Wendy's DC Super Heroes

Wendy's DC Super Heroes

Kid's Meal Toys

I couldn't even venture to guess the last time we got a Wendy's kids meal toy that wasn't at least half comprised of cardboard and stickers.  This DC Super Heroes promotion takes us back to days of old in more way than one.  Aside from getting our money's worth in plastic, these figurines are reminiscent of 80s/90s properties we love.  MUSCLE, CUTIES, Monster in My Pocket...sure they are cheap to produce, unpainted minis, but they are so much fun to collect!

The exaggerated, toony sculpt are right up my alley.  Refreshing to see an original take not tied to a horrible movie promotion.  Though, that's probably why I only heard about these through word of mouth.  (Coincidently while reading a retro article on Monster in My Pocket.)

You get three figures per box...three!  Unheard of value there!  Each set is a themed group with six sets to collect.  Well, to be a completist, you would be collecting 24 sets, as each set comes in one of four colors: red, blue, green, and purple.  It is a bit strange having a purple Flash...who do I look like?  Geoff Johns?!

Wendy's did us a solid by not sticking to true the "mystery box" gimmick.  There is a sealed box involved, but there is also a number and color for the set inside on the bottom of the box.  As an added bonus, there are mini trading cards for each figure!

I would like to see this theme return in the future.  The villains are way outnumbered and some DC staples are noticeably absent.  How about a whole Batman promotion to get a good chunk of his rogues gallery in this style?  

I imagine this promotion will carry on through Halloween. Don't sleep on these if you are a DC fan and/or fan of 80s/90s toys.  

McFarlane 1989 Batmobile

 McFarlane 1989 Batmobile

The Flash - DC Multiverse

Did anyone ever think it was possible to want a toy from a movie so bad, but they didn't really care about the movie itself?   Well, technically, it's from a different (and we're 100% positive "better") movie.  Nostalgia and a beautiful design from a bygone era in Hollywood is all this needed to be a success.  It may be part of the last gasp from the abhorrent DC Snyderverse, but its hard not to get a lil excited about the return of Michael Keaton and our Batman!

Getting the bad outta the way first, it's too shiny.  A finger print magnet.  Im not sure it it's mega reflective in the new movie or if this was the wrong call on the plastic.  Also, the canopy is a weird shade of gray.

But that's nothing a lil tape and spray paint can't fix!   It was good enough for the $60 price tag before, but with a little Krylon Matte Black you get perfection.  Okay, so the canopy is a bit off in shape and it's a one seater, but good enough for me.  Im not about to go hacking it apart.  Two seats?  What imaginary scale figure line are folks hoping for?  There's not going to be a Vicki Vale figure in the cards.

"Security? Who let Vicki Vale into the Batcave? I'm sitting there working; I turn around, there she is. "Oh hi, Vick - come on in."

The new McFarlane Batman figure fits with a fit of fidgeting to get the ears in.  The Neca Batman has room to spare.

Speaking of, the new batsuit looks pretty good in this scale.  I can definitely see the Keaton likeness in the sculpt, but might need a better paint job to really hit it home.

This car sold out by the afternoon on the morning it was released across every retailer imaginable.  Im sure there will be a rerelease for those that missed it, or even a proper 89 deco version.  I wasn't taking any chances.  This may be my favorite movie car of all time, edging out the Ecto-1 and Delorean Time Machine.  I buy just about every version and scale I see.  But you already knew that:

So join in and party like it's 1989!  Or at least throw some shade at Hasbro and their $300 version of Ghost Rider no one wanted.  Food for thought for the next Ghostbusters movie, ya jerks.

Oh, look, Hasblow...a decently-scaled Batwing for $40 from Spin Master!

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2017/08/1989-batmobile.html

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2017/06/thread-organizer-aka-inexpensive-toy.html

https://terribletoyman.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-mad-hatter-and-89-batmobile.html

Slushy Soldiers

 Slushy Soldiers

Fortnite Legendary Series - Jakks Pacific

It’s been a while since Jakks’ Fortnite series filled some goon slots in my superhero collection.  This Walmart exclusive was a bit late for Christmas...but luckily that groundhog saw his shadow, and gave Mr. Freeze a bit more time on the ice with his new henchmen.

