Friday, October 29, 2010

Bif Bang Pow Roll Out More LOST Figures

Now, your first impulse is going to be to spit your drink out when you see these, at which point I will direct your attention to the big writing on the bottom of each pic that says PROTOTYPES..as in these figures are far from done..and from the look of them, they've got a long way to go before completion. Next I'll direct your attention to the Venture Brothers MEGO style figures and point out how..not so good..those looked at the beginning. Bif Bang Pow doesn't churn out drek, so they went back to the artists and sure enough, these things are now a slice of fried gold. SO..chorttle all you like, but I assure you, the finished products will be miles better than these...somewhat awkward prototypes I wish they hadn't shown in the first place. AND NOW..without further fanfare and fireworks..we present the newest members of the LOST MEGO-esque figure line coming March 2011! The lineup includes...

Miles (Freighter Outfit)
Claire (Preggers and ready to pop)
Jack Shephard (Oceanic Flight Outfit)
Sayid Jarrah (Oceanic Flight Outfit)
Sawyer (Dharma Security)
Juliet Burke (70's Outfit)

Pre-orders are up NOW on http://www.entertainmentearth.com/

Onslaught Returns..and No Amount of Sobbing will Stop it

How do you follow up something as fantastically borish as Vampires running wild in the Marvel Universe?! Maybe bring back one of the worst baddies the 90's had to offer? One that ushered in a rebooted Marvel Universe that was very nearly a complete failure across the board...so complete I just assumed no one anywhere likes to mention it, save when they post a picture of Captain America with boobs?


Welp. It's happening. ~sigh~

ONSLAUGHT UNLEASHED #1 Written by Sean McKeever, Penciled by FILIPE ANDRADE,
Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS and a Variant Covers by ROB LIEFELD as if to say "I'm back to give you fucking NIGHTMARES!!!" Rated T+ …$3.99 ON SALE THIS FEBRUARY!

Mark your calendars and stay off the streets when it happens.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

New Transformers Surface in Toys and Cartoons!

In pre-order form at least. I'm not the most psychotic of Transformer fans, but when pictures resembling the Transformers Movie versions of my favorite cartoon robots cross my desk, my interest is set to one thousand! Some people are telling me these are all from a new line called Transformers United (I'll give you a moment to shake off the X-Men movie flashbacks) and others say Kup and Wreck-Gar, at the very least, are from another line all together. The one undeniable fact is this...these are Takara images, so there's no telling if we'll get these looking exactly the same way..or at all! Characters we've identified in the shots include...

Optimus Prime
Optimus in Cybertron mode
Bumble Bee (looking a little more like Gold Bug)
Bumble Bee in Cybertrom mode
Megatron (who finally turns into a fucking GUN!!)
Megatron in Cybertron mode
Cliffjumper in Cybertron mode
Soundwave in Cybertron mode
Jaz (with awesome clip on speakers!)
Grapple (the crane truck)
Drift (the samurai looking guy)
Kup
Wreck-Gar



































Sadly, no idea on the others or if they are even all from the same "United" line. If you can identify them, please chime in in the comments! Also on the way are a G2 Optimus Prime, Rumble and Frenzy.

Now more times then I'd like to remember, toy company execs came to me and said "We are about to talk to Hasbro about licensing. What should we tell them we want to do?" Among my half dozen ideas was 10 inch, super posable, non transforming Transformers in a style that is a cross between G1 designs and Dream Wave comic sexiness. One look at these pictures will tell you Hasbro/ Takara seems determined to meet us half way.

In other Transformers news, Hasbro/ Discovery's new channel The HUB is ready to unleash some new battling robot action on you.

Fans of the enormously popular Transformers action-adventure entertainment franchise will revel in the upcoming television event on The Hub cable network – a five-part original mini-series, Monday-Friday, November 29 – December 3, showcasing “Transformers: Prime,” a new CGI-animated television series coming to the network.

