video game.

Introduced in 1992 Mortal Kombat has enthralled and excited gamers for nearly 30 years.

There are special individuals schooled in the martial arts that possess super human capabilities: fire, ice, speed-the list is impressive.

These individuals are scattered across the goal-some are good, some are bad.

For all of his life young Cole has accustomed himself beating in order to earn money.

When a sorcerer from Outworld learns of his existence and his heritage he sends his top warrior (Sub-Zero) to hunt him down.

Fleeing Cole eventually winds up at the temple of Lord Raiden, an Elder God who is in charge of protecting the Earth realm.  

Aware of Cole’s strange birthmark identifying him as bearer of great power, Raiden prepares him to battle along with Earth’s greatest champions against powerful Outworld warriors with the fate of universe hanging in the balance.

Finally computer technology has enabled Mortal Kombat to be brought to the movie screen with spectacular visual effects, realistic computer generated characters, incredible vistas, and eye-popping visuals.

More than a martial arts slugfest Mortal Kombat offers a solid story, fleshed out characters, impressive sets and costumes, a powerful soundtrack and some of the most amazing combat sequences ever seen-both practical and digital.

Warner Bros.' UltraHD/Blu-ray/Digital Code Combo brings Mortal Kombat to home screens along with lots of extras such as deleted scenes, characters profiles, fight sequences, Easter eggs, a scene breakdown and more.

Walt Disney’s Vacation Parade #4

Hold on to your seat, take a deep breath and be prepared.  I’m about to tell you something (especially young comic book readers and collectors) that will shock you.

Ready?  Here goes.  At one time comic book annuals cost a mere 25 cents.

Most annuals or special issues contained a plethora of tales and activities.

Talk about a bargain!

Dell Comics held a number of licenses to popular cartoons such as Disney, Warner Bros. and others.

Of all of the licensed properties the Walt Disney stable of characters were the most popular-especially Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge McDuck.

For several years in succession Dell Comics printed some large Disney Annuals one of which was Walt Disney’s Vacation Parade.

In issue #4 kids were treated to an issue-packed series of tales starring characters: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, The Li’l Bad Wolf, Peter Pan, Chip ‘N’ Dale, Robin Hood, Grandma Duck, Pluto, Bucky Bug, and Huey, Dewey and Louie.

Also included in the issue were puzzles, activities, songs, short prose stories and more.

For a kid that had only pop bottle money and a 50-cent allowance Vacation Parade #4 was a bargain.

The issue was printed in 1953 (the same year I was born) and like the 1950s it reflected a simpler time, old fashioned family values and good clean fun. Something we could use today.

The times weren’t perfect (few things are) but the comic books at least were a pleasant and safe escape.  That is until comic books came under attack by psychiatrist Fredric Wertham.  But that’s a subject for another day.

Star Trek Discovery Season Three

To tell you the truth when CBS/Paramount’s Star Trek Discovery first premiered I wasn’t sure what to make of it.  After the First Season the pieces started coming together and by the end of the Second Season I was hooked.

Discovery is unlike any Star Trek TV series before it.  It’s important to go into with an open mind.

Preconceived ideas and assumptions should be cast aside.  It is unfair to compare it other Trek series.  It is its own unique series with its own perspective.

Set convention aside and if you allow yourself a whole new vista of possibilities will suddenly open up before you.

Yeah, it’s a TV show, but there’s more than meets the eye.

The Third Season just ended and CBS/Paramount has released the complete Third season on DVD with over two hours of special features included.

At the end of the Second Season Discovery followed Commander Michael Burnham into a wormhole that jettisoned them almost a thousand years in the future.

At first Michael and the crew of the Discovery are separated but eventually they reunite.

They discover the remnants of The Federation and a whole new set of problems and enemies.

With The Federation on the brink of collapse the crew of Discovery must aid what’s left of The Federation after the devastating The Burn event.

With the aid of two mysterious allies they hope to find what caused The Burn and to set things right.

The Third Season introduced some incredible new technology, completely unique characters, races and adventures.

Extras include deleted scenes, a writer’s log, a rundown on Season Three, character profiles and more.

