Transformers Generations Optimus Prime Reprolabels

Transformers Generations Optimus Prime Reprolabels

Presenting a Reprolabels upgrade for the Transformers Generations 30th Anniversary Optimus Prime, from Toyhax. 

As we write this, we looked upon our original review for this particular Optimus Prime, and this thought dawned upon us: "Where is your ion-cannon?"

Sigh. The problems of toy collectors - that something so small that is out of place will now keep us up all night until it's found.

Anyway, as mentioned these are reprolabels applied to a Transformers Optimus Prime figure that is no more than 3" in height. 

And we're really glad we got it because it makes the figure really "pop" out and worthy of the name "Prime"

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Batman Arkham Knight Catwoman

Presenting Catwoman from the DC Direct Batman Arkham Knight Series 2 toyline.

So. The fastest selling video-game for 2015. I find this a bit surprising considering the admitted glitches for PC users (Boo!). But maybe we're just not that into the game anymore because Batman Origins made us feel isolated, a bit paranoid, and filled with the need to hear necks crack (Seriously, there is no way that Batman is not killing the people he's fighting in the Arkham Series. It's either that or he's leaving them permanently paralyzed from the neck down.)

But we do love the story-telling and how the game was able to slowly integrate the other members of the Bat Family into it's roster of playable characters. We certainly had fun as Nightwing (Not so much as Robin), and we wished we could follow Catwoman around longer.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens Review

We had an awesome weekend and we put down our thoughts on Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens into a review on our sister blog guardiandc.blogspot.com. If you want to know what we think about the movie, do give us a visit there and feel free to comment.

Suffice to say: Spoilers Ahead. YOU WERE WARNED. CLICK HERE TO PROCEED. 

Taikongshenrs Takara AD01 AOE Optimus Prime KO

Taikongshenrs Takara AD01 AOE Optimus Prime KO

Presenting a Taikonshenrs Knock-Off (KO) of the Takara AD01 AOE Optimus Prime from - get this - Hasbro.

We'll discuss why it's from Hasbro later.

We reviewed the Takara AD01 Age of Extinction Optimus Prime all the way back in May of 2014 - which was before the movie came out. We hated the fact that the 1st Edition AOE Optimus Prime came with a bed for a back-pack. We were not impressed with all the gray plastic of the Hasbro version of the Leader class AOE Optimus Prime, but we were quite taken by the shiny chrome of the Takara ADO1.

So we were quite surprised to see a Taikongshenrs version of the AD01 in the black-market here in the Philippines.

And it's a pretty decent replica! Can you tell it's a KO from the pic?

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

McFarlane Halo 5 Master Chief

HALO 5 Master Chief John-117

Presenting the HALO 5 Master Chief John-117 from McFarlane Toys.

Almost to the day, a year ago, we featured another HALO 5 Master Chief. We noted how that particular Master Chief seemed to be wearing the exact same armor that he wore from Halo 4 - down to the damaged parts, and personally hoped for a romantic reunion between the Master Chief and the then thought dead Cortana.

So much for wishful thinking. We guess that sappy romance doesn't rank highly in the priorities of the people at 343 Industries and Microsoft.

Instead HALO 5 Guardians turned into a see-saw battle between the Forerunners, the  now goodie-goodie Covenant, the bad guy Covenant, and two Spartan fire-teams: Blue and Osiris, and a resurrected and delusional Cortana. (So no happy ending? One can hope. At the end of the game, Cortana may have been beaten, but she now owns a HALO - and creepily hums to herself)

This particular incarnation of the Master Chief portrays the state of his MJOLNIR armor after he goes toe-to-toe with the leader of Fire Team Osiris - Spartan Locke.

The Master Chief won - Duh!!!!

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

NINE NICKELODEON APPS TO ENJOY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

SINGAPORE, 11 DECEMBER 2015 – This yearend holidays, Nickelodeon in Asia has hand-picked its popular apps released in 2015 which offer pre-schoolers and gamers of all ages the opportunity to connect with their favourite Nickelodeon characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Dora from Dora and Friends: Into the City!

Players are invited to check out “Playtime With Blaze and the Monster Machines” which caters to pre-schoolers and comprises five mini games, “SpongeBob’s Game Frenzy” for fans of optimistic sea sponge SpongeBob SquarePants and “Sky Whale” an app featured in Nickelodeon’s brand-new live-action comedy series, Game Shakers, that requires users to bounce a narwhal in the air to catch as many yummy donuts as they can.

Here is the list of apps that will keep kids and adults entertained.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Transformers Combiner Wars Rodimus Prime

Rodimus Prime, leader of the Autobots

Presenting the Transformers Combiner Wars Rodimus Prime - or just plain Rodimus.

We're honestly not sure why someone in Hasbro in his infinite wisdom blurted out "Hey let's shrink the little guy! No one likes him anyway, they won't notice!"

Sigh. For all the misgivings we may have about the guy who: Caused the death of Optimus Prime; stole the Matrix of Leadership from Ultra Magnus, and; led the Autobots to near destruction prompting the resurrection of Optimus Prime; Rodimus was still the leader of the Autobots and deserves a little more dignity than this.

