The Action Figure Blues Podcast Episode 23: Playmates TNMT Classic Collection Leonardo / Collectors and Conventions

Episode TWENTY-THREE of the AFB Podcast is live at iTunes and is now available for direct download! Download and subscribe to the podcast at iTunes now! 

Join Eli, John, Ben and Scott from the AFB Forum for Episode Twenty-Three of the Action Figure Blues Podcast! The AFB Podcast is a weekly look at action figures, statues and other collectibles from the worlds of comic books and popculture.

Episode Twenty-Three includes a Toy of the Week Review of the Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic Collection Leonardo and a discussion on Collectors and Conventions. 

We also have the next answer and clue in the "Name That...." Audio Game run by our friend Engineernerd from TV & Film Toys .

If you can't use iTunes, you can download Episode Twenty-Three here now! Click on the link to listen, or right click to save the file! The podcast will always be available from the “Podcast” tab here - but if you can subscribe and give us positive ratings at iTunes, that will help us greatly!

Have a listen, and please give us some feedback at podcast@actionfigureblues.com - we might even read out your feedback on the next show!

Happy listening!

The AFB Podcast Episode 22: Rapid Fire Reviews / SDCC 2012 Reveals

Episode TWENTY-TWO of the AFB Podcast is live at iTunes and is now available for direct download! Download and subscribe to the podcast at iTunes now! 

Join Ben, Scott and Andy from the AFB Forum for Episode Twenty-Two of the Action Figure Blues Podcast! The AFB Podcast is a weekly look at action figures, statues and other collectibles from the worlds of comic books and popculture.

Episode Twenty-Two includes a set of  Rapid Fire Reviews of Convention Exclusives  and a discussion on SDCC 2012 - The Reveals!

We also have the next answer and clue in the "Name That...." Audio Game run by our friend Engineernerd from TV & Film Toys .

If you can't use iTunes, you can download Episode Twenty-Two here now! Click on the link to listen, or right click to save the file! The podcast will always be available from the “Podcast” tab here - but if you can subscribe and give us positive ratings at iTunes, that will help us greatly!

Have a listen, and please give us some feedback at podcast@actionfigureblues.com - we might even read out your feedback on the next show!

Happy listening!

SDCC News - Hot Toys Announces Batman 1966 TV Licence!

This was announced on the Hot Toys Facebook Page earlier today - pretty exciting stuff for Hot Toys Fans!

"Great news for Batman fans!  We are now proud to present the license of the hugely popular classic Batman 1966 Live-action TV Series!  First bringing to fans is this finely crafted 1/6th scale Batmobile collectible from the Series, which is proudly unveiled at San Diego Comic Con today!

Fans, please visit the booth of Sideshow Collectibles (booth number: 1929) to have a close look at our one-of-its-kind Batmobile!  More collectibles from this Series are coming soon!  Stay tuned!"

Does this excite you? Can you hear the sound of money whooshing out of your wallet already?!? Comment here to enter the July Comment of the Month Contest!

We're also discussing SDCC reveals here at the AFB Forum!

Until next time!

The AFB Podcast Episode 21: Marauder Motorcycle / Collecting in the 3 3/4" Scale

Episode TWENTY-ONE of the AFB Podcast is live at iTunes and is now available for direct download! Download and subscribe to the podcast at iTunes now! 

Join Scott, Adam, John and Ben from the AFB Forum for Episode Twenty-One of the Action Figure Blues Podcast! The AFB Podcast is a weekly look at action figures, statues and other collectibles from the worlds of comic books and popculture.

Episode Twenty-One includes a Toy of the Week feature on the Marauder Motorcycle with Sidecar and a discussion on Collecting in the 3 3/4" Scale.

We also have the next answer and clue in the "Name That...." Audio Game run by our friend Engineernerd from TV & Film Toys .

If you can't use iTunes, you can download Episode Twenty-One here now! Click on the link to listen, or right click to save the file! The podcast will always be available from the “Podcast” tab here - but if you can subscribe and give us positive ratings at iTunes, that will help us greatly!

Have a listen, and please give us some feedback at podcast@actionfigureblues.com - we might even read out your feedback on the next show!

Happy listening!

DC Collectibles Launches new 3.75" Line at SDCC!

Breaking news from DC Collectibles - the launch of a new 3.75" action figure line! Excitement of this news may be slightly dampened by the fact that DCC says this new line will only be available at conventions - I see lots of scalping in DCC's future!


The first set will be available at SDCC 2012 and is a Green Lantern Kyle Rayner and Kilowog Two-Pack.


Here's the pic and the release from the DC Comics website:

"G4’s “X-Play” got the first look at the new Con Exclusive from DC Collectibles – an all-new GreenLantern two-pack action figure set that will only be available to San Diego Comic-Con attendees.  The DC Comics Super Heroes Kyle Rayner & Kilowog Action Figure 2-Pack is the first in an entirely new line of action figures sized at 3.75” from DC Collectibles. This new scale will only be available at conventions.  Priced at $25 for the set, the figures are super-poseable and very detailed. Make sure to stop by the Graphitti Designs booth (#2315) during the convention to get your exclusive 2-Pack set and keep an eye out for other 3.75” figure exclusives from DC Collectibles at future conventions! And don’t miss the DC Collectibles panel on Thursday, July 12 from 1:00 – 2:00pm in Room 5AB."


Comment on this post to enter the July AFB Comment of the Month Contest!

Until next time!

Bowen goes Disco with a Dazzler Statue!

One of the great things about the level of interaction that Randy Bowen of Bowen Designs has with collectors is that we often see statues right from the development phase and can really enjoy anticipating their release. My review tonight looks at a statue that has been a long time coming - from years of fan demand to finally appearing on our shelves - the Bowen Designs Dazzler Statue. 

