Baron Karza [ReAction+/Micronauts]

Following up on yesterdays heroic Micronaut is the evil Baron Karza! Baron Karza is the leader of the Evil Acroyears and general scourge of all that is good. Super7 is using the toy fiction, which makes me happy as I like Acroyears EVIL! As a Reaction+, the Baron is an O-Ring style figure and not held together by magnets like his original. I had the Palisades version with Andromeda for years before giving it to my father in law as those magnets always made me super nervous around my electronics.

That was probably a little too cautious for any rational reason... but a lifetime of being told not to bring magnets around my electronics outweighs any logic. Considering those Palisades ones were notoriously made of brittle plastic, that one's probably a pile of rubble now anyway. With this O-Ring version, I can enjoy my toy without worrying that my computer is going to randomly zap out. Not to mention, I do like him being in comparable size to the other figures. Just feels nice in hand.

Baron Karza was sculpted by Mecha Zone like Biotron was and he really nailed it. That classic head looks fabulous and the body still looks like the Steel Jeeg toy that was reused on the original. While no longer using magnets, he's sculpted and colored to not ignore where they would have been. That's a nice touch. His belly button missile launcher is sculpted in, but obviously doesn't fire anything. I do wish his missile jet pack separated to be used as individual weapons, but understand it not doing so. The look is there, so I'm happy. He's nicely articulated and makes a fine addition to my micro ranks.

Considering the other ReAction ride-able animals, I hope an Andromeda is on the way. As a horse or with a removable head for that sweet centaur action... or both! I also hope a Force Commander is in store as the head swap and recolor should be easy enough. This toy would look so good in white! Knowing Super7, there's likely a bunch of repaints coming. I've got high hopes for alternate color Time Travelers and Acroyears in blind boxes... but would love to see some of those alternate colors for Baron Karza show up. I never could get my hand on those translucent ones Palisades did. The sky's the limit and I'm in for all sorts of variations. I'm so freaking happy that these are getting made!

Biotron [ReAction+/Micronauts]

In January when the new Micronauts toys by Super7 were announced, I didn't think I could be any more ecstatic. The timing of their release around my birthday couldn't have been any as they were the perfect gift from the Mrs. Today we'll be looking at Biotron, or Robotman if you're more into Microman. I've been a fan of Super7's ReAction figures since discovering them in 2014 and their new ReAction+ line is something I've wanted for a very long time.

Much as a standard ReAction takes a character and has them as an 80's Kenner style figure, ReAction+ takes a character and presents them in the style of an O-Ring GI JOE figure.All time favorite figure formats used for a variety of characters? Yes please! Original Micronauts/Microman were O-Ring figures themselves as they were basically downsized Henshin Cyborg figures (which used 12" GIJOE dolls as a base), so this is a perfect format to revisit these characters.

Biotron is a great scaled down incarnation of the original giant toy, or a nice counterpart to the smaller Robotman figure. Biotron and Baron Karza (possibly more, I just know of these two) were sculpted by Mecha Zone (who makes some really good stuff) and they look great! I'm personally blown away by Biotron as he just looks so good! The sculpt is perfect and works great at an O-Ring figure. Certain colors just work perfectly together and the red and blue mix with the white base wonderfully. Of course the chromed head and hands really pop. His tank treads are represented as a removable backpack.

I've seen some conversation that these new Micronauts back ports aren't universally compatible with other similar scaled parts, so whatever else you try to connect there may not work. I'm keeping mine stock though, it looks great. One really nice touch is his chest canopy can be removed to place an Inchman inside. There's been a lot of discourse over exactly which one could fit inside as it's a slightly small size. Dianuats are a little too big, Micro Galaxy Squadron dudes are a little off. I wonder about a Buzz Lightyear Hyperspeed Series? Biotron feels like an award for patiently waiting for a new Micro line all this time. He really feels like a premium toy and knowing Super7, they'll make all sorts of variations. I can't wait.

