SDCC 2014: Hasbro's Mind Blowing Marvel Action Figure Diorama

At a show like San Diego Comic-Con, there are amazing things to see around every corner, for every flavor of fan the universe has to offer. For me, obviously toys draw a great deal of the oo'ong and ahhh'ing from me, but one spectacle in particular always makes my head tilt slightly like a puppy and my jaw slowly drop open as if to say "It's all full of stars...." Looking at the pictures websites are turning in of Hasbro's mighty Marvel Comics action figure diorama, you'll note the similar faces of the folks shot inadvertently on the other side of the case...eyes glossed over..head fixed...jaw slightly ajar.  Emilie Noetzel knows we want to pour over this massive display from the comfort of our own homes, looking for new characters never produced before (until we beg for 3 years) and simply taking in the glory of this fine, fine work, and so with our hopes and dreams in her mind....she took a f*!k ton of pictures. Approximately 1 f*!k ton.

2014 Preview: The Mighty Marvel Universe Marches On

3 and 3 quarter inch action figure fans practically lit candles and donned veils of mourning when it was suggested the 6 inch Marvel Legends action figure line would get a major push for collectors moving forward, while 3 and 3 quarter inch scale would be utilized most often for movie figures targeted for kids...meaning softer sculpts, less articulation and those action features we love so much (read; revile). Soon after, we got the Avengers Assemble action figure series which were pretty much Marvel Universe REBORN...repackaged under the banner of the unstoppable stars of America's favorite super hero film. Genius. As new 3 and 3 quarter figure multi packs were shown at conventions but never made it to retail, fans wondered how dedicated Hasbro would be to this series, now 2 waves in but not very present at the store pegs. Today, we (sort of) get the answer.

SDCC 2013: Dissecting The Marvel Universe Diorama

Be you long time collector, long time fan or just a new school Avengers movie loving sort, if you entered the Hasbro booth this past weekend at San Diego Comic-Con, you were stopped dead in your tracks in front of the Marvel action figure diorama. This epic display has become a yearly tradition, mixing long past Marvel Universe figure releases with brand new items soon to hit stores, an item or two clearly meant to test the fan reaction (ie; if we go OMIGOD IT'S DEVIL DINOSAUR!!! and start throwing money..they just might make him) and those things that are kit bashed customs meant to drive us insane with the wanting for things they'll probably never make. Clearly. It's evil. This year, it seems like Hasbro had been tipped off on the "Avengers 2: Age of Ultron" announcement and pitted an army of Ultron robots against the entirety of the Marvel Universe. Of course, the baddies still felt it necessary to fight their arch nemesi, even in the face of a Terminator-esque scorched Earth. Hey, villains gotta be villains. Let's take a look at a sampling of this mega-awesome display and then do what dorks do best. SPECULATE!

SDCC 2013: Hasbro Marvel Legends & Universe

Cool Toy Review strikes first blood in the war for toy dominance at San Diego Comic-Con 2013 with some super quickie cell phone snaps of the Hasbro Booth, specifically in the Marvel Comics section. Plenty of new Marvel Legends on display and very few Marvel Universe...so a mixed bag of happy there. Happier still is the news that those Marvel Legends move away from all those new school comic designs (RED SHE HULK!! BLARG!) and visit some classic characters that will fill gaping holes in your Marvel Legends collection. Here's what we could spot...

New Marvel Universe Packs Hitting

Our friends at Amok Time got the jump on three Marvel Universe 3 packs you've all been waiting for ever since we caught a first glimpse of them at San Diego Comic Con, which generally means we'll see them in stores any day now. SO..for those who have anxiously been waiting for more 3 and 3 quarter inch Marvel madness, we've got...

The Uncanny X-Men set with Wolverine (brown costume, Rogue, Longshot and X-Babies Cyclops!
The West Coast Avengers set with Mockingbird, Hawkeye and War Machine ....and
Inhumans set with Karnak, Black Bolt and Medusa

New Iron Man 3 Toy Plans

When we last discussed the future of Iron Man via the upcoming film (Iron Man 3 AKA Mo' Iron, Mo' Drinks, Less Sexy Time) in the hands of Hasbro, we outlined new play features, vehicles... and for those paying attention, a slight (ever so slight) movie spoiler! Now, new pre-orders back up our initial intel and present exciting news for Marvel Legends fans...