Prior to the five-day mini-series event, The Hub will spotlight “Transformers: Prime” with a Thanksgiving holiday weekend sneak preview of the mini-series and an action-packed lineup of “Transformers: Prime”-related programming that begins Friday, November 26. Kicking off the Transformers schedule is a special episode of the original series “Hubworld,” a weekly, half-hour, pop culture magazine that will be dedicated to the Transformers phenomenon, Friday, November 26 (3 p.m. ET).

“Hubworld”’s special “Transformers: Prime” episode will be followed by a half-hour behind-the-special, “Hub Exclusive: “Transformers: Prime’” (3:30 p.m. ET), which culminates with the premiere of the first two half-hour episodes (at 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET) of the “Transformers: Prime” mini-series, in which arch rivals the Autobots and Decepticons once again face-off in their epic rivalry for control of Earth. The all-new mini-series will feature iconic characters of the franchise, including Autobots Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, and the ominous Decepticon Megatron, as well as introducing new human characters to the action series.

Following the “Transformers: Prime” Friday lineup of programming, The Hub will showcase the highly anticipated new series with the five-day mini-series event, Monday-Friday, November 29-December 3 (6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET). The week-long run will include three additional new episodes of “Transformers Prime” on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 1-3.

A full schedule of the “Transformers: Prime” and related programming follows. (All times ET).

“Hubworld” – Transformers-themed episode (Friday, November 26, 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.) “Hubworld” is a weekly, live-action pop culture magazine show that infuses what's happening in the life of everyday kids with what's happening on The Hub television network. Actor-magician Justin Willman will hosts.

Hub Exclusive: “Transformers: Prime’” (premiere: Friday, November 26, 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Encore presentations: Monday, November 29, 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; Friday, December 3; 4:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.; and Saturday, December 4, 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

“Transformers: Prime” - Part 1 of “Darkness Rising” (premiere: Friday, November 26, 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Encore presentations: 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and 12 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.; Monday, November 29, 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.; Tuesday, November 30, 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, December 4, 1:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.)

“Transformers: Prime” - Part 2 of “Darkness Rising” (premiere: Friday, November 26, 4:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Encore presentations: 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Tuesday, November 30, 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.; Wednesday, December 1, 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, December 4, 2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.)

“Transformers: Prime” - Part 3 of “Darkness Rising” (premiere: Wednesday, December 1, 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Encore presentations: Thursday, December 2, 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, December 4, 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.)

“Transformers: Prime” - Part 4 of “Darkness Rising” (premiere: Thursday, December 2, 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Encore presentations: Friday, December 3, 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, December 4, 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

“Transformers: Prime” - Part 5 of “Darkness Rising” (premiere: Friday, December 3, 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Encore presentation: Saturday, December 4, 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

Kotobukiya's New Rogue Statue

This one is for Lori! I've seen plenty of Rogue statues in my day, but I've always felt they were either totally off or just missed the mark. Today, Kotobukiya hits the bulls-eye.

The amazing X-Men Danger Room Sessions Fine Art Statue series continues with its fourth member and one of the most powerful mutants in existence, Rogue!

Born Anna Marie in Mississippi, the young girl's mutant powers first manifested during a kiss with her childhood boyfriend. Suddenly she found herself absorbing his life energy, and subsequently ran away, taking the nickname Rogue in the process. When touching a mutant, she absorbs powers in addition to memories and skills, making her incredibly powerful and incredibly dangerous.

Ever since the early days of Marvel Comics' mutant adventures, "X" teams have trained together in the ultra high tech facility known as the Danger Room, equipped with state of the art adaptive combat and athletics routines that challenge each participant in unique ways. The training facility has been featured prominently in X-Men comics over the years, as well as in various cartoons and the third X-Men film.

