Marvel Silver Age Collection
Signed by Stan Lee up for Auction
All proceeds to benefit Hero Initiative
Todd McDevitt and New Dimension Comics are proving that they’re a Hero.
When Pittsburgh-area comic retailer Todd McDevitt recently purchased a major Marvel Silver Age collection, he decided to sell the books and make a difference at the same time. McDevitt donated 50 of the books to the Hero Initiative. Stan Lee and CGC compounded the good deed, with Stan autographing all 50 books, which CGC graded in their prestigious Signature Series for free. Now, the 50 Stan-signed Silver Age Marvels are being auctioned via eBay, 10 per week for the next five weeks. Auctions start August 17, and can be viewed at http://qurls.com/?i=48020
“My hat's off to Titanic Todd McDevitt for the great generosity he has shown towards comicdom's time-honored Hero Initiative!,” said Stan Lee. “The comics he has donated are worth a bundle—and so is big-hearted Todd!"
“CGC is thrilled to help collectors and creators come together to support the fantastic Hero Initiative cause,” said CGC Vice-President Paul Litch. “Any way we can help raise money to give back to those that have given us so much is an honor indeed. Bid early and bid often!”
Visit our website at http://www.heroinitiative.com/ or find us on eBay at http://qurls.com/?i=48020 to follow the auctions.
About The Hero Initiative
The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday’s creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment.
Since its inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000 to the comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the industry today. For more information, visit www.heroinitiative.org or call 626-676-6354.
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PREVIEWSworld.com New Releases
Shipping This Week: 8/19/2009
Every Monday, PREVIEWSworld.com provides a list of comics, graphic novels and other pop-culture merchandise arriving this week to your local comic shop.
Please check with your retailer for availability, as not all new releases may be on sale in all areas at the same time.
DARK HORSE COMICS
BLOOD PLUS NOVEL VOL 04 NANKURUNAISA $8.95
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #13 $2.99
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #44 REAPING PT 2 (OF 2) $2.99
DC COMICS
BATGIRL #1 $2.99
BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #3 $3.99
BLACKEST NIGHT SUPERMAN #1 (OF 3) $2.99
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #26 $2.99
BRAVE AND THE BOLD THE BOOK OF DESTINY TP $17.99
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH DANCE #4 (OF 6) $2.99
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #36 $2.99
OUTSIDERS #21 $2.99
POWER GIRL #4 $2.99
RED CIRCLE THE WEB #1 $2.99
STARCRAFT #3 $2.99
SUPER FRIENDS #18 $2.50
SUPERGIRL #44 $2.99
SUPERMAN ANNUAL #14 $3.99
SUPERMAN BATMAN #63 $2.99
TEEN TITANS CHANGING OF THE GUARD TP $14.99
TINY TITANS #19 $2.50
VENUS CAPRICCIO VOL 02 $9.99
VIGILANTE #9 $2.99
WEDNESDAY COMICS #7 (OF 12) $3.99
WORLD OF WARCRAFT #22 $2.99
IMAGE COMICS