Saruman The White

Actor Christopher Lee proved he still had what it takes to deliver and incredible performance.

He did so in The Two Towers film when he portrayed Saruman The White the wizard.

Sideshow Weta Collectibles released a Saruman The White bust in the early 2000s.  It comes packaged in heavy paper stock box with a secured lid.  Inside the figure is nestled in a form-fitting, two-section Styrofoam cocoon and is wrapped in paper.

The cocoon is taped shut. Mike Asquith sculpted the figure and he did an outstanding job perfectly capturing the likeness of Christopher Lee.

The bust I received was 664 of 3,000, is 1/4th scale is made of Polystone.

The bust is mounted on a black pedestal consisting of a narrow circular rod that flares out, back in slightly and flairs once again to make a solid foundation.  Four small circular soft pads keep the base steady.  The bust is heavy and solid.

Saruman’s aged and wrinkled face with its sweeping large gray eyebrows, small deep-set dark eyes, straight and slightly hooked nose and thin set lips are hallowed by his long straight white hair.

His hair falls to his chest and down his back.  

He also has a long beard and mustache-both gray with twinges of black down the middle.

A simple light tan tunic covers has shoulders and chest and a four part simple latch holds the garment together in the front.

Texturing of the face, hair and garment are extremely well done with delicate lines in the face, easily distinguished strands of hair and fabric texture.  

Coloration is subtle and varied, especially on the face.  Slight tonal tweaks make the hair strands easily distinguishable.  A slight wash of black gives the garment a worn and slightly dingy look.

Currently the bust sells for around $200 online.

Marvel Pop-Ups

I collect comic books.  I have about 15,000 of them.  I also have a room and part of a garage full of comic book related collectibles such as toys, books, trading cards-well, you get the idea.

One set of unique comic book collectibles I find especially interesting is a set of three books.

In 2007 Candlewick Press created a series of three Pop-Up books about Spider-Man, The X-Men and The Hulk.

What makes these three books especially intriguing is that they not only feature killer art in all three titles but also Pop-Up action each time you turn a page.

Take The Amazing Spider-Man book for example.

The hardbound book is cut in an unusual manner-sort of an offset square.  It has a large binding with a unique double hinge design.

While the spin of the book is straight, indented front and back covers allow the book to open as to not tear away the POP-Up function.  The same goes for the other books.

Inside The Spider-Man book are double-page spreads consisting of pivotal scenes from Spider-Man’s impressive run of comic books.

The first page pops out Spider-Man and includes a flip-open side panel.  A pullout tab includes extra text.

The second twin page spotlights the Green Goblin with a similar side panel and pullout section and so it goes for the entire book.

Each double-page spread features Spider-Man fighting one of his classic villains.  It’s like reading a comic book in full 3D.

The X-Men and Hulk books follow the same format.

The trio of books is pretty impressive and is clever binding and engineering feats.  It took a lot of effort and creativity to publish the books.  Sadly only three books exist in the set to my knowledge.  

Whether more were planned I have no idea.  It would have been nice to see an entire set of Marvel Comics Group Pop-Up books.

Wrath of Man

Have you ever met someone and immediately sized him or her up and believed they behaved a certain way only to have them surprise you with some action completely unexpected?

That’s what happens when a new security guard shows up and when a heist occurs he demonstrates previously unknown and unexpected skills.

Warner Bros. presents the Wrath of Man DVD/Digital Code release starring Jason Statham as a mysterious and deadly security guard.

Hi name is H.  Who is he?  He’s not a cop or a security guard.  Where did he learn all of is skills?  Just how deadly is he?  What’s in it for him?  Is it revenge?  Is it justice?  Or is it both?

Either way he is not someone you want to cross, especially if you’re a bad guy.

He’s ruthless, efficient will his kills, shows no mercy and holds a grudge.

Directed by Guy Richie, Wrath of Man is a violent, face-paced, catch-your-breath crime thriller that delivers with action, incredible fight scenes and powerful performances.

