Stan Lee 1922 - 2018
Saturday 24th November, 2018
It seems 6 inch figures are not all McFarlane have planned for their Game of Thrones licence. This Viserion the Dragon figure has just gone up for pre-order on Entertainment Earth.
McFarlane have shared another image from their upcoming 6 inch Game of Thrones figure line. This time we get to see the prototype figure for Daenerys Targaryen. Mother of Dragons is sculpted as seen in Season 7 with her flowing dark robes and dragon scale design cloak. It is the first look at a full figure we've had from the line after seeing digital sculpts initially and then the head sculpt for the Night King.
Viserion will be the first in a return to the McFarlane Monsters line and while not in scale with the 6 inch figures, he will provide an impressive shelf presence standing over 10 inches high and with a 16 and a half inch wingspan. Articulation will sit at 10 points and there is also removable ice breath FX pieces. The Entertainment Earth price is a very impressive $24.99 and that will most likely translate to £25 her in UK. Viserion is due to arrive in April 2019 coinciding with the 8th and final series of Game of Thrones.
The first wave of Daenerys, Jon Snow, Arya Stark and the Night King are down for a Summer 2019 release and will retail around £22 each in the UK.
McFarlane have also teased us with new images of their Game of Thrones Jon Snow Action Figure.
Jon will arrive in Wave 1 of the line in April 2019 along with Daenerys, The Night King and Arya Stark. The figures are reported to be 6 inch in scale, putting them the same size as the short lived Funko line of figures from Game of Thrones Season 1 and 2. From the images it seems Jon will be packed with Longclaw and a Dragon Glass Dagger.
"McFarlane Toys partners with HBOs hit television series Game of Thrones to bring you highly detailed figures of iconic characters, each coming with screen accurate accessories. Jon Snow, revealed in later seasons as born Aegon Targaryen, is the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, the late Prince of Dragonstone. A decorated individual, Jon was chosen as Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch a post he held until his subsequent murder. Having died, Jon is released from his Night’s watch oath and helps to lead a successful raid overtaking Winterfell from House Bolton, and restoring House Stark’s reign over the North, in which Jon was proclaimed “King of the North.”
"McFarlane Toys is proud to announce the lead-off figure to the return of McFarlane Monsters, Viserion. Along with his brothers Drogon and Rhaegal, Viserion was raised since birth by Daenerys Targaryen, however, after being fatally wounded, and then resurrected, Viserion has now fallen under the command of his new master, the Night King. Under the Night King, Viserion would blast away the Wall in Eastside with his now blue flame, allowing the Army of the Dead to enter the Seven Kingdoms. Viserion is an incredibly detailed figure of Viserion showcasing his ice dragon form from the season 7 finale of Game of Thrones. The figure features an articulated tail, legs, wings, and neck totaling over 10 points of articulation. Viserion's wingspan 16 1/2-inches wide and features up and down movement. Viserion measures 16 1/2-inches wide x 10 1/2-inches tall x 9-inches long fully displayed on the elevated base. The figure comes with removable burst of blue fire."
Things have been relatively quiet on the Power Rangers front since Hasbro bought the property and announced a full 6 inch line of figures called the Lightning Collection. We saw this prototype of a White Ranger earlier in the year, but since there has been nothing.
We had seen the Mezco One:12 Collective John Stewart Green Lantern figure at a number of conventions this year, and now we finally have the release details. John Stewart, as with all One:12 figures, will come with a highly articulated base body on top of which is a tailored fitted Green Lantern suit with sculpted central chest piece. The figure gets two head options, a multitude of hand options and of course the Lantern itself. The Lantern even has a light up feature.
A number of Amazon listings now seem to have expanded on what we can expect in the first wave of the Lightning Collection, although there still remains no official images. In wave 1 we will be getting both white and pink mighty morphin Power Rangers. They are joined by the Lost Galaxy Magna Defender, Shadow Ranger from S.P.D. and Dino Charge Red Ranger.
From Beast Morphers we get the Red and Gold Rangers. The wave is completed by Lord Zedd.
