Welcome Back Big Bang Theory!

Big Bang Theory, the chronicles of Geeks, Dorks and people like me who fight dragons in their head returned to television for its 6th season last night in the United States.

While I'm not really happy that Penny turned down Leonard's wedding proposal, a part of me is happy that she did because I want her for myself  (what Geek doesn't?).

Anyway, this "Return of the Big Bang Theory" tribute art is from the mind and skill of Rabittooth, a 42 year old Digital Artist from the United States.

What really strike me about the artwork is not the blatant Star Wars reference, but rather the artist's knowledge of the  show which is obvious thanks to the simple nuances that are present on the artwork: From the Hello-Kitty Battlekite; to the Mobile Omnidirectional Neutralization and Termination Eradicator, to the evil laughing menace of Will Wheaton (The guy really is evil). It's obvious that Rabittooth is not only very talented, but a Big Bang Fan.

Universal Studios Singapore EVAC

Presenting the Universal Studios Singapore Exclusive Transformers "The Ride" EVAC.


The last time I was in Singapore, the Transformers section of Universal Studios was a few months away from completion so I never actually got to ride "The Ride."

From what I hear at best I avoided being spat at by Starscream - how or why a robotic being would have bodily fluids is still beyond me.

Anyway, this Universal Studios exclusive was released last June 2012 if I researched that correctly and a very good friend from Geekmatic was kind and gracious and great enough to gift me one.

And he has my heartfelt thanks :)

Star Wars Vintage Edition Luke Skywalker

R2D2 not included :)

Presenting the Star Wars Vintage Edition Luke Skywalker. Mark Hamill celebrated his 61's birthday yesterday, and I actually debated whether I wanted to pay homage to him by reviewing Luke Skywalker - the character he immortalized and which, all of us at one time or another, have most probably wished we were - or by reviewing the character he has given a new level of creepiness to: The Joker.

Yes, if you've ever cringed at the dry wheezing voice of the Batman's greatest thorn while playing either the Batman Arkham Asylum or Arkham City games, or while watching the animated series, that's the dry wheezing voice of Luke Skywalker.

Mark Hamil played the role so well, I actually downloaded the Arkham City soundtrack that showcased the Joker singing "Only You".

Creepy.

Komikon 2012

The 8th Annual Philippine Komiks Convention, Komikon 2012, will be held on October 27, 2012 from 10am to 7pm at the Bayanihan Center, Unilab Compound, Pasig City.

If you liked the work of Lyndon Gregorio's clever 80's cartoon pick-up lines, he and a plethora of other local comic-book artists will be there as well. 

Oh and speaking of Lyndon Gregorio, do take the time to like Beerkada's Facebook page here. 

Cartoon Quotes to pick up Chicks

While waiting in the ER room a few days ago, I found myself reading the comics section of the Philippine Star where I came across this funny quip from the mind of Lyndon Gregorio in his creation "Beerkada."

When I first read it, I thought "What the F...!!!" But then it hit me, the invocation to summon the Avatar of Knowledge used by Arzon, the Spectral Knight from the 1980's Visionaries cartoon is indeed a wonderful pick-up line. It sounds like a very poetic and romantic way of saying "I want to get to know you."  And uninitiated young jailbaits would not know what the hell you're talking about.

Interesting.

Lyndon  may be on to something here.

UPDATE: Apparently Lyndon has a website where there is a PART 2 to this Visionaries pick-up lines saga. Do visit: Beerkada.net and don't forget to like the Beerkada Comics Facebook Page.

GI Joe Retaliation Ninja Dojo Set feat Kamakura, Roadblock and Beachhead

Presenting Kamakura, Roadblock and Beachhead from the GI Joe Retaliation Ninja Dojo set.

Of these three characters, only Roadblock is available individually from the Retaliation line. I'm not really a fan of the individual Roadblock, so I decided to pick up the Ninja Dojo set instead.

