Resident Evil Zombie Cop and Claire Redfield

The defunct Palisades Toys produced several Resident Evil action figures.

Toy packages consist of hangers/stand-ups.  A large embossed Resident Evil logo decorates the top of the package and the figure and accessories sit in an insert plastic form-fitting cocoon. 

Along the left side are four panels of Resident Evil character head shots.  The contained figure is in full color on paper.  The other three head shots are translucent plastic.

The name of the character is in a small raised panel on the lower left.  A graffiti sprayed brick wall makes up the background of the package.

On the back is a full description of the character contained within along with a photo and artwork and a gallery of the other figures in the set.

The Zombie Cop is one of the most elaborate figures in the set with his huge cache of weapons and his Lickers human/hound.

The Zombie Cop stands about six inches tall.  He wears a bloodstained police uniform that includes a white shirt with blue pockets, a gold badge, a dark blue undershirt and pants and black shoes.

The articulated figure stands slightly tilted in an awkward stance.  His police cap with badge looks out of place with its clean and crisp look.

Bones, tendons and bloody flesh appear on his legs, arms, neck, chest and face.  His skin is a sickly light green.

Accompanying the Zombie Cop is a Licker that is partially human with no skin. Bones, muscles and distorted feet and hands that end in claws make the brain exposed, no face, gaping mouth with lashing tongue a real grotesque figure.

Bones and flesh are painted in tans, reds and deep browns.  The figure is articulated and pose seasily with no looseness.

Articulation is well hidden and the paint application along with the sculpt work is superb.

A Resident Evil base of red and black is included as is the Cop’s revolver, pepper spray, holster and bullet case.

Ironically the Claire Redfield (Veronica), the only human figure in the set, is the most collectible figure fetching over $100.

At the time Palisades’s action figures were produced they were some of the most innovative figures around.

Palisades’s sculptors perfected multi-articulation point figures including torso and limb points that were well-hidden and crafted. 

Paint and plastic coloring were also much more advanced especially when it came to facial details and subtle color variations in clothing, etc.

The Claire figure comes dressed in bluejeans, with a brown belt, brown boots, a short burgundy vest, a black short sleeve shirt, a black chocker and black fingerless gloves.

She has black hair, blue eyes and a sharply defined face.  Both hands are pre-postioned to hold her various weapons and accessories.

They include a M-100 Automatic (x2) Sniper Rile, and M93R Automatic, a First aid Spray, Magnum, AK-47, Combat Knife and a Logo Base.

The various weapons include clips, a scope and lot of details especially around the stocks and grip areas.

The weapons fit snuggly into the figure’s hands with no slippage or wonkiness.

Acts 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Universal Studios Monsters

Horror movies are big business nowadays.  Large and small studios, independent studios that stream their movies, TV shows and movies-it seems monster films are as popular as ever.

But, that was not always the case.  Granted monsters have been around since man first imagined them.

They are a part of every civilization’s myths and religions.  They appear in ancient writings and classic tales such as Frankenstein and Dracula.

There were even a few early attempts to bring monsters to the Silver Screen in silent films.

But, it wasn’t unit Universal Studios introduced Boris Karloff as the Frankenstein Monster that monsters catapulted to popularity and became a permanent pop culture fixture.

Universal dabbled in horror films during the silent era with Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Phantom Of The Opera and several other films.

But they never reached the popularity of Universal Studios monsters films that included sound.

In Universal Studios A Legacy Of Horror, written by Michael Mallory and published by Universal, readers travel back almost a hundred years ago when Universal first introduced monster films.

The book progresses through the decades and examines Universal Studios portfolio of classic films, their cast and crews and so much more.

Filled with archival photos the book starts with classic horror characters and branches out to Cold War monster films and even looks at the hilarious Abbott and Costello horror films.

The book is chockfull of interesting facts about the films, actors and actresses, interviews and production secrets.

It’s one ‘monster’ of a hardbound book that horror and monster film fans are sure to love.

The Doom Patrol #88

With the growing popularity of The Doom Patrol TV series earlier issues of the comic book from DC Comics are starting to rise in value-especially the early numbers.

