A.R.Ms # 20: DC Direct, Re-Activated, Lobo

The Main Man, The 'Bo, Master Frag, Mister Machete, Scourge o' the Cosmos, The Ultimate Bastich...Lobo. You WANT to hate him but let's face it. You need your daily dose of anti-hero character. So you turn to Lobo. If you want a 'boy-scout' (as he calls it), you turn to Superman.

I've been a huge fan since I first read an issue of Lobo: Infanticide 16 years ago. Yes, 16 years ago. Despite being rude and self centered he does have his moments. Like destroying his home planet by releasing a plague that killed of his people...just for fun. So now he's has self-proclaimed himself to be the no. 1 bounty hunter in the galaxy. And he'll kill or 'frag' anyone that stands between him and his mark. Except of course, space dolphins.

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A.R.Ms Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Freestyle
• Pricing

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Packaging

The packaging is standard or in other words boring. I kinda like the packaging for the DC Direct Justice League. This just seems to waste a lot of space. I know they did a limited edition of Lobo and Dawg which is much better.

Front

Back

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Detail/Sculpt

The scuplt tries to stay true to the comic character. The hair, the clothes are spot on. At the end of the day its the small details that counts.

The hook & chain, the Main Man's trademark

Cool belt buckle

I was hoping these would be removable but sadly they're not

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Articulation

• Swivel neck
• Ball jointed shoulders
• Hinged elbows
• Swivel wrists
• Swivel hips
• Swivel mid-thighs
• Hinged knees
• Removable hook & chain
  

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Freestyle

(click on the pics to enlarge)

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Pricing

The reactivated series is very much available in online stores. Price ranges from USD 8 to 17. This was issued in 2006 so I'm sure there is a lot of people selling them on ebay.

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Its almost 2009 folks. So, I've been thinking about doing something special for the New Year. So read the announcement below. To those who have visited this site so far, may you be our friends or relatives or the occasional daring/lost surfer, many thanks for stopping by.

Related Posts:

• A.R.Ms # 19: Star Wars, Clone Army, Ep. I
  
• A.R.Ms # 18: DC Direct, Batman
  
• A.R.Ms # 17: DC Direct, Sinestro
  
• A.R.Ms # 16: Star Wars, Rebel Snowspeeder

Read more...

A.R.Ms # 19: Star Wars, Clone Army Pt. 1

The Clone Army of the Galactic Republic. In Episode III, Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars fan had a good look at the different variations in the Clone Army. Most notably the different colors in their armor to signify different divisions.

Amongst the many shown, none were more infamous as the 501st Legion. The 501st Legion are a legion of elite clone troopers commissioned by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine during the clone wars. They were also under the command of General Anakin Skywalker. They were recognised by the blue color on their armor.

Towards the end of the Clone Wars, a group of 501st Legion were transferred to Coruscant, home to the Jedi Order. Together with Anakin, then Darth Vader, they marched into the Jedi Temple and eliminated all the Jedi inside. Not even the younglings were spared. Order 66 was complete.

When the Republic was formed into the Galactic Empire, the 501st were given new armor and became Stormtroopers. Some say the Stormtroopers assigned to Darth Vader were all from the 501st and the only clones left. The rest of the clones in the other divisions either retired or were replaced. It was during their time as Stormtroopers the 501st was also known as Vader's Fist.

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A.R.Ms Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Freestyle
• Pricing

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Packaging

I've collected a few of the 501st from the basic Clone trooper to the Clone commander. Most of my collection were bought loose on ebay so I don't have the original packaging. Fortunately, I got these pics from Rebelscum.com.

Clone Commander Appo

Front

Back

501st Legion Trooper

Front

Back

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Detail/Sculpt


Order 66, Assault on the Jedi Temple.

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Articulation

Commander Appo

501st Trooper

Anakin Skywalker & 501st Airborne Trooper

All the pics above were taken from rebelscum.com

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Freestyle

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Pricing

On average these items would range from USD 10 to 15 each.

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The fun thing about collecting clone troopers is the variation that you get. Plus, having one Clone Commander and one Clone trooper doesn't really look cool on the shelves. The 501st is also available in phase I armor. This is the armor you'd see in the recent Clone Wars Animated movie and series. So far the only available of the 501st is Clone Captain Rex and a 501st trooper.

I haven't decided if I want to start collecting a Clone Army based on the Animation yet. We'll see how it goes.

Next week in A.R.Ms, a very, very, very not so good visitor is in town.



Related Posts:

• A.R.Ms # 18: DC Direct, Batman
  
• A.R.Ms # 17: DC Direct, Sinestro
  
• A.R.Ms # 16: Star Wars, Rebel Snowspeeder
  
• A.R.Ms # 15: Transformers Animated, Deluxe Snarl

Read more...

A.R.Ms # 18: DC Direct, Batman

Note: Even though this review is posted on a Wednesday, it's only because it took me 2 days to realise I never published the post. Normally, I'd write the post a few days ahead and save it as a draft in case I wanna make changes. Sorry folks!!

Luckily I don't get paid to do this or I'd definitely be out of a job.

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Batman. Caped Crusader, Detective, Savior, Dark Knight. One of the few Superheroes that doesn't actually have super powers. Then again, if you're a multi-billionaire with a company that produces advance technology products, who needs them. Lex Luthor is a super villain without super powers either.

In this collection, we have from DC Direct, Justice League of America Series 2. The character details are from the very talented Brad Meltzer.

