Drusilla and Faith

During most of the 1990s the Buffy The Vampire Slayer TV show was one of the most popular series being broadcast.

Buffy and her ‘Scooby Gang’ protected their hometown and the world from vampires, werewolves, demons and other nasty creatures.

The series also introduced a popular cast of supporting actors and actresses-one of which was Drusilla.

The Moore Actions Collectibles' Drusilla figure stands approximately 6-inches tall.  The figure is fully articulated with some of the smallest articulation points I’ve ever seen on a figure.  Amazingly they are hardly discernible against the figure’s flesh or clothing.

The figure looks incredibly lifelike with a very realistic female figure, thin arms and small hands, a long neck and delicate features with very distinct eyes, noses, mouth and ears.

Her raven black hair is pulled back and hangs to her shoulders.

She wears a deep burgundy sleeveless blouse with a low cut top, a long black ankle length skirt and black closed-toe high-heel shoes.

Included with the figure is a small Victorian era doll in a multi- layer skirt, a red hair ribbon and black hair.  Also included are a rose bud on a stem, a black handle dagger and a small silver urn with a handle.

Twin rock pillars are set apart on a granite like base.  The figure sits between the columns.

Packaging is a hanger with a flat bottom for shelf display.  It features a full clear plastic front, a molded plastic cocoon for holding the figure and accessories and tie downs form the figure.  A large Buffy logo decorates the package above the figure casing.

Buffy was so popular that one of its ‘guest’ stars: Angel the reluctant vampire, branched off in his own series.  He brought with him a supporting cast of characters, Faith being one of them.

The Faith figure is similar in size to the fully articulated Drusilla figure although Faith is posed in a more dynamic fashion.  Articulation points are well hidden,

Faith has long black hair, finely defined features and a slightly more muscular body than Drusilla.

She wears a sleeveless white tank top, black trousers with a wide black belt with a silver buckle, black worker boots and a sweatband on her left wrist.

Her right upper arm has a tattoo.

Accessories include a black crossbow, a bow with arrows, a wooden stack and a stone step base with a tree stump.

The figure and accessories are perfectly to scale, feature excellent details and paint application and come on a bubble hanger/standup with a large Angel logo on the top of the display card.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Nightmare Before Christmas

Director/writer Tim Burton produced the stop motion animated movie Nightmare Before Christmas that became an instant hit and cult favorite.

When the film was first released Hasbro Toys had the toy license.  Unfortunately the toys flopped but as the film has grown to cult status Nightmare fans are willing to pay big prices for the old toys.

First up is Jack As Santa-a bendable Santa Claus dressed version of Jack complete with fake white beard, a long pointed Santa cap, a skeletal face with black hollow eyes and creepy bone white hands with four fingers.

Included with the figure are a green tombstone base and a spooky green present with ribbon.

The bendable limbs Jack comes on a hanging card with plastic protecting both Jack and his accessories.

The card features a scene from the movie and on the back is a gallery of other nightmare figures.

The shifting eyes Behemoth comes on the same type of card as Jack and is also protected by plastic.

Behemoth wears blue farmer bib overalls with gold buttons and yellow gloves.

The rotund figure wears no shirt of shoes revealing his deathly gray/green pale skin.

Behemoth has an axe in his head and comes with an orange base and small hatchet.

Both figures are spooky, kooky and much prized figures by Nightmare fans.

Matthew 11:30 (NIV) “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Ghostbusters: Afterlife Plasma Series Lucky

The Lucky, fully-articulated, Ghostbusters Afterlife Plasma Figure from Hasbro Toys is packaged exactly like the other figures in the series.

See my previous review.

Like other figures Lucky is dressed in a Ghostbusters light brown outfit and includes a part to the large Sentinel Terror Dog (the head).  

The figure also includes a Proton Pack with Wand and as a special added bonus the four-wheel, remote control Ghostbusters Ghost Trap is also included.

Packaging is identical to the five previous figures I reviewed as is the package decorations.

Like the other figures in the set the detail is amazing especially the features of the figure and the tech equipment on the Proton Pack and mobile Ghost Trap.

The figure easily holds the various equipment and its clever articulation points are mostly hidden allowing the figure to pose with or without accessories.

A big thank you to Hasbro Toys for the figure.

