CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

We're blowing out tons of Action Figures and Customs!!!

BRING A BUCKET!!!

Click the image below to go to the auction gallery!!!

Star Wars, Super Powers, DC Universe, Marvel Legends, Walking Dead, Dr Who, Play Arts...

We've got a a little bit of everything. With 150+ items currently listed, we're looking to take the tally to 400+ items this week or until our fingers fall off!!!

Ain't It Cool News: STAR WARS EPISODE VII's working title is...

STAR WARS EPISODE VII

THE ANCIENT FEAR

Source: Harry Knowles - Ain't It Cool News
Art: GeekSummit 

Hey folks, Harry here...  in response to my article earlier today a new source has come forward to confirm information that I've been sitting on for over a month.   As I've said - getting confirmation has been a bitch.  I know lots of people in JJ's camp - including JJ... but when I put the title to JJ... he never even responded.  That alone was suspicious.   But my original source had told me back in January that Abu Dhabi was a location, and when that came to be, he sent me a scoop that the title for STAR WARS EPISODE VII was THE ANCIENT FEAR.
I ran it by everyone in the editorial chatroom.  Beaks, Merrick, Quint, Capone... everyone...  and they rattled their sources cages - and couldn't get confirmation...  BUT tonight...  a source that I'm told to call Col. Mustard claimed completely on his own that "the working title" was THE ANCIENT FEAR....
He also stated that "it refers to Max Von Sydow's villain who makes Pazuzu look like a pussy!"

Star Wars Episode VII Cast Revealed!!!

 

A few hours ago in a country far far away...

Hey! We've got some official Star Wars: Episode VII casting news to share with you today! After all of the rumors, talk and speculation we now know who will be star in J.J. Abrams' highly anticipated film. So without future ado, here's the cast for Star Wars: Episode VII:
John Boyega (Attack the Block), Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver (Girls), Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), Andy Serkis (LOTR), Domhnall Gleeson (About Time), and Max von Sydow (The Exorsist) will join the original stars of the sci-fi fantasy saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.
The photo above features the Abrams surrounded by the cast, and this is what the director  had this to say in a statement:

"We are so excited to finally share the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VII.' It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."

We all knew the original cast would be back to reprise their roles, but it's so comforting to know that it's all set in stone. I can relax now. As for the new members of the cast… these are all great choices and fantastic actors. I seriously can't wait to finally see the story that the filmmakers are planning to tell come to life on the big screen!
The movie opens in theaters worldwide on December 18th, 2015.

Source: StarWars.com

Return of the Jedi BluRay Deleted Scene: Luke's Lightsaber Construction Faked?

So we've all seen this deleted scene by now from the BluRay release. Amongst the other scenes released from ROTJ this one seems the most obscurely… odd.  Don't I remember at some point Mark Hamill saying he NEVER remembers filming this section only to later say in front of Celebration V that (to paraphrase) "After talking to George… Yes I do vaguely DO remember shooting this… but vaguely".

Now I know that Mark Hamill is as much a fanboy as the rest of us and not likely to forget such details such as SHOOTING A MOVIE… and I wondered for some time here and there when I've seen this clip… is this Mark Hamill or is it just somebody with a cleft chin and otherwise Mark Hamill like features filling in for a Never Before Seen BluRay exclusive minute and a half of Return of the the Jedi… You know the kind that sells millions of copies selling you the same 6 movies you've been watching for 30 years now with 5% more content tucked inbetween the same 30% of bonus content you'e also been watching for the last 15 years… that kinda stuff….

Anyway, so I wonder why an actor with such a face and presence would have had such a minute entrance to this third act when he later makes such a sneaky entrance at Jabba's palace which seems to be much more mysterious and dramatic… a real hero's entrance. It just kinda displaces this clip which… ok, I totally understand why it would be deleted.

What if this was completely fabricated? What if this never happened in 1981,2, or 3? What if we were given this clip now 30 years later as a simple ploy to sell more copies of Star Wars… Now with BluRays? Where do you get a Mark Hamill doppleganger in 2013? Use a rubber mask made from a life cast? Any old fool with a cleft chin and a nose?

That was a simple enough conspiracy to cook up if it were a conspiracy and I never gave it too much more thought until this weekend when I saw Captain America: The Winter Soldier. 

