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ASK RANDYS KAFT RADIO broadcasts on your Computer |
Hey there all! Randy here!
Summer marches upon us and the exclusives list keeps building!
Thought I�d hit you with a new update with some more pictures, which includes Hasbro, Mattel and Diamond Select Toys.
Look for more updates soon!
DIAMOND SELECT TOYS
MiniMates
*T2 Cyberdyne Assault Minimates Box Set
AMOUNT: 2000 pieces
PRICE: $20
NOTE: Availble through Action Figure Xpress.
Transformers
*Battle Armor Jetfire bust
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
NOTE: Comes with interchangeable head and hands. Availble through Action Figure Xpress.
DARK HORSE
Qees
*Domo Yellow Tanslucent Qee
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
NOTE:
GENTLE GIANT
Friday the 13th
*Jason Voorhees bust (from Friday the 13th Paret VI)
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
NOTE: Availble through Action Figure Xpress.
HALO
Master Chief Mini-Bust
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Harry Potter
Richard Harris as Professor Albus Dumbledore Statue
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Star Wars
Blackholse Stormtrooper Statue
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Star Wars
Ralph McQuarrie Concept Boba Fett Mini-Bust (w/ two interchangeable helmets)
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Star Wars
Breast Cancer Research Limited Edition Pink Darth Vader Helmet.
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
HASBRO
Star Wars
* X-Wing Pilot Luke Skywalker figure w/ladder
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Star Wars
* Force Unleashed Stormtrooper Commander figure
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Transformers
*Optimus Prime SE Mighty Muggs
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: $14.99
NOTE: �Figure� comes with a detachable cannon, shines with a metallic finish and comes in commemorative foil packaging.
Transformers
* Soundwave 25th Anniversary Special Edition figure
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
MATTEL
Cars
*Rescue Squad Mater 3-Pack
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
NOTES: �Be the first to own this exciting three pack of 1:55-scale Cars characters based on the exciting new Cars Toon shorts airing on the Disney Channel! Awesome light-up package includes Rescue Squad Mater flanked by Dalmatian Mia and Dalmatian Tia in their firefighter deco. Available on Mattycollector.com after the show.�
DC Infinite Heroes
*Anti-Monitor Figure
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
NOTES: �Have you been saving your Infinite Heroes Anti-Monitor points? If so, bring 50 points to the Mattel booth to get a free 3��Anti-Monitor figure! And for every 25 points you bring (including the first 50) you will receive one raffle ticket to win an exclusive giant 30� hand-painted Anti-Monitor figure! At least one 30� figure will be raffled off each day of SDCC! Don�t have Anti-Monitor points? No problem. The 3 �� figure will also be on sale at the Mattel booth and the show and is available on MattyCollector.com after the show.�
DC Universe Classics
*Wonder Twins Set w/ Gleek
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
NOTES: �Form of an action figure! Shape of San Diego Comic Con! That�s right, the one and only Wonder Twins, Zan and Jayna, are available for the first time in Mattel��s DC Universe Classics line sculpted by the world famous Four Horsemen with the articulation and detail you have come to expect from this award winning line! Figures are available in special window box packaging complete with character accurate accessories as well as amazing light and sound action! As an added bonus, available ONLY as an exclusive gift with purchase at SDCC : the Wonder Twins�� mischievous monkey, Gleek! Only available at the show, Gleek will not be with the set online afterwards. Gets yours today! Available without Gleek on MattyCollector.com after the show.�
Ghostbusters
*Egon Spengler w/Slimer figures
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
NOTES: �Who ya gonna call for all your Ghostbusters action figure needs? Mattel�, that�s who! Presenting the first in a line of highly detailed, fully articulated figures of the one and only Ghostbusters. The first figure in the line, Dr. Egon Spengler, comes complete with Proton Pack and gun as well as a pack-in Slimer figure available no where else. Start your Ghostbusters Classics collection today! New figures will be available each month only on MattyCollector.com!�
Justice League Unlimited
*Green Lantern Origins 3 Pack
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
NOTES: �At long last Hal Jordan will be joining Mattel��s Justice League Unlimited collection. In this pack, you can get not only Hal Jordan (in his trademark Ferris Aircraft flight suit) but also his predecessor Abin Sur and his mentor/arch enemy Sinestro both in different versions of their Green Lantern uniforms. Plus, as an added bonus, for the first time in the JLU line, all of the heads in this pack are swappable, letting you play out Hal�s transformation from Test Pilot to Green Lantern of Space Sector 2814! Available on MattyCollector.com after the show.�
Masters of the Universe Classics
*He-Ro figure
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
NOTES: �For over 20 years fans have waited, and now at long last Mattel is proud to present the first ever figure of He-Ro, the Cosmic Warrior! He-Ro comes complete with magic staff and Power Sword Complete your MOTU Classics collection today with this special figure sculpted by the Four Horsemen. Limited quantity available on MattyCollector.com after the show.�
Toy Story
*Buzz Lightyear figure
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
NOTES: �To help celebrate the return of Buzz Lightyear and all the Toy Story characters to the big screen, Mattel is proud to present the first ever 3 �� scale Buzz Lightyear figure with movie accurate packaging. This fully articulated figure comes complete with moveable visor and film accurate styling. Available on MattyCollector.com after the show.
