Marvel Universe Black Knight

Presenting the Black Knight from what is supposedly the last Marvel Universe series Toyline.

Here's the thing about this figure, this particular incarnation of the Black Knight is credited as being Sir Percy of Scandia - the original (Though he later claims not to be the first) Black Knight from the time of King Arthur - and not Dane Whitman, the Modern 616 Universe Black Knight - despite bearing the appearance of Dane Whitman.

This particular Marvel Universe Black Knight doesn't even bother to give the Black Knight an Ebony Blade. The sword he bears is a dull gray one. It's possible that this could be a nod to the "Sword of Light" that Dane Whitman was granted by the Lady of the Lake, but then as mentioned, this is not Dane Whitman.

Transformers Prime Ultra Magnus - Commander Class

Presenting the Transformers Prime Commander Class Ultra Magnus.

I love Ultra Magnus though I've always felt a bit sorry for him. Not only does Ultra Magnus bear baby-blue, he'll always be second-fiddle to Optimus Prime. He never seems to match up.

I mean he gets the Matrix of Leadership from Prime in the Transformers Movie and what happens? He gets blown up.

He leads a charge against Megatron in Transformers Prime, gets his ass kicked, and gets rescued by Optimus Prime.

Ultra Magnus leads another battle against Predaking, gets his ass handed to him again, rescued by Optimus Prime AGAIN, and this time loses not just his hammer, but his right hand as well.

Face it, Ultra Magnus has future villain written all over him.

Maybe that's why he wields a hammer to begin with and leads a team called the "Wreckers." He has a lot of pent up issues.

Bumblebee Mobile Battle Bunker

Presenting the Transformers Dark of the Moon Bumblebee Mobile Battle Bunker.

Admittedly this is a late purchase. Years late. It was on sale. I think this is the third year that it went on sale. I have no idea where they store these prior to the Christmas season and I have no idea where they sourced these. They just keep popping up around this time.

So I thought "What the hell, might as well." and here we are.

In a nutshell, what we have here is a non-canonical military looking vehicle hauler that can carry up to two Legion Class Transformer figures. The Hauler itself defined as the APC mode; a "launcher" stand that can be used as a base to launch cars with a little boost or as a launch pad for Bumblebee (As a part of the Battle Bunker becomes a jetwing) called the "Battle Base" mode, and; what you see here, a Mobile Battle Bunker - though it's not really a Bunker when you think about it, and it's defined as the "Assault Vehicle Mode"  - that allows Bumblebee to gun away while the Hauler drives backwards.

So it's not really a Bunker.

Captain DIY

Presenting Captain DIY - or Captain America - in a Chinese KO Megablock form.

I've long seen these Chinese Knock-off proliferating the alleyways and streets of the more seedy parts and sections of the Metro, and I have to admit a certain level of attraction. I've long wanted to buy one of them, but I never have - citing the fact that I have to stick to what I collect as what I should be buying.

So when a dear friend finally gave me one I leaped with joy at the chance to play with it.

Although I'm pretty sure that I've once again brought myself under the possibility of suffering from Lead poisoning. After his construction, my fingers had that same "coated" feeling that I got after constructing that KO Chinese Optimus Prime.

Still really cool.

Blackest Day by Aaron James Payumo

*At this point I'd like to give room to a friend of mine who survived typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). This is a first person account. He's a survivor, but he lost both his parents in this tragedy. We hope that the kind readers of this blog would find it in their hearts to help him rebuild.


Blackest Day

by Aaron James Payumo
November 8, 2013 will be the day forever etched in the minds of people.
November 7, 2013. After lunch.
We were happy. We felt safe. My mom and I made sure everything they would need for the next two or three days were sufficient. We had snacks, we watched TV, I taught my mom how to use Facebook so she could while away the time looking at pictures and chatting with friends and family. When I went home around 2PM to check on our house, Mommy also sent me to get her blanket and extra pillow because Daddy took all of theirs. He loved being wrapped in bed sheets and blankets until only his face was exposed.

Around 3PM, I went back to the hotel, and checked on them again. Daddy and Binang were happy watching TV while Mommy was busy figuring out how to see the pictures of our friends. I left around 5PM and told them I’ll be picking them up tomorrow. Mommy even went out of their room to see me off.

November 7, 2013. Around 7PM.
Time flew so fast, my friend Luisito and his family, his wife Kim, 2-month old baby Adam and 4-year old boy Luis was staying with us that night. The winds were eerily calm and we were waiting. I didn’t know what time my brother, Marlo, in Australia called but I kept telling him to call Mommy.

We were already planning Mommy and Daddy’s migration to Australia and when will they return to the Philippines for vacation.

Time passed. We slept.

November 8, 2013. Around 3AM.
My girlfriend Daisy and I prepared coffee since we really couldn’t sleep. Checking on Luisito, who was already awake, he said that all is well.

STAR WARS: Darth Malgus Vintage Edition

Presenting Darth Malgus the False Emperor from the Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic Vintage Edition toy series.

Darth Malgus was the guy who made black armor and respirators cool before Darth Vader and Bane did.

Darth Malgus is one of the finer examples of how the use of Dark Side of the Force taxes the physical limitations of the user. The respirator is the result of injuries that he received in a surprise Sith attack on the planet Alderaan where he encountered and was forced to retreat by she who would become Jedi Grand Master Satelle Shan - a direct descendant of the great Revan and wife Jedi Bastila Shan.

Darth Malgus is also the only bad-ass I know to wear not ONE!!!! But TWO!!!! CAPES - despite the recommendation "No Capes!"

Silk Spectre II (Modern)

Presenting DC Direct's Silk Spectre II (Modern).

This is what happens when you have long weekends, you start to break out the DVDs and watch classic superhero films.

The 2009 Watchmen movie may have gained mixed reviews in the box office, it did indeed spark a cult following. I suppose I belong to that following on the simple basis that I'm a die-hard fan of Malin Ackerman's portrayal of Laurie Juspeczyk AKA Silk Spectre II or Silk Spectre Modern.

I'm a fan not only because she's "Used to going out at 3AM and doing something stupid", and how dangerous a hand-to-hand combatant she is, but because she's probably the only super-heroine I know that has nipples on her costume - either that or her nipples are hard enough to push through thick latex.

MOTU Classics Temple of Darkness Sorceress

Presenting the Temple of Darkness Sorceress from the He-Man & Masters of the Universe (MOTU) Classics toy-line.

Okay I have to admit that when I got this I thought that she was really hot and sexy and all that which is why I got her to begin with.

Then I realized that I had purchased one of the nicest drag queen action figures ever made for the toy market.

Not only does the Temple of Darkness Sorceress come with a Cher inspired headdress, she also comes with a cape that spreads open when she raises her arms and is all shining, shimmering, splendid when shot in a reflective white photo-box with indirect white light.

The Sorceress had me singing Lady Gaga's Edge of Glory before the shoot was over.