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #18 $2.99
DRAGON PRINCE #1-4 READER SET $7.99
INVINCIBLE #65 $2.99
MIDNIGHT NATION DLX HC $100.00
WITCHBLADE #129 CHRISTOPHER CVR B $2.99
WITCHBLADE #129 SEJIC CVR A $2.99
MARVEL COMICS
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #603 $2.99
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN MARY JANE POSTER $8.99
ASTONISHING X-MEN PREM HC GHOST BOX $29.99
AVENGERS FOREVER HC $34.99
BLACK WIDOW STING OF THE WIDOW PREM HC $24.99
BLACK WIDOW STING OF THE WIDOW PREM HC DM ED $24.99
DAREDEVIL #500 $4.99
DARK AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 01 ASSEMBLE $24.99
DARK REIGN HOOD #4 (OF 5) DKR $3.99
DARK REIGN MISTER NEGATIVE #3 (OF 3) DKR $3.99
DEADPOOL SUICIDE KINGS #5 (OF 5) $3.99
ESSENTIAL MARVEL TEAM-UP TP VOL 03 $19.99
GENEXT UNITED #4 (OF 5) $3.99
MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #39 $2.99
MIGHTY AVENGERS #28 $2.99
MIGHTY AVENGERS PREM HC EARTHS MIGHTIEST $19.99
MMW AMAZING SPIDER-MAN HC VOL 11 $54.99
MMW AMAZING SPIDER-MAN HC VOL 11 VAR ED $54.99
MS MARVEL WAR OF MARVELS MUST HAVE ONE-SHOT $4.99
NEW AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 11 SEARCH FOR SORCERER SUPREME $19.99
NYX TP NO WAY HOME $19.99
PUNISHER #8 $2.99
PUNISHER #8 REST IN PIECES RANEY VAR $2.99
PUNISHER DARK REIGN PREM HC $19.99
PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX TP SIX HOURS TO KILL $16.99
PUNISHER NOIR #1 (OF 4) $3.99
PUNISHER NOIR #1 (OF 4) CALERO VAR $3.99
SPIDER-MAN MARY JANE TP YOU JUST HIT THE JACKPOT $24.99
SQUADRON SUPREME TP BRIGHT SHINING LIES $14.99
STAND AMERICAN NIGHTMARES #5 (OF 5) $3.99
WOLVERINE ORIGINS PREM HC DARK REIGN $19.99
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #4 $3.99
X-FACTOR #47 $2.99
X-FACTOR TIME AND A HALF PREM HC $24.99
X-MEN LEGACY #226 2ND PTG WEAVER VAR $2.99
X-MEN LEGACY #227 DAX $2.99
COMICS
10 BEAUTIFUL ASSASSINS GN $10.99
A D NEW ORLEANS AFTER DELUGE GN $24.95
ANGEL SMILE TIME HC $24.99
AOD ASH SAVES OBAMA #1 (OF 4) $3.50
ARCHIE #600 $2.50
ASTRO BOY MOVIE ADAPTATION #1 $3.99
ATOMIC ROBO SHADOW FROM BEYOND TIME #4 (OF 5) $3.50
BEYOND WONDERLAND HC $24.99
BLACK IS FOR BEGINNERS GN $9.95
DAYS MISSING #1 (OF 5) DALE KEOWN CVR $0.99
DAYS MISSING #1 (OF 5) FRAZER IRVING LTD ED CVR $3.99
DEATH DEFYING DEVIL #1 ROSS SGN ED $29.99
DEATH DEFYING DEVIL #2 ALEX ROSS SGN ED $49.99
DF AVENGERS INVADERS #5-7 CONNECTING SGN COVERS $193.90
DF AVENGERS INVADERS #8 EX ROSS SGN CONCEPT ART CVR $29.99
DF AVENGERS INVADERS #9 (OF 12) ROSS SGN EX VAR $29.99
DF WAR OF KINGS #1 (OF 6) BRANDON PETERSON SGN ED $29.99
DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP #1 (OF 24) 2ND PTG $3.99
DOCTOR WHO ONGOING #2 $3.99
FARSCAPE GONE & BACK #2 $3.99
FLAME OF RECCA TP VOL 32 $9.99
GARGOYLES BAD GUYS TP VOL 01 $17.95
GARGOYLES CLAN BUILDING TP VOL 02 $19.95
GESTALT GN VOL 02 $8.99
GI JOE ORIGINS #6 $3.99
GIMMICK GN VOL 08 $9.99
GOLD DIGGER #110 $2.99
HAYATE COMBAT BUTLER TP VOL 12 $9.99
HEXED HC $19.99
HOT GIMMICK VIZBIG ED GN VOL 02 $17.99
INSOMNIA HC $14.95
KEKKAISHI GN VOL 18 $9.99
MIDDLEMAN DOOMSDAY ARMAGEDDON APOCALYPSE GN $7.95
