Superfriends Batman

Superfriends Batman

DC Multiverse - Mattel

Wal-Mart Exclusive

Na na na na na na na na - BATMAN!  Mattel has been getting away with using the same Batman buck for almost a decade, but who cares?!  It screams "classic" to me, like it leapt right from the pages drawn by Neal Adams or Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez!  Only Marvel Legends articulation whiners have a problem with this.  The articulation is fine and generally makes for more solid, realistic character translations.


This repaint has a darker "Superfriends" blue than earlier representations.  Other than that, he is pretty much the same.  He comes with a Batarang and Batgrapnel (repacked accessories) and a Superfriends stand and backdrop.








Oh, and how could I forget a key difference...the removable cape!  Just like the old Kenner Superpowers figures!  The "C" clip around the neck might look a little bulky, but oh the nostalgia!








Aside from that, what really sold me on the figure is that the cloth cape will allow him to fit in a number of the Batmobiles I own better than his plastic-caped counterparts.

"I'll get drive-thru."

This figure is a Wal-Mart exclusive and can be picked up for $16-20 depending on location.  Again, to some, this figure might be dated in more ways than one.  But they're stupid and wrong...he's awesome.

Batman...forever!

Ram Man

Ram Man

Masters of the Universe Classics - Super 7

Mattel is dead!  Long Live Super 7!  Masters of the Universe Classics figures are back and now offered on demand through toy company, Super 7.  A little history:  Mattel ran the line close to a decade through an online subscription service.  At first, collector's could pick and choose figures they wanted, but MattyCollector decided these "cherry pickers" needed to pony up money for yearly subscriptions.  And what's more, they should pony up hundreds of dollars ahead of time, with no idea what figures might be coming down the line.  Ram Man was held ransom under this tactic.  He was not made available outside of the subscription service.  Like many "cherry picking" fans that don't want figures like Bow and Perfuma, I was denied Ram Man.

Thankfully, Ram Man is back!  Sculpt and accessory wise, he is identical to what they got with the Mattel release.  He has a big battle axe (which can be clipped to his back) and alternate, helmetless head sculpt.  He doesn't have the weird, spring ramming legs that the old-school toy had...it just wouldn't work with the added articulation and it's kinda goofy.  He's a tad taller than most MOTUC figures, and a great deal wider.  He's pretty heavy.  I mean, look at those fists...they're as big as his head!  The detail on the armor is fantastic, as it the squinty look on his face.

The only thing that sets him apart from the first release is the paint job.  The orange jumper is an homage to the original character art on the back of the packaging.  It's a neat variant for those who are completists as well as giving those who missed out on him a chance to grab him.  You know, there are actually parts of figure fanbases that cry about figure rereleases? That it devalues their figures and the thrill of the exclusivity?  Boo hoo...what a sad reason to collect toys.  I hope Fisto gives it to ya where it hurts most!

Available exclusively through the Super 7 website, he doesn't come cheap.  $40 for a figure is a bit pricey to me, but probably the only way MOTUC can be offered right now.  It's really not much of a markup from Mattel and, so far, I've had a much better customer service and shipping experience.  While the Mattel line covered quite a bit of ground, I am excited to see what other surprises Super 7 might be bringing us in the future.

Scrooge McDuck

Scrooge McDuck

as

Ebenezer Scrooge

Playing Mantis Toys -2003

I've been on a big Uncle Scrooge kick lately.  I was a big fan of DuckTales as a kid.  It kind of goes hand in hand with my love of Indiana Jones, seeing as how Scrooge's adventures inspired some sequences in Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Not too long ago, I started collecting and reading the chronological Don Rosa comics, including "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck."  I met Don Rosa at a convention and got the first volume signed along with a full-color Scrooge print.  And now there is a new DuckTales reboot cartoon.  

The only thing lacking about this revival so far is toys.  I had DT Colorforms, Play Doh sets, and PVC figurines back in the day.  The Uncle Scrooge figurine I got on my first trip to Disneyland in 1989 is still cherished, but very play worn.  I picked up a nice Scrooge plush doll about 10 years back as a Disney Store exclusive.  I reviewed some blind-bag keychains here a couple months back.  I already have a Funko Pop Scrooge on pre-order for September.  I guess it's not a bad list of collectibles after all...but still no articulated action figures.  The closest we have to this is a line of "Mickey's Christmas Carol" figures from Playing Mantis in 2003.

Scale-wise, Scrooge here is close to the 5-inch mark.  The articulation is appropriate, but lacking by today's standards.  He has a swivel neck, swivel arms, swivel legs, swivel wrists, and hinged elbows.  The sculpt is spot-on and the paint is clean.  This figure really shines with the number of accessories you get.

The cloth coat is removable (it's a little bulky, and hides a lot of the figure) with a snap button and the scarf can be untied.  The top hat is also removable, and he comes with a cane, a stack of coins, candle, bugle, toy soldier, and an opening sack.

While I long for an extensive line of DuckTales figures one day, I have to say that this Scrooge is pretty nice.  I'm not sure what he runs on Ebay right now (he was a birthday gift from my lovely wife) but I highly recommend this figure.

   

1989 Batmobile

1989 Batmobile

Jada 1:24 scale die cast metal

As I've said before, it's hard for me to resist picking up any 89 Batmobiles I see.  At least I didn't have one in this scale already.  $20 for a detailed, die cast metal and a nifty lil Batman to stand alongside it? Score!

The canopy opens and closes.  It also has machine guns that can be raised, lowered, and covered.  Just remember, kids:  Batman doesn't kill...except when he totally does.  Just rubber bullets anyway, right?

The Batman isn't quite as detailed as the picture on the box, but still looks great for as small as he is.  I only wish he could fit inside the car.  That would put this release over the top!

The flat black paint job is movie perfect, as are the silver details on the sides and back turbine.  I have read reviews online that this blows Hot Wheels' attempt at this scale out of the water on price and quality.  

I picked this up at Walmart.  The line also has the 66 Batmobile, the Nolan Tumbler, and the BatmanVSuperman's Arkham Light.  I hate to turn down pure West, but the 89 will always be my Batmobile.