Archive for
July, 2006
— July 30, 2006
You may have seen an ad recently in your comics advertising the Mill Case. The Mill Case is a new alternative to storing comics. It is a hard, flat, plastic comic book sized case that is hinged and opens from the side. The best way to describe the design is that it resembles a CD ROM slim case. It allows you to safely store and secure your comics and not worry about them getting bent without the use of cardboard backing.
I have not had the opporuntity to see one in person, but I checked out the web site to see what they were about. Here are some of the benefits according to their web site.
- Requires no tape
- Fits in regular sized comic boxes
- No backing board allows for front and back view of comics
They offer also the ability to add labels to the outside casing, and it looks like you can print them yourself from a computer. They offer 2 different sizes. The Millcase-G that fits taller, thicker or wider comics from golden age to modern age. The regular Mill Case fits all current sized comic publications.
You can purchase them from their web site or from the Wizard web site, http://wizarduniverse.stores.yahoo.net/millcase5pack.html. At Wizard, you can purchase a 5 pack for $18.99. From their web site, you can purchase a 10 pack for $33, a 50 pack for $125 or 500 for $1000. You can also look for these soon at your local comic retailers.
The only downside I see to these is the cost. Even if you buy these in bulk, each case costs as much as a comic. The only practical use I see is that collectors will use them for really valuable comics. Otherwise, I don’t know many collectors who could afford to buy one for every comic they own. However, retailers could use them to help protect and display their valuable comics, and may help them sell better as a result.
If I run across these, I may buy some to protect older more valuable comics I have. But I do not see it as a replacement to the old bag and board.
Check them out here, The Mill Case.
— July 27, 2006
A new reality show aired on Sci-Fi tonight called, “Who Wants to be a Superhero?” I happened to catch it, and I had to say that it is a hit. This show is FREAKIN’ HILARIOUS! My favorite contestant by far is Major Victory. Wait until you get a load of him.
The premise of the show is that the contestants dress and act like superheroes with costumes, super powers, personas and even back stories. They live together in a lair and complete various superhero tasks given to them by none other than Stan Lee himself. One by one they get eliminated, and the winner receives their own comic book and movie to air on the Sci-Fi channel.
Catch it at 9PM eastern on the Sci-Fi channel on Thursday nights. Go to the web site to find out more about Who Wants to be a Superhero.
— July 27, 2006
I received an e-mail from StarWarsShop.com tonight saying that the Exclusive Shadow Stormtrooper is now in stock. If you go to the site, it says it will ship on August 4th. This is also known as the Black Hole Stormtrooper from the Star Wars Expanded Universe. If you didn’t pre-order this exclusive, get your order in now while they last.
Exclusive Shadow Trooper from StarWarsShop.com
— July 21, 2006
The 2006 San Diego Comic Con kicked off last night with Preview Night. Lots of good announcements are coming out of San Diego right now. There is also a lot of coverage of this event on lots of web sites. So rather than recap everything here for you, I will link to the best coverage I find so that you can check it out for yourself. Enjoy!
Toy News International
Rebelscum
Michael Crawford
Superhero Times
Figures.com
Action-Figure.com
Action Figure Insider
— July 14, 2006
ToyFare #109, which hit newsstands on Wednesday, has detailed information and photos on new Marvel products planned for 2007. I reported previously this week on Hasbro Marvel Legends here, but I wanted to cover all of the Marvel product Hasbro has planned for next year. Here is a detailed list.
Marvel Legends Annihilus wave - Release Date January 2007
- Banshee
- Planet Hulk
- Hercules
- Beast (movie)
- Emma Frost
- Ultimate Iron Man
- Annihlius (build-a-figure)
Synopsis: Let’s hope these are early prototypes, and Hasbro has time to refine these before they go into production. Most of them are sculpted badly and painted worse. But have faith that Hasbro will realize they have big shoes to fill, and that they have already sent them back for improvements.
Ghost Rider - Release Date December 2006
- 6 inch figures
- die cast titanium figure
- Deluxe 12 inch Ghost Rider with motorcycle
Synopsis: The first pictures of Ghost Rider figures look very good from what can be seen. If the finished version turns out this good, I may decide to pick up my first Ghost Rider figure.
Spider-Man Origins - Release Date January and February 2007
- 6 inch figures
- 2 waves of Spider-Man’s different costumes, including 2099 and “Iron Spidey”
- 2 waves of villians, including some reissues and repaints like Demogoblin
- 2 movie and 1 comic version battle pack 2 packs in November and December
Synopsis: 2007 will be a big year for Spidey with the next movie coming out, and Hasbro has plenty planned. We will probably see a lot of reuse in the initial Spider-Man Origins. But as long as we get a new 2099 and Iron Spidey, I’m in!
Spider-Man Origins: Signature Series - Release Date November 2006
- Spider-Man
- Doc Ock
- Green Goblin
- ???
Synopsis: I think these will be intersting as well. Think updated Mego figures. These will be 8 inch figures with cloth costumes consisting of Spider-Man and his greatest villians. I think these could end up doing well, especially if they expand the line beyond Spidey and Co.
