Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Comic News: CHRIS GIARRUSSO RELEASES NEW FREE ONLINE G-MAN VIDEO GAME!



Mini-Marvels cartoonist Chris Giarrusso brings his superhero hit G-MAN: CAPE CRISIS to the interactive computer screen once again!

While most comic books are taking a week off, Mini Marvels cartoonist Chris Giarrusso invites fans to fill that time with G-MAN: CAPE CRISIS: ESCAPE FROM DARK FOREST, the all-new video game featuring his beloved creator-owned superhero!

"I'm very happy to see that comics and gaming fans have been enjoying the classic 8-bit style G-Man video games we've been adding to chrisgcomics.com," Giarrusso said. "Long-time gaming fans dig that familiar old-school feel they grew up with, while younger fans are discovering the undeniable charm of these games for the first time. I personally couldn't be more thrilled with the way these games tie directly into aspects of the Cape Crisis comic series."

ESCAPE FROM DARK FOREST adapts the memorable chase scene from G-MAN: CAPE CRISIS #4, where G-Man must stay one step ahead of the deadly forest monsters seeking to devour him. Once readers are finished being thrilled, they can head down to their local comic book store in January to pick up the shocking conclusion to G-MAN: CAPE CRISIS, as well as the currently available digest collection of G-MAN's previous comics, G-MAN: LEARNING TO FLY.

G-MAN: CAPE CRISIS #5 (OCT090421), a 32-page full color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores January 13th, 2009. Printable order info can be downloaded at http://www.chrisgcomics.com/newspages/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/OrderForm_GManCC.pdf to help your retailer assist you in finding G-Man books. G-MAN: CAPE CRISIS: ESCAPE FROM DARK FOREST is available for free online play right now at http://www.chrisgcomics.com/ccgame3.html

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Comic News: The Year of Spider-Man Is 2010



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Comic News: ASTONISHING X-MEN MOTION COMIC BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO



Marvel is proud to present the latest Astonishing X-Men BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO #6

Get a behind the scenes look at the chart-topping Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic with this all new video! Based on the acclaimed story by superstars Joss Whedon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and John Cassaday (Captain America), the X-Men are faced with a mysterious new villain and a possible cure for the mutant gene! Now Cyclops, Wolverine and all your favorite mutants must face the greatest threats of their lives and, before it’s all done, experience one of the most jaw-dropping moments in Marvel history!

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Masters of the Universe Classics 2009 Top Ten, Part III



Numbers 6 and 5...


Tri-Klops with Mandarin Spawn katana.

Number 6 Tri-Klops

Masters of the Universe Classics really hit its stride over the summer and August’s figure, Tri-Klops, is a perfect example of that. Tri-Klops is a great update of the classic figure with a few subtle nods to the 2002 version of the character. He's still evil and he still sees everything.


He comes with a good amount of accessories such as his classic sword, a Doomseeker with mount, and even a replica of the classic glow-in-the-dark MOTU ring. Probably my favorite thing about this new Tri-Klops is that there is actually sculpting under the visor where you can see his robotic eye implants. Check out the full review of this figure here.


Number 5 He-Ro

While the final MOTUC action figure of He-Ro is impressive in its own right, the fact that he was finally made after all these years is pretty damn cool. He is, of course, based on the unreleased prototype from a cancelled MOTU spinoff series and his very 1980’s fantasy deco may not be to everyone’s taste but He-Ro is a great looking figure with a look that is quite unique in the line.


Within the context of Masters of the Universe Classics, He-Ro was also remarkable for introducing a lot of new tooling, such as new a new loin cloth, wrist guards and boots. He includes both a repainted “cosmic” power sword and a large, articulated golden staff which features a hidden spellstone, which came in one of three possible colors.

Read our original review of He-Ro here.

Check back tomorrow for numbers 4 and 3.

Patrick Garone
Staff Reviewer
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Monday, December 28, 2009

Toy Review: Retro Action DC Super Heroes Green Arrow Figure (Mattel)



I grew up in the 70's, and in the 70's, the action figures to have were Megos. World's Greatest Super-Heroes was the line to buy. Multiple points of articulation, real cloth costumes, and accessories, these were the action figures to have. 8 inches of super-hero glory. Just couldn't beat it.

Now Mattel has decided to bring the Megos back with their Retro Action Super Heroes, starting with Green Arrow. This reviewer is just a happy camper. Let's see why.



First here's a side by side look at the original Mego to the one from Mattel. (Thank you to the Mego Museum for loaning us the Mego pictures)




There are a lot of changes & improvements to this Green arrow figure. The costume is not made from cloth this time around, but rather spandex. There is also greater detail in Mattel's that is closer to the comic version. But there is still a snap in the back to remove the clothing, which is always great for customizers.