"Intergalactic guardian of Sector 2814, John Stewart, is presented in his Green Lantern Corps uniform - intricately detailed and featuring a 3D chest insignia. Included is a real light-up Power Battery lantern as used by the Green Lantern Corps to recharge their power rings. Activate the light-up feature by placing the right fisted hand in the recess of the lantern. John Stewart - architect, U.S. Marine veteran, intergalactic guardian, and hero. After his service in the Marines, John Stewart was selected by the Guardians to be inducted into the Green Lantern Corps, bear the power ring, and protect Sector 2814 where his home planet, Earth, is located. An active member of the Justice League, Stewart stands along side the other great heroes of the DC Universe to uphold justice and protect his planet, sector, and fellow man against the powers of evil.
New images have been circulated for the 2nd wave of Marvel Legends Black Panther figures. This complete MCU wave is made up of six figures from the Black Panther movie and we can now see from these images the confirmed accessories for each figure and where each of the six parts for the M'Baku Build-a-Figure will sit.
The Dora Milaje figure is being named as just that and includes three heads per box so you can army-build the Kings Guard. Thankfully they are packed two per case. The Dora Milaje are armed with the spears used for Okoye (repainted) and the disc blades from Nakia. M'Baku's right leg is then included. The second Black Panther figure is a re-release of the original Civil War suit. There are no accessories or hand options, but the same T'Challa unmasked head as the "charged" suit is included.
The "charged" Black Panther figure will come with a pair of fists as well as an unmasked T'Challa head. The figure is essentially a repaint from the original release, but the head sculpt of Chadwick Boseman looks new. He will come with M'Baku's right arm. His father, T'Challa, will come with no accessories or swap out parts and M'Baku's left leg.
The final two figures are the bad guys. The first is Klaue who will come with two left forearms one of which is opened with his weapon underneath. He also gets a pistol that he can wield in his right hand. The main torso of M'Baku will come with Klaue And the wave rounds off with Erik Killmonger, this time in his mercenary gear. He has the same unmasked head as packed in the two pack with Everett Ross and also the tribal mask. The mask appears to be wearable rather than an alternative head? He too is armed with a handgun, and a larger automatic weapon which looks like the one original packed with the Netflix Punisher. To finish of M'Baku you get the head and staff with Killmonger. The full wave is expected in late December. It is being reported as the last big wave that UK independents are having to import before a big shake up in UK distribution by Hasbro UK in 2019.
Yakface.com are reporting the make-up for the first wave of 2019, Wave 20 of Phase 3, is going to be made up of the following Black Series 6 inch action figures Padme Amidala, The Battle Droid and Mace Windu will represent the prequels. These were the most recently announced figures and could indicate Hasbro have plans to expand on the prequel figures in 2019 with the 20th anniversary of The Phantom Menace.
McFarlane have announced the next two figures to join their 7 inch Fortnite Action Figure line. Drift and Rex will join the line in February 2019 and will come in the Fortnite themed window box. The will come with appropriate accessories and a display base and will retail for $24.99 in the US, around ÂŁ22 here in the UK. At this stage there is no images of the figures or an indication of which skins they will be sculpted as wearing - Drift in particular has a plethora of options right through to his Stage 4 long coat and feline mask.
Joining them will be the Vice Admiral Holdo figure. She was announced a good few months ago but hasn't found a slot yet and will be sole representative in this wave from the sequels. The other two figures come from Solo, A Star Wars Story. We get Han as a Mudtrooper - a figure we think will fly as it can double up as an Army Builder. And rounding off the wave is Dryden Vos. The case of 8 will be one of each figure except Padme and The Battle Droid who will be packed two per case. While doubling up the Battle Droid is a no brainer it's a shame that it wasn't the aforementioned Mudtrooper Han that got the extra figure per box?
The Fortnite Series 1 Drift 7-Inch Action Figure features design and paint decos from in-game assets. The Figure is hyper-articulated at over 18 points of articulation: perfect for Emote posing! The Drift figure is showcased in premium glossy Fortnite themed window box packaging and stands tall on a Fortnite branded display base! The Fortnite Series 1 Rex 7-Inch Action Figure features design and paint decos from in-game assets. The Figure is hyper-articulated at over 18 points of articulation: perfect for Emote posing! The Rex figure is showcased in premium glossy Fortnite themed window box packaging and stands tall on a Fortnite branded display base!?