Marvel Kids Lines - Release Date November 2006 and January 2007
- Itsy-Bitsy Spider-man
- Superhero Squad
Synopsis: Basically, Superhero Squad is Marvel versions of the Galactic Heroes line Hasbro does for Star Wars. They are 3 inch toddler sized figures of Marvel heroes. For Itsy-Bitsy Spider-man, think a rapping Elmo. If you buy it for your kid, you will probably be annoyed.
My Thoughts: It looks like Marvel’s future is in good hands, at least on paper. The pictures are a different story, for Marvel Legends anyway. Hasbro needs to improve on these designs. I hope they don’t release those figures we see in the magazine. They have a chance to knock it out of the park here or fail miserably. The other lines show a lot of promise surprisingly. Be on the lookout for previews coming out of the San Diego Comic Con soon. Until then you can pick up ToyFare #109 to hold you over.
— July 11, 2006
It’s official. Hasbro is making Marvel Legends in 2007. Action-Figure.com announces today that the latest issue of ToyFare, which hits newsstands tomorrow, has all the info, and that Wizard is already making it available online on it’s web site, along with pictures. Here is the info.
The first series of Marvel Legends to be released by Hasbro, who takes over the Marvel license from Toy Biz in January, will feature Planet Hulk, Banshee, Hercules, Movie Beast, Emma Frost, Ultimate Iron Man, and Annihilus as the build-a-figure! Check out ToyFare #109, on sale Wednesday, for more images of the figures, as well as images of movie Ghost Rider toys and new Spider-Man figures from Hasbro!
Not much there to interest me, but the Ultimate Iron Man and Annihilus build-a-figure sound very cool! They have a picture of the Planet Hulk up on their site and a pic of Banshee has also surfaced in the forums. They also confirm that there will be a Ghost Rider movie line and Spider-Man movie line.
Also this week, it was announced via Super Hero Times and others that Hasbro will have a panel at Comic Con with Jesse Falcon of ToyBiz. Here is that info.
Saturday. 2:00-3:00 Hasbro/Marvel: Marvel Legends. Spider-Man Origins. Superhero Squad and much more— Find out what it’s all about at the first Hasbro/Marvel panel ever Jesse Falcon from Toy Biz joins Hasbro team members Billy Lagor, Randy Shoemaker, and Brian Wilk. Don’t miss this opportunity to see a sneak peak of what Hasbro has in store for their spring 2007 Marvel line. Room 8
Looks like in addition to finding out about Hasbro Marvel Legends in San Diego, we will also find out about 2 lines called Spider-Man Origins and Superhero Squad. Here are all the links.
Related Links
— July 9, 2006
Michael Crawford reviewed the Marvel Legends Icons Wolverine over at his site here. These are essentially 12″ versions of Marvel Legends. In the first series, there are Wolverine, Iron Man and Captain America with variants of each. Wolverine and Cap have unmasked versions while Iron Man has a gold variant.
According to Mike, these are showing up at Toys R Us right now. He also says that the variants are easier to find than the regular versions right now. This is most likely an error that will be corrected as they show up in greater numbers. So look for these at your TRU, and head over to Mike’s site and check out the review!
— July 9, 2006
Last night I happened to catch a documentary about comic book superheroes on the History Channel called, “Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked.” I started watching it and it really drew me in. It covers the history of comics from the stories to the economic side. Here is a synopsis of the program from the History Channel web site.
Comic books–serious or escapist fantasy? This 2-hour special shows how comic book superheroes reflect their times–from the 1930s to the 21st century–and how these wish-fulfillment figures became role models for generations of children. Following the most representative cartoon crusaders and villains, as well as the industry that formed them, we see how they mirrored society–from the Depression, WWII, the Cold War, and the turbulent ’60s to today–and how they proved adaptable to other media.
You can buy the program on DVD online from the History Channel web site here. You can try to catch it on the History Channel. It airs again on the History Channel this week but at wierd times. You can find listings on their site here.
— July 5, 2006
Dave from Rebelscum commented in the forums over there that the SDCC exclusive Anakin from Sideshow will have some variations from what has been shown already.
I can tell you the figure will have the paint issues of Ani addressed and the costume will be different, but I’m not at liberty to say how it will be different…
Not really a new costume, just –for lack of a better word– improved costume…
What will be done will insure that the Vader and ani figures can be displayed together and not look exactly the same.
From Dave’s comments we can infer that the issue with the paint heavy lips will be fixed. He also commented that it is probably too late in production to fix the issue with Anakin’s right arm not being tightly attached.
— July 4, 2006
Okay, I’m writing this one as I saw it. Action-Figure.com posted a quote from an admin on TFW2005.com on possible future Hasbro Marvel Legends. Here is what was said:
Saw the first couple of Hasbro waves of Marvel Legends. They’re still using ToyBiz molds/designs, so your fears can be put to rest.
Think of your old Marvel Legends figures, only easier to get a hold of.
You can read it for yourself at http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showthread.php?t=102215&page=2. Scroll to post #18. Hopefully, we will learn something at San Diego Comic Con.