As with the GI Joe Retaliation Ninja Showdown set, the Ninja Dojo set comes chock full of accessories which is definitely a plus to the set and a definite reason to pick it up. We'll go into this in greater detail later, but the Ninja Dojo set comes with some of the best - and probably some of the most fan favorite - accessories from the 25th Anniversary GI Joe series.

Transformers Prime Rumble

Presenting the new Transformers Prime Decepticon Rumble.

The little cassette tape - if you don't know what that is, you're waaay too young to be seriously collecting toys - has all grown up and now he's a full fledged car. But I'm sure he's still going around saying things like "First we crack the shell, then we crack the nuts inside!" (The Transformers: The Movie. 1986).

This new Transformer is also known as the Prime Revealer Deluxe Class Rumble. Not sure what a Revealer is or why they needed to call him that.

But it's nice to see Rumble all grown-up -  though I'll admit that a part of me still wishes he was a tiny cassette tape that could be ejected from Soundwave.

GI Joe Retaliation: Zartan

Presenting the Cobra shape-shifting mercenary, Zartan from the GI Joe Retaliation line.

I remember being totally in awe back when I was a kid and had a 1984 released Zartan figure. The figure action changed color in the sunlight (yeah we were a generation that was easier to please)! Even Zartan's body-armor had thermal sensitive stickers that changed color depending upon the temperature, and he came with a swamp skier that also changed color in the sunlight.

Oh happy days.

Unfortunately his 25th anniversary figure - which came with a scaled down version of the Swamp-Skier - does not change color.

He was probably toxic.

There was also a really, really cool version of Zartan released in the Pursuit of Cobra line which I have not reviewed, but can be glimpsed here.

Toy News: He-Man and Thundercats fans unite to Keep A Child Alive

Fans of He-Man, She-Ra, and Thundercats will gather again this year to celebrate their love of the popular cartoon and toy lines at the second annual Power-Con/Thundercon. In addition to enjoying creator and guest speakers, toy vendors, and unique displays, fans will also have the opportunity to raise money for children in need by participating in this year’s Power-Auction

The Power-Auction will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at the Torrance Marriott South Bay, Torrance, California beginning at 4:00 PM. This year, Power-Con/Thundercon has teamed up again with Auction Company TheBigToyAuction.com to sell a donated collection of one-of-a-kind Art, Signed Scripts, and Custom-Made Toys to benefit the Keep A Child Alive Charity for children affected by AIDS and HIV.

GI Joe Retaliation Trooper

Presenting the GI Joe Retaliation Trooper.

Today is the 11th Anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy so I thought it would be nice to review such an iconic figure today.

The GI Joe Retaliation Trooper is the current chase figure thanks to it's troop building value - and the fact that, if rumors are true - there's only one GI Joe Trooper in each of the currently dispatched Hasbro Boxes.

I'm personally not sure if he's rarer than the Red Ninja... Just occurred to me that I have a Red Ninja somewhere and I've totally forgotten about him... anyway, personal experience indicates to me that he is rarer than the Retaliation Cobra Red Ninja.

I actually found this particular GI Joe Trooper in - of all places - a bookstore.

Transformers FOC Bruticus

Presenting the Transformers Fall of Cybertron (FOC) Bruticus AKA the Decepticon Combaticons. The Combaticons owe their existence to Starscream and his driving ambition to become the leader of the Decepticons. The Combaticons were built as an army to serve Starscream and hid the fact that they had the gestalt power to form Bruticus until the Constructicons showed up and formed Devastator. Bruticus beat the crap out of Devastator but was taken down from behind by Menosaur - the Stunticons.

Hence you will find animosity between Stunticons and Combaticons. In fact their hatred for each other is supposed to be greater than the hatred the Combaticons have for the Autobot Protectobots - their chief rivals.

What's so interesting about FOC Bruticus is that he's actually built mostly out of some of the most disturbed Decepticons around. They need therapy. Except for their leader Onslaught who is a cunning leader and tactician. It's actually ironic that the Combaticons' gestalt Bruticus is a berserk who has to be told what to do. If he had Onslaught's brain, he would be far, far deadlier.