I’ve always enjoyed the Doom Patrol.

It’s a known fact that The Doom Patrol was created before Marvel Comics the Uncanny X-Men.

The similarities between the two teams have to be more than a coincidence.

Both are headed by injured geniuses in wheelchairs.  Both feature people with unique powers and that are outcasts from society.

Despite the fact they are shunned by society they team up to save mankind over and over again.  Even their arch enemies' names are similar.

In The Doom Patrol #88 readers are treated to the origin of the Chief: the man in the wheelchair that leads The Doom Patrol outcasts.

The book also shows how the Chief was injured and introduces some major villains that are a constant threat to The Doom Patrol and mankind.

It’s a great introduction to The Doom Patrol and a nice starting point for any new reader of the title.

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Walt Disney World: Portrait, Delicious and Coloring

I consider myself extremely fortunate that I was able to visit Walt Disney World two years after it opened.

I was living in Homestead, Florida and Grey Hound Buses was running a sweet deal.

Greyhound transported me to Walt Disney World in Orlando, dropped me off and let me spend the day and then transported me back to Homestead for a mere $99.

Unbelievable!  I know, it hardly seems possible.

That was back in the day when you paid an entry fee and were given a booklet of tickets that designated rides by a letter. 

Depending on the letter, each allowed you to go on specific designated rides from simple to elaborate.  I still have a few left.

Today Walt Disney World has so much more to do, so many lands to visit and so many attractions, restaurants and events it boggles the mind.

From Disney Editions comes A Portrait Of Walt Disney World 50 Years Of The Most Magical Place On Earth, written by Kevin M. Kern, Tim O'Day and Steven Vagnini, that looks back over the decades to the opening of the park.

With the success of Disneyland in California, Walt Disney dreamed of creating a futuristic community.  Purchasing land in Florida he began his ambitious project with the help of his engineers, animators and staff.

Although Walt passed away before Walt Disney World opened I’m sure he would be pleased with what he would see today.

The massive hardbound book starts at the early concept of the park then recalls it opening and its evolution over the years.

Besides The Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World opened Epcot and other theme parks along with wild life preserves and much more.  It’s a complete family vacation destination.

The book traces the introduction of new rides, new technology and the expansion of Walt Disney World theme parks all over the world.

Filled with photos, recollections, little known facts and so much more the book is a colorful and fun read about Walt Disney's ultimate dream come true.

If you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World I’m sure you’re familiar with various scrumptious foods and snacks it produces.

Cuisine from all over the globe are offered along with themed dishes, fun snacks, incredible culinary creations and some of the most imaginative and magical food items ever offered.

Delicious Disney Walt Disney World Recipes & Stories From The Most Magical Place On Earth is chock full of amazing recipes, mouth-watering photos and information about delectable menu items.

In Art Of Coloring Walt Disney World, by Kevin M. Kern, kids and adults are sure to get a artful kick out of coloring the many characters, locations and objects seen at Walt Disney World.

More than a coloring book; it is a visual trip through Walt Disney World with lots of fun illustrations to color, copy and to spend hours looking at the incredible details.

What better way to enjoy and relive the magic of Walt Disney World than to spend time coloring your own illustrations?

All three Walt Disney World books offer unique looks at the incredible theme park attraction that others can only copy but never duplicate.

Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. “

Earth X Daredevil

In the Earth X maxi-series from Marvel Comics, Daredevil really looked like a devil.

The first thing you notice about the Dynamic Force’s Earth X Daredevil is that he looks like a devil and that his costume is a reflective red.

The stature comes in a small cube box with a flip lid and is decorated with images of the character on all sides.

The statue/bust cradles in a Styrofoam container and is wrapped in a clear plastic bag.

The figure is mounted on a faux wooden base with the words "DAREDEVIL” in gold on its front.

Daredevil is in all metallic red with matte red eyes and oversize mouth with fangs and decorative strips on his chest and gloves.  

He wears a long collar that extends above his horned head and he is leaning back laughing with his arms crossed.

