Sunday, February 8, 2009
Hulk VS.
Hulk VS. Thor and Hulk VS. Wolverine. 2 Movies. 1 DVD. All kick-ass!
Marvel and Lionsgate's newest direct to DVD animated feature dropped into stores recently. I'm sure I'm not the only Joe who saw the short run times on both of these and had a red alert go up. But the reasonable price, the decent looking animation and the PG-13 rating made me take the gamble. The verdict: Awesome. I think the "mini-movie" format is the way to go. Why pad out a weak story into an 80 minute feature, when you can do 2 lean, mean action packed stories? The animation and voice acting were top notch on both and I was completely wrapped up in each movie.
Hulk Vs. Thor.
The basic set up is once a year, after Odin has feasted on a basket teriyaki buffalo wings and queso dippers, he must take a week long nap to recharge. During that time, Loki and all the wacky Asgardians critters lay siege and Thor and his Amazing Friends must turn back the tide. But this year a wild card has been thrown into the mix, the Hulk. What follows are some big battles, Thor and Loki's Bogus Journey and loads of cool cameos by Thor comic regulars.
Now, I'm pretty much a casual Thor fan. I like him, but mainly as part of a team. This movie changed my mind on that. This is how Thor should be done. Big, epic fantasy. Bring on more of this!
Hulk Vs. Wolverine
Logan is called in to stop the rampaging Hulk. Wolvie and Hulk fight and some Weapon X regulars like Sabertooth, Deadpool, Omega Red and Deathstrike are thrown into the mix. The result is one of the best translations of the Wolverine to the screen that I have even seen.
My inner 10 year old was bouncing of the walls during this one. Wolveine was perfect. It's the first time I've ever seen him portrayed as the pint-sized beserker - outside of comics. Sabertooth, Deathstrike, Omega and Deadpool were perfection. And the violence! Finally, these characters get to cut loose on-screen. Wolvie slashes and stabs and the blood and limbs fly.
I'd give both 5 out of 5. This is some of the best comics-to-animation out there and it's the perfect format, length-wise. We need more like these. Bring on Ghostrider, Punisher, Deadpool ... anybody. Just do it like this.
I will say watch Thor first (the tender foreplay) and finish with Wolverine (the Haitian Chili dog).
Breaking news!
Based on the success of the Hulk Vs. DVD sales, Lionsgate has announced the following sequels at NY Comic Con:
-Dr. G
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Comicbook Crossfire Podcast
Just wanted to give a shout out to a new video podcast, COMICBOOK CROSSFIRE. It's put together by a talented group of friends of mine. Episode 4 just went live this week, so give 'em a watch (or listen) and drop 'em an email. They talk new and old comics and crack me up every time.
http://comicbookcrossfire.libsyn.com/
http://www.myspace.com/capescomics
The show is sponsored by and shot on location at
Capes Comic Book Lounge
Located at 6208 Maple St. in Benson (i.e Omaha, NE 68104)
(Smack dab between The Waiting Room and Jake's)
ph 402.558.0212
Hours Mon-Sat 11-8, Sun 12-4
If you're in the area, check out the store. It kick's some serious ass
-Dr.G
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Mattel Collector's toys: Beautiful, Overpriced and Addictive.
http://www.mattycollector.com
Since my Skeletor and Adam Strange/Starfire Mattel figures arrived on Friday, I thought I might do a quick review of them and last month's He-Man and Beastman release.
If You haven't see the Masters of the Universe figures in person, they are really beautifully done. I'd have to say close to prefect.
The DC Universe Classics are also excellent figures. Adam Strange uses the standard DCUC male body, but sports a new head sculpt, vest/rocketpack and pistol. Overall he's a great figure. The JLU animated figures have shown that Mattel can do some creative things with paint apps, and Strange is proof of that.
Starfire uses the Harley Quinn body, which looks good, but it's too petite for the character. Plus she suffers from Uni-boob Syndrome. But, as far a comic styled Starfires go, it beats the scary looking DC Direct version from years ago. Hopefully DC will pony up a more properly endowed Starfire figure in the future, but for now this one looks go to me.