Toy Fair 2012 : Mighty Marvel Action Figures

We can already call 2012 a golden age for Marvel Comics action figures! Not since Toy Biz had lines on the pegs for Fantastic Four, X-Men, Generation X, Ghost Rider, Iron Man and Hulk have we seen so much plastic awesomeness available for purchase all at once. This year, Diamond Select dishes out a heaping helping of Marvel Select action figures from Marvel movies and comics alike while Hasbro continues their expansive Marvel Universe line alongside Avengers and Amazing Spider-Man movie figures and the triumphant return of 6 inch MARVEL LEGENDS!! Here's a look at what you'll be blowing all your paychecks on...


Let's go from largest to smallest...


Marvel Select continue their action figure domination of comic shops. Honestly, is there anything more impressive hanging in your local geekatorium? On tap for 2012 are...

Toy Fair 2012 : Our Lunch with Hasbro..and 200 Other Snorting Geeks

Toy Fair 2012 is well underway now!! So..what have we been doing for the last 2 weeks? Warm up, son! Today, Hasbro packed their theater to capacity to many a nerdling and rolled out all their newest from the worlds of Transformers, Spider-Man, Avengers, Marvel Comics, Star Wars and G.I.Joe. After their presentation, you get little more than ONE HOUR ..maybe an hour and a half..to shoot THE WHOLE SHEBANG. Your obstacles...

- Sunday reporters who thought a lovely jaunt off to the fun fair would be awesome and brought their camera phone to capture all the glory. Of course this means their optimal shooting position is right in front of the displays for extreeeme close ups. Fantastic.

Hasbro Lets Loose the Sentinel You Crave

Yes, my geek friends...in this internet age, moaning gets you everything you desire. In this particular case though, I believe sales may have had something to do with it as well. Though they may try and convince us that children are buying the Marvel Universe line, the fact that the oddly colored (modern) Sentinel has been collecting dust at retail says something..and it is saying it LOUDLY. To answer this whiny, lisping, dorky siren's call, Hasbro has announced the coming of the SDCC paint job Sentinel at retail!! Online retailers already have this badboy on pre-order for December, no doubt timed to give a healthy bump to Seasonal Sales Numbers as we frantically army build with the greatest Sentinel figure to date. Now, before you go and say I am cheating on my favorite army builder ever (the Marvel Legends build-a-figure Sentinel), I will state that while I love the paint job and design more than the current version's design, you really can't beat a giant talking, light up Sentinel for 60 bucks, which will no doubt be on sale sometime during the Holiday season (at which point I may buy 10 of them. Don't judge me. I have a problem.) Plus...honestly, it is all we've got. Would I have freaked out if they'd announced they were taking the BAF mold and adding in the electronics? HELL YES. That figure is a masterpiece with articulated fingers and a ton of posability, excellent paints and even bendy tendrils you can plug into his hands to capture that mutant menace terrorizing the kindly human folks at Starbucks. This "new" version reuses a lot of Galactus's parts which translated to the same clunky hands and on a sillier level, a belly button in his robot guts. ~sigh~ I could also gripe that even though the SDCC colors match the classic look, the design does not, so I'd expect the demand for the BAF will be stronger than ever.

For a nice pile of San Diego Comic Con images from Hasbro's Marvel Universe line, Click HERE!

The Peg Report: New Joes, Ben 10, Cheap Iron Men and the Continual Rape of the Crime Syndicate

As the rains finally pull away from my super soggy central New Jersey, it seemed like a good time to hit the stores and see if anything new hit the pegs. Here's the September skinny...





Toys R Us :

• Adventure Time fans will note that the small scale plush, even smaller scale PVC figure 2 packs and the role play Finn sword are now in stock at some locations. Oddly, at a larger TRU, they only had the swords in.
  
  
  
  
• FanBoy and Chum Chum toys have also hit with two to three full rows of action figures based on the TV show. Are people really going that crazy for this one?? I never hear anyone talking about it. I fear these toys may be joining the small display of Hero 108 toys that never move and look oh-so-lonely hanging there. Never heard of Hero 108? Neither did most people. Most notable was a small-ish (3 inches) scaled Manartica figure which is labeled as a Toys R Us exclusive, featuring translucent plastic. Very nice piece of a hysterically inventive cartoon superhero. These were released by Jazwares, who like to keep these things super secret so you don't know you can buy them. Note: Sarcasm.
  
  
• Star Wars figures were on sale for 6 and change, so I scored 3 army builders I either didn't know about or forgot were coming... Death Star Troopers!! I collect Star Wars figures to complete huge battle scenes so massive, they are completely realistic for the size of my apartment. One of these is the Endor Battle, for which I have a couple of chicken walkers (AT-ST for the hardcore), the shield bunker, a small gang of biker scouts, a cadre of rebel troops, an army of Stormtroopers and a horde of Ewoks. What people often forget is the Imperial Officers and those oddly-hatted Death Star Troopers who vacate the bunker when they think they've got the upper hand. Lucas/Hasbro doesn't release those dome headed folks very often, so they tend to be a little pricey more often than not. Imagine my surprise when I was able to walk into a store and buy three for 6 bucks a pop!! My Endor battle scene should be just about done now, barring the release of more Ewoks. You can never have enough furry, human eating teddy bears.
  
