DRONE AGAIN! Iron Man 2, Air Assault Drone, # 17

OH YUCK!

This, might be the worst action figure of the year! What the hell happened with this guy? I can't get one pleasing angle. Just look at those "I have to pee legs", he must have been packed up for a loooong time. The designers couldn't even think of anything neat to do with it, so they highlighted the fact his Jet Pack is removable, wtf. My version has plastic flaws all over it, and the paint application is sooo boring. He even looked out of place in the package, good thing I was able to bargain "Buy one get one free" off a Marvel coupon meant for other Marvel figures (insert long story).

At least he stands okay with his brother Larry.

DRONE! Iron Man 2 Weapon Assault Drone, that is. Movie Series # 16

DRONE!

I wasn't planning on buying so many action figures this weekend, but they kept falling into my lap. I ran into this drone Larry, and his brother Lloyd and immediately picked them up, as they are rare, or new, or hard to find or some junk.

In the package the Weapon Assualt Droid looks awesome! Saw arms, Whips, and an extra head!

Outside of the box, he's not so great. Kind of hard to get him to do anything poseriffic. His hip and legs are so clumsy (Like Cutler's).

He has these arm shield panels, that well, just don't do it for me.

I do like the extra long flexible whips, it gives him an insect like feel. Yet, I have a hard time getting these whips to tie around Iron Man. I can't believe the makers resisted the urge to make a whipping action feature.

I think, stand alone, this toy is kind of lame compared to the other Iron Man figures. But if I team him up with Lloyd, and maybe get the third drone Ted, they will be a lethal bunch.

I'll show of Lloyd tomorrow.

NFL Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler from Play Makers Mcfarlane Toys

Here's a weird toy to highlight, Chicago QB Jay Cutler. I usually don't buy into the sports toys, but this one was too fun to pass up (get it). Yes, I am a Bears fan, so at times its nice to pick up some team merchandise, and what better buy then their lackluster Quarterback! Well I shouldn't be too hard, he did throw a career tie, 4 touchdowns today against the Eagles.

In short Jay throws a lot of interceptions, and this season a new trick emerges, a lot of sacks. Still, at times he can play good, so its always a mixed bag.

Right away you can see the biggest flaw of this toy... No accessories, or even an all important display stand. Look at his little feet, those are not going to hold up the more than 20 moving parts. I guess the sports collector purist wouldn't even take him out of the package to care, but then what is the point of all that articulation? Include display stands people (he borrowed Peyton Manning's sideline base, so don't call him out of bounds)!

Jay is heavily jointed indeed, you can really get this guy to do everything. I would say his hips are a little clumsy and his neck could be better. His shoulder joints are awesome, he can really hunch in those arms. watch him throw that ball to himself...

Close up detail shows his paint aplication looks almost handmade. It has a rough texture in spots, and feels like it could rub off. The camera really picked up some plastic imperfections that don't show with the normal eye. His face mask is a little smooshed, and it hides his likeliness pretty well. Could be anyone in there.

The figure is sized at around 4" or so, but maybe in par with 3 3/4 scale, remember football players are huge.

Jay will have to win a Super Bowl before he is even considered to join the Fridge in GI Joe.

Epic Lego Minifigure Battles! Stars of Series 2 and 3 throw down!

A little somethin somethin I've been filming. Please share with your friends.

2010 Christmas Holiday Toys I would Recommend, Star Wars, Legos Minifigures, Batman, Iron Man, Zhu Zhu Warriors, and a Happy Fun Ball

Here are my toy suggestions for awesomeness this year, being the toy collector guru that I am. Before I throw down, I want to remind you that my choices fall for both boys and girls (even though most choices are unfairly labeled as boys toys). Its ridiculous to divide the toy aisles that way, and I hope when you buy for your kids you are thinking what best toy will spark their imagination. Maybe, get what they ask for first, but also surprise them with something different too.

I Start with the Star Wars Hailfire Droid RC Vehicle. I can't think of a better toy to run over your armies of Star Wars figures. As a bonus you can chase your cat and fire missiles at it. I haven't got to play with one yet, but I bet with those two big wheels, you don't have to worry about it falling over too much.

DC Super Friends, HeroWorld, from Fisher Price look like a nice durable play toy for the Batman Superman world. And if those don't fly Imaginext and Trio also look fun. I can't stop playing with my Imaginext Batcave set.

Did someone finally invent SNL's Happy Fun Ball? It looks that way with these Super Bounce Spring Balls made in Germany, sold at Toys R Us. They have an authentic warning label and they did bounce pretty far (and what is that residue left on my hands?). Watch out for your chandeliers!

Iron Man toys are on the list this year. I would suggest buying three or four, so the fun metal battles begin. Which reminds me, try sticking with a theme for giving toys. Pick a few from the same line to play with. That way you teach your kid the ways of unhealthy toy collecting and hopefully toy hoarding.

Lego Minifigures are perfect stocking stuffers, IF you can find them...

Godzilla is a holiday icon under the tree, but this year, show Mothra some love. I found this one at Toys R Us too.

Star Wars Legos are the best of the best in Legos. There are a ton of cool ships and minifigures to choose from. This new Wampa pack is spectacular. Also search for the Wampa floor rug, thats funny.

For Zhu Zhu pets, I would go with the warriors, as its way more fun. If you want a regular Zhu Zhu pet, go get a real hamster. If you want something greener with weapons go with the warriors. Don't forget to get them their armor too (it takes a few minutes to figure out who wears what).

The Arena set is hilarious. They make funny noises, and then charge each other for supremacy. If you're still not sold, think of the holiday gambling opportunities when the spiked egg nog kicks in.

So thats my first list of suggestions. If I see any more must haves, I will let you know in the next few weeks.

Hot Wheels, 2010 Batmobile, Bold and Brave

So this Batmobile does exist! Modeled after the Vroom machine from Batman: The Brave & The Bold, it's another addition to the Batmobile pile of Hot Wheels cars. Its pretty neat overall but it does have a very trim waist line. I like the bat head feature on the front, makes for good style. The tail section is very reminiscent of the old 60's Batmobile. I found two, as once I learned its number, 42 of 44, and color of box, yellow, I got on my hands and knees to hunt. I will have to try it on the official Batman track to see how it flys. Yes of course, go buy it if you don't have it! Its only a dollar, Bruce pays way more for his.

Lego Minifigures Series 3 is out! Is there a code to crack?

As quickly as series 2 came and went, series 3 is now on a local store shelf. About six cases too, so maybe Lego upped the production? I just hope that when I return, some idiot didn't buy all six cases. The bad news is, the code breaker bar code is gone, and the chaos now begins. Great job Lego, now morons will be slicing these open with pocket knifes, and leaving a mess all over store aisles. It happened with Attactix, it happened with Hotwheels mystery cars, it will happen with these minifigures. I thought the bar code breaker was a perfect compromise. It lets collectors get what they want with a little detective work, and it lets casual buyers still pick up something mysterious. Of course you can still play what's in the package and press, and smoosh, and identify with your fingers, but it takes a while and you look silly doing it. I bought eight to start, and went 7 for 8 with one repeat. I smooshed them all in the comforts of home, its a Sumo, so if someone wants to trade for it, let me know. I think I will go back and smoosh a few under a clothing rack or something, I Hope that won't be too creepy. Maybe I can get a gram scale, and measure each minifigures mass, then we would know which pack weighs what, and get this code cracked.