Kre-O G.I. Joe Checkpoint Alpha and Cobra Armored Assault

Ha-ha, it didn't take me long to cave on the bigger GI Joe Kre-O sets. Two reasons; I found that they are only "Toys R Us Exclusives", making them probably never a reduced thing. And two, a buy one get one half off sale, sold me on the Cobra Armored Assault and the Battle Platform Attack set. These are fun alternate reality building sets. Yes, I found some construction inefficiencies that Lego would never produce with their polished sets, but to have G.I Joe in a block form has been so much fun so far. I actually can't stop playing with them.

Happy Meal HexBugs McDonalds 2013 Review with A Barbie Too

It's HEXBUG happy Meal Time! I have been eagerly waiting for these as I am getting to be a huge HexBug fan. This assortment of six toys is pretty well done. There is actually only three designs, but repeated in color, so if you are looking to save money, just look for each design.

The #4 and #5 toys are Nano Pullback toys (Waaaaay bigger than a normal nano by the way). The pull back works fine, but the reverse motor bumper feature is "Hit" and miss. The blue one worked better than the black one, although I really like how the black one looks. It takes some practice getting them to work, but once they are going its fun times.

The #2 and #3 toys are Speed Beetles. These work the best out of the group. Pullback toys again, but with a surprisingly strong motor, and with really smooth rolling leg motion. These are a hit to play with.

The #1 and #6 toys are wind up beetles. They look really cool, and function pretty good too. With the transparent plastic you can see the inner workings go, the spinning dial up top looks really sharp. The leg motion is also fun to watch.

I am very pleased with this run of Hexbugs, they did their homework well this time.

G.I. Joe Kre-O Figures Collection 1

Kre-O GI Joe's are looking better and better than their Transformer counterparts. It almost makes more sense for GI Joe to be blockized than Transformers. I picked up 6 out of 12 (the rest were not available), and now I can't stop thinking more. They are not as solid as a Lego Minifigure, yet a little more customized. It's pretty cool to see some of the classic characters being used from so long ago. I also picked up the small Checkpoint Alpha set, and will show off that later. I will wait on the bigger sets though, as sadly, they probably will be reduced in price shortly.

Just Plain Old Ordinary Classics Skeletor

To complement Plain Old Ordinary Classics He-Man, is Plain Old Ordinary Classics Skeletor. Skeletor is plain fantastic in my book. I think he slightly edges out He-Man as the better of the two figures.

And yes, that is two Skeletors now.  At least with these two, there are a few more differences.

Skull Face is painted differently. Battle Armor Skeletor has socks. Normal Skeletor has his trademark loin cloth fancy belt skirt. Normal Skeletor gets his wizard staff and purple power sword.

Now with each figure (He-Man), comes half of the Power Sword like the good old days. Fit them together, and depending on your mythos, something will happen (Grayskull opens, King Grayskull appears, Happy Hour at Pub Eternia extended indefinitely).

I think they fit together worse than the originals. Oh well, no biggie, its more of a silly gimmick.

So now I can finally rest that Plain Old Ordinary Classics Skeletor is on the shelf.

Just Plain Old Ordinary Classics He-Man

It was either committing to a very expensive Castle Grayskull late last year, or watching a lot of Filmation He-Man reruns lately, that I made the decision to get just a normal plain of the run He-Man figure from the evil forces of Matty Collector. I always wanted this version from the start, but was denied by the first few waves of scalpers who got there first. I kind of gave up, not wanting to support such lameness, but lately my heart softened and I gave in.

Of course now I have two He-Men. I did get the Battle Armor version earlier, which was neat, as that was my very first original He-Man toy. But the Armor is not cartoon accurate, which has bugged me all sorts of ways for many years. I try not to think of the lame extra expenses paid for different torso armor, as these figures are pretty much identical. 

Maybe what sold the deal was getting the Power Sword and Shield with the normal He-Man. Kind of silly not to have the Power Sword for the Armor version. I will also get many miles out of normal He-Man, as he is so iconic to the toy collection.

Of course I also used the opportunity to get a Plain Old Ordinary Classics Skeletor, but maybe tomorrow on that one.

Ultimate Spiderman Marvel Fighter Pods Series 1

Now that Star Wars Fighter Pods have made their waves known, Marvel is getting a treatment with Ultimate Spiderman. What I like most about Blind Bag stuff is that it doesn't take up much space. I can buy a few packs, and throw everything in a zip baggie and toss in a drawer. They are easy to travel to fine dining and the play is simple and easy. I would imagine that numerous series will follow.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Since this took fourteen plus hours to produce, and I have got nothing else to say today, lets milk this video for all it has left. Spend time with someone or something you love today!

Cantina Holidays Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day!

Saturday Assortment

I took a trip out today to look for a Cantina band player. I know exactly the set I want, available through ebay, but I don't think I will get it in time for the antics of this week. I was hoping to find one in town to hold me over, but it looks like it was a little more rare than normal. I did pick up this assortment at our local reseller Time Zone Toys.

First off, an older Star Wars Power of the Force collection, Ponda Baba. I hope to get the fancy one sometime soon, but this one will be fine for the short term. I like how the previous collector kept the card.

Second, a G.I. Joe 25th "New" Cobra Commander. I purchased most of the 25th line, but for somehow reason, missed this one. CC in Battle Armor is one of my favorites. Not really because he is Cobra Commander, but more as it's a really ass kicking costume!

Thirdly three, at the very end I noticed some loose Blue Rangers in the Power Ranger bin. I collect Blue Rangers, and was floored to find a really nice Blue Dino Thunder Ranger. Also a somewhat loose  Blue Space Ranger, in which I will have to get a battery to see if the helmet light up feature will still work. A Space Police ranger with the big number "2" on the suit is the last one (one of my favorite Ranger designs btw). He is missing his hand, I wonder what horrible accident befell him?

Fourthly and finally a Rainbow Dash for my kiddo, or at least I like to say it that way.

Cantina Patron Reunion!

Here are most of what I have collected for Cantina figures (There are a few on special assignment not shown). These guys, and lady, are great fun. I really need to pick up the band one of these days too. Getting Dr. Evazan and Bom Vimdin has inspired me to continue to look for more patrons. I have a small special project that I would like to try with these guys too, if I pull the trigger, you will see it later next week.

Star Wars Dr. Evazan and Bom Vimdin Cantina patrons

I ventured to Toys R Us today, and found a Bom Vimdin a Cantina patron. I really like collecting the Cantina aliens as they make perfect fill in characters to any play adventure scenerio. You don't have to worry about too much conflicting back story with these guys. I think I have enough now to fill up the big Millennium Falcon. I should do a group photo one of these days. They all have amazing costumes and just look like scum.

I have had Dr. (Cornelius) Evazan on my Mantle since last Christmas. He helped liven up the holly and candles. But its time I open them and stop this hoarding of packaged stuff.

Did I mention these guys look like scum?

Wait, one is speaking...

Oh GREAT! Thanks a lot Dr. Evazan! There was only one Bom Vimdin left, now he's dead.

ZERBOZ DC Series 2

What to say about Zerboz balls? Another blind mini toy for about a buck. I skipped series 1, but thought I would give three seconds to series 2. Judging on what I got, I probably will stay away from Zerboz in the future.

Aquaman's stance sure isn't helping his rank in the Justice League. Is he playing air pool with a trident? Bizzaro is the best of the three, but can someone tell me what the medallion is for? I think I like Robin better without pants.

So yeah, they are about a buck each of fun.