The figures are reportedly going to be an April 2019 release - and that leave quite a gap between Wave 19 and this wave - but January / February will be filled by the first wave of the Archive Series made up of Luke Skywalker X-Wing, Boba Fett, IG88 and Bossk. There will be 8 figures to a case and therefore two of each figures. With this confirmation of Wave 20 (still open to amendments of course) we now know that the current wave of figures hitting shelves is the last one of the year. We have therefore closed off our 2018 Black Series page and opened our 2019 page for you to peruse. We will continue to fill in the gaps on reviews and galleries as we go - including getting back on with our retro reviews from the early waves. Fortnite Wave 1
NECA have shared this card back design for their upcoming Terminator 2 Future War figures. These new figures are homages to the Future War figures released by Kenner in the early 90's. NECA have shared this extensive gallery of promotional shots for their upcoming Child's Play Bride of Chucky 2-Pack. "Happy #MonsterMonday These Ultimate Chucky & Tiffany wedding photos are to die for"
The figures have some added "play value" with retro style feature including the T800 Power Arm, Colour Changing T1000 and Glow in the Dark Endoskeleton. This card expands on the Metalmash Endoskeleton in particular and it's feature of a light tube built into its head that will make his eyes glow when a light is overhead. NECA are hoping for these to hit pre-Xmas 2018
"From the hilarious horror film Bride of Chucky! The world’s most notorious doll is back on the rampage, but this time he’s met his match… his old flame Tiffany, who with marriage in mind rescues his parts from a police impound and breathes new life into the little guy.
This Ultimate action figure 2-pack includes Chucky and Tiffany, who features a fabric skirt and an extra set of removable arms so she can wear her iconic leather jacket. The set also includes tons of accessories to recreate the movie’s best scenes: 6 interchangeable heads, 2 shovels, 2 pistols, 2 knives, bottle, baster, necklace and more! The figures stand 4″ tall and have over 20 points The world’s most notorious of articulation.
"From the hilarious horror film Bride of Chucky! doll is back on the rampage, but this time he’s met his match… his old flame Tiffany, who with marriage in mind rescues his parts from a police impound Collector-friendly deluxe window box and breathes new life into packaging the with opening littleflap. guy.
This Ultimate action figure 2-pack includes Chucky and Tiffany, who features a fabric skirt and an extra set of removable arms so she can wear her iconic leather jacket. The set also includes tons of accessories to recreate the movie’s best scenes: 6 interchangeable heads, 2 shovels, 2 pistols, 2 knives, bottle, baster, necklace and more! The figures stand 4″ tall and have over 20 points of articulation. Collector-friendly deluxe window box packaging with opening flap.
"Enjoy a blast from the past with three figures dedicated to the classic Kenner Terminator 2 toys of the early 1990s! Taking inspiration from those designs, our team has transformed these Kenner classics into modern versions with all of today’s detail and articulation. Power Arm T-800 features a detailed weapons arm with interchangeable missile launcher and grabbing claw attachments. White Hot T-1000 changes color when dunked in water, just like the original version. Metal Mash Endoskeleton features working pistons and comes with a plasma rifle accessory. Each figure stands approximately 7” tall and is fully articulated. Clamshell packaging."
NECA have shared another image for the packaging on their upcoming Alien vs Predator Arcade inspired Action Figures. The blue scheme packaging is specifically for the Warrior Predator, and you can see the rest of the range as character selector "checklist" down the right hand side on what will be the back of the box.
NECA have announced another figure in their series of Crash Bandicoot figures. This time it is the Scuba Tank Crash as seen in the Crash Bandicoot : Warped video game underwater levels.
The Alien vs Predator Arcade collection is due for release before the end of 2018
Like the other Crash figures he will stand 5.5 inches tall, and while some of the body parts are re-used, the head is a brand new sculpt. On top of the basic body are a set of scuba tanks and a pair of flippers. The new head sculpt is fitted with a scuba mask. The figure is fully articulated NECA are expecting this Deluxe Scuba Crash to ship in the first quarter of 2019.