This is sculpted by Mike Cusanelli, who has been doing a great deal of work on the ladies of Bowen lately. While there are often some composition issues with Cusanelli’s work (lack of energy in poses is usually my big complaint), he does have a great command of the female form, and I love the way that Dazzler has been sculpted as a healthy, shapely woman and not just a stick figure.

This statue has an issue that is not terribly uncommon with pieces like this - when viewed at eye level, it’s a little bit hard to see Dazzler’s face as her head is angled facing down. To get a full appreciation of the character’s visage, you either need to place her on a high shelf or lie on the floor and look up at her. These angle issue always strike me as odd, as you would expect these things would be ironed out in production, and the fact that the angle presents as different from both the promo and the packaging shots (again, a common occurrence) seems to me to indicate that producers see the issue as well. I’m not sure what the answer is here but it’s something I often scratch my head about when opening and inspecting new statues. 

As for Cusanelli’s composition issues, they appear here not just in the angle, but in the pose, which makes absolutely no sense. Dazzler is holding her microphone in her right hand behind her head like a hairbrush or a back-scratcher while her left hand is outstretched. There might be a degree of logic to this if she was emanating some sort of light construct from her outstretched hand, but without it the pose is, at best, bemusing.

At one stage it was suggested that a cord might be included with the microphone which would swirl around Dazzler. While it was a clever idea, I’m glad they decided against it as there is enough happening here and I think ultimately it would have detracted from the overall look and effect of the piece. 

Pose aside, the sculpting is solid. Very nice lines and natural folds and creases in her clothing, and her jewellery accents are very nicely done with some clever detail. Her voluminous hair is beautifully sculpted. I am always impressed with sculptors who can really give the impression that a subject is wearing clothes instead of them just looking painted on, and Cusanelli has definitely accomplished this with Dazzler’s outfit, with lovely touches like her collar and flares very nicely done.

The paint job does a great job of adding dimension and depth to the piece with a nice mix of matte and sheen finishes. There is a lovely shine to Dazzler’s white costume which really adds a lot to the overall effect. The only issue I have with paint is on the hair, where it’s perhaps a little bit thick and blocky, causing some of the sculpting definition to be lost. 

One thing that surprised me about this piece was the construction of the base. The statue slots into a half mirror ball base, and also comes with a black disc for the mirror ball to rest on, but the two are separate pieces with no connectors, so the two together are a bit slippery to carry or move - be careful. Bowen has done this type of base construction before (see Brown Costume Wolverine) but not for some time.

While there are some issues that keep this statue from being perfect, I don’t think any of the things I’m bothered by would dull the enjoyment that diehard Dazzler fans are going to get from this long-awaited statue. It does make a very impressive sight on the shelves and fills a big gap in the 1970s-era Bowen Display. As a big fan of Dazzler’s original X-Men tenure, I am really hoping that we will see a blue costume version coming soon to make a great set of Bowen Dazzler bookends!

You can see more pics at Facebook, discuss this at the AFB Forum, and comment on this post to enter the July AFB Comment of the Month Contest!
Until next time!

The AFB Podcast Episode 20: Buddy Bradley Vinyl Toy / Holy Grails

Episode TWENTY of the AFB Podcast is live at iTunes and is now available for direct download! Download and subscribe to the podcast at iTunes now! 

Join Eli, Scott and Ben from the AFB Forum for Episode Twenty of the Action Figure Blues Podcast! The AFB Podcast is a weekly look at action figures, statues and other collectibles from the worlds of comic books and popculture.

Episode Twenty includes a Toy of the Week feature on the Buddy Bradley Vinyl Toy from Peter Bagge's "Hate!" and a discussion on Holy Grai;s. 

We also have the next answer and clue in the "Name That...." Audio Game run by our friend Engineernerd from TV & Film Toys .

If you can't use iTunes, you can download Episode Twenty here now! Click on the link to listen, or right click to save the file! The podcast will always be available from the “Podcast” tab here - but if you can subscribe and give us positive ratings at iTunes, that will help us greatly!

Have a listen, and please give us some feedback at podcast@actionfigureblues.com - we might even read out your feedback on the next show!

Happy listening!

The AFB Comment of the Month Contest for July 2012!

​First off, thanks to everyone who commented on last month’s blog posts! Congratulations to "Action Ranger Timmy" for being our randomly selected winner! Once we hear from Timmy, (you can can PM your choice to "Scotty" at the AFB Forum or email me at scott@actionfigureblues.com), his prize of the New 52 Batman Action Figure from DC Collectibles will be on the way when available from Mike’s Comics N’ Stuff.


Now to July's Contest: on offer is the SDCC Exclusive Walking Dead Minimate Two-Pack - which will be a great prize!


A few bits and pieces:

• every genuine comment on a post from the calendar month will be eligible to receive the prize. I’m going to stick to my own time zone and call it at 23:59:59 Australian Eastern Standard Time – best to comment often and comment early!


• if my super scientific randomizer comment selector system chooses an Anonymous comment, I’ll skip it and go again – you need to leave a name, a link, your AFB Forum username or email addy so that I can contact you if you are the winner. Blogger comments allows you to do this, as long as your profile is not set to private – check your settings.


• prizes will be in their original packaging. figures will be sent by first class mail within the US (Mike is sending them, remember) and first class international to any overseas winner. An overseas winner can elect to chip in for Priority Mail or Insurance, but otherwise we can’t take any responsibility for a parcel that doesn’t arrive – after all this is coming out of AFB’s not dreadfully deep pockets!

Once again, thanks to Mike for making this all possible for us, and here’s to another happy month of commenting! Until next time!