I open a toy & post it here... VOL 2!

[Team Jetfire]

86-2
Hasbro- G.I. Joe Classified: Gabriel “Barbeque (The Mad Marauders)” Kelly.




Look I was going to pass on this “Mad Marauders'' Barbeque figure, I really was. I have the original version (still to be opened) and I really did not have any need for another repaint, but here’s the thing: nostalgia is a problem and this was the version of Barbeque that I had as a kid and incidentally why I don’t mind any of these sublines because as a kid it allowed me access to really cool figures that I missed out on. And if you are wondering what the heck “The Mad Marauders'' is, you are probably not alone as back in the day this line up of multi-colored Joes was called Slaughters Marauders and was a team that was aptly tied to Sgt Slaughter. It’s odd that they had to change the name for Classified considering that they have already produced a Slaughter figure, but I’m sure there was some kind of copyright that they would have needed to pay to use his name. Regardless it’s a moot paint because the name is irrelevant given that the biggest feature is the unique color scheme that simultaneously looks awesome and ridiculous. It’s unclear who will be next in the line, but judging from the original line up alongside who has already been released (or announced) in Classified form, it looks like we could get Spirit, Lowlight, Junkyard and the titular Slaughter, but time will tell.

Pros: I’m starting to sound like a broken record here, but Hasbro just continues to hit it out of the park with these amazing Classified releases. Barbeque is amazing.

Cons: A removable helmet could have been a very cool addition to this figure.

[Robimus]

I grabbed that Barbeque for custom fodder. Very solid figure with cool accessories.

I ended up using the backpack and hose for my Cobra Chemical Weapons Soldier, Haze.

Still sitting on the rest waiting for inspiration to hit.

[Team Jetfire]

Originally Posted by Robimus

I grabbed that Barbeque for custom fodder. Very solid figure with cool accessories.

I ended up using the backpack and hose for my Cobra Chemical Weapons Soldier, Haze.

Still sitting on the rest waiting for inspiration to hit.

I?m always in awe of all the customs that ppl come up with. I am not even close to be creative enough. Hell, I don?t even like switching weapons!

[Team Jetfire]

988-2
Hasbro- Marvel Legends: The Vulture.



As is tradition when I finish a BAF, it’s time to share some thoughts about the wave in general.

Spider-Man (suit)- Pretty standard Spider-Man as he appeared in Homecoming and cannot recall if it was all that much different from previous releases.
Spiderman (homemade Suit)- Very cool design and a solid addition in the wave. It also makes a key appearance in the movie so having this version in the wave seems extra special.
Moon Knight- Bit of a random release in this wave, but one of the standouts for sure.
Spider-Man (cosmic)- The figure has a shiny paint job and 3 alt heads. It’s fine.
Tombstone- A fantastic sculpted figure, but lacking accessories.
Beetle- A fantastic figure with a very cool paint job, great wings and a “pod” backpack when not in flight.
The Vulture- Hands down the best of the line and probably a contender for best of the year when it was released. I don’t love how his wings were the BAF as you just know that some kid got him as a present without the wings and he is also very unwieldy, but I appreciate that Hasbro included a stand to help.

Pros: Top to bottom, the Vulture is an amazing figure. The sculpt is unique and very detailed, the articulation works perfectly for the figure and the wings are just something else entirely. Kudos to Hasbro for giving such a great character the figure that it deserves.

Cons: I HATE that Hasbro decided to make his wings the BAF for the line. I get why, but it’s just super sneaky given that I would have NEVER shelled out money for freaking Cosmic Spider-Man. Also I would have liked either a removable helmet or an alt head for “Mr Batman” himself just because I think it's funny that he’s known in both circles now.

[Team Jetfire]

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NECA- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Usagi Yojimbo






Presenting a nominee for toy of the year: NECA Usagi Yojimbo is what I would be saying if I did toy of the year awards, but the sentiment still holds true as this figure is amazing. Ass you may all know I am big fan of Usagi from back in the day when he was included as part of the TMNT line up and I?ve tried to pick up any new figure that has been released since then despite them being in relative short supply (which is bonkers considering how popular the character is. Like do some companies not like money?) In any case this particular figure was a Target exclusive (shocking.. thanks a lot NECA) and a pain in the ass to track down at a reasonable price, but was well worth the wait. Explain to me again: why does NECA hate Canada so much? There was even a sliver of hope with Canadian TRU?s carrying NECA turtle figures, but that well has seemed to dry out too. Incidentally, TRU did have the Black and White version of this figure for a spell and I did buy it, but later returned given the overall cost. If I see one in the future on sale I may pick it up again given that I would like to have multiples for display options, but I feel like that ship has sailed and most stores are sold out at this time.