It’s an unusual design and a little disturbing with its metallic paint and over exaggerated horns, mouth and collar.

Paint application is crisp and clean with easily distinguished lines between the metallic and matte paint.

Sculpt work is superb especially when comes to the anatomy and clothing.

Overall it’s a great collectible.

Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV) “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

The Goonies

Back in 1985 producer/director Steven Spielberg and director Richard Donner created and released what I consider to be the best kids’ movie ever made: The Goonies.

For those of you who have been living on another planet The Goonies are a bunch of kids who live on the West Coast at what they lovingly refer to as The Goondocks.

One day while exploring one of the kid’s attic, where his museum curator dad stores ‘things’, they discover an old pirate map.

The map supposedly gives the location of the notorious pirate One Eye Willy’s huge hidden treasure.

The kids set out to find it with bad guys on their heels and encounter some incredible booby traps along the way.

The movie has everything: pirates, dastardly bad guys, ruthless land grabbers, ditsy parents, inept police, fast car races, booby traps, hidden rooms and tunnels, a pirate ship, a huge lumbering grotesque human with a heart of gold, bathroom humor and more-everything a kid could ever want.

Mezco Toys created a series of action figures and items celebrating the movie.  

I was fortunate enough to get the only series of action figures released and the special Skeleton Key of One Eye Willy facsimile.

I’ve picked out my two favorite characters of the film: Sloth, the deformed brother of the bad guys with a heart of gold and the strength of a bull and Chunk the tubby, always hungry ‘Truffle Shuffle’ member of The Goonies.

Both Sloth and Chunk (and the other Goonies articulated figures) come packaged in hanger/shelf clear plastic packages with a custom The Goonies background included and an oversize Copper image and The Goonies logo.

The Sloth figure features the gentle giant with legs slightly bent and arms poised at his sides as if ready for action.

His misshapen head, lop-sided face with one eye lower than the other, big goofy grin with missing teeth and bald head with a topknot of tangled brown hair match the movie version perfectly.

Sloth wears a dark blue t-shirt, brown suspenders with gold buckles, black pants that are ripped at the knees and black high top tennis shoes with white laces.

His right hand is open and his left is closed in a fist.  

Included with the figure is a black with white trim pirate hat and red, blue and white strip bandana, a Baby Ruth candy bar and a long silver pirate saber with black handle.

You can almost hear him say, “Hey, you guys!” or “Ruth, Ruth, Baby Ruth!”

Sculpting work on the figure is first-rate, as is the paint application, especially the skin tones and Sloth’s face.

The cloth folds hide articulation.

The Chunk sculpt and paint is just as impressive as the Sloth figure as is the articulation.

Chunk’s tousled brown hair, wide-eyed expression and pudgy stature match the film version.

He wears a star spattered Hawaiian short sleeve shirt, funky plaid pants, and white tennis shoes with red accents and includes a milkshake, slice of pizza and the infamous Michelangelo David statue with its rearranged genitals.

Chunk comes with a dirt based decorated with human skeleton parts.

The special Copper Bones replica matches the prop both in look and scale.

In the movie the Copper Bones was the ‘key’ (apologies for the pun) that allowed The Goonies to find One Eye Willy’s pirate treasure.

The Copper Bones replica come in a small flip lid box and was a 2007 Con Exclusive.  

The replica looks like real copper.  It skull design with three ‘key’ holes and compass imprint fit in a custom black plastic cocoon and is covered by a clear plastic sleeve.  

The first series of Goonies figures by Mezco include Sloth, Chunk, Data, Mouth and Mikey.  

Other figures were to be produced, but none were released.

John 15:1-27 - I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.   

Night Of The Animated Dead

You’ve heard of The Walking Dead, The Evil Dead, and even Marvel Comics Zombies and DC Comics Deceased.  But, The Animated Dead?

Warner Bros. presents an animated adaptation of the legendary Night Of The Animated (Living) Dead live action film on Blu-ray/Digital Code. 

Rediscover the classic film that started the whole flesh-eating dead phenomenon.

