S.H. Figuarts Goku

Dragon Ball toy figures have been around for a long-time, however I never bought any because the quality was never anything impressive.  Most of the time they were simple looking figures with not much articulation.  Thankfully that all changed when Bandai came out with their S.H. Figuarts Dragon Ball Z toyline.  Since then the line is the premier toy line for Dragon Ball figures.  The figures are highly detailed and are highly articulated making them perfect for posing in many ways.

The first version I bought was this basic version of Goku, or Son Goku (2014 version).  He comes in his iconic orange and blue uniform, minus the Turtle school patches (which I didn’t notice were absent until later).  You also get various accessories such as different hands, faces and a kamehameha ball.  While I view S.H. Figuarts as toys, I would also suggest they shouldn't be heavily played with (because they are fragile); rather they are best used to decorate a desk or shelf and to pose and take pictures with only.  Either way I’m sure you'll enjoy collecting them (at retail prices).

Goku Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goku

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_BuA1rDaRE

Batman Toy Biz 1989 Action Figure

This Batman toy figure came out the same year the 1989 movie Batman by Tim Burton was released.  While it is part of the movie toy line, it’s funny how even back then you didn’t get a large variety of figures and playsets for a movie.  The company that made the toy line was Toy Biz, who actually made other DC Comics figures as well.  My favorite of course was this version of Batman.  Besides TMNT’s this was probably one of my most played-with toys as a kid back in 1989/1990.  From what I’ve read online a few years ago, there are actually a couple variations of the head sculpt.

The cool features from this toy are the accessories such as the Batrope, speargun, and Batarang.  The retractable Batrope or Batman's utility belt as it’s most commonly known, in particular was what I liked the most and was something I constantly broke from overuse as a kid.  Thankfully I was able to find this mint condition toy a few years ago for cheap.  While it’s not the most popular toy to collect, it’s very special to me and it’s one of my most prized toys from my collection.

Batman (1989 film):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_(1989_film)

Toy Biz Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_Biz

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdyyHc-4Iy0

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Toy

The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller is one of my favorite comic book series.  Before I read it I actually assumed comic books were boring and slow paced.  Although to be honest, I never read the series in comic book form, but rather as a graphic novel.  The graphic novel allowed me to read the whole story in its entirety without interruptions.  Trust me this is a story you will want to pay attention to and follow completely.  The story is entertaining, mature, violent, and very intelligent.

As with most popular comics, DC comics had released a toy line of the Dark Knights Returns.  The collector set included Batman and the Joker.  However I never knew it came out until much later, so I never had a chance to buy it.  By the time I knew about it, it was sold out and resellers where selling it for much more.  Thankfully this year Mattel decided to release a new version of Batman from the Dark Knight Returns that would be sold in regular toy and comic stores.

This version of Batman uses the same mold as other Matty Collector figures from the Masters of the Universe line.  This actually works out great because the mold is faithful to what the comic book drawings looked like.  The paint is neat and clean, though the figure does lack intricate details.  The cape is made out of plastic, which I prefer over a fabric.  This feature does limit articulation, however this isn’t a problem for me because I plan on displaying him as a shelf figure.  My only complaint about this toy is the lack of accessories (just one batarang is included), but other than that this is a Batman figure that I’m proud to own.

Matty Collector:

http://www.mattycollector.com

Wiki link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_Returns

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMITN8WNygQ

G.I. Joe Hazard-Viper

G.I. Joe is one of those shows that I have problems with remembering.  It started airing in the mid 80’s, yet as a kid I felt it was too confusing for me, so I never watched it.  I did own the toys though.  Those early 3 3⁄4 Joe figures were pretty fun to play with, but mine always broke in half; thanks to the rubber band drying and cracking.  Later on I believe they were made without the rubber band, and the figures became more colorful.

Now that I’m older and I like to collect 80’s toys, I knew G.I. Joe had a place in my collection (even though I don’t remember the TV show).  The first Joe figure I bought was one of Duke, which came in a vintage style.  Of course, I’m a mint on card collector, so I never opened him.  However, while in a department store one day, I noticed they had some modern Joe figures on sale, so I decided to buy one.

I bought a figure called Hazard-Viper, who is a Cobra villain and a toxin specialist.  What was most appealing about this toy was all the accessories the figure came with.  Gas canisters, guns, flame thrower, gas tubes, vest, gas mask, brief case, and even a figure stand.  I’m a sucker for toy accessories, so I was very pleased with this purchase.   Thanks to this figure I am now a renewed Joe fan, and now plan on collecting more of this toy line.