NAOKI URASAWA 20TH CENTURY BOYS GN VOL 04 $12.99
NIGHTMARE INSPECTOR YUMEKUI KENBUN GN VOL 09 $9.99
O PARTS HUNTER TP VOL 17 $9.99
OOKU INNER CHAMBERS GN VOL 01 $12.99
PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #134 $3.99
POE (BOOM) #2 $3.99
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS MEET THE BAD GUYS #1 $2.99
RECORD OF A FALLEN VAMPIRE GN VOL 06 $9.99
ROBERT JORDANS NEW SPRING #7 (RES) $3.99
SHRAPNEL TP ARISTEIA RISING $14.95
SIMPSONS COMICS #157 $2.99
SOULFIRE NEW WORLD ORDER #4 (OF 5) HERRERA CVR $2.99
SOULFIRE NEW WORLD ORDER #4 (OF 5) TAKEDA CVR $2.99
STAR TREK SPOCK REFLECTIONS #2 $3.99
SWORDSMITH ASSASSIN #1 $3.99
TALES OF TMNT #61 $3.25
TRANSFORMERS ALL HAIL MEGATRON #14 $3.99
TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED TP ALLSPARK ALMANAC $19.99
ULTIMA THULA GN $19.95
UNTHINKABLE #4 (OF 5) $3.99
WE KILL MONSTERS #2 (OF 6) $3.50
ZORRO #15 $3.50
MAGAZINES
COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1658 OCT 2009 $5.99
COMICS JOURNAL #299 $11.99
DR WHO MAGAZINE #411 $7.99
GIRASOL PULP DOUBLES THE SPIDER VOL 12 $14.95
GOTHIC & LOLITA BIBLE #32 $28.99
JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #287 $10.99
JUXTAPOZ VOL 16 #9 SEP 2009 $5.99
LEES TOY REVIEW #201 AUG 2009 $5.95
YEN PLUS MAGAZINE VOL 2 #9 SEPT 2009 $8.99
MERCHANDISE
APOLLO 27 MODEL KIT $17.99
AREA 51 UFO AE-341.15B MODEL KIT $19.99
AXIS & ALLIES 1942 ED $30.00
BARACK THE BARBARIAN RED SARAH POSTER $5.99
BEAUTY & THE BEAST HEIRLOOM BOX $85.00
CAPTAIN AMERICA BATTLE ROYALE BLK T/S LG $15.99
CAPTAIN AMERICA BATTLE ROYALE BLK T/S MED $15.99
CGC STREET FIGHTER III POISON PVC FIG BLACK ED $94.99
CREATORS LABO #12 NON-NON BLACK ED $74.99
CREATORS LABO #16 JINGAI MAKYO IGNIS CLEAR ED $94.99
D&D ADVENTURERS VAULT #2 $29.95
D&D CMG MONSTER MANUAL LEGENDARY EVILS BSTER PK $21.99
D&D DRAGON MAGAZINE ANNUAL VOL 01 $29.95
D&D PLAYERS HANDBOOK II POWER CARDS $79.92
DEVIL MAY CRY PROP REPLICA SWORD PI
DOMO MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE $35.00
FIST OF THE NORTH STAR DVD PI
GALLERY OF LIGHT ALICE IN WONDERLAND MINATURE $80.00
GHOST WHISPERER SEASONS 1 & 2 PREMIUM T/C BOX PI
HALO MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE BLUE SPARTAN $35.00
HALO MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE MASTER CHIEF $35.00
HULK RULK BLK T/S LG $15.99
HULK RULK BLK T/S XL $15.99
HULK RULK BLK T/S XXL $17.99
JOE THE EGG 5.5IN PLUSH $7.00
JOKER GO FISH BY ROSS T/S LG $17.95
JOKER GO FISH BY ROSS T/S XL $17.95
JOKER SALVATION BY ADAMS T/S LG $17.95
JOKER SALVATION BY ADAMS T/S MED $17.95
JOKER SALVATION BY ADAMS T/S XL $17.95
JOKER SALVATION BY ADAMS T/S XXL $20.95
KAZE NO STIGMA DVD SEASON 01 PART 02 PI
KINDLING JAMES JEAN POSTER BOOK $29.95
KISS 360 T/C BOX PI
MARVEL COLLECTION COLOSSUS FINE ART BUST $79.99
MARVEL COLLECTION CYCLOPS FINE ART BUST $79.99
MARVEL COLLECTION HAVOK FINE ART BUST $79.99
MARVEL MINIMATES SERIES 27 ULTIMATES PI
MARVEL ROGUE BISHOUJO STATUE $59.99
MIDDLE-EARTH QUEST BOARD GAME $79.95
MR TOAST 11IN MEGA PLUSH $15.00
NGE ASUKA LANGLEY MAID SP YELLOW ED ANI-STATUE $59.99