Taking its cue from the classic movie the animated film features Barbara, Ben and a group of strangers who are forced to hide in an abandoned farmhouse to ward of the flesh-eating zombies.  Head for the basement!

Just as gory as the original film, the animated movie takes it one step further with some new bone-chilling content that pushes bloody gore to the max.

Night Of The Living Dead fans are sure love this new adaptation of the 1968 film classic.  But, be warned, there’s plenty of violence and gore made even more gruesome in full color.  It’s rate ‘R’ and it is not for the squeamish.

A Special Feature is included about the making of the animated film.

Fire Engines X 2

My grandson absolutely loves seeing fire engines.  Imagine seeing two distinctly different engines while in Europe.

Schuco has created one in 1:48 Scale.  The first thing you notice about it is that the front looks like a VW bus/van.  That’s exactly what it is albeit chopped off in the middle to make way for the extension ladder.

Here’s another surprise-it’s painted red.  Imagine that, a red fire engine!

The bumpers are white as is a large vertical strip running down the back of the cab on both sides.

The flatbed that the extension ladder is attached to is gray as is the ladder itself held together by black railing and the extension motor and supports.

The second fire engine scaled at 1:87, looks much more like a traditional fire engine with a ladder.  Surprise!  It’s also red!

In appearance the two vehicles look very similar.

Although this unit has a storage compartment slide up door in its middle and two smaller ones on each side closer to the rear of the engine.

The front bumper and grill are white while a long horizontal yellow line runs down the entire length of the trailer.

The trailer upper bed is silver while the crane mechanism is red.  The extension ladder is silver and looks to be made of plastic.

The cabin has a wraparound front windshield ending on each side thus creating side windows. Single windows are on each side of the crane compartment.

Both vehicles have rubber tires and white wheels. 

Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Batwoman The Complete Second Season

Gotham City’s newest superheroine: Batwoman, is missing.  Kate Kane has abandoned her Batwoman persona and no one knows where she is or why she disappeared.

When the actress who played Kate Kane decided to depart the show after one season it put Warner Bros. in a bit of a spot.

But with clever recasting, an interesting story twist and with various tweaks and fixes the show came back even stronger than before.

When a young, homeless black woman (Ryan Wilder) discovery's Batwoman’s costume in the wreckage of a plane she decides to take matters into her own hands.

Seeking vengeance against Alice and her Wonderland gang for the death of her foster mom, she dons the Batwoman costume and sets out on her mission.  Meanwhile the search for Kate Kane resumes.

As Gotham City sinks deeper into despair Kate’s stepsister takes Ryan under her wing and with the help of Luke Fox, they set out to train and equip her to take up the Batwoman mantle to best serve and protect those in need.

Check out the Batmobile and the alterations to the Batwoman costume.

Join Ryan and her team in 18 thrilling episodes on Warner Bros.’ Batwoman The Complete Second Season on Blu-ray/Digital Code.

Get ready for a real shocker the last few episodes and if you thought the second season was different just wait until the third season when things really promise to get shook up.

Batwoman The Complete Second Season's Special Features include two featurettes, deleted scenes and a gag reel.

Gotham has a new Heroine and she’s unlike anyone you’ve seen before.

From Aargh! To Zap!

There is a plethora of books published about comic books, their history, characters, creators, etc.  I know, I have a lot of them.  Most are pretty good.

But, I’ve discovered the best of the books are written by those individuals who actually worked in comic book industry-especially old veteran writers and artists from the Golden to the Silver Ages.

From Aargh! To Zap! Harvey Kurtzman’s Visual History Of The Comics from ARTS Books is one such book.

As an old curmudgeon who has collected comic books since I was five years old (I’m almost 70) I really enjoyed Harvey Kurtzman’s take on comic book history.

Many young collectors tend to ignore the history of comic books: instead they are fixated on how much they are worth.

Harvey Kurtzman was active in comic books back into the 1940s so he witnessed the emergence of the Silver Age and subsequent ages.

What I like about the book is that the author gives a first-hand, personal account of the publishers, writers and artist.

He was a friend with many of the creators and offers insights few know.

