Black Panther Teaser Trailer

What would really be more impressive than this trailer is if they somehow managed to make Klaw look badass and intimidating. 

I'm already impressed and excited though.

Marvel Legends BAF: Onslaught

(Kitty Pryde), Whirlwind, Mockingbird, Taskmaster, Scourge, Cottonmouth, Captain America, Agent 13

This is going to be a BAF review that definitely stands out compared to my other ones. First and foremost, I did NOT get the wave as a whole; I bought the completed BAF through Ebay and the ONLY figure that I purchased was another figure from another wave that just happens to carry the alternate(original) head of Onslaught, which is Kitty Pryde from the Juggernaut BAF(which I did not and am not planning on completing). So this review will more or less be a figure focused review, but I will touch base on the notion as to why I didn't go ahead and finish (Red) Onslaught by buying every figure.

So this BAF was not exactly the Onslaught I was introduced to way back in Marvel's X-Men days. This BAF is actually the newest form of Onslaught known as "Red Onslaught". Basically, Red Skull managed to use the Onslaught powers and.... there we have it. The thing is, Onslaught is dominantly red and instead of getting a newer version of Onslaught's armor, he just replaces the cool "Magneto" helmet with his Red Skull face.

I don't read comic books anymore to get a grasp of how good that storyline was (which turned into Axis), but I will say that Red Onslaught does not interest me. Basically, just like that Captain America from the Trio Pack, I will be shelving the idea of Red Onslaught; or at least his variant head. Just to give the Red Skull head a quick review, it looks pretty detailed; it looks like Red Skull. But I only took two photos of it. So this review will go on as just "Onslaught".

Right off the get go, we can see that this is definitely a vibrant looking figure. I mean, Onslaught was pretty colorful with the Magneto colors, but the color palette on this figure is really animated. And as always, aside from the Red Skull alternate head, Onslaught comes with NO paint details, no shadowing, nothing to signify some kind of attention to detail to make him look slightly less cartoony. The plastic used is shiny, and it does serve its purpose to make him look like the Onslaught that I remember from the major crossover of Marvel in those days.

As for his sculpt, there is plenty to like. Right off the get go, this is a unique mold, and perhaps no one else will use it; I can see Hasbro recycle some pieces, but for the most part, it is for Onslaught to own. Every rivets, every cracks, design, armor details... this is Onslaught, and it looks awesome. He does look menacing, but as I mentioned earlier, the cartoony coloring does take some of it away... but it stays faithful to his first comic book appearances, for the most part.

Now to compare him with another BAF I just recently reviewed, Dormamu. He is pretty much in scale with the recent BAF addition in my collection. He towers a standard 6 inch, but he isn't gargantuan like BAF of days passed. He is a bit bulkier so I suppose that's something. But just to get right on to another comparison:

People complained that Toybiz's Onslaught BAF from way back when was too small and had 'fragile', rubbery material... Putting the new and the old together and... My verdict is on the original Toybiz Onslaught BAF and there are several reasons: DETAILS. The Toybiz Onslaught has way more attention to details, paint articulation, nooks and crevices, and much more darker theme; he looks menacing in a 'realistic' way, if that makes sense. In terms of size, they are just about the same size wth Toybiz Onslaught slightly taller if legs are fully extended. Lastly, Toybiz Onslaught as a set was a bit more 'special themed'; as in it was all villains and it wasn't a bad set either.

Now this is Onslaught's biggest downfall: his articulation. For some reason, despite him having some standard and expected range of movements, Onslaught fails to deliver a lot of dynamic poses that are convincing. I'm not quite sure how to put it, but I will lean on the notion that he just needs some kind of special effects. His whole "behold my mighty hand" phrase does not quite flare up with just him just being vanilla. The stands I have are also unable to hold his weight so no flying poses there. Without alternate hands or anything of the sort, I feel as if there are only 'standing' poses I can accomplish easily.

Really, I think adding some special effects on him is something that would have amped him up. I think Hasbro needs to really start getting into that department.

Seriously, behold his mighty hand because it's just about what you are going to be seeing. Less intimidating though without that special affect. As for the Set grading:

I didn't exactly purchase the set and I only have one figure who is an OPTIONAL figure from another wave. But IF I would have bought the set and judging from what I have seen...

(Would have been)My Favorite: Scourge OR Mockingbird
(Would have been) My least favorite figure: Cottonmouth

Obviously I can't give the set a proper grade BUT since it didn't convince me to BUY it, it's a little bit below mediocre for me. A couple of figures I want like Mockingbird, Scourge, Whirlwind, and MAYBE the new Taskmaster, but not enough to get me to buy the BAF. Though I did buy Kitty Pryde with the knowledge that I will have this BAF by itself in the future.