And everyone else from the IDW comic books more or less got to scale toys made out of them, so why is Rodimus so diminutive?

What do we care, we don't like Rodimus? :)

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Takara Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus

Takara Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus, here to light your darkest hour

Presenting the Takara version of the Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus - LG14.

This will be the third - and hopefully last - time that we will feature a Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus. We originally reviewed the Hasbro version of Ultra Magnus, then later featured that Hasbro version all dressed up in Reprolabels.

What Takara decided to do was take it a step further and release a version of Ultra Magnus that was accurate to his appearance in the IDW comic book which basically gives Ultra Magnus a red pair of pants.

The Takara Version of the Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus also has a white pair of weapons - and replaces the diminutive Minimus Ambus with a redecoed version of himself: Alpha Trion - which in itself is an interesting story.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Jan Solo II

I've known Jan Calleja since preparatory school. Back then he was our batch's - and probably Claret School's - greatest artist.

But apparently he didn't stop with water-colors, crayons and pastels and decided to make his own toys.

He's having his second exhibit this weekend and if you aren't doing anything tomorrow, November 28, 2015, it might be worth your while to catch his latest Star Wars themed exhibit.

The exhibit entitled Jan Solo II will be held at the Artalyer Display Showroom,
#8 11th Jamboree St., Quezon City

To check out some of his completed and works in progress for the exhibit, do read on after the jump.

Star Wars Titanium Series B-Wing

Star Wars B-Wing Starfighter: Round and Round it goes

Presenting the Star Wars B-Wing Starfighter from the Titanium Series toyline.

This is the B-Wing Starfighter or A/SF-01 B-wing heavy assault starfighter, AKA Crosses. Supposedly when the craft is upright the B-Wing's outline makes a "B" shape, but we don't see it. The idea that the name comes from the fact that the wings look like blades, makes more sense.

At the core of the B-Wing is a special gyroscope that keeps the cockpit steady while the entire ship rotated around it. Piloting a B-Wing required a certain amount of skill.

Speaking of Blades, here's where the controversy begins: the traditional canon states that B-Wing Starfighters were developed by the Slay & Korpil corporation and were designed by - Gial "it's a trap" Ackbar - who was then a mere Commander. Star Wars Rebels recently rebuilt the history of the B-Wing by having it created by a mad-engineer named Quarrie on the planet Shantipole.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP:

GI Joe Warthog AIFV

GI Joe Warthog AIFV - Ugly and brings bad news, get out of it's way.

Presenting the GI Joe Warthog Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV), with it's driver (didn't seem right that he was driving the thing, so we made him the gunner) Sgt Slaughter.

Released in 1988, the Warthog AIFV is one of the oldest vehicles in the Dungeon that was acquired complete a few years back. It took us a while though to capture the right Sgt Slaughter that went with it and we can only dream about affording the modern version of Sgt Slaughter - maybe one day.

It's one of the GI Joe vehicles that are based upon real military vehicles, the Marine Armored Amphibious Vehicle (AAV). Though it has seen several upgrades, the AAV uses a design that has been in service since 1972.

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Wong Fu Productions: DEALBREAKERS: She's Never Seen Star Wars?!

If she's never seen Star Wars, is it really a dealbreaker? We've pondered this question many times and quite frankly, YES!!! It is a dealbreaker if someone hasn't seen Star Wars. It's a passion of ours and it's something we would love to share with whoever our partner would be in life. Soooo... No Star Wars.... No deal.

Credits after the jump. DO FOLLOW WONG FU PRODUCTIONS!!!  They are strong in the Force.

McDonald's Happy Meal Donkey Kong Kart

Donkey Kong - Bad Monkey

Presenting Donkey Kong from the McDonald's Happy Meal Mario Karts toyline.

This will be a pretty short review. We just saw him and we really like Donkey Kong and we enjoy the thought of him cramped into the cockpit of a cruiser that can transform into a hovercraft.

We believe this particular incarnation of Donkey Kong is from Mario Kart 8.

There isn't much to say about the McDonald's Happy Meal Donkey Kong Kart: It rolls - no mechanics; you have to apply stickers; there isn't much in terms of articulation and you can't take the monkey out of the car.

It's sad that this is just a free-wheeling vehicle. We wish that the Donkey Kong Kart came with some sort of spring mechanism to propel it.

(More after the Jump)

Unite Warriors / Combiner Wars Grand Scourge

Would you classify Grand Scourge as a Nemesis Prime?

Presenting the Transformers Decepticons Dark Commander, Grand Scourge - or Nemesis Prime if you prefer - from Takara Tomy's Unite Warriors toyline - their version of Combiner Wars. 

Personally we don't really think he should be equated with Nemesis Prime, but he will be so let's just leave it at that.

Basically this dude is Jet Li's Lawless from "The One." Grand Scourge is a dimensional hopper that seeks out the bearers of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, and kills them. Armed with his Matrix Breaker Sword, Grand Scourge in the e-Hobby comic book was portrayed to have already claimed the matrix of Reverse Prime. Now he's come for the Matrix of Optimus Prime (Gabriel Yu Law), because there can be only one.

More after the jump

GI Joe Custom Cover Girl

Presenting a GI Joe custom Cover Girl action figure.

