Mezco Toyz One:12 Collective Exclusive Superman- 1978 Edition Review

 Mezco Toyz Superman- 1978 Edition 

A classic that almost needs zero introduction, the original Superman (1978) Christopher Reeves finally gets a release from Mezco and its really well done. I'm and 80's kid and can fondly remember watching the movie many times on the weekends.  There was just something about Reeve's and the persona he carried as Superman, it just felt like it was a perfect fit.  I would read the comics, and still have my 1980's Superman and Clark Kent Super Powers figures they were the first line of toys I collected. I was extremely happy to see Mezco would be releasing their version but was worried what the final product would look like.  He finally came and I ripped open my tin to find an excellent figure with lots of details and accessories.  

Mezco Toyz One:12 Diabolik Figure Review

Mezco Toyz Diabolik

The Diabolik comic is a character from Italian Comics that started out in the early 1960's.  You may not remember him from over the years depending on where you lived growing up.  It's actually an expansive series that released over 800 volumes and has sold over 100 million copies! Diabolik is a thief that will do anything including murder in order to cash in on his missions.  He's a master of disguise that will target criminals and steal anything with significant value. Diabolik does carry a soft side and will not hurt police or innocent people during his missions of mischief.  Let's take a closer look and see how Mezco did with this "Robin Hood" type master thief. 

NECA Toys Aliens BISHOP Figure Review

NECA Toys Aliens Figure: BISHOP

The next figure that is up for review just happens to be one of my favorite characters from the movie, ALIENS...BISHOP the android! 

PACKAGING:

The figure comes with the standard packaging which features art on the back and sides as well as pictures of the other figures that are available in this series of figures. Take a look below.

FIGURE:

NECA did a great job with Bishop. His face looks exactly the same as he does in the movie. His jump suit and sneakers also look excellent. More on the sneaks later. As always, there are many points of articulation on the body. He poses very well so no need to use a stand on this one.

ACCESSORIES:

Bishop comes with some sweet accessories including the knife he uses to perform his special knife trick on Private Hudson.

The sneakers on Bishop are actually one of my favorite things about the figure. I know that may sound odd, but as I always say it's that attention to detail that separates NECA from the others. I just might need to go out and get me some red and white velcro sneaks!!!

OVERALL: 

If you love collecting ALIEN figures then Bishop is the perfect addition to your Xenomorphs and Colonial Marines. He is a very fun figure to play with, pose, and photograph. One day I would love to make a custom of him ripped in half like in the movie.

Words can only describe this figure just so much so take a look below for more pictures of BISHOP!

NECA Toys Dog Alien Review

Right off the bat, I will tell you that the Dog Alien is my favorite Xenomorph figure that NECA has made so far (not including the Queen, of course).

He comes in the standard packaging with the ALIENS 3 art on the front, back, and sides. Once you open this bad boy up you will notice that he is extremely tall and lanky and has bit of a longer tail. He stands at about 11" or so when he is stretched out in the upright position (which is taller than the previous Xenomorphs such as Big Chap and Warrior). He is also noticeably thinner and not as bulky as those guys which stays true to the movies. The Dog or Runner is not as strong, but makes up for that with his speed and agility.

This figure is an improvement in almost every way in comparison to previous Xenomorph figures produced by NECA. He feels a lot sturdier and secure in your hands and when posing him. The paint has a nice glossy look to it which I think is fantastic.

NECA came up with a brilliant idea and included a clear stand. This figure is so highly articulated that the stand enables you to capture the Dog Alien in those perfect poses which otherwise would be extremely difficult or impossible to do without it. My personal favorite way to pose him is in that crouched position where he is just waiting to pounce on somebody.

His head, arms, legs, and tail can all be bent and moved in multiple positions. There are endless possibilities for poses to put him in which makes him the perfect figure to photograph if you're into that (like we are).

To sum it up, the NECA Dog Alien is a definite winner and any Alien fan should immediately pick one up. NECA continues to step their game up with each and every figure they release. I could talk about this figure all day, but some times you just need to see it to appreciate it. Check out the pictures below.

                           

Be on the lookout for new reviews for NECA's Bishop and Kane figures soon!

You can pick these up at Entertainment Earth and other toy stores.

And as always feel free to leave comments or chat with us on Twitter @cobrashadowjoes

Review Samples Courtesy of NECA

Christmas, Family, Toys, & Nostalgia

I was recently listening to a podcast called Imaginary Worlds by Eric Molinksy, and it really got me thinking. He and a guest were discussing toys and how they can be transitional objects. They described transitional objects as something that "reminds you of a moment in life when you were transitioning from one stage to another." They went on to to describe how the transitional objects often bring up "living memories" that are etched into our minds. Eric and his guest also went on to describe how the "living memories" often are "self-soothing" thoughts of moments of "pure joy." As you may have already guessed, for lots of guys in our age group the transitional objects for us are often times toys, super heroes, video games, etc. They discussed how these "living memories" instantly transport us back in time to where we can remember precisely where we were, who we were with, what toy we had, the shear joy of opening that toy, and even the smell of it.

