Thursday, April 30, 2015

Turd of the Week: ReAction, ReAction What's Your Function?

I admit, I had the very same ReAaction the first time I saw ReAction figures in stores.


When ReAction figures first came out I knew they weren't for me, but I did think it was a cool idea. It was a neat homage to the old school figures of the 70's. Just basic figures with five points of articulation. I thought it was pretty cool to be able to get some of these old-style figures in lines that we only dreamed of having when we were growing up. For example, I dug the ALIEN figures they did (particularly the Chest Burster). 
Sadly, what started out as an original, fun idea morphed into a played out, blatant money grab by Funko. I can't say I really blame them. Making money is the name of the game in the business world after all. However, that doesn't change the fact the these figures are, for lack of a better word, turds.

The Alien figures made sense and fit right into the throwback idea they started out as. Now, they are just making these figures for any and all licenses that they can get their hands on (just like they do with the Funko Pop Vinyls). So they started out with Alien and then somehow came up with the brilliant idea of making throwback-style figures for current TV shows such as ARROW and FLASH. Uh huh. Makes zero sense. Again, the chance to cash in trumps common sense or making good products for the customers.


If that wasn't bad enough, they have also begun to come out with some super unoriginal figures. One clear example is ReAction's Heat Vision Predator figure. Hmmm...I wonder where they got that idea? It sure reminds me of NECA's Thermal Vision Dutch. So not only is it NOT original, but the idea of this figure makes zero sense! Is the Predator looking at himself in the mirror or what? This figure just leaves me asking, "what the hell are you?"


Lastly, and this is strictly my opinion, but these figures are WAAAAAY overpriced! I wouldn't pay five dollars for one of these let alone ten dollars. They have no functionality and no likeness. Essentially, they are a hunk of plastic. I would pay, maybe, $3.50 for one of these. Even then, these are only good for little kids who are going to take them outside and bury them or beat the living hell out of them.

Again, the idea at the beginning was a noble one, but it has now gotten ridiculous. There will now be a ReAction figure for every freaking single license they have. Honestly, who can blame them? As long as there are chumps out there shelling out their hard earned cash on these pieces of crap they will continue to suck out every last cent out of these while they can.

Happy Turdsday!


As always, feel free to join us for more discussion over on Twitter: @cobrashadowjoes



Thursday, April 23, 2015

"Turtle Turtle" Playmates Turd of the Week

Playmates



This week's Turd definitely belongs to Playmates and their TMNT Mutations line.  Yes, all of us collectors know that the majority of their TMNT items are not made for us but for the kids that are going to just bash them together.  Playmates was making some progress with the larger classic TMNT line they created along with the movie Turtles.  There was even talk of making a Shredder and Krang for this line, but that was cancelled due to retail not wanting this product.  To think, after these two figures we could have had a Foot Soldier, Casey Jones, April O'Neil, Splinter, and I can just keep going. 




So why is Playmates making these turds for figures?  Money... period.  The paint apps are not done well, and none of the figures look appealing to the people that loved the vintage TMNT.  Playmates is running out of ideas, as are a lot of toy companies...and now they are making these crappy Mutations figures.  I just can't see the fun in having a bunch of Frankenstein TMNT toys to play around with.  I will admit when I was a kid I wasn't using the same weapons that came with my figures, or maybe swapping a pair of legs or something.  This was all done in boredom. When you have been playing all day with your friends and you just feel like doing something different to your toys. 



So how do you feel about Playmates as a whole?  Do you like the turds being released, or are you craving third party figures like the Krang that will be released shortly by First Gokin.  I am a strong TMNT collector, but Jon's true number one love is TMNT, and I can tell you he isn't happy at all.  Over the past few weeks we have called out two companies that were once making classics that we loved but are now looking in the toilet after a #2 to get their ideas.  "Hey, look at that, I see a mutated Rocksteady and a few peanuts in the toilet, PERFECT!"  The more we write these weekly TURD articles the more I realize how bad things have gotten for all of us collectors.  Yes, we will always find something to buy, but will we ever like it as much as those classics we had as a kid?  Simple answer; NO. 



Playmates, you looked in the toilet and made a new toy line, you inspire me to use the bathroom as much as possible.  In fact, I am done writing this and going to release the next wave of Playmates turtles mutations line.
GO TURDS!!!

Friday, April 17, 2015

NECA Toys Cracked Tusk Predator Review

NECA Toys: Cracked Tusk Predator

Our final Predator to review from NECA's latest wave of Predator figures is the ultimate bad ass, Cracked Tusk! Cracked Tusk is a respected leader and elder but is still a feared warrior. This figure is part of the Kenner-inspired line that NECA puts out once a year. As you can see below, NECA pays close attention to details and their packaging and card art stay true to the original Kenner Predator figures from the early 90's. 

