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SDCC is just around the corner, and excitement for this year’s convention-exclusive offerings has reached epic proportions. To keep the buzz going, here are what we think are the ten most-anticipated sets available at this year’s San Diego ComicCon!
10. Super7’s Alien ReAction Series – “Early Bird” Set
Coming in at number ten with flamethrowers blazing, it’s Super7’s Alien ReAction Early Bird set! If you’ve ever read my Inside the Ant Hill column, you know I’m all about classic toys of the ’70s and ’80s, but I don’t really dig reproductions or new toys made to look “old.” That said, I was floored when I first saw this set. Created using prototypes based on Kenner’s original-but-unreleased Alien line, these three 3 3/4-inch figures feature slick late ’70s styling and the classic “Big 5” articulation model. Super7 did a wonderful job capturing the Kenner aesthetic — you could actually believe these were production samples sitting in a warehouse for decades and not newly-produced toys. To further enhance that illusion, Super7 is offering a variety of SDCC-exclusives, including retro-styled trading cards, catalogs, action figure stands, and a long-lost unpainted “production sample” two-pack featuring Big Chap (that’s the Alien) and Kane. Still, as awesome as all those are, the real winner has to be their “Early Bird” set. Modeled after Kenner’s memorable 1977 Star Wars offering, preordering the Early Bird package at the Super7 booth will net you an ALIEN figures display stage (including original artwork created in the style of 1970s packages), Space Club Membership Card, ALIEN photos, and a sheet of ALIEN stickers. Then, between October and December, you will be shipped the entire series of figures, including:
* THE ALIEN (“BIG CHAP”) – with removable transparent dome, extendable jaws and glow-in-the-dark head!
* RIPLEY – with Flame Thrower
* ASH – with Motion Detector
* DALLAS – with Flame Thrower
* KANE in NOSTROMO SPACESUIT – with removable helmet and transparent visor
The Early Bird preorder for the five figures is only $100.00 in the Continental US, Rest of the world $125 (+tax) and the cost includes shipping fees! No additional postage necessary! The figures will ship between October 1~December 31, 2013, and the Early Bird Package will be handed to you on the spot at SDCC.
9. Masters of the Universe® Classics Rokkon™ & Stonedar™ 2-Pack
“The Comet Warriors have arrived!”
Action figures who turn into rocks, huh? You MOTUC guys are weird. But also excitable and who can blame you? Masters of the Universe Classics has been delivering fan-demanded characters since it’s inception, and here are two that must be somebody’s favorites. Introducing, uh, Rocky and… Dave? On second thought, why don’t I just let Matty break it down for ya?
“This 2-pack of vintage MOTU Rockmen figures includes the young and excitable Rokkon™ and the wise and heroic Stonedar™. Recreate the Filmation look with snap-on arm and leg armor, or go bold(er) and transform into full rock mode with the additional snap-on front piece! Each figure also comes with trademark laser gun that they can hold, or can be snapped into chest. These figures, sculpted by the Four Horsemen, come in window box packaging and are not part of Club Eternia.”
“Young and excitable” — there’s a fun Google search for ya, kids! Anyway, when you hear about how everyone got stoned at SDCC this year, this is what they meant. Well, most of ’em, anyway.
8. BATMAN Classic TV Series Batman™ Batusi Batman™
I’m giddy as a schoolgirl in anticipation of the upcoming Batman Classic TV-Series line, and in acknowledgment of said giddiness, Matty is offering this kooky little box-set featuring a dancin’ Batman. I know, this sillier incarnation of the Caped Crusader isn’t for everybody, but I’ve been a fan of the show since I was old enough to watch TV and receiving little plastic representations of Adam West Batman, Ceaser Romero Joker, and Frank Gorshin Riddler is a dream come true. See, what did I say? Giddy.
It’s the dance craze that swept the nation! For the first time ever, this BatusiBatman™ figure recreates the iconic dance from the BATMAN Classic TV series! Sculpted with authentic likeness and featuring a fabric cape, this figure has unique articulation and an internal mechanism that allows it to perform the Batusi. The diorama package features vintage-look art from Shag, and a sound feature plays music with a ‘60s vibe to perfectly capture the scene where Batman™ shows off his unique Batusi moves. The package is designed so the Batusi dance moves can be activated without removing the figure.