50th Anniversaries: Superman, Bugs Bunny and Snow White

Way back in 1988 DC Comics’ Superman celebrated his 50th Anniversary.  Recently Superman celebrated his 83rd Anniversary.

He’s been through a lot of changes in the intervening years and continues to stay current with modern comics’ changes and themes.

John Byrne and Jerry Ordway provide the classic pose of Clark Kent removing his shirt to reveal his Superman outfit underneath on Time Magazine's cover in 1988.

Superman’s legacy is examined inside starting with his origin tale, his transition to TV, cartoons and his status as an American icon.

In the fall of 1987 Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs movies celebrated 50 years of movie magic.

For close to ninety years the classic Disney film has remained popular with animation fans.  

It set the benchmark for animated movies, as it was the first of its kind.

Gladstone published a Golden Anniversary Walt Disney’s Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs magazine complete with photos of art from the film.

Discover how the characters were designed for film, the long process of bringing the tale to the movie screen, and much more.

Look for a special pack of Snow White Panini trading cards, an inserted poster and a complete color reprint of the film as seen in comic books.

Warner Bros. infamous hare: Bugs Bunny, turned 50 in 1990.  Can you believe it, Bugs is 81 years old?!

For eight decades he’s pestered Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck and other would be rabbit hunting scoundrels.

His catchphrase “ What’s up doc?” has become famous worldwide.

Learn all there is to know about that wascally wabbit including his first appearance, his superstar status as Warner Bros. top animated character, his shenanigans and his supporting cast.

Discover how the carrot-munching wise guy transitioned to toys, merchandise, TV and beyond-even garnering a few movies.

The magazine provides information about how his cartoons were produced, the voice talent behind Bugs and his supporting cast and more including an actual animation cell reproduction.

And let’s not forget the tributes from fellow cartoonists.

King's Court

Ladies and gentlemen Konami proudly presents King’s Court for a rollicking good time of deception and strategy and all with class.

King’s Court: the newest Konami Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game addition brings a new level of royalty to the game with “Three Musketeers of Face Cards” – King’s Knight, Queen’s Knight, and Jack’s Knight.  Just look what populates the court:

A high-speed Summoning strategy.
The World Premiere Joker’s Knight that assume the identity of the Knights. 

The LIGHT Warrior that can Summon without depleting
your hand.
Two more World Premiere “Joker” Cards, 1 Spell and 1 Trap.
World Premiere Arcana Triumph Joker.
Use the new Cards to gather Tributes and add to
Summoning power
Collector’s Rare versions of World Premiere Cards.
Unreleased Cards from Japan.

The King’s Court Booster Set contains 62-Cards with 24 Packs per Box:

10 Ultra Rares
15 Super Rares
37 Rares
15 Cards in the set are also available as Collector's Rares

Booster Packs contains 7 Cards:
1 Foil Card
6 Rare Cards

2000 DC Batmobile

The 1960’s TV Batmobile is the favorite vintage Batmobile of fans with the comic book 2000 Batmobile coming in second.

The diecast metal Corgi 2000 Batmobile comes in a small rectangular box decorated with the Batman logo and an illustration of Batman.

Most of the front and top panels are clear plastic revealing the Batmobile inside against a Gotham City background.

The Batmobile sits on a raised base and is held in place with wires underneath.  Removing the Batmobile you'll notice an embossed image of Batman under the chassis.

The vehicle is a light blue with black accents, extended rear view mirrors, hood bat symbol, full black interior with four high back seats and instrumentation, black rear window trim and vents.

Two large fins extend from the cab to the rear bumper. There are front lights and five rear lights with an above the bumper bat symbol.

Both doors open and close.  The unibody car has blue blend in bumpers, lies low to the ground and feature four mag tires with large silver wheels.  The effort of the car had a molded bat symbol as a grill.

It’s a nicely detailed vehicle with excellent paint coverage and impressive details.

Little Big Heads

At one point in time Bobble Heads or in this case Little Big Heads were all the craze.

People could not get enough of the pint-sized figures that had heads the wobbled back and forth at the touch of a finger, jostling or while riding in a car.

While not as popular as they once were the figures are still collectible today.

