Bucket (R1-J5)

Bucket (R1-J5)

Star Wars Resistance - Hasbro

"Resistance" isn't that difficult for me when it comes to new Star Wars media nowadays. (Thanks, Rian Johnson!)  But who doesn't love a new astromech droid every now and then?  Especially one with a very different aesthetic.  Finally, Episode 1 Threepio has a buddy for the droid nudist colony on Malastare!

I have no idea what Bucket's story is, nor do I care to know.  He looks cool and has an interesting range of motion for a small figure.  His middle "leg"  can be extended and contracted (watch out, droid nudist colony), tilting "feet", his "neck" is on a ball joint that can tilt and swivel, and he has ball-jointed "shoulders."   Shoulders on an astromech?  I guess the outer casing is movement prohibiting for fully fleshed-out droids.  It definitely gives him more expression for an animated series character.

The pilot helmet is not removable, but the guy he came packed with is.  Into the junk drawer, loser!  If you like the Resistance show (why?) or collect droids, Bucket alone is worth picking up.  He's the new co-pilot for my Star Tours Speeder!

Ultimate Gremlins

Ultimate Gremlins

Stripe, Gamer Gremlin

NECA

It's about time NECA got back to the original Gremlins!  What took so long?!  You didn't know you'd make a killing, selling us multiples of the same Gremlin buck or something?  

The Gremlin sculpt is spot-on original Gremlins, with articulation just about everywhere you'd expect it to be in bringing these puppets to toy form.  The hinged jaws and articulated ears are the highlight for me, allowing you to get multiple expressions and accessory-use options.

Accessorizing is what its all about here, with NECA providing quite a bit of add-ons to help your clones stand out from each other on the shelf.  Your Gremlins get quite a bit of junk food (candies, soda) and some interesting headwear (popcorn bags for the ears, 3-D glasses).  

The Gamer Gremlin (a Gamestop exclusive) comes with the popular popcorn bucket hat option, propeller beanie, wrap-around shades, and retro "gamer" accessories like an Atari joystick and Gremlins video game box.  The coolest accessory is the mini-arcade cabinet, even if they had to substitute imagery to get past rights issues for Donkey Kong.  It looks great with the previously released Mogwai, and the joystick is even movable!

The big-bad leader, Stripe gets some yum-yums and a couple of toys to menace Billy Peltzer.  He's got a skateboard to move around the department store to pick up some much-needed hardware like saw blades and an electric chainsaw.  The detailing on the chainsaw is great, but I feel like the plastic here is a bit fragile and a tumble from the shelf might do it in.  Warning, these figures are a bit top heavy!  

Since these accessories are from the department store finale, I feel cheated he didn't come with a revolver.  OH, NO...GUNS!!!  THINK OF THE CHILDREN...with these "adult collectibles?"  From a movie that pushed the envelope and forced the creation of the PG-13 rating guide?  Ugh...I'm more than tired of having that debate at large, let alone leaking into my toy accuracy.  If Spielberg/Amblin wanted to continue being pussies, NECA should have at least made a joke of it and given Stripe a walkie-talkie instead.  Wait...but they allowed Mohawk from Gremlins 2 his machine gun?!  What sense does that make?!  Anyway...on to the cigarettes and beer?

Toys with cigs and beer!  And cards for gambling!  Yes, they can be bad for you, but they are bad, naughty little creatures that do bad things! You couldn't call them "Ultimate" without something from the Dorry's Tavern scene thrown in.  And while I would still like a Gremlin in the Flashdance leg warmers, I'll settle for these dirty little details.  Details...did I ever tell you about the argument I had over wishing a Ray Stantz Ghostbusters figure had a cigarette?  It was the 80s...get over yourself!

These are the Gremlins I've always wanted.  But be warned, the joints can be a little fragile (stuck, paint slop). I recommend breaking rule number 2 with these Gremlins: give 'em a hot bath to loosen them up first.  The Gamer Gremlin's leg snapped at the knee right out of the package (flashback to my NECA Batman 89) with minimal force.  I used a small drill bit to install a small linoleum nail in place of the plastic pin.  Now my Gremlin's knee is better, stronger than ever! Good thing I'm getting good with minor toy repairs to combat bad quality control.  If something like this happens to you, I encourage you to try something like this rather than just gluing broken pieces in place.

Want more Gremlins?  Check out my Ultimate Gizmo review, featuring Gremlins 2: The New Batch figures!

Vikor, He-Man of the North

Vikor, He-Man of the North

Masters of the Universe Classics - Mattel

I recently found a couple of packaged Masters of the Universe Classics figures at a local flea market.  Shocking, as these were all online exclusives with Mattycollector.  Even more shocking to see them second-hand in the Middle-of-Nowhere, Missouri.  I regretted missing out on Vikor the first go round after I got Demo-Man (mostly because of the Vikor-esque skull he came with).  Both are based on early concept art for what would become He-Man and Skeletor.  Only now, they have been worked into the greater MOTU mythology as fleshed-out characters!