NINJA DOMO MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE $35.00
PATHFINDER RPG CORE RULEBOOK $49.99
PEZ MARVEL HEROES PI
POKEMON POP N BATTLE SERIES 1 PI
POKEMON TCG 2009 COLLECTOR LVL X TIN PI
PRESIDENT EVIL PRINT $19.99
PUNISHER MOVIE VEST BLK T/S LG $15.99
PUNISHER MOVIE VEST BLK T/S MED $15.99
PUNISHER MOVIE VEST BLK T/S XL $15.99
PUNISHER MOVIE VEST BLK T/S XXL $17.99
RASTA DOMO MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE $35.00
REVOLUTION $39.95
ROBOTECH NEW GENERATION CYCLONE MPC VOL 2 FIG $220.00
SHAKY BACON 13IN MEGA PLUSH $10.00
SMURF HOLLYWOOD PI
ST TNG DLX BLUE JUMPSUIT MED $60.00
ST TNG DLX GOLD JUMPSUIT SM $60.00
ST TNG DLX GOLD SHIRT XL $50.00
ST TNG DLX RED JUMPSUIT SM $60.00
ST TNG DLX RED JUMPSUIT XS $60.00
ST TOS DLX BLUE DRESS MED $55.00
ST TOS DLX BLUE SHIRT MED $50.00
ST TOS DLX RED DRESS MED $55.00
STAR TREK TOS 2009 EDITION T/C BOX PI
STAR WARS FATE OF JEDI HC ABYSS $27.00
SW CMG CLONE WARS MAP PACK #3 CRYSTAL CAVES ILUM (RES) $9.99
SW MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE C3PO $35.00
SW MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE DARTH MAUL $35.00
SW MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE DARTH VADER $35.00
SW MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE LUKE SKYWALKER $35.00
SW MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE PRINCESS LEIA $35.00
SW MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE ROYAL GUARD $35.00
SW MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE WICKET $35.00
SW UQS ANAKIN SKYWALKER AF $79.99
THOR HAMMER PROP REPLICA $20.00
TOKIDOKI MIMOBOT 4G FLASHDRIVE PIRATE NERO $35.00
TURNY BURNY BLUE/PINK UGLYDOLL 24IN PLUSH $50.00
UPPER DECK 2008 09 EXQUISITE COLL NBA T/C BOX PI
UPPER DECK 2009 10 MICHAEL JORDAN LEGACY T/C SET PI
UPPY UGLYDOLL 12IN PLUSH $20.00
UPPY UGLYDOLL 24IN PLUSH $50.00
VADEBONCOEUR COLLECTION OF IMAGES #11 $25.00
WAR O/T WORLDS 1:48 SCALE WAR MACHINE MODEL KIT $24.99
WAR O/T WORLDS WAR MACHINES ATTACK MODEL KIT $19.99
WATCHMEN MOTION COMIC DVD REG ED PI
WDCC SHERIFF DONALD & NEPHEWS FIGURINE $225.00
WOLVERINE GAMBIT COLORS CHARCOAL T/S MED $15.99
WOLVERINE PURGATORY CHARCOAL T/S LG $15.99
WOLVERINE PURGATORY CHARCOAL T/S MED $15.99
WOLVERINE PURGATORY CHARCOAL T/S XL $15.99
WOLVERINE PURGATORY CHARCOAL T/S XXL $17.99
YU GI OH TCG 2009 COLLECTIBLE TIN CASE WAVE 1 PI
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The iconic web-slinger returns to the legendary Macy’s Parade line-up after a decade absence from the skies of the Big Apple
Millions of New Yorkers will feel their Spider-senses tingling this November when New York’s own neighborhood Super Hero™, Marvel’s Spider-Man, makes a triumphant return to the skies over Manhattan to ensnare a new generation of fans in the 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. After a decade, Thursday, November 26, 2009, marks the date when more than 3.5 millions spectators and over 50 million viewers nationwide will catch Spidey-fever as the ever popular Super Hero returns to the Macy’s Parade line-up.