Onslaught was an anticipated BAF for many especially this version of him and suffice to say, Hasbro delivered. I wouldn't say he is a failure, but I can't say that he surpassed the Toybiz version. Then again, I always liked the Toybiz figure since it offered so much that a lot of BAF collectors just can't see. But regardless, I do like this. I don't think he offers much, but he does look great and he is the definitive figure of Onslaught that we are going to get... unless we get another one in the future (I doubt it).

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Geek Moment: Power Rangers and.... A MOMENT OF CIVIL WAR

Entertainment Weekly

Huh. I grew up watching Power Rangers and I expected this reboot to be radical and a bit more in line with what is popular these days.... well. Here we are. I don't have a very strong opinion on the suits just with this still image. I have to say that I'm not surprised they went the route with the "Iron Man"/Guyver look since it just makes sense. Lycra and/or spandex won't do. I have to say that some discretion would have been nice, but the over all vivid and outlandish platings and stuff could be appreciated. Just have to see them in action.

And this is what our originals look like now. Modern and hip, I suppose. The gals are cute and the guys aren't as 'obvious' in their color spectrum. Let's give them a chance.

"Magic wand, make my monster.... glow!"

Now as for Rita Repulsa..... I can't say much. The look doesn't bother me since we are trying to go modern here. Though the speculation with the colors obviously ties in with the Green Ranger. LOL. She'll be making Anacondas grow with that Nikki Minnaj get up! HA!

----------In OTHER NEWS-----------

I'm going to try and let the dust settle before I really talk about this movie. One thing is certain, I TRULY enjoyed it! It was great! Definitely not the comic book version of the Civil War, but still a good take for a Cinematic Universe. Though I have to say, I'm not that impressed with the Spider-Man. He isn't worth all the hooting and hollering. And Aunt May? Really? Regardless, good job Marvel! Now I have to see Dawn of Justice for a good comparison! 

Spoils of 2015

This year didn't cut me short on my blessings on my collection! Still got a few to pile on to my collection and I commissioned a few things to really say that in regards to 'this' side of my life, I'm still very blessed! Some of these did not come from Christmas day presents, but they were part of the Holiday collecting! So, these are the reviews I plan on getting through within the next few weeks:

-Bishoujo Juri
-Funko Daedric Warrior
-Marvel Legends Scarlet Spider
-Pop Funko Fallout 4 Power Armor
-Infinity 3.0 Hulkbuster AoU

Oh, and I am still planning on getting on with my Highlights for 2015. These guys will be in the mix of that. Obviously I won't finish that review around January....

Anyways! That's it! Nice little change in my blog, huh? 

New Trailers

I'm a bit late on these but it's time to add a little more nerd zest in this glum and gloom side of my web. So... let's take a gander at Marvel's line up:

Civil War: While I didn't expect it to go canon wise with the comic book, it does feel a bit.... TOO different. Civil War is one of my favorite story line in the Comic Book realm of Marvel. Really struck a note in me. While I have faith in this movie rendition, I just really miss that grand feel that was conveyed in the comic book realm.

X-Men Apocalypse: I have to say, I haven't been excited about an X-Men movie for a long while now. Here it is then! I hate to say it, I wish there was more Psylocke in the trailer. It's probably the ONLY reason why I want to watch this movie.

Well... here's DC's line up:

Dawn of Justice: Okay so I'm not going to say I'm not impressed with this trailer because I am. There definitely is a lot for Comic Book fans and for any who are Big time DC fans, this should evoke nerdgasm or two. For me.... WONDER WOMAN! Doomsday though?

Well, there you have it. Personally, I'm looking forward to ALL the Comic Book movies coming out in 2016. These two are the heavy hitters though to the majority of fans. Though I am a bit excited for Suicide Squad.

And on the GAMING WORLD......

Final Fantasy VII: THEY ARE NOT F@CKING around! Woo boy! Looks like the old ways has joined the new! If I don't have a ps4 by the time this game comes out, I'm going to buy one! 

ML AoU Ultron: Wasp

One of the five original Avengers comes into Hasbro's Marvel Legends line up! Ms. Janet Van Dyne aka the Wasp! Sporting the outfit that probably stuck more than any of her irrelevant costumes, this Wasp should be recognizable to all comic book fans(Marvel/Avengers fan that is). So, how did Hasbro do this round? A great replacement for the one we got way back in the MODOK series? Let's check her out.

