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

World of Nintendo Metroid Samus

Straight out of planet Zebes comes Samus Aran a bounty hunter set on destroying Mertroids.  This toy version of Samus was made by Jakks Pacific and is part of series 1-2 from their World of Nintendo toy line.  This release also includes Samus in morph ball form as an accessory (the first print of this toy had it as a mystery box).

The quality of this toy is very impressive when compared to the price (around $12 Canadian).  It comes with multiple articulation points, although it is limited in the shoulders.  That’s not an issue for me though because I just want to be able to pose her while standing, which is easy.  And while the paint colorway may make it seem basic, it’s actually quite detailed with multiple colors spread throughout; even the morph ball is well painted.  I am very impressed by this figure, and it helps me build up hype for Metroid games and upcoming releases.

Metroid Wiki:

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

Jakks Pacific:

www.jakks.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk-g_HarcWY

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

Red Dead Redemption 2: Predictions

Here are my predictions for Red Dead Redemption 2.  As we all know Arthur Morgan is the new protagonist and the story takes place 12 years prior to the first game, Red Dead Redemption.  I found that odd at first, so it made me question why Rockstar Games would do that.  This caused me to come up with several storylines for RDR2.  In my story; Dutch van der Linde is the leader of the gang and as such starts off as a man who cares about every member of his gang.  His member’s follow him because they feel he’s doing good despite their wicked ways; just like Robin Hood.  Unfortunately this lifestyle eventually catches up to them, and the Bureau of Investigation starts chasing after the gang threatening their outlaw ways.  Dutch then suggests the gang should do one last bank heist and retire.  The gang is reluctant at first for fear of their wanted levels, but eventually concedes.  Arthur however finds out that Dutch is planning on stealing all the bank money and leaving his gang behind.  By the time Arthur is privy to this information it is too late, because the gang is off to the bank heist.  Arthur then races to save his friends, but again he is too late because most of them have died or have been captured (John Marston).  Arthur then decides to go after Dutch.  This leads to a grand shootout between Arthur and Dutch.  In the end Dutch escapes Arthur, but Arthur is left with all the bank money.  The game then goes into the future a few years later (Spoiler alert for first RDR) and we see Arthur is at the grave sight of John and Abigail Marston.  He just read in the newspaper of their deaths and is here to help raise/guide Jack Marston.  Jack eventually avenges his father’s killer, but must now travel to New York City or Washington to kill more BOI agents; this leads to Red Dead Redemption 3.  Can you imagine travelling to New York City in the 1920’s?  Jazz, the Babe, Harlem, mob shootouts, prohibition and a zeppelin floating over the NYC skyline.

Red Dead Redemption 2:

https://www.rockstargames.com/reddeadredemption2