I appreciate the fact that he gives full credit to the unsung heroes of the comic book industry such artists as Wally Wood, Jack Davis and the other EC Comics artists.  

He delves into the revolutionary (for its time) MAD magazine and its usual bunch of idiots.

The stagnant years with the implementation of the Comics Code Authority is also covered, as is the birth of the Marvel Comics Universe.

But, he doesn’t just dwell on the early years of comic books he also examines many of the new titles, companies and creators including Frank Miler, Neal Adams, Dave Gibbons and a score of others.

The book is an intimate and personal account of the birth of comics up until modern day.  It’s fascinating, extremely well written and researched and a fun read and of course-packed with illustrations.

Romans 15:5   
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

Upcoming!! Diamond Previews, October 2021

Magnum P.I. Trading Cards

It’s hard to believe that the original Magnum PI TV show went off the air in 1988 after eight successful seasons.

It’s even harder to believe that Tom Selleck, who played Magnum, is in his mid-70s, Larry Manetti who played Rick is also in his 70s, Roger Mosely as T.C. is in his mid-80s and that John Hillerman, who played Jonathan Higgins III, died in 2017 at 84 years old.

Magnum P.I. was a mainstay in the 1980s for my wife and I.  Every Thursday night at 8 PM we’d curl up on the couch to watch Magnum and his pals solve crimes on CBS.
 

Eight color cards come per pack along with a stick of bubblegum in the Donruss Magnum P.I. Trading Card series.  Sixty-six cards make up the set.

What fun looking over the photos taken from the show.  I miss the original series-especially all of the characters.  Like myself they have all grown old.

It saddens me to see some of my favorite actors grow old or die.  It makes me recognize my own mortality.

I do have a hope.  When I die I know I’ll go to heaven to be with my savior Jesus Christ.  Still, I’m in no hurry to die.

It’s difficult at times to see oneself aging.  Wrinkles form, hair turns gray or disappears, eyesight grows dim, hearing dulls and the body slowly succumbs to weakness, less mobility and more aches and pains.

When I was young I never thought of getting old.  Now that I am approaching my twilight years I wonder what time will do to me.  Will I contract Alzheimer's or Dementia, will I be bed bound or placed in a nursing home?

Who will go first, my wife or myself?  If she dies before me, how will I handle the grief?

Growing old is scary but its also an adventure where you never know what's around the next bend or what might happen.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to get melancholy.  It’s just that when I looked over my Magnum P.I. Trading Cards from Donruss I suddenly realized how long ago the show went off the air and how young I was when it aired.

Twenty-two of the cards have a made-up story about Magnum P.I. on their backs.  The balance of the cards have a section of a poster on their backs that when put together make a huge poster of Magnum.

I can’t express how much joy looking at these cards gives me.
 
It’s like looking at a part of my younger life and the great times my wife and I had in the 1980s when were in our late 20s and early 30s.  We were so young and had so much to look forward to.  We had our whole lives ahead of us.

Still, I wouldn’t change a thing.  We’ve been together for over 40 years, raised two great kids and are blessed to have two awesome grandkids.

Romans 8:39 - Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Captain Action #4

The mid-1960s saw a huge upsurge in the popularity of superheroes.  Toy manufacturers sensing a buck to be made and created a variety of action figures of the superhero and action hero genre.

One of the most poplar series was Captain Action.

The 12-inch figure could be transformed into a plethora of superheroes and action heroes by donning different outfits and face masks (all at an additional cost of course).

The figure proved incredibly popular and soon was given its own comic booking series from DC Comics.  It was so popular at one point that it rivaled G.I. Joe in sales.  The Captain Action, Action Boy and Dr. Evil figures and their accessories are highly prized by collectors.

In issue #4 Dr. Evil located a planet populated by people like himself both in appearance and mental capabilities.  He encourages and rallies then to help him conquer earth-they agree.

Meanwhile on earth Captain Action and Action Boy are confronted by monsters created by Dr. Evil.  They defeat them leaving Dr. Evil to hatch another plan to destroy them.