Cover Girl is Specialist Courtney A. Krieger from Peoria, Illinois. She's probably best know in the GI Joe community for being the primary pilot associated with the GI Joe Wolverine missile-boat, AND for being a former high-end fashion model.

Sadly despite her success in the modern world, she found the modelling life completely unfulfilling. So she enlisted studied how to be a tank driver in Fort Knox and learned how to build/repair gas and diesel engines.

Eventually, despite her aversion to the use of her natural beauty in her career, she enrolled to study espionage in Fort Huachuca Military Intelligence School.

Sadly Hasbro has not deemed it fit to create a modern version of Cover Girl other than the really, really crappy likeness of the beautiful Karolína Kurková (Who Steven Sommers had Zartan knife in the back while she was flirting with General Hawk). The only modern version of Cover Girl available in the market is the outrageously priced version from the GI Joe Collectors Club.

So we made our own.

Magic the Gathering Liliana Vess Action Figure

Presenting a Liliana Vess Action Figure from the Legacy Collection Toyline of Magic the Gathering.

Liliana Vess, AKA Lili; Liliana of the Veil; Liliana of the Dark Realms, or; A Villainess (Though writer Brady Dommermuth claims this anagram of her name is purely coincidental.)

We won't pretend that we know much about Magic: The Gathering since we as former Dungeons and Dragons players some of us kinda saw Magic as a lazy man's D&D.

In a nutshell though, Magic: the Gathering has an underlying storyline that you can follow on the cards that are produced. The storyline was later reinforced by the various Magic the Gathering novels and comic books that followed.

Marvel Universe Shanna the She-Devil

Presenting a Shanna the She-Devil action figure from the Marvel Universe Infinite series toyline.

There are currently two Shanna the She-Devils wandering around the Marvel Universe. The first is Shanna O'Hara Plunder wife of Ka-Zar Kevin Plunder - the second character to bear the name Ka-Zar). Recently this Shanna the She-Devil was killed on a mission with Wolverine and Amadeus Cho, and was resurrected by being immersed in a bath that involved fluids from the Swamp Thing (gross). The resurrected Shanna the She-Devil had super-strength and stamina.

In 2005, an alternate universe Shanna the She-Devil was released. This Shana was bred in a test tube by Nazi scientists, and was named "Shanna" by someone who thought she resembled a comic-book character. This was illustrated by Frank Cho. Unfortunately this title which was supposed to be released under Marvel Max for a more mature audience was stripped of it's nudity by Frank prior to it's publication - under a PG rating instead.

Now that the Marvel Universe has been rebooted, we're not sure which Shanna the She-Devil will be retained. But given the very conservative look of this Shanna? We'd say it's not the near naked version that does jumping jacks

Lego Captain America Power Armor

Presenting a Heroes Assemble Lego version of a Power Armor for the Avengers Age of Ultron Captain America.

We didn't call it a KO Lego this time because - as of this writing - we could not find a legitimate Lego version that this Power Armor copied - which is quite different from the KO Lego Tumbler that you can see here.

So for now we're classifying this as an original design. Anyway we really love it because you can use it to help envision a world where the Avengers failed to stop Ultron from triggering global extinction. The few surviving Avengers find themselves hard-pressed to turn back the tide of a world made of metal.

So Tony Stark suggests powering up the surviving Avengers: Thor, Bruce Banner (Who lost his Hulk powers trying to stop the fall of Sokovia) and Captain America - whose Shield was destroyed in the fall of Sokovia.

Tony Stark builds a power armor for Captain America that gives him 400x his original durability, while providing him with additional firepower, the ability to fly or zoom around on street level, and a new shield built from the remains of Ultron Prime - making Captain America a prime target for Ultron who wants his Prime body back

Flying out from their secret base, the power-armored Avengers fight on to avenge a world that they failed to save.

Isn't the joy of having no backstory behind a toy fun?

Star Wars Rebels Ahsoka Tano and Darth Vader

Presenting Ahsoka Tano and Darth Vader from the Star Wars Rebels series two-pack.


The Failed Jedi has returned to confront her former master who has fallen to the Dark Side of the Force.

When Anakin Skywalker's failed padawan Ahsoka Tano was revealed to be the mysterious contact of the Rebels in the 1st season of Star Wars Rebels, their was a collective gasp heard worldwide as her return filled our minds with a plethora of questions:

Where has she been? What happened to her during Order 66? Is this why she rebuilt her lightsabers? Why is she using a curved design? Has she been hanging out with the failed Sith Ventress?

And of course: What will happen when she finally confronts her former Master?

We've already seen how shocked she was when she ascertained the identity of Darth Vader in Star Wars Rebels Season 2's  "Siege of Lothal" And we know that the juvenile Ahsoka Tano has stood her ground against the likes of General Grievous and Asajj Ventress. So, 13 years later, the adult Ahsoka has to know that if there's anyone who can hope to challenge Anakin Skywalker, ow Darth Vader, it's her.

This does not bode well for her.

Jessica Alba Invisible Woman Action Figure

Presenting Jessica Alba as the Invisible Girl action figure from the 2005 Fantastic Four Movie franchise.

