Issue 85 : Saturday 18th August 2018
At Unboxing Toy Convention 2018 in Mexico City, Hasbro announced the next 6" Black Series figure would be Han Solo as an Imperial Mudtrooper - as seen in the Mimban scenes of Solo, A Star Wars Story. The figure includes a removable helmet, making it dual purpose as a basic army building Mudtrooper also. The cape is a moulded piece
There were three new Marvel Legends 6" figures reveals ar Unboxing Toy convention 2018. Rather than announcing these at their panel, Hasbro simply added these figures to their display late on day 1.
Also confirmed for the 3.75" Vintage series was Leia as Boushh. She will come with a removable helmet. The figure is a re-pack from the recent Black Series release, so not essentially a new figure to the 3.75� line.
The figures are all comic book based and are Nighthawk, Living Laser and the Kree Sentry. The Sentry will be a BAF. This trio are all slated for a 2019 release. It is not certain how these will fit into a wave but the Kree figure may be part of a Captain Marvel themed wave.
Mezco's One:12 Collective Netflix Daredevil figure is up for pre-order on the Mezco site for US collectors. The figure will ship in the first quarter of 2019. The US price is $80 with a $20 non refundable deposit due when the pre-order is placed. Daredevil will come with two head options, multiple hand options and his billy clubs - these will fit into a working thigh holster. A display stand will also be included.
A new Star Wars 3.75" set has been revealed as a US Target Exclusive. The 6 figure set is made up or Imperial troops from Solo, A Star Wars Story and includes Han as a Mudtrooper. The other troopers are an Orange Pauldron Stormtrooper, Mimban Trooper, Patrol Trooper, Mudtrooper and Tie Fighter pilot. We await news on this making a UK appearance. Perhaps The Entertainer?
Matt Murdock is the Daredevil; lawyer by day, vigilante by night. The One:12 Collective Daredevil features two interchangeable head portraits capturing Matt Murdock’s unforgiving nature as portrayed by Charlie Cox. Outfitted in the body armor used in the show, the Man Without Fear comes complete with his signature Billy Clubs that can be used separately or joined together. Both Billy Clubs fit neatly into the holster on his thigh.
Star Wars Collector revealed this week that the 6” Black Series Stormtrooper with Blast Accessories will now be Exclusive to Disney Store. He joins the likes of Captain Phasma and Zuckuss as a Disney exclusive. This is potentially great news for UK collectors as nearly all Disney exclusives translate to worldwide releases. We now await dates on when we can expect these in stores.
Blinded by a chemical spill in a freak accident, Matt Murdock was given superhuman senses that enable him to see the world in a unique way. Upholding the law through the judicial system during the day at night Murdock stalks the streets of Hell’s Kitchen delivering vigilante justice as Daredevil, the Man Without Fear.
It seems Asda stocking Marvel Legends was not just a one off wave for Infinity War... The 2nd wave, Cull Obsidian BAF, is now turning up at Asda. Sadly the price has gone up to £24.97 at the moment. As with the original wave back in April, you will have a better chance of bagging these at the larger supercentres.
NECA have shared behind the scenes work in progress images of the Assassin Predator - the larger of the two Predators in the upcoming 2018 Shane Black Predator movie. The Assassin is much larger than the Fugitive figure as can be seen in the comparison image. Social media has been rife with stories and photos of new Star Wars figures arriving at The Entertainer stores across the UK. The stock is apparently some European excess stock from a subscription service and includes older 3.75 Black Series figures on the original and 2nd phase cards. This means figures like Rex, Wolffe, Han in Carbonite, Boushh, Dagobah Luke etc are back on sale and after an initial price of £11.25, these have all been dropped to £5.
In a follow up tweet to these images, NECA confirmed that this larger Assassin Predator was NOT the one listed for pre-order at several online retailers. The newer 3.75 Black Series are still in store too, reduced now to a fiver also.The diecast 3.75 from the 40th Anniversary are also on sale at £10. Arrivals in 6" scale are less prevalent but a blue phase Obi-Wan has been found in a number of stores.
That seems to indicate that there are three Predator releases lined up by NECA for the 2018 movie - the Fugitive who is imminent, this larger Assassin Predator and a third release that is being called “Deluxe Movie Predator 2”
Other deals mentioned by collectors include the Last Jedi Canto Bight Police Speeder and A-wing for £11.99
While NECA aren’t giving anything away, all should be revealed when the Shane Black movie hits cinema’s come September the 13th.
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NECA have confirmed the full details for their 1962 Godzilla figure, as revealed at SDCC. Like previous releases this articulated Godzilla will measure 12 inch from head to it's articulated tail. The figure is based on Godzilla's appearance in King Kong vs Godzilla from 1962. The figure should hit shores around October 2018.