Captain Victory And The Galactic Rangers #1

Jack Kirby had knocked around comic books for over 50 years.  He revolutionized DC Comics and Marvel Comics but in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s his style was considered old and irrelevant.

Kirby was determined to prove he still had what it takes.  He contracted with Pacific Comics and premiered a new title: Captain Victory And The Galactic Rangers.

At first much or the Kirby magic remained but as the series continued it became evident that the old master was starting to slow down and loose much of his edge.

While it is evident he still had a respectable imagination it seemed his ideas were a bit dated and redundant.

His dialogue was more stilted and his art (while competent) had lost much of its detail and luster.

It was almost as if Jack’s art had become so stylized that it had become a parody of itself.

Jack’s page layouts and minimal character drawings were becoming increasingly simpler.  

If you take the time to examine his art you can spot sporadically the old Jack with his vivid imagination and knack for drawing impressive scenes.

Still, as the title progressed his art became much more minimal and difficult to decipher.

Jack’s art would continue to degrade as he grew older until it reached the point it was little more than bold lines and unrealistic.

Sadly just a few short years later Jack would pass away.  He would never see his great creations make it to the Silver Screen and receive the adoration and credit he deserved.

Since his death his family has begun to profit from his legacy and a whole new generation of comic book readers and collectors have discovered his art.

Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) “But as it is written:“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Iron Fist #12

What happens when the martial artist with the fist of fire and steel goes up against the shield flinging red, white and blue Avenger?

Stay tuned as Marvel Comics' Iron Fist takes on Captain America In Iron Fist #12.

After is run-in with The Wrecking Crew Iron Fist attempts to contact The Avengers to warn them of the Crew’s planned attack on them.

Unfortunately Iron Fist decides to enter The Avengers mansion unannounced and in the process startles Jarvis the butler who looses his balance and falls down some stairs.  Iron Fist manages to slow his fall minimizing his injuries.

But bad timing and his unauthorized entry into the mansion brings Captain America into the fray.

A battle royale ensues and after Iron Fist takes a dangerous gamble for his own safety Captain America realizes his error in believing Iron Fist was a threat.

Iron Fist fills Cap in on The Wrecking Crew’s plan and together they hatch a deceptive plan of their own.  

Iron Fist was an early collaboration of the future Uncanny X-men team of writer Chris Claremont and artist John Byrne.

You can see how well they meshed as a team at that early time in their careers.

Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Upcoming!! Diamond Previews, November 2021

 

Lost In Space Diecast

Before Star Trek came along my favorite science fiction TV series was Lost In Space.

I especially liked the first season, which was a lot more realistic.  Seasons two and three got silly but I still turned in to see the latest exploits of Doctor Smith, Will Robinson and the Robot.

Johnny Lightning/Playing Mantis produced a series of four heavyweight metal and plastic miniatures of the Robot B-9, the Space Pod, the Jupiter2 and The Chariot.  

Duped the Lost In Space The Classic Series, Johnny Lightning /Playing Mantis did an outstanding job of recreating all four mechanisms in perfect miniature form.

Each vehicle and the robot come with film clips from the original series as an extra-added bonus.

By far the Robot B-9 is my favorite of the series.

Who can forget his most famous line, “Danger Will Robinson, danger!”?

The miniature Robot figure has his rubberized tread base (cleverly masqueraded as simple wheels underneath the tread mechanism) and his sectional rubber legs with knee plate.

The rounded chassis also has miniature dials and lights, a fluted voice section and swivel base.

Both red clawed arms are made of the same material as the legs and the clear plastic head bubble sits on its metal stalk atop a clear circular base.

The bubblehead of the robot is clear and has inner workings.

Twin sensor antenna of red and yellow are attached to the lower clear base.

I remember watching the first episode of the original Lost in Space TV series.

When the Robinson’s spacecraft the Jupiter 2 took off it blew my mind.  Suddenly it started to glow; the triple legs pulled up, the doom light began to glow and rotate spin and whoosh, off it went!

The Jupiter 2 diecast features the craft’s characteristic saucer shape.

The silver disk has a transparent dome at it center on its top, three landing legs, several circular ports for sensor extensions, a triple panel viewing window, double panel access door and a small porthole.  

Underneath the Jupiter 2 is a transparent circle in segments representing the unique propulsion system of the spacecraft.

