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.

Metal Men and The Doom Patrol

If you’re a comic book collector like myself who is on a strict budget this review is for you.

I can’t afford to buy Gold, Silver and Bronze Age comic books-especially key issues.  Prices have shot up so drastically in the last couple of years only those with big budgets or speculators can afford to buy most old comic books.

The only way a collector like myself can ever hope to have early issues is if they were to come across them at a yard sale.

As an older collector I especially love the stuff from the Silver Age.  Marvel, DC and other comic publishers at that time turned out some pretty iconic stuff.

Fortunately I have my memories of owning many of the books when I was young-I only wish I still had the issues now.

Two of my all-time favorite DC Comics ‘quirky’ titles are The Doom Patrol and the Metal Men.  Both premiered in two of DC Comics’ anthology series.  

Their first appearances are highly prized and expensive-far too expensive for me.

Fortunately DC Comics publishes its Showcase Presents black and white reprint series that includes The Doom Patrol and the Metal Men.

The first volume of Showcase Presents The Doom Patrol begins its black and white reprint series with thier first appearance in My Greatest Adventure #80 and ends with The Doom Patrol #95.

During its run readers are introduced to each of The Doom Patrol members, how they came about and their primary gallery of bad guys.

Even back in the early 1960s The Doom Patrol was one of the strangest superteams ever created.

Often compared to Marvel Comics The Uncanny X-Men, it was The Doom Patrol that first saw print.

Is it coincidence that both groups featured societal misfits and outcasts, a wheelchair bound leader and many villains that have similar power and even in one case similar names such as DC’s The Brotherhood of Evil and Marvel’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants?

The Doom Patrol would take a slightly different road when it came to stories-most of which revolved around bizarre science and strange creatures and creations.  The X-Men tended to focus its attention on the outcast nature of its characters.

The X-Men would become a worldwide phenomenon while The Doom Patrol (though popular) never reached the height of popularity as the X-Men.

However with the introduction of The Doom Patrol TV series, that is beginning to change.

The Showcase Presents Metal Men black and white reprint book is identical in format to The Doom Patrol book.

It starts with the team’s first appearance in Showcase #37 and proceeds to go into their origin, various early adventures, introduces their top villains and ends with Metal Men #15.

The Metal Men was a last minute substitution in Showcase #37.  Due to some scheduling conflicts and problems a feature was needed for the issue.  

Writer Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru literally created, wrote and drew the Metal Men’s first appearance over a weekend.

Who knew that the Metal Men would prove such a hit with fans and are still a viable part of the DC Universe today?

Igor

Back in the early 1970s writer/director Mel Brooks was enjoying a winning streak.

His Blazing Saddles movie was a big hit and Hollywood was anxious to see what Mel’s fertile imagination would come up with next.

His next movie was unconventional to say the least.  It was filmed in black and white, featured many sets used in a 1930s monster film and spotlighted some of the wackiest and most unique characters ever created for the Silver Screen.

Mel was a big fan of the old Universal Studios monster films of the 1930s and 1940s.

As an homage to them he created what is considered the best film of his career: Young Frankenstein.

Sideshow Collectibles (Toys) created a series of three figures based on the main cast of the film: Doctor Frankenstein, the Frankenstein Monster and the doctor’s assistant Igor.

As much as I like the Doctor and Monster figures, Igor is by far my favorite.

Marty Feldman portrayed the cross-eyed, hunchback Igor (“What hump?“) and he stole the movie.

The Igor figure (as well as the other figures in the set) comes in a large cardboard box with a large clear plastic panel covering almost the complete front.

The plastic wraps around to each side covering about half of them. The accessories are made stationary by clear plastic cocoon bubbles and the figure stands in the open with wire and plastic ties holding it in place.

Only 7,500 Igor figures were produced-all in shades of gray to emulate the back and white film.

Igor’s bald head, large nose, pointed chin, silly grin and large goodly eyes-one of them walleyed, look just like the late actor Marty Feldman‘s.  

Feldman was a British import that made a big hit with American audiences-it even garnered him a short-lived TV show.  He would appear in other Mel Brooks films.

The articulated figure has the same ghastly gray skin and on its left hand is the name H. Delbruck-the name of the person whose brain Igor is sent to fetch in the film.

Igor comes dressed all in black including a peasant hood with half cape, tunic, trousers, boots and a wide black belt with metal rivets and oversize silver buckle, belt strap and silver studded black carrying pouch attached to the belt.

Included with the figure are a cobblestone base, Igor’s walking stick, his twisted horn capped with silver and the ‘Abby’normal brain with a clear beaker, glass canister and base.

I love the detailing on the horn and brain canister along with Igor’s face and costume details.

The loose fitting cloths move easily over the figure when posed and the accessories (the cane and horn) can be held by the figure with no worry of them coming loose.  