Two days ago the internet was abuzz that the Fantastic Four's movie rights had finally been traded off by Fox back to Marvel in exchange for two X-Men TV show rights. (HEY CHECK OUT OUR THOUGHTS ON THE 2015 FANTASTIC FOUR MOVIE HERE!)

Unfortunately this turned out to be a big hoax and both Marvel and Fox have since denied the rumor.

But it still made us want to feature our remaining Marvel Legends scale Fantastic Four 2005 action figure: The Invisible Woman.

This is actually the Fantastic 4 Power Blast Invisible Woman Action Figure fully visible variant. There's a variant that has her partially invisible (Lower torso and lower arms), and; a variant that's completely invisible. We were unfortunately unable to locate her power base as of this shoot.

Marvel Universe Ultimate Spider-Man

Presenting the Ultimate Spider-Man from the Marvel Universe Infinite Series Toyline.

So a black Spider-Man. Born in the Marvel Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610), this is Miles Morales the Afrian-American/ Hispanic grade-schooler who's uncle - the Prowler - stole the recreated serum (and an irradiated spider) that gave Peter Parker his super powers. Miles got bitten by the Spider while visiting his uncle and developed similar powers to the Earth 1610 Spider-Man (Peter Parker) who had recently died.

Realizing he could have helped stop the Green Gobiln, Miles is guilt stricken by the death of Peter Parker and takes up his mantle - much to the chagrin of everyone who considered the original 1610 Spider-Man a hero.

Captured by S.H.I.E.L.D., Miles proves himself a hero against the 1610 Electro and is given this black and red Spider-Suit.

Which we really like.

Star Wars Black Series Rey (Jakku) & BB-8

Presenting the Jedi (?) Rey as she appears on the planet Jakku and the droid BB-8 from the Star Wars Black Series Toyline.

Not much is known about the mysterious female protagonist from Star Wars Episode VII. All we know is that she's a scavenger on the planet Jakku (where she drives a Magnum ice-cream bar), and, if we're to believe a spoiler thanks to a game card, she's a Jedi (Or will be one).

So Star Wars Episode VII will feature a gender (Female) and a skin color (Black) that Star Wars, in general, has been criticized for not including that much of, as the two primary protagonists.

No Asians? Sigh.

We don't know much about BB-8 other than he was criticized heavily early on for his design - although we're sure that his critics have recently been silenced with the release of an actual toy that can do what BB-8 does in the films.

Face-plate upgrade for the Optimus Prime Fansproject Parallax Armor

Presenting a face-plate upgrade for the Fansproject Parallax armor for Optimus Prime.

This will be a pretty short review.

This is actually a face-plate that came with an after market upgrade package for the original Parallax armor for Ultra Magnus - not Prime. Our Magnus armor was a KO and did not include the shoulder mounted missile launchers.

Not wanting to give Optimus Prime's missile launchers to his poorer cousin, we sourced for one on-line and found a set.

The set included new face for Ultra Magnus and one blue-eyed face-plate bearing alternate for Optimus Prime.

So we thought we'd share the upgrade with the rest of the world.

Ultra Magnus Reprolabels - Combiner Wars

Presenting the Transformers Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus with Reprolabels applied. We're quite fond of the Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus and we said that he was worthy of how he looks in the IDW comic books and has a mold that fits nicely in his other versions including when he appeared as the Autobot City Commander in The Transformers Movie.

So we have to tip our hat to Reprolabels for creating a need and making us realize that there was "room for improvement."

The Reprolabels are based upon Magnus' original G1 toy design and his portrayal by IDW in the Dark Cybertron series, both of which depict Ultra Magnus with a solid red lower torso and upper thighs.

We honestly appreciate though that Reprolabels did not go overboard with turning those body parts red as Ultra Magnus' cartoon version is primarily white and blue - probably an attempt to make him as distinct from Optimus Prime as possible. We think that this is a fine compromise between the two. 

Marvel Legends Dr Strange

Presenting the Marvel Legends Infinite Series Dr Strange Hulkbuster BAF action figure.

Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange is a brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon - sounds a lot like Tony Stark (Must be a mustache thing for Marvel. He's also a bit of a playboy) - who loses the fine motor control of his hands in a car accident, ending his career.

Ruined, penniless and desperate to regain control of his hands, Doctor Strange turns to the rumored healing powers of a mystic hermit in the Himalayas.

Dr Strange finds the Ancient One who refuses to heal him because of his arrogance and selfishness. However the Ancient one senses that there is an innate goodness in Doctor Strange and instead offers to teach him the mystic arts.

Dr Strange refuses, but is kept from leaving due to a blizzard. While waiting he witnesses an attempt at the Ancient One's life by Baron Mordo. He confronts Mordo and is mystically shackled while Mordo leaves to continue his assassination attempt. Desperate to stop him, Doctor Strange pledges to learn from the Ancient One. The Ancient One then releases him stating that he was aware of Mordo's plot from the beginning and wanted to see what Dr Strange would do. Steven Strange becomes his apprentice and Baron Mordo declares himself his mortal enemy.

Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme, Master of the Mystic and Black Arts was born.

HALO Ghost

Presenting a Covenant Ghost piloted by the SPARTAN Noble 6 from the HALO Reach Toyline..