UNDERGROUND TOYS
Dr. Who
*The First Doctor & Black Dalek - Black & White Figures
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Dr. Who
*The First Doctor & Black Dalek � Colour Figures
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Dr. Who
*The Second Doctor & Tombs Cyberman - Black & White
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Dr. Who
*The Second Doctor & Tombs Cyberman � Colour Figures
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Dr. Who
*The Sixth Doctor in 'Real Time' Costume Figure
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Be seeing you!
RANDY
Hey there-Randy here!
So Toy Fair is done and now we begin the road to SDCC in July.
Overview of Toy Fair 2009
To mine eyes’ there was little spark to this year’s American International Toy Fair. Nothing really got me jazzed like last year’s Millenium Falcon, AT-TE and 12” Armored Star Wars and GI Joe figures from Sideshow. Maybe it’s the economy (which seems to tie into everything) but there was nothing too giddy about this year’s Toy Fair.
But as I made this list, the embers grew a little more into flames.
Yeah, I can’t afford it all… but boy, I can sure try!
Just focus on the ones that really get me.
Here’s what catches my eye…
MATTEL’s DCUC/JLU lines
It seems after years of yelling at the monolithic companies without a worl, they are not only are not only letting the fans being heard but paid attention to in great numbers! It’s amazing what a few years, a few websites and few people at the company will produce… and a little recession
While Target-only, Mattel continues with the JLU line nearly THREE years after the cancellations of the animated series (a damn shame!). How many companies have kept the line going strong that long after the end of it series? Not only have they made dozens of fan-favorite characters (I gotz me the whole ) but now we see figures from “Batman Beyond”s Future League and “old man” Bruce Wayned as well as more members of the Legion of Doom, the Classic “Superfriends” (Apache Chief, Samurai and Black Vulcan) and the alternate-evil Earth Wonder Woman – Superwoman!
Nice going, JLU and keep it going, Mattel!
I will admit to not having collected much in the DC Universe Classic line. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate what Mattel’s doing with it and how much it’s feeding collectors’ needs… and they only want more! Not only are they digging deep into the DC files for new figures (Killer Moth? Gentlemen Ghost? Ocean Warrior Aquaman?) as opposed to the usual Neon-Pink Batman Version 2 but they are also looking back and making figures like Parademon and Mantis-with versions based on the classic Super Powers line!
Who goes back to a twenty-plus year old toy line to make new versions?!
And, while I imagine the list is growing shorter, I gotta give kudos to Mattel for continuing the Collect-n-Connect in this line, with Chemo coming thing summer.
Personally, I’m looking forward to the DCUC Question figure. I’ve all ready picked up the JLU version so this will be a fitting end to my multi-year quest to have the character be made an action figure.
MATTEL’s Movie Masters lines
What a beautiful line and what a hope that Warner Brothers continues making more DC movies in the VERY near future to keep giving us this level of product.
Not only was the line last year a great start, the figures shown for 2009 stay true to it’s name. This year’s Interogation Joker and Prototype Batman look just outstanding.