Based on a concept from the artistic pair of Manuel and Leo Silva, Rogue embodies both power and beauty. The spirited mutant is posed dynamically flying in the air, with one foot barely resting on the smashed face of her previous opponent. Meanwhile, Rogue wields a chunk of the Sentinel's brain as a weapon, preparing to hurl it into the next one to challenge her.

The mutant hero's classic costume is beautifully recreated, with the bright green and yellow of the bodysuit standing out within her dark brown jacket. Always enthusiastic in the heat of battle, Rogue's face is perfectly sculpted to show off her fighting spirit!

At nearly 12 inches tall, Rogue is perfectly in scale (1/6) with the other Danger Room Sessions members Wolverine, Psylocke, and Sabretooth (Sold Separately). Sculpted by Erick Sosa, the X-Man is completed by her amazing Sentinel face base on top of a mechanical projector.

Every mutant in the Danger Room Sessions series is mounted on a unique Danger Room holographic environment with translucent parts that glow with a Built In LED Light in the Base.

This Statue is Due Out in the 2nd Quarter of 2011.

Your Last Blast of Scott Pilgrim

Mezco Toyz presents a new 6inch figure of Scott Pilgrim based on the character from the popular Universal Pictures feature film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and the chart topping series of graphic novels.

Meet charming and jobless Scott Pilgrim; a bass guitarist for garage band Sex Bob-omb. The 22-year-old has just met the girl of his dreams...literally. The only catch to winning Ramona Flowers? Her seven evil exes are coming to kill him.

Mezco’s 6” figure captures the wide-eyed enthusiasm and quirky nature of Scott Pilgrim and features 8 points of articulation. To help capture the many looks of Scott Pilgrim, there are 2 separate figures; The first figure wears a green shirt and comes with a closed mouth head. The
second in a yellow shirt comes wearing a jacket and has 50/50 pack of the open mouth/closed mouth head. Both variations will come with the sword and guitar.

Each individually packaged. Available at finer retailers in April 2011.

Available for pre-order at: http://www.mezcotoyz.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=896

Annnnnd if you are a huge fan of the film and want one last movie theater experience, Edgar Wright may be coming to your town! Details can be found on Edgar's website HERE . Some locations include...

November 5th, 2010 ~ Bloor Cinema Toronto 7pm
November 8th, 2010 ~ Village East Cinema NYC 8pm
Nov 12th and 13th, 2010 ~ New Beverly LA

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Buy a Monster, Save an Awesome Kid

The site says it plainly and without trying to artificially pull at your heart strings, though t works anyways...

Aidan is a 5 year old boy who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. He loves to draw and he loves monsters.

Now an Etsy site has been set up to sell prints of his excellent monster creations and you can own one today. Every monster sold puts a little bit of cash into a fund for Aidan's medical bills. With a little good faith and a lot of hope, he'll grow to be big and strong and ready to do battle with the forces of darkness. Buy a monster for the people you love in your life today! Christmas is coming up fast and I can't think of a better present. CLICK HERE and buy the lot!

WB Swaps Your Antique DVDs for Blu-rays

Remember that time I took 4 crappy DVDs and traded them toward super cheap, bright and shiny new Blu-rays? I spent 63 bucks and got 3 seasons of Supernatural and Beetle Juice on Blu?!? Yea, that just happened.

For the first time with DVD2BLU.com consumers can send in ANY DVD they own (produced by any studio/sold at retail, online) even those old dusty ones under their beds or in the garage and get a new Warner Bros. Blu-ray title in return for as low as $4.95.

Over 100 Blu-ray titles are available including Gran Torino, V For Vendetta, Superman II, Wedding Crashers, The Shining, and several other favorites.

Here’s how it works:

1. Visit DVD2BLU.com, view the selection of over 100 Blu-ray titles and pick the ones you want to add to your collection.
2. Dust off those unwanted DVDs you already own and send us one (Disc Only) for every Blu-ray you wish to own. Please note only professionally produced DVDs (anything from a major/independent studio sold at retail), non Adult content will qualify.
3. Go to check out for all of the final details and in a few weeks get your new Blu-ray(s).

