ToySECT - Action Figure and Toy Review - 010 Spider-Man - Toys R Us 2 pack Marvel Legends

Hello and welcome back! Thanks for checking out another ToySECT review of yet another Spider-Man (Toys R Us 2 pack Marvel Legends). Let me know if you're getting sick of seeing ol' webhead here, because apparently I own more action figures of him than I do Boba Fett. This version is the other half of the Toys R Us 2 pack with Mary Jane Watson (ToySECT 002) that was just recently released. Have you found one yet? Spidey has his first solo MCU movie premiering in one week, and I have a feeling we're going to see Spider-Man merchandise everywhere very soon. Two days ago I saw more of the Marvel Legends Spider-Man movie wave at Wal-Mart, and today I found most of the same wave at my local Target. So anyways, this version of Spider-Man is based off his new look in the comics. It's mostly the same as his old duds, with a few more angles and some "light 'em up" features. (No, the figure doesn't actually light up) I think it was smart of Marvel to keep the new outfit close to the original. If it's not broken, don't fix it. As much as I liked the black costume when they revealed it back in the first Secret Wars series, I missed the old red and blue suit a lot. Remember the one-shot with Wolverine where they went to Germany and Peter had to bug a costume shop owner for a costume so he could swing around town? That made me so happy to see him back in his classic look. (Until he, um, killed Wolverine's girlfriend at the end. That was kinda' harsh.) Ok, on with the show.

Woohoos!


What do you get with yet another Spidey this time? Well, it's a Peter Parker portrait of course! In addition to great articulation (as usual, thank you Hasbro) and three (!) sets of interchangeable hands, we finally get a good Peter Parker likeness. His range of motion is as good as the joints allow, so some cool poses can be achieved. The webs on his suit are painted on and not sculpted in, but they look clean and even. I've told myself I'm not going for all the various spider-suits, but this one is a good addition to the closet. (Still not getting Spider-UK or Cosmic Spider-Man)











D'ohs!

Not much to complain about here. His coloring is good. The paint apps were well applied. He stands up on his own. There is a hole in his back for a peg, so a display stand would have been nice, or even a web backpack. I guess this is an older Peter Parker, so fine, a web briefcase. I think they could have painted the "glowing effect" on his chest to be a little more noticeable, but I guess I'm glad they did it the way they did. I haven't seen any sets just hanging on the shelf, so you may have to resort to TRU's website to get yours.

What if...


Webs. That's all I'm going to say. We. Need. Webs. (and a Petey in street clothes)














Finish Him!


I'm pretty satisfied with the $40 I spent on Peter and MJ. This set seems to be a no-brainer and I hope you find one if you're looking. I still can't believe I got one as my luck with TRUs exclusives is pretty low, especially with Marvel Legends stuff. Get it for the Mary Jane, have fun with the Peter. 5 out of 5 glowing spiders here.

ToySECT - Action Figure and Toy Review - 009 Shocker - Marvel Legends

Today's ToySECT review is Hasbro's 6" Marvel Legends Shocker. He was released earlier this year in the Sandman Build-a-figure wave that featured other figures such as Black Suit Spider-Man, Green Goblin, and Jackal that may or may not still be in a store near you. Usually Shocker is a minor villain who gets his ass handed to him early on in the comic/show/video game that he's featured in. Rumor has it he will make an appearance in the new Spider-Man: Homecoming movie that will be out next week, probably still getting defeated early on in the film. Today is his lucky day, as this feature is all about him.

WooHoos!


What's so cool about Shocker here? He has the standard articulation you've come to expect from the Marvel Legends line, plus swivel calves. His "netting" paint apps are done really well. The two "shockwave" accessories are a nice bonus, even if they are recycled "magic thingys" from other figures. It's a decent figure, he's just a little hard to hype up. "Why did you buy him?" you may ask. Three reasons: 1- I needed a new villain for Spidey to fight. 2- I liked his eyes, one wide open, one squinty. 3- He was cheap! Target had this wave on sale for $12.49, and I wasn't planning on getting him, but who could blame me for that price. Remember when Spider-Man Classics came out from Toy Biz? Back then we thought $9.99 was insane for an action figure, but look at what we pay now.

D'ohs!


Shockey here doesn't really have anything wrong with him, he's just kind of there. I would have preferred other bad guys before him, like the Lizard, Mysterio, Dr. Octopus, or even Rocket Racer. (We haven't had a skateboard accessory in the line since the Wal-Mart Amazing Spider-Man 6" with Andrew Garfield head and backpack)   

What if...