Mr. Bones (Orange/Black) [Super7 ReAction]

Mr. Bones was a favorite candy of mine when I was little. The little plastic coffin filled with multicolored candy bones that could be assembled into a full skeleton was a lot of fun. I'd save the coffins that were just the right size for a smaller figure to have a funeral in. that was totally normal, right? You can imagine my excitement when Super7 released a Mr. Bones figure in their awesome ReAction line. The Mrs got me the regular version and this way cool Halloween edition we're looking at today. Cast in orange and black colors, Mr. Bones is a 3 3/4 action figure with five points of articulation in the vein of an older Kenner Star Wars figure. Neatly enough, the Halloween version comes in a little coffin similar. Also included is a small gravestone with the tagline 'He's So Real'. The gravestone is a replica of the artwork that would be on the display box you'd find the little colored coffins in. That's a really cool little extra.  I still miss the candy, so this little figure is definitely appreciated.

Godzilla '57 X-Ray Glitter (Godzilla ReAction/Super 7)

Guys, I love Super 7's ReAction figures. They do so much fun stuff that it's ridiculous. The Mrs loaded up my stocking this past Christmas with several of their blind box Godzilla figures much to my delight. The only doubles I received was this wonderfully translucent variant of the Godzilla '57 figure that was so cool I didn't mind having extras. I spoke about the other blind box version of Godzilla '57 a little while back. This is the same idea but in a different direction. As the name says (it's literally a description), this is the X-Ray Glitter version. X-Ray meaning translucent and glitter... because glitter. It's a common variation in these types of things with different colors available for different versions. X-Ray figures are an evergreen cool toy aesthetic and despite there already being Microman Godzilla toys, I can't help but to dub this a Time Traveler Godzilla. I love the translucent green paired with the gold glitter.

IT'S SO PRETTY.

Fire Fighter Jet Jaguar (Godzilla ReAction/Super 7)

Godzilla Island is a crazy place. With all the monsters with their heat rays causing a ruckus or the Xiliens creating chaos with their random schemes... sometimes things catch fire. Thank goodness Fire Fighter Jet Jaguar is here to help control the flames of madness! Fire Fighter Jet Jaguar is yet another variant of Godzilla's robot ally that appeared on the Godzilla Island show and in the Super 7 Godzilla ReAction Blind Box series! A series of which I found many waiting for me in my Christmas stocking thanks to my beautiful wife! The super solid ReAction figure of Jet Jaguar is cast in solid red with a touch of black bringing G-Guard's inferno battling robot to life! Once again Jet Jaguar in the styling of an old school Kenner Star Wars figure really works and just looks fabulous in the red!

Godzilla '57 Silver Screen (Godzilla ReAction)

One really cool aspect of the Godzilla ReAction line is all the deep dives they do with the figures. Super7 always makes neat special editions and their Blind Box Godzilla figures really digs in. In the regular carded line is a figure of Godzilla '57. There's two special versions of that in the blind box series, today we're looking at the 'Silver Screen' version of the figure. As you can see, Godzilla is colored as he would appear projected onscreen in a black and white movie. What makes this '57 figure a deeper dive is that he represents a version of Godzilla from an unmade movie. The Volcano Monsters was a planned American made sequel to Godzilla, King of the Monsters. The movie would have used footage from Godzilla Raids Again combined with new footage to create a separate movie.

Toho assisted in this effort by making new suits of Godzilla and Anguirus for filming additional scenes. The suits looked a little different from the orignal ones used for Godzilla Raids Again, being hand made that tends to happen. The monsters would not have went by name on screen and instead would have been portrayed as dinosaur like monsters that were preserved in the volcano from the movies title. Those dinosaur like monsters would have awakened in modern times and wreck havoc.

