Warduke (NECA)

I've never been super big on Dungeons and Dragons. I tried, but pen and paper RPG just isn't for me. However, I've loved the old D&D cartoon since childhood. During it's time, I had a lot of fun with the toy line by LJN and the assorted kids books and stuff. I was actually quite disapointed that I couldn't get into the game itself despite multiple tries. The occasinal video game, sure, just can't do pen and paper RPG. That being said, how I've enjoyed D&D lead to me appreciation of one of the most badass villains of all time. Warduke.

I've actually spoken about my admiration for Warduke here before. This weird occult flavored cousin of Darth Vader who of course set off the Satanic Panic folks back in the day. My original action figure was destroyed thanks to a jealous cousin and replacing it hasn't worked out in my favor. There's various homages to him in independent toys (especially in the Glyos area), and I did luckily find his Funko Pop a while back. NECA recently has put out some premium D&D figures including the Duke of War here. Thankfully he was a birthday gift from my wife who absolutely spoils me on holidays.

NECA nailed it with this incarnation of Warduke. He looks 100% like you'd expect a 'serious collector' premium toy to look. All of his classic design is here with leveled up detailing and paint. I'm especially fond of the metallic pain on his helmet and the flame effect that can be attached to his sword. Warduke has his additional daggers and short sword as well as his trademark shield. They're all sorts of magical and NECA made them look it. The figure has a ton of articulation so the EVIL ACTION FIGURE can be put in all sorts of menacing poses. There's also a range of extra hands for this purpose.

Warduke is one of those characters that I keep on an untouchable high shelf. Thankfully this figure really drive home some of that prestige. He's pretty large, about 6 inches and scales pretty well with Masterverse figures from what I've seen in MOTU groups. Despite being from different series, he fits in nicely there. Warduke comes from that same 80's fantasy boom that He-Man came from, and both respective toy lines set off the Satanic Panic alarms of the time. This is an amazingly great figure of an all time favorite villain of mine. I'm definitely glad to have it and grateful of my wife for giving it to me.

Don't let this week be a Shocker

Another weekend has passed heralding the arrival of a new week here on Planet Zone! I had a great weekend. My birthday was last week, so Saturday the Mrs showered me with gifts and we enjoyed pizza with ice cream and cake. It was a good time. I got plenty of Transformers and BeastBox toys. Not only that but some Super Mario, Masters of the Universe, and even Dungeons and Dragons toys to boot! I would list them all here, but that's a little tacky. I don't ask for money and that immediately follows such a thing. Though I'm sure a picture will be posted on my social meadia soon enough.

I watched Halloween cartoons all night before enjoying Sunday morning doing some shopping. We went to Five Below for a Squishmallow event. Which was a bust as the big drop didn't go as planned to the disappointment of those in attendance. We decided to visit another store for greater success. Next weekend is Easter and the Mrs has an Easter egg hunt planned for me. That sounds fun, I wonder how that's going to go. I've got to put together her basket soon. Though we'll do a little last minute shopping Saturday, so I'm sure I'll add to hers then as well. That's next weekend though, so we should get this week started off! I have some fun posts for you all. Thank you for reading Zone Base. If you like what I do, please share posts with your friends. I'd hope they'd enjoy it too!

Weekly Update- 1/30/23

Unfortunately the weekend has ended, but that just means a new week here on Planet Zone! I spent this weekend mostly at home aside from some shopping. I had intended to get some put off housework done, but that didn't happen. I did manage to pick up some fun stuff. Two Micro Galaxy Squadron blind boxes, two of the new way cool Dungeons and Dragons Dicelings (way cool D&D monsters that transform into dice), Studio Series Core class Laserbeak, a copy of Yokaiden book 2 (Five Below has good deals on manga), and Terror Claws Skeletor from MOTU Origins (random luck at Big Lots). It's the beginning of the year. Stock can be low, but I found some good stuff.

I also ordered a carrying case for my Digimon. The Mrs got me a 20th anniversary unit for Christmas and it's been fun to play again after all these years. I intend to get one of the Digimon X units later. I always liked lcd gadgets and had fun with virtual pets back in the day. This is just a great portable RPG. Now I can carry it around without getting it dirty. I watched some good TV. Lots of paranormal TV and the new episode of 1000lbs Sisters (it's surprisingly addictive, ok). Also finally watched My Amityville Horror. It's a documentary about the oldest Lutz child including various interviews with news personalities that handled the case and therapists. It doesn't try to convince you if it really happened or didn't. Just sort of a look at this persons life and everything that happened because of it. Pretty interesting. I also worked in a viewing of Garfield's Halloween Adventure... look, you know how this works.