A standard Marvel Legends box. We should all be familiar with this by now with how much we have gotten this year.

As for the figure and her details, well, let's just say there's nothing complicating about Wasp's costume so the figure follows suit. Mostly an all black figure, the gold paint, especially on her front is well done. The minor gold on her feet and hands match the over all scheme. The face is meh, but still way better than Toybiz's female depiction way back when. Now for the wing... well, it's well done! IT's actually her main highlight as a figure. While it's not much on paint detail, the transparent plastic, and the wing details made it worth while. Not to mention, she technically has 4 wing all together! The wings also has decent articulation, which we'll go over here here pretty soon.

Though the wings and Cinematic Ultron's torso is the only accessories that comes with Wasp. I will not be collecting Ultron any time soon for a lot of reasons, but I will say that it's a pretty hollow torso.  Light weight. Again not shocked with the amount of 'accessories' that came with Wasp. It is what it is.

Now the articulation isn't something we should be shocked and awed about since it's the same one we have seen so many times this year with this voluptuous female body mold. My favorite Legends of this Year, Ms. Jessica Drew came with this mold so I won't go in depth with the articulation. However, Janette's wings adds a bit more flare to her that I'll go a little more in depth with that side of this figure. As some of the pictures have depicted, the wings can either be 'made' to look as if she only has a pair, quad... the swivel of the wings really allows for that kind of 'display' option. Wasp also has 'flapping' motion, which again, allows for more flying posture. But once again, the fact that she is in the same mold, we have the same hinderance. While Wasp has never been the agile character, she is a bit limited on how she can pose flight wise, and the lack of choices for her hands doesn't allow for more options. And luckily I have an extra figma stand to really capture some of Wasp's flight poses!

And here's Wasp next to the original Avengers line up. Iron Man, Wasp, and Thor may be a bit out of their original outfits, but hey, close enough!

I just felt like I had to get her to update my Wasp figure in my Avengers shelf. She's an alright figure; definitely a peg warmer for sure in my local store! For a female figure, that's pretty insane. Her and Hellcat, actually. But with the addition of the wings, she's a little step up from the casual molds of the Marvel Women Legends. If you're a big time Wasp fan and like this costume, this is a must. For those who want to build Cinematic Ultron, she's a must. Other than that, another mediocre Legends in my collection!

S.H. Figuarts: Iron Man Mark XLV

It's been some time since I've jumped into a review, so here I am! What a better figure to get acclimated back into the groove than a brand new Iron Man figure form the AoU line up! Iron Man Mark XLV from Figuarts! I have to admit, the moment I saw this armor, I knew I was going to like it so I had to get a figure of it, glad Figuarts delivered! So, let's check him out!

The box is pretty familiar since one of my last few reviews involved S.H. Figuarts as well. Imports always have that nice box that shows off the figure and the capabilities of it. It's a nice box, suffice to say.

And of course! One of imports' most well known perk for their price: accessories, variant hands, and effects. Iron Man does not fall short of these and he gets 4 set of hands, two pairs of repulsor blast effects, and then some jet boots effects. Could have used a flight stand, but you know, that probably would have elevated the price to my disliking(this wasn't a bad price for what it is, honestly). And it would definitely have increased the rate if they had a Tony Stark/Robert Downey Jr alternate head.

Now the details of the figure is of course astounding. Now my main qualms with the Iron Man suit in the movies is that they all look almost identical. The changes are so miniscule that one can hardly tell the difference. One thing that Iron Man did do was always make his changes known; if anything else if they didn't want to go that route, at least they could have changed the helmets in all his different armors; okay in IM3 he had different armors and helmet, but still. Mark XLV is the first armor that showcases a far more comic recognizable design and a different helmet(small change, but bigger than the last few they have given). So as far as the figure goes, this one definitely captured the fine details of all the red, the touch of silver, and the subtle but very elegant gold all over his armor. The paint is of course very well done as I would expect. Partner that in with the details in the nooks and cranny of the armor, it's definitely an astounding piece of import.

Just studying underneath his armpit, there are little details in there that is definitely appreciated. The mold itself is always a unique feeling since I either don't buy enough Figuarts to know a recycled mold or it's just a completely new mold every time(which I'm willing to gamble it is). It is kind of hard to reuse the same parts for this particular armor since it is the most unique out of all of the main armors Stark has worn. It has a very durable feel to it to, diecast metal legs and all. If I was to make my complaints on the figure's aesthetics is that the hand guard is a bit too large; makes an awkward poses at certain angles(as this Type V3 Review pointed out). The arc ray and the repulsor hands don't have much paint details making them a bit bland for my taste. Small little mishaps, but still a greatly detailed figure with plenty of things to appreciate.