Cracked Tusk comes with excellent accessories. First and foremost, his mask is highly detailed and menacing looking to put fear into his prey. He also comes with a cool looking spear, a smart disc (which he can hold), and awesome looking claw instead of the standard wrist blades. All of these features make Cracked Tusk a very unique Predator and one of my personal favorites.

I always like to play with my Predators and bend all of the joints when I first open them. It enables me to loosen up the joints a bit. From there, the real fun begins...posing and photographing them. Cracked Tusk has the standard articulation that we are all accustomed to by this point. We were able to get some great action pictures of Cracked Tusk decimating a Terminator endoskeleton. Sorry T-800, but you have zero chance of winning when put up against a force such as Cracked Tusk!

If you haven't picked up this figure yet then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!? He is worth every penny. We are extremely pleased with this latest line of Predators that NECA has released. It is our personal opinion that these are the best quality and most well made Predators that they have released yet. They just feel solid in your hands. Please take a look at our pictures below to see this bad boy in action. Go out and buy him...now! You will NOT be disappointed!












Samples Courtesy of NECA TOYS

As always, come chat with us on Twitter @CobraShadowJoes

Thursday, April 16, 2015

It's Turdsday and Hasbro made the list..



Hey everyone!!! This is Dixel Pan!!! Nahhh, it's not Dixel...it's Steve and Jon!  Today is Thursday and it's time to discuss the phatty turd dropped by Hasbro over the past week.  Hasbro decided to release all of your least favorite GI JOE items in colors that make the Toxo-Warriors look super dope.  Hasbro has been letting the GI JOE line slip through their finger tips for a while now.  They had a great idea with the 25th anniversary figures and vehicles that all mostly looked like upgrades.  

Now after the 25th anniversary line came, many more lines followed (between the movies and other ideas Hasbro had).  This brings me to their announcement this week of a crap load of TURDS!  The majority of these repaints show zero originality and leaves me with NO desire to buy these turds.  

Desert Duel



Swamp Steam 2pk\

So Thank YOU, HASBRO!  Thank you for providing all of us fans with colors that look like our dog barfed on our GI JOE's!  I always wanted a RED alligator to go with my Green one.  Yes, that is a vomit yellow and green Blowtorch...and if you really want to buy him just wait about 6 months when he is marked down to$1.00 at TRU.

I love GI JOE and generally buy anything that is made for this line.  The majority of this repainted mess I will not be buying this time.  Someone on Twitter asked me what was announced and I said "Ah Repaints and um yeah repaints."  

Way to go Hasbro, thanks for releasing a nice TURD when I was already feeling kinda bloated.

Instead of announcing a 6" Black Series line, which fans WANT extremely bad they just give us this same old crap. It is sad to see this line dying, but that's what happens when those in charge neglect it so badly.

So in other words, this is what Hasbro thinks of you, loyal G.I. JOE fans...


YO JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Happy Turdsday!


Monday, April 13, 2015

NECA Toys Scavage Predator Review

NECA Toys Scavage Predator Review


The Scavage predator is a loner, because he trusts no one!  When the series 13 Predators wave was released I would say Scavage was probably the one I liked the least.  After opening all 3 predators from the series there was one thing in common, I liked them all.  Series 13 really is a sharp and distinct line of predators that NECA has released.  All three are made well, pose well, and are very fun to take pics and play with.  That being said, lets now focus on Scavage who was a pleasant surprise once he was in my hands!  I really like the paint, weapons, mask, and the entire look of this predator.  So let's dig into the details of this distrustful, loner, SOB!

Packaging:
So by now if you have been getting the predators line based off the 90's Kenner line you will have noticed the distinct card that comes with these predators. I have also noticed that the predators are snug in the packaging with the plastic staying glued to the backer.  The back of his card explains that he is a loner, respects and trusts no one and sometimes hunts with his hound!  Once again each predator profile is fun to read and helps fills in holes in your predator universe.



Figure:
Scavage has a real nice feel to him in your hands.  The joints move smoothly along with his hands and his head to go along with his insane look.  I was able to move all joints with no issues right out of the box and posed him in a bunch of different ways to get a feel for him.  I generally do this with any new figure I get, so I have an idea later down the road who can do what.  I love the mask he comes with. Either look really shows the details of this great predator. It is so tough to choose what to pose him with.














Weapons:
The figure comes with an awesome staff that has a skull on the top and also the normal shoulder cannon. The blades on his arm are different from the usual ones and are very long so he can thrash his enemies.  I know his mask isn't a weapon, but I really like it and it adds to the look and feel of the figure.





Overall:

Scavage is another welcome addition to my predator clan!  He is made well, looks great, and is definitely worth buying and adding to your collection of NECA's predator's.  I would highly consider picking up all three predators from Series 13!












PRODUCT SAMPLE Provided by NECA Toys