When I wrote my last post about G4’s Halo offerings, I hadn’t realized that it was a massive release of Halo toy images, so sorry about the multiple posts. This time IGN got some of the exclusive Halo toy action. Be sure to visit them to see the rest of the pics. (Make the pics larger by clicking on them, duh)
Here’s the Ghost:
Looks sweet, but too bad there’s no dudes to put in it… yet.
G4, the gaming television network that really doesn’t do a lot of gaming stuff anymore, got some exclusive pictures of one of Todd McFarlane’s Halo 3 action figures series. It’s for the Grunt two pack. Let’s give credit to McFarlane, it’s one of the few times that the Grunt has looked really cool. In the spirit of the internet, I swiped the pics. (Click on them to make them larger if you so choose.)
After blowing my McFarlane Halo load earlier in the week, I thought it was high time to share the rest of the images I gathered from the McFarlane Toys booth of goodness.
Spawn
There were enough Spawn figures to satisfy a Spawn fan and more than enough to satisfy a super casual, “Spawn’s kind of neat” follower like myself. The second wave for coolest Spawn figure series, The Adventures of Spawn was all up on display and the figures rocked.
Sultry McBigGun was on hand and she had… a big ass gun:
Millionaire collector of fantastic balls and nerd dream maker, Todd McFarlane had one fine showing at the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con. While the McFarlane Toys booth might not have been the flashiest, the display cases brought plenty of Teh Awesome to the show.
First off, let me please my core audience (basically myself) and show off what Todd had to offer in the way of Halo toys. Here’s a prototype of Master Chief himself:
It was only a few weeks ago when I asked the question of just who might make toys based off of the upcoming Halo 3 after I learned that JoyRide Studios had been shut down. Now my friends, we have an answer!
That’s right, the Adventures of Spawn continues with a series two. Way back when the first series was announced I gave it the triple thumbs up approval and while I was slightly disappointed in the final product, I’m more than happy to see a return of the series.
This time the series sees the introduction of Commando Spawn with his strap on bandolier and patented overly sized gun.
Yes, that’ is a “!” in the title. It’s more for you dear readers for me, though. As regular Toy Bender readers know, I’m not all that hip on Spawn and the figures that McFarlane Toys churn out. However, I’m digging on this Spawn. Feast your eyes on this bad boy:
It looks like I need to do a little catch up work with Mr. McFarlane and his toy company. This last week the company had three newsworthy announcements. The first was that they had the license for the upcoming Simpsons post-mortem, shark jumping film. Since there are no pictures at this time, but here’s a representation of the shambling corpse the Simpsons has become:
Lost fans and the mainstream media will have their burning desire for incredibly ordinary looking people molded into unmoving pieces of plastic quenched with series two of the Lost action figure line, which is expected to be released sometime in July.
I can’t believe it’s taken this long to make guy with beard and Hanes t-shirt!
McFarlane Toys also has the toy license for the upcoming film Beowulf (and I hope you know that the film is based off an 18th century epic poem).
Don’t worry McFarlane fans; I’ve already used up my snarky comments for the day. There’s no word on when these figures will show up in stores, so stay tuned for more info as it comes.
toy, toy collecting, action figure, Lost, Simpsons, Movie, McFarlane Toys, Jump the Shark
After hyping Spawn X a few times, I actually got my hands on Spawn X from the popular Adventures of Spawn series. Because the figure looked so cool, I had to open it so you Toy Bender readers will get a nifty review… and certain readers can stop complaining about me not opening toys.
The first thing that I noticed upon freeing Spawn X from his plastic prison was that he’s light. In fact, he’s damn light. Out of all the McFarlane figures I’ve ever encountered Spawn X seems the cheapest. It feels as if he’s hollow. I realize that the cost of plastic is going up, but it doesn’t have the nice heft you’d expect from a figure of this size.
As far as the sculpting and paint job goes, Spawn X looks pretty cool. His clean lines hearken back to a Justice League style superhero, and that’s just why I like him. Spawn X has limited articulation, like almost all McFarlane figures, coming in with about five points. Spawn looks like an action ready hero in his powerful stance, so it’s not that bad of a pose even if it is a bit neutral. Standing around is what Spawn X does best, I suppose.