To the uninitiated, this is the Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle or Ghost. The Ghost is powered by a "Boosted Gravity Propulsion drive." In essence it's an armored sled on repulsorlifts.

Quiet, lightly armored but fast (Cruising speed of around 60 kph, capable of boosting up to 90kph in short spurts.)  and decently armed, it's our personal vehicle of choice in the HALO games for two very simple reasons: A) The Ghost can strafe (Literally slide left-to-right while firing) - which no other HALO ground vehicle can do, and; If you get tired of lashing at Covenant forces with the twin Variant Class-2 Energy Weapon Systems, pull the boost trigger and wipe the floor clean of Covenant!

Covenant Ghost: When you need to absolutely, positively have to "mow the lawn." Accept no substitutes.

Marvel Legends Hawkeye

Presenting the Avenger Hawkeye from the Marvel Legends Infinite Series Allfather Odin BAF toyline.

To the uninitiated this is Clinton Francis "Clint" Barton AKA Hawkeye: formerly the Golden Archer (Wow); the size changing Goliath; the sword wielding Ronin, and; for a few brief comic book panels - being one of the few people who had the talent enough to wield the shield, Captain America (Fallen Son: Death of Captain America #3). Clint turned it down after getting dressed down by Hawkeye (Kate Bishop). She was able to convince him that assuming the mantle and shield of a dead symbol of hope was wrong. Clint returned the shield to Iron Man - who ended up giving it to Bucky Cap - and Clint joined the Secret Avengers as Ronin.

Marvel Universe Colossus - Juggerlossus - Infinite Series

Presenting the Mighty Colossus - or Juggerlossus - from the Marvel Universe Infinite Series Toyline.

Piotr Nikolaievitch Rasputin, Colossus. We're Colossus fans. Always have been since we started reading the Uncanny X-Men waaaaay back in 1986 when, during the Mutant Massacre story-arc, Colossus was severely injured for being the "wall" behind which X-Men and Morlocks alike found protection from the vicious killing spree of the Marauders.

Magneto tried to heal him, resulting in Piotr's paralysis. He would return during the Fall of the Mutants story-line with enhanced strength thanks to Magneto's "healing" which involved strengthening his organic Osmium steel skin.

But we always thought that Piotr's powers were... weak.... when compared to the powers of his siblings: Mikhail: an Omega-Level energy manipulator, and; Illyana: a teleporter and Sorceress Supreme of Limbo. So we thought that once day Colossus would realize that he could bring in more mass from whatever dimension he gains the additional mass and armor whenever he transforms into Colossus - becoming a literal true Colossus.

We never thought he'd become the Juggernaut.

Optimus Pime UFO Annular Trailer KO

Presenting the KO (Knock-off) version of Optimus Prime's UFO Annular Trailer.

The UFO Annular Trailer is based upon the trailer of Optimus Prime as it appeared in the Transformers Dark of the Moon movie when Prime first encountered Shockwave and his driller. Prime's trailer transformed in the movie and became a circular structure bristling with weapons from which Optimus Prime drew a sword and a shield (Since he loves beheading Decepticons a lot).

Later in the movie Optimus Prime would state the need to recover his trailer because he needed the flight technology within it. 

Batman Hush Huntress Action Figure

Presenting the Huntress action figure from DC Directs' Batman Hush Toyline.

We weren't actually planning to shoot the Huntress but our trusty six year old Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 is finally croaking - feels like losing an old friend (One that we kept dropping) - and we needed to test out our options. So these were taken using the 16MP camera of our Samsung Note 4.

Not bad! What do you guys think?

To the uninitiated, this is Helena Rosa Bertinelli, child of a mafia boss. She was a victim of mob related rape at a young age which forced her into a recluse state until she witnessed anther mob related crime - the attempted murder of her entire family. Her bodyguard then trains this shrinking violet into becoming an enforcer out to end all mob activity: the Huntress.

Star Wars Black Series Captain Phasma

Presenting Captain Phasma from the Star Wars Black Series 6" Action Figure series.

When King Leonidas told Xerxes that clearly he should have marched his women to the Hot Gates instead of his men, Leonidas had Gwendoline Christie in mind. 

To the uninitiated Ms Christie brought our second favorite Game of Thrones knight (After Bronn who we believe will win the Iron Throne win the end), Brienne of Tarth, to life. In December she'll march out into the silver screen clad again in armor as Captain Phasma, the Commander of the Stormtrooper Legions of the Imperial Remnant known as the First Order, in Star Wars Episode VII - The Force Awakens.

If we discount the existence of the Star Wars Expanded Universe, then Captain Phasma is the first solid example of a politically powerful female in what used to be a male-dominated Imperial army. 

Star Wars Black Series Kylo Ren

Presenting Kylo Ren from the Star Wars Black Series 6" Action Figure series.

Hey it's that creepy nympho serial masturbator from "Girls!" (We really hate that show).

Since Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens hasn't happened yet, there isn't much we know about Kylo Ren.

He's not Sith in the traditional sense of the word, he's a Dark Side of the Force user and a member of the Knights of Ren - Ren is not his last name, it's titular. The Knights of Ren are allied with the First Order - the remnants of the former Empire.