Add Igor with the Doctor and Monster and you have a classic display.

The Time Machine

My all-time favorite book by author H. G. Wells is The Time Machine.

The 1960’s movie adaptation starring Rod Taylor is a classic and is still fun to watch.

In 2002 Warner Bros./Dreamworks released a new updated version of The Time Machine.

With state of the art special effects, a new cast and a somewhat altered story line the movie was good but failed to garner the audience or the profit Warner Bros./Dreamworks had hoped for.

Personally I liked the movie.  It was similar to the 1960 movie adaptation with only a few differences: the Eloi were intelligent and the Morlocks had a super-intelligent leader.

The special visual effects were incredible and as always Stan Winston Studio turned out some amazing practical effects and creatures.

The only fault I have with the film is the pacing and the addition of the leader of the Morlocks.

The comic book features a photo cover of the movie’s promotional poster and offers a short abbreviated version of the story.

Like most good comic books it leaves readers with a cliffhanger ending.  In this case the cliffhanger was to encourage people to see the movie.

Plagued by production problems (including the original director leaving the film part way through) it never quite captured the feel of the original film.

It does contain a number of homages to the 1960 film.  It is a much darker film than the original with some disturbing scenes-especially concerning the Morlocks diet.

DC Comics released the small adaptation of the movie as a free giveaway.

Hawaii Five-O

How do you recreate a phenomenon and fan favorite?  It’s a daunting task to take a well beloved TV series and update it for modern TV audiences.

Fans of the original show may balk, new audiences may not make the connection and how do you walk the thin line between a tribute and a new vision?

That was the task set before the new production and acting team behind the new Hawaii Five-O TV series that ran for ten years on CBS and recently went off the air.

How do compete against Jack Lord’s original Steve McGarrett and James MacArthur as Danny “Danno” Williams along with other legendary cast members?

The new Hawaii Five-O kept much of the storyline and themes from the original series along with the names of the original characters.  There were a few tweaks and changes but overall the series kept its long established legend intact.

The new cast provided their own unique interpretations of the characters, fleshed them out and made the thier own.  Producers, directors and writers stayed true to the original series but updated stories and made the series relevant for its time.

Considering the original series ran 12 years it’s just as impressive the new series stayed on the air for 10 years.  It was not cancelled, but rather it was ended mainly due to the series main star and fellow cast members.  They all felt it best to go out while the show was at its peak.

CBS/Paramount presents the entire 240 episodes on 61-discs in a new deluxe collection handsomely packaged in a hardbound sleeve with two disc holders: one for Season 1-4 and one for Seasons 5-10.

Besides all of the action packed episodes the collection also includes several special featurettes and features such as a music video, with photos, individual cast members videos slips, a look-back collection of behind-the-scenes, action/stunts/ guest star interviews, commentaries, interviews and a Celebrating 50 Years of Hawaii Five-O compilation reel of the original series and the new series.

Longtime Hawaii Five-o fans of both the new and old series are sure to love this new 'The Complete Series Hawaii Five-O' DVD collection of episodes and extras.

Build & Battle And Transforming Iron Giant

Trendmasters Toys released a few 7-inch Iron Giant action figures when the movie came out.  Those figures are much sought after by Iron Giant enthusiasts.

The vacuum-formed, bubble packs the figures come in feature a large upper torso of The Iron Giant, the logo and an area made to look like a riveted container.  

Inside the figures are cradled in form-fitting cocoons that hold the figures and accessories in place, additional wire straps hold the figures in place.

On the back of the packages are complete instructions on how to use the figures’ clever action extras.

The Transforming Iron Giant includes a 7-inch Iron Giant articulated figure.

It features full Body details including a riveted Chest with Energy Weapon, hydraulic Arms and large lower Arms with huge Hands and perfectly captures the look of the cinema Iron Giant.  

It’s painted in two-tone gray with careful attention to correctly placed colors with not slopovers or rough edges.

Articulation is well hidden with no binding and the figure stands independently on its own with no support.

Two figures come with the Iron Giant: Hogarth the boy and an over-anxious Ken Mansley.  Both are extremely detailed with easily identifiable features and accurate paint application.

The Iron Giant figure has Glowing Eyes, a Energy Weapon that is activated when the figure’s Head is pressed, Removable Hands that reverse attach as Electro-Weapons, Legs that slide open to reveal Photon Lasers and a Spring-loaded Missile Launcher that bursts from its Chest.

A Magnetic Hogarth attaches to the Giant’s Shoulder. Also included is a Battle Tank with a Firing Missile.

It’s a remarkable figure with lots of cool extras.

The Build & Battle Iron Giant is a duplicate of the Transforming version minus the Chest Energy Weapon.  It also features great articulation, crisp color separation and accurate and scaled down details.

This version comes with Hogarth and Dean McCoppen miniature figures.  Hogarth can magnetically attach to the Giant’s Shoulder or Hand.

