Not quite October, not even close really… but close enough that the signal starts to feel familiar if you’ve been paying attention.
I’ve always liked this stretch of the year for that exact reason. It’s not Halloween yet, but it’s also not not Halloween.
Halfway to Halloween is just a little week of leaning into it. Nothing too heavy. Nothing over the top. Just a few posts that let the season peek through the cracks a little early while everything else is still spring.
Every once and awhile I'm reminded of Annabelle. Not just because I enjoy the paranormal and scary stuff in general... but because I was terrified of her a a kid. I've talked about it before. Of course back then I didn't know her name. She was just the 'possessed Raggedy Ann doll' that kids talked about. Like Bloody Mary or the escaped serial killer on Halloween, she was a urban legend that scared us all. At the time, it wasn't uncommon to see a Raggedy Ann doll either. I strongly recall one sitting in a display at the local library and another owned by my cousin. Her popularity as a fictional character was waning by that then, but her presence was still there. Every sighting of one seemed evil. Is that the possessed one? Spring has had been a little extra spooky this year and as we near Walpurgis and Halfway to Halloween... it's a good time to remind those who may not be regular readers that it can get scary during the warmer months here on Planet Zone.
I just got home from my first movie of the Empire of Old double feature weekend. I have been looking for the newest Ghostbusters movie since it was announced and despite my viewing being delayed a week, was VERY excited to see the newest adventure. Considering the movie is just a week old at this point and just opening in other countries now... I'll try my best to avoid spoilers. That being said, this was an absolute blast. Frozen Empire feels more like a feature length episode of the Real Ghostbusters than a movie. One of the new team members is even a direct homage to the animated version of Egon.
That's a good thing as after 40 years I want to feel the 40 years of Ghostbusters in the newest movie. Frozen Empire is a solid adventure with a great story. Garraka is a solid final boss and a serious threat. I enjoyed the idea of getting the chills being used as weapon. As a long time Ghostbusters fan, the variety of ghosts and gadgets was pure euphoria. The various story lines of each character was a real treat as well. There was a big cast and everyone had their own thing going on in addition to the main plot.That made the movie so much better, there was just so much going on. My only disappointment was when it ended. Great movie.
This Gary figure would be a natural Ecto-Glow Heroes release. Gary has the standard Proton Pack accessory and comes packaged with Pukey. Pukey is a newer ghost and a Class V. Full Roaming Vapor like Slimer. Pukey appears in Frozen Empire and has a variety of merchandise on the way. I'm looking forward to seeing him on screen as I enjoy his Ecto-Stretch toy. As an Ecto-Stretch ghost, Pukey can be pulled or mashed around or placed over a Ghostbusters head for Ecto-Stretch fun. He's a cool looking ghost and like Slimer is oddly sculpted kinda scary compared to Gary. Not complaining about that! Gary and Pukey make for a fun release and have me gearing up more for the new movie. Which by the time your reading this will be out. I'm holding off seeing it until this following weekend in a double feature with Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire on my birthday during my Empire of Old weekend. Waiting that week will feel like an eternity.
This makes the ghost a rubbery, stretchy little ghoul that's fun to play with and can also be stretched over the figure's head simulating being slimed, possessed, or other ghostly interactions. The figures themselves are basic 'core' style action figures that come with a standard proton pack. Trevor returns from Afterlife a little older, but still the teenage grandson of Egon Spengler. From what I can tell, Trevor seems to be a straight reprint of the Afterlife figure paired with a Ecto-Stretch Tech Slimer. Like the prior Hasbro Fight Features figures, Tevor is 4" with five points of articulation. Obviously a fairly basic toy, but considering all you get in the box for $9... not bad. Not to mention, the stylized sculpting paired with the basic articulation gives it a strong Kenner flavor. It works. Trevor includes the same Proton Pack used in the Afterlife Fright Features toys.
It's a decent version of the weapon with the Pack attaching firmly via a per and the Neutrona Wand that can either mount on the pack or be held. Slimer is pleasantly sculpted to match his movie appearance. The Ecto-Stretc Tech ghosts are actually quite scary compared to their human counterparts. That's pretty neat, I would have understood them being more cartoony. Slimer is very rubbery and can be squished and stretched. He's also hollow and thanks to an opening on his back, can fit over Trevor's head and be stretched over. It's a silly gimmick that's fun to fiddle with. I feel like this is a fun way to 'slime' the figure without making a mess. I'm excited to see Frozen Empire and Trevor is a fun start to a new series of Fright Features figures. There's a new vintage series of the classic Real Ghostbuster toys running along side these for additional Ghostbusting. Looks like we have a fun Spooky Spring in store for us Zone Base readers!