I'm not the biggest fan of action features, but what if Shocker had some sort of wind up gimmick that made him, well, shock? Even an oversized backpack attachment (which I usually hate, Star Wars 5poa line) with a vibrating feature would have been ok, I guess. 

Finish Him!


As a toy, he's great for some background amusement. An articulated accessory for my Spider-Man to challenge on my desk. I always enjoyed the character as a minor villain, but if he wasn't on sale I can't say I would've dropped $20 on him. If you're a fan of classic Spider-Man foes and you have the cash, why not get him? (Or you just want to complete Sandman) 2.5 volts out of 5 for Mr. Vibrator here.

ToySECT - Action Figure and Toy Review - 008 Tusken Raider (Sand People) The Black Series 6"

And we're back! Here is the new Black Series 6" Tusken Raider (Sand People) action figure from Hasbro. This guy is enjoying two simultaneous releases, one in the 40th Anniversary Collection and the other in the Phase III Black Series (Red Box). But the question is, can you find one? This loose sample is from the Phase III (Red Box) version, because there is no way I'm opening my 40th Anniversary carded one. Solid case packs may be shipping to your favorite online retailer as we speak, but apparently both wave 1 and now wave 2 of the 40th Anniversary Collection are out of print. 

WooHoos! 

Like yesterday's review of Lando (ToySECT 007), this one took me back to JCPennys circa 1978 and their marvelous toy selection featuring mostly Star Wars. Like today, you didn't see the main characters hanging around on the pegs very long back then, but the secondary characters would be there long enough to make you drool. I guess they are all hard to find these days. I'm really excited about having ol' bug eyes here. The Tusken Raiders have always been one of my favorite designs to come out of the original trilogy. Great articulation and tons of weapon choices make this feel like $20 well spent. With a Gaderffii Stick with 3 different options and a rifle you could build a small army of these guys and have them all feel a little different. Once the 6" scale Landspeeder is released in September you can relive the time they beat the crap out of Luke and took his stereo. 

D'ohs!

Apparently they do travel in single files to hide their numbers. Good luck finding one in the wild. Online shopping has made it sometimes easier to obtain certain figures, but if you're like me and want to inspect the product before purchase, you're out of luck. The thrill of the hunt is gone, and just hope your purchase arrives on your doorstep with no crushed bubbles or sloppy paint apps. Some collectors report the goggles being crooked on their samples. I lucked out. My biggest complaint is the plastic skirt they gave him. No riding that Bantha we'll never get. They did the same thing with Ben Kenobi and the Emperor. Cloth skirts would have worked great on these figures THAT ALL SIT in some point in each of their
film appearances. The detailing looks great, put posing is limited. Also, the right ankle joint was stuck in place and I had to dip it in boiling water to loosen it up. How many times have you had a figure snap apart just after opening with no chance of return or replacement?


What If...

If Hasbro would go ahead and produce a 6" scale Bantha, would you buy it? I always wanted one as a kid, and when Kenner released it back in the 90's I bought it, but never took it out of the box. It seemed to display well with it's window packaging, and weirdly satisfied my desire to own one without ever "playing" with it. Like the First Order Tie Fighter, I love the idea of it, but where would I put one?

Finish Him!

Overall, this guy is fantastic! Buy 4 if you can. I'm glad Hasbro put him and the rest of the original crew out for the 40th anniversary. Let's hope we get the same treatment for Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, but with better distribution. 4 out of 5 Bantha tracks for our easily startled friend here. Maybe one day they'll return in greater numbers.

Let's do ART!

ToySECT - Action Figure and Toy Review - 007 Lando Calrissian The Black Series 6"

Would you join us for a little refreshment? Welcome again to ToySECT! Here we have the new Lando Calrissian Star Wars Black Series 6" action figure based on his appearance in The Empire Strikes Back.

"So, what do we have here" indeed! This entry in the Black Series 6" line is one of the newest offerings of our favorite swindler, and his first in this scale. Packed with a rebel blaster, cape, and a communication device, he's got a few surprises "up his sleeve" as well. Rumor has it he is being offered in solid case packs to ensure availability, but will you find him at a store near you? I found mine through ebay and paid just a little more than retail, but with gas prices today I believe it was worth it. The last time we were offered Lando in this outfit was the 3 3/4" 2004 Vintage Collection figure on a vintage style Empire Strikes Back card. As that scale seriously needs an updated version with better articulation, I think Hasbro did a pretty good job with our former owner of the Falcon here.

Woohoo!