Landing on an unknown planet is one thing but getting around on it is something else all together.

In order to traverse rough terrain the Robinsons had a vehicle called The Chariot.

Consisting out of a clear passenger compartment the vehicle road about on treads, (very much like a tank).  This allowed The Chariot to climb, slosh through or endure all sorts of travel conditions.

It’s clear passenger compartment allowed the riders to see 360 degrees around the vehicle thus alerting them to danger or obstacles of all sorts.

Inside was seating for six people on custom orange seats; some supplies were carried inside with the majority housed on a rack on the top.  A hoist hook was included for heavy objects.

The tiny miniature recreates all of this in perfect detail.

Also in the diecast are a driver's console and various instruments.

The outside of The Chariot had four high power headlights, twin reflectors in the back, along with two lights.

An orange ladder leads to the top where there is an observation bubble and radar and sensor antenna mounted on a heavy black reinforced metal strip.

To survey the surrounding landscape and for short trips into space the Robinsons had a Space Pod.

Configured much like the Lunar Lander the Space Pod has triple windows on its front, a series of small jet nozzles for maneuvering, sensor and radar equipment, an entry door, three landing pads and a large lower transparent propulsion unit mounted underneath.

The Space Pod also has twin lights, several detection devices and exterior equipment attachments.

The entire vehicle is silver save for the front panel, which is orange/brown.

Johnny Lightning/Playing Mantis did an outstanding job of recreating all four miniatures.

Sculpting is in scale and precise.  Coloring has sharp well-defined edges with no slopovers and the packaging not only protects each piece but also displays it to its best advantage.  

Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The Suicide Squad

Leave to director James Gunn (Guardians Of The Galaxy 1 and 2) to come up a movie with a unique take on DC Comics’ 2nd tier villains and make it a hit.

Not to be confused with the Suicide Squad movie released a few years back, The Suicide Squad movie fires on all cylinders when it comes to action, humor and just plain fun.

A motley crew of villains who are ‘recruited’ by Amanda Waller as members of Task Force X to infiltrate the island of Corto Maltese and stop the mad plans of its dictator.

They encounter Starro, a giant starfish with the ability to kill people and take over their minds.

The action is intense as the Squad, led by Rick Flag and consisting of King Shark, Peacemaker, Bloodspot, Harley Quinn, Savant, Captain Boomerang, The Detachable Kid, Weasel, Mongal, Javelin, Black Guard, Polka-Dot Man, Rat Catcher 2 try to stop Starr from taking over the world (or at least some of them do).

Harley Quinn is captured, rescued by the Squad, the Thinker (who is the scientist in charge of the project) assists the Squad, he reveals that the U.S. Government plans to use Starro’s ability.

Rick Flag plans to reveal the plot and Peacemaker is a secret government plant and all hell breaks loose as the Squad battles Starro. A few members never make it out alive.

It’s a violent bloodiest as bodies are flung far and wide, plenty of blood and guts are spattered about and ultimately the Squad pulls together as a team to defeat Starro and to threaten to reveal the U.S. government's part in the plot.

The Suicide Squad is unlike any DC Comics movie before it and is a visual romp, full of surprises and downright fun!

Be sure to check out Shark King voiced by Sylvester Stallone and John Cena’s over the top performance as Peacemaker.

Warner Bros. presents The Suicide Squad on Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Code that also includes a gag reel, deleted and expanded scenes, several featurettes, a director commentary and much more.

The Suicide Squad-it’s to die for! 

Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

Walt’s Disneyland

When Walt Disney decided to pursue his dream of creating a theme park unlike any other that featured rides the whole family could enjoy, he was taking a huge risk.

Disney developed technology and themes unseen at that time and was placing his reputation and future career on the line.

Walt Disney stayed true to his vision, despite the detractors, and ultimately proved such a concept was viable and extremely profitable.

Walt’s Disneyland A Walk In The Park With Walt Disney, written by Marcy Carriker Smothers and published by Disney Editions, looks at the creation of the amusement park.

Archival photos showcase the design, construction, technology, the rides and the tremendous creativity and innovation it took to make Disneyland a reality.

Learn about the rides, the people behind the scenes who made the park possible and so much more.

Every Disneyland fan is sure to want this wonderful historical account of the greatest theme park ever created and that spawned an entire industry and empire.

Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

Superman The Complete Animated Series

There was a time, not too long ago, when Warner Bros. superhero animated TV series ruled the airways, much like their live action superhero shows do today.

Batman: The Animated Series, Superman, Justice League, Teen Titans, Young Justice, Legion of Superheroes and others were huge hits and rightly so.

All were extremely well written (many by professional comic book writers) and the animation was simplified but dynamic.

Each series paid serious homage to their comic book namesakes and fans loved them.

While new WB animated series are not as plentiful as they once were, many of the series produced years ago are seen in repeats and are still incredibly popular.

Twenty-five years ago the Superman animated series premiered and caught on instantly with fans.

All of the classic Superman supporting cast members were there along with Superman’s most diabolical villains such as Darkseid and Parasite and a few new bad guys such as Live Wire.

Warner Bros. proudly presents the Superman The Complete Animated Series Blu-ray/Digital Code Collection containing six discs and some very special features such as commentaries and five featurettes.

This is classic Superman before he changed to fit the times as in The New 52, Rebirth and the new socially conscious DC Comic Book characters.

It’s Superman as he was meant to be: timeless, classic and the grandfather of the superheroes that followed.

John 1:1-2 (KJV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Rudolph And The Island Of Misfits Toys

Considered a Christmas classic the stop-motion animation Rudolph And The Island Of Misfit Toys has thrilled kids young and old on TV for decades.

Memory Lane produced a number of partially articulated action figures based on the show.

Look for Clarice (with rabbit), Santa Claus with a misfit toy and his bag of presents and King Moonracer with misfit toy.  All are faithful reproductions of the original stop-motion figures.

All of the figures come in clear hanger/standup packages with the Rudolph logo displayed predominantly at the top.

The Clarice figure with four animals (like all the figures) is held in place in form-fitting clear plastic cocoons.

Clarice with painted alight tan with white belly, large black eyes with eyelashes, a red hair ribbon and a cut pug nose set n a white muzzle.

Her legs and head move.

Two small white rabbits with long ears and fluffy tails and two dark gray raccoons with the characteristic black masks and pointed ears make up the set.

A Clarice banner with the image of Frosty The Snowman decorates the bottom of the package while on the back (of all the packages) the entire set of toys ion the Rudolph set re shown--and there are a bunch of them!

The Santa figure look like you would expect it to with a red coat and pants trimmed in white fur around the waist, collar and sleeve cuffs, a large black belt with a silver buckle, black boots, white gloves and a large red cap with fur trimming.

Santa has two black bead eyes, heavy white eyebrows, bears and mustache and rosy colored complexion.  He is fully articulated in the torso, arms, neck and wrists.

A small white elephant with pink polka dots elephant toy with black eyes and a blue nose and Santa's brown cloth bag of toys completes the set.

King Moonracer is a large furry and fuzzy figure with a large black nose, whiskers, expressive black eyes an impressive tail and two large wings.  His head pivots and legs move slightly.

The same elephant toy as mentioned above is included.  The only difference being is that it wears a red bellboy cap with a black chinstrap.

All of the figure are expertly sculpted, feature great coloration or texturing (such as the lion) and articulation is smooth, form and well hidden.

I picture all of the figures on a fireplace mantel or grouped around a Christmas tree during the holidays.  Kids will love them!

John 1:1-2 (KJV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Terminatrix

A lot of people did not like the third Terminator movie: Rise Of The Machines.

Personally I enjoyed it and its introduction of a female Terminator: Terminatrix.

More powerful and versatile than the T2 it was sent to the past to kill John Connor as a young man.

The Terminator 3 Rise Of The Machines Terminatrix Endoskull from Sideshow Collectibles is made from a shiny golden/silver metal much like the real T3 figure.

Standing about three inches tall the small bust is mounted on a square base with the T3 logo embossed on the front.  

Beneath the base is a piece of felt to keep the bust from sliding on surfaces.

Like the real Terminatrix the head and neck are segmented with slight tinges of blue showing through duplicating the inner blue glow of the cyborg.

Hold it up to light and the blue areas are translucent.

Details include seams, a segmented neck and a face that looks more insect than human.

The small bust comes in a plain white box with descriptive text on one side.

