Hello all-Summer’s coming!
Or at least he Summer Movie season, depending on what continent you live!

May is just about to bloom which will reveal to us the filmic tales of Iron Man, Speed Racer, The Chronicles of Narnia-Prince Caspian and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull!!

And will all those comes… MORE TOYS!

So onto some questions, aided by the recent New York Comic Con!

Name: John
Q: Randy,
When & where do you think the Indiana Jones figures will leak before the May 1 street date.
Thanks
A: Hi there, John. Well, they’ve already begun to appear. First reports were around April 17th at an ACE store! AFTimes’ own ??? Man found them himself on April 22nd at Wal Mart, though the computers are making them unavailable for sales til May 1st. Just a little while longer, John-just a little longer!

Name: Sylvia
Q: Hey there, Randy! It’s been MONTHS since Toy Fair and I want new JL and DC figures from Mattel! What’s coming and WHEN?! Sorry to sound like Veruca Salt but “I want it NOW daddy!” Thanks.
A: Hey there, Sylvia. Well, I’m glad to oblige with LOADS of information on Mattel’s upcoming DC lines, fresh from NYCC. Here we go:

JLU Figures
*Starting in August
*Target Only (but working on International Distribution)
*All new in singles, 3 packs and six packs.
*16 brand new mainline figures along with fan requested repaints.
*Most character will have 5 points of articulation.

Wave 1 Singles:
Classic Detective Batman(Blue/Grey), Superman(Black/Silver S), Green Lantern Kilowog, Stargirl with Star rod and Hawkman with mace

Wave 1 3-Pack:
Superman, Huntress and Galatea.
Green Lantern Jon Stewart, Supergirl and Captain Atom

Wave 1 Six Pack:
ATTACK FROM APOKOLIPS: Mr. Miracle, Superman, Lashina, Forager, Darkseid and Mantis.
GRODD STIKES: Superman, Batman, Flash, Lex Luthor, Red Hood and Gorrila Grodd. (A lot of redecos here)

SDCC Exclusive: JLU Giganta (includes a 4 ¾ inch and 10” high version)

DC Universe Classics Series 4
Coming Summer 2008
-Cyborg (with multiple arm attachments)
-BATMAN BEYOND Batman
-Captain Atom
-Wonder Woman (with spear, axe and shield)
-Ares (with axe and sword)
-Despero is the collect and connect figure for Series 4
-VARIANTS: Artemis as Wonder Woman and Captain Atom in gold/red skin

Bonus Wave 4 at Wal Mart in August?!
Then another in Fall of 2008 with…
Amazo
The Atom
The Riddler
Black Lightning
The Eradicator
And the C&C figure is METALLO?!?!?

DCUC Two-Packs
Only at Toys R Us!
Packs have all new figures, redecos and fan demanded re-releases!!
4 Packs in two waves during 2008!!!
Wave 1-Batgirl (blue/grey) and Azrael (Aug. 2008)
Wave 1-Orion and Lightray ALL NEW FIGURE! (Aug. 2008)
Wave 2 to be announced (likely around San Diego Comic Con)

SDCC DCUC Exclusive: Lobo and his Dog (This’ll be a fan favorite!)

DC Infinite Heroes
-New line of 3 3/4" figures
-Sold in singles and 3-packs
-Single figure line will have chase figures
-54 figure in 2008!
-Exclusive arch enemy packs, six-packs and deluxe 8-Pack at Toys R Us!!

WAVE 1 Singles-August 2008
-Adam Strange
-The Atom (Modern)
-Black Adam
-Black Hand
-Guy Gardner
-Shazam
-Zoom

3-Pack- August 2008
-Commissioner James Gordon
-Gotham SWAT (x2)

-The Flash
-Mirror Master
-Weather Wizard

Name: Brandon K
Q: Heya, Randy! Is Marvel Legends gonna be comaed forever or what?! What happened to all the stuff from last year’s San Diego comic con?! Is Hasbro just gonna kill the line? Help me know, man!
A: Heya to you, Brandon. Well, pleading gets you somewhere. Here’s the lowdown on…

MARVEL LEGENDS
First shown almost a YEAR AGO, Hasbro’s Marvel Legends Series 4 figures ARE coming out! Only difference is that it’s NOT a regular series release but a Wal Mart exclusive! The assortment is still scheduled to include Daredevil (Variant-yellow/red costume), Black Bolt, Nova, Punisher (Variant-camouflage and skull on face), Tigra, and (Cat-Faced) Beast with the BAF being Nemesis. According to Hasbro, it’s due in December 2008.

A new Marvel Legends series was introduced at NYCC… unfortunately its another exclusive line-Target only. This lineup includes Adam Warlock, Black Costume Spider-Man, black costume Wolverine (I believe that was from Bendis’ “Secret War”), Union Jack, Silver Savage Surfer (from”Planet Hulk”) and Spiral with a Red Hulk BAF. Again, according to Hasbro, this series is due in September 2008.