And what was mentioned/hypothocized/hinted at at our SDCC panel last year has me pumped for a great future. Because I sure as hell would love to posssess a proper Superman movie figure… with Christopher Reeve’s likeness.
And I don’t think I’m the only one.
MATTEL’s Ghostbusters Movie Lines
When it comes right down to it, the photos released look just AMAZING,both 6in and 12”.
But as NECA will tell you-it all comes down to the likeness rights.
Mattel says that they now have three of the originals with Bill Murray the only one not finalized.
Here’s to making miracles happen on the 25th anniversary of the movie.
HASBRO’s Star Wars-Clone Wars Turbo Tank
I guess the “Great Large Vehicle” Experiment by Hasbro was a success!
After releasing the AT-TE (which I still want but can’t justify the room it takes) and the Ultimate Millenium Falcon, Hasbro showed off the Clone Wars Turbo Tank (aka Juggernaut) at this year’s Toy Fair.
Overall, the fact that we are getting more new large vehicles from Hasbro (and revamping old ones… AT-ST to come later this year.), tells me that I really like the direction is heading in.
Keep it up!
HOT TOYS’ Movie Masterpiece Series
Here at AFTimes I think I can say that nearly EVERYONE is a fan of this companies products!
Just LOOK at the latest images from Hot Toys’ The Dark Knight Returns figures:
I thought the Bank Robbery Joker was amazing! I already see a strong nod for Best 12” figure for 2009! Two different versions of the Joker in one set. Unbelieveable.
Due in stores this Summer-no price point yet.
You can read more about this latest effort by Hot Toys here.
Hot Toys had already announced that they had the 12” licence for the up-coming Terminator-Salvaation and had shown images of the T-600 and T-700. But what we all wanted to see is the leader of the Resistance- John Connor as played by Christian Bale.
I don’t know about you-but I’d follow that John Connor to hell and back! Connor’s a geared-up, gun-toting, Terminator-terminating sunuvabitch-and I want one!
John Connor is due in stores this Summer, after the movie’s release.
And while it’s been a little delayed abit, each new batch of pictures from Hot Toys’ Predator line have been constant improvements. They’ve listened to fans who have seen a good likeness turn into an amazing likeness.
Now look at the latest images:
Hot Toys just keeps making Arnold look more and more like… well, AH-NOLD!
Dutch, Billy and the Predator should be hitting shores in the next couple of months.
SDCC Exclusives for 2009!
With three months to go, already we are hearing about the convention exclusives coming this summer.
Guess it’s time to start up the list
SDCC EXCLUSIVES 2008 UPDATE
GENTLE GIANT
HALO
Master Chief Mini-Bust
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Harry Potter
Richard Harris as Professor Albus Dumbledore Statue
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Star Wars
Blackholse Stormtrooper Statue
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Star Wars
Ralph McQuarrie Concept Boba Fett Mini-Bust (w/ two interchangeable helmets)
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Star Wars
Breast Cancer Research Limited Edition Pink Darth Vader Helmet.
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
MATTEL
DCUC
Anti-Monitor Figure
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
UNDERGROUND TOYS
Dr. Who
The First Doctor & Black Dalek - Black & White Figures
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Dr. Who
The First Doctor & Black Dalek – Colour Figures
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Dr. Who
The Second Doctor & Tombs Cyberman - Black & White
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Dr. Who
The Second Doctor & Tombs Cyberman – Colour Figures
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Dr. Who
The Sixth Doctor in 'Real Time' Costume Figure
AMOUNT: ? pieces
PRICE: ?
Be seeing you!
RANDY
(Thanks to ???Man for the use of his photos)
Thanks for my friend WB GIRL I managed to get into a Tuesday screening of one of my most highly anticipated movies of the year. But I had to hold off the review until today.
WATCHMEN Rated R (2 hr. 43 min.)
This review is a short version.
Why?
Because I was honestly blown away by it. Just so much to comprehend! I'm really still processing it.
I read this more than twenty years ago.