Flip the lid of the box open and a split gray box of Styrofoam (with a T3 logo) opens up revealing a form-fitted cradle for the bust to sit in.  A single piece of foam paper covers the bust protecting it from scratches and damage.

A large bust from Sideshow was also available.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) ^“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.“

No Time To Die

The latest James Bond movie has sparked a lot of controversy.

Originally meant to play early in 2020 the film was delayed several times because of Covid concerns.

Up until its release not much was shared in the way of information about the plot or story.  It wasn’t until early reviews were posted that fans discovered just how different No Time To Die was compared to other James Bond films.

This is the last film Daniel Craig plays as Bond.  After watching the movie it’s easy to see why.

No Time To Die changes everything where it concerns James Bond. Some Bond fans will love it, others will hate it.  It successfully created discord amongst viewers.

From Titan Books comes No Time To Die The Making Of The Film, by Mark Salisbury.

The beautiful hardbound book includes a black and white photo of Bond and his latest lady love on its dust jacket and a gold foil stamped 007 logo on the cover of the book.

The inside is filled with black and white and color photos of behind the scenes of the making of the film.

Readers are given a tour of locations, see how scenes are set up, discover the incredible hard work it takes to create some of the spectacular physical effects and stunts and the tremendous amount of hard work it takes to make such a massive film.

Learn how chase scenes were choreographed and what interiors and exteriors were chosen. Actors, actresses and production team members give insights into the film and every aspect of the making the film is examined.

From set dressings, to lighting, costumes, weapons and accessories, transportation and to the heart-break final scene it’s all here in one impressive collection of photos, art and text.

Where will Bond go from here?  Stay tuned, Bond will be back but who will play the character and what changes can moviegoers expect?

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Charles Addams A Cartoonist’s Life

They’re creepy and they’re kooky
Mysterious and spooky
They’re all together ooky
The Addams Family
Their house is a museum
When people come to see 'em
They really are a screaming
The Addams Family.
Neat.
Sweet
Petite
So put a witch's shawl on
A broomstick you can crawl on
We're gonna play a call on
The Addams Family
They’re creepy and they’re kooky
Mysterious and spooky
They’re all together ooky
The Addams Family
Strange
Deranged
The Addams Family

If you were alive and watched TV in the 1960s you’ll recognize these lyrics.

The Addams Family TV series ran for several years on ABC TV and was extremely popular.  Decades later they would star in a number of films, both live and animated.

The series was based on the single panel cartoons illustrated and written by Charles Addams.

For those of you unfamiliar with The Addams Family, they were a spooky, weird and macabre clan that occupied a creepy old house and lived an ‘unconventional’ lifestyle, to say the least.

The new oversize softbound book: Charles Addams A Cartoonist’s Life, by famed author Linda H. Davis and published by Turner Publishing Company, looks into the life of The Addams Family creator, Charles H. Addams.

It turns out he was as colorful and strange as the characters he illustrated.

Rumors were rampant about Addams when he was alive.  Often outgoing and congenial Addams kept his private life under wraps.

Because of the strange nature of his The Addams Family cartoons people often assumed he was a strange as his characters.

In some respects he was, although not quite as out there.

It was rumored he slept in a coffin, subsisted on a strange diet and had hidden dark secrets best left kept secret.

What is known is that he loved women, had no qualms about ruffling the establishment’s feathers and lived his life on his own terms.

Get ready for a remarkable journey as you examine the strange, fascinating and unusual life of one of the world’s most unique and captivating artists.

Filled with photos and art the book is a kooky, crazy and captivating excursion into the mind and life of a genius.

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

The Art Of The Last Jedi

The next to final film in the original 9-part Star Wars saga had mixed reviews: some fans love it, other loathed it.

Many blame the writer/director who made the unusual decision to ditch much of what was established before and mix things up.

While the film was a total mish-mash of chaos and altered continuity the special effects and look of the film were first rate.

The book: The Art Of Star Wars The Last Jedi, written by Phil Szostak and published by Abrams, contains informative text about he making of the film and its pivotal moments.

Filled with color paintings, sketches, computer renderings and 3D model images it examines costume designs, environments, vehicles and every other visual element in the film.

It’s a complex book with tons of information about the film making process, demonstrates the incredible amount of working going into such a film and spotlights the amazing artist of some of the best craftsmen, builders and artisans in the business.

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”