The slushy soldier is on a reused soldier body, but is nicely repainted with wintry colors.  His arsenal is appropriately hilarious:  carrot knife, carrot bandolier strap, machete wreath back pack, ice pick/hammer.  The traditional snowman head could be taken as cutesy or creepy, depending on what you’re using them for.  Of course, these have several machine guns with them at all times, so I would guess the latter.

 

I braved sub-zero temperatures and hardened plastic joints for this shoot.  It was a lot of fun to play with my toys in the snow.  I got to break out my favorite Mr. Freeze figure (DC Direct’s Secret Files figure) and  Arctic Shield Batman (Mattel 2003 Batman line).  While these are older figures with limited articulation, the sculpts and accessories keep them in my displays.  Freeze just looks perfect, and Arctic Batman...he’s had a lot of wacky costume variants, but this one actually works!  I was even able to give hi shield/sled a go!

 

Get out there and have some fun with your toys when you can.  And pick up some Slushy Soldiers on Walmart’s website now!  They, and the snow, won’t last for long.

Beef Boss

Beef Boss

Fortnite Legendary Series

Jazwares

As I said before, Jazwares is killing the 6-inch figure game with figures from a video game that I have never played.  Great, old-school Marvel Legends articulation (Toy Biz, yo) with tons of accessories and funky character designs.  I use the line primarily as goon army builders and placeholders in my DC/Marvel collections.  But some that don’t fit there are just too fun to pass up.  Like Ralphie (aka Rabbit Raider) and Beef Boss here.

Would you like fries with that?  Super-size for only 39 cents more?

I love fast food.  McDonald’s in particular.  So a figure with a McD-inspired burger puppet head, Ronald-esque bright colors, and a giant spatula weapon is an instant win.  No waiting for this one to go to clearance...I needed him now!  He shares the basic soldier body type that many of the other Fortnite characters have, but get a load of the sesame seeds sprinkled throughout!

NO.  SPECIAL. ORDERS!!!

Along with the spatula, he is armed with a wicked looking assault rifle, two pistols, a plate with a slice of cake, and a giant French fry backpack.  My favorite detail is the holster on his backside that has non removable ketchup and mustard bottles.  Man, I wish I still had some of those old Happy Meal Fry Guys toys to stand with him as henchmen.

“I knew you’d ketchup to me sooner or later.  How I relished this meeting.”

While he looks nothing like the character Batman the Animated Series or his comic look, thematically I think he makes an excellent stand-in for the Condiment King.  If not him, at least he checks the 60s comics gimmick of the week box.  He would definitely fit in the Tick’s universe...if only there were modern Tick action figures.  Oh well, I still had fun recreating one of my favorite Batman TAS moments with him:

“Come, Batman...let’s see if you can cut the mustard.”

“QUIET!”

The Bat-Raptor

The Bat-Raptor

DC Multiverse - McFarlane Toys

The most exciting thing about McFarlane taking on DC Comics, is his promise to deliver scale vehicles.  The inclusion of the Bat-Raptor was most welcome here in his first wave of figures.  It may be a funky choice as far as aesthetics go, but it doesn't break the bank for the consumer or merchandiser.  It looks great, even if it is bare-bones and should fit my 6-inch figures just fine.

Like Hellbat armor Batman, this vehicle is mostly black, but varies in application from flat to shiny.  This adds a little more visual variety and helps some of its lines and curves stand out.  There is also some very nice silver weathering where appropriate.

The engine/thruster area also features some silver weathering with a touch of dirty gold.  The same goes for the underside.

The interior has a lot of nice sculpted details in the seat and console area.  As this was made for slightly larger figures, you should have no trouble fitting Mattel figures in the seat, cape and all.

Big, heavy, rubber tires for the win!  One of the biggest complaints about toys of this size is that most have hollow plastic wheels.  This is definitely a rarity and adds more realism to the overall look as well as weight to the vehicle.

The Raptor isn't as long but just a hair wider than Mattel's Batman Missions Batmobile...which may replace it as my default Bat-transport for the foreseeable future.  The real test was fitting it into the garage area of the Batman V Superman Batcave playset.  Like a glove!

It may not have any action features (save for the extending front wheel), sound effects, or lights, but for $30 this is a solid first outing for McFarlane.  I really hope these sell well so we get more gadgets.  My Batcave is in desperate need of water transportation, Todd!