Maybe if we talk dirty to him while he's wood-carving, he'll tell us more (If you watched Girls because you love your girlfriend, you'll get that reference). Oh! Apparently that controversial lightsaber is his design and personal creation.

Transformers Generations Rattrap

Presenting Transformers Generations Rattrap.

We're not really fans of the current incarnation of Rattrap. We prefer his incarnation in the animated series where he was something of an equivalent to Bumblebee.

Now he's like ... Starscream to Megatron. A schemer waiting in the shadows, but serving Starscream the First, faithfully ... for now.

This is actually an old shoot that we never were able to prep and post on-line.

It seemed like such a shame to let it go to waste, so even if Transformers Generations Rattrap isn't quite relevant anymore, we decided to put him up.

He's one of the coolest Generations figures after all.

STAR WARS FORCE FRIDAY AT TOY KINGDOM

Star Wars fans across the world will soon get a first look at select new products inspired by the upcoming film Star Wars: The Force Awakens as the world’s first live, global toy unboxing event unfolds across 12 countries, 15 cities, and 18 hours.

In the most epic product launch ever mounted, select toys and merchandise inspired by the upcoming film Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be revealed for the first time in Youtube.  The celebration will be hosted out of Los Angeles, with live unboxings beginning in Sydney, Australia (evening of Sept 2, US time), and the grand finale at Lucasfilm, home of Star Wars in San Francisco (morning of Sept 3, US time)

In the Philippines, select Star Wars: The Force Awakens toys and merchandise will be celebrated in a Force Friday event on September 4 at 12:01 am at the SM Mall of Asia’s Main Mall Atrium.
Aside from getting the first dibs, Star Wars enthusiasts will be amazed at the exciting line up of events such as best dressed impersonator competition and Star Wars trivia with prizes to be won. Freebies also await lucky shoppers.

Save the date, join this epic launch, and be the first to have never before seen products inspired by the movie at the Star Wars: The Force Awakens toy launch only at Toy Kingdom.

Don't forget to follow Toy Kingdom's Instagram account, their twitter account, and their Facebook account. 

Marvel Legends Thundra

Presenting the  head of the United Sisterhood Empire of North America, Thundra!

If you've got abs, flaunt them.

To the uninitiated, Thundra is a visitor to the mainstream Marvel Universe from a future alternate time-line where Earth is now known as Femizonia and is ruled by Amazon like female warriors.

Thundra came to the mainstream Marvel Universe to challenge the Thing and prove the dominance of women by beating the one male whom the Femizonias viewed as the most powerful in the 616 Earth - which is ironic since we know from the latest Fantastic Four movie, that the Thing lacks a specific male part.

Thundra would eventually become something of an anti-hero in the Marvel Universe. Thundra would stand toe-to-toe with the Hulk, become the head of the United Sisterhood Empire of North America, fall in love with the Thing, but eventually give her heart to another Earth 616 interdimensional visitor, Arkon the Magnificent, ruler of Polemachus, and become mother to the She-Hulk (Lyra). Thundra will join the Squadron Supreme when the dust settles from the on-going Secret Wars.

Star Wars Trade Federation Armored Assault Tank - AAT

Presenting a Trade Federation Amoured Assault Tank or AAT. You may remember these from the Battle of Naboo, but hopefully not with the image of Jar-Jar Binks hanging from one (shudder). 

To the uninitiated, this is the Trade Federation Armored Assault Tank 1 or AAT-1 or simpl AAT was the main battle tank of the Separatist Confederacy (Confederacy of Independent Systems). It was developed by Wat Tambor's Baktoid Armor Workshop - the same people that built Battle Droids, Super Battle Droids, MMTs, STAPs, and your average Spider-droid. 

Combiner Wars Optimus Maximus

Presenting the Transformers Combiner Wars Optimus Maximus!

Or.... The Combiner Wars Sunstreaker, Mirage, Jazz and Ironhide, combined with The Combiner Wars Optimus Prime that has been modified with Reprolabels and further modified with the Perfect Effect Combiner PC-01 Black Hand and Foot Upgrade.

So it's a heavily modified Optimus Maximus.

No the Matrix does not glow, the Reprolabels  are reflective and just caught the light perfectly.

Anyway, Hasbro/Takara decided to go all Bio-Man on Optimus Prime. Since we're not fans of the rainbow coalition (They should have made Hound a member instead of Prowl. Hound is green and the new Optimus prime is white so it would have completed the Bio-Man prism) we're slightly more fond of the Optimus/Aerialbots gestalt.

Evasion Mode Nemesis Prime - KO

Presenting the Transformers Evasion Mode Nemesis Prime - Knock-off (KO).

This is a knock-off (KO) of the 2015 Tokyo Toy Fair Age of Extinction Nemesis Prime that retails on Ebay for around US$ 204 (Roughly PhP 9,188 plus shipping). Obviously we did not feel like spending a small fortune to get one - especially when that small fortune can land us an MP-10. We love the Evasion Mode Optimus Prime, but not that much.

This particular KO Evasion Mode Nemesis Prime was purchased after a trip to the pirate nation of Divisoria - the giant black-market cum shopping mecca of Manila where everything is for sale.

