Ecto Goggles and ESP Test Cards

Ecto Goggles and ESP Test Cards

Spirit Halloween - Anovos

The second Ghostbusters costume prop from Spirit Halloween is here:  the Ecto Goggles!  And, like the ghost trap, it is a close-enough item with a budget price tag.  The Mattel release may have been a little more screen accurate and had a few more features, but we're talking $110 versus $30 here.  Sure, you can fabricate your own close-enough goggles from welders glasses and hardware store parts...but these save time AND have a little green light up feature. 

The silver disc on the right side turns to activate the lights.  The battery compartment is on the underside of the goggles, which isn't the prettiest (or accurate) when wearing them on top of your head or hat, but its not a deal breaker.  Both goggle knobs turn in place 360 degrees.  

There are a few details missing here and there, but we're talking small cosmetic additions.  Spirit threw in a sticker sheet and weathered the hell out of this one.  Strange...why didn't they weather the more expensive props?  Anyway, they are comfortable enough to wear, with an adjustable velcro head strap and rubber face padding.  I've already worn these out to two Ghostbusters events and am pleased with the weight and appearance as part of the full getup.

Another recent Ghostbusters item I picked up is the ESP test cards from Anovos.  These are playing card-sized versions of the Zener cards used by Dr. Peter Venkman to study the effect of negative reinforcement on ESP ability.  Though, instead of GB1 accuracy in size and Bicycle card backs, you get a nice throwback to GB2 with station identification and Venkman's show on the backs and box.  The pack comes with instructions and score card...you have to provide the negative reinforcement.  Don't worry too much about the electric shocks, there is a tell on each card for those who aren't as in-tune with the "world of the psychic." 

The Thing and Silver Surfer

Thing and Silver Surfer

Marvel Legends - Hasbro

Walgreens Exclusives

Walgreens dropped back-to-back Fantastic Four exclusives on us in a matter of weeks...and they're both heavy hitters!  While I have older Toy Biz versions of both that I was completely happy with, these are pretty much perfection and must-haves while we wait for the Fox/Disney merger to decide what happens with the future of these characters.  I can see future movie versions, but I wouldn't wait to snap up any great comic accurates.  

The Surfer comes with a couple extra set of hands, some energy effects (Hasbro really likes reusing the same three standards), and his surf board.  The board has one foot peg for his back foot, which it good enough for posing but nowhere near as fun/toyetic as the magnetic board that came with the Toy Biz version.  Everything else is great, though.  His silver paint job really pops and you can get him in a lot of great poses with the butterfly shoulder joints.

Putting the Thing out in toy form has proved quite divisive in some action figure forums:  "too tall, too wide, the shorts are wrong, his rocks aren't plate-like, he should never have teeth," and the opposite.  Blah blah blah.  Different artist have drawn him different ways, so you're never going to make everyone happy.  I was happy with the Ultimate Thing (even though I don't like the Ultimate comics) from Toy Biz's FF sub-line about 12 years back, but this new one from Hasbro has dethroned him and taken his rightful seat in the Fantasticar.  He's a happy medium with all those complaints above:  big, but not too big; wide, but not too wide; a head with teeth, and one without.  He's also got a set of open hands and a set of closed fists.  He's pretty posable for a big lug, and the detailing and paint in the rocks looks so so so so damn good!  What's not to love about this version of everyone's favorite ever-lovin', blue-eyed Thing?!

Sweet Aunt Petunia...even his butt is appropriately rocky!

 Walgreens has assembled the greatest rendition of the Fantastic Four so far.  You should still be able to find Sue, Johnny, and Reed on shelves right now as Thing and Surfer trickle in.  I wonder what's next...could the greatest villain in Marvel Comics be waiting in the wings for his time to strike?