Spent many a day in the dining halls of Ithaca College discussing who to cast. (My money was on Robert DeNiro as either Dr. Manhattan or the Comedian)
Right now I'm even wearing the little promotion Watchmen Smiley Face pin that I got from the local comic shop in Ithaca. (Was it Komic Kid?)
So, yes, I know about Watchmen and am a fan.
And when I heard Zack Snyder talk about the film, I liked what I heard.
When he showed his cast, I liked what I saw.
But all those parts does not mean you could distill twelve issue of comics into a good screenplay.
But I think they did.
So much of the book is there its hard to tell what is missing. Yes, the Black Freighter is gone, as well as the deconstruction of the prison psychologist by Rorschach. But the movie is more streamlined for it. Plus, there is an expansion on stuff by the writer/director that I believe works.
I found the acting good all-around, with some better than others.
Patrick Wilson's Nite Owl II and Malin Akerman's Silk Spectre II have to be the most "normal" of the bunch which is always a tough gig. Wilson is trying to live without being a hero and it never suits him. I thought Malin did her best with a role that even in the comic was never the strongest, as a woman trying to find her own identity amidst the labels as someone's daughter or girlfriend.
Billy Crudup brings a soulfullness to Dr. Manhattan that I didn't know how much was needed. Because he can see into his own future, everything is set and done to him. But the revelations of chance and surprise to him and how it subtly changes his demeanor work
But Jackie Earle Haley's Rorschach truly stands apart! When Rorschach face is revealed, I was shocked to see how little of Haley was there and how much Rorschach's was! His rage is so wonderfully played that when his mask is removed you can't help but feel judged by his dead eyes. I hope we see another Academy Award nomination here.
Please be warned: Like the graphic novel, this movie is a VERY dark, intense and cold movie- which only has two likeable characters. This is NOT a movie for youngsters. But it very much follows the tone of the graphic novel From me, the second half moves faster than the first. Right up until the Ending
Which brings us to the question: What about the Ending? (I'll be vague in the description)
After all my set-up of my knowledge of the work, I'm OK with the ending changes. I think they work better thematically. With the themes of both the comic as well as that time in the 1980's, it rings a little truer to me.
But I would've preferred a little better ending explanation. After all the world building, it was too rushed to get revelation.
For me, a must see again... and I'm sure I will dig it in IMAX.
RANDY
Yep. Fifteen years and hundreds of columns later, I STILL haven’t shut up!
Thanks to all of you who keep reading and writing in to me. I always appreciate my readers… and to Bill Curtis: I’m still trying to get a definite but I wouldn’t hold out for more Adventure Heroes Indy figures, since the basic assortments are dead.
And more to come.
Onto the news.
TERMINATOR: SALVATION TOYS REVEALED
Images from Playmates upcoming toy line for TERMANTOR: SALVATION have started showing up around the net. You can check them out here:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/01/03/lol-terminator-salvation-action-figures/#more-18341
With the strides in painting and articulation from Marvel Legends and DC Superheroes in the last eight years as well as McFarlane’s detailed Terminator 3-Rise of the Machine figures in 2003, Playmates is showing us these level and type of action figures in 2009?!?
Really?
REALLY?!
Just… really sad.
I’m already seeing a nomination for worst line for 2009…
MORE FROM HOT TOYS IN 2009!
Hot Toys dropped a nice Christmas present in the form of new photos of their up-coming Predator line as well as brand-new photos of their Planet of the Apes line!
PREDATOR
Now we’ve had Hot Toys release figures from ALIEN, ALIENS, PREDATOR 2, ALIEN VS. PREDATOR and ALIENS VS PREDATOR!
But so far no love for the original film… until now!
Not only the original, iconic hunter from space but two of the baddest soldiers to walk of the screen, Dutch and Billy!
Here’s to hoping we get the WHOLE TEAM!
PREDATOR
Predators of all shapes and sizes from different movies have come from Hot Toys but this one was the original alien hunter! And many have waited for Hot Toys to finally make it.
I’ve been waiitng for THIS one for a couple of years now!
And with all the improvments doen to the Predators over the years, I think this one will be an amazing piece.
Absolute MUST for my collection!
DUTCH
Damn.
