Category Archives: Reviews

Review – Alice – Alice: Madness Returns, Diamond Select Toys

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This is a sponsored review. This sample has been provided by BigBadToyStore.

American McGee's Alice: Madness Returns 7" Video Game Action Figure by Diamond Select Toys

Back in the year 2000, video game designer American McGee released a game simply called “American McGee’s Alice”. The game was his version of a sequel to the Lewis Carroll Alice novels. The story took place not too long after the second Alice novel, “Through the Looking Glass”. In the game, her house is burnt down by an accidental fire, killing her parents, but leaving her alive. This even was so traumatic that she had to be has to be committed to a mental asylum. For years, she is stuck in the asylum, all the while losing her grip on reality more and more. The only thing she has that reminds her of her past life is a stuffed rabbit.

One day, much to Alice’s surprise, the White Rabbit shows up and tells Alice that Wonderland is in trouble and they need her help. Wanting to leave the asylum, Alice gladly goes with the rabbit to help him. However, instead of Wonderland being…well, a place of wonder, it’s now a twisted, demented version of itself. This was a brilliant idea by American McGee, since Wonderland was supposed to be a part of Alice’s imagination, and her mind was now itself, twisted and demented. Many parts of this new Wonderland even have visual aesthetics that link back to an insane asylum, helping drive the notion home that it’s all in her head.

Cut to 2011, and a sequel to the game is released, under the name “Alice: Madness Returns”. In it, Alice tries to cope with being released from the insane asylum, believing herself to be cured. Even so, she keeps getting visions of Wonderland, and seeks help from a psychiatrist. Throughout the game, you shift back and forth through reality and Wonderland, all the while learning of the truth behind the fire that consumed your home and your family many years before.

So in honor of the new game, Diamond Select Toys released a small line of figures based on the “Madness Returns” game. There are two versions of Alice, the Cheshire Cat, and a Card Guard. Today, I’ll be looking at the normal version of Alice. So won’t you step with me through the looking glass (I apologize for that), as I see if this figure is worth your time, or if it should be thrown to the Jabberwock for decimation.
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Review – Spider-Man – 6″ Movie Amazing Spider-Man, Hasbro

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Hasbro Walmart Exclusive Amazing Spider-Man 6" Movie Action Figure Andrew Garfield
When Hasbro announced a line of 6″ figures based on the Amazing Spider-Man movie, it was a given that the title hero would be receiving his own figure. I originally had no interest in purchasing this figure, since I don’t very much like the look of the suit in the movie, as he looks very much like a basketball. However, when I had the figure in my hands and I was inspecting it in package, it had potential. I decided to give it a shot, and at the very least I could review it and possibly get some other use out of it.

Here I’ll be judging the figure on its own merits and I’ll keep my bias over the new movie and suit of out the review. So join me as I take a look at the new Walmart exclusive 6″ Amazing Spider-Man action figure.

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Review – The Lizard – 6″ Movie Amazing Spider-Man, Hasbro

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The Lizard 6" Amazing Spider-Man Marvel Movie Action Figure Hasbro

This year saw the release of the movie The Amazing Spider-Man, Sony’s attempt at rebooting the franchise in order to start a new series. The movie has largely been very hit or miss with the fans, and the reviews for it seem mixed at best. Still, Hasbro was prepared to roll out a plethora of product in support of the new movie, including a small line of Walmart exclusive 6″ action figures. Despite what many fans may or may not have thought of the movie, there has no doubt been a large amount of anticipation for these new figures. I myself did not care very much for the new movie, but I needed this 6″ Lizard figure in my life. I figured at best he could blend in with all the movie figures I have from the first three Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies.

So what’s the verdict? Is he a good fit for your Spider-Man movie collection? Is he a good action figure at all? Continue reading to find out.

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Review – Space Ghost – Hanna Barbera, Jazwares

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Jazwares Space Ghost Hanna Barbera 6" Action Figure

Jazwares surprised me recently with their new toy line of Hanna Barbera action figures. I had no idea that it was coming, and only found out about it when I walked into my local Toys “R” Us, and saw them on the pegs. They had three inch figures, 6 inch figures, and multi-packs on a two inch scale. I thought it was actually a pretty neat idea. Then, I found out they had a 6″ super posable Space Ghost figure and HAD TO HAVE IT. I mean, it’s Space Ghost. So with the help of a friend, I was able to obtain one.

And I have to say, all the coolness is in the character alone. That’s about it. Read on to see what I mean, because you’re really not gonna believe this.

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Review – Brock Samson – Venture Bros. 3 3/4″, Bif Bang Pow!

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Bif Bang Pow Venture Bros. 3 3/4" Brock Samson Action Figure

The Venture Bros. is one of those toy lines that have had a rocky time, to say the least,getting an action figure line off the ground. A couple of years ago, toy company Bif Bang Pow started a line of 8″ retro figures, based on Venture Bros. characters. The idea was that since the cartoon was a parody of Johnny Quest, old Marvel comics, and other Hanna Barbera cartoons, that the toy line should reflect that. The first wave hit Toys “R” Us, as well as comic and specialty shops. After that though, the second wave was not picked up by Toys “R” Us, and as far as I know all subsequent waves haven’t either. That line is still going though, and there seems to be even more figures coming out in that line, though if they will be sold exclusively online, or in stores, is yet to be seen.

Bif Bang Pow last year, had prototype pictures of their proposed 3 3/4″ Venture Bros. toy line. They knew that despite the fans love of the show, many of them wanted real action figures, and not 8″ Mego styled dolls. Well now they’ve finally managed to get the first figure out, the one we’re looking at today: Brock Samson! They actually had a variant of him that you could pick up at San Diego Comic-Con this past July as an exclusive. But we’re going to take a look at the normal release version, which has started hitting comic shops. Their hope is that Brock Samson will sell well enough to warrant more figures in the line.

Is he worth your money? Is he everything a Venture Bros. fan has been waiting for? Continue reading to find out!

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Review – Blue Lion & Allura – Voltron Classics, Mattel (24 Pictures!)

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Mattel Voltron Classics Blue Lion and Princess Allura Action Figure Set

We’re getting down to the wire now. With just one more Lion/Pilot set to be released, we’ve almost got our completed Voltron! This month saw the release of the Blue Lion with pilot Princess Allura.

Allura was actually the second pilot to the Blue Lion. The original pilot was Sven, who was also released this month as a club exclusive figure, meaning you could only own one if you had signed up for the subscription last year. He was killed off early in the series, but when they dubbed it for America, they changed the dialogue to say that he was only injured (since fragile American kids couldn’t see a cartoon character die) and had to be sent off to another planet for healing. So Princess Allura took his place as a part of team Voltron. She was Princess and ruler of the planet Arus, the very planet that the Voltron Force was trying to protect. But in Sven’s absence, she became a very hands on monarch, and took to the fighting herself.

Continue reading to find out if the latest Voltron set lives up to the others and is a worthy addition to the series.

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Review – Outer Space Men Series 1 and 2 Infinity Edition 2.0 and 5 and 6 Alpha Phase

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Four Horsemen Studios Outer Space Men Series 1 and 2 Infinity Edition & Series 5 and 6 Alpha Phase Action FiguresHey guys, just wanted to let you know about my new review for Toy News International. I take a look at the latest Outer Space Men figures from The Four Horsemen. Series 1 and 2 Infinity Edition, and series 5 and 6 Alpha Phase. Be sure to head on over by clicking here and check out the review, and the copious amount of photos I took. As always, thanks for looking!