With accessories, on the original Mego, the quiver had a belt & 2 arm loops to hold it in place. Mattel's version is an improvement with a strap across Green Arrow's chest. The bow comes with a boxing glove arrow attached to it. And finally, like I remember, that hat is removable.



GA still maintains the same multiple points of articulation and if anything, has been improved. The joints are a lot tighter than I remember.



Green Arrow in the first in a series of other figures, that will include, Superman, Lex Luthor, Green Lantern, & Sinestro. Personally can't wait for them to come out, and I hope this line flourishes & grows.

Special thanks to the Mego Museum for allowing us to use their images. Find out more about Megos on their site at www.megomuseum.com

Brian Isaacs
Executive Editor/Owner
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Masters of the Universe Classics 2009 Top Ten, Part II



On to numbers 8 and 7...


Number 8 Skeletor


February’s figure was the Evil Lord of Destruction himself. In terms of design and deco, MOTUC Skeletor is pretty faithful to his classic 1980’s counterpart. He's got the same monster feet and scalloped forearms (which have found their way into far too many characters this year). He now sports a killer facesculpt which is full of great dry bony detail and painted a vivid acid-green and yellow, although not in the same paint-by-numbers way as the original.




He also comes with a huge Havoc Staff and both the full and half power swords painted in a great mix of dark and metallic purple as well as his bone-and-bat themed armor. In his original issue, he was sculpted with a partially open left hand which could grip his staff up towards the top and was evocative of Skeletor clawing the air in frustration or perhaps casting a spell. In December's reissue this hand was sculped tighter to hold a sword. Read our full review of Skeletor here.




Faker, with Witching Axe of Ruination, not included.



Number 7. Faker


Winner: Best Paint!


Faker is an absolute knockout of a figure and it is all thanks to an outstanding paintjob, for which he won our Best Paint honors this year. He is obviously a repaint of He-Man but because of a great color scheme and paint applications he becomes much more than the cheap repaint he could have been. Photos do not do this Faker justice. Unfortunately, he is somewhat lacking in accessories. If he had Faker versions of all of the He-Man accessories he would be much higher on this list. Read the full review of this figure here.





Patrick Garone
Staff Reviewer
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Sunday, December 27, 2009

Toy Review: DC Universe Classics Wave 11 (Mattel) by Shel Isaacs



On Wednesday I finally received my shipment of Mattel's DCUC Wave 11, and I for the couldn't been happier. This wave does have it's ups & downs and we take a closer look at them.



This wave consists of 7 figures with 2 variants:
  • John Stewart
  • Katma Tui
  • Shark
  • The Question
  • Cyborg Superman
  • Steppenwolf
  • Super Powers Variant Steppenwolf
  • Deadman
  • "Ghostly" Deadman Variant
With pieces for a Collect & Connect Kilowog figure. Though the set I got came one with the Steppenwolf variant and not the Deadman one.




This wave is obviously very heavy on Green Lantern with 3 members of the Corps and 2 Green Lantern villains, not that I mind. But let's take a look at them individually.

John Stewart

The John Stewart here is in his current costume. The paint lines are clean and there's a nice touch of metallic paint added to the green. He comes to with 2 constructs, both that fit into his ring hand that it seems like they are coming out of the ring. The first one is a fist & the second is a rifle.




Katma Tui

The 2nd Green Lantern in this wave. Like most of the female figures in the DCUC line this one suffers the same problems. The arms are too skinny. They are not in proportion with the rest of the body & look rather weird. Like someone stuck 2 toothpicks in there. Hopefully this is an issue that can be fixed going forward. Katma also comes with 2 constructs like Stewart. A shield & a sword.




Deadman

This is a pretty good sculpt. He uses a skinnier body than the regular male body. The screaming facial express he has doesn't really thrill me. I would have preferred more of a blank expression on his face. The collar is a thick but doesn't take aways from the character.




Cyborg Superman

From what I can tell this is a brand new sculpt here. He's shown here in his Sinestro Corps uniform. The yellow rings on his robotic arm are a nice touch.




Shark

This is hands down the worst of the wave. While the fins on the body are a nice touch, it the head that just kills this figure. The Shark's head just looks like it was slapped on there like a 3 year did it. Disappointing.




Steppenwolf

While I do have the variant, I'm not a fan & can't bring myself to open it. The original version is just a great figure. They really captured Kirby's character in this figure. He comes with 3 accessories, a sword, a whip, and a horn. Just a great figure in my opinion.




The Question

I'm a little bias on this character, because the Question is my favorite characters. The figure uses the same body as the Gentleman Ghost and the Joker. It's a simple design, but works so well.



Kilowog

Kilowog is Collect and Connect figure in this series. He's a great touch to this series and the sculpt is just plain amazing. One of my favorite C&C figures so far.



Personally I feel as the DCUC line continues, it just keeps getting better.

Now if Mattel would just fix the female bodies, this line would be perfect.

Shel Isaacs
Toy News Editor
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