NECA have released clearer images of the packaging for their Fugitive Predator from the upcoming 2018 Predator movie. The box art was seen at San Diego, but looks even better in these glamour shots. The figure has also gone onto the NECA release schedule for an August 27th release. This will be the US street data and will coincide with the launching of NECA products into Brick & Mortar Target stores in the states. UK customers would expect to see this mid to late September.
Godzilla - 12" Head to Tail Action Figure - Godzilla (King Kong vs. Godzilla 1962 Movie) NECA continues to celebrate the most famous kaiju in the world in action figure form! This version of the beloved monster is based on the 1962 movie #KingKong vs. #Godzilla. The figure measures 6" tall and 12� long from head to tail. It features over 30 points of articulation, including an articulated tail! Shipping Date: October 2018
NECA have also revealed the packaging for their Pennywise the clown from the 1990 IT mini-series. The figure should start hitting stores in the next few weeks.
Considering the immense popularity of the Fortnite video game it was inevitable that someone would do a tie up and produce Fortnite figures and merchandise. It seems that McFarlane are the ones who will be taking on that challenge in partnership with Epic Games. The McFarlane / Epic partnership will be producing 7" Action Figures from the Fortnite game as well as "high end accessories". We should see the first figures in Autumn 2018. As yet there are no images or details, other than the press release as follows... After their reveal at San Diego 2018, Diamond Select have confirmed the full details for their 7" Select "Kelvin Universe" Star Trek figures. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) will arrive in very late 2018 / early 2019. They are based on their JJ Abrams "Kelvin Timeline" appearances. Each figure has 16 points of articulation as well as accessories. There is a transporter pad base for each figure which interconnect for a wider display. They will come in the standard Select figure packaging complete with side art panel.
The Fortnite brand has taken on global status and continues to grow each day. The game, with its sense of skill and irreverent fun, now has hundreds of character options to choose from, which is a tremendous blueprint for making any successful toy and action figure line,” said Todd McFarlane, CEO and Founder of McFarlane Toys. “The developer’s art team at Epic Games wants to bring that same attitude into the creation of their toys, and everyone here at McFarlane Toys will be doing all we can to bring Fortnite fans the very best products,” said McFarlane. “With such a deep and visually interesting library to choose from, I have no doubt that we will be able to showcase both current and ‘classic’ looks from the Fortnite franchise. After talking with some of the top creators at Epic Games, I’m delighted they are as stoked about our partnership to make cool toys as we are!”
Since J.J. Abrams debuted his new Star Trek universe (the “Kelvin Timeline”) in 2009, fans have asked for a screen-accurate, 7” scale, fully articulated line of toys. Now, DST has brought the new timeline to the world of Select action figures! These screen-accurate figures of Kirk and Spock capture the costumes and faces of the new movies, and each features approximately 16 points of articulation, as well as multiple accessories and connecting transporter pads. Packaged in display-ready Select action figure packaging with side-panel artwork for shelf reference.
Donald Mustard, Worldwide Creative Director of Epic Games commented: “We’ve been fans of Todd and McFarlane Toys for years and years, and it’s been a dream come true to have an opportunity to collaborate with them. I’ve seen some of the prototypes and they’re so sweet… I think players are just going to be blown away.” Launching in Fall 2018, the collection will be available for purchase from mass retail stores. Fortnite is the action building game from Epic Games that lets you drop into a massive 100-player PVP Battle Royale or team up with friends in a co-op campaign to Save The World against a horde of monsters. Craft and loot in giant worlds where no two games are ever the same. Fortnite™ Battle Royale is free and available on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, and soon, Android.
Also at Wonder Festival Summer 2018 in Japan. Medicom unveiled three new MAFEX figures within their display. Up first is a comic book Venom, this is a comic book release of Venom but no doubt timed to take advantage of the new movie hype. Behind him is a new and updated Deadpool and alongside him an "Evil" Gwenpool in her darker purple costume with soft goods cape. All the figures will be 2019 releases.
Kaiyodo had two new Yamaguchi Revoltech figures on display at the recent 2018 Summer Wonder Festival in Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. From DC we have Deathstroke and from Marvel, an impressive looking Psylocke figure. These are early prototypes, so we expect release dates to be late 2018 or into 2019.
Promotional images were released soon after by Kaiyodo for their Revoltech Amazing Yamaguchi Psylocke. There are no other details at this stage, but expect a late 2018 or early 2019 release. UK pricing for a Revoltech figure will come in around £55 to £65. You may get it a bit cheaper via import but you will be subject to import tax. Psylocke will come with an alternative face portrait as well as multiple hand options. She has two FX blast pieces and 5 swords and an empty sheath allowing you to choose your own display options.