You only have to send one DVD for one whole season of TV Blu-rays! They'll even give you a shipping label when you check out to slap on that envelope filled with crusty old copies of Uncle Buck and Kull the Conqueror so you send them away to meet their maker, free o charge. In my mind, they will be sent to a farm to live with a nice family with no common sense toward decent cinematography and story telling. Run free, Anniversary Edition of Cool as Ice. Run free.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

NYCC 2010: Shiny Collectibles

While not every company on the planet graced geekdom with their presence at New York Comic Con this year, there was certainly enough to keep me sweating..especially when you consider the show has yet to learn how to keep a crowd moving so I've practically got PTSD from the ordeal. We decided it would be best to put all the links in one place for your clickifying pleasure, so sit back, relax, and let the joy and longing wash over you simultaneously as you peruse the vast wonders of toys, statues and vinyl art figures across the show floor.

GO HERO / ZICA : with Buck Rogers Mego-like figures and 12 inch wonders including a George Romero figure I'd love to see made!! He's standing next to the little zombie girl from Night of the Living Dead. Awesome 2 pack potential!

TONNER : Makers of amazing dolls that surpass the humdrum name. This year on display you'll see new Harry Potter, DC Comics Stars, Alice in Wonderland, Firefly, Twilight, Lord of the Rings, Tron, Muppets and some original costume designs collectors are sure to freak out over.

SQUARE ENIX : Killer toys never stop coming in from across the water. This year Square Eniz brings us new Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker figures, Assassin's Creed, Bleach, Halo Reach and Final Fantasy XIII

HASBRO : Stealthly hidden within the crowded confines of the Marvel booth, Hasbro brought their super hero all stars into the light with new Super Hero Squad figures and vehicles, a second look at the incoming wave of Marvel Legends 6 inch figures (YAY!), Marvel Universe scaled movie figures for Thor and Captain America, the main Marvel Universe line complete with a super sized Sentinel, super sized Frost Giant & Loki, super sized Goliath and a Giant-Size X-Men 6 figure boxed set!

DC DIRECT / DC UNLIMITED : Putting your displays at the corners of your booth is great...in theory. In reality, I got knocked over more times than Webster at the Million Man March. Never the less, I got the goods. Check out the new True Blood statue, DC Comics action figures and statues, DC Unlimited video game action figures, World of Warcrack..I mean craft and Starcraft figures, the newest Batman action figures, Brightest Day action figures, the hot Ame-Comi Heroine series PVC figures and the newest statues and busts you'll be hunting for.

DARK HORSE : With a fine selection of varied licenses including Domo (that little killer brownie monster who kills kittens when you masturbate), Dexter, Tim Burton, The Peanuts, Bettie Page, Eerie and Disney!

ART TOYS : You'll forgive me lumping this all together, but when you are fighting through the crowd, can't shoot past people that don't get that blocking the whole front of a table for a conversation means no one else can see the artists' work and generally clueless about who has made what to begin with, it is a losing battle. I did see some fantastic things before I had to pull the ejector lever, so I hope you enjoy them as well.

My Psycho Sweet Halloween 2010: Part 5: Details Details




Halloween is just around the corner. Actually it's down the street screaming my name, so I'm in "finish these fucking costumes mode!" The last few days were just about the little details...perfecting the color in the cape and shirt..fraying the ends of the bat cape and finding a way for them to do that creepy curling up thing so they look a little unnatural..making the fingers on my gloves pointy..finding the perfect accessory (which I did but I'm not revealing that until the full costume is worn on Halloween)..glossing the Casey Jones mask..TURTLE COMMUNICATORS!!! ..all the little stuff that is going to take the Red Rain Batman and Casey Jones costumes from "Oh that's nice" to "HOLY SHIT THAT RULES!!" I can never do anything half assed. So Here's a bunch of pictures to show you what I've been up to to get these two costumes to a respectable level!















