TV shows from the Power Rangers franchise are popular the world over. Certainly, they often seem to turn up on thrift stalls or markets here in Rome, Italy where I live. I don't buy many figures issued this side of the millennium, although if I find a figure with a particularly interesting feature I'll occasionally break my own rule. After all, today's figures are tomorrow's vintage! And this Mystic Force action figure grabbed my attention even before I'd set eyes on it. Rummaging in the bottom … [Read more...]
Nabrun Leids – Cantina Alien
Whilst the focus of my Star Wars action figure collection is that of Vintage era figures (1977–1989) made by the mighty Kenner, I couldn't resist buying this Neo-classic era (1990–2000) figure when I found him lurking in the bottom of a bargain bin just yesterday! My curiosity was piqued because whilst this is one of the recognisable aliens glimpsed during the classic cantina scene in the original Star Wars movie - when Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are looking for a pilot, and meet Han Solo … [Read more...]
Weequay aka Queequeg – Skiff Guard from ‘Return of the Jedi’
One of the most well-loved of the minor characters in Herman Melville's Moby-Dick is surely that of the cannibal Queequeg, the archetypal “noble savage”, and dab hand with a harpoon. It's no surprise, therefore, that during pre-production of Return of the Jedi the crew nicknamed this Weequay skiff guard “Queequeg”. After all, he brandishes a harpoon-like pike weapon, swaggers up the deck of a Desert Skiff like a pirate on a sloop upon the high seas, and even forces Luke Skywalker to walk the … [Read more...]
Roz from Monsters, Inc. by McDonald’s
This summer sees the return to the big screen of some of the characters from the hugely popular 2001 Pixar animated movie Monsters, Inc. in a 3D prequel Monsters University. Monsters, Inc. received the 3D treatment itself last year and that version will finally be hitting screens in Italy where I live next month, so I thought it might be fun to take a look at a collectible figure from the time of the first film's original release – the gravel voiced Monsters, Inc. secretary, and undercover boss … [Read more...]
Lieutenant Starbuck from Mattel’s Battlestar Galactica
Light years before the name “Starbuck” added an “s” and became synonymous with caffè latte, the world’s most famous Starbuck was the fictional first mate of the Pequod, the whaling ship at the heart of Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick. In fact, it was in homage to this literary character, that our Lieutenant Starbuck here, the protagonist of the cult 1978 sci-fi television show Battlestar Galactica, was named, although the gambling, womanising, and cigar smoking Viper starfighter pilot, and the … [Read more...]
Uncanny X-Men: Forge with Quick Draw Action from Strike Team Set
The Internet has been a-buzz this month with X-Men news as work started on X-Men: Days of Future Past with some of the movie's stars spotted in Montreal for filming. Excitement has also been fuelled by director Bryan Singer tweeting some great behind-the-scenes photos (@BryanSinger), and a brilliant April Fool's Day Tweet that Lady Gaga would be joining the cast! Erstwhile Twilight actor Booboo Stewart has been enlisted – probably as Warpath – although early speculation had cast him as a young … [Read more...]
Jane West the Movable Cowgirl by Marx!
The secret behind the success of the 1960s and 70s Best of the West action figures was surely the loving attention to detail which toy makers Louis Marx & Co. lavished upon its flagship line. Cast in solid poly-plastic with vinyl accessories, the most striking thing about these figures today is the exquisite molding – every last fold and crease, shirt cuff, trim and button, is faithfully reproduced, with each figure issued with, quite literally, dozens of individual pieces of equipment and … [Read more...]
Oodles of fun with the Ood from Doctor Who!
With Doctor Who Season 7 Part 2 now well under way on BBC television with Matt Smith's eleventh incarnation of the Doctor officially joined by new sidekick Clara Oswald portrayed by Jenna-Louise Coleman, and news buzzing throughout the Internet of the return of David Tennant and Billie Piper in a super-duper fiftieth anniversary special to air at the end of 2013, I thought it might be fun to take a closer look at a Doctor Who action figure.Last summer I visited the hugely enjoyable … [Read more...]