Now I’ve been used to some “liberties” that Hot Toys has taken with likenesses over the years. This is especially true of the first ALIENS Colonial Marines.
But the likeness of Arnold Schwarzenegger here is just amazing. It’s especially nice to see the camo paint on the face toned down from the original photos that appeared in early Summer 2008.
Another absolute MUST figure to have.
BILLY
“There's something out there waiting for us and it ain't no man. We're all gonna die…”
Another bad-ass added to the bunch.
Again, this is much improved from the early summer pictures released by Hot Toys. But the hair is WAAAAYYY too blonde and the face paint, like Arnold’s originally, needs to be toned way down.
This is heavy maybe for me… but I might just to HOPE that we get more (if not all!) of the Team!
PLANET OF THE APES
Hot Toys goes Ape in 12 inch for 2009!
Since Sideshow did almost a dozen characters before, I’m a little surprised to see Hot Toys pick up the license. But with their sculpting and attention to detail, it’ll be interesting to see how well this line sells.
And just because I’m an old-school Ape fan, technically, these figures are from second film Beneath the Planet of the Apes, though you could argue the Ape Soldier is from both of them.
GENERAL URSUS
“The only good human… is a DEAD HUMAN!”
GORILLA SOLDIER
“It’s the stink that gets me.”
Naturally, all these photos are subject to change-hopefully for the better!
THIS JUST IN: Hot Toys has also announced The Godfather!
Get shocked and be impressed by our life-like Godfather figurine... - Ladies and Gentlemen, please clap your hands and welcome our Godfather - Don Vito Corleone......This is NOT a movie still, NOT a waxwork, but a 1/6th scale collectible figure! Today, Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectibles proudly present the 1/6th scale Don Vito Corleone collectible figure from The Godfather movie. This movie has been ranked / voted by most of the Medias as the Greatest Films Ever in the past 10 years! This project is very meaningful to us, because it's our great pleasure to produce the memorable character - The Godfather with authentic Marlon Brando's likeness, and brought to you in perfect 1/6th scale! We also have 4 artists worked on this project, as we cannot make any single mistake on him. Besides of the figure itself, bonus will be added for our lovely fans - it will be Don Vito's chair! Let's take a closer look on this preview picture. (Physical prototype will be out very soon!)
A LAMENT FOR KB TOYS (1922-2008)
So the rumor has finally come to fruition.
After 86 years and two bankruptcies, KB Toys is no more.
I’d caught the rumor of them closing all their stores right after Christmas but didn’t believe it. I mean, I’d heard it before and they still managed to survive. Hell, I even decided to hold off visiting my local KB til I returned after my East Coast vacation. My mistake. I rolled up and see the store(See below) not only closed but devoid of any merchandise! A hand-written sign the last sign of life left in the old girl.
In the one at the Dedham Mall in Massachusetta and another in Maine, I found makrdown X-Men, ALIENS and dozens of figures that people in the mid- to late-90’s only dreamt of finding. I got my first 12” Colonial Marine from the KB Exclusive two-pack and close-ou TOTAL JUSTICE! I have almost a dozen Dragonheart figures for Star Wars customizing (which I never got around to-anyone want to buy-em… CHEAP?!) as well as odd-ball things from Water world and The Shadow -but at THOSE prices, how could I not?
In the 2000’s, I found great deals on Ultimate Soldier weapon and uniform packs and strange appearances from Dragon and BBi 12” figures as well KB exclusive JLA figures.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve managed to pick up some great Marvel Legends bargains as well some of the newer Star Wars figures. In December, I picked up a Star Wars Comic Two-Pack of the Imperial Knights from the KB Toys in Sherman Oaks, CA.
Unbenknownst to me, this would be my last KB Toys purchase.
It could have a limited stock of toys.
It could be more expensive than Toys R Us and Wal-Mart.
But KB Toys was unique: it was one of the last remaing national chains dealing only with toys.
And that leaves Toys R Us.
That’s kinda sad to me.
Sorry to see you go, KB. But I did my part-you got plenty of my money for over twenty five years!
That’s it for now! The countdown to Toy Fair begins…
Be seeing you!
RANDY
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