Marvel’s legendary crime-fighting web-slinger made his Macy’s Parade debut in 1987, becoming an instant classic. Hailed by spectators, amateur photographers and millions of the Super Hero’s fans, the Spider-Man balloon became an icon of the Parade’s signature giant character balloon line-up. Flown in the holiday spectacle for twelve years, the balloon was retired following the 1998 procession. The new Spider-Man balloon debuting in this year’s Macy’s Parade combines the classic pose of the previous giant - his arms outstretched in front of him and his legs bent behind in full crawling mode – but this time it will feature Spidey’s classic web-slinging pose coupled with a more modern look. The Spider-Man balloon will be a part of the Macy’s Parade through 2011.
“Spider-Man’s return to the Macy’s Balloon line-up this year is an event of seismic magnitude,” says Robin Hall, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Marvel’s iconic character, which flew for over a decade in the ‘80s and ‘90s was one of the most memorable balloons in Macy’s long Parade history.” Hall continued, “When is Spider-man coming back? is a question that has been shouted from the sidelines each and every year we inflate our helium giants on Thanksgiving eve. This new, updated balloon, featuring a modern, more defined Spider-Man, will fill a huge void for Parade devotees and will undoubtedly seize the imaginations of a whole new generation of fans."
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring Spider-Man back to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a landmark event that millions anticipate each year. The enduring popularity of New York’s own friendly neighborhood Super Hero has only grown since the last time he appeared in the Parade and we are certain the new Spider-Man balloon will delight both long-time fans and new audiences alike," said Simon Philips President, Worldwide Consumer Products for Marvel Entertainment.
“With anticipation for the upcoming release of Spider-Man 4 reaching a fever pitch, the timing couldn’t be better to bring back the Spider-Man balloon in this year’s Macy’s Parade,” said Juli Boylan for Spider-Man Merchandising, L.P – the limited partnership comprised of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc.
The 83rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade steps off on Thursday, November 26, 2009 and is broadcast nationally on NBC-TV, from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M., in all time zones.
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Here's what's coming out from Boom Studios on August 19th.
FARSCAPE: GONE AND BACK #2 - John Crichton is used to being far from home. But now he’s trapped in a new timeline, where his wife Aeryn is still a Peacekeeper! He sets Moya out on a mission to find her in hopes that the reunion of sorts will set things right. But what does Crichton’s wife in this timeline think of this? More FARSCAPE goodness from the show’s creator Rockne S. O’Bannon.
MONSTER'S INC. #1 - Sulley, Mike and Boo are back, and they are sure to generate plenty of chuckles for the Monsters, Inc. laugh factory! When acts of sabotage begin to damage Monsters, Inc equipment, all the evidence points to...Mike?! Can Mike convince Sulley to help him find the true culprit?
POE #2 - He created Horror. Find out how horror created him… as our intrepid author Edgar Allen Poe delves into the dark side of man. Golem Hell Hounds guard the secret of the Red Death! Will Poe live to tell the tale? Supernatural adventure for fans of books like HELLBOY!
SWORDSMITH ASSASSIN #1 - Toshiro Ono has spent his life making the best swords that have ever been forged and selling them to the highest bidder. But when his family is killed by a blade of his own making… Toshiro will do whatever it takes to make sure none of his swords ever kill again. Andrew Cosby, creator of EUREKA, and Michael Alan Nelson, creator of HEXED, brings feudal Samurai Japan to life like no other comic has done before.
UNTHINKABLE #4 - Nobody believed novelist Alan Ripley when he revealed he created UNTHINKABLE terror scenarios for the government. Now the CIA doesn’t just believe him – they blame him. Can he survive interrogation in time to stop his next nightmare from coming true? Only writer Mark (TWO-FACE YEAR ONE, CYBORG) Sable and artist Julian Tedesco know for sure.