If you want to see the costumes in person, I'll be Casey Jones with Undead April O'Neil at the Asbury, NJ zombie walk this Saturday and Red Rain Batman at the New York Village Halloween Parade on Halloween night.

Monday, October 25, 2010

The Costumes of New York Comic Con

Ahhh..the power of costumes. On a hot woman, the geek elements of her Zatanna outfit draw you in and give you an excuse to take a picture of her whilst her boobies keep you transfixed until it has become somewhat uncomfortable for both of you. Now take the same costume and put it on a somewhat hairy guy and you've got instant and epic comedy. Double Rainbows have nothing on a man in fishnets and a top hat. With all this fun, there is also horror. For instance, a child sized Flash costume should not be worn by a 300 lb man. The result looks as if he might explode at any moment, showering the crowd in peanut MnMs. There is also the horror of the rushed, unskilled costumer who is so desperate to get in on the fun, nothing will stop them. Many a duct tape warrior has fallen prey to this thinking. I'll also point out that, while we appreciate your willingness to be naked in public, JUST duct tape..or blue paint..does not a costume make. At least glue some fur to your bits and be Felicia from Darkstalkers if you need to show your goodies to the geeks of the world.

With all that said, I salute the Cosplayers of New York Comic Con and welcome you to click THIS LINK and enjoy them for yourself! Special thanks to Jordana Mariel who snapped a lot of these and was the cutest Hula Hooping Silk Spectre ever.

The Power...of 1968

A gathering of great scientific minds dabbling in the possibilities of meta-human power come to the realization that one among them has already achieved the seemingly impossible! With a thought, this individual can kill, and now those who may reveal his or her identity are dropping dead..one at a time. This is surely a premise you’d head to the theaters to take in, am I right? A sort of supernatural murder mystery? As icing on the cake, the original has the added plus of being made in 1968….with all the wonder and awesome that comes with it.

First off, you’ve got George Hamilton (before the orange skin) and Suzanne Pleshette at the center of the mystery, racing around trying to reveal the murderer as their sources are squashed by evil brain power. The two are charismatic enough to carry the movie and at times, you’ll completely forget they are in mortal danger, as it seems they do as well. The third best character in the film is 1968 itself, revealed in all its glory through fantastic suits, epic hair, over the top accents and it its peak, a wild party populated by hot women and the old men who dance up a storm to try and get them in bed. THAT ALONE should be enough of a reason for you to snap this up.

Not much more can be said about The Power..and trust me I’ve wracked my brain. The cinematography is basic and flat like something slightly better than a 60’s made for TV thriller. Swap out Hamilton and Pleshette and the whole thing would fall apart. The script is all over the place and barely takes itself seriously, succeeding on the strength of the actor’s charm alone. By the time we get to the reveal of the killer, we are left wondering who the hell he is and why we should care anyway? Just take us back to that party scene and give us 20 more minutes of small talk between the drunks. I’d be perfectly content. This is a party movie…one you take out when your friends are having drinks and are a little too loud so you turn on the subtitles. The fact that it is in the 60’s will draw them in, the mind killing villain will make them stick around and the hysterical kill sequences will make it something they will recommend to other drunk people at other parties. The cover if the DVD itself should be enough to spark anyone's interest! (well..anyone fun.) If that isn’t a glowing endorsement, I don’t know what is.

The Power is available from Warner Brothers Archive Collection on DVD right NOW!! Buy it or George Hamilton will do brain mojo on you and you'll wake up craving Mojitos.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Shamble Yo Ass to the New Jersey Zombie Walk!

As we shuffle aimlessly toward our holy holiday of Halloween, Asbury Park, New Jersey, gears up for its once-a-year celebration of the living-challenged and their screaming, flailing, running food of choice. JOIN US!! Here's the info...