Pros: Usagi is an amazing figure and really showcases what NECA can do. He has a great sculpt with lots of details from his animated TMNT appearance, a ton of accessories including weapons, weapon storage, cloth belts, cloth cloak, an alt head with his ears down and even a removable Asian conical hat. Also, the articulation is top notch considering how small the figure is.

Cons: Much like some Super7 figures, Usagi almost comes with too much stuff that makes it difficult to display in a way that showcases it all. I love the cloak and the conical hat, but I also want him to maintain an action pose off the shelf. IF I liked near a Target I probably would have picked up two, but being in Canada the price is just too much for me to consider

[Team Jetfire]

[Team Jetfire]

989-2
McFarlane Toys- DC Multiverse: Red Son Superman.




If you haven’t yet, do yourself a favor and go watch the DC Animated Feature “Red Son”. I’m sure I’ve sung its praises before, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to do it once again as it is an amazing movie and one that I think may have been able to find some success in the theaters if it received more than a direct to video release. For those not aware, RED SON is basically a “What If” type story that follows the life of Kal El if he did not land in Smallville, but rather ended up in post WW2 Russia. Given that the movie is feature length and was based on a Graphic novel that was much longer, much of what happens in the movie is abridged but I think it still does an amazing job in telling the overall story from start to finish. I do have 2 complaints though: 1. There IS a Russian “Batman” in the story that kind of appears out of nowhere; some back story on him would be helpful and there seems to be a very “pro-capitalist/pro-American” message at the end. Quick spoiler: Superman’s communist utopia did not work out, but it wasn’t because the system failed, but rather that Brainiac was destroying Superman’s vision from the inside, without Superman knowledge. I suppose it’s kind of like saying that socialism doesn’t work in the real world, forgetting that America was instrumental in toppling these countries to better help their own geo-political interests. ANYWAYS, it’s a good movie and you should watch it.

Pros: I actually like Red Son Superman as a character better than “normal” Superman so I was very excited to pick this guy up. Overall I like how he turned out with a nice sculpt (a re-tool of one of the best McFarlane figures: Superman 1000) and some decent updates including a new head sculpt and a different chest emblem. I will also ALWAYS appreciate the flight stand that is included.

Cons: As far as I understand Red Son Superman has two distinct looks and this one is my less favorite of the two. The other features a more military looking uniform with black gloves and a higher collar, but I understand how that would have required a brand new sculpt that McFarlane was probably not willing to do.

[canprime]

Red Son is a great story.

The comic is better than the cartoon so I would recommend people read that first then watch the cartoon.

I agree about the mold. This is my second favourite Superman release from McFarlane after AC 1000 Superman.

[Team Jetfire]

Originally Posted by canprime

Red Son is a great story.

The comic is better than the cartoon so I would recommend people read that first then watch the cartoon.

I agree about the mold. This is my second favourite Superman release from McFarlane after AC 1000 Superman.

Yeah, I should really track it down. I just rewatched the movie last night and figured that there was probably so much story missing at the start.

[Team Jetfire]

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Hasbro- GI Joe Classified- Snake Eyes Origins: Akiko




As of this writing, their various GI Joe Classified Facebook pages are absolutely filled with pictures of a discount store named Ollies that are just absolutely bursting with G.I. Joe Classified figures from, but not limited to, the Snake Eyes Origins movie and it made me wonder exactly how many of these figures were produced. Like, did they really think that this movie was going to be a massive hit and produced twice as many figures as they normally would? Talk about a big swing and honestly they really only have themselves to blame given that they own the rights to the characters and could have made a better movie that would have moved these units. Thankfully since then GI Joe Classified has found their footing and aside from some minor distribution issues and QC problems, I think it is easily the best retail line on the market today. As for the finds at Ollies I am only a little bit jealous that our friends in the states get access to all these cheap figures, but really have no time for more Movie figures. That said, I have spied MANY a Coronation Starscream Transformer figures that are way cheaper at Ollies than anything I could get in Canada.

Pros: Decent for a movie figure and it is nice to see that they are re-using her sculpt for future releases. I also like her bladed accessories.

Cons: Can we please stop giving women “raised heel” shoes as part of their costume? She’s literally a ninja and doesn’t need them.