HEXED HC - Blood. Theft. Sex. Magic. The critically acclaimed fan-favorite is finally collected in one horrifying volume! It's said there's no honor amongst thieves. Add to that a thief operating in the occult underground, and it's a whole different kind of nasty! Luci Jennifer Inagcio Das Neves, Lucifer for short, takes a new job that will expose her to the macabre underbelly of the city, and a secret that she'd rather nobody know. By Michael Alan Nelson, the critically acclaimed author of FALL OF CTHULHU, and hot new art talent Emma Rios and colorist Cris Peters. Special cover by Paul Pope!
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The Masters of the Universe Classics line kicked off in earnest back in December, 2008 with the release of the new He-Man action figure. Many new collectors came on board in the subsequent months after He-Man had sold out and missed their chance to pick up this character. Mattel has recently announced the long awaited reissue of He-Man for November 16th 2009. If you missed out on him the first time, this will be your chance to pick up the action figure of the most powerful man in the universe.
As Mattel begins reissuing its hit 2008 and 2009 figures, this is as good an opportunity as any to look back on the first batch of figures in this line. Unlike the subsequent figures in the MOTUC series, He-Man (along with the new Beastman) went on sale on December 1st and stayed available for a what seems like an unimaginable three weeks. Many of the later figures were produced at greater numbers and did not last three hours. This is a testament to how popular the line has become in a relatively short amount of time. MOTUC is now notorious for fans having to be online at the right time to get these figures. Mattel has remedied this with a subscription plan but the figures are still somewhat difficult to get do to their limited online distribution. This has created a hot secondary market on places like eBay.
He-Man features a bio that nimbly includes material from the various Masters of the Universe continuities. There are references to the mini-comics, with the quest for the two halves of the power sword. Prince Adam is clearly referenced in a nod to the Filmation series (so we will be getting a Prince Adam figure at some point). Since he was the introductory figure, King Grayskull is also referenced as Adam’s ancestor, as he was in the 2002 series. Although some have been controversial, I am a big fan of the MOTUC bios and I like the way that they draw from the many incarnations of Masters of the Universe. It helps make the line feel deeper and richer than if they were to just base it on, say, the 1980’s cartoon series.
This figure answered a lot of questions about what MOTUC was going to be. He has some of the nice chunky look of the old figures but with modern detailing and articulation. While the line as a whole includes visual references to the popular 2002 series (Grayskull, Zodak), the core aesthetic is rooted in classic Masters of the Universe. Appropriately, He-Man is the best example of this. He is highly poseable, with tons of articulation but still retains the look of the 1980’s figure, with coloration, deco and accessories that nearly match his predecessor. This works for me up until you get to the head, which is sculpted to look too much like the original figure, with squinty eyes, an aggravated expression and a bowl haircut. Some of the later figures in the line like Mer-Man and Man-At-Arms included alternate heads and I feel He-Man could have benefited from having an extra head inspired by his 2002 incarnation. The included head gives the figure a very dated look (it reminds me of kid’s haircuts from the 1970’s and early 1980’s).
Thankfully, He-Man comes with lots cool accessories. To me, accessories were always part of the appeal of MOTU. The swords and weapons were big and fun to play with and it was always fun to swap out armor and weapons. MOTU was one of the few lines where an accessory kit actually added to the play experience, and the accessories didn't seem like afterthoughts. He-Man comes with his trademark harness, removable via a pair of tabs in the back as well as a power sword, half-power-sword, a shield , and his battle axe. The harness has a slot to hold a sword or the axe. You can even clip the shield on there as well. The swords and the axe are painted with a two-tone gray, the edges painted with a nice metallic finish. His accessories all greatly resemble those of the original figure but, again, updated to today’s standards. Therefore, no crazy techno-sword or oversize shield (although you can get the 2002 sword with Man-At-Arms as it is cleverly worked into his bio). The half-sword has tabs to combine with Skeletor’s half sword, which is neat in theory but doesn’t really work that well.