  
• Also scored a set of DC Universe Classics Series 17, the goal being to create the Collect and Connect Anti-Monitor, since I Have no desire for figures of heroes in a look they sported for 1 or 2 comics. Sadly, when assembled, this global threat isn't very large. I'm forced to remember the glory days when we assembled a Sentinel large enough to squash a 3 and 3 quarter inch figure under his heel. What happened to that sense of giving more bang for your buck? Did prices rise so steeply or is there just a more rigid bottom line demanded by the executives? Sad, sad times.
  
  
• Browsing the isles I spotted LEGO Mini Figures series 5. Tiny dots in the bottom of the package supposedly reveal who is inside these blind packaged figures available for a steep 4 dollars a pop, but it seemed this batch was already picked over. I'm only after the Dwarf, Gladiator and Lizard Man AKA Godzilla Actor this time around, so I'm not sweating the hunt.
  
  
• Eileen, compelled to find out what all the hubub around HALO Megabloks was all about, talked herself into two sets with a Banshee and some small vehicles. She also bought a single packed figure. She tells me her two Spartans are in a committed relationship and they ride their vehicle together, blasting the enemy. They seem happy.
  
  
• Also saw a fantastic display for DC Comics Imaginext sets with the Batcave, Joker's Lair, Green Lantern's ship, a crazy awesome Penguin vehicle and more. Snapped some pics of pieces I'd never seen before like a Joker and Two Face Van (from that issue when they started rival food truck companies) and a Bi-Plane for The Riddler. Seems fitting.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• I'll make a quick note about a re-mixed case of Marvel Universe that is making the rounds, including a Ms. Marvel retro short haired variant. Hasbro has been mixing variants into the new cases, so be on the lookout.
  
  

Walmart:

• Shock of all shocks, my tiny little Old Bridge Walmart got a shiny new case of G.I.Joe figures! I snapped up a Hazard-Viper, Cobra Viper and Sgt. Stalker (who just happened to be mis-named. Anyone want to trade?) If you collected Joes as a kid, these new figures will blow your mind. Every figure is packed with detail and so many accessories it appears they may explode out of the package. If Hasbro put this kind of attention into the Marvel Universe line, we'd be flipping out monthly.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• I once briefed you on the heinous act of "Toy Rape", where a wonderful individual buys a toy and replaces it with another they don't want or even a pile of junk resembling a figure before returning it for their money back. I've seen Cobra tank drivers in Wolverine packages, Jedi missing their cloak, arms and head and even a Jawa standing next to a bandoleer, staff and rifle where a droid should be. Recently, my locals have been silently expressing their displeasure with the price of the DC Universe Classics Crime Syndicate of Amerika buy replacing their favorites with random DCUC figures and making the return for full price. It seemed we've only had one set for some time now, so I'd imagine this swapping has happened twice! The first switcheroo dropped an extra Johnny Quick into the tray with a Metal Man replacing Power Ring. The second run swapped the second Johnny Quick for a dressed down Creeper and the Metal Man is now swapped with Jonah Hex. Maybe next week the set will be filled with Hello Kitties, Poly Pockets and a Weeble or two?! Madness.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Those who can't wait for the return of Marvel Legends keep their ear close to the ground for any new 6 inch Marvel figures. When 6 inch Iron Man toys hit the pegs with the painful price tag of $19.99, the collective moan was heard across the nerdy interwebs. If this was the price Marvel legends would be upon their return, most of us wouldn't be returning to collecting. Oddly, the same figures on Hasbrotoyshop.com are going for $10.99. It seems like every store since then has set their own price , but Walmart's new 13 dollar mark is the best we've seen so far.
  
  
• We don't say much about Ben 10 toys on this blog. Honestly, the designs are very kid friendly and so, I rarely have much that excites me in the line. Bandai realizes there are more than a few adult collectors that might want to dip into the Ben 10 world, so their rotocast "Hyperalien" figure line is just for you. What these pieces lack in super posability, they make up for in sculpting detail and paint applications. Check out Ultimate Swampfire, Four Arms V.2 and Ultimate Aggregor!
  