The production company for The Volcano Monsters went out of business during production and instead Gigantis, the Fire Monster was made from the existing Godzilla Raids Again footage. Whatever happened to the suits is a mystery, but the Godzilla suit was named Gigantis Godzilla in various publications and merchandise like this toy. So you see, this little figure of Godzilla is pretty neat. The toy alone without all the history is pretty cool on it's own. The ReAction figure format really suits kaiju, making for a nice smaller toy. Trust me, kaiju toys can get BIG and take up A LOT of space. Thankfully the Mrs got me a bunch of these for Christmas. The sculpting is really well done. Godzilla has about 6 points of articulation (legs, shoulders, head and tail), what you'd expect from this type of figure. He's one of the more common figures in the Blind Box line, which is fitting being the main character and all. I'm really happy with it overall. How could I not be?

Medical Jet Jaguar (Godzilla ReAction/Blind Box)

Being a kaiju is hard work. You're constantly getting in fights with other kaiju, super heroes, the military... the list just goes on and on. Heck, even smashing a building can be rough on your body. That's where Medical Jet Jaguar comes in! Medical Jet Jaguar is a giant robot that G-Guard uses on Godzilla Island to keep all the monsters healthy! This toy is a super cool newer figure from Super 7's awesome Godzilla ReAction figure line. Specifically from the Blind Box series that features a slew of neat recolors based on various visages of classic monsters. I really like that 'old Star Wars' toy styling of ReAction figures for multiple reasons. With these kaiju toys, the size is really convenient. Some toys can really take up space, but you could put a bunch of these in a shoe box! Jet Jaguar itself is a perfect design for a ReAction Figure as well and the Medical variation looks ssssooooo cool.

Weekly Halloween: Monsters in the Backyard

 

Remco Monsters figures were something special. The 12' dolls were great as were the 3' 3/4" action figures, which is what I'm focusing on today. The smaller size not only allowed for more play ability (Frankenstein could fly an X-Wing now!) but also more impressive sculpting. With dolls, all the work is in the heads with the clothing covering a generic body. The smaller toys didn't allow for that and honestly we all benefited. You get a nicer looking monster and at a smaller size could do a lot more (time for Wolfman to fight the Rancor). These little guys are why I love Super 7's ReAction figures. Other than being in a preferred form factor, the first things I bought (and still buy) are the Monsters. Everyday is Halloween, and a fun way to keep it so is having these awesome spooky figures around.

Colossal Rubber Tussle

I'm sure we all have a lot on our minds right now. Me, I've got the obvious things we've dealing with as well as preparing for our move in the summer. That's not the best introduction to this post, but I'm not afraid to admit it. I was dreaming about being quarantined in our new place and organizing M.U.S.C.L.E toys. Honestly it's the kind of this I'd do normally.

So, there I was, setting up the new Zone Base headquarters and decided it was time to hold a giant wrestling event with my toys. A real life issue is my childhood M.U.S.C.L.E toys are in various forms of storage at my Mom's house. Real talk, most have probably evaporated in that parents house wormhole that eats things. My 2000's Ultimate M.U.S.C.L.E figures are all sorts of assorted throughout multiple boxed next to most of my Microman toys. My current ones are readily handy as well as multiple other keshi lines.

I traveled to the local Dollar Tree to pick up a good $10 worth of those tiny crappy wrestling rings they usually have with el cheapo jobbers included. For the record, I was taking advantage of all current wrestling events being filmed without audiences. Clearly I have cats and Vince McMahon doesn't. Also my event was streamed on Instagram, completely free like this site. So hey, if you like what I do, please share, it's all I ask.

So I divided my teams up. Universal Monsters, The Worst, WWE, Transformers (Beast Wars and G1), Peanuts, Star Wars, etc. I set up a ranking system based on a very crucial formula (which ever I grabbed first). One of my many tablets served as the titan tron and in the crowd... my fish. I think he was awake. Play that 'click, click, boom' song, it was on. And by on I mean I woke up having to pee another ocean. In my defense, if they sold Surge in normal sized cans at the gas station... I'd still get the tall boy.