Back to He-Man. As you can see, the designs of the originals are closely followed. Skeletor even has the cool green and yellow skull paint apps of the original.
The figures have a nice range of pose ability. Skeletor's arm movement suffers due to his shoulder armor. All have limited hip movement from the rubbery loin cloths they are sporting.
Like I said, these are really gorgeous sculpts. They probably some of the best figures I've bought in the last few months. Personally I love that they've slavishly followed the original designs. I loved the newer Masters line from '02, but the classic look is perfect.
Come on. How bad-assed is this?
The only 2 gripes I have are this:
The Packaging. It looks good, but they are sold as the standard, carded figures. These are for collectors, so why not boxed? Something that you can open and still save the packaging.
and the second, THE PRICE.
Mattel is charging $20 a figure on these. That's high. Almost too high. If they weren't so nicely sculpted, it'd be insane. Tack on like $8 shipping and you talking a hefty toy bill for one figure.
Now, I know these are brand new sculpts and they aren't being mass marketed, but the original Masters of the Universe toyline was the very definition of repaints and reuse of parts. And the same thing will happen with the new figures, if the line has some legs to it.
I hope they don't continually rake the buyers over the coals on the cost. They've all ready announced Fakkor at $20 (He is a Con exclusive, though). I guess the true test will be if they get to characters like Stinkor and Mossman. I'd love to see them do some reduced price 2-packs or something. That or some kind of mail in. Buy the 12 figures during the year and get a free 13th mail in exclusive or something. I just hate the idea of a year from now paying $28 for get a figure that's only had a new head slapped on it.
But anyway, they are fantastic. I will collect these are long as they continue to maintain the quality of the figures (and if the price doesn't become more prohibitive than it all ready is).
Skeletor is out now. He-man and Beastman are sold out (for now). I 'm betting more will pop up later. Or a 2-pack later on. If you can't wait, and can swing it, they are on secondary market for $35-$40. If you have the extra, they are indeed worth it.
-Dr.G
Since my Skeletor and Adam Strange/Starfire Mattel figures arrived on Friday, I thought I might do a quick review of them and last month's He-Man and Beastman release.
If You haven't see the Masters of the Universe figures in person, they are really beautifully done. I'd have to say close to prefect.
The DC Universe Classics are also excellent figures. Adam Strange uses the standard DCUC male body, but sports a new head sculpt, vest/rocketpack and pistol. Overall he's a great figure. The JLU animated figures have shown that Mattel can do some creative things with paint apps, and Strange is proof of that.
Starfire uses the Harley Quinn body, which looks good, but it's too petite for the character. Plus she suffers from Uni-boob Syndrome. But, as far a comic styled Starfires go, it beats the scary looking DC Direct version from years ago. Hopefully DC will pony up a more properly endowed Starfire figure in the future, but for now this one looks go to me.
Back to He-Man. As you can see, the designs of the originals are closely followed. Skeletor even has the cool green and yellow skull paint apps of the original.
The figures have a nice range of pose ability. Skeletor's arm movement suffers due to his shoulder armor. All have limited hip movement from the rubbery loin cloths they are sporting.
Like I said, these are really gorgeous sculpts. They probably some of the best figures I've bought in the last few months. Personally I love that they've slavishly followed the original designs. I loved the newer Masters line from '02, but the classic look is perfect.
Come on. How bad-assed is this?
The only 2 gripes I have are this:
The Packaging. It looks good, but they are sold as the standard, carded figures. These are for collectors, so why not boxed? Something that you can open and still save the packaging.
and the second, THE PRICE.
Mattel is charging $20 a figure on these. That's high. Almost too high. If they weren't so nicely sculpted, it'd be insane. Tack on like $8 shipping and you talking a hefty toy bill for one figure.
Now, I know these are brand new sculpts and they aren't being mass marketed, but the original Masters of the Universe toyline was the very definition of repaints and reuse of parts. And the same thing will happen with the new figures, if the line has some legs to it.