Available for purchase at the show and at MattyCollector.com on 8/5 (details to come)
7. The Bridge Direct SDCC 2013 Hobbit Exclusive Azog Figure
If The Bridge Direct’s Hobbit line got you back in a Middle Earth frame of mind, then the long wait for new figures has been tough. Happily, the drought ends with the release of Orc Commander and severed head aficionado Azog. Remember him?
Our 7″ tall Orc Commander Azog comes in a numbered, limited edition of 2,600 pieces. Azog is depicted as he appears in the prologue scene from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. In the battle between the dwarves and an army of orcs to reclaim Moria, Azog holds the severed head of the dwarf King Thror up in victory. The figure comes with interchangeable hands – the right hand that holds Thror’s head can be replaced with a hand capable of holding either his dagger or mace, and the left hand can be switched with the prosthetic spikes that replaced the hand he lost to Thorin’s sword.
Yeah, that doesn’t ring any bells, but I may have dozed off by then. Hey, being a jet-setting boy reporter for the Internet’s top toy website is exhausting! Anyway, you can grab Azog and all his goodies at The Bridge Direct booth.
6. G.I. Joe/Transformers
GI Joe and Transformers: they’re the peanut butter and jelly of ’80s toy properties. It seems like such a natural fit that you wonder why it took so long to happen. Hasbro is clearly eager to make up for lost time with this “everything-and-the-kitchen-sink” offering. I was limiting myself to one pic per item, but you gotta see all this stuff!
G.I. JOE SKYSTRIKER VEHICLE WITH JETFIRE DECO AND V.A.M.P. WITH AUTOBOT HOUND DECO AND 3.75-Inch SNAKE EYES & BARONESS & DECEPTICON BLUDGEON Special Edition Pack
(Approximate Retail Price: $99.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available through HasbroToyShop.com, Booth #3329 at Comic-Con International in San Diego)
The third and final installment of G.I. JOE meets the TRANSFORMERS 2013 SDCC special edition toys! The fan-favorite line goes out in grand style, with two iconic G.I. JOE vehicles—the SKYSTRIKER Jet and the V.A.M.P. Ground Transport—given AUTOBOT decos as the heroic JETFIRE and AUTOBOT HOUND! The set also comes with a 3.75-inch BARONESS action figure with a special edition RAVAGE robotic panther, a 3.75-inch SNAKE EYES figure with special edition AUTOBOT deco and a 3.75-inch figure based on DECEPTICON BLUDGEON. Additionally, the set includes a small boom box with three cassette tapes—better known to TRANSFORMERS fans as the classic alt-mode of AUTOBOT BLASTER along with his AUTOBOT CASSETTES. Figures and vehicles do not convert. Following the convention, a limited number will be available on HasbroToyShop.com. Yo, Joe AND Roll Out!
5. Naked Brock Samson
You can keep your transforming jets and cyber-dogs, Hasbro — a real man doesn’t need anything to get by but his knife. Not even clothes? Nope, not even clothes. Unless a strip of black electrical tape counts. Otherwise, no. From the copy:
Our incredible follow-up to 2012′s now sold out Bloody Brock Samson action figure! Grab this Naked Brock while you can! The macho secret agent is conspiring to get into your home and your The Venture Bros. collection. Posing as an irresistible articulated action figure from Bif Bang Pow!, Brock Samson stands 3 3/4-inches tall in all his naked and bloody machismo glory. Removable black tape covers his nudity (don’t worry – there is no “junk” behind the tape). Add him to your desk today.
Wait a minute — don’t worry? Why would anyone be worried? I mean, should we worry? Are our wives going to run off with our action figures if they’re made anatomically-correct or something? It’s odd, is all. In spite of that, Naked Brock Samson is an Entertainment Earth exclusive and fits in with all of your other “junk”-less Bif Bang Pow! action figures.
4. Jumbo Yak Face
Boy, it sure is weird seeing that Kenner logo on new product. I get that it adds to the “retro” appeal and all, but it’s still a bit like walking in the kitchen to find your long-dead grandmother baking you cookies. Oh, sure, you’ll eat them — but it will be creepy. At any rate, Yak Face is the next 12-inch reproduction figure from Gentle Giant, and if you’ve been collecting ’em, then you’re probably already on board. But it’s the casual collector who may need some convincing.