The Marvel Legend 2-pack waves are bringing not only new characters but army builders as well. Previously seen 2-packs include Ultimate WWII Captain America/Ultimate Nick Fury (Due Aug. ’08), Elektra(heads with & w/o bandana)/Ronin (Due Oct. ’08).
In addition to these 2-packs are:
-SHIELD Agent has interchangeable heads (including a generic face & Nick Fury, though a helmeted head appears to be just the generic face with an add-on helmet) to battle against the Hand Ninjas in Red (Due Oct. ’08).
-A 90's Jim Lee-style Forge and Wolverine come with extra heads and hands for each. (Due Aug. ’08)
-The Skrull Soldier faces off against a Kree Soldier (Due Oct. ’08).
-Mr. Fantastic and The Thing.

Hope this helps!

Name: Quinn
Q: Good day to you, Randy. I’ve fallen in love with the Marvel Mighty Muggs! They are too cute for words. . Can you tell me what’s out there and what’s coming? Thank you, mightily!
A: And a good day to you, Quinn. The first set of Marvel Mighty Muggs includes Spider-man, Wolverine, Iron Man and Venom. The 2nd set of Marvel Might Muggs are due out in May and include the Hulk, Dr. Doom, the Thing and Captain America, with a thirde set due in August. Wave 3 will consist of Thor, Black Costume Spider-Man, Thor, Doc Oc and Ghost Rider. If you click on the image of them, you see about ordering any of the sets from Entertainment Earth (one of AFTimes’ sponsors). Hope this helps.

Name: FollowerOfCrom
Q: Randy-Any more about NECA’s CONAN THE BARBARIAN figures?! You gotta help me brutha..
A: How can I deny the will of a FollowerOfCrom? At NYCC, NECA revealed the 2nd figure from Conan is Pit Fighter Conan. This figure is from the montage of Conan’s gladiatorial days. The weapon covers both arms & hands and have a small arrow-head like blade at each end.
I’m still hoping for a Valeria and a 18” talking Conan figure. Guess I’ll have to bug Randy at SDCC about that.

That’s it for now!
Back soon with more news, Q&A and maybe an early movie review or two!

RANDY

A long year.

I'm still not sure how I feel about it all beyond the fact that I miss him every day, that things keep cropping up that I want to tell him about and that songs still make me cry to think about him.

I wasn't sure how to take this first anniversary.
But I though that Metamorphi might be right in taking time off to remember the things that you ascribe to ones you love.

So I've taken the day off and have a couple of things planned. Nothing big. Just things that remind me of him and us.

But the thing that I really want to do is what I said a year ago: celebrate the life not mourn the death.

I ask you again to take stock in your life, to look around and acknowledge the family and friends (who are the family you choose) in you life and the gift of that their presence brings to you and let them know.

This is the photo I wanted to post last year.
I'm glad I have it still to show the life we had together.

John and Me at our brother CrowManiac's wedding, October 2006

DAMN! We looked good in the tuxes!

Once again-I'll see you on the other side, frater.
RANDY

Happy Spring Everyone… in the Northern Hemisphere, I think

Whatever. You get it.

Since I last left you, we’ve had Toy Fair come and go and some very cool things have come from it. Personally I’m excited about the new armored body from Sideshow Collectibles, especially the 12” General Kenobi in Armor! WAAAAYYYY to cool for school! This finally puts to rest those people bitching about having to wait so long for armored Star Wars characters. And the surprise landing of the 12” GI JOE license! I’m fascinated to see the look and accessories of this line. The resurgence of the classic 80’s line, along with the up-coming movie in 2009, seems to point to a great line for Sideshow. But I WANT TO SEE THEM NOW!

Mattel’s continues to do wonders with the DC Universe. One way is by continuing the JLU line into 2008-as a Target exclusive! Not only that but one of the few figures I’ve demanded from the start is FINALLY coming out: The Question! YEAH! Also, DCSH continues forward blasting the competition once called a “legend”. And though he’s not a favorite character, I have to say that I’m really impressed by the Green Lantern figure coming soon, along with the Deathstroke figure. Here’s hoping for a Question figure here as well!

And we return to your questions…

Name: DJ
Q: Hey Randy, What's going on with Marvel Toys? I mean are they going out of business or what? I'm a huge TNA wrestling fan and I'd like to know if MARVEL plans on releasing any new figures before Jakks takes over in 2009. Thanks for your help.
A: Hey DJ! Things don’t look bright for Marvel Toys and TNA in 2008. Marvel Toys has become the licensing division of Marvel. So they consult on the toys, but they aren’t currently making them. Sorry bout that.

Name: Dana
Q: hi randy
can you please tell me where to find halo3 action figures in saskatoon, saskatchewan canada?
in store not on line
A: Hi Dana. Well, not living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan or Canada in general, that’s a little tough. According to the Spawn.com website, these online AND “brick & mortar” stores are carrying HALO 3 figures: http://www.spawn.com/toys/wheretobuy/?series=halo3s1
There’s also an International listing but this appears more for wholesalers rather than retailers but take a look:
http://www.spawn.com/toys/wheretobuy/international.aspx
Perhaps one of those stores might be nearby. Personally, I know they’ve already been released here in the US at Kay Bee Toys, Wal-Mart and Newbury Comics. Hope this helps.