When I received my eagerly awaited package from ebay and tore into the box, what I saw immediately brought me back to 1980 when I first found the original Kenner figure at my local Kroger grocery store. His sculpt is fantastic and it feels like they shrank Billy Dee Williams down to a pocket size drinking buddy. His cape hangs like it does in most of the movie, so he looks good just standing there. You also can get a few action poses with it on as well. He has all the articulation you'd expect from this line, so most of the poses you see on film are attainable. The real surprise here is his wrist do-hickey thing that he uses in the movie to wake Lobot up. I believe this is the first time we have gotten this detail in any of the Kenner/Hasbro offerings. Way to go team!

D'ohs!

And what's not to like? Well, just a few complaints. His mid torso joint is kind of an eyesore, and doesn't get the widest range of movement. (Like some of the other joints) It's a little challenging to get him the tap his wrist com exactly like he does in the movie. I don't know what they were thinking when they sculpted his, er, crotch, but it looks like a diaper. Hasbro has still to release some of the major players from ESB, so his interaction with other Black Series figures is limited to Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and some Stormtroopers. (If you're lucky and have the SDCC Fett with Han in Carbonite you got that scene too) Here's hoping for a Bespin Han and Leia in the pipeline to be released sooner rather than later. 

What If...

So I can't really think of what else they could have given this suave scoundrel here. A second portrait with his famous grin would have been cool. (I remember the Kenner version had a great smile) Maybe a Stormtrooper blaster, but you probably have a couple laying around anyway. 













Finish Him!

Besides a few sculpting issues, I think Hasbro did a pretty great job on their first 6" Lando. He looks good, and I'll assume he'll play well with others (once we get them). He took me back to my childhood and isn't that really why we are all here? Few modern toys have given me that sense of nostalgia and wonder, and this one did it remarkably. 4 out of 5 Colt 45s for Lando.

ToySECT - Action Figure and Toy Review - 006 Spider-Man: Homecoming Tech Suit - Marvel Legends

Oh! Hello! I didn't see you there. Welcome to ToySECT! Here we have the new Marvel Legends Spider-Man: Homecoming Tech Suit action figure based on his appearance in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Finally! I've been looking for this figure for what seems like months now. (Ok, maybe weeks) You would have thought that the Civil War 3 pack with Cap and IM would have been all that I needed to fill my needs for a MCU version of our favorite webhead, but this release is just different enough (to coin a phrase from one of my favorite toy bloggers) to make you mad. I always loved it when Spidey was drawn with his "web wings", and this guy finally has 'em. The last time we got any sort of version of this was with Toy Biz's first appearance Spider-Man with mesh webbing that attached to his neck, wrists, and waist with string. That one also had small eyes. 




Woohoo!

What's great here? We get an alternate masked head with different eyes, plus two sets of hands - one set of fists and another set of web shooting. Oh, and the web wings too! He has some great articulation going here. All the points you'd expect, including the extra shoulder movement you see on about every other release of our favorite web swinger. His silhouette is very realistic, and his costume is very detailed. The web outlines on his outfit are sculpted in, not just printed on. He's got some personality just standing there, but some fun poses are to be had with this one as well. Like Wonder Woman that was just reviewed, (ToySECT 004) I have a feeling fans are going to want a souvenir of the wall crawler once the film is out in theaters in a few weeks. At 2 per case, he should be relatively easy to find once the wave starts hitting.








D'ohs!


As much as I like this guy, he's not perfect. The web wings pictured on the back of the packaging are different that what we get in the box. The model shows webbing that extends down to his wrists and are attached by a web shooter cuff. This may have hindered articulation, but I bet they would stay on a hell of a lot better. The ones you get are smaller and only attach by a peg that inserts under his biceps. They don't really stay in their slots very well, and I can see these being lost very easily. The paint apps on my sample aren't the greatest I've seen on Marvel Legends, but it's pretty minor. His left elbow was a little stiff, but eventually started to bend. Still no wall crawling hands.

What If...

So if we want an unmasked portrait of Tom Holland we have to plop down the cash for the 2 pack with Iron Man. (Another repaint) I haven't decided yet if it's worth the extra dough for repaints of two figures I already own. At least give us a masked version with a wide and squinty eyes. Oh, and webbing. We need webbing.













Finish Him!

Now that I've added the latest Spider-Man to my collection, I'm all caught up for the foreseeable future. I'll see what the 2 pack is like once it shows up on the web (Ha! Get it? Ok, I'll shut up) or in stores but I'm guessing the $39.99 price tag (assuming it's the same as other 2 packs) will make it a little more difficult to pull the trigger just to add a Tom Holland head to my collection. I'm not sure what the rest of the year has in store for Hasbro's Marvel Legends line, but let's hope that some classic Spidey villains like Dr. Octopus, the Lizard, or Mysterio are in the pipeline. He's a fun toy, but I wish the web wing gimmick was a little more stable and that just a few more accessories would have made it into the box. 3 out of 5 Spider Signals for this guy.