The New Jersey Zombie Walk will take place in downtown Asbury Park (Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave.) on Saturday, October 30th, starting at 11:00 am. Zombies of all ages are encouraged to participate in this free, day-long, and family-friendly event. Come in costume, or visit one of a team of professional makeup artists that will be on hand to give zombie makeovers. (Please note that there will be a fee of $20 to have your makeup done.)

In addition to the walk, there will zombie-themed events and entertainment throughout the day, and many of Asbury Park's restaurants and shops will be offering zombie-themed menus, specials, and discounts to all Zombie Walk participants. This year the New Jersey Zombie Walk will once again partner with the Central Jersey Blood Center of Shrewsbury. A mobile blood bank will be on-site during the event and will accept donors throughout the day.

New this year is the first annual “ZombieCon”, a convention dedicated to all things horror and zombie. In addition to costuming and makeup supplies, the ZombieCon will feature local artists, filmmakers, musicians, and vendors. Also new this year, the New Jersey Zombie Walk will attempt to break The Guinness Book of World Records' record for the “World’s Largest Gathering of Zombies”.

For more information please visit the Official New Jersey Zombie Walk website.

Schedule of Events:

11 a.m. - Zombie “Base Camp” opens in the Convention Hall building located on the Asbury boardwalk. At base camp participants can register for an event wristband, have their makeup done, and visit the ZombieCon vendor area.

3 p.m. - The main count of zombies for the Guinness World Record attempt begins on the beach adjacent to Convention Hall.

5 p.m. - Following the Guinness World Record count, the Zombie Walk begins! Zombies will pour out of the Base Camp and up onto the Boardwalk. They will begin lurching down the Boardwalk, towards the Carousel House and Cookman Avenue.

Following the walk downtown Cookman Avenue will be closed off to traffic to host a variety of contests and performances including a costume pageant and a Jello-brain eating contest.

There are other evening events throughout Asbury Park following the walk. Zombies can attend a Halloween Dance Party at Convention Hall or go to the Asbury Lanes for a Halloween Carnival (for those 18 and up) with a horror-themed line-up of bands and performers. Tickets for both events will be available to Zombie Walk participants at a discounted price.

LEGO Mini Figures...Beware the Brick

Those regular readers of my blog know I've been fighting an addiction for many years now. Army Building. Weather it be Hoth Snowtroopers or Rebels, Hydra Agents or Sentinels...if they are a force too numerous to be stopped, I want 30 of them to represent. It's...a problem...and I'm dealing with it, as my armies are beginning to infringe on me sleeping space..but LEGO collectors aren't so lucky. The LEGO company have turned evil enablers by releasing their Minifigure lines, 16 figures at a time for the low low price of 2 bucks a pop. The catch? BLIND PACKAGING!! You never know what you are going to get, so while you may be buying a handful in the hopes of scoring a Dracula, you'll most likely wind up with an army of Mimes and Mariachi Band Members. Here's a poor soul named Hillel Cooperman of http://lego.cooperman.net recorded at BrickCon 2010 in Seattle. Feel his pain.



I wanted to see what all the fuss was about and at 2 dollars, I didn't mind jumping in to give you a look. Unfortunately, I'm late to the party, so I've set my sights on Dracula, the Witch and Disco Stu rather than series 1's awesome offerings of Zombie, Ninja, Robot, Robin Hood and Gun Fighter. BAA!! I made my peace and in 9 packs, got 2 Mariachis, a Ringmaster, a Scoot Cop, a Brit Explorer, 2 Female Lifeguards, a Mime and a Karate Champ. After the initial building and some fumbling with the Mariachis due to stupid fingers, I decided to see what original figures I could make from my bits. Sadly, I didn't have long black hair or a knife to make my Mariachi into Machete, but I did pull off three scenes.


Scene 1: DJ Paulie D from Jersey Shore Hits on a Beach Hotty



Scene 2: Mexican Dayworkers Flee for freedom



Scene 3: 70's Porn Scenario

Fun for the whole family!