Also revealed by NECA is the Hunter Predator packaging and this shares most of the same design principles as the Warrior Predator with the front profile illustration of the character and the left hand spine updated to be character specific. The back of the packaging "screenshot" is also updated to the relevant figure. The AvP Arcade figures are still expected for an end of 2018 release in the US, we may have to wait until early 2019 here in the UK. Checkout the Warrior Predator packaging shared earlier in November 2018 by NECA "Crash
Bandicoot
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7”
Action
Figure
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Deluxe
Scuba
Crash
NECA’s next release in the new line of #CrashBandicoot action figures is a deluxe Crash with scuba diving gear! First seen in Crash Bandicoot: Warped, this gear is essential to underwater levels. The figure stands 5.5 inches tall and features a unique head sculpt. Crash has plenty of articulation and looks like he swam right out of the game! Shipping Date: Q1 2019"
"Introducing a new collection inspired by the classic 1994 arcade game that actually predates the movie! The Predators Assortment includes three Predators from the game: the Mad Predator boss, and playable characters Predator Warrior and Predator Hunter. They make their action figure debut with paint deco that re-creates the look of the arcade game. They utilize the new super-poseable Ultimate body, which features over 30 points of articulation, and stand approximately 8" tall. Mad Predator comes with facehugger and chestburster accessories; Predator Hunter and Warrior come with pulse rifles, smartguns, and spears. Window box packaging."
The team at NECA have shared these two images of what will eventually be an Alien 3 creature pack.
The set will include the juvenile runner Alien as seen in the film. There is also the Queen Facehugger from a deleted scene and to go with it a young Alien queen - another unused concept of the movie.
The long awaited return of Michael Myers to the NECA stable edges ever closer. The new 2018 Michael Myers is scheduled for a December release maybe January here in UK - and NECA have now released the images of the packaging. Being an Ultimate format release, Michael will be in boxed packaging with an opening flap to reveal the figure beneath. The artwork uses the Movie Poster as inspiration with an added sticker on the front to promote the "light up" pumpkin feature. The inside of the window flap and the rear of the box is adorned with some gorgeous images of the figure in diorama settings. You can see all of these on NECA's site.
Based on his appearance in the thrilling new Halloween movie, this all new Michael stands over 7” tall and has received the Ultimate treatment, with over 25 points of articulation and tons of accessories. The Ultimate Michael Myers figure comes with 2 heads, knife, hammer, jack o’ lantern, interchangeable hands and more.
"It’s a bit late in the day but guess what it’s still #Facehuggerfriday & no snowstorm is going to keep us away. Closer look at some of the long awaited A3 Creature pack"
Over at the Miyazawa Model Autumn Exhibition 2018 in Ikebukuro Sunshine City, Medicom have revealed a new MAFEX Marvel figure of Miles Morales Spider-Man. Soon after the official photo’s and content were revealed by Medicom.
This is the adult Miles, as featured in the Gwenpool comic series, and comes with two masked and one unmasked head.
Medicom are are releasing a MAFEX 6 inch (1/12 scale) Pennywise Action Figure from the 2017 It movie. The confirmation came initially via a magazine image from the Far East, and official images were released soon after showing the figure along with three head options and his red balloon and paper boat. Pennywise is scheduled for an August 2019 release.
As with any Spider-Man release we also get plenty of hand options as well as those neat magnetic hands & feet that can be used to pose Miles in a climbing pose on a metal surface. Miles is scheduled for an August 2019 release
"The Miles Morales Spider-Man now joins the MAFEX line from Medicom. Spider-Man stands over 6 inches tall and features newly designed joints for maximum posing options. He includes several interchangeable accessories, including several pieces of webbing."
SH Figuarts have released details of an exclusive 6 inch (1/12 scale) Iron-Man figure for the Marvel Age of Heroes exhibition in Tokyo Japan.
A new image has surfaced for the Harry Potter Professor Snape figure that was revealed a month or so ago. It doesn't give us too much new info about the figure, other than it will include two head options - one neutral and one angry. Snape will likely be a 2019 release, joining the 2018 releases of Harry, Hermione and Ron.
The Mk22 "Hot Rod" armour, as seen in Iron-Man 3, will come with the usual SH Figuarts articulation and swap out hands and blast FX pieces. Its due to be available between December 2018 and January 2019 and we assume only sold at the Exhibition itself - making it a very tough figure to obtain if you are outside Japan. We will bring you more details if and when we get them
Kaiyodo's next Amazing Yamaguchi Revoltech Marvel figure looks to be this Iron-Man figure. The figure was on display at the Miyazawa Model Autumn Exhibition 2018 with a tentative 2019 release date on the accompanying plate.
Welcome to our review off the Imperial Patrol Trooper, as seen albeit briefly in Solo : A Star Wars Story The Imperial Patrol Trooper was part of the Star Wars Black Series Wave 19, released in the Autumn of 2018. It was joined in the wave by Val, L3-37 and Rio Durrant all also from Solo, as well as Lando in Skiff Guard, Leia from Hoth and Dengar.