Name: Jeff Rae
Q: Randy,
Any chance Hasbro will do a 2-3 inch version of the ship from the original Fantastic Voyage movie? When they shrunk down the ship before they put it inside the giant hypodermic needle it was about 3 inches long. That would be perfect their continuing line.
A: Hi Jeff Rae. Sorry to say that I don’t think that’s likely as interest is likely low and I don’t know that Hasbro has the rights. I know there are some model kits out there but I don’t know what you mean by “continuing line.” Hasbro’s Titanium line?

Name: Rod
Q: We've gotten figures for Thundarr & Herculoids, I wish we would get some really nice figures of the characters from the Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon. Anyone heard anything about this?
A: Hi Rod. If memory serves me, D&D is owned by Wizards of the Coast, which is owned by Hasbro. I know another toy company a few years ago, tried to get the rights from Hasbro but there was a dispute on what scale to put they should be done in. I mean figures are one thing but you GOTTA have the monsters too! Otherwise, why bother?
As for getting them specifically from the cartoon, I really don’t think enough people care to warrant a release.

Hope that helps

Randy of ASK RANDY

Happy New Year everyone!
And now it’s time for the SuperBowl! Gah-when did that happen?

With the new year comes the Best of Awards from AFT. You can check all of the winners out HERE.

For my part I have a couple special awards I wanted to add:

Randy’s Editor Choice Awards
My Favorite Movie Line: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan line (Diamond Select Toys)
I’ll always have a warm, soft spot for this classic movie and with 2007 being the 25th anniversary, I was primed for toys-and DST delivered! Finishing up this year, DST is finishing releasing the entire bridge Enterprise crew, including Saavik, two versions of Khan and a Kirk in the cool Regula 1 Away-Team jacket! Nicely done, DST!

Best Talking Figure: 12” Talking V from V FOR VENDETTA (NECA)
One of my favorite characters, from one of my favorites comic and movie was already made by NECA into an amazing 7” figure. But NECA moved forward with a beautifully detailed, figure with articulated limbs AND ball joints (a real surprise to me), SIX removable knives AND a sound chip that includes V’s ENTIRE introduction speech! Very well done! And thanks to NECA’s Randy Falk for listening to me jabber on about how much this figure needed to be made.

Toy I Never Thought Would Be Made: Legendary Comic Book Heroes Two Pack “Body Bags” Clownface & Panda (Marvel Toys)
When I heard about this line at last year’s Toy Fair, I had a few ideas of what comic properties Marvel Toys could get ahold of. One of them being Jason Pearson’s “Body Bags” (You can read more about it HERE). But I didn’t SERIOUSLY expect them to do it-let alone already have it lined up already! This is one of THE most politically incorrect, violent comic books out in the market today... which gets its own action figures… and was sold at Wal Mart no less! Great going, Jesse and Damon!

And 2007 Toy Year is now done.
Onto to 2008 Toy Year… and Hasbro’s & Sideshow’s Indiana Jones, NECA’s Conan the Barbarian, McFarlane’s HALO 3, Hot Toys’ ALIENS & PREDATOR and much more!

A Tribute to a Customizer
Over the Christmas season, I had planned on starting up a new part of my column, focusing on some of the customizers whose work that I enjoy, creating their own pieces of fan art. These people have some incredible talent and pour forth their skill and love into pieces that not only look good but even fit into pre-existing lines. Doesn’t matter the size or scale, these items are amazing. And I already knew the person I wanted to start with: Chris Chulamanis, aka FNG USCM.

Like me, Chris was a huge fan of ALIENS, but he’d taken that love further than most. He began creating and selling resins kits of armor and weapons of the Colonial Marines in 1/6 scale through his EVA Models website. I found out about his work in the summer of 1998. His kits are some of the nicest quality kits out there… so much so that the recent Hot Toys ALIENS figures seem to include work “inspired” by his original Rifleman kits. I have the “M240 Flamethrower Kit and G-5707 Combat Knife” of his that I’ve been working on for a couple of years now(nothing to do with his work-my painting skills suck) as well as the USCM Patch set. Both are top-of-the-line work.

So as I started to put my idea together, I was shocked to read that Chris had suffered a major heart attack on January 2nd only to pass away from complications on January 10. He was 58. I didn’t know him well, having only spoken to him by phone and email a few times about his work. But between the 1/6 community and his USCM costuming group, he was well-loved and cherished as an artist and a friend. You can read people’s testimonials on The ALIENS Legacy Board.

So as my own tribute to Chris, I give you the first Randy’s Customizer Spotlight:
Chris "FNG USC" Chulamanis and his 1/6 working ALIENS Colonial Marines APC.

I hope you enjoy his work as much as I do. That APC is piece of love and a work of art.

All my best to his wife and family.
See you on the other side, Chris.

With February now here, I’ll be posting more news as it comes about this year’s New York International Toy Fair.

Oh, and being a Massachusetts native, born and bred- GO PATS! DON'T BREAK THE STREAK!

RANDY

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