SH Figuarts have released details of their 1/12 scale Princess Leia figure from A New Hope. Leia will arrive in December 2018 and will cost 6264 yen in Japan. US and UK customers will likely be paying around $50 / £50 when Leia is imported across for sale in these territories. Leia will come with two weapons and what looks to be clip on hood. There does not seem to be any soft goods in use so the lower section will not have much mobility.
2018 is the 10th anniversary of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and to celebrate Hasbro have launched a side line to their Marvel Legends line called "The First Ten Years". These are a range of individual releases, up to three figure box sets, each set revisiting a movie from the past 10 years and bringing characters we thought "missed" into the 6" Legends MCU range.
This is all set against a montage of MCU scenes in black and white over which the larger First Ten Years and smaller Legends logo also sit.
All 10 sets have pretty much hit at once, so we will be picking these up on a priority basis and this one was top of my list as I loved the visual look of Crossbones from Civil War, and the promotional images indicated this was finally an MCU Captain America that looked like Chris Evans.
The figures are accessed in the usual way via either of the two side spines which are taped closed. The inner tray slides out inside its own cardboard insert which formed the backdrop to the figures in the window. The figures are clipped into the inner tray with no ties, with the alternative heads to either side and Cap's shield in the centre.
The packaging separates itself from the main Legends line and comes in a rectangular black box. The Marvel Studio 10 Year logo is front and to the left, with a smaller Legends logo across the other side. The figures are presented in a red trimmed window and under this sits the character names "Captain America" and "Crossbones. The Civil War movie logo is placed under the window to the right. The right side spines of the boxes on these sets combine to make a wider piece if you are collecting them all boxed. The left spine is a red panel with white text that talks about the events of Civil War. Around the back is a very new format for Legends collectors with no figure imagery and instead a circular head shot of each character with a short multi-lingual bio underneath. To the side of these sits the movie poster and above this the set is numbered as #9 and from 2016.
It is worth recognising the MCU panel artwork that is repeated from the main box on the cardboard insert with imagery from all of the MCU movies to date - including a large image of Thanos from Infinity War.
Detailing includes the silver on the star and on the buckles. There are also two avengers decals, one on each shoulder. The final part of the outfit is the belt, which is an individual piece that can slide up and down the midriff. There is a waist joint on this figure which can be a little wide and the belt should be positioned to hide this as best it can. Cap of course comes with a second head, an unmasked Captain America. This is an easy swap out by popping off the original from the peg and snapping the new one in place.
I have been of the opinion that since the MCU figures started around 2012, Hasbro have not given us a good MCU Captain America. The Avengers version was too generic, the First Avenger version too short and the Winter Soldier one too lanky. The more recent Ultron and Civil War versions were on the right track - but the Chris Evans likeness, either unmasked or eve under the mask eluded them. Even with face print technology the 2018 Infinity War Cap was a poor likeness. This figure however restores my faith. The masked head, the one that comes fitted on the figure, is a brand new piece and it used face print technology on the exposed skin areas. The sculpt and this digital printing make it look like an MCU Cap with a thicker set jaw and Capt's blue eyes behind the mask.
While the unmasked head was excellent, this unmasked version of MCU Cap is spectacular and uses the face print technology to the highest level. You cannot deny this head is Chris Evans and with the printing you get a very crisp set of blue eyes, neat eyebrows and pursed lips.
Other detail (which has been sloppy on other releases) are crisp and neat including the silver A, the side wings and the chin strap.
The hair too is much improved from the usual one tone we have been getting, and is a brown base coat with a lighter coat over the top to add depth.
The body is a re-use of the Civil War 2016 Captain America. Sculpturally this body is impressive with a good level of detail in the costume and its various panels and straps. The body has always looked a little slim waisted to me, particularly when you compare it with other characters of similar build.
The unmasked head elevates the whole figure once in place and we now have a Captain America figure worthy to head up our Civil War team.
The paint job is slicker on this version with a more muted red and the stomach piece more matt grey than bright white. There are still some errors though with some red bleeding on the legs and the brown straps not painted fully on one side leaving a blue stripe from the cast plastic underneath.
We had the 2018 Infinity War Cap to hand during the review, so here are some comparison shots. It is amazing to think that these figures were released in the same year - the 10 Years version looks streets ahead. These comparisons who how crucial it is to get both the sculpt and dimensions of Chris Evan's head right.
Articulation is the same on this release as it was on the original, 21 in total making the Cap body one of the most poseable in the line. The trunk of the body has a pivot ball joint head with a ratchet T-joint in the chest and a swivel waist as mentioned under that belt. Arms are ball jointed at the shoulders, with a rotating bicep, double jointed elbows and pivot wrists. Legs are also ball jointed at the hips, with a thigh cut swivel, double jointed knees, rotating shins where the boot ends and an ankle pivot. Cap it relatively easy to stand, but if you need stability for action shots he has feet holes and can drop onto a Protech stand.