G.I. Joe:

www.GIjoe.com

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p-r1RTeaBo

Street Fighter IV NECA Action Figures

There aren’t that many fighting games that I like, but I do love Street Fighter.  It’s one of those iconic games that everyone played.  Back in grade school during lunch I would go with my friends to the local arcade and play some Street Fighter.  I would mostly use Ryu because I loved all his attacks, especially his Hadouken.  I really sucked and would lose a lot, but I just enjoyed hanging out with my friends and watching all the cool battles between them.

In 2009, NECA released their line of Street Fighter action figures based off of the popular video game Street Fighter IV.  I was excited for this toy series and bought the amazing fighting duo of Ryu and Ken.  The toys released in many places such as Toys R Us, but I bought mine from a local comic shop for around $20 each.  They come packaged in a clamshell so it’s easy to see the complete figure, allowing mint in box collectors the chance to display them proudly.  The art on the packaging is also nice, and even includes a character description.  Like, did you know, Ken hates spiders? LOL.

The figures are very impressive, they come with 35 points of articulation and an extra pair of hands, allowing collectors to display them in various poses.  The style the action figures take are from the video game by incorporating a watercolour effect.  Though the only drawback to this watercolour effect is that paint does run-over, so finding a flawless figure can take a few tries.  Other than that these figures are amazing and NECA did an excellent job with this line.

Street Fighter:

http://www.streetfighter.com

NECA:

http://necaonline.com

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm8YLraj9sw

Superman

If there is one toy series from the 80’s that I think really lacks the nostalgia fan base appreciation today, it is the Kenner toy line of Super Powers Collection.  This to me was one of those ultimate toys that every kid had to have.  They came in these really bright colors that made them very eye catching.  I guess you can say that’s where my infatuation with something as simple as colors on toys or sneakers first developed.  Another benefit to the toy line was that they were very affordable.  I don’t remember the prices, but I do remember my parents buying me a ton of these figures.

The figure that I loved the most from the series was the Superman version. Unfortunately just like this Kenner toy line, Superman has had a very underappreciated following.  I guess it’s because DC has been investing more in their Batman series, with toys and movies.  Speaking of movies, the last great Superman film was back in 1987 with Superman IV.  I am hopeful that the new Superman movie (Man of Steel) will bring back the popularity of Superman.  Plus it will feature Amy Adams, as Lois Lane.

For now though, I am delighted that at a recent toy convention I was able to pick-up a Superman figure.  This toy really brings me back to when I was a little kid and I would play with him for hours (now I just stare at him for hours, lol).  Other figures I owned were the Green Lantern, Aquaman (yuck), Martian Manhunter, and the Flash.  I have been very hesitant to buy this toy again because I knew that as soon as I bought one, I would want to buy more and more.  But honestly, I’m glad that I picked him up (for $2.50) and now plan on collecting more figures.

Super Powers Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Powers_Collection

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlE_hs4sTwY

He-Con and the 80s Toy Expo

I finally made it out to another toy expo after a few years absent.  This year’s expo was called He-Con and was part of the Canadian 80’s Toy Expo.  I usually am unable to go to one because they are either too far away or I am busy doing other things.  This year though, the Expo was held close to where I live and while I was also busy, I still made time to go.  This Expo happened on Sunday, April 1^st, 2012 and was held at the Sheraton Parkway hotel.

Unfortunately I arrived a few hours late, and I had to go through the whole place in a hurry.  I brought my camera as well because I wanted to film my excursion.  The link to the video is below in case you would like to see it.  I wanted to make it seem (the video) like anyone that hasn’t been to a show, would get a pretty good impression on what it’s like to go to one.  I didn’t do a lot of editing because my battery was dying as well, so what I showed was basically what I filmed.  If not for the battery I would have shown more toys, and cool things.

Some of the highlights of this Expo were that I was able to buy a Superman toy from the mid 80’s that I used to own.  I saw some really great art work from Matt Moylan, who does lil’ formers.  I was also able to meet a lot of friendly toy dealers and convention followers and have great conversations with them.  So F.Y.I., in case you can’t find any friends to go with for the next convention, going by yourself is still guaranteed a good time.

He-Con and the 80s Toy Expo:

http://www.he-con.ca

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGIrTeb3YrY