Articulation is of course highly in depth. An import usually has high standards when it comes to this department as well and I'm glad Mark XLV does not really disappoint. As you can see, if an Iron Man figure can do the Cinematic Universe signature pose, it's going to have a few good points of articulation! And him performing this said pose doesn't look awkward like some of the MLs either! He can vary with his poses and copy some of Iron Man's known figures like flight, repulsor blasts, and just simple posture that is all Iron Man like.

The joints are well covered enough so that it truly does give it a more 'realistic' look. Again some of imports' trademark signature is hiding joints so that posing the figure about is as flawless and aesthetic as it can be. Again going back on details, certain part of the joints are highly detailed that it truly does keep pegs and such as discreet as it can be. Speaking of joints and movability, Iron Man's head moves up and down decently; some neck pivoting and such. Ab crunch and swivel is ab it limited and I'm afraid that it might hurt the figure's paint to truly force certain things. Arm and hands are supported with hinges on his shoulder pads and ball joints that allow a great range of movements. The legs have the standard S.H. Figuarts signature; one can pull down Iron Man's leg so that the hip armor design does not get in the way. Feet have decent ankle pivot and some slight toe articulation. Oh yes, die-cast legs which I think I mentioned already.

All in all, I think this is a great package and a decent price. There are some slight things I wish they could have added like more varied repulsor affects and that opened helmet would make for a fantastic addition to fun factor. Oh and flight stand!

Would have been great if Iron man came with a flight stand of his own and I didn't have to borrow a sigma flight stand.

Mark III, Mark XLII, Mark XLIII, Mark VI, and Mark V

Here's Mark XLV with some of the other movie based Iron Man figures that I own. The Marvel Legends somewhat blend in and obviously the Revoltechs are a good comparison to Mark XLV.

And this is my new Iron Man in the "Red and Gold" Iron Man shelf. He just... blends right in doesn't he? He gets drowned out with all the Red and Golds, thus why he is front and center. Can you spot him?

In conclusion, I think this is my favorite import Iron Man figure thus far. Though not perfect, missing some key points to make it closer to perfect figure, I do believe the price point would have been raised if we received more detailed fire power, RDJr head, and flight stand... Though with great paint details, awesome articulation, and the fact that it's Iron Man's best Cinematic Universe armor so far, I think it's a great figure! One can't not enjoy AoU without this guy in your shelf!

POP: Iron Man Mark 43(Age of Ultron)

Let's take a break from Marvel Legends, shall we? So what do we have here? A POP! None other than Iron Man wearing his armor from the upcoming movie Avengers 2 aka Age of Ultron. It's been a while since I've gotten one of these so I suppose now is the perfect time to break that streak.

POPs are also one of those that can be easily displayed inside their box if one wants to. I decided to take mine out for obvious reasons. Oh and the rest of the crew are all there along with new comer Vision(no Quicksilver or Scarlet Witch yet) and a 6 inch Hulkbuster!!!!!

I'm assuming that this is the 66th POP on the Marvel line. There are a whole lot of them and unfortunately, I don't have the room or the funds to collect them all.

Iron Man MK 43's head is fitting for the theme that POP usually has! It's gargantuan in comparison to the rest of his body and it's part of its charm! He's also a bobble head, mind you. And right of the get go, the details on him are astounding for his size! Just have to love the vibrant mix of the metallic red and gold!

Since his posture is in 'engage in flight mode' pose, his positioning for his hands are relatively the same thus no big difference on either profile side of him.

His back side offers more view of the 'blue flame' special affects that are coming out of his repulsor palms and his jet boots. This is a rather unique touch of POP that I have seen since usually they are stagnant on their own two feet. Nice little touch and highly appreciated!

Deadpool, Daryl Dixon, Elsa, Classic Iron Man

Speaking of POP, here he is next to my other POPs! There seems to be a trend on the Marvel POPs since only Daryl and Elsa are NOT bobble heads. Though as I pointed out earlier, only Age of Ultron Iron Man has that special flying affect going on about him.

Overall he is a great catch! I'm not the biggest collector of POPs but the ones that I do find that are awesome I take the time and money to make sure it's in my collection. There are a few more in the horizon that is a must for me, so let this be a good sign that the others will be accessible soon enough!