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A.R.Ms Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Freestyle
• Pricing

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Packaging

Front

Back

To those who have read JLA's - The Tornado's Path, this little cut-out at the back has got to the icing on the cake. Not that I'd cut it out and put it in my wallet or anything...really!!

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Detail/Sculpt

The base plate

By far one of the best Batman comic figure I've come across.

I freaking love the cape. It's made from soft rubber(insert dirty joke here if you must). They managed to capture the 'flow' of the cape.

He looks so serious. Just how he should be.

Check out his...err...utility belt(what were you looking at??). The sculpt is excellent.

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Articulation

• Swivel neck
• Ball jointed shoulders
• Hinged elbows
• Swivel wrists
• Swivel hips
• Hinged knees

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Freestyle

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Pricing

Standard is USD 15. But the Batman is everyone's favorite. So I'm guessing it will not last long on the shelves or online. But hey, you can get the whole Series 2 set at...you guessed it. Heroes in a Box.

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Next week in A.R.Ms: Star Wars Clone Army Episode I.



Related Posts:

• A.R.Ms # 17: DC Direct, Sinestro
  
• A.R.Ms # 16: Star Wars, Rebel Snowspeeder
  
• A.R.Ms # 15: Transformers Animated, Deluxe Snarl
  
• A.R.Ms # 14: Marvel Legends, Cyclops

Read more...

A.R.Ms # 17: DC Direct, Sinestro

Just the name..."Sinestro" gives me chills. It just sounds evil and rightfully so. A former Green Lantern and mentor to one the greatest Green Lantern, Hal Jordan. He has waged a war with the GL Corps and with anything that is basically good.

Another great figure from DC Direct, Green Lantern Series 3.
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A.R.Ms Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Freestyle
• Pricing

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Packaging

Front

Back

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Detail/Sculpt

Excellent sculpt. I dig the details on his facial expression. It just says 'hate' all over. Either that or 'I need to go to the bathroom". I'm glad I chose Sinestro in the black and gold uniform instead of the black and blue.

His ring is detailed which is good considering the size.




The lantern battery design is similar to the Green Lantern's.

The Green Lantern stand was expected since it is the Green Lantern series. Another note is that its almost impossible to stand this figure without the base.

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Articulation

• Ball jointed head
• Ball jointed shoulders
• Hinged elbows
• Swivel wrists
• Swivel hips
• Hinged knees

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Freestyle

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Pricing

If you can get this below USD 15, you've got yourself a good deal. I'm sure the nice people at Heroes in a Box could order the whole set for you (if you ask nicely of course).

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Related Posts:

• A.R.Ms # 16: Star Wars, Rebel Snowspeeder
  
• A.R.Ms # 15: Transformers Animated, Deluxe Snarl
  
• A.R.Ms # 14: Marvel Legends, Cyclops
  
• A.R.Ms # 13: DC Direct, Superman

Read more...

A.R.Ms # 16: Star Wars, Rebel Snowspeeder

Vintage Star Wars figures is the rage among Star Wars Collectors. I was fortunate to get my hands on this baby; a Rebel Snowspeeder from the Power of the Force action line made by Kenner. It came out in 1995.

The packaging on the back of the box reads:

Model: Rebel Alliance Combat Snowspeeder
Affiliation: Rebel Alliance
Crew: 1 Pilot, 1 Gunner
Length: 5.5 Meters
Maximum Speed: 570 kph
Weapons: Double Laser Cannon, Power Harpoon With Tow Cable

"As the battle for freedom took to the frozen planet of Hoth, Rebel Alliance forces transformed the Incom T-47 airspeeder to a snowspeeder. They achieved this by equipping it with coated, angled, heavy armor plating, placing dust covers over intake and exhaust ports and adding insulation to handle the extreme temperatures. Manned by a crew of two, a forward-facing pilot and rear-facing gunner, the snowspeeder's firepower consists of twin laser cannons mounted on the front fuselage and a rear-mounted harpoon cannon with tow cable.

The snowspeeder's harpoon was the only weapon that was successful in the fight against the fearsome Imperial AT-AT vehicles. The harpoon was fired at the legs of the walker, entangling them and toppling the vehicle, rendering it useless."

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A.R.Ms Contents:

• Packaging
• Detail/Sculpt
• Articulation
• Freestyle
• Pricing

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Packaging

I got this item through ebay for a price of AUD 25 which I think is worth the money because it was in very good condition. The box though looks kinda old because it is cardboard after all. Some hardcore collectors would just keep it in the box. Me on the other hand...(what?? it's a toy!).

Front

Back

The sticker sheet(have I ever mentioned I hate putting on stickers?!!)

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Detail/Sculpt

The sculpt is very good. The details made to the exposed panel on the right side is a plus. The cockpit is spacious enough to hold the two figures. My favourite part of this vehicle is the power harpoon with tow cable. Not that I can actually use it to bring down an AT-AT walker, let alone another person.

The guns light up when you press the button underneath the vehicle with firing sound...wicked

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Articulation

• Real Movie Sounds
• Opening Dual Cockpit
• Automatic Landing Gear
• Firing Harpoon Cannon With Tow Cable
• Genuine Firing Sound and Flashing Laser Cannons

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Freestyle

There's not much 'freestyle' poses you can do with a vehicle is it now? LoL

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Pricing

I wanted to laugh when I saw the price they were selling this on Amazon. USD 87 - USD 107. Interested?

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Princess Leia: "I love you"
Han Solo: "I know".
-Leia to Solo in Empire Strikes Back, just before Solo was encased in carbonite


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• A.R.Ms # 12: Star Wars Order 66

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