New 2011 Thundercats Lion-O 4 inch Action Figure Toy

A new Lion-o is inside the den, and he is superb. So far, the new Ban Dai line is looking really nice. Yes, a bit hard to find, as these toys trickle out, but I would imagine in a few more months we will be knee deep in them.

I have my search lights on for the 4" line. They are cheaper, and work with vehicles and play sets. For 4", they are pretty detailed, I really dig Lion-O's blue eyes. He has a decent amount of articulation, maybe only his right shoulder armor restricting some movement. His side skirt armor is a bit more flexible for leg kick/sit movement. Very nice head/neck movement, thats nice as in many figures have that joint a little to tight.

The figure is very well balanced, he can stand many ways without falling. I would like to again complain about missing display stands. Those help so much to complete a figure.

The fact that he can sit with knees bent though, is a fantastic improvement over the originals. I can't wait to buy a few more of these a Thundercats.

New Retro Masters of the Universe Hot Wheels

I had to do a double take with this line. Yes, Masters of the Universe themed Hot Wheels! Pretty cool, pretty old school, pretty expensive.

I nearly bought the truck, but then decided that it was just another jab at the collector's wallet. I don't see a good reason to fill another shelf with. It was a good moment of nostalgia though. I see eight different cars offered, only six of those styles were on the shelf that day.

2011 Lego display cases; Hero Factory Hologram, Alien Conquest, Ninjago, and Kre-O Transformers

Don't miss out on some fun Lego display cases in the toy aisles of Toys R us. The highlight is a hologram Lego Hero Factory battle! Second best fun is spinning the Lego Alien conquest UFO wheel. Also fighting Ninjagos! Kre-O needs to step it up with actual transforming Transformers.

Thundercats Ban-Dai 8 Inch Classic Lion-O

Funny, I was just winding down from a week vacation, ready to declare my absence from toy collecting, and a new sense of non-new-toy purchasing, when low and behold the new Thundercats toys come out, and quickly crush my new ways. There was so much to chose from, even with the new toys slowly trickling out into stores. Today was Toys R Us's main release date, so I had to check it out before the good stuff was gone. I mainly wanted to see the updated classic figures, as they are such an improvement. Tygra is also available, but for $20 dollars a piece, I will have to wait.

I first want to say, in your face Matty Collector (Masters of the Universe Classics)! You can still sell new classic stuff like this in stores successfully. I am sure these figures will be in less quantity, and sell just fine. It is so nice not to pay shipping charges, or to be online at the right second hand click, or just being able to shop in a store like a normal person.

Ban-Dai has done a pretty good job with this classic toy upgrade from the former old LJN Toys. If my 1980's Lion-O had articulation like this back in the day, maybe I wouldn't have broke his leg off. His likeliness is next to perfect, and just begs to be played with. I am also a fan of what ever plastic/paint Ban-Dai uses. I am mainly a Hasbro toy buyer so I am used to whatever plastic they make, which yes is probably superior grade, but its nice to have a change. New Classic Lion-O is more vivid, and squeaky clean then Hasbro and Mattel's figures.

Lion-O here comes with Sword of Omens, sized small and extended. Two hands for grasping, and the Claw Shield (Which is its own hand, not a hand inside a claw). Maybe only missing is a nice display stand, which I commonly gripe about for most toys. The box is nice as you can take the toy out, and repackage for display. That's something that I will give a ton of My Little Pony points to. I am impressed with this toy, and will get more over time.

Mcdonald's Happy Meal Toys 2011, Smurfs; Papa, Jokey, Gutsy, Brainy, and Painter Smurf

This month is going to be hard to resist. Its strange, they are by all means just a big hunk of blue plastic, yet for some reason irresistible. I also tried the apple chunks today instead of the fries, and they are okay! I might be able to do this without Heart Attack Smurf's help.

For some reason, Papa Smurf was made in Veitnam, while the others have China on them. Papa Smurf so far, is unbalanced and falls over easily.

Jokey was always a favorite of mine. Of course now days, is not Jokey a terrorist?

The best part of Brainy, is his voice. Every time you see or talk of him its; "Papa Smurf always says..."

I guess I would be a Painter Smurf if I lived in the village.

A nice feature is the scripted names on the feet of the Smurfs. It helps you remember their names. There are 16 total, so good luck catching them all. I want to try and boil them, to see if I can make gold.

Transformers Reveal the Shield, Solar Storm Grappel pt 3

A few more photos of Grappel the Great to drool over. Some things have been said over his crane being permanently stuck to his wrist. I don't see it has a huge set-back, and its certainly better than before when it hung off the back of his head.

Grappel's backside is a little on the light side. I do like how he has a folding panel to cover his back. His Shield to Reveal is behind his left shoulder. It was fun watching my light heat it up and reveal that he is indeed an Autobot.

Grappel Standing next to old Grapple.

The two like to have crane fights.

Transformers Reveal the Shield, Solar Storm Grappel pt 2

My Review is in, Grappel is amazing cool! He is like a missing childhood truck re-introduced into my life. I can't stop driving him around in vehicle mode.

New Grappel is much larger than old Generation 1 Grapple. About the only thing that G1 Grappel has over new Grappel is the old shiny chrome. Transformation from Robot to Vehicle was fairly simple and quick. He is a solid Transformer.

And here I am again, driving him back and forth.