I've got a fun week in store for you all. Thank you so much for reading Zone Base. If you like what I'm doing, please share posts with your friends. I've got some chores to do and this Digimon has sone fighting to do! Have a great week!

Riders on the Styx

 

Dragonriders of the Styx was a fantasy line from the early 80's that's mostly forgotten about now. Probably thanks to being sued out of existence by TSR due to it's obvious unlicensed inspiration from Dungeons and Dragons. Made by Dimensions for Children, which is a pretty bad name for a toy company. I mainly remember getting the toys from discount and drug stores, but the larger sets could be found at regular retail. Initially the line started off with 'army man' style figures with themed play sets. Later it expanded into 3 3'4 action figures with various creatures and vehicles. 

My brother and I the entire standard carded figure assortment and some of those 'army man' play sets. Satanic Panic was a thing at the time, and like He-Man, I can understand it a little here. Toys like Duelin' Devils and Demons of Castleon might raise a suspicious eye or two. Lot's of these fantasy toys at the time had some really awesome horror art on the packaging that probably skirted the line for the intended audience. I can definitely appreciate it now though and not be cynical at all when people ask what's wrong with me. 

Earlier I mentioned mainly getting the toys from discount and drug stores. That's probably likely to getting sued out of existence by TSR. The realities of toy liquidation never crossed my mind when I was 6. The 'army men' style figures got bootlegged heavily, I was finding them up to the early 90's. I strongly remember getting the Wizard shown above on Halloween night. Mom was taking us home after a great night of trick or treating. We went to neighborhoods with my cousin, ate McDonald's, then trick or treated at the mall! I was Spider-Man. It was awesome.

Have a Magic New Week

 

It's Monday and you know what that means! It's a new week here on Planet Zone! This past weekend was pretty good. It was the Mrs's birthday and I took her out shopping to celebrate it. While out I picked up a Pop Warduke I'd been hoping to find. We also stopped by Rocket Fizz, a candy store, and while there I grabbed a giant bag of Pez. All unwrapped, all too perfect. Not to mention some other wonderful candy was bought.

I also grabbed the new Battle Cat from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe as well as the Core Class Snake Eyes. Still no luck on Studio Series Soundwave which might just be my white whale. I also got a pack of pens for work, I know you're excited about that. In the upcoming weeks my department at work will be moving into a new office space and I'm excited. Brand new cubicle!

I've got a fun week in mind. I know Zone Base isn't some big site, but the fact that you all continue to support it is really flattering. Thank you so much for reading my nonsense! Please don't forget to share with your friends! Y'all sure it's not Halloween yet? No... well... 

Dungeons & Holy Craps

This is ssssooooo good.

Warduke is everything

I'm not a Dungeons and Dragons guy. I've tried to play it, it seems awesome, I'm just not a role player. I've certainly enjoyed D&D in other forms. The cartoon (which was awesome), the old toy line, various books and the occasional video game. You know, stuff. The stuff is great. One character that I've always loved and held in high regard is Warduke. Warduke is good stuff.

I was first introduced to Mr. Duke by getting his action figure, then he'd pop up on the cartoon and other outlets (odd children's book via weekly reader and other stuff). Just pure bad ass. One day I'm going to replace my old action figure of him (his parts lay in memorial at my Mom's house). Though despite only getting that one action figure, I've kinda gotten him in other forms. It's a stretch, but work with me here, I'm going somewhere with this. Somewhere bad ass.

Warduke has a very distinct looking design. Know how you see a skeleton warrior and Skeletor just pops in your mind? A red and blue robot, that's nobody else than Optimus Prime. Warduke has that kind of design for me. Death Adder, Sideways, Powers of Pain... the list could go on, but I've made my point. If not, look I don't know what to tell you. I totally made it, ok? You fucking know I did.

I don't know if Warduke's design is based on an older thing, and really I don't care. Warduke is just my general name for that look. Every gelatin is Jello, every tissue is Kleenex, every kinda mid evil/bat wing head heavy metal looking dude is Warduke. I feel like every air brushed carnival ride has featured Warduke in some way. I know I've seen variations of his design on haunted houses in the shady parking lot carnivals a million times. That's how the old cartoon started, so you might want to be careful riding one of those. You'll either be transported to the world of Dungeons & Dragons, or catch some weird disease. The seats on those things man... what are those stains even from?

Is it poop?