Paula Labaredas Cosplay

Presenting the Cosplay of model, writer and actress Paula Labredas. Paula is originally from the culturally rich country of Portugal. Paula Maria Esteves actually almost died on her way to the United States when she and her family immigrated back when she was 2 years old - had it not been for the timely presence of a doctor on the plane.

The young girl settled in Connecticut but eventually set her eyes on New York to become an actress. Failing to make any headway there, she found her true calling in the sunny shores of Los Angeles.

And that's where Paula found out that she has a wonderful penchant not just for Cosplay, modelling and acting but for poetry and writing as well.

And she has an incredibly wonderful body for Cosplay as can be attested to here through the lens of  Albert L. Ortega. Cammy is just one of the many hot characters that Paula Labaredas is known for playing. She's also famous for suiting up as Princess Leia in her steel bikini, Vampirella, Baby Doll, the Crow and Barbarella.

Do remember to check out and Like Paula Labaredas Cosplay's Facebook page and visit her website.

G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra HISS Tank

Presenting the new G.I. Joe Retaliation Cobra HISS Tank!

It is still unknown as to whether or not this latest incarnation of Cobra HISS Tanks (Technically H.I.S.S. Tanks or High-Speed Sentry Tanks - the original H.I.S.S. Tanks had a maximum speed of 120kph) will make it into the actual Retaliation movie and this is not the version that transforms into Shockwave (SDCC 2012 Exclusive) - else the main cannon would be very different.

The Retaliation COBRA Hiss Tank  is technically therefore the Mark VI version of the HISS Tank as - while it has some similarities - it is markedly different from the Mark V version of the HISS Tank that was released as a part of the G.I. Joe Pursuit of Cobra Toyline.

Michael Clarke Duncan: R.I.P.

A giant - literally - has moved on as Michael Clarke Duncan died of a myocardial infraction today, September 3, 2012. He was 54. May he rest in peace.

One of cinema's literal gentle giants will always be known for his deep reverberating voice and his gentle welcoming smile.

He will be missed. :(

For more details, visit the Chicago Tribune.

Transformers UFO War Axe and Shield

Presenting the Transformers UFO (Get this - Unknown Factory Originals) War Axe and Shield.

I had a discussion from a few members of Cybertron Philippines while setting up for the Toykingdom Toy-Expo 2012 regarding the third-party accessories being released into the market and how Hasbro and Takara were bringing the full weight of the law down on them.

My argument was that both Hasbro and Takara should end up working instead with these small organizations since there is absolutely no such thing as a perfect toy. 3rd Party manufacturers are one of the reasons why collectors like us continue to patronize original toys. 3rd Party manufacturers make "props" that keep things interesting and fun.

Star Wars: Clone Wars Aayla Secura

Presenting the 2012 Star Wars Clone Wars Aayla Secura action figure.

I have to say that I am NOT a fan of the Clone Wars primarily for their distorted view of the human form. It just doesn't fit well with the rest of my collection.

But damn! Jedi Knight Aayla Secura looks even hotter distorted - what with that waifish waist and bodacious booty!

Unfortunately, George Lucas has something against Twi'leks in general (Jedi Knight Alema Rar lost an arm and fell to the Dark Side; Rogue Squadron member Nawara Ven lost a knee and became a lawyer, and; Oola (la) was eaten by a Rancor). We all saw Jedi Master (Newly minted) Aayla Secura fall after Order 66 was given to Commander Bly and the 327th Star Corps in Episode III. Happily, despite the overkill that followed, Commander Bly made sure that his first shot made the death of his friend as quick and as painless as possible.

Aayla Secura was just a newly promoted Jedi Knight when she fought in the battle of Geonosis in Episode II. So her Master status at her death is testament to her abilities and fighting prowess.