You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy in the Philippines. It scares the hell out of us being there. Proof enough is that after purchasing this, we got lost and our perfect sense of direction was thrown for a counter-intuitive loop.

Star Wars Black Series Captain Rex

Presenting Captain Rex from the Star Wars Black Series Toyline.

Captain Rex is Republic Clone CT-7567, commander of the famous - and later infamous - 501st Legion during the Clone Wars. Captain Rex did not finish the Clone Wars in service though of the 501st, so it was another Clone Commander, Appo, who led the 501st - what would become to be known as "Vader's Fist" - in the assault on the Jedi Temple in Coruscant.

Captain Rex's history is almost as colorful as the history of Marshal Commander Cody - who was his close friend. Captain Rex served under Jedi General Anakin Skywalker, while Marshal Commander Cody and his 7th Sky Corps 212th Attack Battalion, serve under General Kenobi.

Elite Force Gunboat - G.I. Joe repurpose

Presenting the Elite Force Naval Special Warfare Gunboat re-purposed by the G.I. Joe jungle team.

What's particularly nice about this river boat is that it is based upon a real life vehicle: The Navy SEAL Special Operations Craft - Riverine or SOC-R.

The SOC-Rs were developed for close-in fighting on rivers. It's a given that ambushes in tight river situations may happen at any time and at any place, so either you stock up on armor and hide, or defend yourself with an overwhelming amount of firepower - which is what the SOC-R is able to do as all it's weapons combined form a 360 degree kill zone.

The SOC-Rs are used to insert or recover squads and were designed to be extremely versatile. They are powered by a Hamilton HJ92 water pump-jet system - so no there are no props that may be caught in vines or other river debris - that are powered by two 440hp Yanmar 6L Y2M-STE diesel engines. The SOC-R has no more than a 2ft draft when fully loaded and given its v-shaped hull design, it is capable of literally "skating" over water. It is also light enough that it can be lifted easily by a Chinook.

Marvel Legends White Tiger

Presenting the White Tiger from the Marvel Legends Rhino BAF toyline.

The White Tigers - and there have many - can trace their origin back to the fabled kingdom of K'un-Lun - (Making them sorta related to the Iron Fists - which probably explains the color scheme).

The White Tigers gain superhuman strength, speed, stamina agility, dexterity, reflexes and reactions, coordination, balance, and endurance, recuperative powers and the ability to blend with their surroundings - like a Tiger would - when they wear the Jade Tiger Amulets (There are three: two claws, and one tiger head). The amulets also make the White Tiger a master of martial arts.

Now, to the uninitiated, this - according to the box, is Angela del Toro, AKA "La Tigresa Blanca" a former FBI agent who was investigating Matt Murdock for allegedly being the Daredevil.  Angela was also driven by the need to find out why her uncle, Hector Ayala - the White Tiger before her, recklessly wasted his life being a super-hero. So ironically, when the White Tiger Amulets were passed on to her, the only person she could go to for advice was the one person she was investigating, Daredevil, who turned her into a hero.

Angela del Toro was killed and resurrected by Lady Bullsye and the Hand, and was not quite able to get rid of their corrupting influence. We're not sure when she stepped down, but she handed the White tiger Amulets over to her.... aunt - Hector Ayala's youngest sister Ava.

Which brings us to this problem: Unless we missed it - which we doubt - this is not the costume used by Angela del Toro, this is the costume used by Ava Ayala. This White tiger is Ava Ayala.

JLA Vixen Action Figure

Presenting a Vixen action figure from the Justice League of America toyline.

We're spring cleaning here in the Dungeon and streamlining what we have due to lack of space. It's a shame that toys like this don't see the light of day for years and end up in storage bins simply because we don't have the shelf space for them. So we're putting her on the market to give her a better home.

Anyway to the uninitiated, Vixen is Mari Jiwe McCabe one of the most prominent African Superheroines in the DC Universe. Vixen is a super-fashion model by day and wielder of the Tantu-Totem - a mystical artifact that gives her the ability to mimic the powers of animals - by night.

This action-figure was released in 2009 and depicts Vixen in the uniform she wore when she was a member of the 2008 pre-New 52 Justice League of America team - one of the most powerful Justice League incarnations and the team led by the Black Canary which included Superman, Wonder-Woman, Batman, Black Bolt, Red Arrow, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern and the Red Tornado.

Vixen would lead the League following the end of the Final Crisis series when most of the team resigned from active duty.

G.I. Joe Social Clash Baroness

Presenting Cobra's Baroness from the GI Joe 50th Anniversary Social Clash 2-pack.

The Baroness is actually a reissue of a figure released in 2009 in a Cobra set that included Cobra Commander, Storm Shadow, a Viper and Zartan.

We've had her for some time, but haven't really had the time to appreciate her til now.

The Baroness was born Anastasia Cisarovna, but has been known to use the alias Anastasia DeCobray. Anastasia is the daughter of wealthy aristocrats and grew up feeling privileged and was present during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam where her brother, Eugene, was apparently killed by Snake-Eyes, while Eugene was attempting to cover up the fact that International relief goods were being diverted to fund the Vietcong. She left her brother for dead and vowed revenge against America for its hypocrisy. What she failed to see later was the presence of Destro and Destro's dad who noted that Eugene was not killed by Snake-Eyes because his bullets did not penetrate the bullet proof vest that Eugene was wearing.