Sideshow’s Little Big Heads, Universal Studios Monsters, black and white, 15 figure set includes two Frankenstein figures, The Bride of Frankenstein, two Mummy figures, two Creatures, two Phantom, a Metaluna, the Hunchback, the Invisible Man, Dracula, the Wolfman and a Mole Man.

With so many figures I won’t go into to detail about each one.

All of the figures measure about 3-inches tall. All have heads that move and each are miniature masterpieces of sculpting, color application and craftsmanship.

While their bodies are diminutive their heads are slightly smaller than their 12-inch collectible figure cousins by Sideshow are.

Details are amazing with fully sculpted hands, cloths and accessories such knives, shackles, glasses and other accoutrements.

Check out the Creature’s claws, The Phantom’s miniature doll, The Metaluna’s massive pinchers or Frankenstein’s shackles and that’s just a few of the little extras Sideshow threw in with the figures.

All are painted in grays and blacks matching the look of the old black and white films.

The Silver Screen Edition box is long with a clear plastic viewing panel.

Each figure is cuddled in its protective niche and held in place bay a plastic wire strap.  

All the figures are mounted on circular bases with appropriate textures and dressings to match their respective films.

Pay particular attention to the clothing details with lifelike folds, creases and draping.  

The set is the perfect way to enjoy each figure in the series and makes for a fine display piece along other Sideshow’s Monsters of Universal Studios figures.

Elfquest Cutter Mini-Bust

Artist and writer Wendi Pini created one of the most successful creator-owned and published franchises in the comic book industry.

Elfquest revolved around an Elfish society and the diversity of characters therein.

Cutter (who was a warrior) was one of the fans’ favorite characters.

Dark Horse Deluxe released a Cutter figure/bust that is packaged in a heavy paper stock lidded box with color photos of the figure on all sides.

The bust/figure is nestled in a form-fitting Styrofoam cocoon.

The Cutter figure/bust starts at just below the waist at the upper part of his tan trousers.  From there it proceeds to his bare abdomen and chest up to his long brown fur sleeves vest.

His arms are crossed and he holds a large curved blade sword with a curved pommel.  Both wrists have leather strap wrist bracelets with one strand wrapped around his palms.  

The left arm has an upper arm gold band.

Cutter's face with its pointed chin, large expressive blew eyes, small nose, high cheekbones and large pointed ears are framed by his shaggy blond hair tied in a ponytail held in place by a leather strip.

He also has long blond sideburns.

The figure/bust perches on a tree stump with a large wolf head carved into the bark.

Atop the stump is a cluster of green leaves forming a circular halo that the figure emerges from.

My figure/bust is #277 out of 1,500 figures.

Sculpt work looks just like the comic book version of Cutter. Coloration is well done with nice flesh tones, and excellent application on the sword, clothing, tree trunk and leaves.

The figure/bust comes wrapped in tissue paper and is cradled in form-fitting Styrofoam cradle secured with plastic tape.  The entire assembly slides in and out of its box with little effort.

The Incredible Hulk #265

Marvel Comics' The Incredible Hulk learns what it means to take on the best of the West when he comes face to face with The Rangers consisting of Firebird, The Night Rider, Shooting Star, Texas Twister and Red Wolf.

It’s an Old West showdown as the Green Goliath tussles with some pretty ornery Western folk.  Cowboys and Indians give the old Hulkster a rambunctious time of it.

The Corruptor has caused the Hulk to reach new levels of anger.  With that he has taken over the Hulk and is commanding him to kill Rick Jones unless he contacts The Avengers.

Once The Avengers arrive the Corruptor plans to use his power on them to control them and obtain the power he desires.

Rick refuses but the Corrupter threatens to have the Hulk kill the captive Teen Brigade.  Rick reluctantly agrees to contact The Avengers.  He sends a signal to them only to have it intercepted by the members of  The Rangers.

The Rangers converge on the Corruptor and the Hulk and the sagebrush flies in a Wild West showdown like no other.

Currently a raw The Incredible Hulk #265 in mint condition costs about $10 with a mint slabbed copy fetching close to $100.