Just like they were when you were a kid, only BIGGER! Gentle Giant continues on with their new line of vintage Star Wars action figure reproductions with the release of Yak Face!
Digitally scanned from mint 3 3/4” Kenner originals and reproduced in scale to the rest of the jumbo Kenner line. Nothing has been overlooked. Roto and injection molded and made of durable plastics, this fully-articulated jumbo figure includes a faithfully reproduced Skiff Guard Battle Staff.
That’s not all, this classic Kenner creation comes packaged on a 1984 Power of the Force-inspired blister card, featuring original artwork and a replica 3″ scale collector coin, in a re-sealable plastic outer clam shell to help protect and display!
There ya go. This Christmas, give your girlfriend 12 inches of Yak Face.
3. Marvel Universe Deadpool Corps set
Tacos. Deadpool. What more can I possibly say? Hmmm, okay — you need this. I need it and I don’t collect Marvel Universe figures. In fact, I’m not even a Deadpool fan! Still, this may be the the set to change my mind. But what’s on those tacos, you ask?
MARVEL UNIVERSE 3.75-Inch DEADPOOL CORPS Special Edition Figure Set
(Approximate Retail Price $49.99; Ages 4 & up; Available through HasbroToyShop.com, Booth #3329 at Comic-Con International in San Diego)
“Any evil that threatens the universe can eat lead. For the rest of us…tacos!” The Merc with a Mouth teams up with his favorite allies — alternate universe versions of himself — in this highly collectible and unique action figure set. The 3.75-inch MARVEL UNIVERSE figures of DEADPOOL, LADY DEADPOOL and CHAMPION OF THE UNIVERSE, along with figurines of KIDPOOL, DOGPOOL and SQUIRRELPOOL come packaged in individual “taco shells,” all inside a collectible taco truck package! Following the convention, a limited number will be available on HasbroToyShop.com.
I echo the internet when I ask: what, no Headpool? That said, this one is a classic in the making and you’re gonna kick yourself stupid if you miss it.
2. ‘Black Series’ 6″ Boba Fett w/ Han Solo in Carbonite
USA Today broke the news of the Boba Fett Black Series figure, which is a triumph for toy culture and a bit of a drag when you consider all of the websites devoted to this specific topic were left quoting a mainstream newspaper’s article. We’re not going to do that — Hell, we don’t need to. This thing is so cool it sells itself. You’ll have both the casual and die-hard Star Wars fan buying ’em, as well as general collectors who know a good thing when they see it. This toy is future nostalgia: someday, people will talk about their childhoods and this will be the Boba Fett figure they remember.
Boba Fett comes with his signature jet-pack, weapons, and, most iconically, spice smuggler and Rebel-sympathizer Han Solo encased in a block of carbonite. Grab of of these guys early because they are not gonna last!
1. DCIE Shazam!
Ha! Gotcha, didn’t I? I know, I’m silly. Still — can you imagine? I mean, as if!
1. Marvel Legends Thunderbolts 5 pack
Seriously, the only thunder anyone cares about at this year’s SDCC is this unbelievable Marvel Legends Thunderbolts box-set. I mean, it’s like getting an entire wave all at once! And while some of these figure are likely to be rereleased for retail with different paint decos, ala last year’s X-Force Archangel and Wolverine, it’s still worth picking up for characters like Judith Chambers, AKA Satana!
MARVEL LEGENDS SPECIAL EDITION MARVEL’S THUNDERBOLTS Collector Pack
(Approximate retail price: $89.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available through HasbroToyShop.com, Booth #3329 at Comic-Con International in San Diego)
Justice…like lightning! For the first time, collectors will be able to capture the reformed super-criminals known as MARVEL’S THUNDERBOLTS in the fan-favorite 6-inch MARVEL LEGENDS scale! Featuring team leader LUKE CAGE, GHOST, CROSSBONES, MARVEL’S MOONSTONE and JUDITH CHAMBERS, this set comes in a collectible display box with exclusive art by well-known comic artist Kev Walker! Following the convention, a limited number will be available on HasbroToyShop.com.
This one is the Grail, boys and girls At the end of the Con there will be only two kinds of people: those who have the Thunderbolts box-set, and those attempting console themselves by taking armloads of free Shazam! figures away from Matty’s long-abandoned table.
Jason R Mink is the Man in the Anthill! – 06/31/13