ToySECT - Action Figure and Toy Review - 005 Darth Vader Black Series 40th Anniversary 6"

Hello and welcome back to another ToySECT! The Darth Vader Black Series 40th Anniversary 6" action figure is today's figure of review. 

Happy Father's Day to all Dads out there! I thought Vader would be appropriate for the holiday today, and this one does not disappoint. He comes in a "Early Bird" style box with a backdrop and display stand similar to the ones from 1978. Within the box, Vader is on a vintage style card like the other figures from this collection. So, if you a carded collector and want to display Pops here like the rest, just open the box and pull him out. My sample came from Target and was pulled from the back stockroom before he was put on the shelf. (Thanks to the DCPI #) This version has the red eyes that was later switched to more smokey grey. 

Woohoo!

So what we get here is essentially the third Vader released in the Black Series collection. The other two being based on appearances from The Return of the Jedi, This one takes us back to where it all started with his first appearance in Star Wars: A New Hope. (To us older folks, just "Star Wars") What makes him so special from other movie versions is just of couple of wardrobe decisions. First, his gloves are different from the other movies. They have a horizontal "tubing" pattern that run across the tops of his gloves. Next, his inner robe is placed over his sternum armor, as opposed to being worn under in the next two films. As is shown in this sample, he is also sporting red lenses in his helmet. I'm sure there are some coloring differences to his buttons and knobs on his control panel and belt as well, but I didn't look that up. Just go with it. We get all that sweet, sweet articulation we've come to expect from the Black Series and his range of motion on all the joints is top notch. What I've noticed on this latest version is that he has a great silhouette compared to the other Vaders. I believe the trick here is in his cape. It hangs on his form better than the last ones. We can achieve some great two-handed lightsaber wielding poses, as well as just standing around and force choking the usual subordinate. 




D'ohs!

There's really not much to dislike on Darthy-Warthy here, other than a $39.99 price tag on this set. This also makes him the easiest one to find in stores, as most collectors really only want to shell out $20 or so for a 6" figure. (Remember Spider-Man Classics at $9.99 each? Ah, the goog ol' days) All the other 40th Anniversary figures don't tend to hang around on the pegs for very long, and I'm sure he'll dry up soon as well. The only other thing I can think of that was even a slightest disappointment isn't on the figure itself, but rather on the card front. I remember the photo of the Kenner Vader having a purple lightsaber, but Hasbro changed that to the correct red color. I really wished they left it alone for sentimental value. They didn't Change Obi-Wan Kenobi's card from a yellow blade to blue, (Thank you!) so why change this one?






What If...

As with most of the Black Series figures, one thing I'd like to see is more accessories. Extra hands, maybe some restraining cuffs to use on other figures, small droids like Dr. Ball or a mouse droid or even a build-a-figure part. (We really need a Probe Droid in this scale please!) 

Finish Him!

I like how Lucasfilm made the Rogue One Vader design match A New Hope outfit, so I think it was a great move to get this version out sooner rather than later. If you see him out in the wild and you have the means, get him. Rumor has it that all 40th Anniversary figures will be rereleased in the box format, but I wouldn't hold my breath. We're still waiting on that Han in Carbonite from that SDCC set to show up somewhere. 40th Anniversary Darth Vader gets 5 out of 5 Father's Day Cards.

300th Boba Fett Re-box in Classic Kenner Format

ToySECT - Action Figure and Toy Review - 004 Wonder Woman - DC Universe

Hello and welcome back to ToySECT! The Wonder Woman DC Comics Multiverse 6" action figure is next on our list. 

This one is for my best friend Robyn. When she saw this newest DC movie she said she now knows how I feel after seeing Star Wars for the first time. I was like, three years old, and all I wanted was a real lightsaber (and a wookie best friend, a robot, a spaceship, oh, and Carrie Fisher) I was very impressed with the Wonder Woman movie myself. So much so that after seeing it I wanted to go out and find an action figure of Gal Gadot in all her miniature plastic glory. See, I'm old school in the sense that if I really liked the film, I want the toy(s) to go with it. (I'm looking at you Hasbro. Stupid no Hugh Jackman-Patrick Stewart-Daphne Keen action figure 3 pack for Logan that would have sold like mad) Anyways, I stumbled on the main version of our hero at a Toys R Us. She was the last one on the pegs as part of the movie line of 6" figures. The funny thing is that the same wave at Target did not include her in the assortment or in the listing on the back of the packaging. Weird, as you would think Mattel would want as many of these out there for purchase as possible. But what do I know, I'm just a grown up who never stopped going to the action figure isle of every store I've ever been in.