Once the Winter Soldier was revealed to us completely… I was awestruck… Who is this dude? I know he's the same guy to played Bucky in the first Captain America movie, but we never really saw any intensity from this guy. Then I when the real battle took place in the last quarter of the movie it was an all out audition for a part in Star Wars Episode VII… This guy was Mark Hamill 1980 incarnate. Every slash and punch from this guy wrought this Bespin Duel/Emperor's Throne Room grimace from this guy and I was totally bought into this guy as an action star out of pure synthesized familiarity. He even has that uneven cleft chin thing going... Weird... Where was this guy for Episode II & III?

So I started thinking, "Man, this Sebastian Stan guy… He can't be flying under the radar so that no one from Lucasfilm has noticed the glaring likeness he bares… Oh yeah Marvel>Disney>StarWars… Oh yeah… wait a second… this guy COULD TOTALLY PLAY LUKE SKYWALKER."  Maybe even Luuke Skywalker for you ultra-fanboys...

Could Sebastian Stan have possibly been a "Stand-Chin" for an aged Mark Hamill in a "NEW" bonus clip for the 30th Anniversary re-release of ROTJ no less on BluRay? I don't know… but I did manage to assemble these animated Gifs using unaltered photos and screenshots from the clip in question.

So what do you guys think? Is this a total fanboy conspiracy cooked up in my head or does this seem possible? I'm asking questions here so please don't misunderstand that I think I am  correct beyond all doubt. Let me hear from you in the comment section. Trolls will be walked to the door.

May the 4th Be Kinda Awesome...

Kicking things off on May 4th, Disney will be offering new exclusive Disney Store merchandise nationwide. Coolest of which is this first set of possibly 12" figures with lights and sounds.

 

Han Solo, DarthVader, Imperial Stormtrooper, and X-Wing Luke are among the first of these that we are aware of. What's really exciting is the fact that no one has mentioned these until now, a mere 2 weeks from the release. 

Previously unlisted is also a Chewbacca figure seen in the lineup below:

Also soon to badded to the mix will be everybody's favorite nasty, Boba Fett as seen in his prototype form.

at $29.99 each with light sound interactivity and articulation more akin to the more recent 3.75" vintage collection these look to be a cool piece for the MANtle. Especially the Stormtooper... Anytime a Stormtrooper is involved you can count me in. Ooooh wait... Luke and Han as well? I smell custom figures on the way… damn you  DisneyStarWars... got me again. It looks like this is building to become a rather complete line of its own very soon…

There are many more items to be released for they're May the 4th event but I'm not as interested in those because they don't appeal to my inner Plastic Gangsta.

SDCC 2014 | Star Wars Black Series Wave 4 and Beyond

Another year has gone by and this summer is quick approaching. With exciting news of deluxe sets in the Star Wars Black Series revealed at ToyFair what else can we expect to see revealed this year?

So far we have seen pictures of Biker Scout, Jabba the Hutt, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Jedi Luke & Ep III Anakin Skywalker...

For the most part fans have been pleased with the character selection. Though the toy isles have cast their vote as well showing that Prequel characters will be the hardest sell, I think that once we have a more balanced and intuitive scheme in the works those prequel figures will be in higher demand. Episode II Anakin in itself could raise demand for Episode III Kenobi... but where are my Ep I Obi Wan Kenobi and Qui Gonn?

Similar sentiments can be felt towards the "no brainer" figures. With most releases to date being Episode IV  heavy and now ROTJ starting to take the lead, where are our main characters hanging out while they wait to be incarnated (inpolymered) for our enjoyment?

 What does the future hold? We'll just have to see. In the meantime I choose to use my imagination. It seems like the most likely news we should see from SDCC this year would be the release of the galaxy's favorite farmboy; Ep IV Luke Skywalker in his Tatooine garb. Complete with his Lightsaber, Droid Caller molded to 1 of 2 Optional Belts, and Stormtrooper blaster.

And what about figure bases? Should figures of this caliber not have a good leg to stand on? While these figures are built with incomparable sculpt quality, amazingly detailed accessories, rotating ankles for stabilty amongst other superior articulation, all inside of a sleek dynamite packaging scheme... no bases? at a $20 price point are we not worth this simplest of accessories?

I think that once things get rolling as we have seen with Hasbro's Marvel Legends line trends like this may come and go while the line itself stays onward with their figure quality. But like I say in the meantime, lets use our imagination.

This figure was built using all BS6 parts from the first 3 waves. It took 3 figures to lend the parts to this piece and in the end it looks great. With a little slicing and sculpting and texture copying I have come about this result bringing my total Luke Skywalker figure count to 5.