The rest is history.

Star Wars Rebels Hera Syndulla Action Figure

Presenting a Hera Syndulla Action Figure from the Star Wars Rebels Toyline.

As Captain of the Ghost, technically Hera is the leader of the "Rebels" - that and she does tend to be far more diplomatic and capable than Kanan Jarrus - who she also bosses around a lot. So "Go Girl Power!"

A lot of people have been looking for this figure and lamenting at Disney/Hasbro's decision to cut down the production numbers of Hera Syndulla and Sabine Wren action figures under the misguided notion that boys do not like to play with "Girl Toys". So while she's not drop dead rare, loose she's worth around US$ 12 (Roughly PhP 540) right now on the black-market. We purchased her at retail along with a Stormtrooper Commander for US$ 15.55 (PhP 699.75). On Amazon, the set is worth US$ 18.77 (Roughly PhP 844.65 plus shipping).

The reason why her price tag is not skyrocketting, despite her production shortage is, in our opinion, probably because the Star Wars Rebels Hera Syndulla Action Figure is a drop dead horrible action figure.

Combat Hero Optimus Prime

Presenting the Transformers Generations Combat Hero Optimus Prime from the Transformers Generations Ultimate Gift Set. 

Released in 2012, yes, he's a darker redeco of the 2011 Laser Optimus Prime - which is a re-imagining of the 1995 and 2006 Laser and Battle Covoys.

The metallic blue, gunmetal and red used in this Combat Hero Optimus Prime is attribute to the 1994 Hero Optimus Prime redeco which also bears the same name "Combat Hero Optimus Prime" that was slated for release in 1995 but was never created (However there was a finished sample that was auctioned off in Botcon in 1996. We do not know where that finished sample is).

As mentioned this Prime comes with the Transformers Generations Ultimate Gift Pack that included a redecoed Jazz and Legends Class Decepticons Thundercracker and Motorbreath.

Combiner Wars Optimus Prime Reprolabels Upgrade

Presenting a Combiner Wars Optimus Prime with a Reprolabels Upgrade.

The Combiner Wars Optimus Prime is one of our favorites. We cited it for high articulation and a design worthy of what he will eventually become on his own - a Combiner (Great thing are in store for Ultra Prime now that we know that the redocos of IronHide, Sunstreaker, Mirage and Prowl are coming),

So when we saw the Reprolabels upgrade, we knew we had to get it - and we love it.

In a nutshell this is about taking something that looks good, and making even better.

In a nutshell we think that the Reprolabel stickers add enough detailing - and some of it is really simple - to add to the air of authority that surrounds Optimus Prime.

Avengers Age of Ultron Scarlet Witch 3.75"

Presenting the Avengers Age of Ultron 3.75" Scarlet Witch action figure.

There is a lot of controversy surrounding Marvel's marketing choice to ignore the creation of female action figures just because they believe boys - referring to 4 year olds which is the target market usually found on the packaging - do not want to play with "dolls."

This belief has even led to the "re-gendering" of the Velociraptors Blue, Charlie, Delta and Echo from Jurassic Park. Their packaging lists them as male, despite the fact that they were female in the movie.

Whoever thought of this idea clearly has never been to a Toycon.

This explains the severe lack of Black Widow and, now, even Scarlet Witch action figures in the market. So when this 3.75" 5-points of articulation Age of Ultron Scarlet Witch appeared in our local Toy's R' Us, we had to grab it.

The real reason for Sad Batman

The real reason for Sad Batman revealed: Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have divorced after ten years of marriage.

Optimus Prime Alternators Reprolabels

Presenting an Optimus Prime Alternators figure with a Fansproject TFX-ABT-01 upgrade and a Reprolabels mod. 

We've reviewed this before and we have to say that we've never liked the Alternators Optimus Prime.  

We bought the Fansproject TFX-ABT-01 rifle and matrix upgrade thinking that this would improve how we felt for this figure, but it didn't. The Alternators Optimus Prime was still fat, difficult to transform and poor in terms of articulation. 

We looked at him and saw nothing more than an Optimus Prime with a big "Shoot me here" plate who could barely turn to face whoever was shooting at him. 

Fat and boring and exiled to the back of the display case.

Marvel Legends Iron Fist Infinite Series

Presenting Iron Fist from the Marvel Legends Infinite Series.

This is the second Marvel Legends Iron Fist to be released by Marvel. The first one had Danny Rand in his original green Iron Fist garb - the one with the huge yellow collars, not the one that looks like he does now, but green. There was also a red variant of that particular figure.

Marvel later released a Marvel Universe version of Iron Fist in what was called his "White Hot Room" costume. We predicted that he would die battling the Phoenix, but, oh well.

Anyway, here's the Marvel Legends Infinite series version of the Immortal Weapon of Agamotto, Living Weapon, Immortal Weapon of K'un-Lun Daredevil, Young Dragon, Cancer Survivor and, supposedly one of the few Marvel characters who can beat Batman senseless (We can hear the cries of heresy over the internet), the Immortal Iron Fist.