Using his incredible intellect he resurrects the body of the deceased wife of Captain Action-but she is nothing but an empty shell and puppet controlled by the Dr..

She bids Captain Action to join her in death in order to save earth while Dr. Evil seeks to take control.  Action Kid steps in and jolts his dad back to reality just before Dr. Evil hatches his final plan.

In the meantime the people who look like Dr. Evil realize their mistake and stop their attack on earth wishing only to live in peace.

Abandoned and furious Dr. Evil vows to one day rule the earth.

Gil Kane both wrote and drew this issue and I’ve got to say it's some of the best work he had ever done.

Romans 2:4   
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

Flask, Flashlight and Multi-Tool

I love small portable camping and survival gadgets and AceCamp has some of the best.

When it comes to multi-tools most are heavy and slightly cumbersome.  And, let’s face it, they're pretty much are all the same.

Not so with AceCamp’s 11-in-1 Multi-Tool.

I love the sleek design.  Currently I carry a pocketknife.  I’ll be replacing it with the Multi-Tool.

The Multi-Tool looks retro-industrial with its black casing, exposed screws and orange washers.  

The casing has a segmented section on its top that allows users to see the various tool housings.  It looks pretty cool and it gives the Multi-Tool a much more rugged look.

The Multi-Tool comes with:

Knife
Saw
Bottle Opener
Can Opener
Flathead Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Scissors
Corkscrew
Nail File
Small Pick
Thread Loop

All are easy to pull out of the casing, yet secure enough that they do not feel loose.  

The Multi-Tool is made of stainless steel, is extremely rugged and easy to use and handle.

When camping, in a survival situation or working in dark areas everyone needs a flashlight.  The small, rugged Munkees fun and functional Flashlight is a colorful fluorescence green, has an attached key chain and is powered by a small solar panel.

The LED Flashlight can also be recharged using the small black handle dynamo attached to its back.  Made in Germany, the Munkees Flashlight is small, powerful and guaranteed to work sunshine or rain.

Everyone needs a shot now and again.  Whether your preference is whiskey, a carbonated drink or water it always pays to have a little extra liquid on hand when hiking, walking or on a trip.

Cleverly designed as a stainless steel miniature gas can the S/S Flask Can Shape Flachman Canister is a miniature work of art.  

With its twist off lid, miniature handle and body designed just like a old time gas can it makes the perfect container for a little nip now and again.

Be sure to check out AceCamp’s (https://www.acecamp.com) website and all of its cool camping and survival gear.  Great gear, high quality and great prices--who could ask for anything more?

War Of The Gods

What series cause a temporary rift between George Perez and DC Comics?

The War Of The Gods mini-series was originally intended by writer/artist George Perez to take place in DC’s Wonder Woman comic book celebrating the Amazon Princess’s 50th Anniversary.

It’s seems as Circe has something up her wicked sleeves and it involves all the various gods gatherings from Roman to Greek to Norse to Middle East and more.

Things start getting out of hand when all of various god pantheons decide to take it upon themselves to not only squabble amongst themselves but to make the earth their battlefield and ultimate prize.

And who gets stuck in the middle of the maylay?  Why Wonder Woman, the Amazons and all of earth superheroes of course.

This series has everything from the patented Perez action to almost including every character in the DC Universe.  Think of it as a mini-Crisis On Infinite Earths.

I can understand why George Perez was less than pleased with what DC did.

Not only did they deprive him of a great storyline in Wonder Woman celebrating her 50th Anniversary but hey slapped him in the face when a key story point was passed on to George’s replacement after he left the title.

Still it’s a great 4-part mini-series that also includes tipped-in posters in every issue.

Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Dad's Chair Proposal

 

Casino Royale Aston Martin DBS

With the the Casino Royale movie in the early 2000s Daniel Craig premiered as British super spy James Bond.

While not the classic Aston Martin Bond lovers are used to the new DB5 is one classy car done up right by Corgi.

The new Aston Martin DB5 diecast 1:36 Scale car from Casino Royale comes packaged in a special Casino Royale box with a clear front panel.