Spawn X’s accessories include two guns, two changeable hands so he can duel wield said guns, and an Al Simons head in the non-gross, burnt skull look Spawn is most associated with. Spawn X also comes with a nifty and simple figure stand. With his rather small lower body I don’t think he’d be able to stand very well on his own so this is a much needed and great looking accessory.
All in all, this is a decent figure and one that should be picked up if you dig the Adventures of Spawn style despite any flaws that it has.
3 Todd’s balls jokes out of 5
toys, toy collecting, action figure, Spawn, Adventures of Spawn, McFarlane Toys, toy review
It seems like nobody but Mr. Todd McFarlane can heat up the mainstream press with some good old toy excitement. First it was the completely useless Lost inaction figures and now it’s “action” figures based on the hit show 24.
Where the Lost figures cover your burning need for a fat guy that just stands around being fat and a chick laying around in a bikini, the concept behind 24 figures make a little more sense to me as they aren’t just regular people. Jack Bauer is more in the hero lot like a modern James Bond as opposed to being a guy who happens to be, well lost.
Still, I’m not sure if this Jack Bauer figure can still be classified as an honest to goodness toy, as he features what looks like zero points of articulation. To me, this is more along the lines of a plastic Jack Bauer statue. What’s the real difference between this and any Gentle Giant statue? McFarlane nuts, feel free to ridicule and fling poo at me. I’d like to hear what you think of these figures that barely qualify as toys.
Toys, toy collecting, action figures, McFarlane Toys, Lost, 24, Jack Bauer
The newest series of Spawn figures, series 31, has been officially announced. This series is an Other Worlds theme, so no more cool animated Spawn figures. The series will consist of six figures, four of which are brand new and two more are new versions of figures that were previously produced.
You McFarlane nuts will most likely buy all these figures regardless of what I say about them so go crazy. Me, I’m going back into my mode of not purchasing these figures having no vested interest in them. Still, that Commando Spawn looks pretty kick ass. Goddess Llyra is one smoken hot… um Goddess. Necro Cop is also an interesting figure. The name reminds me of Maniac Cop. Maniac Cop vs. Necro Cop? My money is on Maniac Cop. He’s got the power of sequels behind him.
McFarlane Toys confirmed that they will be producing a full fledged Simpsons line of figures, with series 1 coming out in March of ‘07.
These sets feature what McFarlane Toys is most known for, excellent sculptures with limited articulation. Unlike the Playmates line that was more classically toy orientated, these figures look like little statutes that fell right out of the television. My favorite? The above pictured, “Why you little…” set. I don’t know how the Simpsons ever got away with it, but this classic pose is some hilarious child abuse.
Spawn Series 30, known as The Adventures of Spawn now has some nifty new stuff online. Head over there now and you’ll see the figures in better detail, including some alternate heads and changeable weapon arms. There’s also a QuickTime 360 view so you can spin them around to your heart’s desire. But wait, there’s more! In addition to the pics there’s also links to the online comic, wallpaper, and cool pictures for use as online avatars. (Note: I had trouble downloading the avatars using Firefox, but it works fine with Internet Explorer.)
This new online content has really convinced me I need one of these guys. It’s the first Spawn figure series that’s got me excited since… well… the first one.
Toys, toy collecting, Spawn, McFarlane Toys, The Adventures of Spawn
If you would have told me a month ago that I’d give a crap about any sort of sports related toy I wouldn’t have believed you.
This is one toy news item that broke before I even started writing Toy Bender, but I’ve wanted to comment on it for some time. In Todd McFarlane’s quest to recreate his youth in toy form, Bon Jovi is going to be immortalized in plastic as a barely articulated but well sculpted (my guess) action figure.
I’m just going to put this offer out on the table right now: For anyone who orders a McFarlane produced Bon Jovi, I’ll give them a 100% free punch in the face. That’s right! With every purchase of a no talent rock star figure, you earn a healthy and nutritious knuckle sandwich courtesy of your friendly neighborhood Paul! Act now while my fists are still in good shape from punching hosers in the face!
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