Iron Giant extras include Glowing Eyes, a Magnetic Removable Left Elbow and Shoulder, and Snap-Off Right Shoulder, Hands and Head.

A separate Strike Jet with Firing Missile is also included.

These are some the nicest figures Trendmasters ever made.  It’s too bad the movie was not a hit when it first premiered or we might have seen more figures.  

Fortunately the movie has become a cult classic and new collectible figures are now being made by other manufacturers.

Both figures in their packages go for between $150 to $200 each in mint condition.

The Batman Adventures #1

One of my all time favorite animated series is the Batman: The Animated Series.

Launched not long after Tim Burton created his Batman duo of movies the animated series was conceived and executed using a very different approach that your typical Saturday morning animated series.

The scripts were engaging, the characters fleshed out and the action all combined to make the Batman: The Animated Series a real gem.

DC Comics cashed in on the series by producing a companion comic book series called: The Batman Adventures.

Issue #1 introduced the animated version of Batman to the world.  

Kelley Puckett wrote the story and artist Ty Templeton emulated the style of the animated series to perfection.  Inker Rich Burchett help bring the TV animated Batman to the printed page.

The Penguin had the honor of being the first Batman villain to launch the series and the Joker was close in the wings.

Although it had the look of the animated series the stories were very much in line with the Batman mythos created in the comic books.  

The Batman Adventures series has the distinction of introducing Harley Quinn in to the DC Comics Universe of comic books in issue #12.

Issue #1 currently sells for about $5 raw and $50 slabbed in near mint condition.

Dune Drifter

The future.  Mankind has expanded its civilization to the far reaches of outer space.

Unfortunately not everyone is pleased with its expansion.

When rookie pilot and her gunner are shot down the land on a nearby planet.  Injured and running out of air they find a crashed alien spacecraft.  They hope to salvage its parts to repair their own spacecraft-until the owner shows up!

Dune Drifter is a low budget science fiction film but its gritty realism, clever use of close-ups and claustrophobic feel when inside the spacecraft all combine to make a compelling story.

It’s nice to see a sci-fi film that doesn't get all caught up in special effects but instead concentrates on the human element.

There’s a real sense of desperation and fear running through the film courtesy of 4Digital Media.

This Was Hollywood

In this age of mega-movies, Blu-rays, DVDs, TV, cable, digital media, the Internet and streaming it’s hard to imagine a time when Hollywood was in its infancy.

‘Movie stars’ were just coming into vogue.  Many of the familiar faces during Hollywood's’ early years have mostly been forgotten.

Author Carla Valderrama and Running Press/TCM Turner Classic Movies examines the careers of the pioneers of motion pictures in This Was Hollywood.

The book delves into the history of the forgotten stars & stories of yesteryear.

Learn about some of the previously unknown secrets about the movie capital, the scandalous lives of some of its stars, the money behind the films and much more.

This fascinating books spotlights the stars from the past, some familiar superstars and their lives and the tragedies and triumphs taking place during the Golden Age of Sin City.

Filled with archival photos, extensive examinations of the stars, directors and the industry and fascinating tidbits the book offers a hitherto unknown look at Hollywood.

GSG-9 Border Protection Group-9

Blue Box Toys unfortunately went out of business.  When it was producing toys and figures it came out with an impressive line of 1/6th Scale military and law enforcement figures.

One of the most impressive was “KONRAD” GSG-9 Border Protection Group-9.

I was fortunate enough to have Blue Box send me a review sample of the figure labeled as an Engineering Sample.

What differentiated Blue Box’s 12-inch fully articulated military and law enforcement figures from the other brands was something totally unique. KONRAD has a Custom Expression Mechanism.

A simple turn of an accompanying key on the back of his blond hair head and KONRAD opens his mouth as if to speak.

It’s a clever trick and it gives a new air of realism to the figure.

Add that to the highly detailed nature of the figure and its realistic weapons, clothing and accessories and you have a first-rate collectible.

KONRAD comes dressed in a solid black jumpsuit with a working zipper down its front.  He also wears gray heavy grip gloves and solid black boots with laces.

He comes with a camo helmet, a light up protective shield and a wraparound lower face mask.

Weapons and accessories include a full bullet proof flack jacket with wraparound waist band/belt, Velcro shoulder pads, six loops for shells (that actually remove) and a Velcro abdomen/crotch flap.

Other goodies include a walkie-talkie with strap, a handgun with a holster, heavy black knee pads with rivets and straps, goggles with orange lens, two ammo clips and an automatic rifle with removable clip, site, pull out stock and waist clip.

The details on the rifle are amazing, as are the fine little extras on the walkie-talkie, vest (that includes a back pouch and strap and pouch for carrying a radio with antenna) and the helmet with radio attachment and earphone and mike.