The car sits against a gold backdrop and is held in place by small screws to its gold base.  The front of the box is decorated with fanned out playing cards and closeup photos of the car’s details.

The car itself is a deep metallic gray with rubber tires and chrome wheels.  

It sits low to the ground and has a full view windshield and rear window, two side windows on each side and two doors.

Its tapered front-end design makes sit more aerodynamically and special hood vents keep the engine cool.

Swept back headlights, integrated bumpers and an inset taillights assembly allow the car's surface to be smooth without obstructions.

The car’s interior is black with full steering and instruments with a wraparound console and a red fire extinguisher set into the backseat panel just below the rear compartment.

Both doors open revealing a custom Bond figure seated in the driver’s seat.  

It’s an extremely well crafted miniature with accurate details, a clear, smooth paint job and lots of little extras such as the seated figure.

Although the car was released in the early 2000s, it’s style and design looks very contemporary.

1 John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Austin Powers CCG

How would you like the chance to play the sexiest and most charismatic spy in the world?  No, no, not James Bond.  I’m talking about Austin Powers: The International Man of Mystery.

In Decipher Games Austin Powers Collectible Card Game you can play your favorite characters from the Spy Who Shagged Me.

Look for Felicity Shagwell, Fat Bastard, Dr. Evil, Mini-Me, Austin Powers and other memorable characters to choose from.  

The 30-card pre-constructed Deck is just a start.  One hundred and forty Cards make up the complete Set.  Booster Packs of 11-Cards are also available.

The colorful Cards will boost your vibe and power your mojo.  

Whether you play good or evil you’ll have a groovy time,

So, get your shag on and behave!

2 Thessalonians 3:5   
May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

Battle Armor Thor

Thor The God of Thunder ditched his classic outfit for an armored one.   He also grew a beard.

Thor comes in a large flip-lid box decorated with photos and the comic book cover depicting him in his armor on it sides.

The Battle Armor Thor figure by Dynamic Forces is cradled in a form-fitted Styrofoam container that slips into the box.

The figure is wrapped in a foam sheet, as are the two metal helmet wings that attach to the figure’s head.  The Styrofoam container is taped shut.

Mine is the fifth casting of 1,000 pieces.  The piece is designed by Dana Perkins and sculpted by Tony Capriano.

It’s a fairly hefty statue with a solid base sculpted to emulate chiseled stone with a crude sculpt of Thor’s hammer on its front.

The bust is armless and ends at the waist just below the golden belt Thor wears.  A large T is on the belt’s buckle.

From the waist up Thor wears a blue chain mail tunic with two large circular areas on the breast that the large flowing red cape attaches two with two golden U shaped clasps.

The cape extends up and over the figure’s shoulders and ends even with the base bottom.

Under the tunic Thor wears gold armor of which the segmented shoulder guards and neck show.  One shoulder has a knob on it.

Thor wears a golden two-tone golden helmet with a small spike at the top. Attached to each side are silver metal wings,

The helmet also has an eye guard that ends at the middle of the figure's nose.

A long silver, small link chain mail guard lays down on Thor’s shoulder.

Thor has a full light brown bear.  His blue eyes are very dominant behind his mask.

Sculpt work is well done with lots of detail on the chain mail and beard.

The silver wings fit perfectly on the helmet and color coverage is clean, vibrant and tight with no slopover edges or bleeding.

Psalm 86:15   
But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
 

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The Complete Season One

I consider myself very fortunate that I was born in the 1950s and witnessed some of the most incredible achievements of mankind as I grew up.

When it comes to TV I saw Elvis Presley and The Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show, witnessed man landing on the moon, endured Watergate, saw the end of the Vietnam War and so many other historical events and groundbreaking TV series.

I also was there when the very first James Bond movie premiered: Dr. No, and got swept up in the spy craze of the 1960s.

One of the best James Bond influenced TV series was The Man From U.N.C.L.E. It featured Robert Vaughn as American secret agent Napoleon Solo and David McCallum as his Russian sidekick Illya Kuryakin.

Leo G. Carroll played their boss Mr. Alexander Waverly.