Vikor has the standard He-Man body, so the difference is in the details.  He's got a more primal, Conan the Barbarian look (intentional) going on.  He has some metal chain links on his wrists...making you assume he was a prisoner of some evil power at some point, powerful enough to break away, and too boss to bother removing them completely?  I dunno, but it looks cool.  The "fur" cape looks great, but is a little stiff...maybe my only gripe here. That, and I wish he had come with an alternate, screaming head.  Something a little more aggressive for a guy that doesn't think twice about cleaving his enemies in two.

His ax and shield are worked into the mythology as inspirations for the weapons the He-Man we know would later wield.  While not the Power Sword, he does pack a large blade of his own that fits the design and color scheme of the other weapons.

Even though he may not be the most exciting "He-Man" variant in the line, I am glad to have him alongside King Grayskull and Castle Grayskull Man in the hall of legends.  And if that doesn't do it for you, he is at least a great Frank Frazetta Conan stand-in. 

Howard the Duck and SP//dr

Howard the Duck and SP//dr

Funko Pop and Hasbro

I'm not typing that weird Spider-bot's name again.  I wouldn't even have bothered with him if I had not liked "Into the Spider-verse" so much.  I certainly didn't bother with the Marvel Legends build-a-figure version...at least this version is cute!  And he comes with a tiny Peni Parker figure!  I decided to pair them with another tiny dude in a big robot.  Wait...Howard the Duck has a robot suit now?!

Yup!  At least in some sort of fighting video game.  Funko made a deluxe Pop with Howard bobblehead.  Gross...but had some custom potential for my old Toy Biz Howard.  TB Howard was feeling a bit shafted after Hasbro gave his pack-in buddy, the Silver Surfer, an upgrade.  After ripping the bobblehead out, some pretty heavy dremeling, some smoke, and some melted plastic, Howard can finally stand toe-to-toe with the other Marvel heroes and villains.  

The mech suit is a pretty solid hunk of plastic.  I might chop off the arms and add some sort of swivel joint, but for now, I'm glad Howard fits decently in the cockpit.  I guess he made a background appearance in Endgame...he should have had this awesome mech suit.

I wish I were able to hollow out a place for Peni Parker to actually fit inside the Spider-mech, but the plastic is hollow and might shatter or chip with cutting.  Oh well, she looks fine riding on top of him in a crouched, ape-like stance.  They are meant for the "kiddie/non-Marvel Legends" line so you don't get much articulation (swivels at shoulders, mid-arm, wrist, upper legs), but you do get a web-missile action feature! Peni has a ball jointed head and swivel arms. 

It's a decent enough figure, again, if you liked Spider-verse.  I got mine on clearance from Hasbro on Ebay for $11 shipped...not too shabby!  The deluxe Howard the Duck Pop was about $12, and worth that even if all I could mod was ripping a bobble-head out of it's seat for a display piece.  Rock!

Jurassic World III: Primal Clash

Jurassic World III:  Primal Clash

Mattel - Lanard Toys

Lanard Toys (the makers of the awesome looking, budget friendly Rampage line) proudly presents:  Jurassic World III:  Primal Clash!  Or they just dusted off the Dino Riders concept with an absurdly awesome plot that would totally fit with the just plain absurd Jurassic Word:  Fallen Kingdom plot.

The basic Primal Clash dinos run about $8, and the larger ones $14.  They don't have much articulation (some heads and jaws), but they are solid, heavy figures and the paint and sculpting is fantastic for the price.  They also scale very well with Mattel's JW figures.  The weapons and saddles are removable.

They also come with some post-apocalyptic CORPS figures, which are nothing to write home about but do have added bang for the buck.  Dinos gotta have some generic characters to eat, right?

"Raptor Pack, attack!"

I assume they bring back Muldoon as a clone...or he has a twin brother in the same line of work like "City Slickers II:  The Legend of Curly's Gold?"

"So, what do you think of my six-foot turkey now?!"

Getting these were also an excuse to take pictures of all the other dinosaurs and Jurassic World humans I have amassed since my initial line reviews:  part I and part II.  Keep it coming, Mattel!  But please steer clear of Target exclusives!  Dr. Malcolm was a pain to track down initially but, months later I see several cases of him clearances out for $3!  Target sucks.

Albertosaurus is big and features double dino damage!  Skin to ribs to squishy guts!

The magnet in the beak activates several tear open panels on the copter...spinning blades at the push of a button and working winch, too!

Para sports the new "dual-attack" action gimmick.  Tail wagging and head butting features! 

A scale JP jeep at the low price of $15.  A working winch and rolling tires...not a lot of bells and whistles needed.

Yes, I do realize that mammoths, sabertooth tigers, and such didn't live in the same era as this and that.  Lighten up, and don't talk about Jurassic Park like it's so much bigger on scientific accuracy than the Flintstones.  These toys are awesome.  Primal Clash is a Walmart exclusive and should be readily available at your local stores.  Get 'em now before they go extinct!