It’s too bad Blue Box no longer produces such figures but only back stocks them.  The company gave Sideshow, Dragon and other military/law enforcement 12-inch action figure manufacturers a run for their money.

Diamond Previews, December 2020

 

Spirit Charmers

Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game players get to tag along with the Charmers as they ply their magic to control the elements in Spirit Charmers.

The new Structure Deck focuses on Spellcasters and controlling monsters of many Attributes. Spiritual Art Cards remove the best Card from an opponent's hand and buries any Card they control to the bottom of the Deck.

You can even inflict massive damage, and more!

Look for variant artwork of the "Familiar-Possessed" versions of Hiita, Wynn, Aussa, and Eria.

Five new pieces of art show the daily lives of the Charmers and their familiars.

Each Structure Deck: Spirit Charmers contains:
5 Ultra Rares (4 Fixed + 1 of 4 Variant Art Cards)
2 Super Rares
35 Commons
1 of 5 Super Rare Token Cards
1 of 5 Double-sided Deluxe Game Mats/Dueling Guide

FuelRods

In this age of mobile digital devices power is everything.

Don’t you just hate it when you’re out and about and suddenly your cell phone and/or tablet runs out of juice?

It’s frustrating, wastes time and is certainly inconvenient.

Sometimes you’re in a place where there are no electrical outlets to recharge or worse yet you forget your cable for your phone and/or tablet and you’re stuck.

If you worked in business like I did a dead cell phone or tablet eats into your production time and keeps you out of the loop.

With a FuelRod you get a handy, portable battery that recharges cell phones (using a micro-USB, USB-C, or and Apple Lightning charging port) and lets you get some extra time in with your tablet.

You can even use your own USB standard connector!

Other devices can also be recharged such as a GoPro, PSP, AirPods, Bluetooth Speakers, etc, as long as they use the same charging ports as previously mentioned.

Say you have a FuelRod and it’s getting low on power or completely out of juice.  No problem-simply swap it out for a minimal fee at any FuelRod Kiosk for a newly recharged FuelRod.

For FuelRod Kiosk locations visit FuelRods’ website at www.Fuel-rod.com or download the FuelRod® mobile app on iPhone® at the App Store and for Android™ on Google Play.

Not near a Kiosk?  No problem, you can recharge your fuelRod at home or at work with the included micro-USB plugged into and USB charging port or using an adapter plug into any wall socket.

While its charging the FuelRod shines a red light.  Once fully charged the light turns green. Recharging takes about three hours.

FuelRods keep their charge for up to eight months when stored.  Capacity is 2600mAh, which is plenty to completely recharge most cell phones.

Take it with your wherever you go, even on airplanes following airline guidelines.

I’ve already tested mine on my cell phone and it works like a charm.  I have two FuelRods, one I’ve recharged from my computer USB and the other from a wall socket.

Easy to follow instructions are included-even I could figure them out and I’m an old timer.

FuelRods fit in your pocket, purse or briefcase and take the worry out of running out of power when using your cellphone,  tablet or other similar devices.

They’re cleverly designed, come with all the cables you need for most devices and can be a real lifesaver-especially for work or on vacation.

Never run out of juice again!

The Weird

Sadly comic book artist Bernie Wrightson passed several years ago.  He is know primarily for his work on DC Comics Swamp Thing, a score of DC covers, black and white work for Warren publications and his incredible Frankenstein portfolio.

Wrightson’s style captivated the imagination of comic book fans.  His use of fluid ink lines, amazing mastery of light and shadow and an eye for detail made him a fan favorite.

As Bernie grew older his eyesight began to fail him and its shows in his later work.  Still, the ‘Wrightson flair’ was always present, even in the last few years of his life.

In 1988 Bernie, along with fellow artist Dan Green and writer Jim Starlin, introduced a unique character to the DC Universe appropriately called The Weird.

A man conjures up a crimson jewel for nefarious reasons.  The energy within it escapes and draws the attention of Superman, Batman and the rest of the Justice League.

Nothing they do seems to stop its unknown progress.  To everyone’s surprise the energy enters the body of a recently deceased father and reanimates the corpse.

Dressed in a strange black and red garb the figure is slightly distorted and possesses more power than the Justice League combined.

The Justice League tries to subdue the being only to be easily brushed aside and the figure streaks away to the home of man whose body it possesses and encounters the man’s young son.

Wrightson turned in some incredible art, especially of the members of the Justice League.  The story contains elements of the supernatural (a Wrightson specialty) and lots of action.

Jim Starlin’s script keeps readers guessing and combined with Wrightson’s and Green’s artwork The Weird makes for an entertaining read.

I only wish that The Weird was used more in DC Comics.  He’s a unique character with a supernatural flair that would fit well both in the traditional superhero genre and the darker supernatural realms of DC.

The entire mini-series can be bought for about 10 bucks in near mint condition.