Every week agents Solo and Kuryakin managed to get into all sorts of trouble and with the aid of various common citizen would make their escape.

U.N.C.L.E.’s chief nemesis was Thrush (a sort of second-rate Spectre) an organization populated by would-be world conquerers.

When the series first aired it consisted of very well written and thrilling exploits.  Incredible technology was introduced such as their cigarette case communicators (later it would evolve into a ballpoint pen), customized weapons and other such high-tech gadgets.

There were plenty of nasty bad guys, gorgeous women, and exotic locales--everything a spy could want.

Interestingly enough James Bond's creator Ian Fleming was partially responsible for the creation of the TV series.

I recall as a child dressing in a black turtleneck shirt like Illya’s, fabricating a ‘communicator’ in a box of matches and getting a Man From U.N.C.L.E. attache case with Solo’s customized handgun with a scope, barrel extension, stock, silencer and a special U.N.C.L.E.  badge for Christmas.

Sadly as the show progresses it evolved into a parody of itself with silly and repetitive plots.

Warner Bros. released a The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The Complete Season One DVD collection with 29 episodes on 10 DVDs.

John 6:44 - No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Go Navy!

Leave it to McFarlane Toys to come out with the ultimate 6-inch military figures.

This time around I look at three Navy figures: Seal, Field Medic and Boarding Unit.

There’s always been military figure toys-G.I. Joe is a perfect example.  Dragon, Blue Box and other companies have produced 12-inch deluxe and very expensive figures.

But when it comes to 6-inch military figures McFarlane Toys was and is the king.

Each figure is realistic looking and very accurate in its clothing, equipment and weapons.

The Navy Seal (like the other figures mentioned) comes in a completely clear bubble pack with the figure held secure in a form-fitting cocoon.

The figure encasement is located on the right side of the hanger/standup.  A panel about three inches wide shows the figure and McFarlane and Navy Seal logos.  On the back of the package are photos of other figures in the set.

Dressed in a solid black scuba outfit with black mask, fins, scuba gear and rebreather and equipment vest the figure is posed wit its solid black collapsible stock machine gun at the ready.

Only the flesh of the Seal’s hands are shown. Laced around and secured in the vest are various detonation devices.  The figure is posed in a crouching position with a machine gun at the ready.

Included with the figure is a foam and sand beach segment with several footprints in it.  A set of small tabs attach to the figure’s feet allowing it to stand and pose.

Of the three figures in this review the Series 4 Navy Field Medic is by far the most complex.

The crouched figure is dressed in camo ad light tan.  His vest is packed with medical cleanup instruments such as a pair scissors, a brush, pen a small medial pouch, a grappling ring and other small instruments and zippers, pouches, attachments and the like.

The figure wears a helmet with night goggles and a chinstrap.

Both hands are covered by latex gloves, his pants are standard navy camo with black knee guards, a large thigh satchel, his long sleeve shirt has several sleeve pockets and he wears high top brown, laced boots.

Included with the figure is a medical backpack that is open on the ground.

The zippered satchel has several compartments.  Twin fold flap is open revealing a number of bandages and medical supplies, tape and other wound treatments.

A large rock and base is included for securing and posing the figure on.

The figure’s prepositoned hands can hold several of supplies or instruments.

Detailing is amazing with the variation of textures, colors, clothing folds and wrinkles, head and hand details and the backpack with supplies.

The most heavily armed figure in the review set is the Boarding Unit soldier.

He comes dressed in full combat camo, with knee pads, flax jacket, numerous chest mounted ammo and weapon packs, a side ouch, grappling rope, sheathed knife, a machine gun with full stock and clip, helmet, microphone and headpiece, heavy boots and back mounted communication gear.

The soldier holds his machine low and cradled and is posed to ascend the included deck steps that mount to the deck plating display stand.

Facial details are extremely detailed and are his gloved hands, weapons, backpack and accessories and even the ladder and deck.

Coloration is varied and military accurate. Sculpting is spot on with lots of folds, crease and proper texture application.

It’s a down and dirty figure ready for some serious action. 

2 Peter 3:9   
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.