Dang, that's neat

サイバーバース：1ステップチェンジャー2020年向け商品の店頭発見報告。なぜかシリーズロゴが2種確認。
https://t.co/xvP2dxExDA pic.twitter.com/T1ufuQ8pDX

— オートベース愛知 (@autobase_aichi) November 6, 2019

Cyberverse: A one-step changer 2020 product discovery report. For some reason, two series logos have been confirmed. http://snakas.blog95.fc2.com/blog-entry-734

スーパー7製「リ・アクション」トランスフォーマーシリーズ第一弾商品画像 https://t.co/IaHXIsosZR pic.twitter.com/z6CsIjwiK6

— オートベース愛知 (@autobase_aichi) November 6, 2019

Super 7 “Re-Action” Transformers series first product image http://snakas.blog95.fc2.com/blog-entry-734

Super 7 is gangsta

You can keep your MP's, I want the crap outta these.

Robotechno

I intend to put some extra attention towards Robotech in the not too distant future. It's been forever since I've watched more than an episode at a time. I've got a few DVD sets and the whole series is on Netflix, I just need to set aside the time to do so... which is the challenge. For the record, I'm specifically talking about Robotech, not regular Macross or anything. Never been that concerned with the Harmony Gold situation either to be honest. I just want to re-watch Robotech at some point, I like it.

Thinking I want to stock up on some of the Robotech keshi Super 7 has been making. They've done a great job as usual. They've done some ReAction figures as well, but I'd rather just keep it small. I have some older stuff and anything new I buy wouldn't be... Look, I have a mini figure addiction.

Super Surprise!

I love mini figures and keshi is my favorite format. From M.U.S.C.L.E to Decoys to other little rubber guys, it's just perfect for a blind bag or vending machine. Super 7 is a great company I've been a fan of sine discovering their magazine in the early 2000's. Clearly on the same wavelength I'm on, the company makes great products that I love. Their various keshi lines are perfect. Great sculpts in a variety of colors and characters. While I'm focusing on Transformers here, their other lines are just as wonderful. Universal Monsters (heart), Masters of the Universe (awesome), The Worst (their own rad creation), and Peanuts (so awesome) are just some of the epic selection they offer. They do keshi right.

The toys are usually available in various multi-packs or in blind boxes under the Keshi Surprise! line. Keshi Suprise! come in great little boxes (I appreciate good looking packaging). Inside the box is a little baggie containing your figure and a cool sticker of the character similar to buying keshi in a Gashapon machine. Super 7 has street cred, that's legit dope. Gashapon machines are not a common thing here in America sadly. Occasionally a specialty shop will have them (I used to clear a local shops machine out until the place eventually closed), but the closest we normally have is gumball style machines which results vary.

While I'm ok ordering from the Super 7 store, boy I'd love to grab a handful of these at Target or Five Below (which depending on your location, has carded M.U.S.C.L.E). Going out and hitting up my favorite blind toy spots is a good time. There's toy hunting and then there's blind toy hunting. Finding them at a store is only half the battle, there's also the gamble of whats inside. If there a code? Hope there's a code, if not I'm just grabbing a ton. Some people tour the world hunting for rare treasure, I scour the suburbs filling my drawstring backpack with little rubber dudes.

Remco X Universal

Nothing better than to get some Universal Monsters in the perfect scale for an adventure this Halloween. These days Super 7 has you covered with their excellent ReAction line, but back in the day Remco brought the noise with these superb figures. At that scale they can pilot the Millennium Falcon. Think about that. Gillman behind the wheels with Phantom manning the guns. Somebody give Dracula a light saber!

Thinking about these toys and Halloween gives me warm memories of those lucky years when Halloween was on the weekend. Spending all Saturday playing in anticipation of going trick or treating later in my Kooky Spooks green face with black eyes and robe costume. What the hell was I supposed to be? Who knows, but I damn sure was it and damn sure got some candy. I can't think of a better way to spend Halloween day than with some sweet Universal Monsters action figures. Or any day for that matter.