The paint on the first issue of this figure is fairly glossy overall but I understand Mattel is fixing this for the November reissue. I guess the 2008 version can be Hot Oil He-Man. Another odd feature of the paint is a weird red area around the eyes, as though He-Man had been out in the sun all day, or perhaps sprayed in the face by Kobra Khan. This is another area Mattel will be correcting for the reissue.
Overall, I like the Masters of the Universe Classics He-Man, but am not crazy about him. The figure looses points for the too-faithful-to-the-original head sculpt. Also, for me, He-Man was never the most interesting character what with so many cool designs and concepts in the line but it’s MOTU, so you have to have He-Man. Besides, you have to have something to put on your Battlecat when it comes out in February. So, make sure you pick up the new and improved He-Man figure on November 16th at mattycollector.com because after November, we may not see him back for a while.
Patrick Garone
Staff Reviewer
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DC Universe Classics wave 8 Hawkgirl Review and Photographs by Dean René MiddletonI must confess that I am not the most “hardcore” DC fan, and some of the character choices for the past few DCUC line ups have been very obscure to me. However, I was able to pick up a character that I have been eagerly anticipating for some time, the wave 8 Hawkgirl.
As I took the figure from the packaging it was clear that it had eclipsed all of my expectations. Straight out of the box she comes fully armed and ready for combat, brandishing her mace, an intricately detailed spear and a short sword. I was hoping to find her contribution to the collect and connect Giganta figure included in the package but unfortunately Hawkgirl does not have one, she just has a display stand.
At first glance, the most interesting aspect of the Hawkgirl figure is her wings. They are very feminine looking and extremely detailed. Really, the sheer level of textual detail them is nothing short of excellent.
Furthermore, they are also articulated at 3 points. Anyone who is familiar with the Toy Biz Marvel Legends wave 10 Angel figure will see that she shares a similar type of joint design where the wings meet her body. However Hawkgirl's wing joints are more streamlined, making them far less intrusive and much more a natural part of the figure than the aforementioned example.
When unfolded, Hawkgirl manages an impressive wingspan of 1 FT. This is great and it looks stunning when you consider that it’s just a 6” action figure.
In terms of paint quality, Hawkgirl is easily one of the most impressive paint jobs of any DC universe classics figure I have purchased so far. The crest of her helmet has subtle gradations of a golden yellow which transitions into orange. The effect is really nice, and really helps the figure to stand out much more than if perhaps a solid orange colour alone had been used.
There was some slight white paint slop around her left earring, but it was very minor and not something that would draw attention unless it was held under extreme scrutiny.
Hawkgirl shares the same articulations as standard DC Universe classics female body sculpts. She has approximately 21 points of articulation [25 if you include the wings], and the joints themselves feel very solid and allow for a great range of movement. The wing joints are also impressive because it presents an array of options for choosing wing positions
However, there are a few minor issues that I discovered with the figure.
First of all, she has the standard female ball neck joint, but due to her long hair it limits her potential range of neck motion. This means that Hawkgirl is not capable of dynamic flying poses since you cannot angle her head up or down. I must confess this did come as quite a disappointment since it was the first thing I wanted to do after taking her out of the packaging.
Another thing that I was sadly missing from this figure was an alternate unmasked head. That really would have been a very welcome addition.
And while the hands were elegant and beautifully sculpted, the grip was not tight enough to hold the weapons securely, and as a result, her sword and spear would often fall out with relative ease. It’s also a disappointment that she did not include a Giganta piece instead of a stand.
I imagine that a lot of people would want to buy the Hawkgirl figure, and it would have been a nice way to encourage people who were perhaps not so familiar with some of the more obscure characters to invest in them. Furthermore the included stand is not very well made since it only has one peg and it cannot fully support the weight of the figure, if her wings are extended to certain positions.
But even so, with all things considered those minor issues that ultimately do very little to detract from the fact that this is an excellent figure. And this figure has gone a considerable way towards restoring my faith and interest in this line.
I would very much recommend this Hawkgirl figure to any DC Universe collector.
Dean René Middleton
Staff Reviewer
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