All of this got me thinking about Christmas coming up, how things used to be versus how they are today, and the role that collecting plays in our lives today. Steve and I have been extremely fortunate to have had great upbringings by families that love/d us deeply. Looking back, those living memories that we have instantly take us back to a much simpler time. It was a stress-free time of fun, excitement, and love.

We each have those special memories of this carefree time. I can remember it like it was yesterday... going to Kay-Bee and picking out the toy I had been wanting, building playsets and models with our dads. The happiness this brought us was nothing in comparison to the joy it brought our parents to see us so happy.

Collecting and Christmas time have an extra special meaning to Steve and I. Both of our fathers have been affected by cancer. Unfortunately, Steve's father lost his battle with pancreatic cancer six years ago yesterday. I am lucky enough to still have my father here with me, but he has been fighting terminal prostate cancer for about 7 and half years now. This has been extremely difficult thing for us and our families to deal with, as any of you who have had to deal with it know. The stress of every day life is hard enough as it is, but to not have your father there any more or to watch your father go through treatment after treatment and to see the effects of it is rough.

Collecting has been a way to help deal with what has happened to our families. We honor them when we think about the great times we have had with them. The stress of dealing with a lost loved one or with watching one suffer through it can be very difficult. Luckily, collecting can be a therapeutic outlet to relieve that stress. Something as simple as customizing figures or backgrounds can remind us of the times building models with our dads and the little tips that we learned from them along the way. We take those tips and carry them on and will pass them on to others. It's the little things such as those that count.

Besides being a great stress reliever, collecting is also an extremely fun hobby. There is a certain amount of joy that comes with making a list of exactly what you want, the hunt of finding that great deal, and the joy of opening up that package you have been waiting for when it finally comes in the mail. Everyone deals with tough times in life, and everyone finds different ways to deal with it. Collecting has been a therapeutic way for Steve and I to both honor our fathers and to remember all of the amazing times we had/have with them.

Christmas is a joyous time of year for many, but can be extremely difficult for those who have lost loved ones. This Christmas honor those who we have lost too soon and those who are still fighting with everything they can. When you open your presents while sitting in front of the Christmas tree take a minute to think on those "living memories" and remember to back when you were sitting on your dad's lap, opening your favorite figure, and the shear joy it brought the two of you.

Steve and I want to wish all of you a very merry Christmas and happy holidays. Remember the past memories, enjoy making new ones, and cherish every second of it!

Sincerely,
Jon & Steve, CobraShadowJoes

Steve w/ dad and his brand new Roboto!

Jon w/ dad.

Jon w/ siblings and dog, Mugsy in 1980-something.

NECA Toys Viper Predator Review

NECA Viper Predator     

The Viper predator, leader of the notorious Serpent Clan! 

Today I am reviewing the evil Viper Predator that was originally to be included with the ultra-sick Predator Blade Fighter coming out later this month.  I wasn't sure how much I would like this particular Predator until I actually had him in my hands at the store.  The helmet, double blades, and colors all really gives him his own unique look and feel. There are lots of cool things to talk about so let's jump right into it!

Packaging:

The packaging is always great with every Predator figure NECA releases.  The art looks sharp and gives you a good idea of the figure you are buying with their insane background.  The figures they make are wonderful, but the packaging is always the cherry on top!

Figure:

The first thing I really noticed about this particular Predator was the ability to easily take his mask on and off.  NECA continues to improve the options of the figures and parts you can add and subtract to make him look the way you want.  The more we are able to customize, the better! He bends well, has good flexibility, and the joints seem to be tight and hold poses well.  The only thing I did notice was that when his legs are bent they will not bend straight back but off to the side.  I really didn't care that his legs did this because I, generally, don't pose them sitting or with their legs completely bent.  He comes with double wrist blades and a shoulder plasma cannon to take his enemies apart.

Weapons:

The weapons on this figure are pretty straight forward.  The double blades on each arm come out and seem to be made better than previous blades on Predators.  The mask he wears is awesome and his head and face are perfectly molded to fit and be removed easily.  It is difficult to say which look is better, but I really love having the option of either/or.  His shoulder cannon is pretty standard but a must for almost any predator.  He also comes with some extra hands which is great and provides more options when posing.

Overall:

Overall, I love this figure and the direction NECA continues to take in the world of Predator.  They continue to improve in every area and really make unique pieces for everyone to love.  Just by looking at the pictures you can truly see how unique this figure is. IMO, he is a must buy.  At this point, I think you really have to consider anything NECA is creating as a something you might to want to buy.  Bottom line: Predator rocks and NECA and is bringing it every day with no end in sight!

Give us a shout on Twitter. We are always up for a good discussion. @cobrashadowjoes