  
  
  

Gentle Giant Takes On Marvel Comics

The one thing you will never hear any collector say these days would be "WHERE can I find awesome Marvel Comics toys and collectibles??!!" Marvel seems to give out licenses as if they were GoGo Dancer flyers on a NY street corner. This being the case, a lot of junk gets made, so when we hear a favorite company of ours has thrown their hat in the ring, we cross our fingers and hope for a little something different.

"Gentle Giant Ltd. is proud to announce a new partnership with Marvel Entertainment! In our ongoing efforts to bring new and uniquely special pop culture products to market, GGLTD has recently licensed several new categories of collectibles. Look forward to seeing Mini-busts, Bookends, Desk Accessories, beautiful Bronze items, Life-size pieces and character Statues featuring detailed vehicles and much, much more.

Coming soon are Deadpool on his Motorbike, interchangeable bookends allowing you to choose which hero battles which! And an ongoing line of mini-busts featuring all your favorite heroes like The Hulk, The Thing, Spider-man, Wolverine and many more, plus offerings from the Thor, Captain America and Avengers films! Make mine MARVEL!"

Gentle Giant gives us a taste with images of their 7 inch tall Black Cat and Thor busts as well as the most awesome Deadpool statue you've ever seen. I'm going to assume there is some scale difference between Cat and Thor, as GG tends to do things properly. DRINK IT IN!!

Toy Fair 2011: Hasbro: Marvel Comics and Movie Toys

Quick Note! Some of this is going to read like the official press release, because I used it, but i peppered in all the info from the presentation and my jaded nerdy sarcasm, so I promise it won't make you snooze. Also, hit the links on the title of each section and dive into our Flickr pics for maximum eye candy exposure. Enjoy!

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) gives kids more ways than ever to re-enact the actions of their favorite Marvel Super Heroes with an extensive line of role play toys! MARVEL STUDIOS brings action and excitement to the theater with THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER and Hasbro brings the adventure, energy, and emotion from the films “to life” with a full array of toys that will immerse kids in the character experience. In addition, role-play toys in the IRON MAN and SPIDER-MAN lines will have kids powering up and web-slinging throughout the year.

Highlights from Hasbro’s 2011 Marvel line include:

Pre- Toy Fair 2011 Coverage: Hasbro Marvel

In 4 days we'll be hitting the Hasbro show room, so we thought with all the Marvel movie buzz going on, we'd show you some great toys set to hit any day now and in the near future. Last time, we covered the first wave of Thor movie toys. On tap this round are heaping doses of Captain America movie merch, MORE Iron Man action figures and the latest from the mighty Marvel Universe. Let's dive right in...

CAPTAIN AMERICA

Captain America 3.75" Figure Series 01 - May 2011

- Classic Update Captain America (Heavy Artillery) - In addition to being the world’s foremost hand-to-hand fighter, Captain America is also an expert in almost every weapon ever built. Against the heavy armor fielded by his enemies, only the most powerful weapons have an effect. Luckily, hand-held rocket launchers are this super soldier’s favorite weapons! Figure comes with launching missile and shield.

- Ultimates Captain America - Captain America never really left the war behind. Since the day he became America’s Super Soldier, he has done nothing but fight one battle after another. Revived in the modern day after 60 years in suspended animation, he saw evil once again rising in the world, and committed himself to battling it to the last. Figure comes with dual-blade shield.

- Winter Soldier - Critically injured and lost in the freezing North Atlantic, the former partner of Captain America was eventually discovered by a sinister and shadowy group of evil men. Brainwashed by them, he became the Winter Soldier, a dangerous and skilled assassin, feared around the world. Figure comes with snap-open jet pack and weapons.

- Battlefield (WWII) Captain America - Captain America is the ultimate soldier, created to inspire confidence in his allies and fear in his enemies. He is fearless in battle, charging headlong into the thickest part of a fight. Protected by his indestructible shield and fighting skills enhanced by a secret serum, he is the Allies' unstoppable secret weapon against the evil sweeping Europe. Figure comes with shield and weapons.




























Series 2

- Bucky Captain America
- Captain America Final Mission
- Captain Britain
- US Agent
- Crossbones





















Captain America Deluxe Figure Series 01

- Captain America with Glider/Jetpack (Avengers Assemble)
- Captain America with Parachute (Paratrooper Dive) - When his foes form a defensive barrier around their base, Captain America has no choice but to invade by air. Using his awesome parachute, he dives out of a speeding jet and crosses enemy lines with ease. No one can build a wall between Captain America and the pursuit of justice! Figure comes with working parachute, shield and weapon.


