Packaging
"As the Empire reinforces its hold on worlds across the galaxy, local defence forces are being supplemented - and eventually completely replaced - with Imperial Stormtroopers. To cover distances across sprawling settlements and cities, Patrol Stormtroopers police the streets and alleys aboard swift interceptor speeder bikes."
4/5 Sculpt
The Patrol Trooper is packaged in the Phase 3 red packaging with black box and red side spine. It is number 72 in the 3rd phase of releases. As is common with the Star Wars Black Series, there is no specific reference on the box to the source movie (Solo) and the figure is titled Imperial Patrol Trooper.
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Paint
4/5
Out of the box and it is clear that this is another wonderful armoured trooper sculpt from Hasbro. While the helmet shares similarities with the Mimban trooper, it is not the same cast and has a squarer finish and wider nose piece - but does have the larger "enhanced imaging electronics" dome section. The head is cast in gloss white, with black applied to the visor, breather masks and nose/cheek panels. There is more paint detail on top of this also with silver panels on either side of the head and across the nose.
We get the usual illustration from Gregory Titus, drawn to show a side on view of the Patrol Trooper's helmet. Around the back the artwork is repeated over which is printed the simple bio.
The body is similarly cast in white gloss plastic with black plastic sections and painted detail. While parts do look familiar here too - particularly the legs to the Scarif Trooper Body - I am fairly certain everything on this trooper is a brand new sculpted part. Hasbro have a great track record of armoured troopers, and the same execution is seen here with crisp panels overlaid with sculpted grills, panel lines and control elements. The only criticism I have of the body is that it might have benefited from a touch of weathering to line the panels and grime it up a little to represent its role on Corellia.
Articulation
4/5
The Patrol Trooper weighs in with 16 points of articulation - standard for a Black Series figure. We start with the helmet which is ball jointed and has a full range of movement although the ability to look down is hindered once the chin of the helmet hits the chest armour. The chest itself is ball jointed under the midsection and this allows rotation of the upper torso as well as leaning movement and posing. The stomach armour is sculpted enough so that even when leaning all the way back the lines of the figure are not broken.
The second accessory is packed independently of the figure and is the Troopers main weapon. This EC-17 "Hold Out" Blaster is the same one used by the Biker Scouts, but it is a new cast weapon and is larger and more robust than the one packed with the Biker Scouts in 2014.
The arms are ball jointed shoulders, and unlike other troopers there is no engineering to allow the shoulder armour to slide into the chest piece - that leaves the arms only having the ability to be raised by about 45 degrees. The elbows are also not great and both of mine were ceased and needed some work to open them up and get the joint moving - I suspect a few people may end up with a broken joint here. Once freed up they work well, but it is unusual to have such trouble on both joints out of the box. The elbows are single joint that rotate and bend to just past 90 degrees. The arms end with pivot wrists. The legs are less restricted by armoured panels and have a ball joint hip, thigh split, double jointed knees and an ankle rocker. I will say the hips feel a little loose on the side ways axis, and while there is no issues in standing the Patrol Trooper in various poses, he can start to slide into the splits.
Considering its size, the sculpt on the EC-17 is impressive. It is cast in grey plastic with a bright silver paint app on the handle, and a gun metal detail on the barrel. It fits into the right hand of the trooper, with the hand sculpted so that the first two fingers slot into the handle to grip the blaster. This is a bit of a cop out as the blaster is not held like that on screen - and it does look a bit odd. If you aren't happy with the Trooper wielding the gun then like the baton it too can we stowed on the belt in a flexible plastic holster into which the blaster fits snugly.
Summary
4/5
The elephant in the room for this release is the lack of a ride. In the film he rides a Aratech C-PH Patrol Speeder, and it might have been nice to see another new Speeder added to the line and the figure released with that.
I missed the first accessory upon opening the box as it is not presented in the packaging and comes ready fitted into the holster on the figure. This is simple baton and is cast in black plastic with a ridged section either side of a central smooth collar. It is basic, but matches what we see on the actual trooper (ref. Solo Visual Guide by Pablo Hidalgo).
That being said, the execution of the Trooper as a standalone figure is very good with just a few niggles around the shoulder articulation and the blaster and gun holding hand.
Accessories
I score the Imperial Patrol Trooper a very impressive 4 out of 5. The baton fits into both hands and when not in use slots back into the two flexible loops on the left hand side of the Trooper's belt.