I hope they don't continually rake the buyers over the coals on the cost. They've all ready announced Fakkor at $20 (He is a Con exclusive, though). I guess the true test will be if they get to characters like Stinkor and Mossman. I'd love to see them do some reduced price 2-packs or something. That or some kind of mail in. Buy the 12 figures during the year and get a free 13th mail in exclusive or something. I just hate the idea of a year from now paying $28 for get a figure that's only had a new head slapped on it.
But anyway, they are fantastic. I will collect these are long as they continue to maintain the quality of the figures (and if the price doesn't become more prohibitive than it all ready is).
Skeletor is out now. He-man and Beastman are sold out (for now). I 'm betting more will pop up later. Or a 2-pack later on. If you can't wait, and can swing it, they are on secondary market for $35-$40. If you have the extra, they are indeed worth it.
-Dr.G
Random 1984 nonsense...again
Found some unused GI JOE colored pencil by number sheets from 1984. They have seom pretty aweful artwork. Maybe that's why they were never colored.
Storm Shadow clones himself
Spirit poses for his class photo, while Duke is killed by Storm Shadow in the background. Good going Spirit.
Ole' Stormy get's his ass kicked by an unarmed Duke, proving the might of the Ninja!
A Cobra trooper cicles the missile silos, waiting to be shot down.
Snake Eyes: Commando/Human bomb target
Storm Shadow attacks SheetRock, the new GI JOE Wall Master.
Storm Shadow clones himself
Spirit poses for his class photo, while Duke is killed by Storm Shadow in the background. Good going Spirit.
Ole' Stormy get's his ass kicked by an unarmed Duke, proving the might of the Ninja!
A Cobra trooper cicles the missile silos, waiting to be shot down.
Snake Eyes: Commando/Human bomb target
Storm Shadow attacks SheetRock, the new GI JOE Wall Master.
Zombies!!!
Z.O.M.B.I.E.
Zillions Of Mutated Bodies Infecting Everyone!
School Girl, Rockabilly, Bathtime, School Boy, and the Ape!
Ordered these through Previews for around $5. Very cool little plastic army men-sized zombie figures. They have a nice level of detail and all stand well on their own. The website says series 1, so hopefully more will be coming.
Check 'em out at:
http://www.octobertoys.com/zombie/
Zillions Of Mutated Bodies Infecting Everyone!
School Girl, Rockabilly, Bathtime, School Boy, and the Ape!
Ordered these through Previews for around $5. Very cool little plastic army men-sized zombie figures. They have a nice level of detail and all stand well on their own. The website says series 1, so hopefully more will be coming.
Check 'em out at:
http://www.octobertoys.com/zombie/
Random 1984 nonsense
Hey, strangers. Hope everyone had a merry christmas and happy new year. The hiatus has been due mainly to work and a little blessed event. The purchase of an XBox 360. Seriously, that sucker is the ultimate time sucker. But awesome. Seriously, buy one if you can.
Anyway, while going through a box of old papers, I found some random cool crap from my youth and I figure I'll scan stuff of it in from time to time.
Up first, a school folder from 1984.
Woooooo! Garfield. I drew fangs on him, so I guess he's about to feed on Odie.
Doodles. My obsessions at the time: Stickers, superheroes, Inspector Gadget, Gremlins, Star Wars, Storm Shadow and Heathcliff...
Ninjas, Garfield, more Gremlins and more Inspector Gadget...
Anyway, while going through a box of old papers, I found some random cool crap from my youth and I figure I'll scan stuff of it in from time to time.
Up first, a school folder from 1984.
Woooooo! Garfield. I drew fangs on him, so I guess he's about to feed on Odie.
Doodles. My obsessions at the time: Stickers, superheroes, Inspector Gadget, Gremlins, Star Wars, Storm Shadow and Heathcliff...
Ninjas, Garfield, more Gremlins and more Inspector Gadget...
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