This is "the" MCU Captain America we have been missing in our cinematic universe displays. While it may be a 2-year old base figure, it has been elevated by a muted paint job and two spectacular head sculpts. Articulation is also top notch and there are multiple posing options for the First Avenger. There does remain some gripes with the shield being a touch too big, and Cap's physique a little exaggerated with that tiny waist. As a standalone figure I score the "First 10 Years" Civil War Captain America a 4 out of 5.
Like the original 2016 figure the joints do feel a touch loose in places and I worry about long term stability, particularly the torso and hip joints.
Cap comes with his shield, and this is also a re-use of the 2016 model. The outside is high gloss with good definition between the red, silver and the inner blue panel and silver star. Round the back and the shield is left as the grey cast plastic and has two flexible straps glued into place - one wider than the other. These slot over Cap's arms to hold the shield. Unlike other releases of Cap there are no alternative hand options but the fist hands provided do hold the shield on either hand.
While Crossbones didn't last long in the MCU, I loved the visuals they gave to the character - a real mix of modern day military gear while including elements from the original comic book character. This brand new figure of Crossbones translates most of the costume to 6" scale and what you get is a very detailed and intricate sculpt with so many little details throughout the suit. The figures comes fitted with his masked head. This is relatively plain with the grey colouring and the white spray painted markings. But behind this are two frightening bloodshot and damaged eyes - obviously printed using the face print technology rather than painted on top.
If you compare the dimensions of the on screen shield and this accessory, then the shield is a touch too big for the scale of the figure by perhaps 1cm in its circumference. With the articulation there are plenty of posing options for Cap and his shield
The costume has loads of sculpted and cast details starting with the blast vest and the faint white sprayed cross across the centre. Around this is a central belt of pouches and ammunition. There is a similar collection of ammunition down either arm with painted bronze shotgun shells on the left arm, and grey ammo clips on the right.
Under the gauntlets, the arm articulario is standard and comprises of a ball joint shoulder, bicep swivel, double jointed elbows and a pivot swivel wrist.
The legs, on closer inspection, are not black and grey like the upper body but are actually camouflage patterned. On his right hip Crossbones wears a handgun, but this is not a useable accessory - rather a sculpted piece glued in place. The legs move down to knee pads and finally multi layered boots.
Crossbones comes with two head options, and these swap out by popping the head off the ball joint neck and popping the new one in its place.
Crossbones packs 18 points of articulation. This starts at the head where there is a ball joint and pivot. Due to the torso design there is no torso joint, just a swivel waist. Underneath here are the legs which use ball jointed hips which does throw out the figures look a touch at the waist. These then move down to thigh cut swivel, double jointed knees and ankle rockers.
The alternative head is the unmasked Brock Rumlow and is face printed to give a good likeness to actor Frank Grillo, including his five o'clock shadow. As well as the facial features, the face print also adds the battle scarring that Rumlow suffers at the end of Winter Soldier and the face is heavily scarred and the eyes are bloodshot. I am not totally convinced with the forehead shape or the hair which seems to stand too tall. You have to respect the accuracy of the hair piece however where it is cut away at one side of the face where it has been burned away. Moving to the arms, and these initially look very restricted by means of those huge Gauntlets. What is surprising is that the gauntlets themselves are actually two separate pieces that are cleverly cast in a rubberised plastic and are hollow to fit over the forearms. This means you can vary your look of Crossbones - but also opens up the possibility of future figures using these like one or both of the Homecoming Shockers
Rumlow didn't stay unmasked for long at the end of his Civil War scenes, eventually blowing himself up. The unmasked head works well on the figure, but I suspect most MCU collectors will go for that more iconic mask with the bloodshot eyes peering from beneath.
Crossbones, like a lot of the "First 10 Years" sets represents something quite significant in Hasbro's approach to the MCU. Previous releases only focused on three or four key characters and character like Crossbones - or indeed Yellow Jacket or Sif - would not have been an option. With this new appetite to revisit older movies and give us these characters, Hasbro well and truly have my MCU spend and I am all in with whatever they give us going forward.
The two figures do work really well together, and there is plenty of scope to reflect their showdown in Lagos from Civil War.
As a figure the sculpt on Crossbones is second to none and the face print technology has been used to good effect to both give us those disturbing eyes beneath the masked head, or the full disfigurement of the unmasked head. There are also lots of details built into the costume like the ammunition and the variant colouring on the combat pants - all of which are faithfully recreated. The articulation is also impressive, and I love the option to remove one or both gauntlets for display. The only real criticism I can throw at the figure is the slightly unsightly groin where they've prioritised articulation over looks. All that considered I am going to score MCU Crossbones a practically perfect 5 out of 5.
I score the set overall a 5 out of 5. While Cap is a re-use with a couple of niggles, the Crossbones figure and the design and artwork of the packaging do enough to give the combined set top marks also.