Woohoo!

Well it's pretty obvious that Warner Bros. didn't expect WW to be as big of a hit as it's turning out to be. The last DC movie I liked this much was Superman II with Christopher Reeves. Other than that, the Michael Keaton Batman's are decent, as are the first two Christian Bale ones, but they did't hit the mark like the first two Superman movies did for me. This new movie gets the WB back on track to great superhero films on the big screen. I guess I should start talking about the figure at hand. The sculpt is good with most of the articulation I want in a 6" action figure. It looks like Gal Gadot and that makes me happy. She comes with her shield, sword, and (non removable) lasso, as well as a shield for the Aries build-a-figure. The paint apps are well done and as a souvenir of a great film it scratches my itch. 






D'ohs!


While this is a decent toy I will admit there are a few disappointments. She does have all the points of articulation that I expect in this scale, but the range of movement on some of them are not as wide as I would've liked. Her wrists swivel, but do not bend. This would be crucial for some sword wielding poses. The ankles do not have the "rocker" style joints which allow for a wider stance. Also, her elbows won't bend to a 90 degree angle. so a signature pose of crossed forearms cannot be achieved. And, as with most characters with long hair, her head movement is limited. Her neck could be thinner as well. D'oh! indeed.









What If...

Wonder Woman has started something here. If DC and Warner up their game on this cinematic universe we're in for a treat. (Not my wallet, though) I would hope Mattel follows suit and puts just a little more into their offerings. Improve on some of the articulation issues and the fight with Marvel Legends is on. Would a playset or vehicle offering kill someone also? 

Finish Her!

I'm satisfied I was able to get her almost right after seeing the film. She (mostly) fits in with my other 6" figures and displays well enough. Maybe down the road I'll find a Batman and Superman that will win me over to keep her company. 3.5 lassos of truth out of 5 for this release. I have a feeling with the Justice League movie or even Wonder Woman 2 we'll see some of the improvements I'm hoping for implemented in the next version. 

ToySECT - Action Figure and Toy Review - 003 Emperor's Royal Guard - Star Wars Black Series

Hello and welcome back to ToySECT! Third time is the charm! Here's the new Star Wars Black Series 6" Emperor's Royal Guard action figure that was first introduced in 1983's The Return of the Jedi.

So, here's another of the Empire's faceless subjects. He must of done something right, if he worked his way up to what is basically the Secret Service. Let's give him a name, shall we? I'll call him Carl. Carl worked in Logistics. Carl was a go getter. Carl was the kind of guy who showed up 15 minutes early and stayed a half hour late on the job, skipping lunch to review his reports and what not. One day while going over the new construction project, Carl realizes he can save the company money by removing all the safety railings in the laser department. Bam! Carl is now on his way up the Imperial ladder. 


Woohoo!

What we could've gotten with 'ol Carl here is a helmet with a napkin and toothpick, but hasbro went the extra mile and gave our guy a nifty set of Rick James boots with some fancy paintball gear for all those company outings. These guys had it made. All they did in the movie was just stand there. With swivel and bend wrists and his new rockin' ankles, Carl is ready for some action! A holster for his little blaster is also a perk for his position, as the Empire doesn't allow pockets of any kind. He has to bring one of those clear backpacks with him to work so the check officers can make sure he's not taking the Imperial pen's or toilet paper home at night. 













D'ohs!

Workin' for man has it's downsides as well. Can you imagine just standing there for hours in a full set of armor with robes on top of that? The helmet doesn't even have breathe holes for cryin' out loud. Carl's down to a buck o' five after a few shifts of "sweating with the oldie" under his belt. No wonder his joints are all rubbery. He's not the easiest man to find either. Every time the boss has a meeting he and his co-worker Paul get sent out of the room. Now they're having a "talk" with the assistant manager and some kid wearing one glove. Probably just a dress code violation. What's the worst that can happen?





What If...


Well, we haven't seen much of Carl lately. After the company went under his position was gone and there's not many other emperor types who need a guardin' so to speak. Last I heard he was going back to school to finish up that Fine Art's degree. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of him yet. Maybe he'll show back up some day doing drawings on his computer or writing a blog about his action figure collection.

Finish Him!

I'm starting to dig this guy. He's kinda' the silent type but man is he colorful. Want to get him talking? Ask him about how it was like to work at Venture, or what was his favorite Benny Hill episode. I give him 4 out of 5 TPS reports. Just don't wait until the end of his shift on Friday to fire him.