Universal Monsters X Super 7

Shogun Warriors are pretty metal

Earlier when talking about the Shogun Warriors kaiju, I mentioned the smaller die cast figures. Those are the Shogun Warriors toys I had as a kid. Sure the moment for the line had past, but being from those working class roots meant I often got toys from a discount store. These days discount stores usually have a specific version of mainline toys made particularly for that market with a little peppering of off brand goods. Then, however, you had a ton of off brand goods and a smattering of close out buys. So here I was in that preschool (I initially misspelled that and the spelling suggestion was pee school) age at some random shopping trip in between holidays and birthdays either going home with something made by Arco or one fateful day... Shogun Warriors.

I had no clue who Dragun or Poseidon was, but dude they were neat! They soon joined the forces of Darth Vader who now had whoopass robots to fight Luke Skywalker and The Hulk in battle. Super 7 has a cool line of Shogun Warriors in their ReAction series. I should get some of those.

Transform Squadron 008 - The He-Mandella Effect

Listen Here

In the April 2019 edition of Transform Squadron, Rob talks about his birthday adventure before talking Beast Machines Obsidian.

Toy Fair 2019 reflections

It practically ordered itself

Another Toy Fair has come and gone, and if you're anything like me, you're probably grateful for your social media to return to normal. All joking aside, as usual there was a ton of news for the upcoming year in toys. Most of the Transformers news was already made available prior to the event in form of press releases, sneak peaks on popular pop culture sites, and fandom news sources scouring the internet (how do they have the time?). Though there still was some surprises to be had and honestly, not going makes the spoiled surprises hardly an issue for me since it's just reading news (though partially the source of my sarcasm towards the onslaught of news over the weekend after they already leaked it the week earlier). Power Rangers had some great looks at upcoming toys and I'm really looking forward to some of that stuff. There's a great Star Wars pseudo vintage Kenner style line coming that I'm excited over. My love for those old Kenner figures has never faded (and likely why I like the standard/basic figures so much), so getting updates of those is something I'm all in for.

Super 7 showed off some cool stuff that I'm really interested in. I've always dug their ReAction line (see, Kenner style toys) and they've got some great stuff coming. I wish I would have got a better look at their M.U.S.C.L.E line (another favorite toy style), but such is how the news flow goes. I'm sure I will as time goes. Honestly I didn't get to see much more than I'm talking about here as that was majorly in my optics over the weekend. That's kinda the end result of a flood of news, you end up just taking a few sips of the water and head for dry land. I'll take in more in time as really, more in depth information will be made available as the things get closer to release.

To give a spotlight on my favorites from the show, well, as far as Transformers goes I'm still in awe of Siege. I absolutely love the line and don't see anything I don't want. Really looking forward to those 35th Anniversary toys. Great reuse of already excellent Siege toys. Cyberverse has some great toys coming, and even though I'll hardly buy all of them, the Spark Armor figures as well as a few stand outs like Alpha Trion are must gets. With Power Rangers I mainly plan on buying the Megazords when they come out in fall, though the Micro Morphers and Playskool figures will be bought regularly. I'm really excited for the vintage Star Wars toys, though my main source of excitement is for episode 9 toys and they'll show those more in the coming months. If they showed any Mega Construx, I didn't see it. So I'm hoping there's some good stuff coming as I really like the Heroes series. Same with Imaginext. Since Power Rangers has went to Playskool, my focus is the blind bags and whenever series 12 shows up, I'm scooping up that new Adventure People homage and the robot from Big. They have some neat Batman figures coming, I'll get a few of those I'm sure.

In all, there's a ton of great stuff coming and I'm pretty excited for it. I don't get too worked up for Toy Fair as most of the big news seems to only cover a few months out of the year anyway (they acted like Generations was ending last year, remember?), but it is nice to get that few months worth of news even if it means my social media is practically unusable for a weekend. I did buy a sweet pair of Reebox this weekend and like 50$ worth of pizza (so far on day 3 of just microwaving pizza instead of cooking, I'm going to call that a win) while playing Sega (I really like Sega). So, thinking I had a better weekend than the folks at Toy Fair.

Sooper Dooper 7

 

Super 7 has even more cool stuff coming and that includes a dead version of the X-Ray Optimus Prime figure for NYCC. Man, I really, really, really want those Keshi Surprise. Those are super neat.