Captain America Battle Vehicle Series 01 - Off Road Avenger

Captain America Cruisers Series 01 - Zoom N Go Power Charge Cycle - Race right into the heart of battle with this slick Captain America Power Charge Cycle vehicle. When the combat action is at its height, activate the pop-out weapons to tear through the opposing forces so the good guys can see their way to victory. If your enemies try to run, tear after them on this tough cycle!

Zoom N Go Trail Trooper ATV - Race right into the heart of battle with this slick Captain America Trail Trooper vehicle. When the combat action is at its height, activate the pop-out weapons to tear through the opposing forces so the good guys can see their way to victory. If your enemies try to run, tear after them on this tough cycle!












Captain America Movie 10-Inch Hero Action Figure

Super Shield Captain America - Team up with a mighty warrior and take on the forces of evil! Your electronic Super Shield Captain America figure is more that meets the eye—he can intimidate his enemies by saying heroic phrases like, “I’m Captain America!” and “Let’s go, troops!” Once they’re shaking in their boots, activate his glowing shield to show his foes that he means business! No villain is any match for you and your Super Shield Captain America figure!

Captain America Avengers Assemble Disc-Launching Shield - Built especially for the Allies’ own super soldier, this indestructible shield became a symbol of strength for people around the world. In the hands of Captain America, it is a powerful weapon. Now you’ve got the chance to wield the shield of the most skilled fighter in the world!

Make crime-fighting action “come alive” with this Disc Launching Shield. When enemies appear and it’s up to you to defeat them, wield your shield to protect yourself from their advances. Just when they think they’ve got you cornered, use your shield to launch your five discs up to 20 feet to take out their forces! With your power and this shield, there’s just no stopping you! Shield comes with 5 discs.

Captain America Avengers Assemble Hero Mask - Make super hero action “come alive” with this awesome Captain America Hero Mask. When villains rear their ugly heads and you’ve got to save the day, put on your mask to feel just like your favorite hero! With details that make this mask seem just like the real thing, you’ll want to wear it all the time — or until your evil enemies are defeated!
















Woops..we lied. We've got a couple more things from THOR!!

Thor 8" Hero Series 01 - Thor (The Mighty Avenger) with clear hammer or painted hammer - The mighty Thor has protected the divine realm of Asgard since the beginning of time. With his powerful hammer in hand, and his fellow warriors by his side, he is an invincible barrier between the city and its enemies. Even the very toughest opponents are no match for you and your Thor figure! When villains rear their ugly heads, engage them in hand-to-hand combat with your heroic fighter. His mighty muscles are only a hint of his massive strength. With that kind of power, you’re sure to win this fight!

Thor Deluxe Figure - Blaster Armor Thor





Just when you thought the pegs of Toys R Us would start clearing off for the metric ton of Cap and Thor toys, here come new IRON MAN MOVIE FIGURES!!! My Scalper rich area still hasn't even seen a decent amount of that last comic wave with Mandarin and Whiplash, or series 5 with the Stark Racing Armor, Munitions Armor, Mark V Stealth Armor or Hot Zone Armor figures (nor have they cleared out all the seemingly dead waves), but never the less, more is said to be on the way. 2011 Series 1 is set to include...

- Artillery Armor War Machine
- Exosphere Armor Iron Man
- Hammer Drone (Concept)
- Inferno Armor Iron Man
- Iron Man Mark V (New Version - Movie Series)
- Power Charge Armor War Machine
- Reactor Shift Iron Man (Mark IV to Mark VI)
- Shield Breaker Armor Iron Man
- Sonic Storm Armor Iron Man
- Storm Surge Armor Iron Man
- Subterranean Armor Iron Man




























Lastly we'll take a quick look at what's new in the MARVEL UNIVERSE. 2011 Series 2 includes...

- Apocalypse
- Cable
- First Appearance Wolverine
- Gladiator
- Jim lee Cyclops

Marvel Universe 2 packs shift over to Greatest Battles. Series 1 includes...

- Wolverine (Patch) VS Silver Samurai - Deadpool VS Taskmaster










































So what are we looking forward to seeing more of at Toy Fair? On our checklist is the Giant Size X-Men boxed set, super sized Frost Giant with Loki and that HUGE Sentinel...oh and MARVEL LEGENDS RETURNING!! Since this series is set to come back in 2012, we expect they will tease us with some figures at the big show, or at least a 2 pack or 3 for 2011. Speaking of 2 packs, please, for the love of God, do NOT pay scalper prices for the Deadpool/ Warpath 2 pack. Wait a while and these will be in abundance, like every other line has been. DO NOT FEED THE SCALPERS!!







Check out our FLICKR for more pics to tide you over until day 1 of Toy Fair 2011!