I also have created a Jedi Luke from the first act of ROTJ using a Darth Maul and Han Solo body as well as a Stormtrooper Luke and Han from obvious figure choices. This line has as much to offer as the 3.75" forerunner has in the past and I look forward to seeing where things go. The roadmap is pretty predictable as this is not a new part of town, we're just getting a different perspective on the place.

GeekSummit's Star Wars BLOWOUT!!!

Just in time to fill in your new Black Series Collection, GeekSummit is clearing out Star Wars VOTC and Movie Heroes Click the image below to go to the listings page!!!

Most Star Wars figures start @ $7.99 with Custom figures starting at $9.99. Get in early and bid high!!

Be sure and check out the large selection of DC Collectibles as well. Most figures starting at $14.99

AND don't forget the S.L.U.G. Zombies (Series 1 & 2) starting at $2.99

Current auctions run through Sept, 8 2013.

 

Star Wars Black Series

Custom 6" Stormtrooper

I simply couldn't wait for Series 3 to come around in retail near Christmas, but picking this guy up last Thursday was a huge treat right off my wishlist!! I immediately took him out of the box and examined him in his stock glory with his multiple blasters and backpack and filthy weathered paint and within minutes I was on the road to pruning this guy down to basics...

 The Standard Bright White Stormtrooper

Ever since I was a kid the Stormtrooper was the one action figure that always stood out... Maybe simply out of contrast to all the other brightly colored toys of the day? Maybe because anytime there is more than one there is an army? Maybe because they are the coolest looking Star Wars character of all characters? All of these are right... My heart has never led me wrong.

To rekindle that old flame for my favorite plastic counterpart in his new format, I picked up a Sandtrooper at Target for $19.99 and brought him home immediately to wash away the filth of his off base outpost.

Don't get me wrong... Sandtroopers are troopers too but you really just can't beat a bright white stormtrooper. Unless you're Luke Skywalker & Han Solo in Stormtrooper disguise... then technically you can mop up a whole space station full of 'em... I make that one concession.

GeekSummit's DC UNIVERSE BLOWOUT!!!!

Well, its summertime, things to do and places to see. I've been wanting to thin out my DC Universe collection for a while and this week I'm doing it!!! Up to 150 figures are on sale now running through June 3, 2013. Click the image below to go to the listings page!!!

Most figures start @ $12.99 with C&C figures starting at $29.99. Get in early and bid high!!!

And don't forget to peruse the flat rate grab bags!!! If it fits... it Splits!!!

Star Wars Black Series | SDCC Exclusive Boba Fett and Han Solo in Carbonite

Boba Fett is coming to San Diego Comic-Con in July, and he's bringing a friend.

One of the collectible toys that Hasbro will have available exclusively at the pop-culture event this year is a detailed 6-inch Boba Fett action figure from the new Star Wars Black Series. What's even better is that he comes packaged with two weapons, his iconic jet pack and the ultimate accessory: Han Solo frozen in carbonite.

Kids of all ages can relive the moments in the Cloud City of Bespin during The Empire Strikes Back where Boba Fett hauls off his prey, or the scenes in Return of the Jedi where the iconic bounty hunter has taken Solo to Jabba the Hutt's palace on Tattooine.

 

 The special-edition set is priced at $44.99 and will be sold at the Hasbro booth at the San Diego Convention Center July 18-21.

The first wave of four Black Series figures, due out in early to mid-August, includes Luke Skywalker in his X-Wing Fighter flight suit, fan-favorite droid R2-D2, Sith lord Darth Maul and an Imperial Sandtrooper.

If you don't want to wait that long to get Star Wars stuff, in honor of Star Wars Day/May the Fourth on Saturday fans can use the promo code "SWFANDAY" to get 20% off Star Wars and Angry Birds Star Wars toys online at HasbroToyShop.com."

SOURCE: ToyArk.com

But I think we ALL remember that it was ThreeA toys suggestive entry a few years back. I would think Google was aglow shortly after the first few shots arrived detailing fully articulated 6 inch incarnations of any true Star Wars fan's favorite 2 armored baddies complete with scaled vintage packaging. Definitely Hasbro had taken notice of that interest. Regardless of who produces my first 6 inch Stormtrooper... Thank You and May the Force Be With You...