8-bit Mega Man

Mega Man 8-Bit Figures

Jakks Pacific

Not quite "The World of Nintendo," but these new 8-bit figures from Jakks Pacific sure do fit in nicely.  These are Gamestop exclusive two-packs that have been hitting now at $10 per set.  What sets them apart from the WON 8-bit figures is that they are double-sided with detail, include a removable/interchangeable weapon piece, and feature arm articulation! Nothing extreme, but in line with the 8-bit aesthetic: Mega Man can aim his buster canon up an down and the robot masters can move both arms up and down.  

It's kind of sad that this is the most complete MM offering I've seen in a mass-produced line, and in this scale.  I would prefer fully articulated, 3-D figures of the original games, but the closest we've had to that in 30 years of MM is the wonky Bandai figures from the animated cartoon from the 90s.  I hope Jakks/Gamestop can at lease finish the remaining robot masters from the first game (Bomb Man, Ice Man) and a couple of other key characters (Dr. Light, Dr. Wily).

So, buy'em up if you can.  Even if this look isn't your preference, you might be kicking yourself later. Even the packaging is nice.  I will throw away the outer sleeve, but the cardboard recreation of the level backdrops are worth hanging onto. 

Mario and Cappy

Mario and Cappy

World of Nintendo - Jakks Pacific

The World of Nintendo line has cooled as of late, which is a shame since it's the kind of line every kid in the 90s dreamed of.  It's also a shame that it's become less the World of Nintendo and more the World of Mario.  Good thing we love that plumber so much!  I haven't played Mario Odyssey, but I hear its a must-have for Nintendo Switch.  The gimmick of this game is that Mario's hat is a sentient being that he uses to overcome obstacles.  Even if I don't ever get around to the game (Switch holds little appeal to me, and I still feel burned by the failure of the Wii U), we've got the best Mario action figure variant ever!

It's the first sans-hat Mario figure!  Well, action figure...I have a vintage PVC figurine without a hat and a creepy looking doll where the hat is removable.  Anyway, this is Mario without his hat as we have seen in Super Mario 64, Smash Bros, and now Odyssey.  I won't say Cappy is removable, as its not really meant to sit on Mario's head with the sculpted features of his hair.  You can get it to sit on top in a few ways, but it doesn't look natural. Oh well, Mario's hair looks great anyway!

This Mario also features a new pointing hand and some realistic detailing on his overalls that set him aside from previous variants.  As a plus for customizers, I have seen online that the hat-less head and hands can easily be modified to fit the superior-articulated SH Figuarts Mario.

I do wish it had a regular Mario "M" hat as well,(maybe the metal hat from Mario 64, too) but this is still a unique take on an old character that is worth having in the lineup. 

Kingdom Hearts

Kingdom Hearts

Diamond Select Toys

Kingdom Hearts has always been a weird concept:  Final Fantasy meets Disney.  I've never been a FF fan, but anything that can breathe new life into classic cartoon characters is more than welcome.  Donald Duck is a wizard?  Sure, why the hell not!  Mickey Mouse with a sword?! Has he been allowed to be this violent since the 1930s?!  The awesomeness of the concept and gameplay should be enough for you to stomach nonsensical, Japanime-style storytelling.  Recommended!

Anyway, Diamond select began producing 7-inch scale KH figures last year.  Most figures come in multi-packs in stores, online, and comic shops ($25).  Walgreen's and Gamestop have produced a handful of paint-variant exclusives ($10).  Sometimes, accessories and character exclusives.  The Walgreen's Mickey has so far been the only way to pick up Pluto.  I hate character exclusives, but this one was pretty easy to find.

Articulation varies character to character, and is sometimes hindered by costumes or size of the figure.  Even with some limitations, they look great.  Pete and Goofy may be my favorites so far.  At least one more wave has been announce at this time:  Tron and Sark with Sora, Goofy, and Donald in their Tron outfits!  New Tron figures?!  No problems, only solutions!

This may be the best line of Disney action figures ever produced.  If you're a fan of the games, or just Disney characters, they are worth picking up.

Life-size Keyblade foam prop that I picked up at a comic convention for $25.

Some of the single-packed figures have been clearanced at Walgreen's for $5.  Roxas was worth it just for the Oathkeeper keyblade.  Happy hunting!