 

Star Wars | New Vintage 12" Stormtrooper Bootlegs Emerge

Crazy Toys Brings us a NEW 12" Vintage Stormtrooper

Well, let me start by saying that even though these are (bootlegs-knock-offs-reproductions-fakes) not official vintage Star Wars merchandise, to myself the Star Wars (and especially Stormtrooper) fan these are one of the greatest things I've ever seen. Though it could be seen as offensive on both Vintage and Gentle Giant's Star Wars efforts, I welcome ANY well done incarnation of simply my favorite toy EVER... In childhood... fist full of '77 stormtroopers... In adolesence... fist fulls of '95 Froot Loops Han Solo Stormtoroopers... In adulthood... Way too many stormtroopers for a grown man. And now? It has come to this... Basically a matched effort of Gentle Giant's 12" line. I do not have one in hand... (yet) but minus the dookie packaging job (once again) these almost seem to be more authentic looking than GG's figure. Sadly they may just be direct copies. @ half the price.

With the release of the Gentle Giant's 12" line my interest was peaked in a neighborly way but I say let folks reboot their collection with an entire array of 12" vinyl figures @ $100 a pop, but not me sir... not in this house... not tonight!!! Though I debated for months on tracking down a 12" trooper to call my own I just couldn't get past the fact that these were just blow mold/rotocast heavy vinyl Hamilton Gifts quality 12" figures... for $100? I'm essentially paying for the fact that shipping and the size of these things prevent them from being able to have a retail presence with these pieces. It's enough to make me seek a reasonably priced substitute... for me there is Crazy Toys out of China/Hong Kong. Most likely under an illegitimate contract to produce these figures much like the now repackaged 3.75" figures, now making their second rounds on the interweb, will be debated ONCE AGAIN as abominations to vintage collecting.

 

This time around the packaging is very plain but different enough in format to be a little more "classy". Its a plain black design featuring photos of the figure itself (or its original moldsake) with the figures blister packed on a fold over resealable plastic case fitted to its carboard backer. If I had to guess... the backside of this is either plain brown paper or just more repeated photography with no mention of trademarks or copyrights or anything like that. But anyway back to the footlong model...

As you can see the figure is a pretty faithful DoppleTrooper to the 3.75" figure as well as the Gentle Giant 2-ups. It could even possibly be sourced from an original 2-up. That would make this a pretty authentic step figure to the vintage figures. I don't think it is a direct copy of the Gentle Giant figures though because they (Gentle Giant) seem to me to be less detailed as a casualty of their process where as this one seems to be a very sharp direct cast and copy of an authentic production figure. Regardless of its origins or deceitful existence though, I will be excited to have one of these on my shelf.

I think these shots featuring the Gentle Giant artwork behind is possibly more of a bait a switch tactic photographically to draw the eye in. I doubt we will see much color inside or in back of the packaging on these. It comes in a plain window box (with no plastic) with its badly photoshopped Star Wars logo dropped at the bottom (I hate Bevel and Emboss).

But the nice thing about this figure (initially) is that there is no way to confuse it with a legitimate vintage product. But then we go back to Gentle Giant legitimately having the license to produce their work as is now being subverted by Crazy Toys... and doing a damn fine job of it.

Either way... hate if you must... I'm getting one.

Custom Lightsaber Hilts from Childhood Archives

I was going through some stuff from my parents' attic and ran across a rolled up paper grocery sack full of these old guys. They were probably made 20 years ago. I guess I was about 12-14 when I did these using the Star Wars Technical Journals back in the 90's. They were made using PVC pipe, window hardware, bicycle parts and random junk parts. These 3 were some of the later versions. The rest of the bag seemed like desperate attempts to really stretch and experiment with materials.. I think one is even made with a length of diesel hose. I'll have to round up the rest for being adorably ugly.

 

This one is the pride of the find though for sure. It was my Luke Skywalker (Anakin) saber from ANH and ESB. The box on the side is made with a bicycle break pad (switched out for the cleaner one in the final picture. The grips are just sliced plumbing insulation. Sliced off a dowel to fill the bottom end and attached a small D-Ring with woodscrews. 

I remember when I made these that the trick for these buttons on the bottom had an AWESOME effect I had a screw cap with a gripped edge pinning a dimensional washer conforming it to the pipe's shape. This gave an AWESOME mirrored effect on the inside of the washer that I really remember being very proud of, but unfortunately the dulled silver paint now just kinda sits there and doesnt really pop anymore.

With the cleaner clearer bicycle break pad added.

The rest of the sad sack… good enough for parts… thats about it though.